BE1020707A3 - DEVICE FOR STORING FRAME WIRE IN A WEAVING MACHINE. - Google Patents

Description

DEVICE FOR STORING FRAME WIRE IN A TRADE

Weaving

BASIS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a weft yarn storage device in a loom, which has a plurality of weft yarn feeds.

In a shuttleless loom in which weft threads of a predetermined length are successively inserted, the weft yarn extracted from a weft feed is stored at the periphery of a drum to reduce friction exerted on the weft yarn during extraction and the variations of such friction during the insertion of the weft yarn. In a polychrome loom that uses two or more weft yarns of the same or different types, multiple drums of the same number of weft yarns of that type shall be provided adjacent to the weft yarn inserting mechanism. loom. Thus, the mounting space of the loom is increased and the structure of the weft storage device is complicated, resulting in increased costs.

To solve such a problem, for example in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication 48-42164, there is disclosed a device which allows the storage of the weft yarn by using a single drum for a plurality of weft feeds. In the device, a plurality of weft yarns are arranged in parallel and are drawn at locations adjacent to the periphery of the troubadour. The weft yarn to be inserted is brought closer to the drum axis via a weft guide lever so as to contact a spindle projecting out of the drum. With the rotation of the drum, a predetermined length of the weft yarn is wound on the drum and stored therein.

The pin may be activated by a mechanical mechanism such as a cam so as to protrude from the drum and retract therein at a predetermined time. A plurality of weft guide levers are provided in association with the respective weft threads. Each weft guide lever is spring-biased to swing toward the drum axis, but such tilting movement of the weft guide lever is normally restricted by a solenoid which is provided for each lever. guiding the weft son. In response to a weft insertion signal output from a drawing card having weaving or weave data, the solenoid for the weft guide lever which is associated with a weft yarn insert is operated to release the weft thread guide lever. Then, the weft guide lever tilts under the effect of the spring so as to bring the weft yarn into a position in which the weft yarn contacts the spindle on the drum. With the rotation of the drum, the weft thread is wound on the drum and stored there.

In the device disclosed in publication 48-42164 referred to above, the weft yarns guided and drawn between the weft yarn feeds and the weft insertion mechanism are spaced from the drum so that to prevent interference of the weft threads with the drum. Thus, the weft yarns guided in the direction of the drum periphery by the respective weft guide levers are at different distances from the position in which the spindle protrudes. The spindle protrudes out of the drum at a predetermined time to store the weft yarn before insertion of the weft yarn and retracts into the drum also at a given time to release the weft yarn for the purpose of insertion of weft thread.

