Method for operating a textile machine with work stations having their own handling elements for piecing of a thread, and a textile machine with own work stations having their own handling elements

Abstract

A method is provided for operating a textile machine, with a multiple number of adjacent work stations having a respective spinning unit with a spinning device and/or one winding device and handling elements for piecing a thread or for connecting two thread ends. If production is interrupted, a thread end on the bobbin side is provided to a defined receiving position at the work station. For piecing the thread or for connecting the thread ends, the thread end on the bobbin is cut to length by the work station work elements, received from the receiving position, prepared for piecing or for connecting and pieced up or connected. A thread end wound on the bobbin is sought out by means of a thread seeking device deliverable to multiple work stations of the textile machine, and the thread end is subsequently moved into the receiving position at the work station, from which it is received by the work station work element of the work station, in particular by a handling element of its own work station. A corresponding textile machine is also provided.

Claims

1. A method for operating a textile spinning machine having a multiple number of work stations arranged next to each other in a longitudinal direction of the textile machine, wherein each work station includes a spinning unit with a spinning device for producing a thread and a winding device for winding a thread onto a bobbin and respective handling elements at each work station for piecing the thread or for connecting two thread ends, the method comprising: upon a predictable interruption of thread production at a work station, a thread end of the thread wound on the bobbin is at a defined receiving position at the work station without being unwound from the bobbin; cutting the thread end that is at the receiving position with work station handling elements and then preparing for piecing the thread or for connecting two thread ends at the work station with the work station handling elements; and wherein at the defined receiving position, the thread end is received by a handling element for piecing.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving position is located in a thread path between an output of the spinning unit and the winding device.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the work station is shut down in a controlled manner prior to the predictable interruption of thread production.

4. The method according to claim 1, at the defined receiving position, the thread end is brought into an effective area of a pneumatic handling element of the work station.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the handling element is one or more of a draw-off device, a thread guide, or a yarn monitoring device of the work station.

6. A textile spinning machine, comprising: a multiple number of work stations arranged next to each other in a longitudinal direction of the textile machine; each work station comprising one or both of a spinning unit with a spinning device that produces a thread, and a winding device that winds the thread onto a bobbin; handling elements configured to prepare a thread end received at a receiving position at the work station for subsequent piecing or connection with another thread end at the work station; and wherein the textile spinning machine is configured to operate in accordance with the method of claim 1 such that upon a predictable interruption of thread production at a work station, a thread end of the thread wound on the bobbin is at a defined receiving position at the work station without being unwound from the bobbin; the thread, end is cut at the receiving position with the work station handling elements and then prepared for piercing the thread or for connecting two thread ends at the work station with the work station handling elements; and wherein at the defined receiving position, the thread end is received by a handling element for piecing.

7. The textile machine according to claim 6, wherein the receiving position is located in a thread path at the work station between an output of the spinning unit and the winding device.

8. The textile machine according to claim 6, wherein the handling element comprises a pneumatic handling element disposed to receive the thread end at the receiving position.

9. The textile machine according to claim 6, wherein the handling elements at each work station comprise a thread separating unit to cut the thread end to length, a thread preparing unit to prepare the pre-cut thread end, and a feedback unit to return the prepared thread end to the spinning unit or to a connection point for connection to the other thread end at the work station.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Additional advantages of the invention are described on the basis of the following presented embodiments. The following is shown:

(2) FIG. 1 is a spinning machine in a first design as an air jet spinning machine, in a schematic overview;

(3) FIG. 2 is a textile machine designed as an air jet spinning machine with a movable thread seeking device, in a schematic overview; and

(4) FIG. 3 is a textile machine designed as rotor spinning machine with a movable thread seeking device, in a schematic overview.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) 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.

