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(11) | EP 0 855 457 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Fluff suppressing device for an automatic winding machine |
| (57) With the aim of providing, in an automatic winding machine, a fluff suppressing device
that can reliably suppress the fluffs by changing and controlling the rotation speed
of the nip rollers as the diameter of the cone package winding yarn increases. The fluff suppressing device of the present invention used in an automatic winding machine that winds yarn on a cone package by nipping yarn between a pair of nip rollers 5 provided on the yarn path to suppress the fluffs comprises a rotation speed control means 50 used to change the rotation speed of the nip rollers 5 as the diameter of the cone package 8 becomes larger. |
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for suppressing the generation of fluffs when a yarn is rewound by an automatic winding machine.
Background of the Invention
[0002] In the prior art, there is an automatic winding machine provided with a device for suppressing fluffs by false-twisting the yarn with two soft and hollow nip rollers that cross and come in close contact with each other. In this type of automatic winding machine, a produced package is a cheese package and the yarn on the supply package is traversed by a traverse drum and wound by rotating the nip rollers at a fixed speed.
[0003] In the above mentioned conventional fluff suppressing device, there is a problem that, when the yarn is wound on the cone package, the contact portion between the cone package and the traverse drum, that is, the driving point of the cone package formed by the traverse drum, moves from the larger diameter side to the smaller diameter side as the cone package diameter becomes larger. As a result, while the cone package becomes larger, the speed and tension of the yarn increase, but the rotation speed of the nip rollers remains the same. This is why the yarn twisting action cannot follow the rotation speed of the nip rollers. Consequently, fluffs are no longer suppressed and the yarn tends to break.
[0004] Accordingly, the first object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems inherent in the prior art by providing a fluff suppressing device for an automatic winding machine that can change and control the rotation speed of the nip rollers as the diameter of the cone package becomes larger, and reliably suppresses the fluffs.
[0005] In addition, the fluff suppressing device in the prior art has also problem in that although the rotation speed of the nip rollers suitable for turning down fluffs varies according to the type of yarn being wound, the prior art fluff suppressing device cannot change the rotation speed of the nip rollers. As a result, fluffs cannot he turned down properly and the yarn often breaks.
[0006] The above problems are closely related to the yarn twist coefficient and friction coefficient. If the twist coefficient is large, the yarn is twisted excessively by the nip rollers. If the twist coefficient is small, the yarn is not twisted by the nip rollers, so the fluffs cannot be suppressed properly. Furthermore, when the friction coefficient is large, the yarn is twisted excessively by the nip rollers. When the friction coefficient is small, the yarn is not twisted by the nip rollers, so the fluffs cannot be suppressed properly.
[0007] The second object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide a fluff suppressing device for an automatic winding machine that can change the rotation speed of the nip rollers according to the type of yarn.
Summary of the Invention
[0008] To achieve the first object, the fluff suppressing device for an automatic winding machine of the present invention, which is provided with a pair of nip rollers on a yarn path so as to wind the yarn nipped between said nip rollers on a cone package by suppressing fluffs, comprises a control means for changing and controlling the rotation speed of the nip rollers as the diameter of the cone package becomes larger.
[0009] On the other hand, the rotation speed control means comprises a pulley whose position can be changed, a belt applied between the said pulley and a pulley of a driving drum, a speed change pulley attached to one of the nip rollers and enabled to change its working radius, a rotation force transmitter including a belt applied between the speed change pulley and a position changeable pulley, and a position change mechanism for the position changeable pulley according to the rotation of a cradle supporting the cone package.
[0010] Furthermore, the position change mechanism comprises a rocking lever fixed to the origin shaft at its one end while supporting the position changeable pulley at a position close to the origin shaft at an intermediate point of the rocking lever and a lever member rotating together with the cradle supporting the cone package and linked to the other end of the rocking lever at its one end.
[0011] In the fluff suppressing device for an automatic winding machine of the present invention described above, as the diameter of the cone package becomes larger, the cradle rotates so as to rotate the position changeable pulley via the position change mechanism and reduce the working radius of the pulley as the position of the position changeable pulley changes. The nip rollers also rotate faster at this time.
