SPINDLE BRAKE DEVICE OF SPINNING MACHINE

Abstract

 A spindle brake device (20) of a spinning machine for stopping rotation of spindles of the spinning machine includes a brake body (21, 121, 221) that is movable in a width direction (Y) of a spindle rail (10) which has a braking standby position (P1) and a braking actuating position (P2); a separation roller unit (22); and a brake shoe (23). When the brake body (21, 121, 221) is disposed at a braking standby position (P1), the separation roller unit (22) is located separated from the spindle belt (12), and when the brake body (21, 121, 221) is disposed at a braking actuating position (P2), the separation roller unit (22) separates the spindle belt (12) from one of the spindles (11), and the brake shoe (23) is pressed against the one of the spindles (11) by a tension of the spindle belt (12).

Description

BACKGROUND ART

[0001] The present invention relates to a spindle brake device of a spinning machine.

[0002] In general, a spinning machine such as a fine spinning machine or a twisting machine includes a spindle device. A spindle device of a spinning machine includes a spindle and a spindle belt mounted over the spindle, and the spindle rotates with the rotation of the belt. The spinning machine also includes a plurality of spindle stations each of which has a spindle. When a yarn break has occurred at any of the spindle stations during a drafting operation of the spinning machine, the rotation of the spindle of the spindle station is stopped and the broken yarn is pieced, and then the rotation of the spindle is resumed. In such case, a spindle brake device is used to stop the rotation of the spindle of the spindle station at which a yarn break occurred.

[0003] For example, a spindle brake device of a spinning machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. S56-49028 is known. However, according to the spindle brake device mentioned in the Publication No. S56-49028, a brake shoe is pressed against a spindle with the spindle rotating with the rotation of a spindle belt. This configuration applies a large load to the spindle by the pressing force of the brake shoe. Furthermore, friction occurs between the spindle and the spindle belt, which accelerates wear in both of the spindle and the spindle belt.

[0004] Then, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. S58-180619 and Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. S56-69677 disclose a spindle brake device which includes a separation roller that separates a spindle belt from a spindle, and a brake shoe that is pressed against the spindle. According to the spindle brake device, the brake shoe is pressed against the spindle with the spindle belt separated from the spindle by the separation roller. Thus, the rotation of the spindle may be stopped without applying a large load to the spindle. Furthermore, friction between the spindle and the spindle belt is reduced, which reduces the wear amount of both the spindle and the spindle belt.

[0005] However, the spindle brake devices mentioned in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. S58-180619 and Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. S56-69677 require a complicated and large-sized structure in order for the separation roller to separate the spindle belt from the spindle and for the brake shoe to be pressed against the spindle.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and is directed to providing a spindle brake device of a spinning machine that includes a spindle brake device having a separation roller unit and a brake shoe and has a more simplified configuration as compared with a conventional spindle brake device.

SUMMARY

[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a spindle brake device of a spinning machine for stopping rotation of spindles of the spinning machine. The spinning machine includes a spindle rail, two spindles arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction of the spindle rail, and a spindle belt that is mounted over the two spindles in a surrounding manner. The spindle brake device includes a brake body that is movable in a width direction of the spindle rail, a separation roller unit mounted to the brake body, and a brake shoe mounted to the brake body. The spindle rail has a braking standby position and a braking actuating position. A guide portion adapted to guide the brake body in the width direction of the spindle rail is provided at each of the braking standby position and the braking actuating position. The brake body is adapted to be repositionable between the braking standby position and the braking actuating position. When the brake body is disposed at the braking standby position, the separation roller unit is located separated from the spindle belt. When the brake body is disposed at the braking actuating position, the separation roller unit separates the spindle belt from one of the spindles, and the brake shoe is pressed against the one of the spindles by a tension of the spindle belt.

[0008] Other aspects and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The disclosure, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view showing a configuration of a spindle brake device of a spinning machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of the spindle brake device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the spindle brake device of the spinning machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view showing a state of the spindle brake device of the spinning machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention in which a brake body is disposed at a braking actuating position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the state of the spindle brake device of the spinning machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention in which the brake body is disposed at the braking actuating position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a spindle brake device of a spinning machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a configuration of the spindle brake device of the spinning machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state of the spindle brake device of the spinning machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention in which a brake body is disposed at a braking actuating position;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side view showing the state of the spindle brake device of the spinning machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention in which the brake body is disposed at the braking actuating position;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of a spindle brake device of a spinning machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state of the spindle brake device of the spinning machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention in which a brake body is disposed at a braking actuating position; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary side view showing the state of the spindle brake device of the spinning machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention in which the brake body is disposed at the braking actuating position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

[0010] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view showing a configuration of a spindle brake device of a spinning machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of the spindle brake device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the spindle brake device of the spinning machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] In the description of the first embodiment, the configuration of the spindle device of the spinning machine is described first, and the configuration of the spindle brake device of the spinning machine is next described. The spindle brake device is mounted to a spindle device as an accessory.

