CN104294432B - False twister spindle and false twister - Google Patents

False twister spindle and false twister Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CN104294432B
CN104294432B CN201310306703.2A CN201310306703A CN104294432B CN 104294432 B CN104294432 B CN 104294432B CN 201310306703 A CN201310306703 A CN 201310306703A CN 104294432 B CN104294432 B CN 104294432B
Authority
CN
China
Prior art keywords
mandrel
bearing
false twister
motor
spindle axis
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
CN201310306703.2A
Other languages
Chinese (zh)
Other versions
CN104294432A (en
Inventor
段耀凯
杨东红
乌维·雍印鄂
君特·施密特
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Schaeffler Technologies AG and Co KG
Original Assignee
Schaeffler Technologies AG and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Schaeffler Technologies AG and Co KG filed Critical Schaeffler Technologies AG and Co KG
Priority to CN201310306703.2A priority Critical patent/CN104294432B/en
Priority to EP14826580.4A priority patent/EP3031963B1/en
Priority to JP2016526422A priority patent/JP6381640B2/en
Priority to PCT/CN2014/081354 priority patent/WO2015007157A1/en
Publication of CN104294432A publication Critical patent/CN104294432A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CN104294432B publication Critical patent/CN104294432B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D02YARNS; MECHANICAL FINISHING OF YARNS OR ROPES; WARPING OR BEAMING
    • D02GCRIMPING OR CURLING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, OR YARNS; YARNS OR THREADS
    • D02G1/00Producing crimped or curled fibres, filaments, yarns, or threads, giving them latent characteristics
    • D02G1/02Producing crimped or curled fibres, filaments, yarns, or threads, giving them latent characteristics by twisting, fixing the twist and backtwisting, i.e. by imparting false twist
    • D02G1/04Devices for imparting false twist
    • D02G1/06Spindles
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D01NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
    • D01HSPINNING OR TWISTING
    • D01H1/00Spinning or twisting machines in which the product is wound-up continuously
    • D01H1/11Spinning by false-twisting

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Rolling Contact Bearings (AREA)
  • Spinning Or Twisting Of Yarns (AREA)
  • Yarns And Mechanical Finishing Of Yarns Or Ropes (AREA)
  • Motor Or Generator Frames (AREA)

Abstract

A false twister spindle and a false twister are provided, wherein the false twister spindle comprises a mandrel, a bearing surrounding the mandrel and a motor positioned on one side of the bearing and driving the mandrel to rotate along the circumferential direction; the bearing comprises a bearing outer ring which radially surrounds the mandrel; the shell of the motor is provided with a connecting ring connected with the bearing outer ring; the bearing outer ring is at least divided into a first part and a second part along the axial direction, the outer diameter of the second part is the maximum outer diameter of the bearing outer ring, and the connecting ring is sleeved on the first part and the outer diameter of the connecting ring is not larger than that of the second part. The connecting ring is sleeved on the first part of the bearing outer ring, the outer diameter of the connecting ring is not larger than that of the second part, and the connecting ring cannot prevent the spindle shaft of the false twister from being installed into the base seat hole of the false twister along the axial direction of the mandrel.

