EP2142690B1 - Device for delivering drawn fiber material to a workstation of a machine processing said fiber material - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 (see GB-A-2 158 108 ). Devices of this type are used in particular on knitting machines known as spinning knitting machines (eg PCT WO 2004/079068 . PCT WO 2007/093165 A2 . PCT WO 2007/093 166 A2 ). These are characterized by the fact that the knitwear is not made of conventional, twisted yarns, but of a fiber sliver, Flyerlunte. Like. Present fibrous material, the warped before the stitch formation using a known from spinning technology drafting to a preselected fineness and od after its exit from the drafting system with the aid of a spinning device in a transport to conventional knitting systems. The like. Suitable condition is brought.

In a particularly preferred variant, the spinning device contains a twisting element and a subsequent transport or spinning tube. The fiber material is thereby converted into a temporary, real-twisted yarn that can be transported well over longer distances. Just before processing by knitting needles or the like, the rotations are reduced again to zero (false-twist principle), whereby a knitted fabric with extreme softness is obtained.

Alternatively, however, the spinning device can also be set up to form a permanently consolidated, in particular a so-called. Unconventional yarn and z. B. be designed as an air-spinning device (see, for. EP 1 518 949 A2 and EP 1 826 299 A2 ). Such a yarn also has certain rotations or turns, but is such. B. a bundle or Umwindegarn no yarn in the classical sense. The spinning process is preferably adjusted so that, as in the case of the temporary yarn described above, although a fiber structure which is sufficiently strong for the desired transport purposes is obtained, a sufficiently soft knit fabric is nevertheless obtained.

In circular knitting machines with a variety of knitting systems, it is expedient to arrange the drafting systems with comparatively large distances from the knitting systems. In such a case, preferably at least two, cascaded one behind the other, each formed from a spinning member and a spinning and transport tube spinning devices are provided between the drafting systems and the knitting systems.

A disadvantage of the processing of the fiber material fed to the knitting machine in the manner described is that dirt particles, nits, lint, short and foreign fibers as well as other foreign bodies adhering loosely to the fiber material and entrained by it lead to defects in the knitted fabric and to contamination of the stitch forming bodies can. Unlike the normal spinning, no winder or the like are present, by means of which impurities and other defects in the fiber material can be detected and optionally eliminated by cutting the fiber material and subsequent splicing.

Corresponding disadvantages arise when stretched fiber material is supplied to the workstations of other machines.

From the GB-A-2 158 108 For example, a spinning nozzle apparatus for a spinning machine is known, which is surrounded by a flash chamber with vents to attenuate ultrasonic waves. In the expansion chamber also open cleaning openings.

The technical problem of the present invention is to design the device described at the outset in such a way that it enables efficient cleaning of the fiber streams before they enter the workstations of the respective machine, avoids undesired fiber fly and, with regard to the production and operating costs, with acceptable suction. or blowing currents can be realized.

This problem is solved by the characterizing features of claim 1.

The invention has the advantage that arranged by means of a between two sections of a spinning and transport tube or between two spinning devices, designed as a closed system cleaning station, which works with blowing and / or suction, effective removal of interfering fiber fly and other contaminants is achieved. Disturbances of the working process are thereby largely reduced, and also the deposition of lint, dust and other impurities on the respective machine is largely avoided. In addition, despite the use of a closed flow system, the desired transport of the fiber material to the work stations is not impaired.

Further advantageous features of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

