Spinning Machine

Abstract

A spinning machine includes a plurality of adjacently arranged spinning stations, wherein carrier devices for a fiber bundle are assigned to the spinning stations. Each spinning station operating with a fiber bundle feed device and a fiber bundle piecing device. The fiber bundle piecing device includes a sliver pickup configured to grasp and pick up a leading end of the fiber bundle from the carrier device and a supply device configured to move the leading end of the fiber bundle to the feed device. The piecing device with the sliver pickup and the supply device is at a fixed stationary position relative to the spinning stations and is assigned to a single spinning station or a group of spinning stations.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A spinning machine, comprising: a plurality of adjacently arranged spinning stations, wherein carrier devices for a fiber bundle are assigned to the spinning stations; each of the spinning stations operating with a fiber bundle feed device and a fiber bundle piecing device; the fiber bundle piecing device comprising a sliver pickup configured to grasp and pick up a leading end of the fiber bundle from the carrier device and a supply device configured to move the leading end of the fiber bundle to the feed device; and wherein the piecing device with the sliver pickup and the supply device is at a fixed stationary position relative to the spinning stations and is assigned to a single spinning station or a group of spinning stations.

16. The spinning machine of claim 15, wherein the piecing device comprises an insertion device configured to insert the leading end of the fiber bundle into the feed device.

17. The spinning machine of claim 15, wherein the fiber bundle is a sliver and the carrier devices are one of cans arranged in at least one row at each spinning station or the fiber bundle is a sliver wound onto bobbins.

18. The spinning machine of claim 15, wherein the piecing device is on a separate unit that is arranged between adjacent spinning stations.

19. The spinning machine of claim 15, wherein the piecing device comprises a preparation device that improves the leading end of the fiber bundle for insertion into the feed device.

20. The spinning machine of claim 19, wherein the preparation device comprises one of a pointing device or a splicing device for the leading end of the fiber bundle.

21. The spinning machine of claim 15, wherein the piecing device comprises a sliver separating unit.

22. The spinning machine of claim 15, wherein the sliver pickup is configured with the supply device to receive the leading end of the fiber bundle from a sliver holder.

23. The spinning machine of claim 22, wherein the sliver holder is arranged on the carrier or at the spinning station.

24. The spinning machine of claim 15, wherein the piecing device comprises an insertion device configured to insert the leading end of the fiber bundle into the feed device, the sliver pickup and the insertion device arranged on the supply device.

25. The spinning machine of claim 24, wherein the insertion device is pneumatic or mechanical.

26. The spinning machine of claim 15, the supply device is configured with a thread-handling device or spin box housing cover at the spinning station.

27. The spinning machine of claim 15, further comprising an auxiliary unit that is displaceable along the spinning stations and configured to perform auxiliary functions on the fiber bundle prior to handling of the fiber bundle by the piecing device.

28. The spinning machine of claim 15, wherein the piecing device is on a displacement device that moves alongside a plurality of the spinning stations.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Further advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiments. Wherein:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a spinning machine according to the invention;

[0028] FIG. 2a shows a section of a side view of a piecing device;

[0029] FIG. 2b shows a top view of the piecing device according to FIG. 2a;

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a section of a side view of a spinning machine according to the invention with separate units for the piecing device;

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a section of a side view of a spinning machine according to the invention with a piecing device for two adjacent spinning stations;

[0032] FIG. 5 shows a section of a side view of a spinning machine according to the invention with a piecing device at a cover;

[0033] FIG. 6 shows a section of a side view of a spinning machine according to the invention with a piecing device at a thread-handling device;

[0034] FIG. 7 shows a section of a side view of a spinning machine according to the invention with a piecing device with a displacement device; and

[0035] FIG. 8 shows a side view of a spinning machine according to the invention with a piecing device and the cooperation with auxiliary units.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Reference will now be made to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are shown in the drawings. Each embodiment is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not as a limitation of the invention. For example features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be combined with another embodiment to yield still another embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations to the embodiments described herein.

[0037] In the following description of the alternative exemplary embodiments represented in the figures, the same reference signs are utilized for features that are identical or at least comparable in terms of their configuration and/or mode of operation. Provided the features are not described in detail again, their design and/or mode of operation correspond/corresponds to the design and mode of operation of the above-described features.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a spinning machine 1 according to the invention, in this case a rotor spinning machine. Eight spinning stations 3.1 through 3.8 are situated between two end stocks 2. In the case of rotor spinning machines, several hundred such spinning stations 3.1 through 3.8 can be adjacently arranged on each side of the machine. They are generally divided into individual, adjacently arranged sections, each with 8 to 12 spinning stations 3.1 through 3.8. Each of the spinning stations 3.1 through 3.8 includes a spin box 10, in which a thread 18 is spun and wound onto a yarn package 19. In addition, each of the spinning stations 3.1 through 3.8 includes a separate piecing device 4. A sliver pickup 5 and a supply device 6, which are schematically represented, are situated at each piecing device 4. While the piecing devices 4 of the spinning stations 3.5 through 3.8 are in their neutral position, the piecing devices 4 of the spinning stations 3.1 through 3.4 are represented in various working positions.

