CN117265710A - Creel device, installation and method for supplying spinning machine for processing fiber strips - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a creel device (2; 32) for supplying a spinning machine (3) for processing fiber strands with a plurality of fiber strands (5) that can be provided in a movable storage container (4), wherein the creel device (2; 32) comprises: height-adjustable longitudinal beams (7) arranged above the standing surface (8) for receiving the storage containers (4) and guide means (14) arranged on the longitudinal beams (7) for guiding the fiber rods (5) drawn out of the storage containers (4) to the spinning machine (3), characterized in that the creel device (2; 32) has a height-adjusting device (18) which is operatively connected to the longitudinal beams (7) and has a drive unit (22) for driving the longitudinal beams (7) to move along a vertical axis (Z) perpendicular to the standing surface (8). The invention also relates to an apparatus and a method.

Description

Creel device, installation and method for supplying spinning machine for processing fiber strips

Technical Field

The invention relates to a creel device for supplying a spinning machine for processing fiber strands with a large number of fiber strands, which can be provided in a movable storage container, in particular a round or rectangular can, wherein the creel device has a height-adjustably fixed longitudinal beam arranged above a vertical surface for receiving the storage container and a guide device arranged on the longitudinal beam for guiding the fiber strands drawn out of the storage container to the spinning machine for processing fiber strands. The invention also relates to a device and a method.

Background

Such a creel arrangement is known from DE 102017102623 A1. The creel device has a longitudinal beam which is arranged above the sliver can for transporting the fiber sliver. A guide device is fastened to the longitudinal beam for guiding the fiber sliver drawn from the sliver can to a drafting device downstream of the creel device. The stringers are supported on two struts which can be adjusted manually in height. For adjusting the distance from the upright surface of the barrel, i.e. for adjusting the height of the longitudinal beam above the upright surface, the support column has a foot, a displacement portion and at least two bolts for fixing the displacement portion to the foot. The foot stands on the floor of the building and the moving part is movable relative to the foot along a vertical axis. Slit patterns extending along the vertical axis through which bolts are inserted into holes of the foot part may be constructed on the outer wall of the moving part.

The height of the support column is generally determined when the creel arrangement is assembled and depends primarily on the height of the storage container used in the field. Manufacturers of creel units often preset optimal fitting heights for storage containers of different heights, for example in the range between 1800 mm and 2200 mm. However, since the connection of the sliver ends in the predetermined assembly height (in particular after the sliver ends have been broken or the cans have been replaced) is not possible for the machine operator on site or can only be carried out with increased effort, the site often deviates from the predetermined assembly height and a lower and thus more accessible height is set up at the customer's request.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a creel arrangement which can be operated at a mounting height preset by the manufacturer during the downstream spinning machine feeding the fiber strips to the creel arrangement, but which is easy to handle during the necessary operations (e.g. the breaking of the strips, the connection of the ends of the strips after replacement of the storage containers, maintenance work, etc.).

This object is achieved by a creel device of the type mentioned at the outset in the following manner: the height adjusting device is operatively connected with the longitudinal beam and is provided with a driving unit for driving the longitudinal beam to move along a vertical axis perpendicular to the vertical surface.

The advantage is that the distance between the longitudinal beam and the standing surface, i.e. the height of the longitudinal beam above the standing surface, can be varied in a simple manner by means of the height adjusting device. The stringers are preferably always parallel to the upright surface. The longitudinal beams can be moved by means of the drive unit in a driven manner along a vertical axis downwards (or near the vertical plane) and upwards (or far from the vertical plane). The longitudinal beam can thus be set in the installation height, which is preset in particular by the manufacturer, during the operation of the creel device for supplying the spinning machine downstream, and can be moved to an operating height in which the machine operator can perform the work that is produced in a simpler and more convenient manner only when required, for example when the fiber sliver ends have to be connected to one another due to sliver breakage or sliver can replacement, when maintenance is to be planned, and the like. Thus, both the ease of operation of the creel device and the quality of the supply of the fiber strands are improved.

