Movement apparatus for the drafting cylinders of a spinning machine

Abstract

 A spinning machine is provided with a transmission device for the movement of the drafting cylinders fitted with a planet gear reducer (50a) for the movement of the second and third cylinders (20,30) and the transmission of the movement between the shafts (70,84,94) downstream of the reducer (50a) is performed by mean of belts.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a spinning machine for obtaining reels of yarn from reels of roving. In particular the present invention relates to a transmission device for moving the drafting cylinders of the spinning machine.

[0002] As is known, a spinning machine is able to process reels of roving to make reels of yarn, after drafting and twisting the roving.

[0003] To such purpose, the spinning machine is composed of a portal, which the reels of roving are hung from, extending along a longitudinal axis.

[0004] A drafting device generally formed of three pairs of cylinders having longitudinal extension, which the roving passes between to be drafted is positioned downstream of the reels of roving.

[0005] The spindles, which the drawn and twisted yarn is wound onto, are positioned downstream of the drafting device on a base in a row along the longitudinal axis, rotating around their own vertical axis.

[0006] Usually, the spinning machine has two opposite banks, each provided with a row of spindles. To increase the productivity of the spinning line and limit the surface area occupied by machinery, it is opportune to provide spinning machines with a large number of spindles. Currently, some spinning machines have as many as up to 2000 spindles, with a longitudinal length of 70-80 metres.

[0007] As a result, the cylinders of the drafting device acquire significant lengths, so as to be able to supply the yarn to the row of spindles.

[0008] The cylinders of the drafting device are moved by electric motors and a transmission device deals with transmitting the movement from the electric motors to the cylinders.

[0009] Some embodiments of such spinning machines are illustrated for example in the Italian patent application for invention BS2011A000019 in the name of the Applicant.

[0010] The need is particularly felt to avail of transmission devices which permit a rapid variation of the speed of rotation of the cylinders, for the purpose, for example, of performing processing which envisages the rapid variation of speed of the cylinders, such as for example slubbing.

[0011] The purpose of the present invention is to make a spinning machine provided with a transmission device which enables a rapid variation of the speed of rotation of the cylinders.

[0012] Such purpose is achieved by a spinning machine according to claim 1 below.

[0013] The characteristics and advantages of the spinning machine according to the present invention will be evident from the description below, made by way of a nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

[0014] - figures 1a, 1b and 1c show diagrams of spinning machines provided with a system for moving the drafting cylinders according to the present invention, according to one embodiment;

[0015] - figure 2 shows a diagram of a transmission device for the movement of the second and third drafting cylinder;

[0016] - figure 3 shows an overall view of the transmission device;

[0017] - figure 4 shows a view of a portion of the transmission device, from a first observation point;

[0018] - figure 5 shows a view of a portion of the transmission device in figure 4, from a further observation point;

[0019] - figure 6 shows a schematic cross-section of two reducers of the transmission device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] - figures 7a, 7b, 8a and 8b show diagrams of transmission devices for the movement of the second and third drafting cylinder according to the present invention, according to further embodiment variations.

[0021] A spinning machine according to the present invention extends mainly along a longitudinal axis X and comprises a support portal from which to hang reels of roving destined for processing.

[0022] Furthermore, the spinning machine comprises a drafting device 100 of the roving, consisting of a set of paired cylinders, positioned longitudinally and suitable for rotating around their own axis. The roving, passing between the successive pairs of cylinders, undergoes drafting, caused by the different speeds of rotation of the cylinders of the two pairs.

[0023] Preferably, in one pair of cylinders, the lower or drafting cylinder is motorised, while the upper or pressure cylinder is idle and is dragged in rotation by the pressurised contact with the drafting cylinder underneath.

[0024] In particular, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each side of the spinning machine comprises:

[0025] -a first pair of cylinders, comprising a first drafting cylinder 1 and the relative first pressure cylinder, immediately upstream of the spindles; the first drafting cylinder being rotatable upon command around a first rotation axis Z1;

[0026] -a first pair of cylinders, comprising a first drafting cylinder 2 and the relative first pressure cylinder, immediately upstream of the spindles; the first drafting cylinder being rotatable upon command around a first rotation axis Z1;

[0027] -a first pair of cylinders, comprising a first drafting cylinder 3 and the relative first pressure cylinder, immediately upstream of the spindles; the first drafting cylinder being rotatable upon command around a first rotation axis Z1;

[0028] Bearing in mind the two sides which the spinning machine consists of, this will be fitted with two first cylinders 1, two second cylinders 2 and two third cylinders 3.

