CH698639B1 - Sensor for monitoring a yarn on a textile machine. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sensor for monitoring a thread (1) on a textile machine, in particular a spinning machine such as a rotor spinning machine, with a base body (11), at least one transmitting element (7) and a corresponding receiving element and with an attachment element (10 ), which has at least one guide surface (12) for the thread (1). According to the invention, it is proposed that the attachment element (10) additionally has at least one receptacle (9) in which the transmitting element (7) and / or the receiving element are guided.

Description

The invention relates to a sensor for monitoring a yarn on a textile machine, in particular a spinning machine such as a rotor spinning machine, with a base body, at least one transmitting element and a corresponding receiving element and with a mounting element having at least one guide surface for the thread or a sensor with at least one interface via which it can be connected to the textile machine.

Textile machines such as (rotor) spinning machines usually have a variety of sensors that serve the monitoring of the textile machine supplied or produced by this fiber material. In spinning machines, the monitoring and scanning of the yarn produced usually takes place separately at each spinning station, for which purpose usually optical or capacitive yarn monitoring systems are used. These provide important information on the presence of the yarn and its strength and quality.

Since incurred during the spinning process considerable amounts of dust, dirt particles and lubricant, these are increasingly deposited on the sensor surfaces of the sensors, which can lead to falsifications of the results.

However, since the contamination state of the individual yarn monitoring the spinning stations is different and therefore no reliable predictions for a critical contamination state can be taken, a cleaning process of the sensor surfaces must be initiated at preventive intervals.

In order to simplify the cleaning of coming into contact with the thread sensor surfaces, these are formed in the sensor according to DE 8 716 008 U1 as a U-shaped insert, which can be removed for cleaning from the surrounding surrounding the body.

In order to ensure a continuous cleaning of the sensor surfaces, DE 4 140 952 A1 proposes that the yarn produced by the spinning machine is alternated along the sensor surfaces such that the yarn itself effects a cleaning thereof. The sensor has for the correct guidance of the thread on additional stop surfaces, which can be adjusted with respect to the sensor surfaces and always ensure a certain distance between the thread and sensor surfaces. This is intended to exploit the hairiness of the produced thread, which then strokes the sensor surfaces like a brush.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sensor which is particularly simple and yet has high reliability with high functionality.

This object is achieved in that the attachment element of the sensor, which has at least one guide surface for the thread, also has at least one receptacle in which the transmitting element and / or the receiving element of the sensor are guided. This results in several advantages. First, no complex adjustment of the transmitting or receiving elements with respect to the guide surface for the thread is more necessary, since the position of these elements is essentially determined by the position and geometry of the receptacle (s). The receptacle itself is already made in the production of the add-on element according to the later desired position of transmitting and / or receiving element, which can be done with the utmost accuracy. Since the attachment next to the receptacle also has at least one guide surface for the thread, the thread thus always runs in the desired position relative to the transmitting and receiving elements during operation of the spinning machine. In addition, only one component is necessary for the guidance of the thread and the recording of transmitting and receiving element, so that the production of the sensor can be much cheaper and faster at the same time.

It is particularly advantageous if the recording at least partially corresponds to the negative shape of at least a portion of the transmitting element or the receiving element. As a result, a particularly secure and yet simple guidance or attachment of the sensor elements is ensured. These are finally inserted into the receptacles and then, if necessary, fixed by gluing or by other means of attachment in the recording. The recording does not have to completely surround the transmitting or receiving elements. However, it should always be ensured that sufficient guidance and the associated correct alignment of the transmitting or receiving elements with respect to the guide surface can be ensured. Therefore, it is also conceivable corresponding clip or plug connections between recording and sensor elements.

