Device for vertically positioning and orienting rod-shaped tubes, in particular conical tubes for textile machines

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a device for vertically positioning and orienting rod-shaped elements having diffeent-diameter ends, in particular conical tubes for spinning frames, or analogous machines.
Said device comprises pusher actuators (2), which drive their stems (26) to move in a substantially horizontal direction, tube-supporting plates (10) having an angular shape, each fastened to the end of said stems (26), and frontal contact sensors (16, 18), or similar elements, which are enabled in the presence of the smallest diameter of the rod-shaped conical tube (12).
At least a stationary tube-stop plate (14) is provided, whose frontal position relatively to the contact sensors can be adjusted.
Also the presence is envisaged as well, of one single contact sensor (16) enabled in the presence of the smallest diameter of the rod-shaped conical tube.

Description

[0001] In the textile sector, the conical tubes for spinning frames, or for similar machines, which have their ends of different diameters, must be correctly positioned and oriented on the automatic loading devices. By the term "orientation", it is herein meant that the tubes must all be conveyed and positioned with their axis, and their direction of conicalness, oriented according to a same direction.

[0002] Devices which orient rod-shaped tubes having ends of different diameter are already known per se, and they are frequently used for the automatic replacement of the pirns on spinning frames, or similar machines.

[0003] When said devices are used, it is enough to store the tubes inside the purposely provided storage container, only taking care that they are positioned side-by-side, parallel to one another, without worrying about the orientation as regards the direction of conicalness, or according to the smallest-diameter end. For the sake of simplicity, in the following only tubes will be discussed, always conical tubes being meant; this assumption, however should not be assumed as being limitative.

[0004] The rod-shaped body need not necessarily have by itself a conical shape, nor has it to be necessarily hollow, but it only must be provided with ends having different diameter, or thickness. Devices are known from the prior art, which draw the tubes one by one from the storage container, and deliver them to the vertically positioning device.

[0005] This latter orients the same tube in the correct direction, conveys it, by gravity, to a feed channel, or the like, for centering it relatively to the support pin - or a similar element - provided on the conveyor belt.

[0006] For exemplifying purposes, the device is known, which is disclosed and claimed in Italian Patent No. 20,763 A/68, files by the present Applicant, which is characterized in that its orienting and vertically positioning elements are stationary, rather than movable.

[0007] In such structural solutions, the sensors responding to the orientation of the tube are longitudinal slits provided on plates pre-arranged in a chute configuration, along which the tube slides by gravity. Said slits are calibrated with a width smaller than the largest diameter of the tube, and with a width larger than the smallest diameter of the tube.

[0008] In as much as the spinning tubes show a very small difference in their end diameters, it results evident, in such a structural solution, that the difference between the width values of the two longitudinal slits is very small. It can be easily understood how an even minimum deformation of the tube in the axial direction, or a tearing thereof on one of its end edges, generates functional hindrances in the vertically positioning and orienting device during the step of automatic loading on the support pins provided on the conveyor means servicing the operating front of the textile spinning machine. From such an occurrence, the interruption of the automatic loading cycle derives, obliging an attending operator to take an action.

[0009] The labour cost for such emergency actions represents a considerable factor when computing the production costs. Even if it is reduced by resorting to structural improvements, together with an upstream check of the conditions of the tubes, a hindrance like the one mentioned, in view of the high speed of loading reached in the present machines, is considerably important because of the delays it causes during the subsequent steps of the cycle.

[0010] Furthermore, this type of solutions show the drawback that changes in the length of the tube, or in the diameter thereof, imply the replacement of the vertically positioning and loading device by another device matching the different dimensions. We are therefore in the presence of structural solutions which are rigid in their usage.

[0011] The main purpose of the present invention is therefore to ensure an ordered running of the whole step of loading of the tubes on the pins of the conveyor means, such that defects and disadvantages typical of the present arrangements as proposed by the prior art, together with those as hereinabove listed, may be overcome.

[0012] A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a device having a simple structural shape, and which is so shaped that the process of tube vertically positioning and orientation can be carried out quickly and with no troubles. In the following discussion, for the sake of simplicity, reference is made to the use of the present invention for the ring spinning frames, it is anyway understood that what is said for said ring spinning frames applies also to any textile machines wherein for the automatic loading a tube vertically positioning and orienting device is required, in that on the device those differences which characterize the various types of said textile machines, do not have any influence.

