BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid type yarn splicing device for splicing,
and a textile machine equipped with the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] A winder for forming a package by rolling up a yarn, or a spinning machine for forming
a package by forming a fiber bundle to a spun yarn and then winding up the same are
known. Such textile machines include a yarn splicing device for yarn splicing a yarn
end on the package side and a yarn end on a yarn feeding side at the time of yarn
breakage or yarn cutting by a yarn defect detection device.
[0003] A fluid type yarn splicing device for untwisting both yarn ends to be spliced and
connecting both untwisted yarn ends using fluid (e.g., compressed air) is known. The
yarn splicing device described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.
59-211632 includes an untwisting nozzle for untwisting both yarn ends, and a yarn splicing
nozzle for connecting both untwisted yarn ends. According to such yarn splicing device,
both yarn ends are first taken into the untwisting nozzle, and then untwisted by the
action of the fluid supplied to the untwisting nozzle to separate the fibers. The
untwisted portions of both yarn ends are then moved to the yarn splicing nozzle, and
then pivoted by the action of the fluid supplied to the yarn splicing nozzle to be
intertwined and connected.
[0004] The easiness to untwist and the easiness to connect the yarn ends differ if the properties
(type, count, yarn color, etc.) of the yarn differ. Thus, a flow rate of the fluid
for untwisting and connecting the yarn ends needs to be adjusted to an appropriate
flow rate according to the properties of the yarn. A yarn splicing device in which
a flow rate adjustment mechanism is arranged in the middle of a flow path of the fluid
so that the flow rate of the fluid can be adjusted according to the properties of
the yarn is being developed. The flow rate adjustment mechanism has a configuration
of projecting a screw into the flow path of the fluid, and the like. An opening area
of the flow path can be changed by increasing or decreasing the projection amount
of the screw, so that the flow rate of the fluid can be adjusted in a stepless manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] As described above, the setting of the flow rate adjustment mechanism needs to be
changed to an appropriate setting corresponding to the properties of the yarn every
time the yarn to be spliced is changed so that the flow rate of the fluid of the yarn
splicing device is an appropriate flow rate corresponding to the properties of the
yarn. The conventional flow rate adjustment mechanism can change the setting in a
stepless manner, but carries out the setting with the rotation amount of the screw,
the projection height of the screw, and the like. Thus, the setting contains error
every time the setting of the flow rate adjustment mechanism is changed. Furthermore,
how much the flow path of the fluid is actually opened cannot be directly checked
since the setting is carried out from outside the flow path of the fluid. Therefore,
it is difficult to reproduce the setting of the flow rate adjustment mechanism to
the optimum setting corresponding to the properties of the yarn in the conventional
yarn splicing device, and hence, it is difficult to set the flow rate of the fluid
to the appropriate flow rate corresponding to the properties of the yarn.
[0006] It is also difficult to immediately switch the setting of the flow rate adjustment
mechanism since the conventional yarn splicing device requires time to adjust the
rotation amount and the projection height of the screw.
[0007] In order to overcome the problems described above, preferred embodiments of the present
invention provides a yarn splicing device and a textile machine equipped with the
same capable of immediately switching the flow rate of the fluid to an appropriate
flow rate corresponding to the properties of the yarn to be spliced and selecting
the same.
[0008] The problems to be solved by the present invention have been described above, and
now, the means for solving such problems will be described below.
[0009] A first aspect of the present invention provides a fluid type yarn splicing device
for performing yarn splicing, the yarn splicing device including: a yarn splicing
unit for performing yarn splicing; a flow path for supplying fluid to the yarn splicing
unit; and a narrowing member, arranged at one part of the flow path; wherein the narrowing
member is configured such that an opening area of the flow path that differs in a
step-wise manner is selectable; and the opening area of the flow path is selected
in a step-wise manner by switching selection of the opening area of the flow path.
[0010] In a second aspect of the yarn splicing device according to the first aspect, the
narrowing member includes a plurality of narrowing holes having different diameters;
and the opening area of the flow path is selected in a step-wise manner by positioning
one of the narrowing holes in the flow path.
[0011] In a third aspect of the yarn splicing device according to the second aspect, the
narrowing member is a turret member; and the opening area of the flow path is selected
in a step-wise manner by rotating the turret member and positioning one of the narrowing
holes in the flow path.
[0012] A fourth aspect of the yarn splicing device according to the third aspect further
includes positioning means for positioning the turret member with the flow path and
the narrowing hole communicated.
[0013] In a fifth aspect of the yarn splicing device according to the first aspect, the
narrowing member is a member for narrowing the opening area of the flow path by being
projected into the flow path; the narrowing member is configured such that a projection
amount that differs in a step-wise manner is selectable; and the opening area of the
flow path is selected in a step-wise manner by switching the projection amount.
[0014] In a sixth aspect of the yarn splicing device according to any one of first to fifth
aspect, wherein a flow rate adjustment mechanism includes a drive source for switching
the selection of opening area of the narrowing member, the drive source operating
according to properties of a yarn to be spliced to select the opening area of the
flow path corresponding to the properties of the yarn to be spliced.
[0015] A seventh aspect is a textile machine wherein a plurality of yarn wind-up units including
the yarn splicing device according to any one of first to sixth aspect are arranged
in a line.