The predetermined assembly height may depend on the filling height of the storage container for use in the field. When the fiber strand is drawn out of the storage container, the fiber strand swings in a balloon-like manner over the respective storage container, in particular at high drawing speeds. Such an out-gassing is desirable. However, these strip-out pockets can only be formed normally if the distance between the filling level of the storage container and the corresponding strip-out position on the longitudinal beam is sufficiently large. A cake (or also called a "mushroom") is a portion of a fiber strand stored in a storage container that protrudes upward beyond the edge of the container. The fill height corresponds to the can height plus the cake height (typically about 300 mm).

The manufacturer also considers the filling level when designing the optimal assembly level of the creel arrangement in order to be able to form the bead. The predetermined distance between the filling level and the mounting level is typically at least 400 mm, typically about 450 mm. Depending on the storage container used, the optimum fitting height may be in the range between 1800 mm and 2200 mm, wherein this is generally a compromise between accessibility of the stringers and a sufficient distance to the filling height. The distance to the standing surface can now be greatly increased, since the stringers can be simply driven to the operating height. This solution is also advantageous when designing the sliver to downstream spinning machine transition. Since the manufacturer usually also considers the transition of the sliver to the downstream spinning machine when presetting the assembly height. It is therefore desirable to maintain a defined height difference between the delivery position of the creel device and the entry position of the spinning machine, at which the transition of the sliver to the downstream spinning machine is technically optimal.

According to a first embodiment, the height adjustment device may have at least one upright having a foot standing on a floor surface fixed in position surrounding the upright and a displacement part arranged in a manner displaceable along a vertical axis relative to the foot, on which displacement part the longitudinal beam is supported, wherein the drive unit is configured to displace the displacement part relative to the foot. The longitudinal beam is preferably fastened parallel to the upright surface by means of the at least one upright. The height adjusting device has in particular two of said uprights. The drive unit may have a separate drive module for each column. In principle, however, the drive unit can likewise have only one drive module, which is operatively connected to those movements via a drive train. Thus, a creel device is provided which is supported on the ground, the stringers of which can be moved along a vertical axis in a simple and quick manner.

According to a second embodiment, which is an alternative to the first embodiment described above, the longitudinal members can be arranged in a suspended manner on the height adjustment device, wherein the height adjustment device can be arranged on a structure which is axially fixed in relation to the vertical axis at a distance from the ground. Accessibility to the vertical and longitudinal beams is improved by the unsupported design.

Furthermore, the storage container can be positioned more simply and freely under the stringers and by eliminating supports in the form of supports, uprights or the like, new possibilities for the design and division of the upright surfaces can be provided. More storage containers can sometimes be placed under the suspended stringers than on the ground, so that more strip-out positions can be provided on the suspended stringers so that more storage containers can be handled. For example, a floor-mounted creel device may be designed for eight storage containers and accordingly have eight take-off positions for drawing fiber strands from the storage containers. The space freed below the suspended longitudinal beam can now be used by the removal of the support, so that ten storage containers (for example only) are erected on the same vertical surface and correspondingly ten strip-out positions are formed on the longitudinal beam. Thus, a creel arrangement is provided which is spaced apart from the ground and in which a suspended stringer can be moved along a vertical axis in a simple and quick manner.

The entire creel arrangement is preferably configured to be suspended, which means that the entire creel arrangement is suspended with its full weight on a stationary structure. The fixed structure may be, for example, a factory ceiling, a rack arranged below the factory ceiling, a frame, a scaffold, or the like. In a spinning mill, a plurality of creel units may be erected side by side. A plurality of creel arrangements, in particular stringers, can be suspended on a stationary structure. The height adjustment device may in particular have a traction device which is operatively connected to the drive unit, wherein the longitudinal beam is fastened suspended on the traction device and can be moved along a vertical axis by means of the drive unit. The traction means may for example have at least one traction belt, which can be wound on pulleys that can be driven by the drive unit, at least one telescopic rod and the like. The traction means are preferably mounted on both longitudinal ends of the stringers so that the stringers can be moved parallel to the standing surface.

The same applies to the above embodiments, the height adjustment device being connected or connectable to a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control the drive unit. In this way, the displacement of the stringers can be controlled or automatically implemented. The control unit is preferably a control unit of a downstream spinning machine, preferably a drafting device (also called drawing frame), a winding machine (or lap winding machine) or the like. In principle, it is also possible to provide a control unit of the creel device itself or a control unit upstream of the device comprising the creel device and the spinning machine, in particular a line master controller.

