U.S. patent application number 10/215147 was filed with the patent office on 2003-02-27 for open-end rotor spinning machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to W. Schlafhorst AG & Co.. Invention is credited to Gobbels, Heinz-Dieter, Grecksch, Hans, LaBmann, Manfred.
Application Number | 20030038206 10/215147 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7694878 |
Filed Date | 2003-02-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030038206 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grecksch, Hans ; et
al. |
February 27, 2003 |
Open-end rotor spinning machine
Abstract
An open-end rotor spinning machine having a plurality of work
stations, wherein each work station comprises an open-end spinning
device for manufacturing a yarn, a winding device with a creel, a
yarn traversing device for producing a cheese, a pivotably
supported, vacuum-chargeable suction nozzle, an individual drive
for pivoting the suction nozzle between a yarn take-up position in
the area of the winding device and a yarn transfer position in the
area of a spinning piecing member, and a device for preparing a
yarn end required for restarting spinning. Each work station
comprises a winding device with a drive drum driven by a reversible
individual drive for driving a cheese and with a yarn traversing
device driven by an individual motor for defined placement of the
yarn running up onto the cheese, a yarn withdrawal device, and a
work-station computer for controlling the individual drives and
individual motors.
Inventors: |
Grecksch, Hans;
(Monchengladbach, DE) ; Gobbels, Heinz-Dieter;
(Monchengladbach, DE) ; LaBmann, Manfred;
(Nettetal, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KENNEDY COVINGTON LOBDELL & HICKMAN, LLP
214 NORTH TRYON STREET
CHARLOTTE
NC
28202
US
|
Assignee: |
W. Schlafhorst AG & Co.
Monchengladbach
DE
|
Family ID: |
7694878 |
Appl. No.: |
10/215147 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/475.6 ;
242/485.9; 57/263 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D01H 4/30 20130101; B65H
2701/31 20130101; D01H 1/115 20130101; B65H 67/081 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/475.6 ;
242/485.9; 57/263 |
International
Class: |
B65H 067/08; D01H
013/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 9, 2001 |
DE |
DE 10139075.0 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An open-end rotor spinning machine having at least two work
stations, wherein each work station comprises an open-end spinning
device for manufacturing a yarn, a winding device with a creel, a
yarn traversing device for producing a cheese, a pivotably
supported, vacuum-chargeable suction nozzle, an individual drive
for pivoting the suction nozzle between a yarn take-up position in
the area of the winding device and a yarn transfer position in the
area of a spinning piecing member, and a device for preparing a
yarn end required for restarting spinning, wherein each work
station of the open-end rotor spinning machine comprises: a winding
device with a drive drum driven by a reversible individual drive
for driving a cheese and with a yarn traversing device driven by an
individual motor for defined placement of the yarn running up onto
the cheese, a yarn withdrawal device driven by another individual
motor, and a work-station computer for controlling the individual
drives and individual motors in a defined manner.
2. The open-end rotor spinning machine according to claim 1,
wherein the individual drive for the suction nozzle is a stepping
motor connected via a control lead to the work-station
computer.
3. The open-end rotor spinning machine according to claim 1,
wherein a pivotably supported centering sheet driven by a stepping
motor or a pneumatic cylinder is arranged in an area of the winding
device.
4. The open-end rotor spinning machine according to claim 1,
wherein each work station comprises a mechanical yarn storage
device driven by an individual motor and a pneumatically operated
yarn storage nozzle.
5. The open-end rotor spinning machine according to claim 1,
wherein the yarn withdrawal device comprises a withdrawal cylinder
loaded by a reversible individual drive and a clamping roller
without a drive resting on the take-off cylinder.
6. The open-end rotor spinning machine according to claim 5,
wherein the reversible individual drive is a synchronous motor.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of German Patent
Application DE 10139075.0, filed Aug. 9, 2001, herein incorporated
by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an open-end rotor spinning
machine having at least two similar work stations, in particular to
an open-end rotor spinning machine having numerous individual
drives at the individual work stations wherein the individual
drives can be controlled in a defined manner by a work-station
computer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] As illustrated in German Patent Publication DE 198 36 065
A1, an open-end rotor spinning machine typically has a plurality of
similar work stations arranged in series adjacent to each other. A
sliver placed, for example, in a spinning can is spun into a yarn
in these work stations and subsequently wound into a cheese.
