EP0026253B1 - Connexion of fibre structures, method of making the connexion, and device for carrying out the method - Google Patents

Abstract

A binding for bundles of fibers in which fibers originating from at least one of the fiber bundles wind around the rest of the fibers in a manner locked by tension. Fiber bundles which are to be bound are deformed between deformation members and fibers are removed from at least one of the fiber bundles and are wound in a manner locked by tension around the remainder of the remaining pieces of fibers to be bound. Deformation members are positioned very close to each other, each having a profiled surface, and they can be driven in opposite directions with respect to each other. The fiber bundles which are to be bound are deformed in the gap between the deformation members.

Description

The invention relates to a connection of the end regions of fiber associations in which the fiber associations are non-positively wrapped by fibers over a region of the length of the connection.

A fiber dressing is generally understood to be a bundle of fibers, a thread or twine, a cord or a rope or a similar elongated structure of combined fibers or threads, which can be both plant, animal and synthetic base materials . The main field of application of the invention is the field of the textile industry in the broadest sense, without however being restricted.

In the relevant manufacturing and processing industries, the problem often arises of connecting two or more fiber assemblies. For a long time, this problem was solved exclusively by manual or also mechanical linking or knotting of free ends of the fiber associations to be connected to one another. For many purposes, this solution to the problem proves to be entirely practical and economical. However, it should not be misunderstood that devices for the mechanical execution of knotting connections, so-called automatic knotters or knotting devices, are relatively complicated mechanical structures, which are consequently also relatively expensive.

However, a connection of fiber associations generated by a link also has the disadvantage for many applications that the node produced necessarily has a considerably larger cross section than a single fiber association. In the further processing of the linked fiber structure, for example in the weaving or knitting mill, this can have an adverse effect and form a cause of thread breaks or other operational disturbances. Various proposals have therefore already been made to solve the connection of fiber material in other ways than by a link.

From DE-A-2856514 a method for forming a thread splicing with a knotting device comprising an air nozzle is known, the special feature of which is that the two webs or threads, one end of which in a thread insertion opening of the air nozzle of the knotting device from one side and the other end is inserted into the opening from the other side, are assigned to one another and then at least one of the threads is loosened slightly before or at the same time as the air is blown onto the threads.

From DE-A-2 750 913 a further method for connecting textile threads is known which enables the connection of textile threads by means of a device having a swirl chamber with a longitudinal slot for inserting and removing the threads to be connected, in which the device lies side by side inserted threads and held by thread clamping devices arranged outside the swirl chamber are swirled together by compressed air supply and connected to one another in this way. The textile threads to be connected are inserted into the swirl chamber in such a way that they wrap around both mouth edges of the swirl chamber, the subsequent swirling of the textile threads with looseness without tension in the swirl chamber, but held by the thread clamping devices, and the loosening of the thread tension is only so great is made that the false twist imposed during the swirling of the textile threads and the resulting shortening of the thread length brings the textile threads into contact with the mouth edges of the swirl chamber.

Finally, DE-A-1 962 477 discloses a device for splicing yarns with a drum rotatably mounted on a housing element, a yarn channel running through the axis of the drum for receiving overlapping ends of yarns to be spliced parallel to one another, with devices for turning the drum around the overlapping ends of the yarn to be spliced and devices carried by the drum for receiving a winding thread source, characterized by a thread channel in this drum with a discharge opening adjacent, but radially offset against the axis of this drum, whereby a high torque occurs during operation the winding thread is exerted, which runs through the thread channel when it is twisted around the yarn.

Methods and devices in which a swirl chamber is provided and in which a fluid, for example compressed air, has to be blown into the swirl chamber are complicated and cumbersome in operation or in use, in particular also because of the need to supply the fluid. They also form relatively long connection points, which because of their length but also because of their structure tend to cause difficulties in the processing of the connected fiber associations.

The measures according to DE-A-1 962477 result in relatively firm connections and the diameter of the connection point can be kept sufficiently small to facilitate further processing. However, it is in the nature of this solution that the connection point becomes relatively stiff in relation to a normal fiber structure and can therefore lead to processing difficulties. Also, the subsequent removal of the wrapping yarn requires an additional operation on the products made with such types of yarn. Difficulties can also arise in the procurement of suitable wrapping yarns for all possible fiber associations to be processed.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of connecting fiber bundles To create the, which avoids the disadvantages mentioned and in particular can be generated very quickly, for example in a matter of seconds, has both a high speed, a connection diameter which does not differ significantly from the diameter of the fiber structure and a high tensile strength, the connection also not having any significant the further processing of the connected fiber dressings should have an impediment or aggravating property.