The moment corresponding to the retraction of the spindle in the drum to release the weft thread represents the determined moment for insertion of the weft thread and therefore can not be changed. The moment corresponding to the protrusion of the spindle on the outside of the drum can not be modified either, since the spindle is actuated by a mechanical mechanism such as a cam. In such a configuration, when the intention is to store weft yarns corresponding to a length for a pick, the length of the stored weft threads may vary, since the positions at which the weft threads are guided are different distances from the position at which the spindle protrudes or retracts. For example, when adjusting so that a weft yarn having a length for one pick is stored, the length of another weft yarn to be stored is greater than or less than the length for a pick. which can lead to a failure of the insertion of the weft thread.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a weft yarn storage device in a loom for storing weft yarns of a constant length on a single drum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a weft yarn storage device in a loom includes a plurality of weft yarn feeds from which the weft yarns are respectively pulled out, a single rotary drum equipped with a spindle which is movable into and out of the outer surface of the drum, and a plurality of moving weft yarn guiding levers for contacting the respective weft yarns with the spindle. The weft yarns extracted from the respective weft feeds are spaced circumferentially along the outer surface of the drum. The weft thread that comes into contact with the spindle is wound and stored on the drum with the rotation of the drum. The rotational speed of the drum for winding the weft yarn is changed according to the circumferential distance along the outer surface of the drum between the weft yarn being wound on the drum and a release position of the drum. weft yarn in which the spindle releases the weft yarn, so as to allow weft yarn storage having a constant length.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a weft yarn storage device in an air jet type loom; Figure 2 is a schematic view in which the operation of a cam and its associated follower roller of the weft yarn storage device is explained; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the cam of Figure 2; Fig. 4 is a view in which the positional difference with respect to a drum of the weft yarn storage device is explained between two weft yarns; and FIG. 5 is a timing diagram in which the relationship between weft yarn storage, weft yarn insertion and drum rotation speed is explained in the air jet type loom of the figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention is described. Referring to Figures 1 to 5. Referring to Figure 1, the weft yarn storage device of the embodiment is designed for use in a polychrome air jet type loom and encompasses two nozzles 1, 2 for insertion of the weft thread, and their two associated weft feeds 3, 4. The weft threads to be inserted via the nozzles 1, 2 are indicated by the references Y1, Y2 respectively. The nozzles 1, 2 implement insertion of the frame in response to a control signal from a controller 36 which stores a weft insertion template program made based on a weave pattern. or a weaving pattern. There is provided a weft yarn clamp 5 actuated by a mechanical mechanism such as a cam and two weft guides 6, 7 which are arranged on opposite sides of the weft yarn clamp 5, upstream of the nozzle In a similar manner, there is provided a weft yarn gripper 8 actuated by a mechanical mechanism such as a cam and two weft guides 9, 10 which are arranged on opposite sides of the yarn gripper. frame 8, upstream of the nozzle 2. The weft yarn clamps 5, 8 can be actuated to release the weft yarns Y1, Y2 at the beginning of the weft insertion and also to maintain the weft yarns Y1 , Y2 at the end of the insertion of weft thread. Tensioners 11, 12 each having a structure such as a weft guide is supported by a leaf spring are provided adjacent the weft feeds 3, 4, respectively. The weft yarns Y1, Y2 extracted from the weft feeds 3, 4 are conveyed to the nozzles 1, 2 while being guided and stretched by the tensioners 11, 12 and the weft guides 6, 7, 9, 10 .

Between the weft yarn feeds 3, 4 and the weft yarn clamps 5, 8, there is provided a single rotating drum 13, a rotating cam 14 with the drum 13 and weft yarn guide levers 15, 16 which can be enabled in conjunction with the weft feeds 3, 4, respectively. The drum 13 is in the form of a truncated cone and is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 via a power supply transmitted by a driving mechanism 39 of an electric motor 38 via a transmission 17 and a hollow rotary shaft 18. A rod 19 is housed in the rotary shaft 18 and the drum 13 so as to reciprocate along the X axis of the drum 13, as indicated by the double headed boom .

An L-shaped connecting rod 20 is pivotally mounted in the drum 13. One end of the L-shaped connecting rod 20 is connected to the end of the rod 18. The other end of the L-shaped connecting rod 20 is in the form of a pin 21 which is movable to enter the outer surface 13A of the drum 13 and to come out. The drum 13 has a hole 37 (see Fig. 4) through which the pin 21 projects out of the outer surface 13A of the drum 13 and retracts into the outer surface 13A of the drum 13. The pin 21 is away from the drum 13 when the rod 19 moves along the X axis in one direction and approaches the drum 13 when the pin 19 moves along the X axis in the opposite direction. The rod 19, the L-shaped rod 20 and the spindle 21 rotate in unison with the drum 13 while allowing the input and output movement of the spindle 21 with respect to the drum 13.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the cam 14 is provided with a cam plate 22 having a central hole 23 through which is inserted permanently the rotary shaft 18. The cam a plate 22 has at its periphery a cam surface which includes an upper portion 24 of constant radius and a lower portion 25 whose radius is smaller than that of the upper portion 24. A portion of the lower portion 25 which has the smaller radius forms a cam groove 27 defined by an arcuate wall 26 which is concentric with the cam surface of the plate cam 22. The plate cam 22 has an input portion 28 and an output portion 29 for the cam groove 27. The portion 28 is located on the front side of the lower portion 25 and the outlet portion 29 is located on the rear side of the lower portion 25 when looking in the direction of rotation of the plateau cam 22. The portion of input 28 and the output portion 29 are realized by a cut-out portion of the periphery of the plate cam 22.