Description

Spindle axis of false twister and scroll tube
Technical field
The present invention relates to field of textile machinery, more particularly to a kind of spindle axis of false twister and scroll tube.
Background technology
Spindle axis of false twister is a critical piece of scroll tube, it not only acts as the effect of support frictional disk, but also band Dynamic friction disc spins come realize to chemical fibre friction afterturn purpose.
Fig. 1 is a kind of existing sectional view of spindle axis of false twister, and spindle axis of false twister includes mandrel 1, the bearing around mandrel 1 2.Be provided in 1 end of mandrel with 2 driving member 3 spaced apart from each other of bearing, in false twister device, mandrel 1 is driven by driving member 3 Move other ingot axis.Motor 4, motor 4 and driving member 3 are provided between driving member 3 and bearing 2 along 1 axial direction of mandrel It is spaced from each other, motor 4 provides power for ingot axis.
Specifically, the rotor 5 of motor 4 is connected along mandrel 1 radially around mandrel 1 and with mandrel 1, stator 6 and motor 4 Shell 7 connect, coil is wound on stator 6, rotor 5 is spaced from each other with stator 6 along 1 radial direction of mandrel.Rotor 5 is with determining The conversion of mechanical energy and electric energy is realized in the relative rotation of son 6, so as to which mandrel 1 be driven to circumferentially rotate.Motor casing 7 has and axis The clamping ring 8 that bearing outer-ring 9 connects, clamping ring 8 are connected around bearing 2 and along the radial direction of mandrel 1 with bearing outer ring 9.
When installing spindle axis of false twister to the pedestal bore of false twister device, one end that mandrel 1 does not install driving member 3 is first Into pedestal bore, then bearing 2 enters pedestal bore.But since the outer diameter of clamping ring 8 is more than the outer diameter of bearing outer ring 9, I.e. clamping ring 8 protrudes from 9 outer circumference surface of bearing outer ring, and bearing 2 can only partly enter pedestal bore, and clamping ring 8 stops scroll tube Ingot axis is further fitted into the pedestal bore of false twister device.Therefore, it is necessary to redesign the pedestal bore of scroll tube to adapt to The installation of spindle axis of false twister.
The content of the invention
The present invention solves the problems, such as that clamping ring stops that spindle axis of false twister is packed into false twister device along mandrel axial direction In pedestal bore.
To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a kind of spindle axis of false twister, the spindle axis of false twister includes mandrel, around core The bearing of axis, the motor rotated along circumferential direction positioned at bearing one side driving mandrel;
The bearing includes the bearing outer ring radially around mandrel;
The shell of the motor has the clamping ring being connected with the bearing outer ring;
The bearing outer ring is in axial direction at least divided into first portion and second portion, and the outer diameter of the second portion is The maximum outside diameter of bearing outer ring, the clamping ring is sheathed on first portion and the outer diameter of the clamping ring is not more than described second The outer diameter divided.
Optionally, the first portion of the clamping ring and the bearing outer ring is interference fitted.
Optionally, the outer circumference surface of the first portion of the bearing outer ring has annular groove, the clamping ring inner peripheral surface With the annular male member coordinated with the annular groove.
Optionally, the motor is DC Brushless Motor, and electricity is provided on the DC Brushless Motor shell Motivation controller, the motor controller are used to control motor speed.
Optionally, the motor casing includes:The side wall being connected with the clamping ring;Positioned at the clamping ring opposite one It holds and connects the supporting item of the side wall, the mandrel passes through supporting item.
Optionally, it is provided with the first deep groove ball bearing between the clamping ring inner peripheral surface and mandrel;The supporting item with Mandrel surrounds container, and the second deep groove ball bearing is provided in the container.
Optionally, the clamping ring between first deep groove ball bearing and the first portion of the bearing outer ring in Periphery is equipped with sealing element, and the mandrel passes through sealing element.
