[0001] The present invention relates to a four-for-one twister according to the preamble
of claim 1 and is a divisional application of EP 97 122 447.2.
[0002] A conventional four-for-one twister has been officially published in the. Japanese
patent publication No. Showa 44-6685. This four-for-one twister 1, as shown in Figure
6, is comprised of a package supporting member 2 which supports a supply package P
on vertically extending center line C in a stationary position, an upper disk 3 and
a lower disk 4 which revolve around the center line C, a pulley 7 which drives the
upper disk 3 and is provided with permanent magnets 6 that attract permanent magnets
5 provided on the upper disk 3, and a pulley 9 which drives the lower disk 4, and
is attached through a spindle 8 to the lower disk 4. The four-for-one twister 1 is
constructed so as to form long an inner yarn path A and an outer yarn path B vertically
around the supply package P. Drive providing the pulleys 7 and 9 are driven by drive
belts 10 and 11, which are attached between motors (not shown in the drawing), and
rotated in mutually opposed directions.
[0003] The four-for-one twister 1 guides a yarn Y, which is first pulled in an upward direction
from the supply package P, in a downward direction along the inner yarn path A, and
through a yarn guide hole 3a of the upper disk 3. It then guides the yarn through
a yarn path 8a of the spindle 8, and further passes it through a yarn guide hole 4a
of the lower disk 4 which revolves in an opposed direction from the upper disk 3.
It then guides the yarn Y drawn out of the guide hole 4a to take-up rollers 12 through
the outer yarn path B. With each rotation of the upper disk 3 and lower disk 4 rotating
in mutually opposed directions, four additional twists are imparted to the yarn Y.
[0004] Thus, it takes a long time for the yarn to pass through the yarn path comprised of
the yarn guide hole 3a of the upper disk 3, the yarn path 8a of the spindle 8, and
the yarn guide hole 4a of the lower disk 4. Hence, it is a problem of the conventional
four-for-one twister is that it takes a long time to pass the yarn and clear a new
supply package, bringing down the operational efficiency of the twister.
[0005] Further, since the four-for-one twister 1 creates a curved, bow-shaped balloon along
the outer yarn path B and inner yarn path A from the yarn Y revolving at high speeds
around the center line C, the balloon tension is higher than in a two-for-one twister
which only creates one balloon. This creates another problem, which is that with the
four-for-one twister 1, increasing the speed of the rotation of the upper disk 3 and
lower disk 4, by severely increasing the tension of the balloon, creates hairiness
in the yarn and can lead to yarn breakage. Also, due to changes in the yarn tension,
the inner balloon may expand into the outer balloon, and the two balloons may become
entangled causing the yarn to break. Furthermore, the outer balloon, due to changes
in the tension of the yarn, may come into contact with a permanent magnet 13 which
keeps the package supporting member 2 stationary, and this may cause the yarn to break.
[0006] The problem underlying the present invention is to propose a four-for-one twisting
machine that by regulating the increase in tension of the yarn rotating at high speeds
and protecting against yarn entanglement, can reduce yarn breakage.
[0007] In order to solve the first mentioned problem the parent application proposes to
use a four-for-one twister in which the twisting of the yarn occurs by means of an
upper disk provided with a yarn guide hole and a lower disk provided with a yarn guide
hole, said disks rotating concentrically in mutually opposed directions, air to pass
yarn in a forwardly moving direction in each of the yarn guide holes. The yarn that
is let out of each of the yarn guide holes is pulled by air in a forwardly moving
direction, and is passed through the yarn guide holes.
[0008] Furthermore, it is proposed to sequentially connect the yarn guide holes of the upper
disk and the lower disk. The yarn that is let out is pulled by the air, and is passed
through the two connected yarn guide holes in a forwardly moving direction.
[0009] An ejecting nozzle is provided that injects air to pass the yarn which opens into
an appropriate place inside the yarn guide holes. When the yarn guide holes eject
air from the ejecting nozzle, outside air is sucked in from the upstream side by means
of upstream suction force created by the nozzle openings. The air sucked in and the
air ejected by the nozzle join, and by flowing towards the downstream end inside the
hole, create a flow of air that passes the yarn in a forward moving direction through
the length of the hole. When the yarn that is let out is made to enter the hole from
the upper end of the yarn entry hole, it is automatically passed through the hole
and pulled out from the outer downstream end by means of the air suction flowing along
the yarn passage through the hole.