[0004] Each work station has an open-end spinning device and a
winding device. The working parts of the spinning device and also
the working parts of the winding device are driven by drive means
running the length of the machine. For example, a tangential belt
for driving the spinning rotors and a full-length drive shaft
driven on the machine end for driving the sliver draw-in cylinder
are arranged in the area of the spinning devices.
[0005] A corresponding, full-length drive shaft on which the
so-called drive drums for the cheeses are fixed runs in the area of
the winding device. Moreover, these work stations comprise yarn
withdrawal devices driven by a full-length drive shaft.
[0006] The work stations are serviced by a service unit that
patrols the work stations of the rotor spinning machine and engages
automatically when a problem such as a yarn break occurs at one of
the work stations. In such an instance, the service unit runs to
the work station concerned, locks thereat and searches for the
broken yarn run up after the yarn break onto the cheese with a
pivotably supported, vacuum-chargeable suction nozzle.
[0007] In some situations, the individual work stations may have to
wait too long for the service unit. This is the case when, for
example, the service unit is still occupied with eliminating a yarn
break at another work station. To avoid this delay, it has been
proposed to employ several of the service units simultaneously at
an open-end spinning machine.
[0008] However, service units such as those disclosed in German
Patent Publication DE 198 27 605 A1 are on the whole relatively
complicated in design, and therefore, rather expensive. In addition
to a vacuum-chargeable suction nozzle, the service units also have
a number of manipulating elements that make it possible for the
service unit to search for the yarn that has run up on the cheese
after a yarn break and to restart the spinning of the taken-up yarn
after appropriate preparation in the open-end spinning device of
the particular work station on a yarn ring rotating there. The
drive of the individual yarn manipulating elements, including the
suction nozzle, takes place via special lever linkages that
correspond with a cam disk packet. The cam disk packet is driven by
a main motor.
[0009] German Patent Publication DE 25 41 589 A1 teaches a
comparable, moveable service unit also designed for automatically
restarting the spinning of the previously disclosed work stations
of an open-end rotor spinning machine. This known service unit has
a pivotably supported, slotted suction nozzle that merges into a
slotted transfer arm. In addition, a yarn grasper is installed in
the area of the pivot axis of the suction nozzle which grasper
transfers the yarn taken up by the suction nozzle to a yarn
clamping and preparing device arranged on the end of the transfer
arm. Even though German Patent Publication DE 25 41 589 A1 does not
expressly disclose by what type of drive mechanism, for example,
the suction nozzle, yarn grasper and yarn storage can be driven, it
can be assumed that the drive of these yarn manipulating devices
takes place, as is customary and shown, for example in German
Patent Publication DE 198 27 605 A1, via a cam disk packet driven
by a main motor.
[0010] The previously cited German patent publication does mention
that the yarn manipulating devices of the service unit could
theoretically also be arranged at each one of the work stations of
the spinning machines. However, a 1:1 transfer is expressly advised
against.
[0011] According to German Patent Publication DE 25 41 589 A1, it
is supposedly more economical to arrange the expensive yarn
manipulating devices on a moveable service unit that then services
a plurality of work stations of an open-end spinning machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] It is accordingly an object of the present invention to
create an open-end spinning machine with work stations that are as
self-sufficient as possible but yet relatively simple in
design.
[0013] According to the present invention, this object is addressed
by an open-end rotor spinning machine having at least two work
stations, wherein each work station comprises an open-end spinning
device for manufacturing a yarn, a winding device with a creel, a
yarn traversing device for producing a cheese, a pivotably
supported, vacuum-chargeable suction nozzle wherein the suction
nozzle can pivot via an individual drive between a yarn take-up
position in the area of the winding device and a yarn transfer
position in the area of a spinning piecing member, and a device for
preparing a yarn end required for restarting spinning. Each work
station of the open-end rotor spinning machine comprises a winding
device with a drive drum driven by a reversible individual drive
for driving a cheese and with a yarn traversing device driven by an
individual motor for defined placement of the yarn running up onto
the cheese. Each work station also comprises a yarn withdrawal
device driven by an individual motor wherein the individual drives
can be controlled in a defined manner by a work-station
computer.