• Fig. 1 einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung, die an eine Strickmaschine zur Verarbeitung von verstrecktem Fasermaterial angeschlossen ist und eine nach Art eines geschlossenen Strömungssystems ausgebildete Reinigungsstation enthält;
• Fig. 2 und 3 zwei Ausführungsbeispiele der Reinigungsstation in je einem Schnitt längs der Linie A - A der Fig. 1;
• Fig. 4 und 5 in Schnitten entsprechend Fig. 2 und 3 eine Reinigungsstation, die eine Drallkammer und ein durch ein Scharnier mit dieser verbundenes Abführrohr aufweist;
• Fig. 6 bis 8 drei weitere Ausführungsbeispiele der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in der Fig. 1 entsprechenden Ansichten;
• Fig. 9 ein Ausführungsbeispiel für die Verbindung einer Drallkammer mit einem ihr zugeordneten Spinn- und Transportrohr;
• Fig. 10 einen Schnitt längs der Linie B - B der Fig. 9;
• Fig. 11 eine zusätzlich zur Vorrichtung nach Fig. 1 bis 8 vorhandende Saug- und/oder Blaseinrichtung, die im Bereich einer Strickstelle der Strickmaschine vorgesehen werden kann;
• Fig. 12 ein Stricksystem der Strickmaschine in einer perspektivischen Darstellung; und
• Fig. 13 und 14 schematisch eine an der Strickmaschine vorgesehene, Sensoren aufweisende Einrichtung zur Überwachung der Arbeitsweise der Strickmaschine.

The invention will be explained in more detail below in connection with the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

• Fig. 1 a schematic longitudinal section through a first embodiment of a device according to the invention, which is connected to a knitting machine for processing stretched fiber material and includes a formed in the manner of a closed flow system cleaning station;
• FIGS. 2 and 3 two embodiments of the cleaning station in a respective section along the line A - A of Fig. 1 ;
• 4 and 5 in sections accordingly FIGS. 2 and 3 a cleaning station having a swirl chamber and a discharge pipe connected thereto by a hinge;
• Fig. 6 to 8 three further embodiments of the device according to the invention in the Fig. 1 corresponding views;
• Fig. 9 an embodiment for the connection of a swirl chamber with its associated spinning and transport tube;
• Fig. 10 a section along the line B - B of Fig. 9 ;
• Fig. 11 in addition to the device according to Fig. 1 to 8 existing suction and / or blowing device, which can be provided in the region of a knitting point of the knitting machine;
• Fig. 12 a knitting system of the knitting machine in a perspective view; and
• FIGS. 13 and 14 schematically a provided on the knitting machine, sensors having means for monitoring the operation of the knitting machine.

Fig. 1 shows roughly schematically a device according to the invention for a machine, which is preferably a stitch-forming machine and in the embodiment specifically a circular knitting machine containing a needle cylinder 1 with knitting needles 2, a knitting needles 2 associated knitting lock 3 and a yarn guide 4 with a yarn guide hole 5. Also shows Fig. 1 a knitting system of the knitting machine, on which the knitting needles 2 are driven out by means of the knitting lock 3 in a receiving position suitable for receiving fiber material 6, wherein the fiber material 6 passes through the thread guide hole 5.

The fiber material 6 is generated for each knitting system by means of a drafting system 7, of which in Fig. 1 only two output rollers 7a are shown and the not shown in the manner of a sliver, a Flyerlunte od. Like., Is supplied. A coming out of the drafting 7, stretched to a desired fineness fiber structure is supplied in the embodiment of a spinning device 8, which contains a spinning member 9, here a operated with compressed air pü swirl member, and associated with this spinning and transport tube 10. The spinning and transport tube 10 is followed by a second spinning and transport tube 11, which has an outlet end terminating in the thread guide hole 5. With special advantage, the entry end of the second spinning and transport tube 11 is connected to a second spin element 12 so that the spinning element 9 and the spinning and transport tube 10 form the spinning device 8 and the spinning element 12 and spin and transport tube 11 form a second spinning device 14 in the transport direction of the fiber material 6 on the Spinning device 8 follows.

The purpose of the spinning device 8 is to convert the fiber strand discharged from the drafting system 7 into a temporary yarn 15 having true rotations which are maintained from the second spinning device 14 to the yarn guide 4. In the fiber transport direction behind the yarn guide 4, the rotations are substantially resolved again by the false-twist effect, so that the fiber material 6 supplied to the knitting needles 2 is a largely untwisted fiber material.