[0010] The problem- of the present invention is solved by the features defined in the characterizing
portion of claim 1. The four-for-one twister provided with a package supporting member
to support the supply package on the center line in a stationary position, an inner
yarn path formed in a vertical direction outside of the supply package, and an outer
yarn path formed in a vertical direction outside of the inner yarn path, has, therefore,
the inner yarn path formed in the inner guiding member which revolves around the center
line. Even if the rotational speed of the inner guiding member is increased in order
to impart additional twist to the yarn, the yarn led along the inner yarn path formed
in the inner guiding member does not form a balloon. Because of this, the yarn tension
can be regulated, and the yarn passing along the inner yarn path does not become entangled
with the yarn passing along the outer yarn path, and yarn breakage can be reduced.
Since the yarn rotates around the center line along with the inner guiding member,
no slip occurs between the yarn and the inner guiding member, and frictional heating
can be regulated.
[0011] Preferably an outer guiding member rotates in an opposed direction to the inner guiding
member around the center line wherein in the outer yarn guiding member the outer yarn
path is formed and the outer yarn guiding member and the inner yarn guiding member
each are formed as a tube with a bottom and yarn guide linked in the outer yarn guiding
member and inner yarn guiding member at the bottom of each of the tubes are connected
and extend to the center line. Even if the rotational speed of the inner guiding member
is increased in order to impart additional twist to the yarn, the yarn led along the
inner yarn path formed in the inner yarn guiding member and the yarn led along the
outer yarn path formed in the outer yarn guiding member do not form a balloon. Because
of this the yarn tension can be regulated and the yarn passing along the inner and
outer yarn paths do not become entangled, and yarn breakage is reduced. The yarn rotates
around the center line with the inner and outer guiding members, so there is no slip
created in the rotational path between the inner and outer guiding, members, and frictional
heating can be regulated. The rotating inner and outer guiding members are formed
with tube bottoms, so air flows conically along the surface of the inner and outer
tubes, and wind resistance and noise can be reduced.
[0012] In addition, the bottom of the outer guiding member is preferably formed slanting
upwards and facing out, and permanent magnets are placed above and below the bottom
of the outer guiding member such that the vertically positioned magnets are slanted
at least partially upwards along the bottom of the outer guiding member in order to
cause the inner guiding member to rotate. By guiding the yarn along the upward slant
of the bottom of the outer guiding member and changing the direction of the yarn in
a standing conic shape, hairiness and yarn breakage can be prevented. Furthermore,
by slanting at least one side of the permanent magnets upwards, the vertically aligned
permanent magnets are made to attract each other and can impart rotational force.
Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawing
[0013] Figure 1 shows a vertical cross-section of a four-for-one twister according to a
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] Figure 2 is an enlarged front view of a cross-section of the upper half of a first
embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 1.
[0015] Figure 3 is an enlarged front view of a cross-section of the lower half of a first
embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 1.
[0016] Figure 4 shows a vertical cross-section of a four-for-one twister according to a
second embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] Figure 5 shows a complete vertical cross-section of a third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] Figure 6 shows a vertical cross-section of a conventional four-for-one twister.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0019] Figure 1 to Figure 3 show an embodiment of a four-for-one twister according to the
present invention. Figure 1 is a front diagram showing an entire vertical section,
Figure 2 is an enlarged front diagram of a cross-section of the upper half, and Figure
3 is an enlarged front diagram of a cross-section of the lower half.
[0020] A four-for-one twister 21, as shown in Figure 1, is comprised of an inner yarn path
Ra which extends vertically along an inner guiding member 39 which revolves around
a center line C, and an outer yarn path Rb which extends vertically along an outer
guiding member 40 which revolves around the center line C. The inner guiding member
39 and outer guiding member 40 together form a tube with a bottom that guides a yarn
Y. Furthermore, the four-for-one twister 21 is provided with a package supporting
member 22 which supports a supply package P along the center line C in a stationary
condition, an upper disk 23 and a lower disk 24 which rotate around an axis of the
center line C, a pulley 27 which drives the upper disk 23 which is provided with permanent
magnets 26 that mutually attract permanent magnets 25 which is attached to the upper
disk 23, and a pulley 29 which drives the lower disk 24 which is attached through
a spindle 28 to the lower disk 24.
[0021] The package supporting member 22, as shown in Figure 3, fits into a boss portion
22a through bearings 31 and 31 on a standing center spindle 23a of the rotating upper
disk 23. The package supporting member 22 is made stationary by the mutual attraction
of fixed permanent magnets 32 which are affixed to a disk base 22b and fixed permanent
magnets 34 which are affixed to the outside of a fixed hood 33. The package supporting
member 22 is set up so that a cylindrical guide supporting member 35 can be freely
attached and removed at the boss portion 22a. The guide supporting member 35, as shown
in Figure 2, is provided with freely rotating guides 36 and 37 which guide the yarn
Y taken off from the package P.
