Device equipped with pattern-controlled components and textile machine comprising such a device

Abstract

A device (1) equipped with pattern-controlled components (2) for pattern-controlled feeding and/or selection of yarn for a textile machine, comprising a plurality of actuators (4) and a cooling circuit (5, 8) through which coolant is flowable for the cooling of the actuators (4), whereby the actuators (4) in the device (1) are installed alongside the cooling circuit (5, 8) and are mountable so as to be detachable so that the actuators can be removed without interrupting the cooling circuit (5, 8). Furthermore, a textile machine comprising such a device (1).

Claims

1. Device equipped with pattern-controlled components for at least one of pattern-controlled feeding of yarn for a textile machine and selection of yarn for a textile machine, comprising: a plurality of actuators; a mounting frame on which the actuators are detachably installable; a cooling circuit through which cooling liquid is flowable for the cooling of the actuators, the cooling circuit being at least partially integrated into the mounting frame; and one or more actuator modules of pattern-controlled components, each of the one or more actuator modules comprising one or more of the actuators and each of the one or more actuator modules being detachably installable in the device in order to install the one or more of the actuators contained in each of the one or more actuator modules detachably in the device, wherein the actuators in the device are installed outside the cooling circuit and are mountable so as to be detachable without interrupting the cooling circuit, and wherein the cooling circuit comprises at least one beam through which the cooling liquid is flowable and to which each of the one or more actuator modules is detachably fastenable.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each actuator module comprises one or more thermally conductive elements to conduct heat from the actuators to the cooling circuit.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that each actuator module is detachably installable in the device by means of the one or more thermally conductive elements.

4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that each actuator is installed at least partially separate from the one or more thermally conductive elements.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one side of each actuator is installed facing away from the one or more thermally conductive elements.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that each actuator borders on the one or more thermally conductive elements on only one side.

7. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that each actuator module comprises a thermally conductive plate as said thermally conductive element.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the thermally conductive plate extends in each actuator module like a flange relative to each actuator of the actuator module.

9. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that each actuator module, all actuators and the electrical components are fastened to the thermally conductive plate.

10. Device according to claim 1, wherein each actuator module has a guide rib or guide slot and that the mounting frame comprises a corresponding guide slot or guide rib to guide the actuator module during installation of said module.

11. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that this device comprises one or more electrical components and that the cooling circuit is provided for cooling these electrical components.

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that each actuator module comprises one or more said electrical components.

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the actuators of each actuator module are installed on both sides of the electrical components of each actuator module.

14. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cooling liquid is water.

15. Jacquard machine comprising a device equipped with pattern-controlled components for pattern-controlled positioning of yarn, wherein the device comprises: a plurality of actuators; a mounting frame on which the actuators are detachably installable; a cooling circuit through which cooling liquid is flowable for the cooling of the actuators, the cooling circuit being at least partially integrated into the mounting frame; and one or more actuator modules of pattern-controlled components, each of the one or more actuator modules comprising one or more of the actuators and each of the one or more actuator modules being detachably installable in the device in order to install the one or more of the actuators contained in each of the one or more actuator modules detachably in the device, wherein the actuators in the device are installed outside the cooling circuit and are mountable so as to be detachable without interrupting the cooling circuit, and wherein the cooling circuit comprises at least one beam through which the cooling liquid is flowable and to which each of the one or more actuator modules is detachably fastenable.

16. Textile machine comprising a device equipped with pattern-controlled components, wherein the device comprises: a plurality of actuators; a mounting frame on which the actuators are detachably installable; a cooling circuit through which cooling liquid is flowable for the cooling of the actuators, the cooling circuit being at least partially integrated into the mounting frame; and one or more actuator modules of pattern-controlled components, each of the one or more actuator modules comprising one or more of the actuators and each of the one or more actuator modules being detachably installable in the device in order to install the one or more of the actuators contained in each of the one or more actuator modules detachably in the device, wherein the actuators in the device are installed outside the cooling circuit and are mountable so as to be detachable without interrupting the cooling circuit, and wherein the cooling circuit comprises at least one beam through which the cooling liquid is flowable and to which each of the one or more actuator modules is detachably fastenable.