Circular knitting machines of the type described are z. B. from the documents PCT WO 2004/079068 and DE 10 2006 006 502 A1 which are hereby made the subject of the present disclosure in order to avoid repetition by reference to them.

According to the invention, a cleaning station 16 is connected between the outlet end of the spinning and transport tube 10 and the inlet end of the spinning member 12, which is connected to a manifold 17 and serves to clean and unwind the fiber stream. By "cleaning" is meant here that in the station 16 as possible all entrained by the fiber stream impurities such as lint, dust, short fibers, Mulm, shell parts, etc. are removed without damaging the fiber stream or the temporary yarn 15 itself and on the way to hamper the thread guide 4. The cleaning station 16 is connected to the exit end of the spinning and transport tube 10 and the entrance end of the spinning member 12 so as to form a substantially closed flow system with them, i.e., a flow path. H. the separated from the fiber stream impurities are supplied directly to the manifold 17 without going to the outside environment.

The cleaning station 16 includes according to Fig. 2 to 5 Preferably, a swirl chamber 16 a surrounded by a housing and a discharge pipe 16 b, according to Fig. 4 can be conical. So that the cleaning station 16 can be maintained and repaired in the event of a malfunction, it is z. B. either with a flexible coupling 18 ( Fig. 1 ) or by means of a pivot connection ( Fig. 4, 5 ) connected to the manifold 17, wherein the pivotal connection according to 4 and 5 may also be a Scharmier 19 arranged between the swirl chamber 16a and the discharge pipe 16b, which is in Fig. 4 in a closed position and in Fig. 5 is shown in an open position. If necessary, the arrangement can also be made so that the cleaning station 16 or the swirl chamber 16a can be pivoted or moved together with the subsequent spinning device 14.

The swirl chamber 16a, which is designed essentially as a closed cavity, is connected in terms of flow with the spinning and transport tube 10 and the spin element 12. It serves the purpose of freeing explosively from the transport tube 10 into it entering fiber material of flying fibers, impurities, etc. and supply them via the discharge pipe 16b of the manifold 17 before the fiber material or temporary yarn 15 enters the next spinning device 14.

To FIGS. 2 and 3 the swirl chamber 16a is preferably in addition to a z. B. vertically upwards or obliquely downwardly facing connection piece 20 or 21, which is arranged tangentially to the spinning and transport tube 10. Through the connecting piece 20, 21 of the swirl chamber 16a compressed air is fed pü, which supports the excretion process and amplified. The supplied through the connecting piece 20, 21 compressed air drives the entering into the swirl chamber 16a fiber material in addition in the direction of rotation, as the arrows in Fig. 2 to 5 indicate while at the same time loose fibers and the like are driven into the discharge pipe 16b. As a result, a natural and very effective deposition of schematically indicated contaminants 22 such. As fiber fly, dust, etc. reached from the fiber stream, as in Fig. 2 to 4 is indicated schematically.

The excreted from the fiber stream impurities 22 are removed by means of the discharge pipe 16b and the manifold 17, the z. B. is connected to a Zentralabsaugung the circular knitting machine, so that in her and possibly also in the discharge pipe 16 b, a negative pressure pu prevails. Alternatively, the Manifold 17 are connected to a compressed air source to produce in her an overpressure pü, which entrains the impurities 22 and feeds a central collection point. Since the pressures to be provided in the swirl chamber 16a and in the discharge pipe 16b are comparatively low, the additional energy required by the cleaning station 16 is also small.

A second embodiment of the device according to the invention is in Fig. 6 represented in the same parts with the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 to 5 are designated. In contrast to Fig. 1 to 5 the collecting line 17 is extended on its rear side by a connecting tube 17a. This ends at a suction nozzle 17b, the inlet end of which is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the drafting system 7, in particular the upper and / or lower roller of the pair of output rollers 7a, so that resulting fiber fly is also conveyed into the manifold 17. The suction nozzle 17b is expediently assigned a blow nozzle 23 operated with excess pressure pü, by means of which the cleaning action in the region of the output roller pair 7a is further improved.