[0039] The piecing device 4 is designed to be pivotable, as indicated by the circle represented with a dashed line at the spinning station 3.1. The pivoting motion can either take place about 360 degrees, or it can also be limited to the area of the separate spinning station 3.1 through 3.8. The sliver pickup 5 is capable of picking up a leading end of a fiber bundle 7 from a sliver holder 8. In the exemplary embodiment of the spinning station 3.1, this sliver holder 8 is situated at a can 9 set up under the spinning station 3.1. The cans 9 of the individual spinning stations 3.1 through 3.8 are arranged in two rows, one behind the other. With respect to the remaining spinning stations 3.2 through 3.8, the sliver holder 8 is located at an underside of the particular spinning station 3.2 through 3.8. As is apparent at the spinning station 3.2, the sliver pickup 5 picks up the leading end of the fiber bundle 7 at this sliver holder 8 arranged under the spinning station 3.2. The sliver holder 8 can also be arranged at another suitable point, however.

[0040] As soon as the sliver pickup 5 has picked up the leading end of the fiber bundle 7, the supply device 6 pivots upward in the direction of a spin box 10 of the spinning station 3.1 through 3.4. At this, the piecing device 4 stops the corresponding spinning position 3.3 in the area of a loop catcher 11. An insertion device 12 arranged at the piecing device 4 ensures that the leading end of the fiber bundle 7 is threaded into the loop catcher 11. The loop catcher 11 can be designed in the manner of an eyelet or can include a lateral opening, into which the fiber bundle 7 is inserted.

[0041] Finally, as represented with respect to the spinning station 3.4, the piecing device 4 pivots further in the direction of the spin box 10, at which a feed device 13 is located. At this feed device 13 as well, the insertion device 12 ensures that the leading end of the fiber bundle 7 is inserted into the feed device 13. The insertion device 12 can open the feed device 13, for example, so that the insertion process can be more easily carried out.

[0042] In FIG. 2a, a side view of a piecing device 4 is represented. The piecing device 4 is mounted so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis D. It includes the sliver pickup 5 and the supply device 6. The sliver pickup 5 is arranged at the supply device 6 and can be brought into the necessary position, by means of the supply device 6, in order to pick up a fiber bundle 7, for example, from a sliver holder 8 and supply it to a loop catcher 11 and a feed device 13 (see FIG. 1). The supply device 6 is rotatable about the rotational axis D and, as necessary, can also be designed to be variable in length, in order to be able to carry out a translatory motion. The sliver pickup 5 includes the insertion device 12, which is designed as a blowing nozzle in this case. With this blowing nozzle, a fiber bundle 7, which is clamped between two jaws 14a, 14b of each of two grippers 14, can be manipulated. Due to an appropriate control of the two grippers 14 and the insertion device 12, the leading end of the fiber bundle 7 can be inserted into the feed device 13.

[0043] FIG. 2b shows a top view of a piecing device 4 according to FIG. 2a. Therein, it is apparent that the sliver pickup 5 is designed in a U-shape in this exemplary embodiment. The fiber bundle 7, which is clamped between the two jaws 14a and 14b of the gripper 14, is located within the U-shape of the sliver pickup 5. By means of the insertion device 12, the leading end of the fiber bundle 7 can be inserted into the loop catcher 11 or the feed device 13. In order to be able to accurately position the leading end of the fiber bundle 7, in this exemplary embodiment, the gripper 14 is capable of moving the two jaws 14a and 14b jointly or separately. The two jaws 14a and 14b can also generate a separation of the fiber bundle 7 with a suitable control. This is significant, in particular, for the case in which a residual length of the old fiber bundle is to be detached.

[0044] Due to a suitable control of the jaws 14a, 14b or of the suction nozzle of the insertion device 12, these aforementioned components form a preparation device, a pointing device, or a sliver separating unit. In addition, a splicing device can also be integrated in the sliver pickup 5, with which the leading end of the new fiber bundle 7 is pneumatically joined with the end of the old fiber bundle.

[0045] In FIG. 3, a section of a side view of a spinning machine 1 according to the invention is represented with separate units 15 for the piecing device 4. The particular associated unit 15 is arranged laterally next to each spinning station 3. The unit 15 includes the piecing device 4 and, if necessary, control and drive elements. The spinning station 3 and the unit 15, together, are wider than only a single spinning station 3. Although this lengthens the spinning machine 1, it makes it possible for larger cans 9 to be positioned under the spinning machine 1. These larger cans 9 have a larger capacity for a fiber bundle 7, as the result of which a changeover of the fiber bundle 7 is to be expected less often.