By automatic actuation of the drive unit, it is ensured that the longitudinal beam is always arranged in its optimal height position during operation of the creel device and is automatically moved to the operating height only when required, for example when the sliver breaks, waiting for a replacement of the sliver can, etc. The advantage is that a technically optimum entry angle can thereby be maintained during operation, at which the fiber sliver from the creel device enters the feed zone of the spinning machine. In the case of a drawing device, this means that the riding roller arranged in the entry zone and on the driven lower roller is wound in an optimal manner, since the fiber strand enters the feed zone from obliquely above, or at a positive entry angle. On the other hand, this winding cannot be ensured if the stringers are too low, because the fibre sliver cannot be wound around the riding roller or is insufficiently wound when it enters horizontally or obliquely from below.

The automatic displacement of the longitudinal beam caused by the control unit can be determined by a preset influencing variable. One influencing variable may be, for example, the current filling state of the storage container. The control unit may operate the drive unit to lower the stringers to an operating height below a defined filling level. In addition to improving accessibility of the stringers, the low position of the stringers is a signal to the machine operator to wait for a can change that can be easily seen from a distance. For determining the current filling state, a length measuring device can be provided, for example, on the creel device and/or the spinning machine, which measures the length of the withdrawal after the replacement of the storage container and supplies this value as an influencing variable to the control unit. The length of the sliver provided in the storage container can be stored in the control unit. This may be entered manually. The storage containers may also be equipped with RFID (radio-frequency identification) transponders on which information about the length of the sliver stored in the storage cans is also stored. For reading RFID transponders (commonly known as wireless tags), the creel device may have at least one reader. Other length measurement methods are known and are possible. For example, a camera may be aimed at the storage container to determine the filling state. Another advantage of automatic movement to the operational height is that the can change can be automatically performed when self-propelled storage containers are used in spinning mills. Since in the lowered position of the stringers the automatic splice device can connect the fibre sliver ends to one another in a simple manner when the cans are replaced.

Furthermore, the influencing variable can be the current supply speed of the spinning machine and/or the speed of its transport rollers when the creel device is driven. The supply roller of the spinning machine pulls in the sliver, wherein a driven transport roller can be provided in order to avoid or reduce pulling in the creel device. A high supply speed of the spinning machine causes a high strip-out speed at the respective storage container. When the fiber strand is drawn out of the storage container, the fiber strand swings in a balloon-like manner above the respective storage container, in particular at a high drawing speed. In the case where the supply speed or the take-off speed is high, the diameter of the take-off balloon increases. In order to avoid friction of the fibre strands on the container wall of the storage container, the stringers can be lowered.

Furthermore, the creel device can have at least one distance sensor in order to avoid contact with the storage container, in particular with protruding spinning cakes or other obstacles in the path of travel, when the stringers are moved. The at least one distance sensor can also be used to detect the distance of the filling level of the storage container, so that the longitudinal beam can be moved to an optimal distance for forming the desired strip balloon. In particular, a distance sensor can be provided for each strip-out position on the longitudinal beam.

The drive means may be configured for moving the stringers to a height convenient to operate, in particular to an operating height. In this way, it is possible for smaller operators to be able to more easily and comfortably exclude sliver breaks and to perform can changes, maintenance work of the creel arrangement, etc. The operating height can be freely selected within a predefinable range and is stored in particular in the control unit. The predefinable range can correspond to a height window from a lower limit value, which corresponds to the maximum filling height and the safety distance of the storage container used, to an upper limit value, which corresponds to the maximum distance to the standing surface, which is determined by the design of the height adjustment device. The operating height may be preset in the range of 1400 mm to 1800 mm, as desired. Different operational heights may be stored for different sized storage containers.

In order to move the longitudinal beam to the operating height as soon as possible, in particular by lowering, in the event of a sliver break, a sensor, in particular an optical sensor, can be arranged on the longitudinal beam for each sliver-out position or for each sliver for detecting the sliver break. The sensors can be connected to a control unit, so that the control unit stops the spinning machine in a manner known per se when the sliver breaks and can also move the stringers to an operating height.