[0012] To achieve the second object, the fluff suppressing device for an automatic winding machine of the present invention, which is provided with a pair of nip rollers on the yarn path so as to wind the yarn nipped between said nip rollers on a cone package by suppressing the fluffs, further includes a rotation speed setting mechanism for setting the rotation speed of the nip rollers suitable for the type of yarn.
[0013] Furthermore, the rotation speed setting mechanism constitutes a base member whose position can be fixed at a fulcrum provided on the frame of the automatic winding machine so that it can rock back and forth, and the base member supports the nip rollers and the working radius changeable speed change pulley to which one of the nip rollers is attached and a driving belt is applied.
[0014] Furthermore, the base member supports the upstream-side tenser which supports the yarn in the upstream of the nip rollers and the downstream-side tenser which supports the yarn in the downstream of the nip rollers.
[0015] In the fluff suppressing device for an automatic winding machine of the present invention formed as described above, the position of the base member is set according to the type of yarn. In this way, the working radius of the speed change pulley supported by the base member is changed, so that the rotation speed of the nip rollers can be adjusted and set properly.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an automatic winding machine incorporating a fluff suppressing device of the embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the nip rollers which are an integral component of the fluff suppressing device.
[0018] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional front view of a main part of a rotation speed control means which is a component of the fluff suppressing device.
[0019] Figure 4 ia a cross-sectional side view of the nip rollers and a base member which are integral components of the fluff suppressing device.
[0020] Figure 5 is a side view of the main parts of the rotation speed control means and the base member which are integral components of the fluff suppressing device.
Detailed Description of the preferred Embodiments
[0021] Hereunder, an embodiment of the fluff suppressing device for an automatic winding machine of the present invention will be explained with reference to the attached drawings.
[0022] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an automatic winding machine incorporating the fluff suppressing device in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] The fluff suppressing device mainly comprises a pair of nip rollers 5 and an interlocking mechanism 50 arranged in the downstream of the tenser 6 in the automatic winding machine shown in Figure 1, that is, a yarn Y is drawned from a supply package 1 and the yarn Y is then fed to a balloon breaker (not shown in the drawing), a tenser 2, a tenser 6, a yarn feeler 3, a traverse drum 7 and then wound onto a cone package 8. The tenser 2, the pair of nip rollers 5, the tenser 6 and the yarn feeler 3 are attached to the frame F of the automatic winding machine via the base member 41.
[0024] The cone package 8 is supported by the cradle 30 so as to be rotated freely and pressed tightly against the traverse drum 7 by a contact pressure means (not shown in the drawing) for the cradle 30. The cradle 30 is supported at the fulcrum 32 (see Figure 5) so as to be rotated freely.
[0026] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the nip rollers which are components of the fluff suppressing device. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the nip rollers which are components of the fluff suppressing device.
[0027] Each nip roller 5, which is hollow, comprises soft rubber and so on. The nip rollers 5 are pressed tightly against each other while their rotation axes are crossed during an operation. The yarn Y is fed so that the nipping part of each nip roller 5 adopts an inclination (preferably 45 ° ) to each rotary shaft.
[0028] A nip roller driving shaft 12 driven by a certain mechanism (to be explained later) is supported by a bearing 12a attached to the base member 41. At one end of the nip roller driving shaft 12, a pulley 13 is attached. A rotation shaft 11 is provided in the upper portion of the nip roller driving shaft 12, the rotation shaft 11 being parallel to the nip roller driving shaft 12. The upper and lower nip rollers 5 are arranged perpendicularly to each other.
[0029] The rotation shaft 11 is supported by a bearing 11a attached to the base member 41. At one end of the rotation shaft 11, a pulley 15 is attached. A belt 14 is applied to both the pulley 15 and pulley 13. The upper and lower nip rollers 5 arranged perpendicularly to each other are in contact with each other. The rotation shaft 17a of the upper nip roller 5 is supported by a bearing (not shown in the drawings) attached to the base member 41 just like the lower nip roller 5. A pulley 17 is attached to the rotation shaft 17a. In addition, a bevel gear 12c is attached to the nip roller driving shaft 12. Another bevel gear 17d is provided at right angles to the bevel gear 12c so as to be engaged with the bevel gear 12c. The bevel gear 17d is attached to the shaft 17c. The shaft 17c is supported by a bearing (not shown in the drawings) attached to the base member 41 just like the bevel gear 12c. The pulley 17b is attached to the shaft 17c just like the nip roller driving shaft 12. Additionally, a belt 16 is applied to both the pulley 17b and pulley 17.