Configuration of Spindle Device

[0012] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a spindle device of a spinning machine includes two spindles 11 arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction X of a spindle rail 10, and a spindle belt 12 that is mounted over the spindles 11 in a surrounding manner. The spindles 11 are configured to rotate with the rotation of the spindle belt 12. One spindle 11 is mounted to each of spindle stations of the spinning machine. A bobbin (not shown) around which yarn is wound is mounted to each spindle 11. The spindles 11 are vertically mounted on the spindle rail 10. Each spindle 11 includes a spindle whorl 13. Each spindle whorl 13 includes a small diameter portion 13a and a large diameter portion 13b, which are integrally provided, and the spindle belt 12 is mounted over the small diameter portions 13a of the spindle whorls 13. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the spindle whorls 13 are disposed above flange portions 14a of bolsters 14. Each bolter 14 is fixed to the spindle rail 10 with a nut 15.

[0013] The spindle belt 12 is adapted to rotate in accordance with driving of a spindle motor (not shown). The spindle belt 12 is an endless loop belt having an appropriate elasticity. The spindle stations of the spinning machine are divided into groups each of which includes four spindle stations, and one spindle belt 12 is mounted over the four spindles 11 of each of the groups. It is to be noted, however, that in FIGS. 1 and 3, only two of the four spindles 11 belonging to one group are illustrated, and the remaining two of the four spindles 11 are omitted. Of the four spindles 11, two spindles 11 are disposed on one side in a width direction Y of the spindle rail 10, and the remaining two spindles 11 are disposed the other side in the width direction Y of the spindle rail 10. One spindle belt 12 is mounted over the four spindles 11 arranged as described above. Accordingly, when the spindle belt 12 is rotated, the four spindles 11 rotate with the rotation of the spindle belt 12. The width direction Y of the spindle rail 10 is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X of the spindle rail 10.

Configuration of Spindle Brake Device

[0014] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a spindle brake device 20 of the spinning machine includes a brake body 21, a separation roller unit 22, a brake shoe 23, and a handle 24. The brake body 21 is made of a metal, such as stainless steel. The brake body 21 includes a base block portion 26, a plate wall portion 27, and a bottom block portion 28 that are integrally formed. Part of the base block portion 26 has a cutout of a semicircular shape, and the brake shoe 23 is fitted to the cutout portion. The plate wall portion 27 is formed to extend vertically from one end of an upper surface of the base block portion 26. The upper end of the plate wall portion 27 is located substantially at the same height as that of the separation roller unit 22. The plate wall portion 27 functions to ensure safety of operators. Specifically, the plate wall portion 27 is adapted so as to prevent an operator from accidentally touching the spindle belt 12 when the operator holds the handle 24. The bottom block portion 28 is disposed on the lower surface of the base block portion 26. The bottom block portion 28 has a width smaller than that of the base block portion 26, and extends downwardly from the base block portion 26. The bottom block portion 28 has at the bottom thereof a projection 29. The projection 29 is to be fitted into a guide groove, which will be described later in detail, of the spindle rail 10.

[0015] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the separation roller unit 22 includes two rollers, namely, rollers 22a and 22b. The separation roller unit 22 is configured to separate the spindle belt 12 from the spindles 11. The two rollers 22a and 22b are disposed on the upper surface of the base block portion 26 of the brake body 21. The rollers 22a and 22b are each made of a metal, for example, and mounted rotatably. Axes of rotation of the respective rollers 22a and 22b are set to be parallel to axes of rotation of the spindles 11. When the brake body 21 is disposed at a braking standby position P1 or braking actuating positions P2, the two rollers 22a and 22b are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction X of the spindle rail 10.