The weft guide levers 15, 16 have an identical structure, but a different phase or different positions with respect to the drum 13. Identical reference numerals are used for the elements common to the weft guide levers 15 Therefore, in the description which follows, only the weft guide lever 15 will be described. The weft guide lever 15 includes a vertical arm 30 extending perpendicular to the X axis. of the drum 13 and towards the cam 14, and a horizontal arm 31 which extends parallel to the axis X at a position located radially outside the outer surface 13A of the drum 13. These two arms 30 , 31 are made in one piece and form a generally L-shaped configuration. The weft guide lever 15 is movable towards and away from the X-axis of the drum 13. The yarn guide lever frame 15 is compressed by a res fate 35 towards the X axis of the drum 13.

The vertical arm 30 has at its lower end a follower 32 which can contact the cam surface of the cam plate 22 of the cam 14. The horizontal arm 31 has a weft compression member 33 which is located opposite the outer surface 13A of the drum 13. When the weft guide lever 15 is disposed at its maximum distance from the axis X of the drum 13 during its stroke, the compression element of weft yarn 33 is disposed slightly apart from the weft yarn Y1 as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 1 (see the relationship between the weft guide lever 16 and the weft yarn Y2 in FIG. 1) . In this position of the weft guide lever 15, no weft yarn Y1 comes to wind on the drum 13.

A solenoid 34 acting as an actuator is provided adjacent the vertical arm 30 of the weft guide lever 15. The solenoid 34 protrudes or retracts in response to a control signal from the controller 36. the weft guide lever 15 is restricted so that the solenoid 34 protrudes into contact with the vertical arm 30, so that the weft guide lever 15 is held at its furthest position of the drum X axis 13. In response to a control signal from the controller 36, the solenoid 34 selectively holds and releases the weft guide lever 15. It should be indicated that the symbols of reference T, W and K in Figure 1 show a warp yarn, a woven fabric and a weft cutter, respectively.

Hereinafter, the positional difference with respect to the drum 13 will be described between the weft yarns Y1, Y2, with reference to FIG. 4. At a position located radially outside the drum 13, the yarn Weft Yl is guided and stretched by the tensioner 11 and the weft guide 7 and the weft yarn Y2 is spaced from the weft yarn Y1 to avoid interference with weft yarn Y1. In the present embodiment, the weft yarn Y2 is spaced from the weft yarn Y1 at an angular interval of about 180 ° and is guided by the tensioner 12 and the weft guide device 10 in a symmetrical relationship with each other. relative to the yarn Y1 about the X axis of the drum 13. The letter L represents the distance between the weft yarns Y1, Y2 as measured circumferentially along the outer surface 13A of the drum 13. When three or more weft feeds are provided, their associated weft yarns are normally substantially circumferentially spaced at an equal interval along the outer surface 13A of the drum 13. For example, in the case of four weft feeds, four weft yarns are circumferentially spaced at an angular interval of 90 °. In this way, there is a distance between any two adjacent weft yarns along the outer surface 13A of the drum 13, which varies as a function of the angular interval.

Pin 21 protrudes out of drum 13 to contact weft yarn Y1 or Y2 at a time defined by a mechanism for driving rod 19, such as a cam. Specifically, the pin 21 protrudes outside the drum 13 at a position which is located behind the weft yarn Y1, as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 4, when looking in the direction of rotation of the drum. 13 indicated by an arrow. The same goes for the Y2 weft yarn. Pin 21 retracts into drum 13 to release weft yarn Y1 or Y2 at the start of weft insertion and is determined according to the weft insertion pattern, as indicated by the line dotted in FIG. 4. Thus, a difference is obtained as to the length L between the lengths of the weft yarns Y1, Y2 wound on the outer surface 13A of the drum 13 with the rotation of the drum 13, from the moment when the yarns weft Y1, Y2 come into contact with the spindle 21 until the weft yarns Y1, Y2 are released from the spindle 21 at the position indicated by the dashed line.