Likewise, it may also be advantageous if the attachment element has two with respect to the guide surface opposite receptacles in which on the one hand the transmitting element and on the other hand, the receiving element are guided individually. As a result, not only a design-related alignment of the respective sensor elements with respect to the guide surface and thus the subsequent thread, but also a reliable alignment of the transmitting and receiving element against each other. In this way, the later position of these elements in the production of the sensor can be determined by the design of the images and thus the attachment element already, so that a subsequent alignment of transmitting and receiving element completely eliminated. These need only be brought into operative connection with the recordings, whereby a misalignment and the associated measurement errors can already be excluded by the design of the sensor.

It also brings advantages when the transmitting element has a light source, in particular in the form of a light-emitting diode, and the receiving element has a photosensitive detector, in particular in the form of a photocell. As a result, both elements form a light barrier, the signals of which both statements about the presence of a yarn and its uniformity allows, if it is guided between the two elements along the guide surface. Alternatively, the sensor can of course also be designed as a capacitive sensor, in which case appropriately capacitively operating transmitting and receiving elements are used.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the at least one guide surface of the attachment element runs parallel to the beam path of the light source between transmitting element and receiving element. This ensures that the thread is always guided in the beam path and thus causes a constant influence on the radiation emitted by the transmitting element. This influence, resulting in a weakening of the radiation, is finally detected by the receiving element and, after a corresponding evaluation, makes it possible to make a statement about the condition of the thread or the detection of a thread breakage.

It is also advantageous if the attachment consists at least partially of a translucent material, in particular glass, ceramic and / or plastic. The transmitting and receiving elements can be surrounded in this case by a corresponding arrangement of the receptacle (s) of the attachment so that they no longer come into direct contact with the thread. The attachment serves in this case not only the leadership of the transmitting and receiving elements, but also as a certain envelope and thus the protection of these components from dust, pollution, but also mechanical action, which could also lead to measurement errors.

In addition, it may be advantageous if the attachment is at least partially coated. Thus, this can increase the abrasion resistance of those surfaces that come into contact with the ever-moving thread. A "cutting" of the add-on element is effectively prevented in this way. However, a corresponding coating can also serve to reduce the surface roughness of the guide surfaces to prevent damage to the thread. Also, coatings are conceivable that reduce the sensitivity of the sensor to extraneous light influences, which finally the reliability of the sensor can be increased.

Advantageously, the attachment element and / or the base body are formed substantially C-shaped. If the transmitting and receiving elements are optically or capacitively operating components, they can be arranged in the legs of a C-shaped design of the add-on element. This gives a measuring gap through which the thread finally runs. At the same time, the attachment can be safely arranged between the legs of the body to some extent as an insert, if this is also designed C-shaped. Conceivable, however, are other embodiments of both components, wherein it is also possible to form the attachment element and the base body of comparable size.

It is also advantageous if the attachment is glued to the base body. This results in a particularly dense connection between the two components, so that penetration of even the finest dust into the interior of the sensor can be virtually ruled out.

It is also advantageous if the attachment element and the base body with the aid of a releasable connection, in particular a screw, clip and / or magnetic connection, are interconnected. In this way, the attachment can be separated at any time from the body and cleaned if necessary, or replaced by another attachment. As a result, a base body can be used on a wide variety of textile machines or for monitoring a wide variety of thread types on a machine. If measuring gaps of different nature are necessary for this purpose, it is simply possible to connect a suitably procured attachment to the basic body. Important factors in this context are the geometry of the measuring gap, the properties of the sensor surfaces or the material properties of the add-on element, which ultimately also serves to guide the thread.

Advantageously, a seal is arranged between the base body and attachment. In particular, when both components are detachably connected to each other and are often replaced separately, this ensures a reliable seal existing interior spaces against dust or fiber material.

Likewise, it brings advantages when the main body has a guide for the attachment. As a result, the attachment is stably fixed relative to the body. This is especially useful if the sensor is connected only via the main body with the textile machine. However, such a guide is only necessary in most cases if the connection between the base body and attachment element alone can not ensure sufficient fixation of the attachment element.

In this context, it is particularly advantageous if the add-on element is positively in contact with the guide in order to prevent any kind of game between the two components. The term "guide" in the context of the invention, all known to those skilled embodiments, such as combinations of tongue and groove, bolts and corresponding holes, or even a variety of rail assemblies.