[0016] Here, as illustrated in FIG. 2, when one side in the front-rear direction of the brake body 21 is referred to as the front side F, and the other side as the rear side R, then the plate wall portion 27 is disposed at the rear side R of the brake body 21, and the brake shoe 23 is disposed at the front side F of the brake body 21. The separation roller unit 22 is disposed between the plate wall portion 27 and the brake shoe 23 in the front-rear direction of the brake body 21.

[0017] The brake shoe 23 is configured to stop the rotation of the spindles 11 by contacting with the spindles 11. The brake shoe 23 is formed in a circular arc shape that conforms to the cutout shape of the base block portion 26. The brake shoe 23 is made of a material having a large friction coefficient, such as rubber, resin, and leather. The brake shoe 23 is disposed in such a manner as to cover the cutout portion of the base block portion 26. Thus, one surface of the brake shoe 23 is exposed to the outside at the front side F of the brake body 21.

[0018] The handle 24 is provided so that the brake body 21 may be handled or operated with ease when the operator replaces the brake body 21. The replacement work of the brake body 21 will be described later in detail. The handle 24 is disposed to extend to the rear side R of the brake body 21. The handle 24 includes a shaft portion 24a and a grip portion 24b that are formed integrally. One end of the shaft portion 24a is fixed to the base block portion 26 of the brake body 21 by, for example, fastening by a screw, press-fitting, or bonding. The grip portion 24b is disposed at the distal end of the shaft portion 24a. In terms of the grippability of the handle 24, the grip portion 24b is designed to have an outer diameter that is greater than that of the shaft portion 24a.

[0019] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the braking standby position P1 and the braking actuating positions P2 are provided to the spindle rail 10. When braking is not required, the brake body 21 is disposed at the braking standby position P1 so that a braking force is not applied to the two spindles 11, and when braking is required, the brake body 21 is disposed at the braking actuating positions P2 so that a braking force is applied to one of the two spindles 11. The braking standby position P1 is set at a position away from the spindles 11 in the longitudinal direction X of the spindle rail 10, and the braking actuating positions P2 are set at the same positions as the spindles 11 in the longitudinal direction X of the spindle rail 10. The braking standby position P1 is also set such that the brake body 21 is located between the two spindles 11 in the longitudinal direction X of the spindle rail 10. The braking actuating positions P2 are set such that, when the brake body 21 is disposed at one of the braking actuating positions P2, the brake body 21 faces its corresponding spindle 11 in the width direction Y of the spindle rail 10. Also, the braking actuating positions P2 are disposed on either side of the spindle rail 10. In other words, the braking standby position P1 is disposed between the braking actuating positions P2 in the longitudinal direction X of the spindle rail 10.

[0020] A guide groove 31 is formed at the braking standby position P1, and a guide groove 32 is formed at each of the braking actuating positions P2 on either side of the braking standby position P1. The guide groove 31 and the guide grooves 32 each correspond to the guide portion of the present invention that guides the brake body 21 in the width direction Y of the spindle rail 10. The guide groove 31 and the guide grooves 32 are formed on the upper surface of the spindle rail 10. The guide groove 31 and the guide grooves 32 each have a dovetail shape having a trapezoidal cross section.

[0021] Meanwhile, by fitting the projection 29 of the bottom block portion 28 into one of the guide groove 31 and the guide grooves 32 of the spindle rail 10, the brake body 21 is movable in the width direction Y of the spindle rail 10. The projection 29 of the bottom block portion 28 is fittable into and removable from the guide groove 31 and the guide grooves 32 in the width direction Y of the spindle rail 10. With this configuration, the brake body 21 is repositionable between the braking standby position P1 and the braking actuating positions P2.

Operation of Spindle Brake Device

[0022] The following will describe an operation of a spindle brake device 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] When no braking force is required for both of the spindles 11, the projection 29 of the bottom block portion 28 is fitted into the guide groove 31 of the spindle rail 10 and the brake body 21 is disposed at the braking standby position P1, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. In this case, the positioning of the brake body 21 in the longitudinal direction X of the spindle rail 10 is completed when the projection 29 is engaged with the guide groove 31. Also, the positioning of the brake body 21 in the width direction Y of the spindle rail 10 is completed when an end of the projection 29 is abutted to an end of the guide groove 31. With this operation, the brake body 21 is disposed at the braking standby position P1. In this way, when the brake body 21 is disposed at the braking standby position P1, the separation roller unit 22 is located inside of the spindle belt 12 and separated from the spindle belt 12. The spindle belt 12 is inserted between the separation roller unit 22 and the plate wall portion 27 and mounted over the two spindles 11 in a surrounding manner. Thus, when the spindle belt 12 rotates with the driving of the spindle motor (not shown), the respective spindles 11 rotate with the rotation of the spindle belt 12.