[0030] The nip roller driving shaft 12 is rotated to rotate both pulley 13 and pulley 15 via the belt 14. According to this rotation of the pulley 15, the lower nip roller 5 is rotated via the rotary shaft 11. Moreover, the nip roller driving shaft 12 is rotated to rotate the bevel gear 12c and the bevel gear 17d. The bevel gear 17d rotates to rotate the pulley 17b and the pulley 17 via the belt 16. Tile upper nip roller 5 is rotated via the rotation shaft 17a while being in contact with the lower nip roller 5.
[0031] These upper and lower nip rollers 5 rotate to false-twist the yarn Y, then twist the fluffs into the yarn Y. Thus, the fluffs are suppressed and a component of the feeding force is given to the yarn Y at this time.
[0032] Hereunder, the rotation speed control means 50 of the nip rollers 5 will be explained with reference to Figures 3 and 5.
[0033] The rotation speed control means 50 comprises a position change mechanism 51 and a rotation force transmitting part 52. The rotation force transmitting part 52 comprises a position changeable pulley 24, a belt 27 applied to both position changeable pulley 24 and pulley 7a of the driving drum 7, a speed change pulley 19 attached to one of the nip rollers 5 that can change its working radius, and a belt 26 applied to both the speed change pulley 19 and the position changeable pulley 24. The position change mechanism 51 rotates the position changeable pulley 24 of the rotation force transmitting part 52 by the cradle 30 rotating around the fulcrum 32 as the diameter of the cone package 8 becomes larger.
[0034] First, the rotation force transmitting part 52 of the rotation speed control means 50 will be explained.
[0035] As shown in Figure 3, the nip roller driving shaft 12 is supported on the base member 41 (to be explained later) via a bearing 18. At one end of the nip roller driving shaft 12, a fixing part 19a which is a part of the speed change pulley 19 is fixed. In addition, one sliding part 19b which is a part of the speed change pulley 19 is inserted in the driving shaft 12 and pressed tightly against the fixing part 19a by a coil spring 20. The speed change pulley 19 is provided on the back side of the frame F and on the face side of the frame F are provided the nip rollers 5 and so on.
[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the surfaces of the fixing part 19a and the sliding part 19b of the speed change pulley 19, facing each other become linearly thinner as they go further from center to circumference and towards the other side surfaces respectively. Consequently, between the fixing part 19a and the sliding part 19b is formed a V-shaped clearance. The clearance becomes a guiding grave along the belt 26 whose cross section is trapezoidal.
[0037] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, an origin shaft 21 is fixed to the frame F over the nip roller driving shaft 12. The origin shaft 21 supports one end of the rocking lever 22 so as to be rotated freely.
[0038] As shown in Figure 5, a shaft 23 protrudes near the origin shaft 21 at the middle section of the rocking lever 22. On the shaft 23 is supported the position changeable pulley 24 via a bearing 25 so as to be rotated freely. This pulley 24 is provided with two grooves 24a and 24b used to guide the trapezoidal belt 26 applied to the pulley 24 itself and the speed change pulley 19, as well as the round belt 27 applied to the pulley 24 itself and the pulley 7a fixed to the shaft of the traverse drum 7.
[0040] As explained above, the position change mechanism 51 rotates the position changeable pulley 24 of the rotation force transmitting part 52 according to the rotation of the cradle 30, which rotates as the diameter of the cone package 8 becomes larger.
[0041] As shown in Figure 5, the position change mechanism 51 comprises the rocking lever 22 whose one end is supported on the origin shaft 21 so as to be rotated while supporting the position changeable pulley 24 near the origin shaft 23, a lever 31 provided with a pin 33 at its one end, and a spring 22b whose one end is hooked to the center of the rocking lever 22 and whose other end is hooked to the frame F (see Figure 1). Tile lever 31 rotates around the fulcrum 32 together with the cradle 30 and is linked to the rocking lever 22 by the pin 33 provided at one of its ends. The spring 22b presses one end 22a of the rocking lever 22 against the pin 33 of the lever 31.