Furthermore, a particularly functional and yet easy to manufacture sensor is proposed which has an interface through which it can be connected to the textile machine, wherein the sensor according to the invention comprises an actuating device, which in turn is in operative connection with the interface. Generic sensors are, as stated above, available on a variety of different textile machines. Most of these are arranged accessible to the operator, so that a cleaning or replacement of the same can be easily done. So far, however, the respective sensors are only used for monitoring the fed into the textile machine and the fiber material produced therefrom. However, in addition to monitoring, the sensor also permits active intervention in the control or operation of the textile machine, so that the functionality of the sensor is thereby considerably increased. The actuator may e.g. be used to stop or (re) start the textile machine or individual sections of the same as, for example, the spinning box of a rotor spinning machine. Also, operator prompts, e.g. after a yarn breakage or other disruption of the production process, be acknowledged. In principle, the actuating device can be used in all cases in which previously actuators are used, which are arranged at other locations of the textile machine.

In a particularly useful and yet simple embodiment, the actuator is a switch or button, which is selected depending on the application by the expert. So pushbuttons, but also toggle switches or touch-sensitive buttons are conceivable. It goes without saying that it is also possible to use actuators in the form of regulators (for example potentiometers) with which, for example, rotational speeds of various components of the textile machine can be influenced.

Also, it may be advantageous if the actuator is non-contact actuated. Here, actuators in the manner of a light barrier or capacitive measuring devices are conceivable, as well as facilities that can be actuated by means of radio or infrared signals.

In particular, in order to obtain a detachable connection between the sensor and the textile machine, it is advantageous if the interface is part of a plug-in connection, e.g. a plug is. The plug is finally connected in the course of installation of the sensor with a corresponding wiring of the textile machine, which may be in communication with a central control unit connected. Of course, the connection between sensor and textile machine can also be realized wirelessly, for example by means of a radio or IR connection. In such cases, the respective transmission components would be understood as an interface.

In addition, the sensor advantageously has at least one optical and / or acoustic display element. With the help of these elements, the operator of the textile machine can be quickly and reliably made aware of various conditions of the machine or necessary interventions. Thus, yarn breaks, irregularities in the thread quality, the achievement of a predetermined thread length or even the degree of contamination of the sensor can be displayed. Also, the operator can be alerted when a coil needs to be removed for the operation laboratory or other activities are required that require manual intervention. In this case, it is also possible to use a plurality of generic or non-generic display elements. For example, the arrangement of several LEDs would be conceivable. Depending on the number of luminous or flashing LEDs or their color, the operator is finally given different instructions or operating states of the textile machine.

It is also advantageous if the sensor has electronics for the evaluation of received signals of the receiving element. As a result, an exchange of these signals between sensor and control unit of the textile machine would be superfluous or at least only partially necessary. About the electronics could be controlled directly by the sensor in this way, various components of the textile machine. For example, a spinning station could be stopped when the electronics detected by the evaluation of the received signals a yarn breakage. If necessary, the corresponding signals can of course also be forwarded to the control unit of the textile machine, so that the signals of several sensors can be centrally evaluated or stored.

It has proved to be advantageous if the display element and / or the actuator are in communication with the electronics. This would lead to a further saving of corresponding cabling, since the electronics could communicate with said components directly and thus without detour via the control unit of the textile machine.

While the actuator or the display element can also communicate directly with the interface and thus the control of the textile machine, it is of course also possible and often advantageous if the electronics between actuator and interface and / or between the display element and Interface is arranged. The actuator is in this case via the electronics with the interface in operative connection. As a result, the electronics, which may also be programmable, directly influence the communication between the named components and the textile machine. In addition, a saving of the necessary wiring can be achieved in this way.