Fig. 6 further shows that the second spinning and transport tube 11 here has a smaller diameter than the first spinning tube 10. As a result, the displacement in the spinning tube 10 increases with respect to the displacement in the spinning tube 11 and thus also the Entflugungs- or cleaning performance. In addition, in the stationary operation of the device, ie after piecing, the overpressure pü in the spinneret 9 can be reduced or set to zero, in which case the cleaning performance depends essentially solely on the negative pressure in the manifold 17 and energy is saved.

Also shows Fig. 6 in that the cleaning station 16 contains a swirl chamber 16c, which in contrast to Fig. 1 has a downwardly projecting, preferably conically shaped approach, which is provided with a small cleaning or suction port 16d. The approach allows as in Fig. 1 the escape of contaminants from the fiber stream, while the cleaning port 16d, the suction of air from the side of the manifold 17, as indicated by arrows. Thus, the impurities are sucked up and prevented from falling down through the opening 16d. Overall, however, the device is after Fig. 6 a substantially closed flow system.

Alternatively, a compressed air line may be connected to the cleaning port 16d to provide similar flow conditions as in FIG FIGS. 2 and 3 to accomplish.

A third preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is in Fig. 7 shown. The spinning and transport tube 10 has in relation to the spinning and transport tube 11 in turn has a larger diameter. The negative pressure in the cleaning station 16 is high (pu >>) and is on the order of suppressions common in ring and compact spinning. The spinning member 9 is at a minimum distance from the output rollers 7a and projects into the gusset. This creates a strong suction air flow in the spinning and transport tube 10, which keeps the output rollers 7a clean. The compressed air in the spinning member 9 provides the necessary rotation in the spinning and transport tube 10, so that the fiber fly is deposited in the swirl chamber 16a. The device comes with few components.

It is preferably moved so that the applied negative pressure is reduced in the startup phase of the machine.

The pressure in the spinning member 12 is suitably adjusted so that the spinning tension is so strong that the rotating temporary yarn 15 does not touch the walls of the spinning and transport tube 10. With such an arrangement, large overall lengths L of the spinning device 8 can be realized without the spinning process suffering, so that the spinning device 8 can have a length L> K, where K is the length of the spinning device 14. In particular, the length of the spinning and transport tube 10 may be greater than the length of the spinning and transport tube 11.

Fig. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention, the is preferably used when particularly long first spinning and transport tubes 10 are desired. In this case, the spinning and transport tube 10 is preferably divided into at least two sections 10a, 10b with the lengths L1 and L2 and the cleaning station 16 is arranged between the two sections 10a, 10b. As in the other exemplary embodiments, the second spinning device 14 of reduced length K1 adjoins the section 10b.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a further embodiment of the design of a cleaning station 24, which includes a swirl chamber 24a, which is firmly connected here with a discharge pipe 24b, which may be connected via a coupling 25 rigidly connected to the manifold 17 or a machine part. The swirl chamber 24a is at an exit end z. With the section 10b ( Fig. 8 ) of the spinning and transport tube, while having at one inlet end a preferably circular opening 26, which in section to Fig. 10 indicated by dashed lines. The section 10a of the spinning and transport tube is arranged coaxially with the opening 26, but ends according to Fig. 9 with a certain axial distance in front of this opening 26. In addition, a tubular extension piece 27 is slidably mounted on the portion 10a, whose inner diameter substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of the portion 10a. This extension piece 27 may accordingly Fig. 9 beyond the leading end of the portion 10a, into the opening 26 where it assumes an operative position and, as in the other embodiments, ensures that the cleaning station 24 is substantially fluidly in communication with the exit ends of the portions 10a, 10b closed system forms. The extension piece 27, however, if cleaning, repair or maintenance of the cleaning station 24 is required, can be telescoped back and forth on the portion 10a of the spinning and transport tube from the opening 26, such as a double arrow in FIG Fig. 9 suggests. Incidentally, the swirl chamber 24a analogous to Fig. 2 z. B. be provided with a connecting piece 20 for compressed air pü. In addition, it is of course also possible, the cleaning station 24 analogous to Fig. 1 between two spinning devices (eg 8 and 14). An advantage of this embodiment is that the cleaning station 24 and the subsequent pipe section 10b and the subsequent twisting element 12 can be arranged rigidly.