In the present embodiment, when any of the weft yarns Y1 and Y2 are selected for insertion, the controller 36 adjusts the speed of the electric motor 38 to drive the motor 13 accordingly. Further, in the present embodiment, the position at which pin 21 releases weft yarn Y1 or Y2, i.e. the weft yarn release position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 4 , is set to act as a reference point for such engine speed adjustment. The reason is that the moment corresponding to the insertion of the weft thread into the weaving operation or the moment corresponding to the release of the weft thread with respect to the spindle 21 is irremovable, whereas the moment corresponding to the protrusion of the pin 21 for contacting the weft yarn Y1 or Y2 can be freely modified using an electric actuator to drive the pin 21 instead of the cam.

The controller 36 is set such that the rotational speed of the drum 13 for winding the weft yarn Y2 is different from the rotational speed of the drum 13 for the weft yarn winding Y1 which is furthest away relative to the weft yarn release position when looking in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the drum. In other words, the rotational speed of the drum for the winding of the weft yarn changes according to the circumferential distance along the outer surface 13A of the drum 13 between the weft yarn before its winding on the drum 13 and the release position of the weft yarn. The rotational speed of the drum for winding weft yarn Y1 is defined as the reference rotational speed of the drum and the rotational speed of the drum for winding weft yarn Y2 is determined based on the reference rotational speed of the drum. Specifically, the initial rotation speed of the drum 13 used from the moment the pin 21 comes into contact with the weft yarn Y2 until the pin 21 retracts into the drum 13 to release the weft yarn Y2 for insertion purposes is less than the speed used for the weft yarn Y1, i.e. at the reference rotational speed of the drum. The rotational speed of the drum 13 used from the moment the pin 21 retracts into the drum 13 to release the weft yarn Y2 until the weft yarn Y2 is fully wound on the drum 13 is greater than that used for the weft yarn Y1, that is to say at the reference rotational speed of the drums.

Thus, the length of weft yarn Y1 stored on the drum 13 is the length for one pick, and the length of the weft yarn Y2 stored on the drum 13 also corresponds to the length for a pick, since the drum 13 is initially rotated at a low speed before being rotated at a high speed for winding the weft yarn Y2 so as to compensate for the difference in length L. Thus, in the configuration in which the yarns Y1 and Y2 wefts differ in their phases or a difference in their positions relative to the drum 13, weft yarns Yl and Y2 both having a length for a pick can be wound and stored on the drum 13. In addition, the configuration in which the rotation speed of the drum 13 changes from the low speed to the high speed during the winding of the weft yarn Y2 proves to be advantageous in that the rotation drum 13 can be easily synchronized with the rotation of the loom.

Hereinafter, the operation of the weft storage device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. Y1 weft is inserted first and weft yarn Y2 is then inserted. In operation of the loom, prior to inserting weft yarn Y1, a predetermined length of weft yarn Y1 is previously stored on drum 13. For storing yarn Y1, shank 29 moves to the right in FIG. 1 so that the pin 21 protrudes with respect to the outer surface 13A of the drum 13 to come into contact with the weft yarn Y1 as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 4. Simultaneously, the solenoid 34 deviates from the vertical arm 30 in response to a control signal from the controller 36, whereby the vertical arm 34 or the weft guide lever 15 is released.

The weft guide lever 15 is displaced by the compressive force of the spring 35 towards the X axis of the drum 13. With such a movement of the weft guide lever 15, the yarn compression device weft thread 33 contacts the weft yarn Y1 and then moves the weft yarn Y1 towards the outer surface 13A of the drum 13 from the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. follower 32 is compressed against the cam surface of the input portion 28 as shown by reference numeral 32A in FIG. 2, the weft guide lever 15 moves along the cam surface of the feed portion. The inlet portion 28 has a greater length as measured in the circumferential direction of the plate cam 22, which allows a certain variation in the moment corresponding to the contacting of the follower 32 with the cam surface of the input portion 28, thereby increasing the timing flexibility corresponding to the operation of the solenoid 34 to release the weft guide lever 15. In addition, such an input portion 28 also serves to absorb the variation of the time when the solenoid 34 is actuated to release the weft guide lever 15.

