METHOD FOR MONITORING AIR FLOWS REQUIRED FOR HANDLING A THREAD AND/OR FIBER BAND AND SPINNING MACHINE UNIT

Abstract

A method for monitoring air flows required for handling a thread and/or fiber band in a spinning machine having a plurality of spinning positions, and to a spinning machine unit. At least one air flow-generating source is associated with the spinning machine and is connected to an air flow duct in an airflow-communicating manner, the air flow duct having an air flow main duct, coupled to the source in an air flow-communicating manner, and a plurality of air flow branch ducts branching off from the air flow main duct, each branching off to a spinning position for supplying the air flow to the spinning positions' handling units for handling a thread or fiber band. The spinning machine is allocated an evaluation device for evaluating measurement data and a detection unit for detecting productive and/or non-productive spinning positions and/or handling units, the detection unit being connected to the evaluation device for data transmission. An air volume flow measuring unit is provided which is arranged in the air flow main duct between the source and the air flow branch duct nearest to the source along the air flow path, the air volume flow measuring unit being connected to the evaluation device for data transmission. The air volume flow is measured by means of the air volume flow measuring unit and the measurement result is transmitted to the evaluation device. Furthermore, the number of productive and/or non-productive spinning positions is detected by the detection unit at the time of the air volume flow measurement and transmitted to the evaluation device. An air volume flow target value is determined by the evaluation device depending on the number of detected productive and/or non-productive spinning positions, the air volume flow target value corresponding to a total air volume flow requirement of the spinning positions which are productive at the time when the measurement is taken. The air volume flow target value is then compared with the actual value of the measured air volume flow by the evaluation device, the evaluation device making an evaluation on the basis of the comparison as to whether there is an unacceptable deviation between the actual value and the air volume flow target value.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring air flows required for handling a thread and/or fiber band in a spinning machine having a plurality of spinning positions, at least one air flow-generating source being associated with the spinning machine and being connected to an air flow duct in an air flow-communicating manner, the air flow duct having an air flow main duct, coupled to the source in an air flow-communicating manner, and a plurality of air flow branch ducts branching off from the air flow main duct, each branching off to a spinning position for supplying the air flow to the spinning positions' handling units for handling a thread or fiber band, and the spinning machine being allocated an evaluation device for evaluating measurement data and a detection unit for detecting productive and/or non-productive spinning positions and/or handling units, the detection unit being connected to the evaluation device for data transmission, characterised in that an air volume flow measuring unit is provided which is arranged in the air flow main duct between the source and the air flow branch duct nearest to the source along the air flow path, the air volume flow measuring unit being connected to the evaluation device for data transmission, measuring the air volume flow by the air volume flow measuring unit and transmitting the measurement result to the evaluation device, detecting the number of productive and/or non-productive spinning positions by the detection unit at the time of the air volume flow measurement and transmitting to the evaluation device, determining an air volume flow target value depending on the number of productive and/or non-productive spinning positions detected at the time when the air volume flow is measured, the air volume flow target value corresponding to a total air volume flow requirement of the spinning positions which are productive at the time when the measurement is taken, comparing the air volume flow target value with the actual value of the measured air volume flow by the evaluation device, and carrying out by the evaluation device an evaluation on the basis of the comparison to assess whether there is an unacceptable deviation between the actual value and the air volume flow target value.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that an alarm signal is initiated by the evaluation device if the evaluation results in an unacceptable deviation between the actual value and the target value.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the spinning machine is an air spinning machine, the air flow-generating source being a compressed-air source at least for generating a predetermined spinning pressure in a spinning unit of the spinning position.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that a further air volume flow measuring unit is arranged in at least one air flow branch duct at a fixed time by the further air volume flow measuring unit and transmitted to the evaluation device, the detection unit detecting, at the time the air volume flow is measured whether the spinning position or handling unit which is operatively connected to the further air flow measuring unit is productive and/or non-productive, a corresponding individual actual value of the measured air volume flow being assigned, to the operatively connected productive spinning position or handling unit, and that value is compared with an individual target value which corresponds to a total air volume flow requirement of the operatively connected spinning position or handling unit, the evaluation device evaluating on the basis of the comparison, whether there is an unacceptable deviation between the individual actual value and the individual target value, and, in the event that the deviation is evaluated as being unacceptable, the evaluation device initiating an alarm signal, which contains information about the further air volume flow measuring unit, spinning position, handling unit and/or air flow branch duct affected by the unacceptable deviation.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the further air volume flow measuring unit is arranged in in each air flow branch duct leading to a spinning position or directly to a handling unit.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterised in that, in each air flow branch duct comprising a further air volume flow measuring unit, a closing element is arranged, which is movable between an open and closed position, the closing element being moved into the closed position if a deviation affecting the air flow branch duct which has the closing element has been evaluated as being unacceptable.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the closing element is arranged close to the air flow main duct.