[0016] The effects of the present invention include the following.
[0017] According to the first invention, the opening area of the flow path can be selected
in a step-wise manner by switching the selection of the opening area, and hence a
reproducibility of the adjustment of the flow rate adjustment mechanism is high, and
the flow rate of the fluid of the yarn splicing device can be immediately switched
to an appropriate flow rate corresponding to the properties of the yarn to be spliced.
[0018] According to the second invention, the flow path can be narrowed in the up and down,
and left and right symmetric manner since the opening area of the flow path is selected
in a step-wise manner by positioning one of a plurality of narrowing holes in the
flow path. Specifically, the flow rate of the fluid can be immediately switched while
suppressing disturbance of the fluid.
[0019] According to the third invention, the flow rate of the fluid can be immediately switched
without using a special tool since the opening area of the flow path is selected in
a step-wise manner by rotating a turret member.
[0020] According to the fourth invention, the flow rate of the fluid can be accurately switched
since the turret member is positioned with the flow path and the narrowing hole communicated.
[0021] According to the fifth invention, the flow rate of the fluid can be immediately switched
without using a special tool since the opening area of the flow path is selected in
a step-wise manner by switching the projection amount of the narrowing member.
[0022] According to the sixth invention, the flow rate of the fluid of the yarn splicing
device can be automatically switched since the opening area of the flow path corresponding
to the properties of the yarn to be spliced is selected by operating the drive source
according to the properties of the yarn to be spliced.
[0023] According to the seventh invention, the flow rate of the fluid of the yarn splicing
device can be immediately switched to an appropriate flow rate corresponding to the
properties of the yarn to be spliced, and hence, a textile machine for performing
satisfactory yarn splicing at the time of yarn breakage, yarn cutting and the like,
can be obtained.
[0024] Other features, elements, processes, steps, characteristics and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description
of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a winder 51 serving as a textile machine in which
a yarn splicing device 11 according to a first embodiment of the present invention
is applied;
[0026] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the yarn splicing device 11;
[0027] Fig. 3 is a simplified diagram of a structure of the yarn splicing device 11;
[0028] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a state before the assembly of a flow rate adjustment
mechanism 14;
[0029] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a state in which the flow rate adjustment mechanism
14 is attached to the frame 12 and covered with a cover 16;
[0030] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a state before the assembly of the flow rate adjustment
mechanism 14 according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a state in which the flow rate adjustment mechanism
14 is assembled;
[0032] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a state before the assembly of the flow rate adjustment
mechanism 14 according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and
[0033] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a state in which the flow rate adjustment mechanism
14 is assembled.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a winder 51 serving as a textile machine in
which a yarn splicing device 11 according to a first embodiment of the present invention
is applied. The winder 51 has a plurality of yarn wind-up units 52 arranged in a line
along one direction, where the yarn wind-up unit 52 of the winder 51 rolls up a yarn
Y of a yarn supplying bobbin B to form a package P. A case in which the yarn splicing
device 11 according to the present invention is applied to the winder 51 will be described
below, but the yarn splicing device 11 according to the present invention may be applied
to a spinning machine for forming the package P by forming a fiber bundle to a spun
yarn and then winding up the same.
[0035] As shown Fig. 1, a main frame 53 is arranged along a lining direction of the yarn
wind-up units 52. A unit frame 54 for supporting a device configuring the yarn wind-up
unit 52, and a rail 56 for enabling a doffing device 55 to travel along a row of yarn
wind-up units 52 are supported at the main frame 53. The winder 51 can form the package
P of the same number as the number of yarn wind-up units 52 in parallel. The yarn
wind-up unit 52 transmits a processing request of the doffing task to the doffing
device 55 when the package P, which is winding up, becomes full. The doffing device
55 moves to the position of the yarn wind-up unit 52 that became full, and performs
the doffing task of the package P. A package receiver 57 for receiving the package
P that became full is arranged in each yarn wind-up unit 52. Each yarn wind-up unit
52 includes a bobbin stocker 59 for storing a supplementary bobbin 58. When the package
P becomes full in the yarn wind-up unit 52, and the full package P is doffed by the
doffing device 55, a new bobbin 58 is supplied from the bobbin stocker 59. In Fig.
1, each configuring elements are illustrated in a simplified manner for the sake of
convenience of the illustration, and the illustration of parallel slanted lines is
omitted for the cross-section of each configuring element.
[0036] As shown in Fig. 1, the yarn wind-up unit 52 has a yarn supplying bobbin B, a tension
device 61, the yarn splicing device 11, a yarn defect detection device 62, a traverse
drum 63, and a cradle 64 arranged in order from the bottom to the top. The yarn wind-up
unit 52 winds up the yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin B to form the package P of
a cone shape, and the like on the bobbin 58. The tension device 61 applies an appropriate
tension to the yarn Y unwound at the yarn supplying bobbin B, and the yarn defect
detection device 62 cuts a traveling yarn Y when detecting defect of the yarn Y. The
yarn splicing device 11 is a device for yarn splicing a yarn end YP on the package
P side and a yarn end YB on the yarn supplying bobbin B side at the time of yarn breakage
or yarn cutting by the yarn defect detection device 62. The traverse drum 63 is formed
with a guide groove for traversing (traverse) the yarn Y at an outer circumferential
surface. The traverse drum 63 rotates while contacting the bobbin 58 or the package
P held by the cradle 64, and winds up the yarn Y by rotating the bobbin 58 or the
package P while traversing the yarn Y.