Furthermore, the height adjustment device may have a manually operable operating unit for switching the drive unit. The operating unit can be mounted on the creel device or in its surroundings. The operating unit may be arranged, for example, on at least one upright. The operating unit may also be arranged on the spinning machine and/or comprise a mobile terminal. In this way, the distance of the longitudinal beam from the vertical surface can be changed or adjusted in situ on the creel installation. The stringers can, for example, continue to descend if the stored operating height is too high for the current operator. The operating height of one of the stores may be selected according to the size of the storage container currently being used at the creel arrangement. The operating unit can also be configured as an optional motor for starting the spinning machine and for driving the transport rollers on the creel arrangement.

Furthermore, the drive unit may comprise at least one electric motor. In this way, the stringers can be moved electrically or lifted and lowered. Alternatively, the drive unit may be configured as a pneumatic, hydraulic or electromagnetic drive unit.

A further solution to the above task consists in a device comprising a creel arrangement and a spinning machine as described above for supplying spinning machines with a large number of fiber strands that can be provided in a movable storage container. The advantages obtained by the device according to the invention are the same as those described in connection with the creel arrangement according to the invention, so that reference is briefly made here to the description above. It goes without saying that all the above embodiments can be transferred to the device and vice versa.

The height adjusting device is preferably connected to a control unit of the spinning machine. In this way, the distance of the stringers from the standing surface can be adapted as desired in the event of a change in the supply speed, the detection of a broken sliver, emptying of the storage container, etc. In operation, the creel device can be operated at a predetermined assembly height, in which case an optimum height difference between the delivery position of the creel device and the entry position of the spinning machine can also be considered for the spinning machine.

Another solution to the above task consists in a method for supplying spinning machines with a large number of fiber strands that can be provided in a removable storage container. The advantages obtained by the method according to the invention are the same as those described in connection with the creel device according to the invention or the apparatus according to the invention, so that reference is briefly made here to the above description. It goes without saying that all the above embodiments can be transferred to the method and vice versa.

The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: providing the bobbin cradle device; the longitudinal beam is automatically moved along the vertical axis by controlling the height adjusting device until reaching the first height position; withdrawing the fiber strand from the plurality of storage containers separately from each other; these fiber strands are transported separately from each other to the spinning machine.

Furthermore, the method may comprise the steps of: checking whether the current height position of the longitudinal beam is equivalent to the height position preset for the current filling state; if the current height position deviates from the height position preset for the current filling state, the height position is adjusted adaptively by automatic displacement of the longitudinal beam. Such a check can be carried out continuously or at regular time intervals, so that the trailing beam can be lowered when the filling state is lowered. The longitudinal beam is preferably held in the first height position until the filling state falls below a defined filling state value, so that the longitudinal beam is then lowered as the filling state falls to the second height position, in particular to the operating height.

Furthermore, the method may comprise the steps of: providing a sensor, in particular an optical sensor, preferably one at each strip-out position for identifying a strip break; the stringers are moved to a defined operating height when a sliver break is detected.

The fiber strands can be made of cotton, chemical fibers, regenerated fibers, and the like, for example.

Drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the description of preferred embodiments that follows.

In the figure:

fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention with a creel device and a drafting device from above obliquely;

fig. 2 shows a perspective side view of the creel device of fig. 1, wherein the creel device is arranged in a first height position;

fig. 3 shows a perspective side view of the creel device of fig. 1, wherein the creel device is arranged in a second height position;

fig. 4 shows a perspective side view of a partial region of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention with a creel device and a drafting device;

fig. 5 shows a side view of the apparatus of fig. 4, wherein the creel device is arranged in a first height position; and

fig. 6 shows a side view of the device of fig. 4, wherein the creel arrangement is arranged in a second height position.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a device 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention, which has a creel device 2 and a spinning machine 3 embodied here as a drafting device. The creel device 2 according to the invention, which is shown in more detail in fig. 2 and 3, is used in a known manner for supplying a plurality of fiber strands 5, which can be provided in a movable storage container 4, to a downstream drawing device 3. The drafting device 3 serves in a known manner for homogenizing the fibre sliver 5 provided by the upstream creel device 2. For the sake of overview, only a few of the eight storage containers 4 and the eight fiber strands 5 are here given exemplary reference numerals.

To indicate the spatial orientation of the device 1, the longitudinal X, transverse Y and vertical Z directions are marked, which are defined in a spatially fixed cartesian coordinate system and are indicated by corresponding arrows.

