Maintenance device for the maintenance of work stations of a textile machine and a textile machine

Abstract

A maintenance device for servicing adjacent work stations of a textile machine includes an operating unit that further comprises at least one operating component configured to perform a service operation at the work stations. Driving rails are disposed alongside the workstations, and a guide moves the maintenance device on the driving rails in a direction of travel alongside the work stations. The maintenance device moves on the driving rails from a maintenance position in which one of the work stations is serviceable by the maintenance device into an inspection position in which the maintenance device can be inspected. For transport of the maintenance device from the maintenance position into the inspection position, the operating unit is pivotal relative to the guide unit and/or the operating component is movable relative to the operating unit.

Claims

1. A maintenance device for servicing adjacent work stations of a textile machine, the maintenance device movable along driving rails disposed along the work stations, the maintenance device comprising: an operating unit that further comprises at least one operating component configured to perform a service operation on one or more working components of the work stations; a mechanical guide unit configured to mechanically fix and move the maintenance device on the driving rails in a direction of travel alongside the work stations; the maintenance device configurable from a maintenance position in which one of the work stations is serviceable by the maintenance device into an inspection position in which the maintenance device can be inspected; and wherein to bring the maintenance device from the maintenance position into the inspection position, the operating unit is pivotal relative to the guide unit and/or the operating component is movable relative to the operating unit.

2. The maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit and/or the operating component are pivotal via a swivel joint.

3. The maintenance device according to claim 2, wherein the operating unit and/or the operating component are pivoted around a first pivot axis that is perpendicular to the direction of travel.

4. The maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit and/or the operating component are pivoted around a second pivot axis that is aligned parallel to the direction of travel.

5. The maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit comprises a plurality of the operating components arranged on the maintenance device so as to be movable together with respect to the operating unit.

6. The maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance device comprises an energy supply device connected to the operating unit in the maintenance position and in the inspection position.

7. The maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance device comprises a safety device configured to avoid collisions between other maintenance devices, wherein the safety device is effective when the maintenance device is in the inspection position.

8. The maintenance device according to claim 7, wherein the safety device is activated when the maintenance device is moved from the maintenance position into the inspection position.

9. The maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance device comprises a safety device configured to switch off at least one part of the maintenance device in the inspection position of the maintenance device.

10. The maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance device comprises an actuator that pivots or moves the operating unit and/or the operating component.

11. A textile machine, comprising a plurality of work stations arranged side by side, and with at least one maintenance device according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages of the invention are described in the following embodiments. The following is shown:

(2) FIG. 1 is a top view of a cut-out of a textile machine with a driving rail and a multiple number of maintenance devices;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a maintenance device with a pivotable operating component;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of a maintenance device with pivotable operating components according to another design;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of a maintenance device with pivotable operating components arranged on a carrier; and

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of a maintenance device with a pivotable operating component arranged on a carrier according to another design.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) 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.

(8) FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of a cut-out of a textile machine 1 with two driving rails 3a, 3b, in the present case arranged opposite one another on the textile machine 1, and five maintenance devices 13a-13e, whereas the driving rails 3a, 3b extend along the textile machine 1. The textile machine 1 furthermore features a multiple number of similar work stations 11 arranged side by side, which also extend along the textile machine 1 and thus along the running rail 3a, 3b, whereas only a part of the work stations 11 is provided with a reference sign. The textile machine 1 may feature work stations 11 on its two opposite longitudinal sides (as in the present case) or only on one longitudinal side.

(9) In addition, the driving rails 3a, 3b may also be connected by means of a round arch to a single driving rail 3, which extends around it on at least one transverse side of the textile machine 1. In the present case, however, the driving rails 3a, 3b comprise two separate driving rails 3a, 3b, whereas each driving rail 3a, 3b is arranged on a respective longitudinal side of the textile machine 1. In this case, the rails 3a, 3b are connected in a fixed manner to the textile machine 1 and remain on the textile machine 1 during the maintenance of the maintenance devices 13a-13e.

(10) In this embodiment, three maintenance devices 13a-13c are arranged on the driving rail 3a so as to be moved to both sides in a direction of travel 4 along the driving rail 3a. In the present case, two maintenance devices 13d, 13e are arranged on the driving rail 3b so as to be movable to both sides in the direction of travel 4. Such an arrangement of the maintenance devices 13a-13e on the two driving rails 3a, 3b is selected only as an example. The textile machine 1 may also feature more or fewer maintenance devices 13a-13e.

(11) In addition, each of the maintenance devices 13a-13e features a guide unit 9 that fixes the maintenance devices 13a-13e to the driving rails 3a, 3b, and by means of which the maintenance devices 13a-13e can be moved on the driving rails 3a, 3b. The guide unit 9 defines the direction of travel 4 of the maintenance devices 13a-13e, for example through the manner of the arrangement of casters or through a specific formation of the guide that prescribes the direction of travel 4.