[0037] The yarn wind-up unit 52 includes a suction mouse 65 and a suction pipe 45 (not illustrated)
for guiding the yarn ends YP, YB to the yarn splicing device 11 at the time of yarn
splicing. The suction mouth 65 has a flat opening formed at a distal end and a basal
end supported in a freely turning manner about an axis parallel to an axis of the
traverse drum 63, and is connected to an intake pump (not illustrated). At the time
of replacing the yarn supplying bobbin B or at the time of yarn breakage or yarn cutting
by the yarn defect detection device 62, the suction mouse 65 is pivoted to the upper
side so that the opening is brought close to the surface of the package P, captures
the yarn end YP on the package P side with an air flow for taking in the yarn end
YP, and is pivoted to the lower side while taking in the yarn end YP, thereby pulling
out the yarn end YP on the package P side from the package P and handing over the
yarn end YP to the yarn splicing device 11.
[0038] The suction pipe 45 (not illustrated) captures the yarn end YB on the yarn supplying
bobbin B side and hands over the yarn end YB to the yarn splicing device 11 at the
time of yarn splicing. The yarn splicing device 11 splices the yarn end YP on the
package P side captured by the suction mouse 65 and the yarn end YB on the yarn supplying
bobbin B side captured by the suction pipe 45 to be in a state capable of resuming
the wind-up of the yarn Y. When pulling out the yarn end YP on the package P side
with the suction mouse 65, the package P is reverse rotated by rotating the traverse
drum 63 in a direction opposite to when winding up of the yarn Y to pull out the yarn
end YP.
[0039] The yarn splicing device 11 according to the first embodiment of the present invention
will be described below. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the yarn splicing device
11, and Fig. 3 is a simplified diagram of a structure of the yarn splicing device
11. The yarn splicing device 11 untwists the yarn end YP on the package P side and
the yarn end YB on the yarn supplying bobbin B side to be spliced, and connects the
untwisted yarn ends YP, YB using compressed air (air).
[0040] As shown in Fig. 2, the yarn splicing device 11 includes a frame 12, a yarn splicing
unit 13, and a flow rate adjustment mechanism 14. The frame 12 is to be attached to
the unit frame 54 of the winder 51, and is attached with the yarn splicing unit 13
and the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14. The frame 12 includes an untwisting air
flow path 41 for passing the untwisting air, a yarn splicing air flow path 42 for
passing the yarn splicing air, and a cleaning air flow path 43 for passing the cleaning
air for removing yarn waste, and the like (see Fig. 3). Such flow paths include an
air inlet 44 for connecting air supply means (not illustrated). The frame 12 includes
an attachment portion 15 for attaching the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14. An untwisting
air joint 411, a yarn splicing air joint 421, and a cleaning air joint 431 for connecting
the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 to each flow path or for installing the same
without interposing the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 are arranged in the attachment
portion 15. The flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 to be connected to each flow path
configures one part of the flow path for passing each air. In the present embodiment,
the yarn splicing air joints 421 and the cleaning air joints 431 are respectively
connected with a pipe 45 having the same diameter as the yarn splicing air flow path
42 and the cleaning air flow path 43 to connect the flow rate adjustment mechanism
14 to only the untwisting air flow path 41 (see Fig. 3).
[0041] When the yarn end YP on the package P side and the yarn end YB on the yarn supplying
bobbin B side are guided by the suction mouse 65 and the suction pipe 45 (not illustrated)
of the yarn wind-up unit 52, the yarn splicing unit 13 untwists and connects both
yarn ends YP, YB. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a first untwisting nozzle 71 takes in
the yarn end YB on the yarn supplying bobbin B side to perform untwisting, and includes
a first untwisting pipe 71b having a first intake port 71a exposed and a first untwisting
air outlet 71c for ejecting the untwisting air in the first untwisting pipe 71b. The
first untwisting air outlet 71c is connected to the untwisting air flow path 41 and
is arranged in the vicinity of the first intake port 71a of the first untwisting pipe
71b, and is tilted towards the center side in an axial direction of the first untwisting
pipe 71b. When the untwisting air is ejected from the first untwisting air outlet
71c, a helical flow is generated in the first untwisting pipe 71b, so that the yarn
end YB on the yarn supplying bobbin B side is taken into the first untwisting pipe
71b from the first inlet port 71a, and the fibers of the yarn end YB are untwisted
and separated.
[0042] A second untwisting nozzle 72 takes in the yarn end YP on the wind-up package P side
to perform untwisting, and includes a second untwisting pipe 72b having a second intake
port 72a exposed and a second untwisting air outlet 72c for ejecting the untwisting
air in the second untwisting pipe 72b. The second untwisting air outlet 72c is connected
to the untwisting air flow path 41 and is arranged in the vicinity of the second intake
port 72a of the second untwisting pipe 72b, and is tilted towards the center side
in the axial direction of the second untwisting pipe 72b. When the untwisting air
is ejected from the second untwisting air outlet 72c, a helical flow is generated
in the second untwisting pipe 72b, so that the yarn end YP on the wind-up package
P side is taken into the second untwisting pipe 72b from the second inlet port 72a,
and the fibers of the yarn end YP are untwisted and separated.