[0042] As shown in Figure 5, the shaft 23 is provided at an intermediate point of the rocking lever 22 on the origin shaft 21 side. Furthermore, the position changeable pulley 24 is supported by the shaft 23. At the fulcrum of the cradle 32, the lever 31 is supported so as to be rotated freely. Both the cradle 30 and the lever 31 rotate together. At the tip of the lever 31, the pin 33 is erected in the vertical direction in Figure 5. The rocking lever part 22a of the rocking lever 22 is placed on the pin 33.
[0044] The pulley 7a of the traverse drum 7 is kept rotated while the yarn is being wound and its rotation force is transmitted to the position changeable pulley 24 via the round belt 27. The speed change pulley 19 is rotated by the rotation force trasnmitted from the position changeable pulley 24 via the trapezoidal belt 26.
[0045] The arrow shown in Figure 5 indicates how the diameter of the cone package 8 becomes larger as the yarn is wound on the bobbin. As the diameter of the cone package 8 increases, the lever 31 linked to the cradle 30 begins rotating clockwise around the cradle fulcrum 32 in Figure 5. Consequently, the pin 33 pushes the rocking lever part 22a, then the rocking lever 22 rotates counterclockwise around the origin shaft 21 in Figure 5. Then, the position changeable pulley 24 moves away from the speed change pulley 19. As a result, the trapezoidal belt 26 is pulled to dig into the speed change pulley 19 so that the working radius at the contact portion between the trapezoidal belt 26 and the speed change pulley 19 is minimized to make the speed change pulley 19 rotate faster.
[0046] Consequently, the nip rollers 5 linked to the nip roller driving shaft 12 rotate faster. In other words, as the diameter of the winding package increases, the nip rollers 5 rotate faster. Consequently, as a cone package is used to wind the yarn and the diameter of the cone package increases, the yarn is fed faster and the nip rollers 5 rotate faster so that the fluffs can be suppressed, and that prevents the yarn tension from increase.
[0047] In the fluff suppressing device for an automatic winding machine constructed as mentioned above, as the diameter of the cone package 8 becomes larger, the cradle 30 rotates to rotate the position changeable pulley 24 via the position change mechanism 51, reducing the working radius of the speed change pulley 19 when the position of the position changeable pulley 24 is changed. As a result, the nip rollers 5 rotate faster.
[0048] Next, the base member 41 will be explained, starting with the configuration of the base member 41. The base member 41, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, is supported so as to be rotated freely by the shaft 40 fixed to the frame F at one of its ends. The base member 41 supports the speed change pulley 19 via the bearing 18 and the nip roller driving shaft 12. Since the base member 41 is supported by the shaft 40 so as to he rotated freely as shown in Figure 4, a catch 40a is attached to the tip of the shaft 40. Moreover, as shown in Figure 5, the base member 41 is provided with a long hole 41a and a screw 42 is inserted into the long hole 41a (see Figures 1 and 3). The base member 41 can adjust and secure the position of the base member 41 freely using the long hole 41a. On the base member 41, a pair of nip rollers 5 are also arranged, as well as the tenser 6 provided in the upstream of the yarn Y, the yarn feeler 3, and the tenser 2, provided in the downstream of the yarn Y fed by the pair of nip rollers 5.
[0050] When the twist and/or friction coefficients of the yarn of the supply package are small, the screw 42 is initially loosened, and then, the base member 41 is rotated counterclockwise around the shaft 40 in Figure 5 and the screw 42 is tightened to lock the base member 41 into position. In this way, the trapezoidal belt 26 digs deeper into the speed change pulley 19 so as to reduce the working radius at the contact portion between the trapezoidal belt 26 and the speed change pulley 19. Consequently, the nip rollers 5 as well as the speed change pulley 19 are initially set so as to rotate faster. Thus, even when the twist and/or friction coefficients of the yarn are small, the nip rollers 5 can twist the yarn properly and suppress the fluffs with certainty.
[0051] On the other hand, when the twist and/or friction coefficients of the yarn of the supply package are large, the screw 42 is initially loosened and the base member 41 is rotated clockwise around the shaft 40 in Figure 5.
[0052] Next, the screw 42 is tightened to lock the base member 41 into position. In this way, the trapezoidal belt 26 digs into the speed change pulley 19 less so as to increase the working radius at the contact portion between the trapezoidal belt 26 and the speed change pulley 19. Consequently, both the speed change pulley 19 and the nip rollers 5 are initially set so as to rotate more slowly. Thus, even when the twist and/or friction coefficients of the yarn are large, the nip rollers 5 can twist the yarn properly and suppress the fluffs with certainty.