[0024] Here, when a yarn break has occurred at any of the spindle stations during a drafting operation, the rotation of the spindle 11 of the spindle station is stopped and the broken yarn is pieced, and then the rotation of the spindle 11 is resumed. Therefore, when a yarn break has occurred at the right spindle station of the two spindle stations illustrated in FIG. 1, the operator performs a replacement work of the brake body 21, and moves the brake body 21 from the braking standby position P1 to the braking actuating position P2 on the right side. The following will describe the steps of moving the brake body 21.

[0025] First, the operator holds the handle 24 and pulls the brake body 21 toward the operator, that is, in the direction indicated by Y1 in FIG. 1. Then, the brake body 21 is moved in the Y1 direction while being guided by the guide groove 31. At this time, the two rollers 22a and 22b configuring the separation roller unit 22 are also pulled with the brake body 21 and brought into contact with the spindle belt 12. Accordingly, the separation roller unit 22 is made to rotate with the rotation of the spindle belt 12. In this case, the operator pulls the brake body 21 in the Y1 direction against the tension of the spindle belt 12 until the projection 29 is detached from the guide groove 31.

[0026] Next, the operator holding the handle 24 moves the brake body 21 to the right side in FIG. 1 until the projection 29 comes to the position of the guide groove 32. Then, the operator pushes the projection 29 to be fitted into the guide groove 32 and moves the brake body 21 to the depth of the guide groove 32 by means of the tension of the spindle belt 12, so that the brake shoe 23 is brought into contact with the large diameter portion 13b of the spindle whorl 13. In this case, the positioning of the brake body 21 in the longitudinal direction X of the spindle rail 10 is completed when the projection 29 is engaged with the guide groove 32. Also, the positioning of the brake body 21 in the width direction Y of the spindle rail 10 is completed when the brake shoe 23 is abutted to the large diameter portion 13b of the spindle whorl 13. With this operation, the brake body 21 is disposed at the braking actuating position P2. In this way, when the brake body 21 is disposed at the braking actuating position P2, the spindle belt 12 is mounted over the separation roller unit 22 of the spindle station at which the yarn break has occurred, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Thus, at the spindle station at which a yarn break has occurred, the spindle belt 12 is separated from the spindles 11. Accordingly, the transmission of the motive power from the spindle belt 12 to the spindles 11 is discontinued.

[0027] Meanwhile, the brake shoe 23 is pressed against the spindle 11 by the tension of the spindle belt 12. Specifically, a pushing force acting in a Y2 direction is applied to the separation roller unit 22 by the tension of the spindle belt 12, and the brake shoe 23 is pressed against the large diameter portion 13b of the spindle whorl 13 by the pushing force. With this operation, at the spindle station at which a yarn break has occurred, a braking force is applied to the spindle by a friction resistance that occurs between contact surfaces of the brake shoe 23 and the spindle whorl 13. As a result, the rotation of the spindle 11 is stopped at the spindle station at which a yarn break has occurred. In the meantime, the spindles 11 are kept rotating at the spindle stations having no yarn break.

[0028] Also, as described above, when a pushing force is applied to the separation roller unit 22 by the tension of the spindle belt 12, there is a possibility that part of the brake body 21 on the rear side R is lifted (see FIG. 2) and the brake body 21 inclines or falls. In this regard, in the first embodiment, the guide grooves 32 each having a dovetail shape are formed in the spindle rail 10, and the projection 29 of the brake body 21 is fitted into one of the guide grooves 32. Thus, the brake body 21 is prevented from falling by the engagement between the guide grooves 32 and the projection 29. Therefore, even when the operator releases his/her hand(s) from the handle 24, the spindle belt 12 is kept separated from the spindles 11 by the separation roller unit 22, and the brake shoe 23 is kept pressed against the spindle 11 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Thus, in the case where a yarn piecing operation is manually performed by the operator, the operator can piece the yarn with the both free hands.

