U.S. patent application number 10/269420 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-17 for yarn splicing device.
This patent application is currently assigned to W. Schlafhorst AG & Co.. Invention is credited to Corres, Norbert, Irmen, Wolfgang, Schmitz, Bernhard.
Application Number | 20030070411 10/269420 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7702391 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030070411 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Irmen, Wolfgang ; et
al. |
April 17, 2003 |
Yarn splicing device
Abstract
A yarn splicing device (10) for pneumatically joining two yarn
ends (31, 32), with a splicing head (19) that is fixed on a
foundation (22) and comprises a splicing conduit (20) with at least
one opening (34) for delivering compressed air. The splicing
conduit (20) comprises at least two additional suction intake
openings (33) that can be loaded with a vacuum and are arranged on
both sides of the opening (34) for delivering compressed air.
Inventors: |
Irmen, Wolfgang;
(Monchengladbach, DE) ; Schmitz, Bernhard;
(Willich, DE) ; Corres, Norbert; (Wegberg,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Karl S. Sawyer, Jr.
Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman, L.L.P.
Hearst Tower, 47th Floor
214 N. Tryon St.
Charlotte
NC
28202
US
|
Assignee: |
W. Schlafhorst AG & Co.
Monchengladbach
DE
|
Family ID: |
7702391 |
Appl. No.: |
10/269420 |
Filed: |
October 11, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
57/22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2701/31 20130101;
B65H 69/061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
57/22 |
International
Class: |
B65H 069/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 12, 2001 |
DE |
DE 101 50 578.7 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A yarn splicing device for pneumatically joining two yarn ends,
comprising a splicing head fixed on a foundation and having a
splicing conduit with at least one first compressed air opening
loadable in a defined manner for delivering compressed air into the
splicing head and at least two suction intake openings loadable
with a vacuum, the suction intake openings being arranged
respectively on opposite sides of the compressed air opening.
2. The yarn splicing device according to claim 1, characterized in
that the suction intake openings are arranged symmetrically to the
compressed air opening.
3. The yarn splicing device according to claim 1, characterized in
that the suction intake openings are connected via a common vacuum
line to a vacuum source.
4. The yarn splicing device according to claim 3, further
comprising a second independent vacuum source.
5. The yarn splicing device according to claim 4, characterized in
that the second independent vacuum source comprises an injector
nozzle.
6. The yarn splicing device according to claim 1, characterized in
that the suction intake openings empty in a bottom area of the
splicing conduit.
7. The yarn splicing device according to claim 6, characterized in
that the bottom area of the splicing conduit has an essentially
U-shaped cross section.
8. The yarn splicing device according to claim 6, characterized in
that the bottom area of the splicing conduit has an essentially
V-shaped cross section.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of German patent
application No. 101 50 578.7 filed Oct. 12, 2001, herein
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a yarn splicing device and,
more particularly, to a yarn splicing device for pneumatically
joining two yarn ends by means of a splicing head fixed on a
foundation and a splicing conduit with at least one compressed air
opening loadable in a defined manner for delivering compressed air
into the splicing head.
[0003] Yarn splicing devices have long been known in conjunction
with automatic cheese winders and have been described in detail in
numerous protective right applications.
[0004] For example, German Patent Publication DE 39 35 536 C2
describes a pneumatic yarn splicing device comprising a splicing
head with a splicing conduit having an almost circular cross
section. Tangentially arranged openings for delivering compressed
air empty tangentially into the splicing conduit, that has a
through slot on its top for inserting the yarn ends to be spliced.
The yarn insertion slot and therewith the splicing conduit are
closed during the splicing process by a cover element.
[0005] The yarn ends to be spliced are prepared before the actual
splicing process, that is, the yarn ends are at least partially
freed of their yarn twist. The preparation of the yarn ends can
take place either pneumatically via so-called yarn end opening
tubes, as disclosed in German Patent Publication DE 39 35 536 C2,
or mechanically by two friction disks working in opposite
directions, as described, e.g., in German Patent Publication DE 30
29 452 C2.
[0006] The known yarn splicing devices have proven themselves in
practice in principle; however, they reveal weaknesses if fine and
extremely fine yarns are to be spliced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In view the state of the art cited above, it is accordingly
a general object of the present invention to create a yarn splicing
device that makes it possible to join even problematic yarns,
especially fine and extremely fine yarns, in a reliable manner.