Optionally, outer circumference surface of the clamping ring between the first portion of the sealing element and the bearing outer ring is set It is equipped with the locating slot for being located at outer circumference surface.
Optionally, it is provided with vibrating sensor in the outer circumference surface of the second portion of the bearing outer ring.
The present invention also provides a kind of scroll tube, the scroll tube includes above-mentioned spindle axis of false twister.
Compared with prior art, technical scheme has the following advantages:
Clamping ring is sheathed on the outer diameter of the first portion of bearing outer ring and clamping ring no more than the outer diameter of second portion, connection Circle will not stop that the axial direction of spindle axis of false twister along mandrel is fitted into the pedestal bore of scroll tube.
Description of the drawings
Fig. 1 is the sectional view of the spindle axis of false twister of the prior art;
Fig. 2 is the stereogram of the spindle axis of false twister of the specific embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 3 is the sectional view along the AB directions of Fig. 2.
Specific embodiment
It is understandable for the above objects, features and advantages of the present invention is enable to become apparent, below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings to the present invention Specific embodiment be described in detail.
With reference to Fig. 2, Fig. 3, spindle axis of false twister includes mandrel 10, around the bearing 20 of mandrel 10 and positioned at 20 one side of bearing Motor 30 on mandrel 10.
Bearing 20 includes the bearing outer ring 21 around mandrel 10, two groups of rollings between bearing outer ring 21 and mandrel 10 Body (non-label), the rolling element realize the relative rotation of bearing outer ring 21 and mandrel 10.The shell 31 of motor has and axis The clamping ring 32 that bearing outer-ring 21 connects.
Wherein, bearing outer ring 21 is in axial direction at least divided into two parts.In the present embodiment, bearing outer ring 21 includes the A part 211 and second portion 212, the outer diameter of the second portion 212 are the maximum outside diameter of bearing outer ring 21,32 sets of clamping ring It is not more than the outer diameter of two parts 212 arranged on the outer diameter of first portion 211 and clamping ring 32.Since the outer diameter of clamping ring 32 is not more than The outer diameter of second portion 212, clamping ring 32 will not stop is packed into scroll tube by spindle axis of false twister along the axial direction of mandrel 10 It in pedestal bore, avoids redesigning the pedestal of scroll tube so that spindle axis of false twister of the invention can obtain extensively Using.
In the present embodiment, with reference to Fig. 2, Fig. 3, the internal diameter of clamping ring 32 is slightly larger than or substantially equal to first portion 211 Outer diameter so that the inner peripheral surface of clamping ring 32 and the outer circumference surface of the first portion 211 of bearing outer ring realize interference fit, interference Cooperation is so that the connection between motor 30 and bearing outer ring 21 is more secured.In other embodiments, can also be along mandrel 10 radial directions are bolted clamping ring and bearing outer ring, but to ensure that bolt will not interfere with installation spindle axis of false twister.
The connection mode of clamping ring and bearing outer ring can also be:Radial direction ring is provided in the outer circumference surface of bearing outer ring Around the annular groove of mandrel, the inner peripheral surface of clamping ring is provided with the male member with annular groove cooperation, and male member is inserted annular groove reality Now connect.
In a particular embodiment, motor 30 includes:The rotor 33 on mandrel 10 is mounted on along 10 radial direction of mandrel;Position The stator 34 being connected between motor casing 31 and rotor 33 and with motor casing 31, stator 34 and rotor 33 mutually every It opens, coil is wound on stator 34.Stator 34 is relatively rotated with rotor 33, can realize that mechanical energy and the mutual of electric energy turn It changes, rotor 33 drives mandrel 10 to rotate along circumferential direction.