The vertical direction Z is generally vertical on a floor 6, in particular a factory floor of a spinning mill, where the apparatus 1 is located. The concepts "below", "above" or "over" are herein spatially directed with reference to the device 1.

The creel device 2 has a height-adjustable longitudinal beam 7 which is arranged above a defined upright surface 8 on which the storage container 4 on the ground 6 stands. The creel device 2 has (in the example shown here) eight sliver discharge positions 9, so that the sliver 5 can be simultaneously drawn out of a maximum of eight storage containers 4 as shown here. The storage containers 4 are shown by way of example as circular cans and are arranged in two rows below the stringers 6.

In fig. 2 and 3, which are described together, a creel device 2 according to the invention is shown in more detail, wherein the creel device has, for example, six strip-out positions 9 for a total of six storage containers 4. The fiber strands 5 provided by the storage containers 4 are drawn off by means of transport rollers 10 which are arranged on the stringers 7 and can be driven in rotation here by a common motor 11, in particular an electric motor. As shown here, the motor 11 can be fastened to the longitudinal beam 7 at the end of the creel device 2 remote from the drafting device 3 and can be coupled to the conveyor rollers 10 via a drive train preferably accommodated in the longitudinal beam 7. Each driven transport roller 10 is assigned a following upper roller, with which the respective transport roller 10 forms a roller pair 13, between which the respective fiber strand 5 is guided.

In order to guide the fiber strand 5 drawn out of the storage container 4 to the drawing device 3, a guide device 14 is arranged on the longitudinal beam 7. At each outfeed position 9, the guide device has a guide element 15 upstream of the respective roller pair 13. The individual guide elements 15 can, for example, have guides provided with openings, in particular in the form of loops, which can be fastened by fastening bars on the stringers 7. During operation of the device 1, the drawn-off fiber sliver 5 passes through the guide element 15, where it is deflected in the longitudinal direction X and then passes through the nip of the roller pair 13 of the respective sliver discharge position 9. The guide device 14 also has guide grooves 16 open at the top through which the fiber strands 5 pass separately from one another.

Furthermore, each take-off position 9 is associated with a sensor 17, in particular an optical sensor, which can be arranged downstream of the respective roller pair 13 and monitors the respective fiber strand 5. In this way it is possible to monitor whether the fibre sliver 5 entering the drawing device 3 is all present. The eight sensors 17 are connected to a control unit (not shown) of the drafting device 3. If one of the sensors 17 detects a sliver break, the control unit can stop the rollers of the drawing device 3 and the conveyor rollers 10 of the creel device 2 if, in operation, one of the sensors 17 does not detect a sliver or detects a stationary sliver. Once the machine operator of the device 1 has excluded the sliver break, the device can be run again.

In order to move the height-adjustably fixed longitudinal beam 7, for example, when a sliver break is detected, in particular to a working height, the creel device 2 can have a height adjustment device 18 connected to the control unit for driving the longitudinal beam 7 along the vertical axis Z.

The height adjusting device 18, which is operatively connected to the longitudinal beam 7, can here for example have two uprights 19, on which the longitudinal beam 7 is supported. Each upright 19 has a foot portion 20 standing on the floor surface 6 with a fixed position and a moving portion 21 provided so as to be movable along the vertical axis Z with respect to the foot portion 20. The height adjustment device 18 furthermore has a drive unit 22 which has an actuator 23 for each column 19, in particular a pneumatic or electric actuator, wherein the displacement 21 can comprise or be a cylinder of the actuator 22. In fig. 2 the cylinder is shown in a removed position, wherein the stringers 7 remain in a first height position. In fig. 3, the displacement 21 is shown in the displaced-in position, wherein the longitudinal beam 7 is held in a second height position, which is lower than the first height position. The corresponding actuator 23 may be mounted in the foot 20 or in a post 24 fastened to the underside of the stringer 7. Of course, each upright 19 may have a cover plate if desired in order to protect the movable parts of the height adjustment device 18.