[0053] Of course, the extent to which the base member 41 is rotated can be adjusted to suit the type of yarn. By changing the initial position of the base member 41 such way, the initial rotation speed of the nip rollers 5 can be freely changed to suit the type of yarn, thus suppressing the fluffs with certainty.
[0054] In the above embodiment, the nip roller control means is a mechanical rotation speed control means. However, the present invention can also apply to an embodiment in which another driving source is provided to one of the nip rollers and the driving source is controlled using an inverter so as to both control the rotation speed of the nip rollers according to the yarn feeding speed and wind the yarn on the cone package.
[0055] As explained above, according to the present invention, the fluff can be suppressed according to the yarn feeding speed and the increase in the yarn tension by rotating the nip rollers faster in line with the increased speed and tension of the yarn incurred as the diameter of the cone package becomes larger. Thus, the yarn can be kept fed at a proper tension, preventing the yarn from breaking.
[0056] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the tension and feeding speed of the yarn can be controlled with accuracy and certainty, since the diameter of the cone package is increased by the rotation of the cradle supporting the cone package, and the rotation force of the cradle is transmitted to the speed change pulley to rotate the nip rollers faster. Thus, the mechanism of the described fluff suppressing device can be realized at little cost.
[0057] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the rotation of the cradle can be transmitted to the position changeable pulley to change the position using a simple linking mechanism.
[0058] As explained above, according to the present invention, the rotation speed of the nip rollers can be adjusted and set properly according to the type of yarn to be wound onto the cone package. Consequently, the fluffs can be suppressed with certainty regardless of the yarn type. In addition, the yarn can be prevented from breaking as the yarn can always be fed at a tension appropriate to the type of yarn.
[0059] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the working radius changeable pulley can he rotated accurately using a low cost and simple mechanism to rotate the nip rollers at a proper speed.
[0060] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the yarn path positioned relatively to the nip rollers can remain the same even when the base member is rocking. This is because the nip rollers and the yarn located in the upstream or in the downstream of the nip rollers are rocked together with the base member. Consequently, even when the base member is rocking, the tension and feed speed of the yarn is not affected by the rocking of the base member.
1. A fluff suppressing device for an automatic winding machine which has a pair of nip
rollers on the yarn path so as to wind the yarn nipped between said nip rollers on
a cone package by suppressing the fluffs, wherein
a rotation speed control means of the pair of the nip rollers for changing the rotation speed of the nip rollers as the cone package diameter becomes larger is provided.
2. A fluff suppressing device for an automatic winding machine as in claim 1, wherein
said rotation speed control means comprises a pulley whose position can be changed, a belt applied between said pulley and a pulley for a driving drum, a speed change pulley attached to one of said nip rollers that can change its working radius, a rotation force transmitting part including a belt applied between said pulley and said position chanageable pulley, and a position change mechanism changing the position of the position changeable pulley according to the rotation of a cradle supporting said cone package.
3. A fluff suppressing device for an automatic winding machine as in claim 2, wherein
said position change mechanism comprises a position changeable pulley provided at a rocking lever fixed to an origin shaft at one of its ends so as to be rotated and a lever rotating together with said cradle supporting the cone package to affect said rocking lever.
4. A fluff suppressing device for an automatic winding machine which is provided with
a pair of nip rollers on the yarn path so as to wind the yarn nipped between said
nip rollers on a cone package by suppressing the fluffs, wherein
said fluff suppressing device further includes a rotation speed setting mechanism for setting a rotation speed of said nip rollers according to the type of yarn.
5. A fluff suppressing device for an automatic winding machine as in claim 4, wherein
said rotation speed setting mechanism is a base member whose position can be fixed at a fulcrum provided on the frame of said automatic winding machine so as to be rocking, and supports said nip rollers and said working radius changeable speed change pulley to which said nip rollers are attached and a driving belt is applied.
6. A fluff suppressing device for an automatic winding machine as in claim 5, wherein
said base member supports an upstream tenser supporting said yarn in the upstream
of said nip rollers and a downstream tenser supporting said yarn in the downstream
of said nip rollers.