(6) FIG. 1 shows a spinning machine 1 in a first design as an air jet spinning machine in a schematic overview. The spinning machine 1 includes, in a conventional manner, a multiple number of work stations 2 arranged next to each other, each of which features a drafting system 22 with a pair of delivery rollers 27, a spinning unit 3 with a spinning device, here in the form of an air jet spinning nozzle, a draw-off device 9, and a winding device 4 with a traversing device (not shown) and a thread guide 11. A fiber material F is fed to the drafting system 22; this is drafted in the drafting system 22 and fed through the delivery rollers 27 to the spinning unit 3 with the air jet spinning nozzle. The thread F produced there is drawn off from the spinning unit 3 by means of a draw-off device 9 and, according to the present illustration, is fed through a yarn monitoring device 15 and a waxing device 26 to the winding device 4, where it is wound onto a bobbin 5.

(7) Furthermore, a series of handling elements 10, 16, 17, 18 is provided at each work station 2, by means of which, after an interruption of production, here the spinning process, a thread end 6 on the bobbin side can be pieced up. For this purpose, the thread end 6 is cut to length by a thread separating unit 16, prepared for piecing by a thread preparing unit 17, and returned through a feedback unit 18 into the spinning unit, or through the spinning unit 3 through a connection point 19 outside of the spinning unit 3. In the present case, the feedback unit 18 is formed by the draw-off device 9 of the work station, which is driven to return the thread end 6 counter to the regular draw-off direction.

(8) However, the feedback unit 18 may be designed as a separate unit, for example as a pair of auxiliary rollers.

(9) In the present case, a pneumatic handling element 10 is arranged at the work station 2 to temporarily fix the thread end 6. However, this is not absolutely necessary. Depending on the arrangement of the individual components and the handling elements 16, 17, 18 at the work station 2, it is also possible to fix the thread end 6 by means of the draw-off device 9. Furthermore, a pneumatic handling element 10 for fixing the thread end 6 or for forming a thread reserve upon piecing can also be provided in another place within the thread path at the work station 2, or a multiple number of pneumatic handling elements 10 may be present. Finally, by way of deviation from the illustration shown, it is also possible that handling elements 10, 16, 17, 18 are not arranged at each work station 2; rather, such handling elements 10, 16, 17, 18 may be provided, for example, for two adjacent work stations 2.

(10) The present illustration now shows a situation at the work station 2 after a targeted disruption of the spinning process. Such a controlled shutdown may occur at any predictable spin stop, for example, to remove a yarn defect, to change the bobbin or to switch off the work station 2 or the spinning machine. For this purpose, the conveying speeds of the individual work elements 27, 9, 4 of the work station 2, here at least the delivery rollers 27, the draw-off device 9, and the winding device 4 are reduced to a standstill in a manner that is gradual and coordinated with each other. For this purpose, the drives of the individual work elements 27, 9, 4 are equipped with individually controllable drive units (not shown), which are accordingly controllable by a control device (not shown) of the work station 2 or the spinning machine 1. Herein, the thread end 6 does not wind on the bobbin, but is located in a defined receiving position A between an output 8 of the spinning unit 3 and the winding device 4. From there, it can be easily received and pieced up by the handling elements 10, 16, 17, 18 of the work station 2. Since the thread end 6 on the bobbin side herein essentially remains in its regular thread path, after piecing, it no longer needs to be inserted at the work elements of the work station 2, in particular the draw-off device 9, the yarn monitoring device 15 and the thread guide 11. In the present case, the receiving position A is located between the output 8 of the spinning unit 3 and the draw-off device 9. The thread seeking device of the present invention, in particular a movable thread seeking device for a multiple number of work stations, may be particularly advantageously deployed on a spinning machine, the work stations of which can be shut down in a controlled manner. With such machines, the thread seeking device is required only in the event of unplanned interruptions of the spinning process, such that only a few, or even only one, thread seeking device is to be provided for each spinning machine. However, a thread seeking device movable between multiple work stations is also advantageous at conventional work stations without the possibility of the controlled shutdown.