[0022] The upper disk 23, as shown in Figure 3, fits into a boss portion 23b through bearings
38 and 38 on a standing center spindle 24a. The upper disk 23 is affixed to the inner
guiding member 39 comprised of a tube with a bottom with something like a screw fastened
to a base portion 23c. The lower disk 24 is affixed to the outer guiding member 40
comprised of a tube with a bottom with something like a screw fastened to a base portion
24c. The inner guiding member 39 and outer guiding member 40 are made from non-magnetically
conductive materials like aluminum, synthetic resin, stainless steel, or titanium,
for example, so as not to interfere with the magnetic attraction between the permanent
magnets 32 and 34, and 25 and 26. Since the inner guiding member 39 and outer guiding
member 40 are formed of a non-magnetically conductive material, when they revolve,
even though the magnetic power of the attraction of the permanent magnets 32 and 34
is present, the electric power consumption used in driving the rotation does not create
an overcurrent or produce heat, so it does not have to be increased. The spindle 28
is allowed to freely rotate through bearings 44 and 45 on a bearing tool 43. The bearing
tool 43 is fixed to fixed frame 41 by something like a nut member 42.
[0023] The upper disk 23 and lower disk 24 are provided with yarn guide holes 47 that form
a yarn path R. The yarn guide holes 47 are sequentially comprised of an upper hole
47a and a lower hole 47b, the upper hole 47a opening into the base portion 23c of
the upper disk 23, and the lower hole 47b opening into the base portion 24c and the
standing center spindle 24a of the lower disk 24. The upper hole 47a and lower hole
47b, are connected through an air-tight passage 23d, and are positioned, as described
below, so as not to leak, and thereby allow the air to flow through the holes 47a,
47b smoothly while passing the yarn Y along the yarn path R. The upper hole 47a consists
of a radial portion extending towards the center line C from the outer surface of
the base portion 23c, and a curved portion which continues at a right angle from said
radial portion. The lower hole 47b consists of a standing portion in the same plane
as the center line C, a curved portion at a right angle connecting to this standing
portion, and a radial portion extending from this curved portion towards the outer
surface of the base portion 24c.
[0024] The upper hole 47a of the upper disk 23 is connected to a yarn guide hole 53a of
a yarn guide pipe 53 attached to the inner surface of the inner guide member 39. The
yarn guide pipe 53 forms inside the pipe the inner yarn path Ra extending vertically
to the inside of the inner guide member 39. The yarn guide pipe 53 is formed either
from a combination of or a single non-magnetically conductive material such as aluminum,
synthetic resin, ceramics, stainless steel, or titanium, so as not to interfere with
the magnetic attraction of permanent magnets 32 and 34, to make the inner surface
chafe-resistant, and decrease the frictional resistance. The upper end 53b (in reference
to Figure 2) of the yarn guide pipe 53 opens in almost the same place as an open end
39b of the inner guiding member 39, permitting the thread to pass easily.
[0025] The lower hole 47b of the lower disk 24 opens into an ejecting nozzle 48 at the border
area between the radial portion and the curved portion, and the ejecting nozzle 48
jets air to pass the string in the direction of the outer surface of the base 24.
The ejecting nozzle 48 is connected to an air passage 49 opening vertically in the
spindle 28, and receives a supply of pressurized air. In other words, the pressurized
air supplied from an air supply pipe 50 which is attached to the bearing tool 43 is
led in the air passage 49 by means of an air chamber 51 formed inside the bearing
tool 43, and jetted from the ejecting nozzle 48.
[0026] The jetted air creates suction power in the yarn guide hole 47 from the ejecting
nozzle 48 towards the upstream portion, and sucks in outside air from the upper end
53b of the yarn guide pipe 53 which connects to the yarn guide hole 47. In this way,
the ejecting nozzle 48 can flow air used to pass the yarn Y in a forwardly moving
direction along the yarn path R comprised of the yarn guide pipe 53 and yarn guide
hole 47. Moreover, the air supply pipe 50 is fitted with an open/close valve (not
shown in the drawings), and the supply of air pressure can be selectively stopped.