[0029] It is to be noted that, after the yarn piecing operation is completed at the spindle station at which a yarn break has occurred, the brake body 21 is moved in the reverse steps. That is, the brake body 21 is moved from the braking actuating position P2 to the braking standby position P1, so that the brake body 21 is returned to the state or position illustrated in FIG. 1. Thus, rotation of the spindles 11 may be resumed at the spindle station after the yarn piecing operation. Also, when a yarn break has occurred at the left spindle station of the two spindle stations illustrated in FIG. 1, the rotation of the spindle 11 of the left spindle station having the yarn break may be stopped by moving the brake body 21 from the braking standby position P1 to the braking actuating position P2 on the left side in the same manner as described above.

[0030] In the spindle brake device 20 according to the first embodiment, the brake body 21 includes the separation roller unit 22 and the brake shoe 23, and, only by moving the brake body 21 from the braking standby position P1 to one of the braking actuating positions P2, the spindle belt 12 is separated from one of the spindles 11 and the brake shoe 23 is pressed against the one of the spindles 11. Since the brake shoe 23 is pressed against the spindles 11 by the tension of the spindle belt 12, the configuration for pressing the brake shoe against the spindles is simplified as compared with the spindle brake device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. S58-180619 and Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. S56-69677. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain the spindle brake device 20 of a simplified configuration as compared with the spindle brake device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. S58-180619 and Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. S56-69677.

[0031] In the spindle brake device 20 according to the first embodiment, the brake shoe 23 is pressed against the spindles 11 by the tension of the spindle belt 12. With this configuration, no troublesome operations are required for pressing the brake shoe 23, and the brake shoe 23 may be pressed against the spindles 11 with a stable pressing force. Also, when the spinning station is in a normal condition with no yarn break, the brake body 21 always stands by at the braking standby position P1. Thus, the operator is able to stop rotation of the spindles 11 quickly and start yarn piecing operation without carrying around any tool for the spindle brake or leaving the spindle station for such tool. As a result, the time required for completing the yarn piecing operation after a yarn break has occurred is reduced. Thus, reduction in productivity due to yarn breaks is prevented. Also, rotation of the spindles 11 arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction X of the spindle rail 10 may be stopped with the single spindle bake device 20. This configuration reduces the required number of spindle brake device, as compared with the case in which one spindle brake device is provided for each of the spindles 11.

Second Embodiment

[0032] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a spindle brake device of a spinning machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a side view showing the configuration of the spindle brake device. It is to be noted that in FIGS. 6 and 7, the spindle belt 12 is not illustrated. It is also to be noted that in the second embodiment, same reference numerals are used for describing parts or configuration that are similar to or the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0033] A spindle brake device 20 according to the second embodiment is different from the spindle brake device 20 according to the first embodiment in the shape of guide grooves 31 and 32 as the guide portion that are formed in a spindle rail 10, the shape of a brake body 121 to be fitted to the guide grooves 31 and 32, and in that a bracket 35 is mounted to the brake body 121.

[0034] The guide groove 31 has a rectangular cross section as viewed in the width direction Y of the spindle rail 10, and the guide grooves 32 each have a rectangular cross section. In contrast, a bottom block portion 128 of the brake body 121 is formed to have a rectangular cross section as viewed in the width direction Y of the spindle rail 10. In the width direction Y of the spindle rail 10, the width dimension of the guide groove 31 and the width dimension of the guide grooves 32 are substantially the same, and the width dimension of the bottom block portion 28 is slightly smaller than the width dimension of the guide groove 31. When the brake body 121 is at a braking standby position P1, the bottom portion of the bottom block portion 128 is fitted in the guide groove 31, as illustrated in FIG. 6, and when the brake body 121 is at one of braking actuating positions P2, the bottom portion of the bottom block portion 128 is fitted in the corresponding guide groove 32, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0035] The bracket 35 includes a holding portion 36 having a substantially U-shape, an engaging portion 37 that extends from an intermediate portion of the holding portion 36, and a fixing portion 38 that extends from an extending end of the engaging portion 37 and is bent at a right angle. The holding portion 36, the engaging portion 37, and the fixing portion 38 are formed integrally. The holding portion 36 forms an upper part of the bracket 35. The holding portion 36 is disposed in such a manner as to hold the bottom block portion 128 from both sides in the longitudinal direction X of the spindle rail 10. The holding portion 36 is pivotably supported by a support member 39 at both sides of the bottom block portion 128. The width dimension of the engaging portion 37 is slightly smaller than the width dimension of the guide groove 31 of the spindle rail 10 so that the engaging portion 37 is engageable with the guide groove 31. The engaging portion 37 is configured to set the brake body 121 in position. Specifically, when the brake body 121 is disposed at the braking standby position P1, the engaging portion 37 engages with the guide groove 31 to thereby set the brake body 121 in position in the longitudinal direction X of the spindle rail 10. The fixing portion 38 forms a lower part of the bracket 35. The fixing portion 38 is configured to prevent the brake body 121 from falling. Specifically, when the brake body 121 is disposed at one of the braking actuating positions P2, the fixing portion 38 is locked at a stop portion 10a on the bottom surface of the spindle rail 10 to thereby prevent the brake body 121 from falling due to the tension of the spindle belt 12.