[0029] The spinning machine further comprises a movement apparatus suitable for placing the drafting cylinders in rotation around their respective rotation axes upon command.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the spinning machine 100 comprises a movement apparatus at the head, a movement apparatus at the tail and an intermediate movement apparatus, for example in the case of a large number of spindles, generally over 1200 (figure 1a).

[0031] According to a further embodiment, the spinning machine 100 comprises a movement apparatus at the head, and a movement apparatus at the tail, for example for the case of a small number of spindles, generally 1200 or less (figure 1b).

[0032] According to yet a further embodiment, the spinning machine 100 comprises a movement apparatus at the tail only, for example for the case of a very small number of spindles, generally 600 or less (figure 1c).

[0033] The movement system comprises a motor of the first cylinders 10, that is, an electric motor, for the movement of the first drafting cylinders 1. In particular the motor of the first cylinders 10 is kinematically connected to both the first drafting cylinders on the two sides of the spinning machine.

[0034] Preferably, the motor of the first cylinders 10 is positioned at one longitudinal end of the first drafting cylinders, that is placed longitudinally alongside the drafting cylinders, that is beyond the axial extension of said drafting cylinders.

[0035] Preferably, in addition, the motor of the first cylinders 10 comprises a PTO having a PTO axis E1, positioned transversally in an intermediate position between the rotation axes Z1 of the first drafting cylinders, for example parallel to these.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the movement apparatus envisages only one motor of the first cylinders 10 for the movement of the first cylinders 1 and said first cylinders extend continuously without interruption along their respective rotation axes Z1, between the two longitudinal ends of the spinning machine (figure 1b).

[0037] According to a further embodiment, the movement apparatus envisages a further motor of the first cylinders 10' positioned at the longitudinal end opposite that in which the prior motor of the first cylinders 10 is positioned (figure 1a).

[0038] The movement apparatus further comprises a first motor of the second and third cylinders 20 to move the second and third drafting cylinders 2, 3. In particular the motor of the second and third cylinders 20 is kinematically connected to both the second drafting cylinders 2 of the two sides of the spinning machine and to both the third drafting cylinders 3 of the two sides of the spinning machine.

[0039] Preferably, the first motor of the second and third cylinders 20 is positioned at one longitudinal end of the second and third drafting cylinders, that is placed longitudinally alongside the drafting cylinders, that is beyond the axial extension of said drafting cylinders.

[0040] Preferably, in addition, the first motor of the second and third cylinders 20 comprises a PTO having a PTO axis E2, positioned transversally in an intermediate position between the rotation axes Z2, Z3 of the second and third drafting cylinders, for example parallel to these.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the movement apparatus envisages a single motor of the second and third cylinders 20 positioned longitudinally alongside the drafting cylinders, positioned that is beyond the longitudinal end of these.

[0042] In addition, the movement apparatus comprises a further motor of the second and third cylinders 30 to move the second and third drafting cylinders, positioned in an intermediate position longitudinally in relation to the longitudinal ends of the drafting cylinders (figure 1a) or at the end of these (figure 1b).

[0043] Preferably, the movement apparatus comprises a transmission device for the transmission of the rotatory movement from the motor of the second and third cylinders 20, 30 to the second and third drafting cylinders 2, 3.

[0044] In addition, the movement apparatus comprises a support structure 40 for the support of the motor of the second and third cylinders 20, 30 and of the relative transmission device.

[0045] Preferably, the support structure 40 comprises a first plate 42 and a second plate 44, said plates being facing and longitudinally distanced, so as to create an interspace 46 between them.

[0046] Preferably, the first plate 42 has an aperture 48.

[0047] The transmission device comprises a planet gear reducer 50a, moved by the motor of the second and third cylinders 20, 30 and a further reducer 50b, moved by the planet gear reducer 50a, and in turn connected to the second and third cylinders 2, 3.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the further reducer 50b, for example supported by the second plate 44, comprises a PTO input connected to the output of the planet gear reducer 50a, and two PTO outputs 52, 54 with parallel axes.

[0049] In addition, according to one embodiment, the motor of the second and third cylinders 20, 30 is fitted to the planet gear reducer through the first plate 42 through the aperture 48.