(11) FIG. 2 shows a first design of a spinning machine 1, which, just like the spinning machine 1 of FIG. 1, is designed as an air jet spinning machine. In the structure of its work stations 2, the spinning machine of FIG. 2 substantially corresponds to that described in FIG. 1, such that they are not further described. In addition, the spinning machine 1 shown in FIG. 2 features a thread seeking device 7, which in the present case features a suction nozzle 12 and a transfer element 13. The thread seeking device 7 also has a frame 20 and a chassis 21, by means of which they can be moved along the work stations 2 on running rails 23 of the spinning machine 1.

(12) If an unforeseen interruption in the spinning process now arises, for example because of a thread breakage, the thread end 6 on the bobbin side winds on the surface of the bobbin 5. In this case as well, the movable thread seeking device 7 is provided in order to enable a resumption of the spinning process. The thread seeking device 7 may be positioned at the respective work station 2 and seek out the thread end 6 on the bobbin 5 by means of the movable suction nozzle 12. For this purpose, the bobbin 5 is driven opposite to its regular direction of rotation by a drive (not shown) at the work station 2, such that the thread end 6 can be sucked into the suction nozzle 12. After the successful receiving of the thread end 6 in the suction nozzle 12, which can be detected by a sensor, the thread end 6 is received from the suction nozzle 12 by the transfer element 13, and is transferred to the pneumatic handling element 10 of the work station 2 in the form of a thread loop. The thread end 6 is now present in the defined receiving position A.

(13) Upon the movement of the thread end 6 into the receiving position A, the thread end 6 is herein simultaneously inserted into the work elements of the spinning unit, in the present case at least the yarn monitoring device 15 and the draw-off device 9, such that the thread end 6, just like that described in FIG. 1, can be pieced up by the work station handling elements 10, 16, 17, 18. If applicable, the thread end 6 may also be simultaneously inserted into the thread guide 11. However, this is not mandatory; the thread F may also be initially stored outside of the thread guide 11, and re-inserted into it only after a successful piecing. In FIG. 2, a situation is shown in which the thread end already has been found on the bobbin 5, and is inserted by the transfer element 13 into the draw-off device 9 and the yarn monitoring unit 15, and is transferred to the pneumatic handling element 10 in the form of the thread loop.

(14) Given the fact that, in the present case, the thread seeking device 7 must, with respect to the setting process, carry out exclusively the two functions of thread seeking and thread transfer, while the handling elements for piecing 10, 16, 17, 18 are found at the work station 2, the thread seeking device 7 may be carried out with a highly simple design and may be produced cost-effectively. According to an additional design, the thread seeking device 7 may also carry out a cutting operation, whereas, however, the thread seeking device 7 may still be designed very simply and cost-effectively. In addition, after the transfer of the thread end 6, the thread seeking device 7 immediately seeks out the next work station 2 at which a thread breakage has arisen. Since, in addition, the thread seeking device 7 is necessary solely in the event of an unforeseen, comparatively rare thread breakage, but not for predictable interruptions in the spinning operation, waiting times at the work stations 2 with corresponding production losses can almost be completely avoided.

(15) In the present case, the suction nozzle 12 is designed to have a swiveling motion and for this purpose features a drive 14. However, the suction nozzle 12 may also be designed to be linearly movable or deliverable in another manner to the bobbin 5. It is also not absolutely necessary to provide a separate transfer element 13. Depending on the design and movability of the suction nozzle, the thread end 6 may be moved directly by the suction nozzle 12 into the receiving position A at the work station 2. It is also conceivable to arrange a multiple number of transfer elements 13 in the thread seeking device 7, in order to insert the thread F in the work elements of the spinning machine, in particular the draw-off device 9, the yarn monitoring device 15 and the thread guide 11, and to transfer it to the handling elements 10, 16, 17, 18. Finally, by way of deviation from the illustration shown here, a cutting device for the thread may be provided on the thread seeking device 7.

(16) Finally, FIG. 3 shows an additional design of a spinning machine 1, which is designed in the form of a rotor spinning machine. The structure of the spinning machine 1 essentially corresponds to that of the spinning machine 1 of FIG. 2. In the following, only the differences with FIG. 2 will be described.