[0008] The invention addresses this objective by providing a yarn
splicing device for pneumatically joining two yarn ends, comprising
a splicing head fixed on a foundation and having a splicing conduit
with at least one first compressed air opening loadable in a
defined manner for delivering compressed air into the splicing head
and at least two suction intake openings loadable with a vacuum,
the suction intake openings being arranged respectively on opposite
sides of the compressed air opening.
[0009] This design, in accordance with the present invention, of a
splicing head with at least one compressed air opening, preferably
arranged centrally in the splicing conduit, and with at least two
adjacent vacuum-loadable suction intake openings, has the
particular advantage that the fibers lying parallel to a very large
extent after the preparation of the yarn ends remain reliably fixed
in the splicing conduit even during the actual splicing procedure.
That is, a collection of material in the area of the connection
openings can be achieved by means of the pneumatic fixing of the
fibers in the splicing conduit which collection makes it possible
to produce durable splices even in the case of fine and extremely
fine yarns. Moreover, such vacuum-loaded suction intake openings,
make possible a retention or storing of the neutralized yarn twist
until the actual splicing procedure, especially in the case of
mechanically prepared yarn ends, that is, in the case of yarn ends
that were untwisted between two friction disks working in opposite
directions. This stored yarn twist can be released after the
splicing process is completed and then imparts further strength to
the yarn joining site.
[0010] In particular, a symmetrical arrangement of the
vacuum-loadable suction intake openings assures that the yarn ends
are held inside the splicing conduit in a state that is tensioned
to a very large extent, which has a positive effect on the
appearance and on the durability of the yarn connection.
[0011] A preferred embodiment provides that the individual suction
intake openings are connected via a common pneumatic line to a
vacuum source. Such a design assures not only a uniform loading of
the yarn ends to be spliced but also constitutes a method of
constructing the splicing head that is advantageous due to its
simplicity.
[0012] An advantageous embodiment provides that the suction intake
openings are connected to a separate vacuum source. Such a
pneumatic decoupling of the splicing device of the invention from
the regular vacuum system of the textile machine can assure a
largely uniform quality of the spliced connections since variations
in pressure such as are almost unavoidable in the vacuum system of
a textile machine will not have an effect on the yarn splicing
device.
[0013] The separate vacuum source is designed, e.g., as an injector
nozzle. The use of such an injector nozzle is an economical
possibility of realizing a reliable, additional vacuum producer in
a simple manner.
[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the
vacuum-loadable suction intake openings advantageously empty in a
bottom area of the splicing conduit. The bottom area of the
splicing conduit has a U-shaped or V-shaped cross section in a
preferred embodiment. Such an advantageous shape of the bottom of
the splicing conduit favors the parallel alignment of the fibers of
the yarn ends to be spliced and therefore results in a uniform
connection of material at the bottom of the splicing conduit.
[0015] The invention is further explained in the following
specification with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in
the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a lateral view of a work station of an automatic
cheese winder with a yarn splicing device in accordance with the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a yarn splicing device in
accordance with the present invention, with a pneumatically
loadable splicing head as well as pneumatically operating tubes for
preparing yarn ends.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a front view of the yarn splicing device in
accordance with the present invention with a splicing head that can
be loaded with a vacuum and with mechanical friction disks for
preparing the yarn ends.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a lateral view of the yarn splicing device in
accordance with FIG. 3.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pneumatically loadable
splicing head of a yarn splicing device in accordance with the
present invention on a larger scale.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] FIG. 1 schematically shows a front view of a textile
machine, which in this exemplary embodiment is an automatic cheese
winder for producing yarn cheeses identified in its totality by
reference numeral 1. Such automatic cheese winders usually comprise
a plurality of similar work stations, in the present instance
winding heads 2, between their end frames (not shown). Spinning
cops 9 produced, e.g., on a ring spinning machine are rewound to
large-volume cheeses 15 on these winding heads 2, as is known and
therefore not explained in detail. After their completion, these
cheeses 15 are transferred by an automatically operating service
unit, preferably a cheese changer (not shown), onto cheese
transport device 21 running the length of the machine and are
transported to a cheese unloading station or the like arranged at
one end of the machine.