[0043] A yarn splicing nozzle 73 intertwines and connects the untwisted portion of the yarn
end YP on the package P side and the untwisted portion of the yarn end YB on the yarn
supplying bobbin B side, which are untwisted and separated, and is arranged between
the first untwisting nozzle 71 and the second untwisting nozzle 72. The yarn splicing
nozzle 73 is formed with an accommodating portion 73a for accommodating the yarn end
YP on the package P side and the yarn end YB on the yarn supplying bobbin B side,
and a guide inclined portion 73b for guiding the yarn end YP on the package P side
and the yarn end YB on the yarn supplying bobbin B side to the accommodating portion
73a, where a yarn splicing air outlet 73c for ejecting the yarn splicing air is formed
in a tangent direction of the side wall of the accommodating portion 73a. The yarn
splicing air outlet 73c is connected to the yarn splicing air flow path 42. A rotational
flow is generated in the accommodating portion 73a by the yarn splicing air ejected
from the yarn splicing air outlet 73c, so that the untwisted portion of the yarn end
YP on the package P side and the untwisted portion of the yarn end YB on the yarn
supplying bobbin B side, which are untwisted and separated, are intertwined and connected.
[0044] A first yarn approaching lever 74a and a second yarn approaching lever 74b approach
the yarn end YP on the package P side and the yarn end YB on the yarn supplying bobbin
B side guided from the front of the yarn splicing nozzle 73 to the yarn splicing nozzle
73 before untwisting. The first yarn approaching lever 74a and the second yarn approaching
lever 74b adjust the positions of the yarn ends YP, YB so that the untwisted portions
of both yarn ends YP, YB are positioned in the accommodating portion 73a of the yarn
splicing nozzle 73 to prepare for the connection of both yarn ends YP, YB after untwisting.
The first yarn approaching lever 74a and the second yarn approaching lever 74b are
configured to pivot in the direction of the yarn splicing nozzle 73 from a standby
position at the side of the yarn splicing nozzle 73 by a drive device (not illustrated).
The first yarn approaching lever 74a and the second yarn approaching lever 74b respectively
approach the yarn end YP on the package P side and the yarn end YB on the yarn supplying
bobbin B side guided from the front of the yarn splicing nozzle 73 to the yarn splicing
nozzle 73. The first yarn approaching lever 74a and the second yarn approaching lever
74b are further pivoted to appropriate positions after the untwisting of the yarn
ends YP, YB to pull out the untwisted portions of both yarn ends YP, YB from the first
untwisting nozzle 71 and the second untwisting nozzle 72. The first yarn approaching
lever 74a and the second yarn approaching lever 74b adjust the positions of both yarn
ends YP, YB so that the untwisted portions of both yarn ends YP, YB are positioned
in the accommodating portion 73a of the yarn splicing nozzle 73.
[0045] A first yarn end cutter 75a cuts to an appropriate length the yarn end YB on the
yarn supplying bobbin B side approached to the yarn splicing nozzle by the first yarn
approaching lever 74a before the untwisting of the yarn end YB on the yarn supplying
bobbin B side. A second yarn end cutter 75b cuts to an appropriate length the yarn
end YP on the wind-up package P side approached to the yarn splicing nozzle by the
second yarn approaching lever 74b before the untwisting of the yarn end YP on the
wind-up package P side. A first clamp plate 76a clamps and fixes the yarn end YP on
the wind-up package P side. A second clamp plate 76b clamps and fixes the yarn end
YB on the yarn supplying bobbin B side.
[0046] A yarn holding lever 77 adjusts the positions of the yarn ends YP, YB so that the
untwisted portions of the yarn ends YP, YB are positioned in the accommodating portion
73a of the yarn splicing nozzle 73 by the first yarn approaching lever 74a and the
second yarn approaching lever 74b. Thereafter, the yarn holding lever 77 fixes the
positions of the untwisted portions of the yarn ends YP, YB. The yarn holding lever
77 includes a first fork 77a and a second fork 77b. The yarn holding lever 77 is configured
so as to be pivoted in the direction of the yarn splicing nozzle 73 from the standby
position at the side of the yarn splicing nozzle 73 by the drive device (not illustrated).
After the positions of the yarn ends YP, YB are adjusted by the first yarn approaching
lever 74a and the second yarn approaching lever 74b, the yarn holding lever 77 pivots
in the direction of the yarn splicing nozzle 73, fixes the yarn ends YP, YB on the
wind-up package P side between the first fork 77a and the yarn splicing nozzle 73,
and fixes the yarn end YB on the yarn supplying bobbin B side between the second fork
77b and the yarn splicing nozzle 73. The yarn splicing air is ejected by the yarn
splicing nozzle 73 after the positions of the yarn ends YP, YB are fixed, and the
untwisted portions of the yarn ends YP, YB are intertwined and connected.