[0046] The section of a side view of a spinning machine 1 according to the invention according to FIG. 4 shows a piecing device 4 for two adjacent spinning stations 3.1 and 3.2 or 3.3 and 3.4. The piecing device 4 is arranged at a spinning station 3.2 and 3.4. Due to the possibility that the piecing device 4 is designed to be rotatable about the rotational axis D toward both sides and, in addition, also includes a variable-length supply device 6, it is capable of ensuring that the fiber bundle 7 can be properly supplied to the particular feed device 13 at both adjacent spinning stations 3.1 and 3.2 or 3.3 and 3.4. Of course, it is also possible that the piecing device 4 is installed in a separate unit 15, as shown in FIG. 3, between two spinning stations 3.1 and 3.2 or 3.3 and 3.4 and, thereby, can serve the spinning stations 3.1 and 3.2 or 3.3 and 3.4 on both sides.

[0047] FIG. 5 shows a section of a side view of a spinning machine 1 according to the invention with the piecing device 4 at a cover 16 of the spinning station 3. The cover 16 is capable of carrying out folding movements or linear movements, in order to open the spin box 10 and, for example, in order to enable the rotor to be cleaned or spinning elements to be replaced. This movement of the cover 16 can be utilized in order to be able to transfer an additional movement component onto the piecing device 4. Therefore, for example, the fiber bundle 7, when it is grasped by the piecing device 4, can be moved from the sliver holder 8 to the loop catcher 11 and into the feed device 13, in that not only does the piecing device 4 carry out rotatory or translatory movements, but, additionally, the cover 16 also appropriately moves the piecing device 4 in its entirety.

[0048] In FIG. 6, a section of a side view of a spinning machine 1 according to the invention is represented with a piecing device 4 also functioning as a thread-handling device 17. The thread-handling device 17 therefore includes not only the possibility that the thread 18, after a thread break, is grasped from the yarn package 19 and inserted into the spin box 10. The thread-handling device 17 additionally includes the possibility of operating as a piecing device 4 for the fiber bundle 7. For this purpose, the thread-handling device 17 can reach the yarn package 19 as well as the sliver holder 8, the loop catcher 11, and the feed device 13 by means of an appropriate rotatory and translatory movement.

[0049] FIG. 7 shows a section of a side view of a spinning machine 1 according to the invention with a piecing device 4 and with a displacement device 20. The displacement device 20 is displaceable along a rail guide 21 in such a way that it can reach the individual spinning stations 3.1 through 3.4. According to demand, the displacement device 20 is positioned at the appropriate spinning station 3.1 through 3.4, picks up the fiber bundle 7 from the sliver holder 8 and guides it to the loop catcher 11 and the feed device 13. As soon as the piecing device 4 is needed by this or another spinning station 3.1 through 3.4, to which it is assigned, the displacement device 20 moves the piecing device 4 to the appropriate new position. The rail guide 21 is assigned to a predetermined number of spinning stations 3.1 through 3.4. Preferably, one rail guide 21 is provided, in each case, for spinning stations 3 of one section of the spinning machine 1.

[0050] FIG. 8 shows a side view of a spinning machine 1 according to the invention with a piecing device 4 and with an auxiliary unit 22. The auxiliary unit 22 is capable, for example, of carrying out auxiliary tasks for the pick-up and supply of the fiber bundle 7 into the feed device 13. These types of auxiliary tasks are, for example, seeking the fiber bundle 7 at the can 9 and inserting the fiber bundle 7 into the sliver holder 8. The auxiliary unit 22 can carry out rotatory and/or translatory movements. For example, seeking the leading end of the fiber bundle 7 at the can 9 can be very time-consuming. Since this can take place, however, before the spinning station 3 must stop the spinning operation due to a lack of fiber bundle 7, this time requirement is less critical with respect to the efficiency of the spinning station 3. Thereafter, the piecing device 4 of the spinning station 3 is capable of picking up the fiber bundle 7 at the desired time and inserting it into the loop catcher 11 and into the feed device 13.

[0051] The auxiliary unit 22 can be arranged, for example, at a maintenance device 23, which patrols along the spinning machine 1 and, as necessary, carries out the auxiliary tasks at the appropriate spinning station 3. In addition, the maintenance device 23 can be provided for further tasks, for example, cleaning the spinning station 3 or changing the yarn package 19 or further tasks during the piecing of a new thread 18 after a thread break.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the represented and described exemplary embodiments. Modifications within the scope of the claims are also possible, as is any combination of the features, even if they are represented and described in different exemplary embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0053] 1 spinning machine [0054] 2 end stock [0055] 3 spinning station [0056] 4 piecing device [0057] 5 sliver pickup [0058] 6 supply device [0059] 7 fiber bundle [0060] 8 sliver holder [0061] 9 can [0062] 10 spin box [0063] 11 loop catcher [0064] 12 insertion device [0065] 13 feed device [0066] 14 gripper [0067] 14a, 14b jaws [0068] 15 unit [0069] 16 cover [0070] 17 thread-handling device [0071] 18 thread [0072] 19 yarn package [0073] 20 displacement device [0074] 21 rail guide [0075] 22 auxiliary unit [0076] 23 maintenance device [0077] D rotational axis