[0027] The outer guiding member 40 is formed like a bowl, with a rounded topless shape slanting
up from the outer surface of a bottom portion 40b, and forms the outer yarn path Rb
which extends vertically along an inner surface 40a and the inner surface of the bottom
portion 40b, and from which yarn fed out an exit 47c of the yarn guide hole 47 is
smoothly directed into a standing vertical position thereby preventing hairiness and
yarn breakage.
[0028] The permanent magnets 25 and 26 placed above and below the bottom of the outer guiding
member 40 impart rotational force to the upper disk 23 from the pulley driving the
upper disk 23. The lower permanent magnets 26 are slanted upwards along the upper
incline of the bottom portion 40b of the outer guiding member 40, and cause the upper
permanent magnets 25 to draw near, imparting rotational force. Further, although not
shown in the drawings, the upper permanent magnets 25 on the upper disk 23, while
maintaining the yarn path R, are slanted upwards along the rising incline of the bottom
portion 40b of the outer guiding member 40 while drawing the lower permanent magnets
26 closer and imparting rotational force.
[0029] The fixed hood 33 is fixed to the fixed frame 41 and the like, and is provided with
a tube portion 33a which engages revolving the outer guiding member 40 and a notch
33b past which drive belts 54 and 55 travel. The fixed hood 33 has the permanent magnet
34 permanently attached on the outside, and maintains the package supporting member
22 in a stationary position. Between pulleys 27, 29 and the drive mechanism (not shown
in the drawings), drive the belts 54, 55 are attached, and cause the pulleys 27, 29
to rotate in mutually opposed directions at the same rotation speed.
[0030] Next, operation of the four-for-one twister 21 is explained.
[0031] First, with the belt drives stopped, the operator inserts a new supply package P
into the package supporting member 22 along with the previously removed the guide
supporting member 35, as shown in Figure 1.
[0032] Next, the operator passes the yarn Y from the supply package P through the guides
36 and 37, and inserts it into the end opening 53b of the yarn guide pipe 53. At this
time, if pressurized air is supplied from the air supply pipe 50, the yarn Y is sucked
into the yarn guide hole 53a of the yarn guide pipe 53 where air suction is created
from the ejecting nozzle 48 as shown in Figure 3, guided along its passage with the
air flow to the yarn guide hole 47, and comes out from the exit 47c facing the bottom
portion 40b of the inclined inner guiding surface of the outer guiding member 40.
[0033] At this time; the air passing the yarn Y jetted from the exit (down-stream end) 47c
of the yarn guide hole 47 flows up along the bottom portion 40b of the inclined inner
guiding surface of the outer guiding member 40 and up the vertical inner surface 40a,
and is further blown out vertically from an end opening 40c of the outer guiding member
40 (as shown Figure 1 and Figure 2). Thus, the yarn coming out from the exit 47c of
the yarn guide hole 47 is ejected from the exit 47c and is passed with the air flow
along surface 40a of the outer guiding member 40 vertically with the air flow, and
passes vertically from the end opening 40c of the outer guiding member 40.
[0034] Next, the operator guides the yarn Y that has risen out of the end opening 40c into
the take-up roller 12 (as shown in Figure 1), completing the yarn path. When the yarn
passage is completed, drive is engaged by means of the drive belts 54 and 55, the
upper disk 23 and inner guiding member 39 are made to rotate as the lower disk 24
and outer guiding member 40 are rotated in the opposite direction, and the four-for-one
twister's twisting process is initiated. The supply of pressurized air from the air
supply pipe 50 is, at a suitable time either after the yarn passage has been completed
or immediately before the twisting process is begun, cut off by closing the open/close
valve (not shown in the drawings).
[0035] Depending on the type of the yarn Y, pressurized air with pressure adjusted from
the air supply pipe 50 can be supplied during the twisting process, and air can be
flowed to the yarn guide hole 53a of the yarn guide pipe 53 and yarn guide hole 47,
thereby easing the friction created between the yarn Y and yarn guide holes 53a and
47, and cooling the yarn Y, thus enabling control over the heating of the yarn Y.
[0036] Since the yarn Y, guided by the inner guiding member 39 and outer guiding member
40, does not form a balloon even when the rotational velocity of the inner guiding
member 39 and outer guiding member 40 is increased to impart additional twist to the
yarn Y, the four-for-one twister 21 can reduce yarn breakage, eliminate entanglement
of the yarn Y, and regulate yarn tension.
[0037] Since the yarn Y revolves around the circumference of the center line C with the
inner guiding member 39 and outer guiding member 40, there is no slip in the rotational
course of the inner yarn guide 39 and outer yarn guide 40 and the four-for-one twister
21 can regulate the frictional heating caused by the yarn Y.