At the moment the follower 32 enters the cam groove 28 as indicated by the reference numeral 32B in FIG. 2, the weft guide lever 15 moves the weft yarn Y1 to the position indicated by the solid line. wherein the weft yarn Y1 can come into contact with the spindle 21. The movement of the weft guide lever 15 is stably guided by the cam groove 27 as indicated by the reference numeral 32C in FIG. 2, without being affected by factors such as the vibration of the loom, which makes it possible to obtain reliable contact of the weft yarn Y1 with the spindle 21, so that the winding of the weft yarn Y1 on the drum 13 starts.

Then, the follower roller 32 moves in the cam groove 27 as indicated by the reference numeral 32 in Fig. 2 and reaches the exit portion 29. The weft guide lever 15 deviates from the X axis of the drum 13 together with the camming surface of the outlet portion 29, as indicated by the reference numeral 32E in FIG.

Once the follower roller 32 has reached the upper portion 24 of the cam surface of the platen cam 22 as indicated by the reference numeral 32F in Fig. 2, the weft guide lever 15 is held in its position. furthest from the X axis of the drum 13 by the top portion 24. In response to a control signal from the controller 36, the solenoid 34 is activated to contact the vertical arm 30 of the wire guide lever weft 15, so that the movement of the vertical arm 30 is restricted, the weft guide lever 15 being kept in its initial position which is furthest from the X axis for subsequent winding and storage weft thread.

The controller 36 sends a control signal to the weft gripper 5 and the nozzle 1 to initiate the insertion of the weft yarn when a predetermined length of the weft yarn Y1 which is less than the length for one pick has was stored on the drum 13 during the winding of weft yarn Yl. Pin 21 retracts into drum 13 as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 4 and simultaneously weft yarn clamp 5 releases weft yarn Y1, so that weft yarn 1 wound on drum 13 is extracted and inserted into a host of warp threads via the nozzle 1.

After the displacement of the spindle 21 in the drum 13, the weft yarn Y1 is extracted from the weft feed 3 and is wound on the drum 13 concurrently with the extraction of the weft yarn Y1 by relative to the drum 13 via the nozzle 1, because of the friction between the weft yarn Y1 remaining on the drum 13 and the outer surface 13A of the drum 13. The moment corresponding to the withdrawal of the spindle 21 in the drum 13 is determined so that the sum of the lengths of the weft yarn Y1 wound on the drum 13 before and after the removal of the spindle 21 in the drum 13 corresponds to the length for a pick of the weft yarn Y1. The weft yarn gripper 5 is actuated to maintain the weft yarn 1 upon the complete insertion of a weft yarn yl Y1 via the nozzle 1.

Next, the weft yarn Y2 is inserted as shown in FIG. 5. The winding and storing of the weft yarn Y2 on the drum 13 by the weft guide lever 16 is carried out beforehand. insertion of the weft yarn Y2 via the nozzle 2. When the solenoid 34 releases the weft guide lever 16, the weft yarn Y2 is guided towards the outer surface 13A of the drum 13 before coming into contact with pin 21. The compressive force of the spring 13 and the cam 14 cooperate to control the movement of the follower roller 32 of the weft guide lever 16 which stabilizes the movement of the weft yarn compression device 33 which guides the yarn Y2 weft, which makes it possible to obtain a reliable contact of the weft yarn Y2 with the spindle 21. The operation of the weft guide guide lever 16 before starting the winding of the weft yarn Y2 is similar to that of the weft guide lever 15 for the thread Yl frame. Accordingly, in the following description, the detailed description for the weft guiding lever 16 will be omitted and only differences will be described with respect to the weft guide lever 15.

Once the Y2 weft yarn has been selected for insertion, the controller 36 sends a control signal to the solenoid 34 for retraction thereof and also to the electric motor 38 of the drum 13 for low speed spinning. (as can be seen in Figure 5). The drum 13 which rotates at a speed lower than that in force in the case of the weft yarn Y1 begins the winding of the weft yarn Y2 which must come to store there. When the pin 21 retracts into the drum 13 to release the weft yarn 2, the controller 36 sends a signal to the nozzle 2 to start the insertion of the weft yarn and also to the electric motor 38 for the latter to rotate at a high speed. speed (as can be seen in Figure 5). As a result, the drum 13 rotates at a speed greater than that in force in the case of the weft yarn Y1 so as to obtain a compensation for the length L (as can be seen in FIG. 4) at the moment when the winding of Weft yarn 2 is completed (as can be seen in FIG. 5), so that the weft yarn Y2 having a length for a pick is wound up and is stored on the drum 13. In this way, the device of FIG. Weft storage of the present embodiment allows weft yarns of constant length to be stored when any of the weft yarns Y1, Y2 are selected so that the insertion is stabilized. weft thread.