(12) Each of the maintenance devices 13a-13e features an operating unit 2a-2e, by means of which the work stations 11 of the textile machine 1 can be serviced. Each of the operating units 2a-2e features at least one operating component 14 for this purpose. For example, in the present illustration, the maintenance device 13d is moved to a work station 11 to be serviced and placed in front of it, in order to carry out a corresponding maintenance, repair or similar activity at such work station 11. The operating component 14 can be formed, for example, as a coil changer, as a piecing device, as a cleaning device, or as a part of the specified devices, for example as a pneumatic thread handling element, as a thread end preparation unit, as a rotor cleaning unit, or the like. The maintenance devices 13a-13e may also clean the work stations 11, for example by means of a suction system.

(13) Since the maintenance devices 13a-13e comprise at least one, but usually several, complex control components 14, the maintenance devices 13a-13e themselves must be inspected, serviced, cleaned and/or repaired from time to time. For this purpose, the maintenance devices 13a-13e can be brought from a maintenance position I into an inspection position II. In the maintenance position I, the maintenance devices 13a-13e can service the work stations 11. In the inspection position II, the maintenance devices 13a-13e may themselves be inspected. The maintenance devices 13a and 13d are shown here, for example, in the maintenance position I. The maintenance devices 13a and 13d are arranged close to the textile machine 1 and/or at the work stations 11. By contrast, the maintenance devices 13b, 13c and 13e are shown by way of example in a particular formation of the inspection position II.

(14) The maintenance device 13b is shown, for example, in an inspection position II, in which at least one of the operating components 14 has moved out of the operating unit 2b, such that it is accessible to an operator from multiple sides, in order to be inspected. For this purpose, the operating component 14 is shifted into the inspection position II by a gap 5 from its maintenance position I shown in dashed lines. For this purpose, the maintenance device 13b may, for example, feature a linkage 10, by means of which the operating component 14 can be moved with respect to the operating unit 2b. However, the at least one operating component 14 or a multiple number of operating components 14 can also be moved in a different manner, by means of a linkage 10 or a swivel joint 12, with respect to the maintenance device 13 or the operating unit 2, as shown in FIGS. 2-5.

(15) The maintenance devices 13c, 13e are shown in a further specific embodiment of the inspection position II. In this case, each of the two operating units 2c, 2e is pivoted away at an angle from its driving rail 3a, 3b by a first pivot axis 6 (perpendicular to the page in FIG. 1 and identified in FIGS. 2 and 4) that extends perpendicularly to the direction of travel 4 of the maintenance devices 13a-13e. For this purpose, the operating units 2c, 2e can be pivoted with respect to the guide units 9 by means of a swivel joint 12. The guide units 9 remain arranged on the driving rail 3a, 3b. The guide rails 3a, 3b also remain fixed to the textile machine 1, such that they can be designed in a simple manner and do not require any precautions to transport the maintenance devices 13a-13e into their inspection position II. In this embodiment as well, the personnel can easily inspect the maintenance devices 13c, 13e and/or the individual operating components 14, since their sides turned towards them in the operation of the textile machine 1 or the work stations 11 are also accessible.

(16) The maintenance device 13d can also be transported into its inspection position II, in such a manner that its operating unit 2d can be pivoted with respect to the guide unit 9. For this purpose, the operating unit 2d may be pivoted around a second pivot axis 7, which is aligned parallel to the driving rail 3b or to the direction of travel 4. The maintenance device 13d or its operating unit 2d may, for example, be turned upwards or downwards, or simply rotated around an axis of the maintenance device 13d or the operating unit 2d, in order to inspect them. The pivot axis 7 can be located at various positions in relation to a height H of the maintenance device 13 (the height H is shown only by way of example in FIGS. 2-5). If the pivot axis 7 is located in a central area of the maintenance device 13 in relation to its height H, only a small space requirement is required for pivoting the operating unit 2d. However, it can also be advantageous to provide the pivot axis 7 in an upper or lower area of the maintenance device 13, such that the operating unit 2d can be tilted upwards or downwards out of the maintenance device 13, as a result of which the operating components 14 are particularly accessible.

(17) The pivoting of the operating unit 2 with respect to the guide unit 9 around the first pivot axis 6 or the second pivot axis 7 has been described only by way of example with reference to the maintenance devices 13c, 13d. It is, of course, also conceivable for an operating unit 2 to be pivoted around a first pivot axis 6 and around a second pivot axis 7, in order to improve the accessibility of the operating components 14. In addition, it is, of course, also conceivable to combine an operating unit 2, which is pivotable with respect to the guide unit 9, with one or more operating components 14, which are movable separately with respect to the operating unit 2, as shown in FIGS. 2-5. In each case, upon the pivoting of the operating unit 2, it is advantageous that a device for the supply of energy 16 (see FIGS. 2-5) with its supply lines can be arranged close to the pivot axis 6, 7 and is thus exposed to only slight loads during pivoting, as shown in the following with reference to FIGS. 2-5.

(18) It is also advantageous if the maintenance devices 13a-13e feature at least one actuator 18 (indicated schematically in FIG. 1), by means of which the operating unit 2b and/or the operating component 14 can be pivoted and/or moved. This simplifies the movement of the operating unit and/or the operating component. The actuator 18 may comprise, for example, an electric motor.