[0047] The flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 will now be described. Fig. 4 is a perspective
view of a state before the assembly of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14, and
Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a state in which the flow rate adjustment mechanism
14 is attached to the frame 12 and covered with the cover 16. The flow rate adjustment
mechanism 14 applied to the yarn splicing device 11 according to the present embodiment
selects, in a step-wise manner, the flow rate of the untwisting air supplied from
the air supply means (not illustrated) to the first untwisting nozzle 71 and the second
untwisting nozzle 72 of the yarn splicing unit 13.
[0048] As shown in Fig. 4, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 includes a main body 21,
a pushing member 22, and a turret member 31 serving as a narrowing member. The main
body 21 and the pushing member 22 include an air flow path 23, connected to the untwisting
air flow path 41, for passing the untwisting air, and the turret member 31 includes
a plurality of narrowing holes 33 having different opening areas. The turret member
31 is supported by the main body 21 and the pushing member 22 so as to be sandwiched,
where the opening area of the air flow path 23 is selected in a step-wise manner by
rotating the turret member 31 and positioning one of the narrowing holes 33 of the
turret member 31 in the middle of the air flow path 23, so that the flow rate of the
untwisting air can be switched. The structure of the flow rate adjustment mechanism
14 will be described in detail below.
[0049] First, the turret member 31 has a disc-shape, and includes a supporting shaft 34,
which becomes a rotation shaft of the turret member 31, on both surfaces at the middle.
The narrowing holes 33 are formed in plurals on the virtual circumference of the turret
member 31 having the supporting shaft 34 as the center. Each narrowing hole 33 narrows
the opening area of the air flow path 23 by being positioned in the middle of the
air flow path 23, thereby narrowing the flow rate of the untwisting air. Each narrowing
hole 33 has a different opening area from each other so that the opening area that
differs in a step-wise manner can be selected. The opening area of each narrowing
hole 33 is set so that the flow rate of the untwisting air becomes the flow rate suited
for untwisting each yarn Y according to the properties of the various types of yarn
Y to be spliced. The opening area of the air flow path 23 can be selected in a step-wise
manner by positioning one of the narrowing holes 33 in the middle of the air flow
path 23. That is, the flow rate of the untwisting air can be selected in a step-wise
manner by the number of narrowing holes 33.
[0050] The main body 21 includes a supporting hole 24 for supporting the supporting shaft
34 of the turret member 31 in a freely turning manner, where the air flow path 23
is arranged at a position communicating to the narrowing hole 33 in a state the turret
member 31 is supported at the supporting hole 24. A seal member 25 for ensuring air
tightness between the air flow path 23 and the narrowing hole 33 of the turret member
31 is arranged on a surface facing the turret member 31. A seal groove 26 for attaching
the seal member 25 is formed at the periphery of the opening of the air flow path
23. A projection 211 for ensuring spacing with the pushing member 22 and enabling
the turret member 31 to be freely turnable is also arranged on the surface facing
the turret member 31. The projection 211 is formed with a fixing hole 212. A stay
213 for attaching the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 to the frame 12 with fixing
means 223 is arranged at the upper part of the main body 21. An air flow path joint
231 (not illustrated) for connecting to the untwisting air joint 411 of the frame
12 is arranged at the opening of the air flow path 23 at the surface opposite to the
surface facing the turret member 31.
[0051] The pushing member 22 includes a supporting hole 24 (not illustrated) for supporting
the supporting shaft 34 of the turret member 31 in a freely turnable manner, similar
to the main body 21. The pushing member 22 includes the air flow path 23 at a position
communicating to the narrowing hole 33 in a state the turret member 31 is supported
at the supporting hole 24. The seal member 25 for ensuring air tightness between the
air flow path 23 and the narrowing hole 33 of the turret member 31 is arranged on
a surface facing the turret member 31. The seal groove 26 (not illustrated) for attaching
the seal member 25 is formed at the periphery of the opening of the air flow path
23. A through-hole 221 is formed at a position communicating with the fixing hole
212 formed in the projection 211 of the main body 21 so as to be fixed with the main
body 21 with the fixing means 222. The air flow path joint 231 for connecting to the
untwisting air joint 411 of the frame 12 is arranged at the opening of the air flow
path 23 at the surface opposite to the surface facing the turret member 31.
[0052] In the assembly of the main body 21, the pushing member 22, and the turret member
31, the seal member 25 is attached to the respective seal groove 26 of the main body
21 and the pushing member 22, and the supporting shaft 34 of the turret member 31
is supported by the supporting holes 24 of the main body 21 and the pushing member
22. The turret member 31 is sandwiched by the main body 21 and the pushing member
22, and then the main body 21 and the pushing member 22 are fixed with the fixing
means 222. The turret member 31 freely turns with respect to the main body 21 and
the pushing member 22, where the narrowing hole 33 that communicates to the air flow
path 23 of the main body 21 and the pushing member 22 is switched in order when the
turret member 31 is turned. Positioning means for performing a display indicating
that the air flow path 23 and the narrowing hole 33 are communicated or performing
positioning of the turret member 31 with the air flow path 23 and the narrowing hole
33 communicated may be arranged in the main body 21. The positioning means may be
realized by arranging a projection that freely appears at one part of the main body
21 and arranging a recess that engages the projection in a state the air flow path
23 and the narrowing hole 33 are communicated for every plurality of narrowing holes
33 in the turret member 31. The flow rate of the air can be accurately switched by
the positioning means. The air flow path 23 can be narrowed in an up and down, left
and right symmetric manner by communicating with the centers of the air flow path
23 and the narrowing hole 33 coincided, so that the flow rate of the untwisting air
can be switched while suppressing disturbance of the untwisting air.