With reference to Fig. 3, motor casing 31 further includes:The side wall that is connected with clamping ring 32, positioned at 32 opposite side of clamping ring And the supporting item 38 of the connection side wall, the end cap 37 positioned at 38 outside of supporting item.Wherein, supporting item 38 surrounds receipts with mandrel 10 Tank (non-label), is provided with the second deep groove ball bearing 40 in container.Supporting item 38 is passed through by mandrel 10, but not dry Relate to the rotation of 10 circumferential direction of mandrel.In the present embodiment, the opening of container is located at container towards clamping ring 32, end cap 37 Between the side wall of motor casing, it may be employed and be stamped and formed out, play sealing function.In the present embodiment, supporting item 38 is solid Dingan County is mounted in the mounting groove in motor casing side wall, and supporting item 38 can be played with end cap 37 to 20 afterbody of motor jointly Sealing function.Importantly, supporting item 38 also acts as the effect of support 31 load of motor casing.
In other embodiments, the opening of container can also be located at mandrel and motor casing backwards to clamping ring, end cap Side wall between, and passed through by mandrel, play sealing function.
In addition, the outer ring of the first deep groove ball bearing 39 is mounted on 32 inner circumferential surface of clamping ring, inner ring is mounted on mandrel 10 On.First deep groove ball bearing 39 is for undertaking radial load of the rotor 33 in rotation process, and it is close to share bearing 20 The larger stand under load of 30 1 groups of rolling elements of motor.The outer ring of second deep groove ball bearing 40 is mounted on container around the end face of mandrel On, inner ring is mounted on mandrel 10, and the second deep groove ball bearing 40 undertakes the radial load of motor.
To be further ensured that motor excellent sealing, with reference to Fig. 3, the clamping ring 32 is in the first deep groove ball bearing 39 and axis Inner peripheral surface between the first portion 211 of bearing outer-ring is equipped with sealing element 36, and the mandrel 10 passes through sealing element 36, mandrel 10 It is contacted with sealing element 36 but not mandrel 10 is interfered to circumferentially rotate, the sealing element 36 plays sealed electric-motor 20 and is located at clamping ring The effect of the opening of 32 one sides.
In a particular embodiment, motor can be ac motor or dc motor.In the present embodiment, motor 30 be DC Brushless Motor, and miniature motor controller 35, Motor Control are provided in 31 outer surface of motor casing Device 35 may be mounted at 37 outer surface of end cap, can also be mounted on the wall outer surface of motor casing 31.Brush-less Dc motor Machine can realize energy saving purpose, and motor controller 35 can control the rotating speed of 33 relative stator 34 of rotor, and then realize control Spindle axis of false twister processes the speed of chemical fibre.Multiple spindle axis of false twister, each false twisting are provided in same Weaving device All there are one motor controllers 35 to control the rotating speed of motor for device ingot axis, can so realize that different motor has not Same rotating speed, realizes that different spindle axis of false twister process respective chemical fibre at different rates.
With reference to Fig. 2, Fig. 3, the oilhole penetrated through along 10 radial direction of mandrel is provided in the second portion 212 of bearing outer ring 23, oilhole 23 enters for grease in bearing, realizes the effect of bearing lubrication.In addition, spindle axis of false twister further includes:It is described Outer circumference surface of the clamping ring 32 between sealing element 36 and the first portion 211 of bearing outer ring is provided with locating slot 41.Utilize this Locating slot 41 can use existing locating plate to realize spindle axis of false twister and the axially position of scroll tube pedestal bore.In this reality It applies in example, the 41 radial direction through connection circle 32 of locating slot, can be also used for grease entrance.
To reach the monitoring and control to 20 internal vibration situation of bearing, the present invention is also in the second portion 212 of bearing outer ring Outer circumference surface in be provided with vibrating sensor 22, the vibration signal which can in real time in sensing bearing 20, Such as vibration amplitude.According to the feedback signal that vibrating sensor 22 receives, the rotating speed of mandrel 10 is adjusted, reaches control scroll tube ingot The purpose of shaft vibration amplitude.
Although present disclosure is as above, present invention is not limited to this.Any those skilled in the art are not departing from this It in the spirit and scope of invention, can make various changes or modifications, therefore protection scope of the present invention should be with claim institute Subject to the scope of restriction.

