U.S. patent application number 10/545978 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-27 for textile machine.
Invention is credited to Armin Brunner, Peter Denz, Michael Strobel, Michael Ueding.
Application Number | 20060162129 10/545978 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32797652 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060162129 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Strobel; Michael ; et
al. |
July 27, 2006 |
Textile machine
Abstract
The invention relates to a textile machine, in particular to a
carding machine, a drawing frame or a combing machine comprising at
least two electrical drives (30, 40, 50, 60) whose operating modes
are synchronised with respect to a master functionality for
actuating the machine elements, in particular the drawing elements
for fibre material, measuring elements, transporting elements
and/or storing elements. Said machine also comprises at least one
measuring device (33, 43, 53, 63, 34, 5, 9, 54) for measuring
actual measurand values relating to actuation and/or to fibre
material. The inventive carding machine is characterised in that at
least one control and/or adjusting unit (19, 131, 141, 151, 161)
makes it possible to modify the master function with respect to the
actual values.
Inventors: |
Strobel; Michael;
(Eichstatt, DE) ; Ueding; Michael; (Ingolstadt,
DE) ; Denz; Peter; (Hohenwart, DE) ; Brunner;
Armin; (Elsendorf, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DORITY & MANNING, P.A.
POST OFFICE BOX 1449
GREENVILLE
SC
29602-1449
US
|
Family ID: |
32797652 |
Appl. No.: |
10/545978 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
February 20, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP04/01716 |
371 Date: |
August 18, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
19/65R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D01G 31/006 20130101;
D01H 5/42 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
019/065.00R |
International
Class: |
D01G 5/00 20060101
D01G005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 22, 2003 |
DE |
10307603.4 |
Claims
1. Textile machine, in particular carding machine, draw frame or
combing machine, with at least two electric drives (30, 40,50, 60)
coordinated with each other for rotational speed according to a
master functionality for the driving of machine elements, in
particular fiber material drafting elements, measuring elements,
conveying elements and/or depositing elements, as well as with at
least one measuring device (33, 43, 53, 63; 34, 5, 9, 54) for
actual-value detection of drive and/or fiber material related
measured values, characterized by at least one control and/or
regulating unit (19; 131, 141, 151, 161) by means of which changes
in master functionality can be carried out in function of the
actual values.
2-17. (canceled)
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a textile machine, in
particular a carding machine, a draw frame or a combing machine
comprising at least two electrical drives whose rotational speeds
are coordinated with each other in function of a master
functionality to drive machine elements, in particular fiber
material drafting elements, measuring elements, conveying elements
and/or storing elements, as well as with at least one measuring
device for the determination of actual value of drive and/or fiber
material related measured values.
[0002] The utilization of decentralized drives or individual drives
has been known for a long time in the textile industry. Thus DE 29
41 612 C2 for example discloses a draw frame four the doubling and
drafting of fiber slivers by means of drafting equipment with pairs
of rollers driven by separate electrical motors whose rotational
speed ratios can be adjusted by means of a frequency divider. A
central computing unit continuously computes the fiber sliver mass
of the passing fiber sliver and indicates rotational target speeds
for the different roller pairs. In this machine as well as in other
known textile machines with individual drives, the master-slave
principle is used. The term "individual drive" is understood to
mean here that several drives are provided, each of which drives
one or several axes. According to the master-slave principle a real
motor axis is defined as the master, whereby the other axes of the
electric drives follow the rotational speed ratio determined by the
master. Alternatively a virtual master is provided to generate
target values without any deviation from the theoretically ideal
form. In operation, all slaves are synchronized by a clocking
signal of the virtual master to the same scanning moment. The real
as well as the virtual master interrogate during operation the
slave drives at regular time intervals [so-called polling], whereby
the resulting data are as a rule transmitted via bus
connections.
[0003] It is a disadvantage in these textile machines that the
utilization of the known master-slave principle can not ensure that
all the drives will be operated in optimal synchronization with
each other.
[0004] It is the object of the present invention to improve the
drafting precision with the utilization of several drives in a
textile machine and in particular in a spinning mill machine with
drafting equipment.
[0005] This object is attained in a textile machine of the type
mentioned initially by at least one control and/or regulating unit
by means off which master function changes can be effected in
function of the actual values.