[0022] Usually, such automatic cheese winders 1 also comprise a
logistics device in the form of a bobbin and tube transport system
3 in which spinning cops 9 or empty yarn tubes circulate in
vertical alignment on transport plates 8. Of this bobbin and tube
transport system 3, FIG. 1 shows only cop supply extent 4,
reversibly drivable storage extent 5, one of transverse transport
extent 6 leading to winding heads 2 and tube return extent 7.
[0023] Moreover, such automatic cheese winders 1 comprise as a rule
a central control unit (not shown) connected via a machine bus to
separate work-station computers 29 of individual winding heads 2
and to a control device of the service unit.
[0024] Supplied spinning cops 9 are rewound to large-volume cheeses
15 in unwinding positions AS located in the area of transverse
transport extents 6 on winding heads 2. To this end the individual
winding heads comprise, as is known and therefore only
schematically indicated, various devices that assure an orderly
operation of these work stations. These devices comprise, e.g.,
suction nozzle 12, grasper tube 25 and yarn joining device 10. Yarn
joining device 10 is preferably designed as a pneumatic
splicer.
[0025] As is indicated in FIG. 1, pneumatic yarn splicing device 10
is set back somewhat relative to the regular course of yarn travel
and comprises, e.g., as indicated in FIG. 2, upper yarn clamping
and cutting device 11 and lower yarn clamping and cutting device
17.
[0026] Such winding heads 2 also comprise other devices (not shown
in detail) such as a yarn tensioner, a yarn cleaner, a paraffining
device, a yarn cutting device, a force sensor for yarn traction and
a bottom yarn sensor.
[0027] The winding of cheeses 15 takes place on respective winding
devices 24 associated with each winding head. Such winding devices
24 comprise, among other things, a creel 28 supported in such a
manner that it can move about the axis of pivot shaft 13 and
comprises a device for rotatably holding a cheese tube. During the
winding process, the cheese 15 is supported in a freely rotatable
manner in creel 28 while resting with its circumferential surface
on grooved drum 14 to be friction driven thereby.
[0028] As has already been indicated above, each winding head 2
comprises a suction nozzle 12 and a grasper tube 25. Suction nozzle
12 is supported in such a manner that it can rotate in a limited
fashion about pivot axis 16 and grasper tube 25 is supported in
such a manner that it can rotate in a limited fashion about pivot
axis 26.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of yarn joining device 10,
with suction nozzle 12 shown standing in a yarn insertion position
and grasper tube 25 similarly arranged in a corresponding yarn
insertion position. Suction nozzle 12 has retrieved upper yarn end
31 from cheese 15 and inserted it into splicing conduit 20 of
splicing head 19. Moreover, bottom yarn end 32, that is connected
to spinning cop 9 and is fixed as a rule after a yarn break in a
yarn tensioner (not shown), is retrieved by grasper tube 25 and
also inserted into splicing conduit 20.
[0030] As is indicated in FIG. 2, splicing head 19 is connected,
e.g., via screw connection 27 to foundation 22 that comprises
several pneumatic connections and into which pneumatically loadable
yarn end preparation tubes 18, among other things, are formed. The
yarn clamping and cutting devices 11, 17 are arranged above and
below foundation 22 of yarn splicing device 10. As can be seen,
upper yarn end 31 rests in cutting element 17" of yarn clamping and
cutting device 17 arranged below splicing head 19 and rests in
clamping element 11' of upper yarn clamping and cutting device 11
arranged above splicing head 19. Bottom yarn 32 is correspondingly
held in clamping element 17' of lower yarn clamping and cutting
device 17 and crosses cutting element 11" of upper yarn clamping
and cutting device 11.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a front view of another embodiment of yarn
splicing device 10. Yarn splicing device 10 is arranged between two
mechanically operating friction rings 42, 43 that can be driven in
opposing directions. Friction ring 42, which is more forwardly
disposed according to FIG. 3, can rotate, e.g., counterclockwise in
a limited fashion and rear friction ring 43 can rotate clockwise in
a limited fashion.
[0032] As is also apparent from FIG. 3, splicing conduit 20 of
splicing head 19 comprises at least one opening for delivering
compressed air 34 and at least two suction intake openings 33.