[0038] Furthermore, since rotating the inner guiding member 39 and outer guiding member
40 are formed as tubes with bottoms, and the fixed hood 33 acts as a stable cover,
the four-for-one twister 21 can reduce wind resistance and wind noise.
[0039] Further still, since the permanent magnets 34 are attached to the outside of the
fixed hood 33, it is possible to bring the fixed hood 33 and the outer guiding member
40 close together, enabling the four-for-one twister 21 to be compact.
[0040] Moreover, since thread tension can be regulated with only the inner guiding member
39, the four-for-one twister 23 allows the outer guiding member 40 and fixed hood
33 to be removed to accommodate different kinds of yarn.
[0041] Additionally, the yarn guide pipe 53 which is attached to the inner guiding member
39 can be removed from the four-for-one twister 21, and when the yarn is passed through,
the tip of the yarn is then sucked towards the entrance of the yarn guide hole 47.
[0042] Further, the inner guiding member 39 and outer guiding member 40 can be formed without
the tube with a bottom, with only the upper disk 23 and lower disk 24 comprising the
standing pipes, and with the inner yarn path Ra and outer yarn path Rb allowing for
the yarn to be passed by the air flow.
[0043] Further, it is possible to form the standing member as a hollowed out section standing
from the upper disk 23 and lower disk 24, the inside of the concave groove facing
the center line C to make the yarn path.
[0044] Further, although not shown in the drawings it is possible for the yarn path Rb,
extending in the yarn guide pipe to the end opening 40c along the inner surface of
the inner guiding member 40 from the exit 47c of the yarn guide hole 47, to be comprised
of a single pipe hole, and further, for the yarn path R formed between the inner guiding
member 39 and outer guiding member 40 to be comprised of a single hole. In this case,
the ejecting nozzle 48 can be placed either at the entrance of the yarn path R (the
upper end 53a of yarn guide pipe 53) or at the exit of the yarn path R (the yarn guide
pipe exit forming yarn path Rb). In this case, the air hole. supplying pressurized
air from the ejecting nozzle 48 is provided with a coupler at the air hole entrance,
and while the rotation of the inner guiding member 39 and outer guiding member 40
are stopped, and the yarn Y is passed through, it is possible to attach a high-pressure
hose to the coupler.
[0045] Figure 4 describes a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] A four-for-one twister 61 does a four-for-one twisting with a single drive belt 72,
and is provided with a lower disk 64 which freely revolves on a fixed frame 74 through
a bearing 81, a middle disk 75 which is attached on the lower disk 64. through a bearing
82, an upper disk 63 which freely revolves on the middle disk 75 through a bearing
83, and a package supporting member 62 which is attached on the upper disk 63□@through
a bearing 84. Further, the four-for-one twister 61 is provided with a fixed hood 73
which is attached to the fixed frame 74, a outer guiding member 70 which is attached
with something like a screw to the lower disk 64, a stationary cap 76 which is fixed
to the middle disk 75, and an inner guiding member 69 which is attached to the upper
disk 63 with something like a screw.
[0047] The inner guiding member 69 and outer guiding member 70 are made of tubular shaped
non-magnetically conductive materials, and on their inner' surface are provided with
yarn guide pipes 91 and 92 made from non-magnetically conductive materials, these
pipes 91 and 92 forming an inner yarn path Ra and an outer yarn path Rb. The lower
end of the yarn guide pipe 91 is connected to a yarn guide hole 65 of the upper disk
63, and the lower end of the yarn guide pipe 92 is connected to a yarn guide hole
68 of the upper disk 64. Further, it is possible to omit the yarn guide pipes 91 and
92.
[0048] The four-for-one twister 61, after guiding the yarn drawn from stationary yarn supply
package P in a downward direction to the yarn guide hole 65 on the upper disk 63 through
a primary tensor 66, guides it upwards through the yarn guide pipe 91 of the inner
guiding member 69 which revolves entirely with the upper disk 63. Then, after the
yarn Y is guided in a downward direction to the yarn guide pipe 92 of the outer guiding
member 70 through a secondary tensor 67, it is brought to a take-up device 71, having
been guided through the yarn guide hole 68 of the lower disk 64 which rotates entirely
with the outer guiding member 70. With each revolution of the upper disk 63 and lower
disk 64 rotating in mutually opposed directions with drive from the belt 72, yarn
Y is provided with four twists.