Claims (10)

1. a kind of spindle axis of false twister drives mandrel to revolve along circumferential direction including mandrel, around the bearing of mandrel, positioned at bearing one side The motor turned;
The bearing includes the bearing outer ring radially around mandrel;
The shell of the motor has the clamping ring being connected with the bearing outer ring;
It is characterized in that, the bearing outer ring is in axial direction at least divided into first portion and second portion, the second portion Outer diameter be bearing outer ring maximum outside diameter, the outer diameter that the clamping ring is sheathed on first portion and the clamping ring is not more than institute State the outer diameter of second portion.
2. spindle axis of false twister as described in claim 1, which is characterized in that first of the clamping ring and the bearing outer ring Divide interference fit.
3. spindle axis of false twister as described in claim 1, which is characterized in that the outer circumference surface of the first portion of the bearing outer ring With annular groove, the clamping ring inner peripheral surface has the annular male member with annular groove cooperation.
4. spindle axis of false twister as described in claim 1, which is characterized in that the motor is DC Brushless Motor, in institute It states and motor controller is provided on DC Brushless Motor shell, the motor controller is used to control motor speed.
5. spindle axis of false twister as described in claim 1, which is characterized in that the motor casing further includes:With the connection Enclose the side wall of connection;Supporting item is passed through positioned at the clamping ring opposite side and the supporting item of the connection side wall, the mandrel.
6. spindle axis of false twister as claimed in claim 5, which is characterized in that set between the clamping ring inner peripheral surface and mandrel There is the first deep groove ball bearing;The supporting item surrounds container with mandrel, and the second deep-groove ball axis is provided in the container It holds.
7. spindle axis of false twister as claimed in claim 6, which is characterized in that the clamping ring in first deep groove ball bearing and Inner peripheral surface between the first portion of the bearing outer ring is equipped with sealing element, and the mandrel passes through sealing element.
8. spindle axis of false twister as claimed in claim 7, which is characterized in that the clamping ring is in the sealing element and the bearing Outer circumference surface between the first portion of outer ring is provided with locating slot.
9. such as spindle axis of false twister described in any item of the claim 1 to 8, which is characterized in that the second of the bearing outer ring Vibrating sensor is provided in partial outer circumference surface.
10. a kind of scroll tube, which is characterized in that including claim 1~9 any one of them spindle axis of false twister.
CN201310306703.2A 2013-07-19 2013-07-19 False twister spindle and false twister Active CN104294432B (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN201310306703.2A CN104294432B (en) 2013-07-19 2013-07-19 False twister spindle and false twister
EP14826580.4A EP3031963B1 (en) 2013-07-19 2014-07-01 False twister spindle and false twister
JP2016526422A JP6381640B2 (en) 2013-07-19 2014-07-01 False twister and false twister
PCT/CN2014/081354 WO2015007157A1 (en) 2013-07-19 2014-07-01 False twister spindle and false twister

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN201310306703.2A CN104294432B (en) 2013-07-19 2013-07-19 False twister spindle and false twister

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CN104294432A CN104294432A (en) 2015-01-21
CN104294432B true CN104294432B (en) 2018-05-29

Family

ID=52314372

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CN201310306703.2A Active CN104294432B (en) 2013-07-19 2013-07-19 False twister spindle and false twister

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3031963B1 (en)
JP (1) JP6381640B2 (en)
CN (1) CN104294432B (en)
WO (1) WO2015007157A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104653640A (en) * 2015-01-29 2015-05-27 成都迅德科技有限公司 Friction-type false twister bearing
DE102022004932A1 (en) 2022-12-24 2024-06-27 Oerlikon Textile Gmbh & Co. Kg False twist device for texturing a synthetic thread

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1310124A (en) * 1970-04-28 1973-03-14 Kugelfischer G Schaefer & Co False twisting devices
DE19830393C1 (en) * 1998-07-08 1999-10-07 Skf Textilmasch Komponenten Sleeve for accommodating roller bearing with two rows
CN201406503Y (en) * 2009-05-13 2010-02-17 无锡市宏飞工贸有限公司 False twister bearing
CN101831738A (en) * 2010-05-12 2010-09-15 扬州天富龙汽车内饰纤维有限公司 Novel spindle axis of false twister
CN201670920U (en) * 2010-05-12 2010-12-15 扬州天富龙汽车内饰纤维有限公司 Novel false twister spindle
CN202247119U (en) * 2011-10-12 2012-05-30 衡阳纺织机械有限公司 Novel integrated false twister bearing