A particularly significant reduction of the cabling effort between textile machine and sensor can be achieved by the use of a bit-serial interface, in particular a single-wire interface. All signals that must be exchanged between the sensor and the textile machine, such as the signals of the receiving element, signals of the actuator or the display element, can thereby be transmitted using only one cable, so that the cabling effort can be drastically reduced.

In this context, it is of particular advantage if the interface with a field bus is connectable, as a result, a particularly cost-effective and low-wiring connection between the sensor and textile machine can be made.

In the following the invention will be explained with reference to figures. Show it: <Tb> FIG. 1 <sep> is a schematic representation of the thread pattern between spin box and spool on a rotor spinning machine, <Tb> FIG. 2 <sep> is a perspective view of a sensor according to the invention, <Tb> FIG. 3 <sep> is a top view of a sensor according to the invention, <Tb> FIG. 4 <sep> another plan view of a sensor according to the invention, <Tb> FIG. 5 <sep> is a perspective view of an attachment according to the invention, and <Tb> FIG. 6 <sep> another plan view of a sensor according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of the course of a spun yarn 1 between spin box 2 and coil 3 on a rotor spinning machine. The spun yarn 1 is withdrawn by a corresponding extraction device 4 from the spinning box 2, in which inter alia the spinning rotor is located. Subsequently, the thread 1 passes a sensor 5 according to the invention, which serves to monitor the presence or quality of the thread 1. Finally, the thread 1, guided by a traversing device 6, is wound onto the rotating spool 3.

In the example shown, the sensor 5 itself has an optoelectronic transmitting element 7 and a corresponding receiving element 8, for example in the form of a photocell. These are guided in corresponding receptacles 9 of an attachment element 10 according to the invention, the receptacles 9 being e.g. may be formed as bores into which the transmitting element 7 and the receiving element 8 are inserted.

The attachment 10 itself is arranged as a kind of insert within the main body 11 of the sensor 5 and has a central guide surface 12 and two perpendicular thereto adjacent lateral guide surfaces 12 for the thread 1. The said guide surfaces 12 finally form a measuring gap 13, in which the thread 1 is guided.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a sensor 5 according to the invention. As can be seen, both the base body 11 and the add-on element 10 are C-shaped in the example shown, so that the attachment element 10 can be integrated in the base body 11 in the form of an insert and at the same time forms a measuring gap 13 delimited by the three guide surfaces 12 ,

The thread 1 runs, due to the arrangement of the sensor 5 with respect to the textile machine, not shown, advantageously such that it is always pulled against the central guide surface 12. This ensures that the thread 1 is at any time in the range of the beam path between the transmitting element 7 and the receiving element 8.

Furthermore, Fig. 2 shows that the base body 11 may be formed in several parts, whereby the production and a possible maintenance of the sensor 5 is simplified. The main body 11 may e.g. consist of a bottom member 14 and a lid member 15 which are either glued together or connected to each other in a fixed or detachable manner.

The attachment element 10, which consists in the use of optical transmitting elements 7 made of a translucent material, such as glass, also has a bulge 16 which cooperates with a form-fittingly arranged in the base body 11 guide 17. As a result, a reliable fit of the attachment element 10 is ensured. In a corresponding embodiment of the guide 17 can be dispensed with in an advantageous manner entirely on further connecting elements between the base body 11 and mounting element 10. Of course, the guide 17 can also be formed by other elements, such as bolts and corresponding holes. Also, the attachment 10 may itself have depressions or grooves, which cooperate with corresponding counterparts of the base body 11.

The attachment member 10 further comprises two receptacles 9, which correspond for the most part to the negative shape of the transmitting element 7 and the receiving element 8, so that they are reliably guided in the receptacles 9. However, the receptacles 9 are advantageously only so deep that the guide surfaces 12 are not pierced. As a result, the transmitting element 7 and the receiving element 8 is always protected from dust or other mechanical influences.