[0013] The device of the present invention does not alter in any way the operating system and the pieces of equipment concerning the spinning spindles, so that the traditional ring spinning machine is not described, but reference is only made to those parts thereof which concern, and clarify the usage of the present invention, and, precisely, only the conveyor means serving to bear the pins which serve to support the empty tubes; the drawing device, suitable for drawing one tube at a time from the storage container wherein it is stored parallelly to other tubes; and the conveyor means which supply the individual tube to the operative area wherein the orientation takes place, will be referred to. Above said means, which all are already known from the prior art, are not shown in the figures, because they are not essential for understanding the orienting and vertically positioning device of the presnet invention

[0014] In accordance with the above, and making due allowance for the defects and disdvantages connected with the structures presently used, as proposed by the prior art, the present invention relates to a device for correctly orienting and vertically positioning rod-shaped tubes having different-diameter ends, in particular conical tubes for textile machines, characterized in that it comprises, in combination:
- actuators, which drive their stems to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the conveyor means, for drawing the individual tube from the trays, or from similar housings;
- angle plates for supporting the tube, each plate being fastened to the end of each stem, and all said angle plates being jointly moved as an individual movable saddle when performing their action of pushing the same tube against at least one stationary tube-stop plate;
- frontal contact sensors, or similr elements, which are enabled by means of the angle plate, in the presence of the smallest diameter of the rod-shaped conical tube.

[0015] The present invention relates to a device furthermore characterized in that the re-positioning of the angle support plates, by means of the return stroke of the stems, takes place by starting at different time points, due to a delay in the enabling of the actuator corresponding to the angle support housing the smallest diameter of the rod-shaped conical tube.

[0016] According to a further form of practical embodiment, the present invention relates to a device wherein the contact sensors are reduced to one single contact sensor, or similar element, only, enabled each time that opposite to it the smallest-diemeter end of the rod-shaped conical tube is present.

[0017] According to a further form of practical embodiment, the present invention relates to a device wherein the stationary tube-stop plate can be adjusted, in its frontal position, relatively to the contact sensors.

[0018] Referring to the above, in the hereto attached drawing tables a preferred solution is shown, which is neither binding nor limitative as to the mutual position of the components, and as to the consequent simplifications which may derive therefrom; said solution is disclosed in the following, by reference to the following figures:

Figure 1 shows an axonometric perspective view of the device of the present invention, showing the configuration at the point in time of beginning stem motion, in the action of tube pushing against the stationary tube-stop plate, while the same tube is supported by the angle plates;

Figure 2 shows an axonometric perspective view of the device of the present invention, showing the configuration at the point in time of stem motion end, in the action of tube pushing against the stationary tube-­stop plate, with a sensor being enabled by the angle plate which is supporting the smallest-diameter end of the rod-shaped conical tube;

Figure 3 shows an axonometric perspective view of the device of the present invention, showing the configuration due to the advance in re-positioning of the angle plate supporting the smallest-diameter end of the rod-shaped conical tube, whilst the angle plate supporting the largest-diameter end of the tube shows a delay in re-positioning, performing the operative function of causing an over-turning of the tube under the action of gravity, positioning it in a vertical position, with the largest diemeter being directed downwards;

Figure 4 shows an axonometric perspective view of the device of the present invention, showing the restoration of the initial configuration thereof after the re-positioning of both angle support plates, by means of the return stroke of the stems, waiting for the subsequent operating cycle to be repeated, when enabled by the request for another rod-shaped conical tube.

[0019] In the figures, similar parts, or parts performing similar functions are indicated by same reference numerals. In the figures:
2 is the drive source, which actuates the stem 26, and is practically constituted by a pneumatic or hydraulic or electrical actuator, or by a combination of two or more of such actuator types;
4 is the the guide rod, guiding the translation generated by the actuator 2;
6 is the support base for the actuator 2 and the guide rod 4;
8 is the stationary flange for the front connection of the actuator 2;
10 is the angle-profile plate fastened onto the end of the stem 26, which acts as a support, and as a movable saddle for the rod-shaped conical tube 12;
12 is the rod-shaped conical tube which, once drawn from its housing placed on a conveyor means, must be oriented and vertically positioned, with its largest diameter being directed downwards;
14 is the stationary tube-stop plate or blade, against which the rod-shaped conical tube 12 is pushed;
16 is the contact sensor, known from the prior art, which is frontally enabled by the angle-profile plate 10 when this latter supports the tube length in the nearby of the tube smallest-diameter end;
18 is the contact sensor which is not enabled (see Figure 2) by the angle-profile plate 10 when this latter supports the tube length in the nearby of the largest-­diameter end;
20 is the power supply lead for the contact sensor 16;
22 is the power supply lead for the contact sensor 18;
24 is the arrow showing the direction and the progressing of the angle-profile plates 10 when they perform their simultaneous pushing action, moving the tube 12 against the fixed stop plate 14.

[0020] The operation of the device according to the present invention is now disclosed.

[0021] When the pin-bearing conveyor belt running along the operating front of the spinning frame, of a proper structural type, and known from the prior art, requests empty tubes 12, the loading unit is enabled, which draws said tubes 12 from a container, of a type known from the prior art, in order to transfer them, one by one, into trays, or similar housings, belonging to a lifting and conveyor means, known from the prior art, and therefore not herein disclosed. Said lifting means delivers, by a stepwise indexing, the individual tube 12, in a perfectly frontal position, to the angle-profile plates 10 fastened onto the ends of the stems 26.