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0510260Y2 (en) * 1986-01-28 1993-03-12
DE102004032741A1 (en) * 2004-07-07 2006-02-09 Texparts Gmbh Rolling a Friktionsfalschdralleinrichtung
CN201148492Y (en) * 2007-12-28 2008-11-12 衡阳纺织机械厂 Elastic twisting spindle
DE102009040864A1 (en) * 2009-09-09 2011-03-10 Schaeffler Technologies Gmbh & Co. Kg Friction motor spindle
CN102021699A (en) * 2009-09-10 2011-04-20 德特勒夫·格根斯 Frictional false twisting device

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1310124A (en) * 1970-04-28 1973-03-14 Kugelfischer G Schaefer & Co False twisting devices
DE19830393C1 (en) * 1998-07-08 1999-10-07 Skf Textilmasch Komponenten Sleeve for accommodating roller bearing with two rows
CN201406503Y (en) * 2009-05-13 2010-02-17 无锡市宏飞工贸有限公司 False twister bearing
CN101831738A (en) * 2010-05-12 2010-09-15 扬州天富龙汽车内饰纤维有限公司 Novel spindle axis of false twister
CN201670920U (en) * 2010-05-12 2010-12-15 扬州天富龙汽车内饰纤维有限公司 Novel false twister spindle
CN202247119U (en) * 2011-10-12 2012-05-30 衡阳纺织机械有限公司 Novel integrated false twister bearing

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP6381640B2 (en) 2018-08-29
EP3031963A4 (en) 2017-03-22
WO2015007157A1 (en) 2015-01-22
JP2016529407A (en) 2016-09-23
EP3031963B1 (en) 2018-09-12
EP3031963A1 (en) 2016-06-15
CN104294432A (en) 2015-01-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8002060B2 (en) Vehicle wheel driving apparatus and electric motor
US9729026B2 (en) In-wheel motor and in-wheel motor driving device
CN109642811A (en) Connecting element and motor for the motor drive shaft of motor to be connect with rotary encoder
US11421734B2 (en) Active radial magnetic bearing assembly with internal sensors
CN205479196U (en) Friction power transmission device
US9035517B2 (en) Generator ball bearing support
EP3164932B1 (en) Rotary machine with encoder directly connected to rotor
US20160118855A1 (en) Motor, Positioning Device, Conveyance Device
CN104294432B (en) False twister spindle and false twister
CN204828378U (en) Prevent damping device of excess revolutions
CN205047764U (en) Deceleration device
WO2008143055A1 (en) Angular indexing device for machine tool
JP6962454B2 (en) Rotating machine
CN204145196U (en) Motor
CN105691185A (en) Hub driving assembly
WO2017051881A1 (en) Rolling bearing unit for supporting wheel
US20120319539A1 (en) Drive motor for electric vehicle
CN106921234A (en) A kind of magnetic gear outer rotor mounting structure
CN101877510B (en) Motor component used for anti-lock brake system
KR101383269B1 (en) Encoder seal assembly and wheel bearing using the same for vehicle
EP2348616A3 (en) Spindle motor
JP4567616B2 (en) Electric motor
KR101484138B1 (en) Wheel bearing
RU2529110C2 (en) Dynamo-electric machine with own fan
JP5463629B2 (en) Direct drive motor, mechanical device and wheel motor for electric vehicle

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
C06 Publication
PB01 Publication
C53 Correction of patent of invention or patent application
CB02 Change of applicant information

Address after: German Herzogenaurach

Applicant after: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GmbH & Co.KG

Address before: German Herzogenaurach

Applicant before: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG

Address after: German Herzogenaurach

Applicant after: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO.KG

Address before: German Herzogenaurach

Applicant before: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GmbH & Co.KG

COR Change of bibliographic data

Free format text: CORRECT: APPLICANT; FROM: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH + CO. KG TO: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGY GMBH + CO. KG

Free format text: CORRECT: ADDRESS; FROM:

C10 Entry into substantive examination
SE01 Entry into force of request for substantive examination
GR01 Patent grant
GR01 Patent grant