[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the work
stations of an open-end rotor spinning machine are designated with
numerous individual drives at the individual work stations wherein
the individual drives can be controlled in a defined manner by a
work-station computer. This embodiment has the particular advantage
that such work stations can increase the productivity of the
open-end spinning machine. The individual drives for the drive
drums and/or the yarn withdrawal device are preferably designed,
for example, as synchronous motors.
[0015] The design of the work stations makes possible an immediate
and rapid elimination of any occurring yarn breaks, so that the
downtime of the work stations caused by yarn breaks can be
minimized and have a lesser impact on the efficiency of the
open-end spinning machine.
[0016] For this reason, it is also possible to efficiently produce
less spin-resistant yarn in work stations in accordance with the
present invention. In accordance with the present invention, it is
possible to produce a yarn that has a distinctly lower twist factor
as compared to yarn produced by known work stations. Although the
yarn produced in accordance with the present invention is more
sensitive to yarn breaks, the result is a distinct increase of the
yarn length produced at the same rotor speed of the spinning
device.
[0017] In another embodiment of the present invention, a stepping
motor is provided as the individual drive for the suction nozzle
forming part of the work station. The stepping motor is connected
via a control lead to the work-station computer and can be
controlled in a defined manner via the work-station computer. The
suction nozzle that is driven by a stepping motor can be adjusted
between a yarn take-up position in which the mouth opening of the
suction nozzle is positioned in the immediate vicinity of the
jacket surface of a cheese, that is held in the creel of a winding
device and driven in the direction of unwinding, and between a yarn
transfer position in which the taken-up yarn is presented to a
spinning piecing member in the area of the spinning device. The
suction nozzle can also be multiply pivoted in succession between
these two end positions as required so that even in the case of
difficult yarns a high degree of safety as regards a successful
yarn transfer is given.
[0018] Such stepping motors have the particular advantage that on
the one hand they can be positioned precisely without great control
cost and in a reproducible manner at all times and on the other
hand are relatively economical commercially as readily obtainable
serial components.
[0019] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a
pivotably supported centering sheet can be arranged in front of the
yarn traversing device which sheet can be folded into the regular
path course by a stepping motor or by a pneumatic cylinder. The
centering sheet acts in cooperation with an appropriate yarn guide
notch in the mouth opening of the suction nozzle such that the yarn
that ran up after a yarn break onto the jacket surface of the
cheese is guided in the middle of the work station while it is
moved back by the suction nozzle to a spinning piecing member
arranged in the area of the spinning device. The pivoted-in
centering sheet assures that the yarn can glide along a stationary
yarn guide device arranged in front of the regular yarn path and
can be positioned in a catch element of this yarn guide device in
such a manner that it can be subsequently readily taken over by a
yarn catch element arranged on the suction nozzle and able to pivot
with the latter.
[0020] Each work station also comprises a pneumatic yarn storage
nozzle and a mechanical yarn storage device. The yarn overlengths
that occur from time to time during the spinning restart process
and also, for example, during the transfer of the yarn from the
centering sheet to the yarn guide of the traversing device are
compensated with preference by the pneumatic storage nozzle. The
mechanical storage device driven by an individual motor is
particularly useful when conical cheeses are to be wound. That is,
if the yarn winding speed constantly fluctuates between a maximum
and a minimum, given a constant yarn supply speed.
[0021] Such a mechanical yarn storage device also renders the using
of a so-called "fish belly" superfluous, since the yarn overlengths
occurring during the winding process on account of the yarn
traversing are readily compensated by the mechanical yarn storage
device.