[0053] As shown in Fig. 2, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 configured as above is
attached in the attachment portion 15 of the frame 12 using the stay 213 and the fixing
means 223 with the air flow path joint 231 of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14
connected to the untwisting air joint 411 of the frame 12. As shown in Fig. 5, the
cover 16 for covering the attachment portion 15 of the frame 12 is then attached.
The cover 16 is formed with a slit 161 so as to expose one part of the turret member
31 of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14, where the turret member 31 is rotated
with the cover 16 attached to switch the flow rate of the untwisting air.
[0054] The yarn splicing device 11 according to the first embodiment described above has
the following effects.
[0055] The opening area of the air flow path 23 can be selected in a step-wise manner by
rotating the turret member 31 of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 and positioning
one of the narrowing holes 33 in the middle of the air flow path 23. Since the flow
rate of the untwisting air can be selected in a step-wise manner by selecting the
opening area in a step-wise manner, a reproducibility of the adjustment of the flow
rate adjustment mechanism 14 is high, and the flow rate of the untwisting air can
be immediately switched to the appropriate flow rate corresponding to the properties
of the yarn Y to be spliced.
[0056] The flow rate of the untwisting air can be immediately switched without using a special
tool since the opening area of the air flow path 23 is selected in a step-wise manner
by rotating the turret member 31.
[0057] The yarn splicing device 11 according to a second embodiment of the present invention
will now be described according to the drawings. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a
state before the assembly of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 to be applied to
the yarn splicing device 11 according to the second embodiment of the present invention,
and Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a state in which the flow rate adjustment mechanism
14 is assembled. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14
of the yarn splicing device 11 according to the present embodiment greatly differs
from the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 according to the first embodiment in that
the narrowing member 32 is not rotated as with the turret member 31 but is advanced
and retreated linearly.
[0058] As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 includes the main
body 21, the pushing member 22, and the narrowing member 32. The main body 21 and
the pushing member 22 include the air flow path 23, connected to the untwisting air
flow path 41, for passing the untwisting air, and the narrowing member 32 includes
a plurality of narrowing holes 33 having different opening areas. The narrowing member
32 is supported by the main body 21 and the pushing member 22 so as to be sandwiched,
where the narrowing member 32 is linearly advanced and retreated to position one of
the narrowing holes 33 of the narrowing member 32 in the middle of the air flow path
23. The opening area of the air flow path 32 is thereby selected in a step-wise manner,
and the flow rate of the untwisting air can be switched. The structure of the flow
rate adjustment mechanism 14 will be described in detail below.
[0059] First, the narrowing member 32 has a flat plate-shape, and is formed with the plurality
of narrowing holes 33 on a virtual line. Similar to the turret member 31 of the first
embodiment, each narrowing hole 33 narrows the opening area of the air flow path 23
by being positioned in the middle of the air flow path 23, thereby narrowing the flow
rate of the untwisting air. Each narrowing hole 33 has a different opening area from
each other so that the opening area that differs in a step-wise manner can be selected.
The opening area of each narrowing hole 33 is set so that the flow rate of the untwisting
air becomes the flow rate suited for untwisting each yarn Y according to the properties
of the various types of yarn Y to be spliced. The opening area of the air flow path
23 can be selected in a step-wise manner by positioning one of the narrowing holes
33 in the middle of the air flow path 23. That is, the flow rate of the untwisting
air can be selected in a step-wise manner by the number of narrowing holes 33.
[0060] The projection 211 for ensuring spacing with the pushing member 22 and for guiding
the narrowing member 32 in a freely advancing and retreating manner is arranged at
the top and bottom on the surface facing the narrowing member 32 of the main body
21, and the air flow path 23 is arranged at a positioning communicating to the narrowing
hole 33 of the narrowing member 32 in a state the narrowing member 32 is supported
by the upper and lower projections 211. The seal member 25 for ensuring air tightness
between the air flow path 23 and the narrowing hole 33 of the narrowing member 32
is arranged on a surface facing the narrowing member 32. The seal groove 26 for attaching
the seal member 25 is formed at the periphery of the opening of the air flow path
23. The air flow path joint 231 (not illustrated) for connecting to the untwisting
air joint 411 of the frame 12 is arranged at the opening of the air flow path 23 at
the surface opposite to the surface facing the narrowing member 32. The projection
211 is formed with a fixing hole 212, and the stay 213 for attaching the flow rate
adjustment mechanism 14 to the frame 12 with the fixing means 223 is arranged at the
upper part of the main body 21.
[0061] The pushing member 22 includes the air flow path 23 at a position communicating to
the narrowing hole 33 of the narrowing member 32. The seal member 25 for ensuring
air tightness between the air flow path 23 and the narrowing hole 33 of the narrowing
member 32 is arranged on a surface facing the narrowing member 32. The seal groove
26 (not illustrated) for attaching the seal member 25 is formed at the periphery of
the opening of the air flow path 23. The through-hole 221 is formed at a position
communicating with the fixing hole 212 formed in the projection 211 of the main body
21 so as to be fixed with the main body 21 with the fixing means 222. The air flow
path joint 231 for connecting to the untwisting air joint 411 of the frame 12 is arranged
at the opening of the air flow path 23 at the surface opposite to the surface facing
the narrowing member 32.