This object is achieved in that the fibers used for looping are formed from the connection area of at least one of the fiber associations itself, from which they are not separated.

The connection is thus based on the deliberate displacement of components of the fiber bandages to be connected, which makes it possible to achieve a connection diameter that does not significantly deviate from the diameter of the fiber band and a high level of suppleness while still ensuring tear resistance.

In the preferred embodiment of the method for producing such a connection, the fiber assemblies to be connected to one another are placed in at least approximately parallel, closely adjacent positions to one another, the special feature of the method being that at least part of the circumference of each of the fiber assemblies to be connected and the All of the fiber bandages are exerted by physical contact of the same with at least two deformation members that compress the fiber bandages in the opposite direction transversely to the length of the connecting region, both shear forces and tensile and / or compressive forces, in order to change the original cross sections and / or structure of the fiber bandages to be connected and on the other hand, at least partially detach individual fibers from at least one of the fiber associations to be prevented from their association and relocate them in such a way that they finally contain the fiber associations to be connected in at least part of the Wrapping the area of action of the deformation elements in a force-fitting manner and then connecting them through the loop. which fiber associations are brought out of the area of influence of the deformation elements.

This process can also be carried out quickly and easily by assistants and is particularly suitable for use in automatic processing processes. Only very low energy consumption is required for the mechanical processing of the fiber assemblies at the connection point.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of a device for carrying out the method according to the invention is characterized in that the device has at least two deformation elements which are movably mounted on a carrier, the deformation elements moving in opposite directions in an area of influence on the fiber associations to be connected, and the Fiber associations to be connected can be fed to the area of action by means of a first guide device and the connected fiber groups can be guided away from this area of action by means of a second guide device.

Such a device can be produced very inexpensively and, in conjunction with the uncomplicated feeding and guiding away of the fiber bundles, enables a reliable and rapid operation.

Further particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

• Fig. 1 eine Verbindung zweier Faserverbände;
• Fig. 2 eine relative Lage zweier zu verbindender Faserverbände vor der Verbindung;
• Fig. 3 einen Querschnitt durch eine Verbindung mit einer ersten Struktur;
• Fig. 4 einen Querschnitt durch eine Verbindung mit einer zweiten Struktur;
• Fig. 5 einen Querschnitt durch eine Verbindung mit einer dritten Struktur;
• Fig. 6 einen Querschnitt durch eine Verbindung mit einer vierten Struktur;
• Fig. 7 eine schematische Darstellung der Entstehung der Verbindung;
• Fig. 8 eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Ausführung des Verfahrens;
• Fig. 9 eine schematische Darstellung der Verformung zweier zu verbindender Faserverbände bei sich gegenüberstehenden Zähnen der Verformungsorgane;
• Fig. 10 eine schematische Darstellung der Verformung zweier zu verbindender Faserverbände bei ungleichstehenden Zähnen der Verformungsorgane;
• Fig. 11 eine schematische Darstellung der zeitweisen Freigabe der Faserverbände bei sich gegenüberstehenden Zahnlücken;
• Fig. 12 ein Verformungsorgan mit unterschiedlicher Breite der Mantelfläche;
• Fig. 13 ein Verformungsorgan mit teilweise konstanter und teilweise variabler Breite der Mantelfläche;
• Fig. 14 ein Verformungsorgan mit einem Bereich konstanter voller Breite und einem Bereich mit reduzierter Breite der Mantelfläche;
• Fig. 15 ein Verformungsorgan mit variablen und konstanten Bereichen der Breite der Mantelfläche;
• Fig. 16 ein Verformungsorgan mit schräg verzahnter Mantelfläche mit Bereichen unterschiedlicher Breite derselben;
• Fig. 17 ein Verformungsorgan mit schräg verzahnter Mantelfläche;
• Fig. 18 eine schematische Darstellung einer Einrichtung zur Einstellung der Weite des Einwirkungsbereichs der Verformungsorgane;
• Fig. 19 eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung mit Verformungsorganen und Antriebsrad mit unterschiedlichen Zähnezahlen;
• Fig. 20 eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung mit indirektem Antrieb der Verformungsorgane;
• Fig. 21 bis 28 verschiedene Ausführungsarten von Strukturen der Mantelflächen von Verformungsorganen;
• Fig. 29 eine schematische Darstellung linear beweglicher Verformungsorgane;
• Fig. 30 eine schematische Darstellung von Führungseinrichtungen für die zu verbindenden Faserverbände;
• Fig. 31 eine weitere Ausführungsvariante von Führungseinrichtungen für zu verbindende Faserverbände;
• Fig. 32 eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsvariante der Vorrichtung. In allen Figuren sind sich entsprechende Teile mit gleichen Hinweiszeichen versehen. Die Figuren sind nicht massstäblich gezeichnet.