[0022] In another advantageous embodiment, the yarn withdrawal
device of each work station comprises a withdrawal cylinder
preferably driven by a synchronous motor and comprises a pressure
roller resting with a certain contact pressure on the withdrawal
cylinder. The synchronous motor is reversible, so that a prescribed
return of the prepared yarn into the open-end spinning device for a
spinning restart as well as an orderly withdrawal of the newly
produced yarn are assured.
[0023] Further details of the present invention can be gathered
from a non-limiting exemplary embodiment presented in the following
description with reference made to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a work station of an
open-end spinning machine in accordance with the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] The work station 1 of an open-end rotor spinning machine is
shown in FIG. 1. Such a work station 1 comprises, as is known and,
therefore, only schematically shown, an open-end spinning device 2
and a winding device 3. Pivotably supported spinning piecing member
16 is arranged in the area of the yarn withdrawal tube 21 of
open-end spinning device 2, which member 16 takes the yarn 9
fetched after a yarn break by suction nozzle 4 from cheese 8 and
prepares the yarn end for the restarting of spinning.
[0026] Moreover, yarn withdrawal device 27 is arranged in this
area, which takes over the withdrawal of spinning yarn 9 from the
open-end spinning device during the regular spinning operation and
also is responsible during the restarting of spinning for the
return of prepared yarn 9 into the open-end spinning device.
[0027] Winding device 3 is comprised, as is customary, of creel 22
for rotatably holding a cheese 8, of drive drum 23, preferably
driven via reversible individual drive 56, and of yarn traversing
device 24 driven, for example, via stepping motor 57. In addition,
a yarn centering device in the form of pivotably supported
centering sheet 17 can be arranged in front of yarn traversing
device 24, which, sheet can be folded as required by drive 55 in a
defined manner into the regular yarn path.
[0028] In addition, work station 1 comprises, as already indicated
above, suction nozzle 4 that can be adjusted by stepping motor 6 in
a defined manner between a yarn take-up position located in the
area of winding device 3 and between a yarn transfer position
located in the area of spinning device 2.
[0029] Suction nozzle 4 carries yarn catch element 7 on its back,
which element comprises, for example, an S-shaped yarn guide edge,
a yarn catch element and a switching sheet. Finally, stationary
yarn guide device 5 with downwardly open catch element 10 is
arranged at an interval in front of the regular yarn path of work
station 1. Moreover, each work station 1 comprises yarn monitor 26,
paraffining device 62 and yarn storage devices 60, 61.
[0030] Yarn storage device 61 is designed as a vacuum-chargeable
storage nozzle whereas storage device 60 is designed as a
mechanical yarn storage device. That is, an adjustable yarn guide
member is arranged between two stationary yarn guide members which
adjustable yarn guide member, driven by stepping motor 58, can move
relative to the yarn path.
[0031] During the spinning process, yarn 9 produced in open-end
spinning device 2 is withdrawn by yarn draw-off device 27 and wound
to cheese 8 on winding device 3. Cheese 8, rotatably supported
between the arms of creel 22, rests with its surface on drive drum
23 driven by an individual motor and is driven by the latter by
friction in the direction of winding on. At the same time, yarn 9
is placed in such a manner by yarn traversing device 24 that it
runs in crossing layers onto the jacket surface of the cheese
8.
[0032] Suction nozzle 4 present at each work station 1 is
preferably positioned in a parked position during this "normal"
spinning process; spinning piecing member 16 is in a so-called
spinning position, as is indicated in FIG. 1.
[0033] If a problem such as a yarn break occurs at one of work
stations 1 of the open-end rotor spinning machine, which is
preferably detected by yarn monitor 26, work-station computer 25
assures that spinning device 2 of the particular work station 1 as
well as the associated winding device 3 are braked to a standstill.
That is, individual drive 56 of drive drum 23 is loaded with a
braking current in such a manner that the drive drum is rapidly
braked to a standstill. The drive drum also delays cheese 8 at this
time. At the same time, stepping motor 6 of suction nozzle 4 is
controlled in such a manner that suction nozzle 4 is pivoted out of
its park position into a yarn take-up position (not shown) in which
suction intake 19 of suction nozzle 4 is positioned in the
immediate vicinity of the jacket surface of cheese 8. In addition,
work-station computer 25 assures that a valve is opened and suction
nozzle 4 is pneumatically and continually connected to a vacuum
source (not shown).