[0062] In the assembly of the main body 21, the pushing member 22, and the narrowing member
32, the seal member 25 is attached to the respective seal groove 26 of the main body
21 and the pushing member 22, and the narrowing member 32 is supported between the
upper and lower projections 211 of the main body 21. The narrowing member 32 is sandwiched
by the main body 21 and the pushing member 22, and then the main body 21 and the holding
member 22 are fixed by the fixing means 222. The narrowing member 32 freely advances
and retreats with respect to the main body 21 and the pushing member 22, where the
narrowing hole 33 that communicates to the air flow path 23 of the main body 21 and
the pushing member 22 is switched in order when the narrowing member 32 is advanced
and retreated. The positioning means for performing a display indicating that the
air flow path 23 and the narrowing hole 33 are communicated or performing positioning
of the narrowing member 32 with the air flow path 23 and the narrowing hole 33 communicated,
and the like may be arranged. The flow rate of the air can be accurately switched
by the positioning means. The air flow path 23 can be narrowed in an up and down,
left and right symmetric manner by communicating with the centers of the air flow
path 23 and the narrowing hole 33 coincided, so that the flow rate of the untwisting
air can be switched while suppressing the disturbance of the untwisting air.
[0063] The flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 configured as above is attached in the attachment
portion 15 of the frame 12 using the stay 213 and the fixing means 223 with the air
flow path joint 231 of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 connected to the untwisting
air joint 411 of the frame 12 (see Fig. 2).
[0064] The yarn splicing device 11 according to the second embodiment described above has
the following effects.
[0065] The opening area of the air flow path 23 can be selected in a step-wise manner by
linearly advancing and retreating the narrowing member 32 of the flow rate adjustment
mechanism 14 and positioning one of the narrowing holes 33 in the middle of the air
flow path 23. Since the flow rate of the untwisting air can be selected in a step-wise
manner by selecting the opening area in a step-wise manner, the reproducibility of
the adjustment of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 is high, and the flow rate
of the untwisting air can be immediately switched to the appropriate flow rate corresponding
to the properties of the yarn Y to be spliced.
[0066] The flow rate of the untwisting air can be immediately switched without using a special
tool since the opening area of the air flow path 23 is selected in a step-wise manner
by linearly advancing and retreating the narrowing member 32.
[0067] The yarn splicing device 11 according to a third embodiment of the present invention
will be described according to the drawings. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a state
before the assembly of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 to be applied to the
yarn splicing device 11 according to the third embodiment of the present invention,
and Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a state in which the flow rate adjustment mechanism
14 is assembled. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the yarn splicing device 11 according
to the present embodiment greatly differs from the flow rate adjustment mechanism
14 according to the first and second embodiments in that the narrowing member 32 projects
into the air flow path 23, and the flow rate of the untwisting air can be switched
by switching the projection amount of the narrowing member 32.
[0068] 1 As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 includes the main
body 21 and the narrowing member 32. The main body 21 includes the air flow path 23,
connected to the untwisting air flow path 41, for passing the untwisting air. The
narrowing member 32 narrows the opening area of the air flow path 23 by being projected
into the air flow path 23. The narrowing member 32 is configured such that the projection
amount that differs in a step-wise manner can be selected. The opening area of the
air flow path 23 is selected in a step-wise manner by switching the projection amount,
so that the flow rate of the untwisting air can be switched. The structure of the
flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 will be described in detail below.
[0069] First, the main body 21 includes the air flow path 23 for passing the untwisting
air, and an insertion hole 214 having a circular cross-sectional shape in a direction
intersecting the air flow path 23. The insertion hole 214 is a hole for advancing
and retreating an inserting portion 35 of the narrowing member 32 to the air flow
path 23. A positioning projection 215 for determining the position in the advancing/retreating
direction of the narrowing member 32 is arranged at the side of the insertion hole
214. The air flow path joint 231 for connecting to the untwisting air joint 411 of
the frame 12 is arranged at the opening on both ends of the air flow path 23. The
stay 213 for attaching the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 to the frame 12 with
the fixing means 223 is arranged at the upper part of the main body 21.
[0070] The narrowing member 32 includes the inserting portion 35 and an operating portion
36. The inserting portion 35 is a member having a circular cross-sectional shape that
can be inserted to the insertion hole 214 of the main body 21, and narrows the opening
area of the air flow path 23 by being projected into the air flow path 23 of the main
body 21. A seal groove (not illustrated) is formed, and a seal member 37 for ensuring
air tightness of the insertion hole 214 and the inserting portion 35 is arranged near
a distal end of the inserting portion 35.