Furthermore, the sensor 5 according to Fig. 2 comprises an actuator 18, e.g. in the form of a button, on. This can serve a wide variety of uses. Thus, 18 statements can be acknowledged by the operator of the textile machine with the help of this actuator, but also individual functions of the machine or components thereof can be stopped or started. Consequently, by using the actuating device 18, which may of course also comprise a plurality of buttons, corresponding actuating devices 18 at another point of the textile machine can be dispensed with.

The advantage of an arrangement of the actuating device 18 directly on a sensor 5 according to the invention is, in particular, that it is generally readily accessible to an operator from the outside. In addition, in most cases a cabling is necessarily present between the sensor 5 and the textile machine, in particular for the evaluation of the measured values, so that this cabling can also be used to relay the signals of the actuating device 18. This results in a reduction of the cabling effort, which can be quite considerable in modern textile machines, such as rotor spinning machines with up to 500 spinning units and an equal number of sensors 5.

For the connection between textile machine and sensor 5, this has an interface, in the example shown in the form of a socket 19, which is in communication with a corresponding cable 20, which in turn, for example, with a central control unit 21 (s. 1) of the textile machine is connected.

In order to alert the operator to possible quality defects of the produced thread 1 or a yarn break, but also to be performed activities such as a bobbin removal or a bobbin change, the sensor 5 in the example shown, three display elements in the form of LEDs 22. These can either light up or flash in different combinations or different colors, depending on what information is to be sent to the operator. Of course, an LED 22 light up when there is no error or no action must be performed. This LED 22 would then only point to a proper operation of the corresponding spinning station or other monitored component of the textile machine such as the sensor 5 itself.

The display elements and / or the actuating device (s) 18 can be connected either to the control unit 21 of the textile machine or else with an electronic unit, not shown. This can in turn be arranged within the sensor 5 and serves primarily the evaluation of the received data of the receiving element 8 or the communication with the actuator 18 and the display element.

3 shows a plan view of a sensor 5 according to the invention. It can be seen that the receptacles 9 of the transmitting element 7 and the receiving element 8 are arranged with respect to the central guide surface 12 such that the guide surface 12 extends along the connecting line of both elements. In a course of the thread 1, as shown in FIG. 2, this ensures that it always runs in the beam path of the transmitting element 7 detected by the receiving element 8 and thus continuous monitoring of the thread 1 can take place.

A comparison of Fig. 3 with Fig. 4 makes it clear that the versatility of the sensor 5 can be significantly increased by the inventive design of the attachment element 10. Namely, since the receptacles 9 for the transmitting element 7 and the corresponding receiving element 8 are integrated into the attachment element 10, which at the same time has the guide surfaces 12 for the thread 1, a base body 11 can be equipped with a wide variety of attachment elements 10 in the manufacture of the sensor 5. Likewise, a later replacement is possible with corresponding detachable connection of add-on element 10 and main body 11, if the textile machine to process another starting product or produce another end product. For example, the sensor 5 in FIG. 3 has a measurement gap 13 that is completely open to one side, while this measurement gap 13 has an additional guide element 23 in the case of the attachment element 10 according to FIG. 4. Due to the guidance of the transmitting element 7 or of the receiving element 8, any alignment of transmitting elements 7 or receiving elements 8 with respect to the guide surfaces 12 is omitted in the case of an exchange of the attachment or generally in the manufacture of the sensor 5, since their position is already predetermined by the geometry of the receptacles 9 is.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of an attachment element 10 according to the invention. This has a recess 24 on the side facing away from the measuring gap opening. Such a recess 24 may e.g. serve as a kind of cable duct for existing wiring. Depending on the geometry, this can also be done by a guide by a corresponding counterpart on the base body 11. However, care should be taken here that it is always possible to ensure adequate guidance of the transmitting element 7 and of the associated receiving element 8. Another advantage of such a recess 24 lies in the possibility of initially largely mounting the sensor 5 and only then, to some extent, of pushing the attachment element 10 over the transmitting element 7, which projects later into the attachment element 10, or the corresponding receiving element 8.