[0049] The package supporting member 62 supports the package by means of the mutual attraction
of a permanent magnet 77 attached to the package supporting member 62 and a permanent
magnet 78 attached to the stationary cap 76, along with the mutual attraction of a
permanent magnet 80 attached to the fixed hood 73 and permanent a magnet 79 attached
to the middle disk 75. Between the lower disk 64 and upper disk 63, an intermediate
conveyor device 86 is set up in order to reverse the rotational drive force from the
lower disk 64 to the upper disk 63. The intermediate conveyor device 86 is provided
with a pulley 89 and a friction driven wheel 88 at the end of a rotating spindle 87.
A belt 90 is attached between the pulley 89 and the boss member 63a of the upper disk
63, and frictional force is applied to the friction-driven wheel 88 from the upper
boss member 64a on the lower disk 64.
[0050] Further, the structure of the intermediate conveyor device 86 can, in addition to
the organization described above, be constructed as described in Japanese utility
model publication No. Showa 48-1393, Japanese patent publication No. Showa 47-40100,
and Japanese utility model publication No. Showa 50-16097.
[0051] The tips of ejecting nozzles 93 and 94 are opened at the appropriate place in the
yarn guide hole 65 of the upper disk 63 and yarn guide hole 68 of the lower disk 64,
and air for passing the yarn Y in a forwardly moving direction is flowed through.
An air passage 95 (shown in the drawing by the dotted line) which supplies pressurized
air to the ejecting nozzles 93 and 94 is comprised sequentially of an air hole 95a
opened in the fixed frame 74, a sealed chamber 95b formed between the fixed frame
74 and lower disk 64, an air; hole 95c opened in the lower disk 64, a sealed chamber
95d formed between the lower disk 64 and middle disk 75, the air hole 95e opened in
the middle disk 75, and a sealed chamber 95f formed between the middle disk 75 and
upper disk 63, and is connected to the air supply pipe 50 in the air hole 95a.
[0052] Figure 5 describes a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0053] A four-for-one twister T is provided in order from the outside with an outer rotating
tube 110 (the outer guiding member), an inner rotating tube 120 (the inner guiding
member) and a package cover 130 positioned around the center axis, and a supply package
P is provided inside the package cover 130. A yarn guide mechanism portion 150 is
provided between the outer rotating. tube 110 and inner rotating tube 120. A hood
H is provided on the outside of the outer rotating tube 110. The inner yarn path is
formed from the inside of the inner rotating tube 120 vertically facing the outside
of the supply package P, and the outer yarn path is formed inside the outer rotating
tube 110 vertically facing the outside of the inner yarn path.
[0054] The inner and outer rotating tubes 120, 110 and the package cover 130 are each uncovered
tubes with bottoms. The inner and outer rotating tubes 120, 110 are preferably made
out of material that can endure high speed rotation, and even if friction is created
with the yarn they will not wear away, and further, it is important that the material
be light and non-magnetically conductive. Use of non-magnetically conductive metals
such as aluminum, stainless steel synthetic compounds like ceramics and other non-electrically
conductive materials are preferable. This is to prevent an overcurrent from arising
in the tubes when the magnetic field between magnets M, m and N, n is rotated at high
speeds, and to prevent heating or reverse torque from arising.
[0055] Moreover, in consideration of cost and processability, synthetic resin is thought
preferable, particularly heat resistant phenolic plastic, urea resin, polyester resin
and the like are good for machine processing. Buffing can reduce the frictional coefficient
of the yarn, by a polish of an abrasion treatment on the surface, making the surface
smooth and easy to pass. Further, because of the rise in intensity, when core fibers
used to make glass cloth and other fabrics, or when mixing glass fibers with resin
materials, a rotating tube made from FRP can be used.
[0056] At the center of the bottom of the outer rotating tube 110, a disk portion 111 in
which a yarn guide passage 112 is formed is provided, and at the bottom of the disk
portion 111, and a pulley portion 113 and a hollow spindle portion 114 are provided.
The spindle portion 114, by means of a bearing tool 160 which is fixed to a frame
F and the like with a nut 161, is allowed to rotate freely by means of a bearing,
and by means of rotation drive supplied by a belt B on the pulley portion 113, the
outer rotating tube 110 rotates. Pressurized air from a lower end opening portion
162 on the bearing tool 160 is supplied to an air passage 115 inside the spindle portion
114, and the said air passage 115 is formed so as to be connected to the yarn guide
passage 112.