In the following the invention is explained for example with reference to the drawing. It shows:

• 1 shows a connection between two fiber associations;
• 2 shows a relative position of two fiber bundles to be connected before the connection;
• 3 shows a cross section through a connection with a first structure;
• 4 shows a cross section through a connection with a second structure;
• 5 shows a cross section through a connection with a third structure;
• 6 shows a cross section through a connection with a fourth structure;
• 7 shows a schematic representation of the formation of the connection;
• 8 shows a schematic representation of an apparatus for carrying out the method;
• 9 shows a schematic illustration of the deformation of two fiber assemblies to be connected with opposing teeth of the deformation elements;
• 10 shows a schematic illustration of the deformation of two fiber assemblies to be connected when the teeth of the deformation elements are not aligned;
• 11 shows a schematic illustration of the temporary release of the fiber associations in the case of opposing tooth gaps;
• 12 shows a deformation element with a different width of the lateral surface;
• 13 shows a deformation element with a partly constant and partly variable width of the lateral surface;
• 14 shows a deformation element with an area of constant full width and an area with reduced width of the lateral surface;
• 15 shows a deformation element with variable and constant regions of the width of the lateral surface;
• 16 shows a deformation element with an obliquely toothed lateral surface with areas of different widths thereof;
• 17 shows a deformation element with obliquely toothed lateral surface;
• 18 shows a schematic illustration of a device for adjusting the width of the area of action of the deformation members;
• 19 shows a schematic illustration of a device with deformation elements and drive wheel with different numbers of teeth;
• 20 shows a schematic illustration of a device with indirect drive of the deformation members;
• 21 to 28 different embodiments of structures of the lateral surfaces of deformation elements;
• 29 shows a schematic illustration of linearly movable deformation members;
• 30 shows a schematic illustration of guide devices for the fiber associations to be connected;
• 31 shows a further embodiment variant of guide devices for fiber associations to be connected;
• 32 shows a schematic illustration of a further embodiment variant of the device. Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures. The figures are not drawn to scale.

1 shows a schematic representation of a connection 1 of, for example, two fiber associations 2 and 3; essentially only the connection point itself is drawn and a short continuation of connected fiber associations 2 and 3 on each side. The dead ends of the interconnected fiber associations 2 and 3 can be cut off at the ends of the connection length L after the connection has been made.

At least over part 6 of the length L of the connection 1, the fiber associations 2 and 3 are wrapped with fibers originating from at least one of the fiber associations 2 or 3. Within the loop 4 is the rest 5 of the fiber material of the fiber associations 2 and 3, which remains after the at least partial removal of the fibers required for the loop 4 from at least one of the fiber associations 2 and 3 to be connected. that on the one hand the remaining material cross section, ie the sum of the cross sections of the cross section through the connection 1 is at least reduced by the fibers used for the loop 4 compared to the original fiber associations. When creating connection 1, however, it is entirely possible for a further part of fibers to be removed and removed from at least one of fiber assemblies 2 and 3. It is also important that the wrapping 4 is non-positive, i.e. that the fibers forming the loop 4 are in good adhesive contact with themselves and preferably with looped fibers, and in this way the remaining fibers of the fiber associations 2 and 3 wrapped in the loop 4 are held together with at least the same pressure as in original condition of the individual fiber associations was the case. This achieves a tensile strength of the connection which is not significantly less than or equal to or greater than the tensile strength of an individual fiber assembly.