The described cleaning stations 16, 24 provide an effective means to intercept naturally occurring fiber fly in the area of the transition points between two spinning devices 8, 14 or two pipe sections 10a, 10b of the same spinning device 8, so that free fibers, dust, etc., ie the impurities 22nd do not enter the environment, but a central suction od. Like. Are fed. With the help of the supplied compressed air through the connecting pieces 20, 21 ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) this process is further promoted.

Fig. 11 that shows too Fig. 1 apparent knitting system on an enlarged scale. At the mouth of the spinning and transport tube 11 ending in the thread guide hole 5, the air supplied by means of the twist element escapes in a rotating and explosive manner, whereby fluff, shell parts or the like remaining in or on the fiber material 6 are separated out as in the swirl chambers 16a, 24a. However, these contaminants may form deposits 28 on the knitting lock 3. In addition, extremely short fibers (Mulm) can form further deposits 29 between the needle cylinder 1 and the knitting cam 3. To avoid this disadvantage, a further arranged at the top of the knitting lock 3, preferably also connected to the central suction suction duct 30 is provided in a further development of the invention, the suction opening 30a is located where the deposits 28 preferably form. As a result, the deposits 28 forming impurities can be effectively sucked. In addition, compressed air channels 31, 32 may be provided in the knitting cam 3 and in the needle cylinder 1, which end in the space between the knitting cam 3 and the needle cylinder 1 and can be connected to a compressed air source pü. This makes it possible to whirl up the impurities 29 forming impurities, whereby these impurities also get into the suction channel 30. The suction and compressed air channels 30 to 32 can be turned on intermittently or permanently as needed during operation of the circular knitting machine and keep the knitting system largely free of unwanted contaminants and

Fiber fly. Preferably, a freely programmable control device is provided for this purpose.

Fig. 12 shows roughly schematically and in perspective the fiber flow between the yarn guide hole 5 and the knitting needles 2. From the yarn guide hole 5 escapes air under high rotation tangentially and explosively. At the same time, the fiber material 6 is inserted into the passing knitting needles 2. However, on both sides of the central axis of the fiber flow, this undergoes a gradual increase in cross-section through partial flows 33 and 34 with an exit angle 35. It is understood that the smaller the exit angle 35, the greater the quality of the knitted fabric and the running reliability of the circular knitting machine.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a smaller exit angle 35 is achieved in that od below the yarn guide hole 5, a ventilation duct 36, a baffle. The like. Is arranged, which is supplied by means of a line 37 compressed air. The ventilation channel 36 runs smoothly in the region of the exit angle 35 and is shaped such that the exit angle 35 is reduced overall.

Incidentally, in Fig. 12 between the only schematically indicated knitting needles 2 and conventional boards 38 indicated that in a not shown, the needle cylinder 1 (Fig. Fig. 1 ) associated circuit board ring are arranged. In addition, an arrow v indicates the direction in which the knitting needles 2 and sinkers 38 move together with the needle cylinder 1.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show means for monitoring the knitting process in the area of a knitting system. A first sensor 39 is disposed immediately adjacent to the yarn guide hole 5 and monitors the proper exit of the fiber material 6 therefrom. If no temporary yarn emerges from the yarn guide hole 5, the sensor 39 emits an error signal. A second sensor 40 detects whether the tongues of the knitting needles 2 presupposed as latch needles are properly opened in the ejection phase. If a tongue remains closed, the sensor 40 emits an error signal. In addition, an optical monitoring device is preferably provided for the existing between the yarn guide hole 5 and a culmination of the respective knitting system fiber stream. The monitoring device uses image and pattern recognition means to scan a picture frame 41 (FIG. Fig. 14 ), within which, with proper supply of the fiber material 6, a particular pattern is expected, in particular for its cross-sectional shape. A faulty pattern leads to another error signal. Due to today's speed of image processing, this monitoring can be done in real time.