[0036] In the spindle brake device 20 according to the second embodiment, when disposing the brake body 121 at the braking standby position P1, the bottom portion of the bottom block portion 128 of the brake body 121 is fitted into the guide groove 31, and an end of the bottom block portion 128 is abutted to an end of the guide groove 31. In this case, the positioning of the brake body 121 in the width direction Y of the spindle rail 10 is completed when the end of the bottom block portion 128 is abutted to the end of the guide groove 31. Also, the positioning of the brake body 121 in the longitudinal direction X of the spindle rail 10 is completed when the engaging portion 37 of the bracket 35 engages with an edge portion of the guide groove 31, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. With this operation, the brake body 121 is disposed at the braking standby position P1. In this way, as is the case of the first embodiment, when the brake body 121 is disposed at the braking standby position P1, the spindle belt 12 is inserted between the separation roller unit 22 and the plate wall portion 27 and mounted over the two spindles 11. Thus, when the spindle belt 12 rotates with the driving of the spindle motor (not shown), the respective spindles 11 rotate with the rotation of the spindle belt 12.

[0037] When the brake body 121 is moved from the braking standby position P1 to one of the braking actuating positions P2, as is the case of the first embodiment, the operator holds the handle 24 and pulls the brake body 121 toward the operator to thereby disengage the brake body 121 from the guide groove 31. At this time, the bracket 35 is rotated counterclockwise, with respective to the viewing direction of FIG. 7, about the position of the support member 39. Next, the operator holding the handle 24 pushes the bottom portion of the bottom block portion 128 to be fitted into the guide groove 32, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, and moves the brake body 121 to the depth of the guide groove 32 by means of the tension of the spindle belt 12, so that the brake shoe 23 is brought into contact with the large diameter portion 13b of the spindle whorl 13. In this case, the positioning of the brake body 121 in the longitudinal direction X of the spindle rail 10 is completed when the bottom block portion 128 is engaged with the guide groove 32. Also, the positioning of the brake body 121 in the width direction Y of the spindle rail 10 is completed when the brake shoe 23 is abutted to the large diameter portion 13b of the spindle whorl 13. With this operation, the brake body 121 is disposed at one of the braking actuating positions P2. Thus, when the brake body 121 is disposed at one of the braking actuating positions P2, the spindle belt 12 is mounted over the separation roller unit 22, so that the transmission of the motive power from the spindle belt 12 to the spindles 11 is discontinued. Meanwhile, with the pushing force acting on the separation roller unit 22 by the tension of the spindle belt 12, the brake shoe 23 is pressed against the large diameter portion 13b of the spindle whorl 13. The rotation of the spindle 11 may be stopped by the friction resistance between contact surfaces of the brake shoe 23 and the spindle whorl 13.

[0038] Also, as described above, when a pushing force is applied to the separation roller unit 22 by the tension of the spindle belt 12, there is a possibility that part of the brake body 21 on the rear side R is lifted (see FIG. 9) and the brake body 121 inclines or falls. In this regard, in the second embodiment, when the brake body 121 is disposed at one of the braking actuating positions P2, the fixing portion 38 of the bracket 35 is locked at the spindle rail 10 to thereby prevent the brake body 121 from falling. Therefore, even when the operator releases his/her hand(s) from the handle 24, the spindle belt 12 is kept separated from one of the spindles 11 by the separation roller unit 22, and the brake shoe 23 is kept pressed against the one of the spindles 11 as illustrated in FIG. 8. Thus, in the case where a yarn piecing operation is manually performed by the operator, the operator can piece the yarn with the both free hands.