By removing further fibers from the fiber associations 2 and / or 3 than those required for the loop 4, the material cross section in the area of the connection 1 can be reduced in a targeted manner in order to achieve both a smaller diameter D of the connection 1 and one to achieve higher smoothness of the connection 1. As a result of the high pressure to which the remaining fibers of the fiber associations 2 and 3 lying within the loop 4 are exposed, a tear resistance of the connection 1 can be achieved which, despite the reduced material cross section, is not significantly inferior to the tear resistance of an individual fiber association or even at least equals it.

The remainder 5 of the fibers remaining within the loop 4 essentially corresponds to the sum of the fibers present at the connection point of the connected fiber associations 2 and 3 before the connection 1 was produced, less the fibers used for the loop 4 in the loop area 6.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a cross section through two fiber assemblies 2 and 3 lying against one another. The first fiber assembly 2 has a diameter D and a cross section Q, and the second fiber assembly 3 has a diameter D ₂ and a cross section Q _″ .

3 schematically shows a cross section through a connection 1, from which it can be seen that the originally circular cross sections Q, and Q _{z have been formed} into smaller areas F, and F ₂ in the looping area 6, these shaped cross sections being approximately semicircular or have sector shape. The fiber bundles deformed in this way lie approximately along a diameter line and result in a first structure of the connection.

FIG. 4 shows a second structure of the cross section of the connection 1, as can be achieved by a suitable choice of the deformation parameters. Here, the surfaces F and F ₂ partially wrap around each other, so that there is closer contact between the two deformed cross-sections of the compressed fiber assemblies.

FIG. 5 shows a third structure of the cross section through the connection 1 as can be achieved with a suitable choice of deformation parameters. This third structure is characterized in that a core zone 7 and a jacket zone 8 are formed within the loop 4, which is encompassed by looping fibers 4. The core zone 7 consists essentially of fibers of one fiber structure and the core zone 8 essentially of fibers of the other fiber structure. The core zone 7 can be symmetrical or asymmetrical within the jacket zone 8.

6 shows a fourth structure of the cross section through the connection 1, which is characterized in that the fibers of the fiber structure 2 are represented by the action of the deformation elements, they are represented in FIG. 6 by a circle with a point in the middle, and the fibers of the fiber assembly 3, they are shown in Fig. 6 with a small circle with a cross, little have at least partially mixed and are encompassed by the wrapping 4 as a mixed bundle. This structure is characterized by increased adhesion of the fibers belonging to the individual fiber associations to one another.

A further increase in the adhesion of fibers both of the connected fiber associations and of the fibers lying in the wrap 4 can be achieved in that at least some of these fibers in their structure and / or surface properties in the area of the connection 1 compared to their state before the connection and is specifically changed outside of the connection 1, for example by appropriate design of the structure of the deformation elements. The change in the structure and / or surface quality is preferably carried out in the direction of increasing the adhesion, for example by roughening the surface of the fibers and / or impressing waviness or crimp on the individual fibers.

It is hereby possible that the length of individual fibers within the connection 1 is shortened compared to the length of individual fibers outside the connection.

7 shows a schematic representation of the formation of the connection. The two fiber structures 2 and 3 are fed essentially parallel to one another in the direction of arrow 17 to an area of action 14 between two deformation members 11 and 12. The deformation elements 11 and 12 do not touch each other, but leave a width W of the area of action 14 at the narrowest point between the deformation elements 11 and 12. The deformation members 11 and 12 rotate in the direction of arrows 15 and 16, respectively, so that their outermost contours move past one another in the opposite direction.

Within the area of action 14, shown cross-hatched in FIG. 7, the two fiber associations 2 and 3 are deformed and pressed together. In addition, at least individual fibers are at least partially pulled out of at least one of the two fiber associations 2 and 3 and are used as a loop 4 by the mutual rotary movement of the deformation members 11 and 12. When the deformed fiber associations leave the area of action 14 in the direction of arrow 18, they have a cross section 19 which is essentially circular, the cross-sectional area being smaller than the sum of the cross sections of the fiber associations 2 and 3 before they enter the area of action 14.

The structure of the cross section 19 can have any of the structures shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 or a mixed form thereof.