(17) Each work station 2 of the spinning machine 1 of FIG. 3 includes a spinning unit 3 with a spinning device 28, which is designed in the form of a rotor spinning device, a feed device 24 and an opening device 25, through which a fiber material F may be fed to the spinning unit 3. The thread F spun in the spinning unit 3 is in turn drawn off by a draw-off device 9, a yarn monitoring device 15 and a waxing device 26, and is wound by the winding device 4 through a thread guide 11 onto a bobbin 5. Likewise, as handling elements of the work station 2, a pneumatic handling element 10, a yarn separating device 16, a thread preparing unit 17 and a feedback unit 18, which is also formed by the draw-off device 9, are provided. For a controlled shutdown of a work station 2 in the case of a predictable spin stop, the conveying speeds of the work elements of the work station 2, in particular the feed device 24, the opening device 25, the draw-off device 9 and the winding device 4, can be reduced to a standstill in a manner that is defined and coordinated with each other, such that the thread end 6 does not wind on the bobbin 5, but is found at a defined receiving position A. However, this is not required.

(18) Moreover, in its structure and function, the thread seeking device 7 corresponds to the thread seeking device 7 of FIG. 2, such that reference is made to the description of FIG. 2.

(19) In the present case, a situation in turn is presented in which a thread end 6 wound on the bobbin 5 has already been received by the suction nozzle 12 and has been moved by the transfer element 13 into the defined receiving position A, in which it now is in the form of a thread loop. The thread end 6 is received and fixed in the receiving position A in the handling element 10. As the yarn is now present in the defined receiving position, in turn, as with piecing, it may be cut to length by the thread separating unit 16 after a controlled shut down, prepared for piecing by the thread preparing unit 17 and returned to it by the feedback unit 18 through the output 8 of the spinning unit 3.

(20) The described thread seeking device 7 may be used in various textile machines, such as winding machines, air jet spinning machines or rotor spinning machines. Since the thread seeking device 7 is used only briefly for thread seeking and thread transfer to a work station 2, while all time-consuming work of the piecing process, in particular the cutting and preparation of the thread end 6, can be carried out directly by the work station 2, a significant time advantage compared to a conventional maintenance device arises. After the thread transfer into the receiving position has taken place, the thread seeking device 7 immediately seeks out the next work station, such that waiting times with corresponding production losses can be avoided. In the case of a work station that can be shut down in a controlled manner, the fact that predictable interruptions of the spinning process can be processed without the thread seeking device 7 contributes to avoiding waiting times, such that this must be used only in the relatively few cases of unforeseeable thread breakages. Since the movable thread seeking device 7 may operate a multiple number of work stations 2 in a short time after one another, it is not necessary to arrange a cost-intensive thread seeking device with a high need for space at each of the work stations 2. It is also advantageous that the number of the thread seeking devices 7 at a textile machine can be adapted without any problems for different machines lengths or different numbers of work stations 2 or for the expected fiber breakage rate. The proposed thread seeking device 7 may also be produced very cost-effectively, since, in addition to its basic components such as the frame 20, the chassis 21, and devices for supplying power and control, it features as work elements only one suction nozzle 12 and one or more transfer elements 13.

(21) Modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments illustrated or described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(22) 1 Spinning machine 2 Work station 3 Spinning unit 4 Winding device 5 Bobbin 6 Thread end 7 Thread seeking device 8 Output of the spinning unit 9 Draw-off device 10 Pneumatic handling element of the work station 11 Thread guide 12 Suction nozzle 13 Transfer element 14 Drive of the suction nozzle 15 Yarn monitoring device 16 Thread separating unit 17 Thread preparing unit 18 Feedback unit 19 Connection point 20 Frame 21 Chassis 22 Drafting system 23 Running rail 24 Feed device 25 Opening device 26 Waxing device 27 Delivery rollers F Thread F Fiber material A Receiving position