Third Embodiment

[0039] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of a spindle brake device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is also to be noted that in the third embodiment, same reference numerals are used for describing parts or configuration that are similar to or the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 10, a brake body 221 has a positioning pin 41. The brake body 221 also has an integrally formed fitting portion 30 extending downward from a bottom block portion 228. The fitting portion 30 is formed integrally with the bottom block portion 228 at the bottom thereof. The fitting portion 30 is to be fitted into a guide groove 31 of a spindle rail 10. The positioning pin 41 is configured to be insertable into and removable from a positioning hole, which will be described later. The positioning pin 41 is disposed to extend to the front side F of the brake body 221. Also, the positioning pin 41 is fixed to the fitting portion 30 of the bottom block portion 228 by, for example, press-fitting or bonding. The distal end portion of the positioning pin 41 is tapered by chamfering or the like so that the positioning pin 41 may be easily inserted into the positioning hole, which will be described later.

[0041] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 11, in the spindle rail 10, the guide groove 31 is formed at a braking standby position P1 and a positioning hole 42 is formed for each of braking actuating positions P2. The positioning holes 42 are provided at the braking actuating positions P2 as the guide portion of the present invention that guides the brake body 221 in the width direction Y of the spindle rail 10. The positioning holes 42 are formed in the spindle rail 10 correspondingly to the positioning pin 41 described above. The positioning holes 42 each have an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the positioning pin 41 so that the positioning pin 41 is insertable into and removable from the positioning holes 42.

[0042] In the spindle brake device 20 according to the third embodiment, when disposing the brake body 221 at the braking standby position P1, the fitting portion 30 of the bottom block portion 228 is fitted into the guide groove 31, and an end of the fitting portion 30 is abutted to an end of the guide groove 31. In this case, the positioning of the brake body 221 in the longitudinal direction X of the spindle rail 10 is completed when the fitting portion 30 is engaged with the guide groove 31. Also, the positioning of the brake body 221 in the width direction Y of the spindle rail 10 is completed when the end of the fitting portion 30 is abutted to the end of the guide groove 31. With this operation, the brake body 221 is disposed at the braking standby position P1. In this way, as is the case of the first embodiment, when the brake body 221 is disposed at the braking standby position P1, the spindle belt 12 is inserted between the separation roller unit 22 and the plate wall portion 27 and mounted over the two spindles 11. Thus, when the spindle belt 12 rotates with the driving of the spindle motor (not shown), the respective spindles 11 rotate with the rotation of the spindle belt 12.

[0043] When the brake body 221 is moved from the braking standby position P1 to one of the braking actuating positions P2, as is the case of the first embodiment, the operator holds the handle 24 and pulls the brake body 121 toward the operator to thereby disengage the brake body 221 from the guide groove 31. Next, the operator holding the handle 24 inserts the positioning pin 41 into the positioning hole 42, as illustrated in FIG. 12, and moves the brake body 221 to the depth of the guide groove 32 by means of the tension of the spindle belt 12, so that the brake shoe 23 is brought into contact with the large diameter portion 13b of the spindle whorl 13. In this case, the positioning of the brake body 221 in the longitudinal direction X of the spindle rail 10 is completed when the positioning pin 41 is engaged with the positioning hole 42. Also, the positioning of the brake body 221 in the width direction Y of the spindle rail 10 is completed when the brake shoe 23 is abutted to the large diameter portion 13b of the spindle whorl 13. With this operation, the brake body 221 is disposed at one of the braking actuating positions P2. Thus, when the brake body 221 is disposed at the one of the braking actuating positions P2, the spindle belt 12 is mounted over the separation roller unit 22, so that the transmission of the motive power from the spindle belt 12 to the spindles 11 is discontinued. Meanwhile, with the pushing force acting on the separation roller unit 22 by the tension of the spindle belt 12, the brake shoe 23 is pressed against the large diameter portion 13b of one of the spindle whorls 13. The rotation of the corresponding spindle 11 may be stopped by the friction resistance between contact surfaces of the brake shoe 23 and the spindle whorl 13.

[0044] Also, as described above, when a pushing force is applied to the separation roller unit 22 by the tension of the spindle belt 12, there is a possibility that part of the brake body 221 on the rear side R is lifted (see FIG. 12) due to the pressing force and the brake body 221 inclines or falls. In this regard, in the third embodiment, when the brake body 221 is disposed at one of the braking actuating positions P2, the corresponding positioning pin 41 is inserted into the positioning hole 42 to thereby prevent the brake body 221 from falling. Therefore, even when the operator releases his/her hand(s) from the handle 24, the spindle belt 12 is kept separated from the spindles 11 by the separation roller unit 22, and the brake shoe 23 is kept pressed against the corresponding spindle 11. Thus, in the case where a yarn piecing operation is manually performed by the operator, the operator can piece the yarn with both free hands.