[0006] The advantages of the invention consist in particular in the
fact that with a suitable design of the machine, the master
functionality can change in function of current conditions. Thus it
is possible for the master function to be assigned by the [at least
one] control and/or regulating unit momentarily to one of several
drives. A virtual master can also indicate the motor speeds at
intervals. This results in the possibility for different drives to
function at different times as master. Thereby the master function
can be transmitted depending on the currently prevailing situation,
and can possibly also be transmitted to a virtual master.
[0007] The actual values are preferably transmitted to the central
or decentrally designed control and/or regulating unit which
determines the master at the moment based on these values. This
unit advantageously also prescribes also the corresponding new
rotational target speeds of the drives, if necessary while taking
additional parameters into account. In a textile machine with a
regulated drafting equipment, the values regarding sliver
cross-section measurements in particular flow from the drafting
equipment into the computation of the rotational target speeds. The
determination of the master functionality on the one hand and the
indication of the new rotational target speeds on the other hand
may be distributed over several units.
[0008] Most preferably the currently weakest drive assumes each
time the role of the master e.g. so as not to overload this drive
or, in the case of a regulating draw frame, to achieve continuously
good sliver quality.
[0009] It is advantageous to define limit values that can be fixed
or variable for several or all measuring devices, above or below
which a control and/or regulating unit operating according to the
invention obtains the momentary actual values from the
corresponding measuring device [or signals derived or pre-processed
from these actual values]. From this the rotational target speeds
are immediately calculated [in a regulated draw frame in particular
while taking into account the current sliver cross-section
fluctuations] for the other drives and are transmitted to the
drives.
[0010] The indication of limit values is useful since e.g. when
measuring the motor current consumption within certain actual-value
ranges of a drive functioning currently as slave, there is no
necessity to change it into a master drive. Only beyond the
applicable limit value does the current consumption measuring
element of this drive signal that this drive is unable to meet the
current requirements and therefore usefully takes over the master
function so that the other drives can model themselves after
it.
[0011] Preferably no constant polling nor polling at regular
intervals is carried out in connection with the above by the
control and/or regulating unit according to the invention. As long
as no change in the master-slave assignment is necessary, i.e. as
long as the current master-slave distribution meets the current
drive requirements, such a polling by the control and/or regulating
unit is not necessary. Current actual values [possibly after a
preparation] registered by a measuring unit are rather preferably
transmitted only when they are outside a predetermined value
range.
[0012] Cases are however possible in which the actual values are
advantageously constantly transmitted by one, several or all
measuring devices so as to taken into account by the control and/or
regulating unit. In this manner e.g. a knowledge base can be built
up to be consulted to assist in the assignment of the master
functionality.
[0013] Different measured values whose actual values [or derived
signals] are transmitted to the control and/or regulating unit
which determines the master functionality can be measured by means
of suitable measuring devices. Thus measuring devices for the
measuring of the rotational speeds of the drive axes or changes in
rotational speed can be provided in particular. Alternatively or in
addition, rotational moments, motor currents of the drives, phase
shifts and/or the phase angle of the drives, the speed of
revolutions or their timely derivation as well as the motor
temperatures can be measured. Alternatively or in addition, e.g.
thick spots and/or fiber material characteristics are measured by
means of measuring devices or sensors. If for example a scanning
roller signal regarding the fiber sliver cross-section [the terms
fiber sliver mass, fiber sliver thickness or fiber sliver volume
are also known] is measured, then in case of very large thick spots
this signal can be used at the scanning roller in order to
determine a virtual master which could be integrated e.g. in a
control and/or regulating unit and causing the entire machine to
run more slowly in order to ensure precise drafting at lower
delivery speed. It is also possible to measure drafting force at
the fiber sliver[s] to be drafted. In general terms, the actual
values can be measured as measured values related to the drives or
the fiber material or the drafting.
[0014] Overall very great flexibility with respect to the drives is
achieved by means of the invention, since contrary to the state of
the art, constantly subordinate drives are not dependent on one and
the same master drive or virtual master. The invention makes it
rather possible to realize a regulation of target values dependent
on contouring errors, whereby the master control functions can be
transferred depending on the situation. This takes place for
example, in a preferred embodiment, by transfer of the master to
the currently especially weakest drive.