17. Textile machine according to claim 16, characterized in that the cooling circuit is furthermore provided for the cooling of at least one of one or more mechanical parts of the device, one or more mechanical parts of the textile machine, and one or more electrical parts of the textile machine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) This invention is now explained in further detail by means of the following detailed description of an embodiment of a device according to this invention. The purpose of this description is purely to give clarifying examples and to highlight further advantages and specifics of this device and can therefore not be interpreted as a limitation of the field of application of the invention or of the patent rights claimed in the claims.

(2) In this detailed description, reference numbers are used to refer to the attached drawings, wherein

(3) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a yarn feeding unit for a tufting machine according to an embodiment of this invention;

(4) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the yarn feeding unit from FIG. 1 without the side walls of the mounting frame for the unit;

(5) FIG. 3 shows a separate perspective view of the mounting frame and the cooling circuit of the yarn feeding unit from FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 4 shows a separate perspective view of a yarn feeding module of the yarn feeding unit from FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 5 shows a side view of the yarn feeding module from FIG. 4;

(8) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the yarn feeding module from FIG. 4 with a view of the pattern-controlled components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) The figures illustrate a yarn feeding unit (1) for a tufting machine with pattern-controlled components (2) for the pattern-controlled feeding of yarn. For a person skilled in the art it is clear from this how, by analogy, he can for example devise a yarn feeding unit for a weaving machine for the pattern-controlled feeding of yarn or how, by analogy, he can devise a selection unit for a tufting machine or weaving machine with pattern-controlled components for pattern-controlled selection of yarn.

(10) The illustrated yarn feeding unit (1) comprises a mounting frame (3, 8) to which various yarn feeding modules (6) are detachably fastened.

(11) As can be better seen in FIG. 3, the mounting frame (3, 8) comprises two side walls (3) between which a number of beams (8) are installed more or less parallel to each other. The beams (8) are hollow and are connected together by pipes (5) to form together a cooling circuit (5, 8) through which water is flowable. In this way this cooling circuit (5, 8) is partially integrated into the mounting frame (3, 8).

(12) FIGS. 4-6 show a separate yarn feeding module (6). Each yarn feeding module (6) comprises eight servomotors (4) that are mounted together on a plate (7). Four of these motors (4) are installed on each side of an electric circuit (10) which comprises i.a. the electronic components for controlling the servomotors (4). This electrical circuit (10) is also mounted on the said plate (7).

(13) The servomotors (4) are provided in a known manner to control pattern-controlled components (2) for the feeding of yarn for a tufting machine. As this is state-of-the-art and does not form part of the invention, this is not discussed in further detail here. In the pattern-controlled components that control the hooks under the tuft fabric, the servomotors can be replaced by pneumatic actuators. On an Axminster weaving machine the servomotors can, for example, be typically replaced by rotary or linear stepper motors. In a Jacquard machine the servomotors can, for example, be typically replaced by solenoids.

(14) In other textile machines, different numbers of actuators (4) per actuator module (6) may be desired.

(15) The said plate (7) of each yarn feeding module (6) is attachable to the beam (8) of the mounting frame (3, 8). To this end, this plate (7) has screw holes (12) at top and bottom through which screws can be inserted to screw this plate (7) to respective beams (8) of the mounting frame (3, 8). The beams (8) of the mounting frame (3, 8) have a stop (11) with which the upper side of the plate (7) can be aligned for simple positioning of the yarn feeding modules (6) relative to the beams (8) before it is screwed tight. This plate (7) is thermally conductive in order to be able to dissipate the heat of the motors (4) and the electric circuit (10) to the beams (8) which form part of the cooling circuit (5, 8) through which water is flowable.

(16) At top and bottom, each yarn feeding module (6) comprises a guide rib (9) that can engage and slide in a corresponding guide slot (not illustrated) in the beams (8) in order to guide the yarn feeding module (6) relative to the beams (8) during installation in the yarn feeding unit (1).

(17) In this way the yarn feeding modules (6) are located completely alongside the cooling circuit (5, 8) in the yarn feeding unit (1) and are detachable from the cooling circuit (5, 8) without having to interrupt this cooling circuit (5, 8).

(18) The illustrated cooling circuit (5, 8) is provided here for cooling both the motors (4) and the electric circuits (10) of the yarn feeding modules (6). Due to the thermally conductive plates (7), maximum heat from the motors (4) and the electric circuits (10) is discharged to the cooling circuit (5, 8). This cooling circuit (5, 8) can also be provided for the cooling of one or more mechanical parts of the device (1) and/or of other mechanical and/or electrical parts of the textile machine in which this device (1) is installed.