(19) Furthermore, it is advantageous if the maintenance devices 13a-13e comprise a safety device 17 (indicated schematically in FIG. 1) for avoiding collisions, which is effective both in the maintenance position and for the maintenance device located in the inspection position.

(20) FIG. 2 shows a schematic front view of a maintenance device 13 with a pivotable operating component 14. As symbolized by an arrow, the operating component 14 is pivotable around a first pivot axis 6, which is oriented perpendicularly to the direction of travel 4 (see FIG. 1), in order to transport the maintenance device 13 from its maintenance position I shown in the present case into its inspection position II, which is not shown here. For this purpose, the operating component 14 is attached to the operating unit 2 by means of a swivel joint 12. Furthermore, a device 16 for the supply of energy is shown, which supplies the operating unit 14 with power and/or compressed air and/or a vacuum. If the device 16 for the supply of energy is arranged close to the pivot axis 6 as shown in the present case, the operating component 14 can be pivoted without difficulty into the inspection position II, without physically stressing the supply lines of the device 16 for the supply of energy. Of course, a multiple number of operating components 14 can be arranged in a manner individually pivotable on the operating unit 2. It is, of course, also possible for the pivot axis 6 to not extend, as shown here, to the lateral edge of the operating unit, but to extend, for example, into a central area.

(21) FIG. 3 shows another design of a maintenance device 13 with a pivotable operating component 14. In the present case, two operating components 14 are provided, which can be pivoted around a second pivot axis 7 (see arrow) aligned parallel to the direction of travel 4 (see FIG. 1). Here as well, it is once again advantageous if the device 16 for the supply of energy is located close to the pivot axis 7. The pivot axis 7 is arranged essentially in the middle of the operating components 14, but the pivot axis 7 could also be arranged at a lower or upper end of the operating components 14, such that they can be folded out upwards or downwards from the operating unit 2. Furthermore, the pivot axis 7 could, of course, also be arranged at a different location relative to the height H of the maintenance device 13. Of course, in this design as well, more or fewer operating components 14 can be provided on the operating unit 2.

(22) FIGS. 2 and 3 show operating units 14 that can be pivoted either around a pivot axis 7 aligned parallel to the direction of travel 4 (see FIG. 1) or around a pivot axis 6 aligned perpendicular to it. Of course, the operating components 14 or even only a part of the operating components 14 can also be pivotable around two different pivot axes 6, 7. Moreover, the operating components 14 of an operating unit 2 need not necessarily be pivotable around the same pivot axis 6, 7; rather, each operating component 14 may also feature its own pivot axis 6, 7.

(23) FIG. 4 shows an additional maintenance device 13 in a schematic front view. The operating components 14 of the operating unit 2 are arranged on a common carrier 15 that, in turn, can be pivoted with respect to the operating unit 2 around a pivot axis 6 (see arrow) aligned perpendicular to the direction of travel 4 (see FIG. 1). The device 16 for the supply of energy is once again close to the pivot axis 6. At the same time, a multiple number of operating components 14 may be pivoted from the maintenance position I, shown in the present case, into the inspection position II, which is not shown, which simplifies the inspection and saves time. Of course, the pivot axis 6 could also be arranged in another place, for example in the middle of the operating unit 2.

(24) FIG. 5 also shows a maintenance device 13, the operating components 14 of which are arranged on a common carrier 15. However, the carrier 15 can be pivoted around a pivot axis 7, which is aligned parallel to the direction of travel 4 (see FIG. 1), as once again indicated by an arrow. Of course, here as well, the pivot axis 7 could also be arranged in another place in relation to the height H of the maintenance device 13.

(25) This invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments. Thus, numerous variations are possible, in particular with regard to the position of the pivot axes 6, 7. Furthermore, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the carrier 15 could also be pivotable around both pivot axes 6, 7, or additional operating components 14 that are not arranged on the carrier 15, but are attached in a manner separately movable as in FIGS. 2 and 3 or fixed to the operating unit 2, could be present. In addition, of course, with the maintenance devices shown in FIG. 1, it is advantageous if the device 16 for the supply of energy is also connected to the operating unit 2 both in the maintenance position and in the inspection position, which is facilitated by an arrangement of the device 16 close to the pivot axis 6, 7. The guide unit 9 may, of course, also be designed differently and, for example, extend over the entire height of the maintenance device 13, or feature a frame, on which the operating unit 2 is in turn arranged.

(26) Additional variations within the framework of the claims, such as a combination of features, are also possible, even if such are presented and described in different embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(27) 1 Textile machine 2 Operating unit 3 Driving rail 4 Direction of travel 5 Gap 6 First pivot axis 7 Second pivot axis 8 Angle 9 Guide unit 10 Linkage 11 Work station 12 Swivel joint 13 Maintenance device 14 Operating component 15 Carrier 16 Device for the supply of energy I Maintenance position II Inspection position H Height of the maintenance device