[0015] The invention can be applied to textile machines and in
particular to spinning mill machines with drafting equipment in
which at least two drives are provided. These drives drive either
one single or several elements. Drives of this type can be provided
in particular for a draw frame, for draw-off rollers at the
drafting equipment input, input rollers, central rollers and/or
output or delivery rollers of the drafting equipment, for draw-off
rollers at the drafting equipment output, for a rotary plate
installed above a can, as well as for a rotating or traversing
standing surface of a memory can to be filled. in view of the
above, several of the above-mentioned elements can also be driven
by one single motor. One motor can be used e.g. for the output
roller pair as well as for the downstream pair of calender rollers
[pair of draw-off rollers]. A second motor can drive a pair of
scanning rollers upstream rollers preceding the drafting equipment
as well as the pair of input rollers and the central roller pair of
the drafting equipment. A third motor can function as draw-in
drive, whereby this drive serves in particular to draw off the
presented slivers from the presentation cans. A fourth drive would
then drive the rotary plate, for example, as well as the standing
surface for the can. Different variations of such a design are
possible.
[0016] In a regulating draw-frame the values of sliver
cross-sections measured advantageously before the drafting
equipment are transmitted to a regulating computer which computes
the setting values or target values for the drafting equipment
drives. These target values are then retransmitted according to the
invention to the control and/or regulating unit which if necessary
adapts these rotational target speeds in function of the current
actual values [i.e. of the current master] and transmits the
possibly modified rotational target speeds to the drives. The
control and/or regulating unit assumes here the synchronization of
the drives. Depending on design, the adaptation of the rotational
target speeds calculated from the actual values on basis of sliver
fluctuations can also take place in the regulating computer.
[0017] The control and/or regulating unit operating according to
the invention can be designed as a central unit. Depending on the
actual values of one or several measuring devices presented to the
central control and/or regulating unit, the target values of all
drives are determined and specified for all drives while taking
into account the setting values or target values for the drafting
equipment drives.
[0018] Alternatively or in addition, a single drive or every drive
can be assigned a control and/or regulating unit, also under the
designation "motion control", preferably designed as a
memory-programmable control [SPS]. In such a preferred case one of
the memory-programmable controls is responsible for receiving the
actual values of the different measuring devices, the computation
of the new actual rotational speed target values on basis of the
rotational speed target values calculated by the regulating
computer for the drafting equipment drives as well as for the
transmission to the proper drives. A division of these functions
among several controls can also be provided. It is also possible
for the function of reception and computation as well as
transmission to be transferred to one of the other
memory-programmable controls. In a variant a central control and/or
regulating unit can transfer these tasks to the control and/or
regulating units assigned to the other drives in a flexible manner.
All the mentioned designs increase the versatility and independence
of the control and/or regulating responsibility.
[0019] In an advantageous embodiment the at least one control
and/or regulating unit can limit the new rotational target speeds
for all drives, including the current master drive, beyond the
momentarily necessary degree, so that the machine can be driven
either briefly or over a longer period of time with lower dynamic.
This situation can be interpreted within the framework of the
invention in the sense that the currently weakest drive functions
briefly as master which the other drives must follow. If the
rotational speeds are lowered further, this can be seen as a
take-over of the master function by a virtual master. The duration
of lowered dynamic can follow the currently lowest drive such as
e.g. degree of overload. By contrast the dynamic of the machine is
considerably higher while the rotational target speeds of all
drives are adjusted, so that the delivery speed of the fiber sliver
leaving the draw frame changes often, but the result is high
productivity.
[0020] The communication among the individual drives and/or with a
central control and/or regulating unit takes place by means of a
bus connection in a preferred embodiment. In that case it is
advantageous to use a parallel or serial bus system, a CAN bus, a
Profi bus or an Interbus. Alternatively individual connections
between the measuring device or devices and at least one control
and/or regulating unit is provided and these can be made in form of
digital or analog conduits.
[0021] Several examples of applications of the invention will be
given below. If for instance a limit value of the motor current of
a drive or the steady-load limit of a drive axle has been reached,
this drive can assume the master function so that the rotational
speed of the other axes are coordinated with the mentioned limits.
In case of a brief motor overload or mechanical axle overload, this
drive advantageously also assumes the master function so that the
remaining drives are reduced according to their own possi bilities
in order to maintain the synchronicity of rotational speeds. In
case of power failure and the resulting coasting of the machine,
the master can change several times in a further variant, whereby
this change is advantageously determined by the energy maintenance
of the respectively driven machine parts.
[0022] It is furthermore advantageous if the assignment of the
master functionality according to the invention takes place when
starting and/or stopping the machine. Thus for example, one of the
drives can be assigned the master function as the machine runs up
to a given delivery speed of the drafted fiber sliver or up to a
predetermined current consumption by this drive, so as to surrender
the master functionality thereafter in normal operation to another
drive or to a virtual master.
[0023] In another example of an application a textile machine is
constituted by two machine modules connected one after the other
which are set up separately or are combined in one frame, e.g. a
carding machine and a draw frame. The master functionality can
alter in this case e.g. from one drive of one module to a drive of
the other module. In the example of a combined carding machine or
draw frame the master functionality can be assigned to the
appertaining drive of the carding machine at the card output in
case of speed fluctuations of the fiber material arrival at the
card input or of the fiber sliver delivery at the card output.
[0024] The user can advantageously influence the time at which a
drive or a virtual master assumes the master function. This can be
achieved in particular by specifying the mentioned limit or
threshold values for the transfer of the actual values of the
measuring device. Advantageously operating processes can be
specified according to which the master function changes when
certain actual values are reached--e.g. those of a given delivery
speed as a draw frame funs up.
[0025] It is furthermore preferred for a current master to be
displayed to the user on a visualization unit.
[0026] Advantageous further developments of the invention are
characterized by the characteristics of the sub-claims.
[0027] The invention is explained in further detail below through
the drawings.
[0028] FIG. 1 shows a regulating draw frame in schematic lateral
view in a first embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a regulating draw frame in schematic lateral
view in a second embodiment and
[0030] FIG. 3 shows a regulating draw-frame in schematic lateral
view in a third embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a lateral view of a regulating draw frame with
drafting equipment (2) as an example of a textile machine according
to the invention that comprises a pair of input rollers (6), a pair
of central rollers (7) and a pair of output rollers (8). Upstream
of the drafting equipment (2) is a pair of draw-in rollers (3)
serving to pull one or several fiber slivers (FB) from cans which
are not shown here. A sliver cross-section measuring device (5) in
form of a pair of scanning rollers with upstream compacting funnel
(4) is installed between the drafting equipment (2) and the pair of
draw-in rollers (3) and supplies signals relating to the sliver
cross-section of the at least one fiber sliver (FB). Instead of a
air of scanning rollers other cross-section measuring devices (5)
are possible, e.g. microwave resonators, capacitive sensors,
ultrasound sensors etc. The fiber sliver or slivers (FB) are
drafted in a known manner in function of the different rotational
speeds of the roller pairs 6, 7, 8. Between the pair of central
rollers (7) and the pair of output rollers (8) a pressure rod (9)
is furthermore provided for improved guidance of the floating
fibers. Immediately following the pair of output rollers (8) is a
deflection roller (10) which deflects the drafter fiber fleece
towards a fleece guiding dev ice (11) and a downstream pair of
calender rollers (12) which compacts the fiber fleece into a fiber
sliver and which can be designed in a known manner at the same time
as a cross-section measuring device (12) for the control of the
sliver cross-section of the resulting fiber sliver (FB).
Alternatively other measuring methods (with microwaves, capacitive,
etc) can be used. The fiber sliver FB is then introduced into the
sliver channel of a rotating rotary plate (13) and is deposited in
loops in a can (14) standing on a can supporting surface (15) which
is also rotated. Alternatively the fiber sliver FB can be deposited
into a rectangular can that traverses back and forth.
[0032] For the lower roller (3a) of the pair of draw-in rollers (3)
an individual drive (30) is provided which comprises a regulator
(31), a motor (32) and analog or digital actual-value indicator
(33) [e.g. a tachogenerator]. Another drive 30 with a regulator
(41), a motor (42) and an actual-value indicator (43) (e.g. a
tachogenerator) is used to drive the pair of scanning rollers (5)
as well as the lower input and central rollers 6a, 7a. A drive of
the respective upper rollers [not shown] is of course also
possible. In the preliminary drafting field constituted between the
pairs of input and central rollers 6, 7 a constant preliminary
drafting is thus applied in this embodiment. A third drive 50 with
regulator 51, motor 52 and indicator of actual value 53 ([e.g. a
tachogenerator] is provided for the drive of the lower output
roller (8a) and for the pair of calender rollers (12). Finally a
fourth drive 60 with regulator 61, motor 62 and indicator of actual
value 63 [e.g. a tachogenerator] drives the rotary plate 13 as well
as the can supporting surface (15).
[0033] Each of the motors 32, 42, 52, 62 is regulated via a closed
regulating circuit. The target values of the motors are first
determined based on the desired target value for the cross-section
of the drafted fiber sliver as well as of the current measured
values of the cross-section measuring device (5) preceding the
drafting equipment (2) which are transmitted via a conduit 22 to a
regulating computer 18. the regulating computer 18 then computes
target values for the drafting equipment motors 42 and/or 52 in
function of the state of the art, taking into account the running
time of the fiber sliver or slivers from the measuring point to the
drafting point. Using the signals transmitted by the cross-section
measuring device via a conduit 27 to regulating computer (18), the
quality of the resulting fiber sliver can be determined and
displayed.
[0034] For the sake of clarity several normally present machine
units such as e.g. the machine center, a service unit, a
visualization unit [panel, etc.] are not shown in FIG. 1 or the
other figures.
[0035] Within the framework of the invention the actual-value
indicators (33, 43, 53, 63) deliver a signal corresponding to the
rotational motor speed, not only to the appertaining regulator (31,
41, 51, 61) but also via a bus 70 to a central control and/or
regulating unit (19) which is combined into one unit 20 in the
shown embodiment. the control and/or regulating unit (19)
determines on basis of these signals which one of the drives 30,
40,50, 60 should currently be the master drive, whereby the other
drives then serve as slave drives. Alternatively a virtual master
can also be designated for intermediate specification of the
rotational target speeds. The master functionality can thus be
passed back and forth from the control and/or regulating unit (19)
among the drives 30, 40, 50, 60 and possibly a virtual master.
[0036] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the control and/or
regulating unit (19) processes on the one hand target values
computed by the regulating computer (18) for the drafting equipment
drives 40 and/or 50 and on the other hand also the actual values of
the actual-value indicators 33, 43, 53, 63 to specify rotational
target values--possibly modified according to the current
master--for the motors 32, 42, 52, 62. In an alternative embodiment
the actual values of the actual-value indicators 33, 43, 53,63 are
transmitted from the control and/or regulating unit (19) to the
regulating computer (18) [see double arrow between 18 [see double
arrow between regulating computer (18) and unit 19) and are used
there, together with the measured values of the cross-section
measuring device (5), to compute the rotational target speeds of
the motors 32, 42, 52, 62. The control and/or regulating unit (19)
can also transmit short messages based merely on actual values to
the regulating computer (18), e.g. the fact that the entire
machine, e.g. due to overload on one motor (the current master)
should run at only 80% of the set delivery speed until the
regulating computer (18) receives a new signal from the control
and/or regulating unit 19. The computation of the rotational target
speeds to be actually specified from the motors 32, 42, 52, 62 is
then left entirely up to the regulating computer (18), whereby the
control and/or regulating unit (19) serves primarily in that case
to synchronize the drives (30, 40,50, 60).
[0037] A given drive can function routinely as master, whereby this
functionality can be transferred to one of the other drives under
special operating conditions, so that the former master then serves
as slave and is again used as master in the following normalization
of operations.
[0038] The actual values of the voltage signals corresponding to
the motor speeds are advantageously not constantly transmitted to
the control and/or regulating unit (19) by the actual-value
indicators. Only when predetermined limit values of these signals
are not reached or are exceeded are they preferably transmitted to
unit 19. If for example a motor does not reach the predetermined
target speed indicated by the control and/or regulating unit (19)
due to overload, the current rotational speed is transmitted via
bus 70 to the unit 19. The unit 19 reacts in that it further
processes the rotational target speeds computed by the regulating
computer (18) for all drives (30, 40,50, 60), and in particular
reduces then in suitable manner, specifying them via bus 70 for
these drives.
[0039] If it is found, for example, that a motor is overloaded, the
rotational target speeds of the motors 32, 42, 52, 62 can be
reduced accordingly so that a high fiber sliver quality is still
obtained. If e.g. a relatively poor fiber sliver quality is
registered, the machine can also b e operated at slower speed or
the poor sliver quality is accepted for the sake of productivity at
rotational speeds that are not or barely reduced.
[0040] In this connection is possible to operate the machine with
high or low dynamic. In the former case the current actual-values
of the current master drive are taken into account, while in the
second case, the rotational speeds are reduced beyond the currently
necessary extent. In the latter case the overloaded drive is first
taken into account, before the control and/or regulating unit (19)
subsequently acts as virtual master and lowers the rotational
target speeds to a given level valid for a long period of time and
which is below the actually necessary extent regarding the
momentary overload.
[0041] Depending on the actual values it is also possible to
provide for a complete shutting off of the machine.
[0042] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 all drives (30, 40,50, 60)
have a measuring device in form of the actual-value indicators 33,
43, 53, 63. in other designs only one or some drives are assigned
measuring devices capable of transmitting actual values to the
control and/or regulating unit (19). This can b e advantageously b
e realized for such drives where the likelihood of strong
deviations from normal operation is relatively great, so that the
master functionality can be transferred to these drive if
necessary.
[0043] Instead of or in addition to rotational motor speeds [e.g.
measured by means of tachogenerators] or equivalent magnitudes,
actual values can be used in addition to other measured values to
distribute master functionality. Preferably the current consumption
of one or several of the motors 32, 42, 52, 62 is measured by means
of a suitable measuring element that may be integrated in the
corresponding regulator 31, 41, 51, 61. When the overload limit or
a threshold limit of one of the motors 32, 42, 52, 62 has been
reached it can be used as a master.
[0044] Instead of a bus 70 of suitable design (parallel or serial
Bus, CAN Bus, Profibus, Interbus etc.) analog or digital single
connections can also be used between the different measuring
devices and the control and/or regulating unit 19. Such a situation
is shown in FIG. 2. The calculation of the target rotational speeds
based on the measured values of the sliver cross-section measuring
device 5 by means of the regulating computer 18 as well as quality
monitoring by means of the cross-section measuring device 12
remains unchanged relative to the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0045] The embodiment of FIG. 2 furthermore stands out in that
measuring devices recording different measurements are assigned to
each of the four drives 30, 40, 50, 60. Thus a temperature sensor
34 measures the motor temperature of motor 32 of the first drive 30
and transmits it--in analog or digital form--via a line 21 to the
control and/or regulating unit 19. In an optional variant of the
embodiment a limit value can be indicated below which no
temperature values are transmitted to the unit 19. If the motor 32
becomes too hot for example, the unit 19 assigns the master
function to drive 30 upon receiving this information and, while
taking sliver cross-section fluctuations into account, prescribes
new target speeds for all the drives 30, 40, 50, 60 which put less
stress on the motor and allow its operating temperature to drop,
possibly assigning the master function to another drive once normal
conditions have been reestablished.
[0046] In the embodiment according to FIG. 2 signals transmitted
from the sliver cross-section measuring device 5 via line 22a to
the unit 19 can furthermore be used to determine the current master
If e.g. several important thick spots are recorded one after the
other before the device such as cannot be evened out optimally in
normal rapid operation of drafting equipment 2, a virtual master
can cause the entire machine to run at a lower speed. This virtual
master is preferably realized in this case in the central control
and/or regulating unit 19.
[0047] The pressure rod (9) in the embodiment of FIG. 2 is made in
form of a known drafting force measuring element which transmits
the applicable signals via a line 23 to the control and/or
regulating unit (19). These signals can also be used for the
assignment of the temporary master.