In the area of the connection 1, the number of individual fibers passing through at least one cross section through the connection 1 can be smaller than the original sum of the fibers of the connected fiber associations.

The diameter D of the connection 1 can be smaller than the diameter of a circle whose area is equal to the sum of the original cross sections of the connected fiber assemblies.

The method for producing compound 1 is characterized by the features mentioned in the claims and in the introduction to the description. An advantageous embodiment of the method consists in making at least one working parameter for the generation of the connection changeable and / or adjustable in order to form preferred connection structures, such as, for example, with the aid of a certain choice of such individual parameters and / or certain combinations of such parameters 3 to 6 have been explained to favor. Mixed forms of the structures according to FIGS. 3 to 6 can also be achieved.

• 1. Entfernung zwischen den Einspannstellen der zu verbindenden Faserverbände;
• 2. Spannung der eingespannten Faserverbände;
• 3. Struktur der Verformungsorgane;
• 4. Gegenseitiger Abstand der Verformungsorgane;
• 5. Gegenseitige räumliche Orientierung der Verformungsorgane;
• 6. Druck der Verformungsorgane auf die zu verbindenden Faserverbände;
• 7. Geschwindigkeit der Verformungsorgane relativ zu den Faserverbänden;
• 8. Winkelstellung der Verformungsorgane oder ihrer Bewegungsrichtung relativ zu den Faserverbänden;
• 9. Durchlaufgeschwindigkeit und/oder Durchlauf- und/oder Verweilzeit der zu verbindenden Faserverbände durch bzw. im Einwirkungsbereich der Verformungsorgane.

In particular, the method can be further developed such that one or more of the work parameters listed below can be changed and / or set as work parameters:

• 1. distance between the clamping points of the fiber associations to be connected;
• 2. tension of the clamped fiber bundles;
• 3. Structure of the deformation organs;
• 4. Mutual distance between the deformation elements;
• 5. Mutual spatial orientation of the deformation organs;
• 6. pressure of the deformation elements on the fiber associations to be connected;
• 7. Speed of the deformation elements relative to the fiber associations;
• 8. Angular position of the deformation elements or their direction of movement relative to the fiber associations;
• 9. Throughput speed and / or throughput and / or dwell time of the fiber associations to be connected through or in the area of action of the deformation elements.

It should be noted in this regard that the choice of the distance between the clamping points of the fiber associations to be connected from one another and from the area of action 14 (FIG. 7) has an influence on the resulting compensation of twist changes during and after the creation of a connection and should therefore be set advantageously .

The setting of the longitudinal tension of the clamped fiber assemblies to be connected has an analogous effect.

Depending on the type, especially the starting material and processing, e.g. B. spinning, and the number of twists of the fiber associations per unit length, there are structural differences in the sense of the explanations for FIGS. 3 to 6.

The distance between the deformation members and thereby the width W of the deformation region 14 (FIG. 7) also have a diameter D ₁ and O _{2 of} the fiber associations 2 and 3 dependent influence on the deformation forces and thereby on the preference of the different structures in the sense of the figures, FIGS. 3 to 6.

The spatial arrangement, i.e. H. The mutual spatial orientation of the deformation elements with respect to one another and in relation to the fiber associations to be connected, for example whether the main planes of the deformation elements are at right angles to the direction of the fiber associations or are inclined to the same or to a different extent, has an influence on the resulting structure of the generated connection. The deformation members can also be directed with more or less pressure against the fiber associations to be connected, which also has an influence on the resulting structure of the connection produced.

The deformation members move in the opposite direction in the area of action 14. The peripheral speeds of the deformation elements are preferably approximately in the range of 2 to 20 m / sec. chosen horizontally. In the case of toothed profiles of the contours of the deformation elements in the area of action for the fiber associations to be connected, there are advantageous time intervals with pressure on the fiber associations of about 0.1 milliseconds and time intervals for the temporary release of the fiber associations of about 0.2 milliseconds when the fiber associations 2 and 3 during an advantageous time span of about 0.5 to 2 seconds through the area 14.

By inclining the deformation members to the longitudinal direction of the fiber associations to be connected, the generation of shear forces with force components in the longitudinal direction of the fiber associations can also be achieved, which results in an additional advantage of the mixing of the fibers of the individual fiber associations.