[0050] The transmission device further comprises, for each PTO output 52,54, that is to say for each side of the spinning machine, at least one diverter wheel 64 and one jockey wheel 62, a communal shaft 70 and a main belt 79. The main belt 79 engages the PTO output 52, 54 and the communal shaft 70, moving it in rotation, following a closed circuit defined by the contact with the diverter wheel 64 and the jockey wheel 62.

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment, the jockey wheel 62 is mounted on an oscillating adjustment plate 65, the angular position of which is adjustable so as to tighten the main belt 79.

[0052] Preferably, the communal shaft 70 is supported by the first plate 42 and by the second plate 44 and therefore crosses the interspace 46 between said plates, preferably also projecting from the first plate 42 on the side facing the drafting cylinders.

[0053] Furthermore, the transmission device comprises a diverter wheel 80 and preferably a jockey wheel 82 positioned in the interspace 46, a third cylinder shaft 84 and a third cylinder belt 86.

[0054] The third cylinder belt 86 is engaged with the communal shaft 70 and with the third cylinder shaft 84 in a region of the interspace and follows a closed circuit defined by the contact with the diverter wheel 80 and the jockey wheel 82.

[0055] Preferably, in addition, the diverter wheel 80 and the jockey wheel 82 are supported by a single plate 85, attached to one of the plates 42,44 of the frame in an oscillating manner, having an adjustable angular position to tighten the third cylinder belt 86 operating with two wheels contemporarily.

[0056] The third cylinder shaft 84 is supported in rotation by one or both the plates 42,44 and projects from one or the other, or from both, to connect by means of a mechanical joint to the third drafting cylinder 3.

[0057] Furthermore, the transmission device comprises a diverter wheel 90 and preferably a jockey wheel 92, supported by one of the plates 42, 44, a second cylinder shaft 94 and a second cylinder belt 96.

[0058] The second cylinder belt 96 is engaged with the communal shaft 70 and with the second cylinder shaft 94 and follows a closed circuit defined by the contact with the diverter wheel 90 and the jockey wheel 92.

[0059] The second cylinder shaft 94 is supported in rotation by one or both the plates 42, 44 and projects from one or the other, or from both, to connect by means of a mechanical joint to the second drafting cylinder 2.

[0060] Preferably, in addition, the diverter wheel 90 and the jockey wheel 92 are supported by a single plate 95, attached to one of the plates 42, 44 of the frame in an oscillating manner, having an adjustable angular position to tighten the second cylinder belt 96 operating with two wheels contemporaneously.

[0061] Each drafting cylinder 2,3 is moved by a dedicated belt; in other words, the second cylinder belt 96 engages the second cylinder 2 and does not engage the third cylinder 3 and the third cylinder belt 86 engages the third cylinder 3, but not the second cylinder 2.

[0062] Innovatively, the spinning machine according to the present invention makes it possible to perform processing entailing a rapid change of speed of rotation of the drafting cylinders, such as slubbing, without difficulty.

[0063] In particular the planet gear reducer has an extremely compact structure and, at the same time, greatly lowers the inertia seen by the electric motor, due to the components mounted downstream of the planet gear reducer itself.

[0064] Advantageously, in addition, the spinning machine makes it possible to perform very fast replacements of the belts, in that each drafting cylinder has its own dedicated belts.

[0065] According to a further advantageous aspect, the spinning machine makes it possible to perform very fast servicing operations since said wheels and pulleys, as said shafts, are each mounted on their own spider, attached to the support structure 40 so as to be extractable.

[0066] The group formed of the wheel and its spider or the shaft and its spider, can be extracted from the support structure and replaced with a similar new group, thereby making servicing operations particularly fast and efficient.

[0067] According to one embodiment variation (figure 7a), a movement apparatus comprises a single motor 20 for moving the second and third cylinders, an auxiliary device 200 connected to the motor 20 for the doubling of the movement, and two planet gear reducers 50a', 50a", moved by the auxiliary device 200, one for each side of the spinning machine, offset from the communal shaft 70.

[0068] For example, the auxiliary device 200 comprises a pulley 202 moved by the motor 20 and two auxiliary belts 204', 204", engaged by the pulley 202, for the movement of the respective planet gear reducer 50a', 50a".

[0069] According to a further embodiment variation (figure 7b) the two planet gear reducers 50a', 50a", moved by the auxiliary device 200, one for each side of the spinning machine, are in axis with the communal shaft 70.