[0022] Simultaneously to the frontal positioning, the drive sources 2 are simultaneously enabled, e.g., by means of actuator means 28, said drive sources 2 driving the stems 26 integral with the corresponding angle-profile plates 10, to move. The angle-profile plates 10 move frontally towards the rod-shaped conical tube 12, draw it from its housing, and translate it, supporting it, towards the stationary stop plate 14.

[0023] The angle-profile plates 10 advance in perfect synchronism and operate, during said motion step, as if they were one single, rigid, mobile transfer saddle. The arrows 24 indicate the trajectory and direction of advancement during said movement for tube 12 translation (see Figure 2).

[0024] The rod-shaped conical tube 12 is pushed against the stationary stop plate 14. At the time of contact between the tube 12 and the front surface of the stationary stop plate 14, or in the nearby of said point in time, the sensor 16 is enabled (see Figure 2), by the contact pressure applied by the front thickness of the angle-­profile plate 10, which supports the tube 12 portion close to the smallest-diameter end.

[0025] The enabling of the sensor 16 causes the inhibition of the advancement of the stems 26 by the drive sources, or actuators 2. It derives therefrom that the pushing of the tube against the front surface of the stationary stop plat 14, by the angle-profile plates 10, ends, preventing any possible jammings of the tube 12 between the above-aid elements from occurring, and leaving the tube 12 free to perform the following step of rotation, necessary for it to be posed in the vertical position.

[0026] At the time point immediately following the actuation of the sensor 16, by the front thickness of the angle-profile plate 10, which supports the tube 12 portion close to the smallest-diameter tube end, only the drive source 2, corresponding to the angle-profile plate 10 which supports the tube 12 length close to the largest-diameter end, is enabled.

[0027] This latter angle plate 10 moved by its relevant stem 26, moves backwards, with a movement whose trajectory and direction is shown by the arrow 27 (see Figure 3). It derives therefrom that, after a short shift of the angle plate 10, the support is removed from under tube 12, so that the same tube 12 turns, in free fall under the action of gravity, around the only remaining support, which is constituted by the other angle plate 10, opposite to the contact sensor 16, and in stand-by position (see Figure 3). Said tube 12 moves downwards, reaching a vertical position, in order to vertically enter the feed well or channel (not shown in the figures), only due to its own weight, such that its largest-diameter end comes to be directed downwards, and its smallest-diameter end comes to be directed upwards. Immediately after serving as the fulchrum for the tube 12, the angle-shaped plate 10 moves rearwards, by a movement whose path and direction are shown by the arrow 29 (see Figure 4).

[0028] At the end of this latter movement step, both the angle support plates 10 result to have reached their initial configuration, waiting for the subsequent operative cycle, enabled by the request for another rod-­shaped conical tube 12, to be repeated.

[0029] It is immediately evident that, because of the symmetrical arrangement of the hereinabove disclosed elements, and of the parts which compose the device of the present invention, and of the operating way thereof, the tube 12 is always vertically positioned with its largest-diameter end being directed downwards, even if said tube 12 comes to rest on the angle-profile plates 10 with its ends being inverted relatively to the position as shown in the hereto attached drawing tables, and hereinabove disclosed. As a consequence, any further disclosure of the operative steps in the presence of a rod-shaped conical tube 12 frontally delivered to the angle-profile plates 10 with its largest-diameter and smallest-diameter ends being inverted, is unnecessary.

Claims

1. Device for correctly orienting and vertically positioning rod-shaped tubes having different-diameter ends, in particular conical tubes for textile machines, characterized in that it comprises, in combination:
- two actuators, which drive their stems to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the conveyor means conveying the tubes, for drawing the individual tube from the trays, or from similar housings;
- two angle-profile plates for supporting the tube, each plate being fastened to the end of each stem, and being jointly moved together with the other plate, as an individual movable saddle, when performing their action of pushing of the same tube against at least one stationary tube-stop plate;
- two frontal contact sensors, or similar elements, which, upon contact with the front thickness of the angle-profile plate supporting the tube portion close to the tube smallest-diameter end, enable only the actuator corresponding to the angle-profile plate supporting the tube length close to the largest-­diameter end of said tube, which, by becoming free and without support on this side, rotates, in free fall under the action of gravity, gravity, around the other support, reaching a vertical position with its largest-­diameter end being directed downwards.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it provides for the re-positioning of the angle­profile support plates, by means of the return stroke of the stems, takes place by starting at different time points, due to a delay in the enabling of the actuator corresponding to the angle support housing the smallest diameter of the rod-shaped conical tube.

3. Device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the contact sensors are reduced to one single contact sensor, or similar element, only, enabled each time that opposite to it the smallest-diemeter end of the rod-shaped conical tube is present.

4. Device according to claims from 1 to 3, characterized in that the stationary tube-stop plate can be adjusted, in its frontal position, relatively to the contact sensors.

5. Orienting and vertically-positioning device for rod-shaped conical tubes as herein disclosed, illustrated and claimed and for the provided purposes.

Drawing