In the second height position shown in fig. 3, the stringers 7 can be at an operating height. At the operating level, the individual strip-out positions 9 on the stringers 7 can be easily and conveniently reached from the floor 6 of the factory building, wherein a sufficient distance is maintained between the stringers 7 and the storage container 4. In the first height position shown in fig. 2, the longitudinal beam 7 can be arranged in a height position, also referred to as the assembly height, which is optimal for operation, wherein the fiber strand 5 can be introduced into the introduction position 25 of the drawing device 3 shown in fig. 1 at an entry angle which is optimal for the drawing device 3. The height difference between the delivery position 26 of the creel device 2 and the entry position 25 of the drafting device 3 can be adjusted by means of the height adjusting device 18. For example, the fibre sliver 5 enters from obliquely above, as shown in fig. 1, to facilitate the winding of the riding roller of the drafting device 3 arranged at the entry position 25. In principle, the entry angle may lie in the angular range of, for example, minus 15 degrees to plus 60 degrees. When the entry angle is negative, the fiber strand 5 accordingly enters the entry position 25 of the drawing device 3 from obliquely below. This is obtained when the stringers 7 are lowered to bring the delivery position 26 below the entry position 25. Furthermore, the longitudinal beam 7 can be displaced along the vertical axis Z by means of the height adjustment device 18 during a standstill and during operation, wherein the longitudinal beam 7 is always parallel to the standing surface 8.

An operating unit 27, by means of which the machine operator can start again the drafting device, in particular the rollers of the drafting device, and the motor 11 for driving the transport rollers 10 on the creel device 2, for example after a change of the cans, can be arranged on at least one of the struts 19. The operating unit 27 is here exemplarily mounted on the column 24 closest to the drafting device 3, but may also be arranged in other positions which are easily accessible to the machine operator. Further, the machine operator can switch the drive unit 22 by means of the operating unit 27 in order to move the stringers 7 upwards and downwards. Furthermore, in the operating unit 27, a height ("memory function") can be stored, to which the stringers 7 are moved when the desired height is selected.

Fig. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of a device 31 according to the invention, which has a creel device 32 and a spinning machine embodied here as a drafting device 3, which is identical to the device of fig. 1 to 3 to a great extent, so that reference is made to the above description in terms of common features. Here, the same or modified details are provided with the same reference numerals as in fig. 1 to 3.

The difference is the design of the creel arrangement 32, wherein the longitudinal beams 7 are not supported on the floor-mounted height adjustment device, but rather the longitudinal beams 7 are arranged in a suspended manner on a structure 33 which is axially fixed at a distance from the floor 6 relative to the vertical axis Z. The longitudinal beam 7 is thereby suspended with its accessories (for example, the guide 14, possibly the sensor 17, etc.) by the entire weight force on the stationary structure 33.

To indicate the spatial orientation of the device, longitudinal X, transverse Y and vertical Z directions are indicated, which are defined in a spatially fixed cartesian coordinate system and are indicated by corresponding arrows.

The vertical direction Z is generally vertical on a floor 6, in particular a factory floor of a spinning mill, on which the drafting device 3 is located. The concepts "below", "above" or "over" are herein spatial indications with reference to the device 31.

The stringers 7 are arranged above the vertical surface 8 for the storage container 4 in an unsupported manner relative to the vertical surface 8 or the floor surface 6. The stringers 7 are suspended in a height-adjustable manner by means of the height-adjusting device 18 on a fixed-position structure 33, which can be a factory ceiling, a bracket arranged below the factory ceiling, a frame standing on the factory floor, a scaffolding or the like.

The height adjustment device 18 may have a traction device 34 which is operatively connected to the drive unit 22, wherein the longitudinal beam 7 is fastened suspended on the traction device 34 and can be moved along the vertical axis Z by means of the drive unit 22.

The traction device 34 has two traction elements 35 which are attached to the longitudinal beam 7 at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction X. The traction member 35 bypasses the steering wheel 36 fixed to the side member 7. The first end 37 of each tension member 35 may be arranged on a fixed structure 33 and the second end 38 of each tension member 35 may be wound and unwound on a tension member pulley 39 provided for that tension member 35, which may be supported on the fixed structure 33. The traction element pulleys 39 of the two traction elements 35 can be driven in rotation by the drive unit 22 of the height adjustment device 18, so that the longitudinal beams 7 suspended on the traction device 34 can be moved in a driven manner along the vertical axis Z by means of the drive unit 22. The stringers 7 can thus be raised or lowered by means of the drive unit 22. The drive unit 22 may have one motor 40, in particular an electric motor, for each traction sheave 39. Other drive concepts known in ceiling lift systems and other designs of the traction device 34 are equally possible. In order to avoid the side rail 7 from swaying during operation of the creel device 32, the side rail 7 can be supported relative to the stationary structure 33. For this purpose, the traction elements 35 can be mounted, for example, in telescopic hollow rods (not shown), which can each be fastened at their upper ends to the stationary structure 33 and at their lower ends to the stringers 7.