8. A spinning machine unit comprising: a plurality of spinning positions, each having at least one handling unit requiring an air flow for handling a thread or fiber band by required air flow, an air flow-generating source connected to an air flow duct in an air flow-communicating manner, the air flow duct having an air flow main duct, coupled to the source in an air flow-communicating manner, and a plurality of air flow branch ducts branching off from the air flow main duct, each branching off to a spinning position for supplying the air flow to the spinning position's handling unit, of which there is at least one, an evaluation device for evaluating measurement data, and a detection unit for detecting productive and/or non-productive spinning positions, the detection unit being connectable or connected to the evaluation device for data transmission, characterised in that an air volume flow measuring unit is provided which is arranged in the air flow main duct between the source and the air flow branch duct nearest to the source along the air flow path, the air volume flow measuring unit being connectable or connected to the evaluation device for data transmission, and the evaluation device is set up to determine an air volume flow target value depending on the number of productive and/or non-productive spinning positions detected at the time when the air volume flow is measured, the air volume flow target value corresponding to a total air volume flow requirement of the spinning positions which are productive at the time when the measurement is taken, to compare the air volume flow target value with the actual value of the measured air volume flow, and to carry out an evaluation on the basis of comparison to assess whether there is an unacceptable deviation between the actual value and the air volume flow target value.

9. The spinning machine unit according to claim 8, characterised in that a further air volume flow measuring unit is arranged in at least one air flow branch duct, the detection unit being set up to detect, at a time when an air volume flow is measured by the further air volume flow measuring unit, whether the spinning position or handling unit operatively connected to the further air flow measuring unit is productive and/or non-productive, the evaluation device being set up to assign an individual actual value of the measured air volume flow to the productive spinning position or handling unit operatively connected to the further air volume flow measuring unit, and to compare this value with a corresponding individual target value which corresponds to a total air volume flow requirement of the operatively connected spinning position or handling unit, to carry out an evaluation on the basis of the comparison to assess whether there is an unacceptable deviation between the individual actual value and the individual target value, and if a deviation is evaluated as being unacceptable, to initiate an alarm signal which includes information about the further air flow measuring unit, spinning position, handling unit and/or air flow branch duct affected by the unacceptable deviation.

10. The spinning machine unit according to claim 8, wherein the further air volume flow measuring unit is arranged in each air flow branch duct leading to a spinning position or directly to a handling unit.

11. The spinning machine unit according to claim 8, characterised in that, in the air flow branch duct comprising a further air volume flow measuring unit, a closing element is arranged, in particular close to the air flow main duct, which is movable between an open and closed position, the closing element being in the closed position if a deviation affecting the air flow branch duct which has the closing element has been evaluated as being unacceptable.

12. The spinning machine unit according to claim 11, wherein the closing element is arranged close to the air flow main duct.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Preferred embodiment examples of the invention are explained in more detail below on the basis of the accompanying drawings.

[0032] In the drawings:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a spinning machine unit according to a preferred embodiment example; and

[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a method according to a preferred embodiment example.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The following description of the embodiments of the present invention is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. The following description is provided herein solely by way of example for purposes of providing an enabling disclosure of the invention, but does not limit the scope or substance of the invention.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a purely schematic view of a spinning machine unit 1 according to a preferred embodiment example, which is suitable for carrying out a method 100 according to a preferred embodiment example, which is shown by the flowchart schematically represented in FIG. 2.

[0037] The spinning machine unit 1, which is, for example, a rotor spinning machine or air spinning machine, comprises a machine frame at one end of the machine having a control housing 2, from which a plurality of spinning positions 3 proceed in rows on and along a longitudinal side of the spinning machine unit, each spinning position 3 being connected on the data transmission side to a central control unit not shown in the control housing 2. Each spinning position 3 has first handling units 4 and second handling units 5 for handling a thread or fiber band to be handled at the relevant spinning position 3. Depending on the type of spinning machine, the first handling units 4 and second handling units 5 can be standard units, such as spinning rotors, pneumatic thread accumulators, spinning nozzles, compression devices or similar, which are assigned to a corresponding spinning position 3 and require an air flow for handling a thread or fiber band.

[0038] The spinning machine unit 1 comprises an air flow-generating source 6, which in this preferred embodiment example is arranged in the control housing 2. The source 6 is set up to generate an air flow caused by vacuum or positive pressure. The source 6 is connected to an air flow duct 7 in an air flow-communicating manner, hereinafter referred to as on the flow side, the air flow duct 7 having an air flow main duct 8 and a plurality of air flow branch ducts 9 branching off from it. Each of the branching air flow branch ducts 9 leads to a spinning position 3 and to the first handling units 4 and second handling units 5 assigned to the spinning position 3, to supply them with the air flow that can be generated by the source 6.