The resulting structure within the connection can also be influenced by the selection of a suitable throughput speed and / or throughput or dwell time of the fiber assemblies to be connected through or in the area of action 14 of the deformation members.

As a result of the quite complicated and sometimes interrelated influences of the parameters mentioned and the relationships in the formation of a connection, both a certain choice of parameters and of settings can best be found empirically. Thanks to the quick way of working and the good reproducibility, this procedure is advantageous and is the quickest way to achieve an optimal mode of operation.

It is possible both to create a connection if the fiber associations to be connected are guided through the area of action 14 at an approximately constant speed, and if the fiber associations to be connected are kept in an approximately constant position within the area of action 14 for a certain dwell time.

It should be noted that, due to the structure of the surfaces of the deformation elements 11 and 12 that come into contact with the fiber structures to be connected, the forces and forces acting on the fiber structures to be connected vary rapidly in size and / or direction in rapid succession. During the passage time or dwell time of the fiber associations 2 and 3 to be connected through or in the area of action 14 of the deformation members 11 and 12, there are time intervals for the action of the deformation members with variable force action and time intervals for the at least partial release of the fiber associations by the structure of the deformation members in rapid succession or with rapid change.

As can be seen from FIGS. 3 to 6, the structure of the deformation elements and / or the strength and / or frequency of the force effects on at least parts of the fiber associations to be connected result in changes in the distribution within the fiber associations compared to the original distribution before the effect of the Deformation organs. This improves the tear resistance of the connection.

The action of the deformation elements can also result in the mixing of fibers of a fiber structure with fibers of the same and / or another fiber structure. This mixing of fibers also increases the tensile strength of the connection.

The effect of the deformation elements on the individual fibers of the fiber associations to be connected allows their surface and / or structure to be increased in an adhesion-increasing manner and thereby the adhesion of fibers to one another in the area of the connection 1 to be produced to parts of the fiber associations that do not fall into the area 14 of the deformation elements 11, 12 guess, increase, which results in an improvement in the tear strength of the connection.

The non-positive wrap 4 in connection 1 leads to an increase in the compression of the individual fibers in the area of the wrap 4 within the remainder 5 of the fiber bundles 2 and 3 to be connected and thereby to an increased adhesion of the individual fibers to one another, and this also increases the tear resistance of the connection 1 increased.

Finally, by means of a suitable structure, e.g. Fine ribs can be achieved on the lateral surfaces of the deformation elements 11 and 12, that at least individual fibers of the fiber assemblies 2 and 3 change in their structure, for example they are corrugated, coiled or crimped, and as a result the tendency to interlock. If this clawing takes place within the rest 5 (FIG. 1), the tensile strength of the connection 1 is thereby increased. If this clawing takes place mainly in the area of the wrap 4, the frictional engagement thereof is thereby improved, which likewise benefits the quality of the connection 1.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of the formation of the connection in a schematic illustration of the basic structure of a device for executing the described method. The device 10 has at least two deformation members 11 and 12, which are movably mounted on a carrier 13, in the example of FIG. 7 rotatable. The deformation elements 11 and 12 or their contours approach the fiber associations 2 and 3 to be connected in an area of action 14, but without touching one another. At the narrowest point between the deforming members 11 and 12 rotating in the direction of the arrows 15 and 16, the action zone 14 located between them has a width W. The fiber associations 2 and 3 to be connected can be fed to the action area 14 approximately parallel to one another in the direction of arrow 17. Due to the deformation work which the deformation elements 11 and 12 exert on the fiber associations 2 and 3, these are connected to one another and the interconnected fiber associations 2 and 3 can be led away from the area of action 14 in the direction of arrow 18, for example. However, it is also possible to guide the connected fiber associations out of the area of action 14 again in the direction of the arrow 17.

So that deformation forces can be applied to the fiber bundles 2 and 3 to be connected, it is essential that the width of the area of action 14 at its narrowest point is smaller than the sum of the diameters D or D _z (see FIG. 2) of the ones to be connected Fiber dressings 2 and 3.