In fig. 5, the traction means 34 is raised, or the traction element 35 is wound around the traction element pulley 39, so that the longitudinal beam 7 is in a first height position, also referred to as the assembly height. In this height position, which is optimal for operation, the fiber strand 5 enters the entry position 25 of the drawing device 3 from the delivery position 26 of the creel device 32 at an entry angle 44, which is optimal for the drawing device 3. The sliver 5 enters from obliquely above, so that the entry angle 44 is here positive, for example greater than 0 degrees and less than 60 degrees.

In fig. 6, the traction means 34 is lowered, or alternatively the traction element 35 is unwound from the traction element pulley 39, bringing the longitudinal beam 7 into a second height position, also called operating height. The entry angle 44 is now negative and may be between 0 degrees and, for example, negative 15 degrees. When the entry angle 44 is negative, the fiber strand 5 accordingly enters the entry position 25 of the drawing device 3 from obliquely below. The second height position is assumed shortly before the replacement of the cartridge or can be closed manually, for example by an operating scheme, such as the operating unit 27.

The following applies not only to the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 3 but also to the second embodiment shown in fig. 4 to 6.

For the replacement of the storage container 4, i.e. the can replacement, the longitudinal beam 7 can first be moved to a second height position, or operating height, at which point the machine operator can simply and conveniently connect the sliver ends of the fiber sliver 5. The drive unit can then be switched by an operating input at the operating unit 27, which can be provided, for example, on at least one column 19 or on the housing of the drafting device 3, or by an operating input at the operating terminal 41 or the operating panel 42 of the drafting device 3, or by an operating input at a mobile terminal or the like, in order to raise the longitudinal beam 7 to the first height position, or to a predetermined assembly height. In the first height position, the control unit opens the rollers of the drafting device 3 in order to start the drafting process and to start operation, in which the creel device 2 is operated; 32 supply the fibre sliver 5 to the downstream drawing device 3. A creel device 2; when 32 are driven, as shown here, the motor 11 is also activated to drive the conveying roller 10. The length measuring device, which is formed on the drawing device 3 and can be arranged in the region of the access point 25, measures the length of the drawn-out fiber strand 5 after the replacement of the storage container 4. Once the predetermined length value is exceeded, the height adjustment device 18 lowers the longitudinal beam 7 as the filling state of the storage container 4 continues to drop, thereby reducing the distance from the storage container 4. In spinning mills, there are usually a large number of such creel arrangements 3;32 are side by side so that the machine operator can easily see from a distance when one stringer 7 has been lowered. As the filling state decreases, the portion of the respective filament cake or fiber strand 5 in the storage container 4 that protrudes beyond the container edge decreases. By lowering the stringers 7 when the filling state is empty, the distance between the respective sliver outlet position 9 and the uppermost sliver 5 in the storage container 4 is preferably kept at about 450 mm. For this purpose, a distance sensor which can be arranged on the longitudinal beam 7 can be used, or empirical values can be stored in the control unit, which longitudinal beam is lowered from the assembly height to the operating height after a certain length of the fibre sliver has been drawn off, depending on the length of the fibre sliver 5 which has been drawn off (measured again by the length measuring device after each replacement of the sliver can). With this advantageous distance (here, for example, 450 mm), a balloon 43 is formed which rotates in an irregular shape about an imaginary axis and substantially perpendicularly to the imaginary axis toward one side when the fiber strand 5 is pulled from the respective storage container 4 to the respective guide element 15 on the longitudinal beam 7. Once the stringers 7 have reached the second height position again, the next can change is arranged and the drafting device 3 is stopped as soon as one of the optical sensors 17 detects the end of the fibre sliver 5. The process starts again from the beginning.

When a sliver break is detected during operation, the rollers of the drafting device 3 and the creel device 3 are stopped; 32 and the stringers 7 descend from the assembled height to the operating height. After the elimination of the sliver break, the machine operator can instruct the control unit to start running again by manipulating the operating unit 27 or one of the aforementioned further operating schemes.