Compressed air opening 34 communicates with compressed-air source
36 via pneumatic line 35 into which distributing valve 37 is
connected. Suction intake openings 33 are connected via line 39
comprising distributing valve 40 to vacuum source 41. Distributing
valve 37 and distributing valve 40 can be controlled by workstation
computer 29 via control lead 38.
[0033] FIG. 4 shows previously described yarn splicing device 10 in
a side view.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows the constructive design of splicing head 19 in
accordance with the invention in more detail. Splicing head 19 is
preferably fixed via screw connection to a foundation 22 of yarn
splicing device 10, as already indicated above, and defines a
splicing conduit 20 open at the top.
[0035] Splicing conduit 20 can be closed by cover element 23 shown
in dotted lines, and is configured in the bottom area 30 of the
conduit 20 in a U-shaped cross section in the exemplary embodiment.
In addition to at least one opening for delivering compressed air
34 typically arranged midway along the conduit 20, other suction
intake openings 33 are preferably arranged symmetrically relative
to compressed air opening 34 to empty into conduit bottom area 30.
These suction intake openings 33 are connected, as already
indicated above, via vacuum line 39 to vacuum source 41.
[0036] The operation of the splicing device may thus be understood.
If a winding interruption has occurred on one of winding heads 2 of
automatic cheese winder 1, e.g., due to a regular cleaner cut of a
yarn break, suction nozzle 12 takes upper yarn end 31 that wound up
on cheese 15 and brings it to yarn splicing device 10. That is,
upper yarn end 31 taken up by suction nozzle 12 is threaded into
splicing conduit 20 of splicing head 19 of yarn splicing device 10,
into clamping element 11' of the upper and into cutting element 17"
of lower yarn cutting and clamping device 11 and 17 (see FIG.
2).
[0037] At the same time or subsequently, bottom yarn end 32 held in
the yarn tensioner is retrieved by grasper tube 25. To this end,
grasper tube 25 pivots initially into the area of the yarn
tensioner and sucks in bottom yarn end 32 thereat, as it is
released at the same time by the yarn tensioner. Grasper tube 25
subsequently pivots into the upper work position indicated in FIGS.
2, 3. During this pivoting movement bottom yarn end 32 is likewise
placed into splicing conduit 20 of splicing head 19, as shown by
way of example in FIGS. 2, 3. Moreover, bottom yarn end 32 then
rests in clamping element 17' of the lower yarn cutting and
clamping device 17 and in cutting element 11" of the upper yarn
cutting and clamping device 11.
[0038] After splicing head 19 has been closed with cover element
23, the yarn ends 31, 32 fixed in yarn cutting and clamping devices
11 and 17 are cut and the severed portion of bottom yarn end 32 is
removed by grasper tube 25 and the severed portion of upper yarn
end 31 is removed by suction nozzle 12.
[0039] At the same time, the upper yarn end 31 and bottom yarn end
32 extending out of splicing conduit 20 are drawn by suction into
one of vacuum-loaded yarn-end preparation tubes 18, where they are
at least partially untwisted counter to their original yarn twist,
preferably pneumatically.
[0040] The end portions of upper and lower yarn ends 31, 32
prepared in this manner are subsequently drawn by a so-called loop
puller (not shown) or the like into splicing conduit 20 and into
the bottom area 30 that is, e.g., U-shaped or V-shaped in cross
section. That is, the upper and lower yarn ends 31, 32 slide into
bottom area 30 of splicing conduit 20, where they are pneumatically
fixed after distributing valve 40 has been opened via suction
intake openings 33, that are then loaded with a vacuum. The
individual fibers of the bottom yarn end 31 and of upper yarn end
32, that are arranged at first almost in parallel in bottom 30 of
splicing conduit 20, are subsequently intermingled with each other
by a jet of splicing air that exits out of compressed air opening
34 and is initiated by opening distributing valve 37. That is, the
two yarn ends of bottom yarn 32 and of upper yarn 31 are
pneumatically spliced.
[0041] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments
shown. For example, several openings 34 for delivering compressed
air can empty into conduit bottom area 30 and can be arranged both
radially as well as also tangentially. Even the arrangement or
number of vacuum-loadable suction intake openings 33 can vary
without departing from the general inventive concept.
[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.
* * * * *