[0034] Drive drum 23 is subsequently loaded in the direction of
unwinding so that the yarn end that ran up after the yarn break
onto the jacket surface of cheese 8 can be taken up by suction
nozzle 4. The successful taking up of yarn 9 can be monitored by a
sensor device arranged inside suction nozzle 4.
[0035] Suction nozzle 4 is then pivoted downward by stepping motor
6. While suction nozzle 4 is pivoting downward, e.g., centering
sheet 17 installed in the area of winding device 3 is folded by
drive 55 into the yarn path so that yarn 9 is guided by yarn guide
notch 18 in centering sheet 17 and, for example, yarn guide notch
20 in suction intake opening 19 of suction nozzle 4 approximately
in the middle of the work station.
[0036] While suction nozzle 4 is pivoting downward, the yarn strand
stretched between yarn guide notch 18 of centering sheet 17 and
between yarn guide notch 20 of suction nozzle 4 glides along
stationary yarn guide device until yarn 9 finally slides into
downwardly open yarn catch element 10 of yarn guide device 5.
Suction nozzle 4 is subsequently pivoted somewhat upward again at
first. A second yarn strand forms at this time between suction
nozzle 4 and catch element 10 of stationary yarn guide device 5.
Suction nozzle 4, which subsequently pivots back down again crosses
the first yarn strand with the yarn contour of its yarn catch
element 7 and as a result transfers yarn 9 into the area of
spinning piecing member 16. Moreover, during the downward pivoting
of suction nozzle 4, yarn 9 is threaded into the yarn guide
elements and yarn operational elements of work station 1. That is,
yarn 9 is brought, among other things, under clamping cylinder 64
of yarn withdrawal device 27, which is then closed.
[0037] Shortly before it reaches the yarn transfer position,
suction nozzle 4 runs with a switching sheet against a stop of
pivotably supported spinning piecing member 16 and presses the
latter out of the spinning position indicated in FIG. 1 into a yarn
take-up position (not shown).
[0038] Subsequently or at the same time, an electromagnetic valve
is controlled by work-station computer 26 in such a manner that a
suction pull is produced at the yarn exit opening of spinning
piecing member 16 which pull acts on yarn 9 presented by suction
nozzle 4. Yarn 9 is then separated by a yarn cutting device that is
a component of spinning piecing member 16. The yarn end of yarn 9,
which end is connected to cheese 9, is drawn in by suction through
the yarn exit opening into spinning piecing member 16 while the
separated, free yarn end is removed by suction nozzle 4. The yarn
end of yarn 9 which end is fixed in spinning piecing member 16 is
subsequently prepared and held ready for a spinning restart.
[0039] When suction nozzle 4 is subsequently moved back into its
park position, spinning piecing member 16 automatically pivots back
into the spinning position under the action of a spring element in
the area of its pivot axis and comes to rest with a rear seal on
yarn withdrawal tube 21 of open-end spinning device 2.
[0040] Spinning piecing member 16 is then under the influence of
the vacuum prevailing inside open-end spinning device 2, so that
the previously applied vacuum can be turned off. Drive 59 of yarn
withdrawal device 27 forming part of the work station is
subsequently controlled by work-station computer 25 in such a
manner that a defined return of the yarn into open-end spinning
device 2 takes place. That is, the prepared yarn end of yarn 9 is
placed on a yarn ring rotating inside open-end spinning device 2,
which ring is broken at this time.
[0041] The newly created yarn 9 is subsequently withdrawn via yarn
withdrawal device 27 and wound, as initially mentioned already, on
winding device 3 to a cheese 8.
[0042] It will therefore be readily understood by those persons
skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of
broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of
the present invention other than those herein described, as well as
many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be
apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and
the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the
substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the
present invention has been described herein in detail in relation
to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that this
disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present
invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and
enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is
not intended or to be construed to limit the present invention or
otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations,
variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present
invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *