U.S. patent application number 13/824264 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-01 for cutting device of a textile yarn during its feeding to an operating device.
This patent application is currently assigned to BTSR INTERNATIONAL S.P.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is Tiziano Barea. Invention is credited to Tiziano Barea.
Application Number | 20130192436 13/824264 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43738032 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130192436 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barea; Tiziano |
August 1, 2013 |
CUTTING DEVICE OF A TEXTILE YARN DURING ITS FEEDING TO AN OPERATING
DEVICE
Abstract
A device for cutting a textile yarn during its feed to an
operator element such as a textile machine for its processing or a
member for feeding it to such a machine. The device includes a
blade member inserted into a housing presenting at least one
aperture for passage of the yarn, the blade member carried by a
movable support element subjected to an actuator for its movement.
The movable support element being able to assume two working
positions, a first position in which the blade member is spaced
from the yarn and a second position in which the member cooperates
with the yarn and cuts it. The actuator include a bistable
electromagnet, a spring mounted about the movable support member
urging the blade member into the cutting position.
Inventors: |
Barea; Tiziano; (Busto
Arsizio (Varese), IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Barea; Tiziano |
Busto Arsizio (Varese) |
|
IT |
|
|
Assignee: |
BTSR INTERNATIONAL S.P.A.
Olgiate Olona (Varese)
IT
|
Family ID: |
43738032 |
Appl. No.: |
13/824264 |
Filed: |
October 11, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
October 11, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB11/02477 |
371 Date: |
March 15, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
83/79 ;
83/444 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 83/2022 20150401;
B65H 54/71 20130101; B65H 35/06 20130101; Y10T 83/739 20150401;
B65H 2701/31 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
83/79 ;
83/444 |
International
Class: |
B65H 35/06 20060101
B65H035/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 19, 2010 |
IT |
MI2010A001905 |
Claims
1. A device for cutting a textile yarn during its feed to an
operator element, said device comprising: a cutting blade member
inserted into a housing presenting at least one aperture for
passage of said yarn, said blade member carried by a movable
support element subjected to actuator means for movement of the
movable support element, said movable support element for assuming
two working positions, a first position in which the blade member
is spaced from the year and a second position in which said blade
member impacts the yarn and cuts the yarn, the actuator means
comprising a bistable electromagnetic actuator, the movable support
element cooperating with a spring arranged to urge the blade member
into the yarn cutting position after activation of the bistable
electromagnetic actuator, said spring being interposed between a
first end of said support element carrying the blade member and
said electromagnetic actuator, wherein said electromagnetic
actuator comprises an electromagnet inserted into a structure
supporting at least one permanent magnet for retaining the movable
support member in the first working position, the magnetic force
retaining the support member in said first working position being
nullified by the activation of the electromagnet to hence enable
the spring to move the support member into the second working
position.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said operator element
comprises a textile machine for processing the textile yarn or a
member for feeding the yarn to such a textile machine.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring is mounted
about the support member, this support member having a second end
inserted into the electromagnetic actuator.
4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic
actuator is a bistable linear electromagnet.
5. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bistable
electromagnetic actuator comprises a reversibly controllable
electromagnet arranged to make the return movement of the support
element from the second working position to the first reversible
and automatic.
6. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blade member is
arranged to retain the cut yarn within the housing after cutting
the yarn.
7. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising an electronic circuit
for connecting the device to a communication bus, said circuit
containing an unequivocal identification code for identifying said
device within the bus by said unequivocal code and to activate said
device by serial command.
8. A system for controlling the feed of at least one yarn to a
textile machine, said system comprising: for said yarn at least one
cutting device in accordance with claim 1, at least one member for
monitoring a characteristic of said yarn, and a unit for
controlling the yarn feed to said textile machine, wherein said
device, said monitoring member and said control unit are connected
via a serial line, said cutting device and member for monitoring
having their own unequivocal identification code for being
controlled and commanded individually by said unit, said command
being a serial command.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the monitored characteristic of
said yarn, is its tension, velocity or shape.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a textile yarn cutting
device in accordance with the introduction to the main claim.
[0002] A textile yarn cutting device is known to be usually
provided in the line feeding the yarn to an operator element, which
can be an actual textile machine or a member which then feeds the
yarn to such a machine. It usually comprises a blade member (or
simply "blade") associated with a support element subjected to
actuator means which drive it (and with it the blade) within a
casing housing the device. This latter comprises a portion in which
the yarn slides during its feed. The support element is able to
assume two working positions; in a first position this element
maintains the blade spaced from the portion in which the yarn
slides, and from the yarn itself, whereas in a second position this
element brings the blade into contact with is the yarn to hence cut
it.
[0003] Various types of such cutting devices are known: mechanical,
air operated and electromagnetically operated. The mechanical
devices comprise a spring associated with the support element and a
clamp, internal to the housing, arranged to retain this latter in
the first working position. This clamp is associated with an
electromagnetically operated trigger; by operating the trigger the
clamp is opened and the spring brings the support element into its
second working position to hence achieve yarn cutting.
[0004] This mechanical device is of particularly large bulk and
generally requires manual resetting.
[0005] With air operated devices the cutting device is controlled,
together with its support element, by compressed air operated by a
solenoid valve. This solution requires the presence of a compressed
air circuit associated with the cutting device, this not always
being available, and the possible addition of the solenoid valve to
the cutting device if not already present therein.
[0006] Magnetic devices comprise a spring which acts on the support
element to maintain it in its first working position. An
electromagnet then brings this element into the second position to
cut the yarn. This solution presents a very high electrical
consumption related to the need to energize the electromagnet and
maintain the support element in the cutting position (this
consumption can become considerable in a textile machine having a
plurality of cutting devices corresponding to the number of yarns
worked).
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,132,407 describes a cutting mechanism to be
used in the textile field within a yarn cleaner used for removing
slubs or other yarn irregularities. This known solution comprises
electromagnetic circuit means having a pair of spaced-apart poles,
a movable cutting member positioned in proximity to the material to
be cut, and a permanent magnet arranged to move between the poles
following activation of the electromagnet and operationally
associated with said cutting member. When in its rest position,
said magnet is in a position of minimum distance from one of these
poles.
[0008] The use of a measurement capacitor is described, formed from
conductive plates inserted in an insulating block with which the
ferromagnetic poles of the magnetic circuit are associated. A yarn
passes between these plates such as to vary the capacitance of the
capacitor as a function of the variation is in yarn diameter. A
control circuit measures the capacitance variation and provides a
control signal at its terminals. This signal is applied to magnetic
windings positioned about a metal member connecting the poles
together. This creates opposing polarities in these latter, the
result of which is a repulsion of the permanent magnet from one of
these latter and its consequent movement with the associated
cutting member. It hence acts on the yarn, which is cut.
[0009] This prior solution does not describe any spring urging the
cutting member into contact with the yarn. Moreover in said US
patent the force with which said cutting member acts on the yarn
and the yarn cutting rate depend on the dimensions of the control
electromagnet (defined by the two poles and by the metal member
with the windings) of the cutting member. To achieve a high force
and a high cutting rate the dimensions of this member are large,
which however limits the use of said device in textile machines
operating on hundreds of yarns.
[0010] CH699425 describes a device for cutting a yarn in a yarn
cleaner which monitors and ensures yarn quality in spinning
machines and winding machines in the textile industry. The device
comprises an electromagnetic control member with a cylindrical
moving coil, a movable solenoid member carrying a cutting element
and a magnetic yoke, the coil, the movable member and the yoke
being disposed such that the magnetic field generated by the
control member closes through and returns via the control member
and the yoke. A hole in the yoke for guiding and retaining the
movable member and a part of this latter positioned within the hole
have different shapes such that the space formed between them is
not constant along the circumference of said member; this space is
formed such that the magnetic field acting radially on the movable
member is nullified. A spring is provided for returning the movable
member to its rest position after cutting the yarn.
[0011] This prior patent enables the yoke and hence the device
dimensions to be reduced, so saving space and enabling better use
of the invention.
[0012] In addition a constant trust on the movable member is
achieved, enabling high acceleration during the initial movement of
the movable member and a shorter reaction time thereof.
[0013] Hence in this prior patent, the movement of the cutting
element (associated with the movable member) is obtained only by
virtue of the magnetic force developing within the described
device. It follows that to increase the cutting force (for example
on the basis of the yarn type on which it acts) the dimensions of
those device parts generating the magnetic field (and the relative
force) have to be increased, with consequent increase in the
dimensions of the entire device described in the Swiss patent.
[0014] To this must also be added the need to increase the feed
power to the device as its dimensions increase.
[0015] Because of this, said device is difficult to use on textile
machines operating on several yarns.
[0016] Moreover the Swiss patent does not describe the use of a
spring as a member for moving the cutting element, but only for
returning this latter to its rest position after acting on the yarn
(and spaced from it).
[0017] An object of the present invention is to provide a cutting
device which represents an improvement compared with known
solutions.
[0018] A particular object of the invention is to provide a cutting
device of the stated type which is extremely compact and has a very
low and virtually zero energy consumption.
[0019] Another object is to provide a device of the stated type
which is extremely simple and of low cost.
[0020] A further object is to provide a device of the stated type
which also enables e blade member to be automatically reset.
[0021] These and other objects which will be apparent to the expert
of the art are attained by a cutting device in accordance with the
accompanying claims.
[0022] The present invention will be more apparent from the
accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of non-limiting
example, and in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a view from above showing a device obtained in
accordance with the invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a view from above showing a part of the device of
FIG. 1;
[0025] FIGS. 3 and 4 are views from above showing the device of
FIG. 1 in two different operating positions; and
[0026] FIG. 5 shows schematically a system for controlling a
plurality of yarns to a textile machine comprising several devices
according to the invention.
[0027] With reference to said figures, a device according to the
invention is indicated overall by 1 and comprises a housing 2
comprising a base 3, lateral shoulders 4 and an end wall 5
connected to said shoulders at one of their ends 6 and carrying an
anvil member 5A. In proximity to this latter, each shoulder
comprises a recess 10, preferably provided with ceramic thread
guides; the recesses 10 of the shoulders 4 are mutually parallel to
hence be able to receive a yarn F fed to a textile machine or to
another user element in a line feeding the yarn to said machine
(such as a member feeding the yarn to this machine).
[0028] The base 3 presents holes 11 enabling the device 1 to be
fixed by screws, rivets or the like (not shown) on a textile
machine in a suitable position.
[0029] This base carries a bistable linear electromagnet 12
comprising an electromagnet 12A fixed to the inside of a U
structure 13 fixed to said base in any known manner. This structure
13, which is metallic, presents in proximity to each of the free
ends 14A of its parallel arms 14 (also parallel to the
electromagnet 12), on a side thereof internal to the structure 13,
a permanent magnet 16 positioned on the side of a cylindrical body
17 rigid with the bistable electromagnet and resting on a wall 18
rigid with the ends 14A of said arms. This wall is holed to enable
passage of a support element 20 for a blade member or simply blade
21 fixed to a first end 22 of said movable element 20. The second
end of this latter is inserted into the bistable magnet 12 and
cooperates with its components, which are known and therefore not
described.
[0030] A compression spring 25 is present on the element 20 between
its widened first end 22 and the wall 18 (resting on the end 22 and
the wall 18) to propel said element 20 from the wall 18 towards the
anvil member 5A when the element 12 is suitably powered. This
powering advantageously and preferably takes place under the
control of a control unit (not shown) which enables said powering
to take place via an electric feed cable 28. Direct current pulses
are fed through this latter to power said electromagnet.
[0031] The element 20 is of non-magnetized magnetic material and
carries the blade 21 fixed to its first end in any manner.
[0032] It will now be assumed that the device 1 is used in a line
feeding yarn F to a textile machine or to a control member for this
feed (or feeder).
[0033] When in the rest position (FIG. 3) or prior to the working
position, the movable element 20 is maintained spaced from the wall
5 and from the anvil member 5A by the action of the magnetic field,
generated by the permanent magnets 16, which closes at the element
20 via the structure 13.