[0039] The air flow main duct 8 has an air volume flow measuring unit 10 in an air flow branch duct 9 arranged between the source 6 and an air flow branch duct nearest to the source 6, said air volume flow measuring unit being arranged in the control housing 2 according to the preferred embodiment example shown. The air volume flow measuring unit 10 can be accessed in the control housing 2 through a maintenance flap and can be viewed in particular through a viewing window integrated in the maintenance flap. The air volume flow measuring unit 10 according to a preferred embodiment example can have a display for the scaled and/or digital indication of the measurable air volume flow channeled through.

[0040] The corresponding air flow branch duct 9 leading to a spinning position 3 as well as the air flow branch ducts 9 leading to a corresponding first handling unit 4 and second handling unit 5 have a further air volume flow measuring unit 11 for measuring the air volume flow channeled through. A closing element 12 is arranged along the air flow path between the air flow main duct 8 and the air flow branch duct 9, for example in the form of a controllable valve. The closing element 12 can be moved between an open and closed position. In the open position, an air flow can be channeled through the corresponding air flow branch duct 9 via the closing element 12, whereas the corresponding air flow branch duct 9 is sealed off for the air flow when the closing element 12 is in the closed position. The arrangement of the closing element 12 between the further air volume flow measuring unit 11 and the air flow main duct 8 is advantageous in that, in the corresponding open and closed position, it is possible to take a measurement to check whether the further air flow branch duct 9 can be supplied with the air flow accordingly or if it is sealed off.

[0041] The air volume flow measuring unit 10, the further air volume flow measuring units 11 and the closing elements 12 are connected to an evaluation device 13 on the data transmission side. In this way, air volume flow measurements can be transmitted from the air volume flow measuring unit 10 and the further air volume flow measuring units 11 to the evaluation device 13. Furthermore, the corresponding closing element 12 can be controlled so as to move it into the open or closed position. Even though the data transmission path is shown monodirectionally in the block diagram in FIG. 1, another preferred embodiment example shows that the connection can be bidirectional, in particular to be able to give or retrieve appropriate feedback.

[0042] The evaluation device 13 is also connected to a detection unit 14 on the data transmission side in monodirectional or bidirectional manner. According to this preferred embodiment example, the detection unit 14 is again connected on the data transmission side in a monodirectional or bidirectional manner to a corresponding spinning position 3 and a corresponding first handling unit 4 and second handling unit 5. In this regard, it should be emphasized that, for the sake of clarity, FIG. 1 shows only the data transmission connection of the spinning position 3 nearest to the source 6 along the air flow path, the first handling unit 4, closing elements 12 and further air volume flow measuring units 11. A corresponding connection applies in an equivalent manner to the other unconnected components shown in FIG. 1.

[0043] The detection unit 14 is set up to detect a productive and/or non-productive spinning position 3, first handling unit 4 and second handling unit 5, and to transmit to the evaluation device 13.

[0044] The spinning machine unit 1 described above according to a preferred embodiment example is set up to carry out a method 100, schematically illustrated with FIG. 2 as a flowchart, for monitoring air flows required for handling a thread and/or fiber band according to a preferred embodiment example. The method 100 has a step 110 of measuring an air volume flow by means of the air volume flow measuring unit 10, which is arranged in the air flow main duct 8. The measured value measured at a defined time or a coded value representing it is transmitted to the evaluation device 13. At the defined measurement time, in a further step 120, the number of productive and/or non-productive spinning positions 3 is detected and transmitted to the evaluation device 13. Then, in a further step 130, the evaluation device 13 determines an air volume flow target value depending on the number of detected productive and/or non-productive spinning positions 3, the air volume flow target value corresponding to a total air volume flow requirement of the spinning positions which are productive at the time the measurement is taken. The total air volume flow requirement is a theoretical value and corresponds to an air volume flow such as is necessary for the proper operation of the productive spinning positions. Usually, an individual target value is known or can be determined in advance for the correct operation of a productive spinning position, this value generally depending on the design of a particular spinning position. This value can be retrieved by the evaluation device 13 in a volatile or non-volatile memory (not shown) and can be stored in such a way that it can be changed by an operator or a control unit. The memory is at least allocated to the spinning machine and can in particular be included within it. According to a preferred embodiment example, the individual target value is multiplied by the number of productive spinning positions to obtain the air volume flow target value. Alternatively, a concordance table comprising a corresponding air volume flow target value for a corresponding different number of productive spinning positions can be retrievably stored in the memory so that an air volume flow target value can be retrieved directly depending on the number of productive spinning positions. The number of productive spinning positions can be determined directly by detecting the productive spinning positions or by detecting the non-productive spinning positions; in the latter case, a step is required involving calculating a known total number of spinning positions connected to the air flow main duct minus the detected number of non-productive spinning positions.