The generation of one of said error signals leads to the immediate shutdown of the relevant knitting system where the error has occurred, or to shutdown the circular knitting machine to minimize any damage, especially in the knitted fabric to be produced.

The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, which can be modified in many ways. This applies initially to the circular knitting machine shown as an example, in place of other mesh-forming machines such. B. flat knit or Zweonturigen circular knitting machines can be applied. Furthermore, instead of working with twisting devices spinning devices also other, in particular z. B. air-spinning devices are provided. In other machines, which are to be fed stretched fiber materials, the invention can be used profitably. The knitting systems or knitting stations are replaced by other jobs. It is also clear that in the event that more than two spinning devices or sections of a spinning and transport tube are present, it is expedient to arrange a cleaning station described in each intermediate space between them. Furthermore, the basis of the Fig. 1 to 10 cleaning stations described only preferred embodiments of which can be deviated in manifold ways. Finally, it is understood that the various features may be applied in combinations other than those described and illustrated.

Claims (8)

1. Apparatus for delivering drawn fibre material (6) to a workstation of a machine that processes the fibre material (6), containing a drawing system (7) and at least one spinning apparatus (8, 14) which is arranged downstream of said drawing system in a transportation direction for the fibre material (6) and comprises a spinning member (9, 12) for producing a yarn (15) and a spinning and transportation tube (10, 11), connected to the spinning member (9, 12), for transferring the yarn (15) to the workstation, characterised in that a cleaning station (16, 24), which is connected to a collecting line (17) and is used for cleaning and fluff removal purposes, is connected between two consecutive portions (10a, 10b) of the spinning or transportation tube (10, 11) or between two consecutive spinning apparatuses (8, 14), which cleaning station contains a twisting chamber (16a, 24a) and a discharge tube (16b, 24b) and is connected to associated output and input ends of the portions (10a, 10b) or of the spinning apparatuses (8, 14) such that said cleaning station forms a substantially closed flow system.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the twisting chamber (16a, 24a) is provided with a tangentially engaging connection piece (20, 21) that is used to supply compressed air.
3. Apparatus according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the collecting line (17) comprises at least one suction and/or blowing nozzle (17b, 23), which is arranged in the region of at least one outlet roller (7a) of the drawing system (7) and is used to remove fibre fluff that accrues in said region.
4. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the cleaning station (16, 24) is arranged between two portions (10a, 10b) of a spinning and transportation tube, and an output end of one of the two portions (10a), which end is connected to the cleaning station (16, 24), is provided with a lengthening piece (27), which projects into an opening (26) in the twisting chamber (16a, 24a) and can be telescopically pulled out of the twisting chamber (16a, 24a) for maintenance purposes.
5. Apparatus, in particular according to any of claims 1 to 4, the machine being a knitting machine, and the spinning and transportation tube (11) which is the last in the transportation direction of the fibre material (6) ending at a thread guide (4) of the knitting machine, which is arranged in the region of a knitting lock (3), characterised in that at least one suction and/or blowing device (30 to 32) used for preventing fibre deposits (28, 29) is arranged in the region of the knitting lock (3).
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that an output end of the spinning and transportation tube (11) which is the last in the transportation direction of the fibre material (6) ends in a thread guide hole (5) of the thread guide, and said output end is associated with a ventilation channel (36), which is connected to a compressed air line (37) and is used to reduce the output angle (35) of the fibre material (6) being output from the output end.
7. Apparatus, in particular according to either claim 5 or claim 6, characterised in that at least one sensor (39, 40) for monitoring the fibre material (6) and/or the needle latches of knitting needles (2) is arranged near to the thread guide (4).
8. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the knitting machine is provided with knitting needles (2), and a pattern recognition system intended for monitoring a preselected pattern of the fibre material (6) is provided between the thread guide (4) and the knitting needles (2).

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