Finally, Fig. 6 illustrates that the attachment 10 need not necessarily be formed as an insert, as shown in Figs. 1-5. Thus, other embodiments are conceivable in which the attachment element 10 extends for example over the entire width of the main body 11 or even in turn encloses the main body 11 at least partially.

The present invention has been explained in more detail with reference to embodiments. Modifications of the invention are readily possible within the scope of the patent claims, in which case all the individual features listed in the patent claims, the description and the description of the figures can be implemented in combination with corresponding dependencies, as far as seems expedient and possible. Thus, the sensors according to the invention can be used not only on spinning machines but also on other textile machines, such as, for example, a line. If the term "thread" is used in the application, this also includes, of course, any other fiber composite that can be monitored with a corresponding sensor, depending on the application. Also, an application not only at the output of the textile machine, but also at the fiber input material is conceivable to check the quality of the incoming material here.

Claims (23)

1. Sensor for monitoring a thread (1) on a textile machine, in particular a spinning machine such as a rotor spinning machine, with a base body (11), at least one transmitting element (7) and a corresponding receiving element (8) and with an attachment element (10 ), which has at least one guide surface (12) for the thread (1), characterized in that the attachment element (10) also has at least one receptacle (9) in which the transmitting element (7) and / or the receiving element (8) are guided. 2. Sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle (9) at least partially corresponds to the negative shape of at least a portion of the transmitting element (7) or the receiving element (8). 3. Sensor according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the attachment element (10) has two with respect to the guide surface (12) opposite seats (9), in which on the one hand the transmitting element (7) and on the other hand the receiving element (8). individually guided. 4. Sensor according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the transmitting element (7) comprises a light source, in particular in the form of a light emitting diode, and the receiving element (8) has a photosensitive detector, in particular in the form of a photocell. 5. Sensor according to the preceding claim 4, characterized in that the at least one guide surface (12) of the attachment element (10) parallel to the beam path of the light source between transmitting element (7) and receiving element (8). 6. Sensor according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the attachment element (10) at least partially made of a translucent material, in particular glass, ceramic and / or plastic. 7. Sensor according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the attachment element (10) is at least partially coated. 8. Sensor according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the attachment element (10) and / or the base body (11) are formed substantially C-shaped. 9. Sensor according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the attachment element (10) is glued to the base body (11). 10. Sensor according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the attachment element (10) and the base body (11) by means of a releasable connection, in particular a screw, clip and / or magnetic connection, are interconnected. 11. Sensor according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, characterized in that between the base body (11) and mounting element (10) a seal is arranged. 12. Sensor according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the base body (11) has a guide (17) for the attachment element (10). 13. Sensor according to the preceding claim 12, characterized in that the attachment element (10) is positively connected to the guide (17) in contact. 14. Sensor according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 13 for monitoring a yarn (1) on a textile machine, in particular a spinning machine such as a rotor spinning machine, with a base body (11), at least one transmitting element (7) and a corresponding receiving element ( 8), wherein the sensor (5) has at least one interface via which it can be connected to the textile machine, characterized in that the sensor (5) has an actuating device (18) which is in operative connection with the interface. 15. Sensor according to the preceding claim 14, characterized in that the actuating device (18) is a switch or button. 16. Sensor according to claim 14, characterized in that the actuating device (18) is contactless actuated. 17. Sensor according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the interface is part of a plug connection. 18. Sensor according to one of the preceding claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the sensor (5) has an optical and / or acoustic display element. 19. Sensor according to one of the preceding claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the sensor (5) has an electronics for the evaluation of received signals of the receiving element (8). 20. Sensor according to the preceding claim 19, characterized in that the display element and / or the actuating device (18) are in communication with the electronics. 21. Sensor according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the electronics between actuator (18) and interface and / or between the display element and interface is arranged. 22. Sensor according to one of claims 14 to 21, characterized in that the interface is a bit-serial interface, in particular a single-wire interface. 23. Sensor according to one of claims 14 to 22, characterized in that the interface can be connected to a fieldbus.