8 shows a schematic representation of an apparatus for carrying out the method. The various parts of the device 10 are constructed on a carrier 13. Two deformation elements 11 and 12 are each rotatably mounted on an axis 20 and 21 and they are rotatable via a drive wheel 22. The drive wheel 22 itself is coupled to a power drive 23 via a coupling member 24, for example a shaft. A small electric motor, for example, is suitable as the power drive 23. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 8, the deformation members 11 and 12 are rotating bodies and at least part of their surface, for example their lateral surfaces are structured. This structuring can be carried out in the form of a toothing which, for example, has the same profile as the drive wheel 22, both the toothing of the deformation element 11 and that of the deformation element 12 being in engagement with the toothing of the drive wheel 22.

An adjustable bearing device 25 is preferably also fastened on the carrier 13, in which a deformation element, in the example of FIG. 8 it is the deformation element 12, is rotatably mounted, the width W of the area of action 14 being adjustable by means of this adjustable bearing device 25.

It is advantageous to provide in the device 10 at least one movable member 26 for at least temporarily guiding and / or scanning the fiber associations 2 and 3 to be connected. When the fiber associations 2 and 3 to be connected are inserted, for example, one can be attached to the movable member 26 at a suitable point Groove the most advantageous position of the fiber associations 2 and 3 for the optimal introduction into the area of influence of the deformation members 11 and 12 can be ensured. It is also possible to scan the current position of the fiber assemblies 2 and 3 by means of the movable member 26. By introducing the fiber assemblies 2 and 3 into the area of action 14 (see FIG. 7) of the device 10, the movable member 26 is pivoted and, when it is connected to a switching member 27, can do so depending on the position of the fiber assemblies to be connected actuate and thereby temporarily switch the power drive 23 on or off.

In the device 10 according to FIG. 8, at least part of the surface or the outer surface of the deformation elements 11 and 12 is serrated and the center distance of the deformation elements 11 and 12 is selected such that their teeth do not touch, but when they are compared at the narrowest point of the Area of action 14 (see FIG. 7) approach to a width W of less than the sum of the diameters D and D _{2 of} the fiber associations 2 and 3 to be connected.

In the case of deformation elements 11 and 12 with a serrated lateral surface, it can be seen from FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 how the inserted fiber associations 2 and 3 are deformed under the action of the deformation elements. FIG. 9 shows the conditions when two teeth are exactly opposite one another, FIG. 10 shows the conditions in an intermediate position and FIG. 11 shows the conditions with opposing tooth gaps. It can be seen that both the strength and the direction of the forces exerted by the deformation elements on the fiber associations 2 and 3 change continuously and that there are both time intervals of the force-related influence on the fiber associations 2 and 3 and time intervals for the temporary release of the fiber associations. Time intervals of the application of force are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a time interval of the release is shown in FIG. 11.

To achieve or favor certain connection structures, for example according to FIGS. 3 to 6 or mixed forms thereof, it has proven advantageous to use deformation bodies of different shapes.

FIG. 12 shows a deformation element 11, which is a rotating body with a structured outer surface 27, the outer surface 27 having a different width B along the circumference thereof.

FIG. 13 shows a deformation element as a rotating body with a structured outer surface 27, the outer surface having a constant width B and over a first region of its circumference another area of the circumference has a different width B ₂ .

14 shows a deformation element 11 as a rotating body with a structured lateral surface 27, which is designed such that in the area of a recess 28 only part of the width B _{1 of} the lateral surface 27 comes into contact with the fiber associations to be connected.

15 shows a further embodiment variant of a deformation element 11, which is designed as a rotating body with a structured lateral surface, a wedge-shaped recess 29 in the deformation element 11 and, in the region of a bevel 30, the remaining lateral surface 27 having a different effective width along its circumference.

16 shows an embodiment variant of a deformation element 11 which is designed as a rotating body with a structured lateral surface, the deformation element 11 on a first part of the circumference having a recess 28 which is symmetrical to the central plane of the deformation element 11 and in another part of the circumference further opposing ones Recesses 31 and 32 have such that, in operation, points of the outer surface 27 with different widths and positions of the outer surface (33, 34, 35) alternately come into contact with the fiber associations 2 and 3 to be connected and become effective.

8 and 12 to 17 show deformation elements in which the structure of the lateral surface 27 is represented by a toothing which is straight or inclined.