[0034] Hence in practice the field generated by the permanent
magnets 16 overcomes the (mechanical) spring force in order to
maintain the movable element 20 in the first position without any
current having to be applied to the electromagnet 12; all this is
hence achieved without energy consumption with evident advantages
when using a plurality of devices 1 in a textile machine operating
on a correspondingly large plurality of yarns, such as a knitting
machine.
[0035] By means of the permanent magnets a sort of magnetic trigger
is hence achieved with can be activated by a small force (that
generated by the electromagnet); in fact, on powering the
electromagnet a large force is released (that generated by the
spring) to obtain movement of the element 20 and the action of the
of the blade 21 on the corresponding yarn.
[0036] In this respect, on feeding a current pulse to the
electromagnet 12 through the cable 26, the magnetic force of the
permanent magnets 16 is neutralized and the spring 25 moves the
element 20 to propel it to strike against the wall 5. This movement
brings the blade 21 into contact with the yarn F and to rest on the
anvil member 5A, with consequent yarn cutting.
[0037] The use of the bistable linear electromagnet (defined by the
magnet 12A, the structure 13 and the permanent magnets 16) enables
a cutting device to be achieved which is of compact dimensions,
simple and of quick action on the yarn. This enables its optimal
use on textile machines operating on a large number of yarns, with
each of which a corresponding cutting device can be associated.
This is achieved by virtue of the compactness of each of these
devices.
[0038] It should also be noted that devices with the same basic
structure, comprising the electromagnet 12 (as aforestated) and
with the same movable element 20 carrying the blade 21, can be used
for acting on different yarns of different type and cross-section,
by applying the necessary cutting force. This is easily achievable
by using a spring 25 with a suitable elastic characteristic chosen
on the basis of its use, the spring being the only member which
moves the blade 21 towards the yarn and which defines the
intervention force of this blade on the yarn.
[0039] In fact, as the device electromagnetic components operate
only to release the movement of the element 20 (obtained by the
action of the spring 25 interposed between the end 22 of this
element and the wall 18) and do not participate in generating the
thrust which moves the blade; this thrust is therefore totally
related to the spring characteristics and is due only to the
spring.
[0040] It is consequently possible to achieve extreme
standardization of the "basic" device (with obvious benefits in
terms of production costs), with the need only to select the
suitable spring (with the necessary elastic characteristics) for
the specific use and to mount this spring on the "basic" device (as
aforedefined) to hence prepare it for this use.
[0041] In a first variant, the electromagnet makes it possible to
be controlled such as not only to neutralize the field generated by
the permanent magnets, but also to be added to said field in order
to again reset the cutter, hence returning the movable element 20
from the cutting position to the rest position.
[0042] The device 1 can also be provided with an electronic circuit
enabling it to communicate via a communication bus with a remote
control unit or with sensors, also connected to the same bus. This
control unit is able to control yarn feed by monitoring at least
one of its characteristics, such as tension, velocity or shape.
[0043] The cutter can hence be activated not as the result of a
direct electrical command, but as the result of a serial command or
signal suitably fed by the control unit or by one of the sensors or
control elements, a signal in which are specified the cutting
command and the code associated with the particular cutter which is
to operate.
[0044] In this case (see FIG. 5), a plurality of devices 1 and of
other members 100 monitoring a yarn characteristic (such as yarn
tension and/or feed velocity or sensors detecting any yarn
imperfections or breakages) can be identified and defined by
corresponding unequivocal identifying codes to hence create a feed
control system for a plurality of yarns fed to the textile machine.
These devices and monitoring members are connected to a field bus
110 and possibly connected to a control unit 120. Said sensors 100
and said control member 110 hence intervene on the devices 1 on the
basis of the data obtained by these members and of the machine
operation; by virtue of the code of the cutting devices 1 and of
the monitoring members 100, this intervention is precise and
enables only that yarn to be cut for which, for example, a feed
abnormality is detected.
[0045] Other variants of the invention are further possible: for
example, the element 20 could carry a blade 21 such as to retain
the yarn after it has been cut. This enables the textile machine
operation to be quickly resumed by intervening on the yarn (locked
in the cutter and not free along the feed path), for example by
re-knotting it to the end already beyond the cutter. These
solutions are also to be considered as falling within the scope of
the ensuing claims.
* * * * *