[0071] The operating portion 36 changes the projection amount of the inserting portion 35,
and positions the inserting portion 35. The operating portion 36 is a disc-shaped
member fixed at the end of the inserting portion 35, where a positioning recesses
361 are formed in plurals in the circumferential direction at the positions facing
the positioning projection 215 of the main body 21. The positioning recess 361 determines
the position in the advancing/retreating direction of the inserting portion 35, that
is, the projection amount to the air flow path 23 by fitting with the positioning
projection 215. The depth of each positioning recess 361 determines the projection
amount of the inserting portion 35, and determines the opening area of the air flow
path 23. Therefore, the depth of the positioning recess 361 is set so that the flow
rate of the untwisting air becomes the flow rate suited for untwisting each yarn Y
according to the properties of the various types of yarn Y to be spliced. The projection
amount of the projecting portion to the air flow path 23 can be selected in a step-wise
manner and the opening area of the air flow path 23 can be selected in a step-wise
manner by fitting one of the positioning recesses 361 of the operating portion 36
to the positioning projection 215 of the main body 21. That is, the flow rate of the
untwisting air can be selected in a step-wise manner by the number of positioning
recesses 361.
[0072] In the assembly of the main body 21 and the narrowing member 32, the inserting portion
35 is inserted to the insertion hole 214 of the main body 21 with the seal member
37 attached to the seal groove of the inserting portion 35. The narrowing member 32
freely advances/retreats with respect to the main body 21, where the projection amount
of the inserting portion 35 is determined when the positioning recess 361 is fitted
to the positioning projection 215. When switching the flow rate of the untwisting
air, the flow rate of the untwisting air can be switched by slightly pulling out the
narrowing member 32 to once release the fitting of the positioning projection 215
and the positioning recess 361, again pushing in the narrowing member 32 with the
operating portion 36 turned, and fitting the positioning projection 215 to a different
positioning recess 361.
[0073] Biasing means for biasing the narrowing member 32 towards the main body 21 side may
be arranged to maintain a fitted state of the positioning recess 361 and the positioning
projection 215. The operating portion 36 and the inserting portion 35 may be freely
turnable, and the inserting portion 35 may be prevented from turning upon turning
the operating portion 36 when switching the flow rate of the untwisting air. In this
case, the inserting portion 35 merely needs to be able to advance and retreat with
respect to the insertion hole, and thus the cross-sectional shape of the inserting
portion 35 and the insertion hole may not be circular.
[0074] The flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 configured as above is attached in the attachment
portion 15 of the frame 12 using the stay 213 and the fixing means 223 with the air
flow path joint 231 of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 connected to the untwisting
air joint 411 of the frame 12 (see Fig. 2).
[0075] The yarn splicing device 11 according to the third embodiment described above has
the following effects.
[0076] The flow rate of the fluid can be immediately switched without using a special tool
since the opening area of the air flow path 23 is selected in a step-wise manner by
advancing and retreating the narrowing member 32 of the flow rate adjustment mechanism
14 and switching the projection amount of the narrowing member 32.
[0077] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present
invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications
may be made. For instance, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 is used to adjust
the flow rate of the untwisting air in the yarn splicing device 11 according to the
present embodiment, but may be used to adjust the flow rate of the yarn splicing air
and the cleaning air. In such a case, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 is set
so that the flow rate of the yarn splicing air and the cleaning air becomes the flow
rate suited for untwisting and cleaning each yarn Y according to the properties of
various types of yarn Y to be spliced.
[0078] Furthermore, only the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 for adjusting the flow rate
of the untwisting air is arranged, but the flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 for adjusting
the flow rate of the yarn splicing air and the cleaning air may be arranged in parallel.
The flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 for adjusting the flow rate of the untwisting
air to be supplied to the first untwisting nozzle 71 and the flow rate adjustment
mechanism 14 for adjusting the flow rate of the untwisting air to be supplied to the
second untwisting nozzle 72 may be separately arranged.
[0079] The flow rate adjustment mechanism 14 may include a drive source for switching the
selection of the narrowing member 32, where the selection and positioning may be made
to the flow rate of the fluid corresponding to the properties of the yarn Y to be
spliced by operating the drive source according to the properties of the yarn Y to
be spliced. In this case, the flow rate of the fluid of the yarn splicing device 11
can be automatically switched out since the drive source is operated according to
the properties of the yarn Y to be spliced and the flow rate of the fluid corresponding
to the properties of the yarn Y to be spliced is selected.
[0080] A yarn Y property determination means for determining the properties of the yarn
Y to be spliced may be arranged, and the flow rate of the fluid of the yarn splicing
device 11 can be automatically switched out by operating the drive source of the flow
rate adjustment mechanism 14 according to the determination result of the yarn Y property
determination means. For instance, a sensor for distinguishing the type, count, yarn
color, and the yarn may be arranged near the untwisting nozzle, and the properties
of the yarn Y may be determined according to the detection value of the sensor. In
this case, the flow rate of the fluid of the yarn splicing device 11 can be automatically
made to an appropriate state even if the properties of the yarn Y are changed, so
that a satisfactory seam can be formed.
[0081] The technical scope of the invention described above is not limited to the examples
described above, and is not limited to the mode of the examples described above. The
technical scope of the invention widely includes the entire scope of the technical
idea truly intended by the invention, which should be apparent from the matters described
in the specification and the drawings.
[0082] While the present invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments
thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed invention
may be modified in numerous ways and may assume many embodiments other than those
specifically set out and described above. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended
to cover all modifications of the present invention that fall within the true spirit
and scope of the present invention.