List of reference numerals

1. Apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a device

2. Bobbin cradle device

3. Spinning machine or drafting device

4. Storage container

5. Fiber strip

6. Ground surface

7. Longitudinal beam

8. Vertical face

9. Strip-out position

10. Conveying roller

11. Motor with a motor housing

12. Upper roller

13. Roller pair

14. Guiding device

15. Guide element

16. Guide groove

17. Sensor for detecting a position of a body

18. Height adjusting device

19. Upright post

20. Foot portion

21. Moving part

22. Driving unit

23. Actuator with a spring

24. Column part

25. Entry location

26. Delivery location

27. Operation unit

31. Apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a device

32. Bobbin cradle device

33. Structure of the

34. Traction device

35. Traction piece

36. Steering wheel

37. End portion

38. End portion

39. Traction piece pulley

40. Motor with a motor housing

41. Operation terminal

42. Operation panel

43. Balloon ring

44. Entry angle

X longitudinal direction

Y is transverse

Z vertical direction

Claims (11)

1. A creel device (2; 32) for supplying a spinning machine (3) for processing fibers with a plurality of fiber strands (5) which can be provided in a movable storage container (4), wherein the creel device (2; 32) comprises: a height-adjustable longitudinal beam (7) which is arranged above an upright surface (8) for receiving a storage container (4); and

guide means (14) arranged on the stringers (7) for guiding the fibre sliver (5) drawn out of the storage container (4) to the spinning machine (3), characterized in that,

the creel device (2; 32) has a height adjustment device (18) which is operatively connected to the longitudinal beam (7) and has a drive unit (22) for driving the longitudinal beam (7) in a movement along a vertical axis (Z) perpendicular to the standing surface (8).

2. The creel device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the height adjustment device (18) has at least one upright (19) with a foot (20) standing on a stationary ground surface (6) surrounding the upright (8) and a displacement part (21) arranged to be displaceable along a vertical axis (Z) relative to the foot (20), on which the longitudinal beam (7) is supported, wherein the drive unit (22) is configured to displace the displacement part (21) relative to the foot (20).

3. Creel device (32) according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal beams (7) are arranged in a suspended manner on the height adjustment device (18), wherein the height adjustment device (18) is arranged on a structure (33) which is axially fixed in position at a distance from the ground (6) with respect to the vertical axis (Z).

4. A creel device (32) according to claim 3, characterized in that the height adjustment device (18) has a traction device (34) operatively connected to the drive unit (22), wherein the longitudinal beam (7) is fastened suspended on the traction device (34) and can be moved along the vertical axis (Z) by means of the drive unit (22).

5. Creel device (2; 32) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the height adjustment device (18) is connected or connectable to a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured for controlling the drive unit (22).

6. Creel device (2; 32) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a sensor (17), in particular an optical sensor, for detecting a sliver break is arranged on the longitudinal beam (7) for each sliver.

7. Creel device (2; 32) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the drive unit (22) comprises at least one electric motor (40) or a drive unit (23) which is designed as pneumatic, hydraulic or electromagnetic.

8. Device comprising a creel device (2; 32) for supplying a spinning machine (3) for processing fibers with a large number of fiber strands (5) which can be provided in a movable storage container (4), and a spinning machine (3) for processing fibers, wherein the creel device (2; 32) is configured as a creel device according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Method for supplying a spinning machine (3) for processing fibres, in particular a drawing device, with a large number of fibre strands (5) which can be provided in a movable storage container (4), wherein the method comprises the following steps:

-providing a creel device (2; 32) according to one of claims 1 to 7;

the longitudinal beam (7) is automatically moved along the vertical axis (Z) by actuating the height adjusting device (18) until a first height position is reached;

drawing out the fiber strand (5) from the plurality of storage containers (4) separately from each other;

the fiber strands (5) are fed separately from each other to the spinning machine (3).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

checking whether the current height position corresponds to a height position preset for the current filling state;

if the current height position deviates from the height position preset for the current filling state, the height position is adjusted adaptively by automatic displacement of the longitudinal beam (7).

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

providing a sensor (17), in particular an optical sensor, for detecting a sliver break for each sliver discharge position (9);

the longitudinal beam (7) is moved to a defined operating height when a sliver break is detected.