[0045] In a subsequent step 140, the evaluation device 13 compares the determined air volume flow target value with the actual value of the measured air volume flow and then, or in the course of the comparison in a further step 150, evaluates whether there is an unacceptable deviation between the actual value and the air volume flow target value. If a deviation is evaluated as being unacceptable, the evaluation device 13 initiates an alarm signal by which the unacceptable deviation can be indicated to an operator, e.g. via an alarm signal display unit 15 connected to the evaluation device 13 for data transmission (see FIG. 1).

[0046] The above steps can be carried out continuously, according to a preferred embodiment example, or at fixed times, in particular periodically, according to an alternative embodiment example. A loss of air volume flow in the air flow duct can be easily identified by means of monitoring. Depending on the number of spinning positions, the spinning machine unit can certainly have more than one air flow duct, in which case one air flow duct is provided to supply a defined number of spinning positions. Thus, depending on the air flow duct for which an unacceptable deviation has been evaluated, the location of the air volume flow loss can be determined more precisely.

[0047] In the spinning machine unit 1 shown by FIG. 1 according to a preferred embodiment example, further air volume flow measuring units 11 and closing elements 12 are provided, which are arranged in the air flow branch ducts 9.

[0048] In an equivalent manner to the above-described monitoring of the air flow main duct 8, an air flow branch duct 9 can also be monitored for an unusual air volume flow loss such as a leak. For this purpose, the air volume flow is measured in a step 160 by means of a further air volume flow measuring unit 11 and transmitted to the evaluation device 13. At the time the measurement is taken, the detection unit 14 detects the productive and/or non-productive spinning positions 3 and/or first handling unit 4 and second handling unit 5 in a step 170. In a step 180, a corresponding measured individual actual value of the measured air volume flow is assigned to the detected productive spinning positions and/or handling units, or vice versa, in order to be able to compare it, in a further step 190, with a corresponding individual target value, the individual target value corresponding to an air volume flow requirement of the relevant operatively connected spinning position or handling unit. On the basis of the comparison, the evaluation device 13 carries out an evaluation in the course of a step 200 to determine whether there is an unacceptable deviation between the individual actual value and the individual target value. If a deviation is evaluated as being unacceptable, the evaluation device initiates an alarm signal in a step 210, which includes information about the further air volume flow measuring unit, spinning position, handling unit and/or air flow branch affected by the unacceptable deviation, thereby making it even simpler to locate the unacceptable deviation. Furthermore, in the event of a deviation being assessed as unacceptable, the air flow branch duct 9 affected by the unacceptable deviation is sealed off from the air flow supply by moving the closing element 12 from the open position to the closed position in a step 220. In this way, other spinning positions or handling units not connected to the air flow branch duct 9 and requiring the air flow can continue to be operated correctly and, at the same time, the air flow branch duct 9 in question can be examined to determine the reasons for the unacceptable deviation.

[0049] Further air volume flow measuring units 11 and/or closing elements 12 can be provided as required in air flow branch ducts 9 of the spinning machine unit 1. For example, only additional air volume flow measuring units 11 or only closing elements 12 may be arranged in selected air flow branch ducts 9. The method 100 described above can also be suitably adapted depending on an arrangement of further air volume flow measuring units 11 and/or closing elements 12. In this way, the relevant method steps or steps selected from them can be carried out for one air flow branch duct 9 and/or air flow main duct 8 or for a plurality of air flow branch ducts 9 and/or air flow main ducts 8, in order to be able to determine air volume flow losses in the relevant air flow branch ducts 9 and/or air flow main ducts 8.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0050] 1 Spinning machine unit

[0051] 2 Control housing

[0052] 3 Spinning position

[0053] 4 First handling unit

[0054] 5 Second handling unit

[0055] 6 Air flow-generating source

[0056] 7 Air flow duct

[0057] 8 Air flow main duct

[0058] 9 Air flow branch duct

[0059] 10 Air volume flow measuring unit

[0060] 11 Further air volume flow measuring unit

[0061] 12 Closing element

[0062] 13 Evaluation device

[0063] 14 Detection unit

[0064] 15 Alarm signal display unit

[0065] 100 Method

[0066] 110 Step of measuring an air volume flow using the air volume flow measuring unit

[0067] 120 Step of detecting the productive and/or non-productive spinning positions

[0068] 130 Comparison step

[0069] 140 Evaluation step

[0070] 150 Step of initiating an alarm signal

[0071] 160 Step of measuring an air volume flow using the air volume flow measuring unit

[0072] 170 Step of detecting the productive and/or non-productive spinning positions and/or handling units

[0073] 180 Assignment step

[0074] 190 Step of comparing the individual target value with the individual actual value

[0075] 200 Evaluation step

[0076] 210 Step of initiating an alarm signal

[0077] 220 Sealing-off step

[0078] 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.