[0057] The inner rotating tube 120 is provided on the upper surface of the center of the
bottom of the tube with a shaft portion 121 in which a yarn guide passage 122, and
on the lower surface of the center of the bottom of the tube with the disk portion
123. The yarn guide passage 122 is formed extending uniformly from the shaft portion
121 to the disk portion 123. At the disk portion 123, the later-described yarn guide
mechanism contracts, and a magnets Q attached to the disk portion 111 of the outer
rotating tube 110 and which attracts magnets q are provided.
[0058] In the middle of the package cover 130 which is positioned inside the inner rotating
tube 120, a bobbin holder 131 which holds a bobbin 133 of the supply package P is
erected, the upper half of a yarn guide path 132 and the lower concave reception portion
134 are provided along the center axis of the bobbin holder 131. The package cover
130, by means of the shaft portion 121 of the inner rotating tube 120 inserted into
the concave reception portion 134, is permitted to freely rotate in conjunction with
the inner rotating tube 120 through a bearing. The magnet m which attracts the magnet
M affixed to the hood H is attached to the outer surface of the bottom of the package
cover 130, and the attraction of these magnets M and m keep the package cover 130
in a stationary position. The upper end of the bobbin holder 131 is equipped with
a tenser cap 140 and a tension ring 141, and these impart the proper amount of tension
to a yarn X drawn from the supply package P. A yarn guide path 142 which is connected
to the yarn guide path 132 on the inside of the bobbin holder 131 is formed inside
the tension cap 140.
[0059] The yarn guide mechanism portion 150 is comprised of a hollow pipe portion 151 which
extends from a guide A on the upper part of the supply package P, between the outer
rotating tube 110 and inner rotating tube 120, to the gap between the disk portions
of the rotating tubes, a hollow shaft portion 152 which crosses between the disk portions
111 and 123, and an arm portion 153 which extends outwards from the shaft portion
152. Further, the guide A and the pipe portion 151 can be formed as a single unit.
The shaft portion 152 enables both the outer and inner rotating tubes 110, 120 to
rotate independently in the same direction by means of bearings inside concave portions
116 and 124 formed in the disk portions 111 and 123 of vertically positioned the outer
and inner rotating tubes 110, 120, respectively. The hollow section inside the pipe
portion 151 and shaft portion 152 is connected with the yarn guide path 112 formed
in the disk portion 111 of the outer rotating tube 110. The magnet n which attracts
the magnet N affixed to the hood H is attached to the end of the arm portion 153,
and through the attraction of the magnets N and n, the yarn guide mechanism portion
150 is kept in a stationary position.
[0060] Further, since the magnetic field created by magnets Q and q move as inner and outer
rotating tubes 120, 110 rotate at high speeds, the magnetic flux crosses over the
pipe portion 151 and arm portion 153. Consequentially, in order to impede the creation
of an overcurrent, it is desirable that the pipe portion 151 and arm portion 153 be
formed from non-electroconductive materials.
[0061] As described above the four-for-one twister is organized such that the yarn guide
mechanism is supported in the shaft portion 152 by the outer rotating tube 110, the
inner rotating tube 120 is supported by the shaft portion 152 of the yarn guide mechanism,
the package cover 130 is supported by the shaft portion 121 of the outer rotating
tube 110, and supply the package P is supported by the bobbin holder 131 of the package
cover 130. Therefore, the four-for-one twister keeps the yarn guide mechanism portion
150 in a stable position in line with the package cover 130 and supply package P by
means of the magnetic force of the magnets M, m and N, n. In contrast, the outer rotating
tube 110 and inner rotating tube 120 rotate freely, and by means of the magnetic force
of the magnets Q and q, rotate at the same speed and in the same direction.
[0062] The twisting process that takes place takes place as follows.
[0063] The yarn X drawn from the supply package P is passed between the tension cap 140
and tension ring 141, and imparted appropriate tension. Then it passes through the
yarn guide path 142 of the tension cap 140 and the yarn guide path 132 of the bobbin
holder 131, and after being routed through the yarn guide path 122 of the shaft portion
121 in the inner rotating tube 120, is guided towards the guide A rising along the
inner surface of the inner rotating tube 120. From the guide A yarn X, which has been
passed inside the shaft portion 152 and the pipe portion 151 of the yarn guide mechanism
portion 150 is passed through the yarn guide path 112 of the outer rotating tube 110,
and after rising along the inner surface of the outer rotating tube 110 is guided
towards rising guide D and supplied to take-up winders or the like.