[0048] In addition a measuring element 54 to measure the power
consumption of the motor 52 of the third derive 50 is provided,
capable e.g. of transmitting a pertinent signal in case of overload
excess via line 24 to the control and/or regulating unit (19) which
can then react by designating drive 50 as the master.
[0049] Finally, in the embodiment according to FIG. 2, an
actual-value indicator 63 measures the rotational speed of the
engine 62 and transmits the pertinent actual values via a line 25
to the control and/or regulating unit (19), either continuously or
when prescribed limit values or limit values that can be prescribed
are not reached or are exceeded.
[0050] Contrary to the embodiment of FIG. 1, no bus is provided for
signal transmission to and from the control and/or regulating unit
(19) in the embodiment of FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, in order to
demonstrate the range of variations possible for circuitry, the
actual values of the actual-value indicator 63 can be transmitted
either via regulator 61 to the control and/or regulating unit (19)
or alternatively or additionally via a direct line 26 [indicated by
broken line].
[0051] Also for illustration, the measuring devices 34, 5, 9, 54,
63 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 are selected so as to be
different from each other. Some of the measuring devices are
assigned to specific drives [measuring devices 34, 54, 63] while
others [measuring devices 5, 9] are independent of them. It is
absolutely possible to determine only the actual values in relation
with one or two measuring values [see FIG. 1], e.g. merely power
consumption by one or several of the motors. If merely one
measuring device is provided for the purpose of an alternating
assignment of the master functionality, its actual values can be
used for temporary designation of a drive as master. When the
actual values drop once more below a limit value, a drive pre-set
in a standard manner or a virtual master can again assume the
master function.
[0052] It is generally advantageous in normal drafting equipment
operation if a temporary abnormality or interference requires a
change in master functionality through transmission of actual
values representing this interference.
[0053] Instead of a central control and/or regulating unit (19)
such as provided in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, \the function
of this control and/or regulation can also be located in one of the
drives 30, 40, 50, 60. Such a situation is shown in FIG. 3.
[0054] According to this embodiment every regulator 131, 141, 151,
161 of the drives 30, 40, 50, 60 is designed as a control and/or
regulating unit, preferably in form of a memory-programmable
control [SPS]. The individual control and/or regulating units 131,
141, 151, 161 are connected to each other via a bus system 170 and
are preferably sable to carry out any task of control and/or
regulation. Control and/or regulation are however transmitted
normally to one of the control and/or regulating units 131, 141,
151, 161. If the functionality of this control and/or regulation
fails at the drive concerned, this function can be taken over
advantageously by one of the other control and/or regulating units
131, 141, 151, 161.
[0055] The measured values of the cross-section measuring device
(5, 12 are in turn transmitted to the regulating computer (18). The
regulating computer (18) is connected to the bus 170 and transmits
the target values [rotational target speeds] for the drafting
equipment drives 40 and/or 60 to the control and/or regulating unit
131, 141, 151 or 161 responsible for control and/or regulation
which takes these target values into account according to the
selected master in indicating the rotational target speeds for all
drives.
[0056] In the embodiment according to FIG. 3 the appertaining
control and/or regulating unit 131, 141, 151 or 161 can also assume
the function of a temporary virtual master.
[0057] With the different embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 3 it
is possible that the tasks of the different control and/or
regulating units 131, 141, 151, 161 are distributed among different
units. Thus the actual values from the measuring device or devices
can be transmitted to a first unit, the master can be designated in
a second unit and the new target speeds for the different drives
can be indicated by a third unit. Such a distribution of tasks
falls within the scope of the invention wherever "control and/or
regulating unit" is mentioned above.
[0058] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments.
Different variants are possible. Thus for example, it is not
necessary that all drives of the spinning machine be designed to
assume the function of master. Also, the distribution of drives in
FIGS. 1 to 3 is merely an example. Different arrangements and/or a
different number of drives are of course possible.
[0059] The invention not only makes it possible to maintain the
synchronicity of the drives. The peak performance and the
performance reserve3s of the axle drives can be lower, since a
deceleration of the other axles can take place during the rarely to
be expected peaks.
[0060] The invention can be used generally in a great variety of
textile machines. In case of a draw frame it may also contain
unregulated drafting equipment
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