Modifications

[0045] It is to be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and may variously be modified or improved as long as such modifications or improvements derive the specific effects obtained with the elements of the present invention and combinations thereof.

[0046] For example, in the above embodiments, although the separation roller unit 22 includes two rollers, namely, the rollers 22a and 22b, the number of the rollers is not limited thereto. The separation roller unit 22 may comprise a single roller, or otherwise three or more rollers.

[0047] In the first embodiment, although the brake shoe 23 is formed in a circular arc shape that conforms to the semicircular cutout shape of the brake body 21, the shape of the brake shoe 23 is not limited thereto. The brake shoe 23 may be formed in another shape that is contactable with the spindle whorls 13 of the spindles 11. For example, the brake shoe 23 may be formed in a V-shape. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

[0048] A spindle brake device (20) of a spinning machine for stopping rotation of spindles of the spinning machine includes a brake body (21, 121, 221) that is movable in a width direction (Y) of a spindle rail (10) which has a braking standby position (P1) and a braking actuating position (P2); a separation roller unit (22); and a brake shoe (23). When the brake body (21, 121, 221) is disposed at a braking standby position (P1), the separation roller unit (22) is located separated from the spindle belt (12), and when the brake body (21, 121, 221) is disposed at a braking actuating position (P2), the separation roller unit (22) separates the spindle belt (12) from one of the spindles (11), and the brake shoe (23) is pressed against the one of the spindles (11) by a tension of the spindle belt (12).

Claims

1. A spindle brake device (20) of a spinning machine for stopping rotation of spindles of the spinning machine, the spinning machine including:

a spindle rail (10);

two spindles (11) arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction (X) of the spindle rail (10); and

a spindle belt (12) that is mounted over the two spindles (11) in a surrounding manner, the spindle brake device (20) comprising:

a brake body (21, 121, 221) that is movable in a width direction (Y) of the spindle rail (10);

a separation roller unit (22) mounted to the brake body (21, 121, 221); and

a brake shoe (23) mounted to the brake body (21, 121, 221),

characterized in that

the spindle rail (10) has a braking standby position (P1) and a braking actuating position (P2),

a guide portion (31, 32, 42) adapted to guide the brake body (21, 121, 221) in the width direction (Y) of the spindle rail (10) is provided at each of the braking standby position (P1) and the braking actuating position (P2),

the brake body (21, 121, 221) is adapted to be repositionable between the braking standby position (P1) and the braking actuating position (P2),

when the brake body (21, 121, 221) is disposed at the braking standby position (P1), the separation roller unit (22) is located separated from the spindle belt (12), and

when the brake body (21, 121, 221) is disposed at the braking actuating position (P2), the separation roller unit (22) separates the spindle belt (12) from one of the spindles (11), and the brake shoe (23) is pressed against the one of the spindles (11) by a tension of the spindle belt (12).

2. The spindle brake device (20) of the spinning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that
the guide portion (31, 32) is provided by a guide groove having a dovetail shape, and
the brake body (21) has a projection (29) that is to be fitted into the guide groove (31, 32).

3. The spindle brake device (20) of the spinning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that
the guide portion (31, 32) is provided by a guide groove having a rectangular cross section,
part of the brake body (121) is fitted into the guide groove (31, 32),
a bracket (35) is attached to the brake body (121), and
the bracket (35) has a fixing portion (38) configured to be locked at the spindle rail (10) when the brake body (121) is disposed at the braking actuating position (P2) to thereby prevent the brake body (121) from falling due to the tension of the spindle belt (12).

4. The spindle brake device (20) of the spinning machine according to claim 3, characterized in that
the bracket (35) has an engaging portion (37) configured to set the brake body (121) in position in the longitudinal direction (X) of the spindle rail (10) by being engaged with the guide groove (31), when the brake body (121) is disposed at the braking standby position (P2).

5. The spindle brake device (20) of the spinning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that
the guide portion (42) provided at the braking actuating position (P2) is provided by a positioning hole (42), and
the brake body (121) has a positioning pin (41) configured to be insertable into and removable from the positioning hole (42).

Drawing