[0070] According to yet a further embodiment (figure 8a), the spinning machine according to the invention is fitted with two second and third cylinder motors 120a, 120b, each dedicated to the drafting cylinders on one side of the spinning machine.

[0071] Preferably, according to such embodiment variation, the spinning machine has one planet gear reducer 50a for each second and third cylinder motor 120a, 120b.

[0072] Preferably, the two planet gear reducers 50a, 50a are offset from the respective communal shafts 70.

[0073] According to yet a further embodiment (figure 8b), the two planet gear reducers 50a, 50a are offset from the respective communal shafts 70.

[0074] It is clear that a person skilled in the art may make modifications to the spinning machine described above so as to satisfy contingent requirements while remaining within the sphere of protection of the following claims.

Claims

1. Spinning machine of a spinning line comprising on each side:

- a first drafting cylinder (1) rotating on command around a respective first rotation axis (Z1);

- a second drafting cylinder (2) rotating on command around a respective second rotation axis (Z2);

- a third drawing cylinder (3) rotating on command around a respective third rotation axis (Z3);

- a first motor of the first cylinders (10) kinematically connected to the first cylinders (1) to move them;

- a motor of the second and third cylinders (20,30) kinematically connected to the second drafting cylinders (2) and to the third drafting cylinders (3) to move these by means of a transmission device (20);
wherein the transmission device comprises at least one reducer (50a, 50b) connected to the motor of the second and third cylinders (20,30) and the transmission of the movement between the shafts (70,84,94) downstream of the reducer (50a, 50b) is performed by means of belts.

2. Spinning machine according to claim 1, wherein the reducer (50a) is a planet gear reducer.

3. Spinning machine according to claim 2, wherein the transmission device comprises a further reducer (50b) connected to the planet gear reducer to be moved.

4. Spinning machine according to claim 3, wherein the further reducer (50b) comprises a power take-off input, connected to the motor (20,30), and two power take-off outputs (52,54) for the doubling of the movement towards the two sides of the spinning machine.

5. Spinning machine according to any of the previous claims, wherein the transmission device comprises:

- a main belt (79) and a main shaft (70), in which the main belt engages a power take-off output (52, 54) of the reducer (50a, 50b) and the main shaft (70);

- a third cylinder belt (86) and a third cylinder shaft (84) connected to the third cylinder (3), wherein the third cylinder belt (86) engages the main shaft (70) and the third cylinder shaft (84).

6. Spinning machine according to claim 5, wherein the transmission device comprises:

a second cylinder belt (96) and a second cylinder shaft (94) connected to the second cylinder (2), wherein the second cylinder belt (96) engages the main shaft (70) and the second cylinder shaft (94).

7. Spinning machine according to any of the previous claims, comprising a support structure (40) for the support of the motor of the second and third cylinders (20, 30) and of the transmission device.

8. Spinning machine according to claim 7, wherein the support structure comprises a first plate (42) and a second plate (44), between which is an interspace (46).

9. Spinning machine according to claim 7 or 8, comprising diverter wheels (64, 80, 90) and jockey wheels (62, 82, 92) which engage the belts (79, 86, 96) to define their path.

10. Spinning machine according to claim 9, wherein the diverter wheel is inside the path of the belt and the jockey wheel is outside said path.

11. Spinning machine according to claim 10, wherein the diverter wheels (80, 90) and the jockey wheels (86,96) are supported by a single oscillating plate (85, 95), the angular position of which can be adjusted to tighten the belt.

12. Spinning machine according to any of the previous claims, wherein each of the second and third drafting cylinders (2, 3) is moved by a dedicated belt.

13. Spinning machine according to claim 12, wherein the transmission device comprises a third cylinder belt (86) which engages the third cylinder (3) and does not engage the second cylinder (2) and a second cylinder belt (96) which engages the second cylinder (3) but does not engage the third cylinder (3).

14. Spinning machine according to any of the previous claims, wherein said wheels and/or said shafts are each supported by a respective spider, said spider being supported in an extractable manner by the support structure.

15. Spinning machine according to any of the previous claims, in which a planet gear reducer is provided for each side of the spinning machine and said reducers are in axis with the respective communal shaft.

16. Spinning machine according to any of the claims from 1 to 14, in which a planet gear reducer is provided for each side of the spinning machine and said reducers are offset from the respective communal shaft.

Drawing