It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and may be modified in various ways as illustrated below without departing from the scope of the invention.

(1) The rotation speed of the drum 13, during the winding of the weft thread 2, can be adjusted, not only so that the drum 13 turns first at a predetermined speed and then at a different speed ( as shown in Figure 5), but also such that the drum 13 rotates at a constant speed as long as compensation for the length is obtained (as can be seen in Figure 4). In this case, the rotation of the drum 13 can be adjusted synchronously with the rotation of the loom, for example such that the number of synchronizing pulses for the electric motor 38 is subject to changes only when the speed the rotation of the drum 13 is itself modified.

(2) The pin 21 which is mechanically actuated in the illustrated embodiment, may be replaced by any electrically activated actuator, such as a solenoid, or by a pneumatically or hydraulically actuated actuator, such as than a cylinder.

(3) Pin 21 is not limited to a mechanism in which pin 21 located normally within drum 13 moves to exit drum 13. Alternatively, pin 21 normally located outside the drum 13 can move to enter the drum 13.

(4) The cam 14 may be provided by a plateau cam which does not have a cam groove such as the groove 27 in the embodiment described above and may also be provided via a flat cam or a solid cam. , other than a flatbed cam.

(5) The spring 35 can be replaced by any other active drive mechanism. The weft guide levers 15, 16 may have any other suitable configuration and any other suitable structure, provided that the weft guide levers 15, 16 have a follower roller such as the roller 32 and a weft yarn compression device such as device 33.

(6) The electrically energized solenoid 34 for holding and releasing the weft guide levers 15, 16 may be replaced by any other mechanically activated mechanism which is capable of selectively permitting movement weft guiding levers 15, 16.

(7) The present invention can be applied not only to a loom in which two types of weft yarns such as yarns Y1, Y2 are inserted, as is the case in the embodiment described herein. above, but also to a loom in which three or more weft threads of the same type or of different types are inserted.

(8) The present invention can be applied not only to an air jet type loom but also to any other type of loom such as a jet type loom. water, a rapier weaving loom and a gripper loom into which we successively insert weft threads of predetermined length.

Claims (4)

A weft yarn storage device in a loom, comprising: a plurality of weft yarn feeds from which weft yarns are respectively pulled; a single rotating drum equipped with a spindle which is movable to enter and exit the outer surface of the drum; and a plurality of movable weft guide levers for contacting the respective weft yarns with the spindle; wherein the weft yarns extracted from the respective weft feeds are circumferentially spaced along the outer surface of the drum, and the weft yarn which has contacted the spindle is wound and stored on the drum with the rotation of the drum; characterized in that the rotational speed of the drum for winding the weft yarn is varied according to the circumferential distance along the outer surface of the drum between the weft yarn before winding it on the drum and a release position weft yarn in which the spindle releases the weft yarn, so as to allow storage of weft yarns having a constant length. The weft yarn storage device according to claim 1, wherein the rotational speed of the drum for winding a weft yarn which is furthest from the weft yarn release position is defined as being the reference rotation speed of the drum, and the rotational speed of the drum for winding another weft yarn is determined based on the reference rotational speed of the drum. The weft yarn storage device according to claim 2, wherein the rotational speed of the drum for winding another weft yarn is less than the reference rotational speed of the drum until the spindle releases the weft yarn, and the rotational speed of the spool for the winding of another weft yarn is greater than the reference rotational speed of the spool after the weft is released by the spindle. The weft storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a solenoid for selectively restricting the movement of the weft guide lever; and a cam for guiding the movement of the weft guide lever, which allows the weft thread to contact the spindle.