[0064] The yarn passing process of the yarn X that reaches the yarn guide path 112 of the
disk portion 111 at the outer rotating tube 110 from the pipe portion 151 and the
shaft portion 152 of the yarn guide mechanism portion 150 can happen easily by the
blowing of pressurized air through the inside of the air passage 115 of the spindle
portion 114 at the lower end of the bearing tool 160. The air passage 115 is connected
in the place where air moves from the curved area in the yarn guide hole 112 of the
disk portion 111 to the straight radial section so that the direction of the jetted
air flows from the center portion to the outside of the disk portion 111. Consequentially,
by blowing high pressured air from the air passage 115 to the yarn guide path 112,
a pressure gap is created between the upstream and downstream sides of the yarn guide
path 112. As a result, negative pressure builds up inside the shaft portion 152 and
pipe portion 151, and air flow to pass the yarn along the yarn path from the upper
end of the yarn guide mechanism portion 150 to the end point of the yarn guide path
112 of the disk portion 111 can be created.
[0065] Further, the supply of pressurized air to the air passage 115 of the spindle portion
114 is normally stopped after the yarn passage has been completed and before the twisting
process is begun, however, depending on the type of the yarn X and other conditions,
air of a suitable pressure may be supplied during the twisting process, and along
with reducing frictional heating created by the passage of the yarn X, the cooling
and control of the heating of the yarn is not obstructed.
[0066] When rotational drive is provided to the outer rotating tube 110 through the running
of the belt B, the inner rotating tube 120 rotates at the same speed in the same direction
by means of the attraction of the magnets Q and q. However, since the supply package
P and the yarn guide mechanism portion 150 are kept in a stationary position, each
rotation of the outer and inner rotating tubes 110, 120 yields four twists of the
yarn.
[0067] Since the inner and outer rotating tubes 120 and 110 rotate at the same speed in
the same direction, the air flowing between them flows in a uniform direction, and
thus wind resistance and noise can be reduced.
[0068] As described above, the present invention achieves the following results.
[0069] Since, as proposed in the parent application, the yarn drawn out of each yarn guide
hole is passed with air, the passage of yarn can be quick and easy instead of difficult,
and the operational efficiency can be greatly increased.
[0070] Furthermore, the passage of yarn between two connected yarn guide holes is quick
and easy.
[0071] Because of the simple structure with air flowing through the entire length of the
yarn guide holes, the four-for-one twister is compact and easy to take care of.
[0072] By flowing air to pass yarn along vertical, radial or diametrical directions through
the inside of the yarn guide holes where yarn passage is normally difficult, yarn
passage is simpler and faster, and the operational efficiency can be greatly increased.
[0073] According to the present invention, the yarn tension can be regulated and yarn entanglement
can be prevented, reducing yarn breakage, and further, the cause of friction heating
of the yarn can be controlled, and heat effects on the yarn can be minimized.
[0074] Since there are the inner guiding member and the outer guiding member, the yarn tension
and the frictional heating can be controlled, and since the rotating inner guiding
member and outer guiding member are formed with tubular bottoms, wind resistance and
wind noise can be reduced.
[0075] By preventing hairiness and yarn breakage by smoothly changing the direction of the
yarn at the inclined bottom of the outer guiding member, it is possible to obtain
high-quality twisted yarn. Also, by having the upper and lower permanent magnets in
close proximity, rotational force can be reliably imparted and cause high speed rotation,
thereby permitting twisting capability to be increased.
[0076] If the inner rotating tube and the outer rotating tube are rotated in the same direction,
the wind resistance is reduced, and high-speed rotation is enabled. Further, by reducing
wind resistance, stress on the bearings supporting the rotating guiding members is
reduced, thereby increasing lifetime of the machine. Furthermore, energy efficiency
is increased, and noise is reduced.
[0077] The rotation drive mechanism of the rotating guiding members can drive rotation of
either the inner or outer guiding members, said rotation driven guiding member imparting
rotational drive force to the other by use of magnets, thereby allowing the rotational
drive force transfer mechanism to be made simple. Further, either the inner or outer
guiding member can be provided with rotational drive, so a construction with only
one rotational drive belt being used is possible. Further, this allows for the machine
to become simpler, using a bearing to support the freely rotating guiding member,
for example.
[0078] The inner guiding member and the outer guiding member are both formed as tubes with
bottoms, so that rotating the guiding members enables wind resistance to be minimized.
[0079] In the case where a yarn guide mechanism supported in a stationary position between
the inner guiding member and the outer guiding member is provided, it is possible
to eliminate the flyer that employs the yarn guide that had been indispensable in
a four-for-one twister where the rotational direction of the inner and outer tubes
are different. Further, the yarn guide mechanism is not caused to rotate, so it is
easier to stabilize the balance of the four-for-one twister.