18 shows an exemplary embodiment of a bearing device 25 in which at least one deformation element 12 is rotatably supported and the bearing device 25 can be displaced transversely in the direction of the double arrow 36 and can be adjusted by an adjusting device 37 and can be ascertained by a locking element 38. A specific setting of the setting device 37 can be fixed by rotating the locking member 38. The bearing device 25 has two webs 41 and 42 and a center piece 47 lying between them, the bearing device 25 being displaceable in grooves in the webs 41, 42. The adjusting device 37, for example a threaded spindle, runs in the middle piece 40.

FIG. 19 shows a further schematic illustration for a device 10, in which the deformation elements 11 and 12 are rotational bodies with a lateral surface with teeth, which are each in engagement with the drive wheel 22. The deformation members 11 and 12 and / or the drive wheel 22 can have the same or different number of teeth. The fiber associations 2 and 3 to be connected to one another are introduced into the area of action 14 in the direction of the arrow 17 and the connection of the connected fiber associations can take place in the direction of the arrow 18 shown in broken lines.

20 shows a section from the illustration of a further embodiment variant of the device 10, in which the deformation elements 11 and 12 have a structured outer surface, the deformation elements 11 and 12 are driven indirectly, however, and their outer surfaces 27 themselves are not in engagement with further toothings .

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the deformation members 11 and 12 are connected via their axes 20 and 21 to intermediate wheels 43 and 44 which can be driven by a movable toothed rail 45, the toothed rail 45 executing a movement in the direction of arrow 46, for example. The intermediate wheels 43 and 44 could also be driven by the drive wheel 22.

21 to 26 show deformation elements which have a structured lateral surface and the structure has a tooth-like or tooth-like character. However, it should be noted that because of the formation of the area of action 14, the teeth of the two deformation members 11 and 12 are not in engagement with one another. With a suitable shape, however, the toothing of the deformation members 11 and 12 can be in engagement with the drive wheel 22 (see FIG. 8), provided the drive wheel 22 has a suitable toothing. In an arrangement according to Fig. 20, i.e. with indirect drive of the deformation elements via intermediate wheels 43 and 44, the tooth shape can be freely selected.

21 shows deformation elements with teeth 27a with a rectangular profile.

22 shows deformation elements 11 and 12 with teeth 27b with a trapezoidal profile.

23 shows deformation elements 11 and 12 with sawtooth-shaped teeth 27c.

24 shows deformation bodies 11 and 12 with rib-shaped profile 27d on the lateral surfaces.

25 shows deformation bodies 11 and 12 on the lateral surface 27e of which alternately have concave and convex parts.

FIG. 26 shows deformation elements 11 and 12 whose outer surface 27f is alternately provided with cylindrical and flat surfaces.

27 shows deformation bodies 11 and 12 whose lateral surface 27g has teeth with sharp edges.

FIG. 28 shows deformation elements 11 and 12 whose lateral surface 27h has a structure similar to a grinding wheel, the roughness being adapted to the material character of the fiber associations to be connected.

29 shows an example of deformation elements which are designed as linearly movable bodies and face each other in pairs with structured surfaces, the fiber associations to be connected being able to be passed between the structured surfaces 27i. Such linearly movable bodies as deformation elements can also be moved, for example, by an oscillating armature drive.

30 shows how guide devices 49 and 51 can be arranged on a device 10 on both sides of the area of action 14 of the deformation members 11 and 12. The first The guide device 49 is arranged at a first distance 50 and the second guide device 51 at a second distance 52 on opposite sides of the area of action 14.

Depending on the twist of fiber associations 2 and 3, i.e. Both in terms of the number of twists per unit length and the sense of twist, the action of the deformation elements in the area of the connection 1 to be produced and in adjacent zones can result in a change in the previously existing twist of the fiber associations. This circumstance can be taken into account by a suitable choice of the first distance 50 or the second distance 52 and it can in particular be ensured that swirl changes do not have a detrimental effect or can even out in the neighboring area of the connection 1. Since the twist changes to the left and right of the area of action 14 can have different effects for a given twist direction of the fiber associations 2 and 3, this fact can be taken into account by unequal selection of the first distance 50 and the second distance 52.

31 shows variants 49 ^* and 51 ^* for the guide devices, which are designed in such a way that the fiber associations to be connected are guided separately from one another.

32 shows an embodiment variant 10a of a device for carrying out the method, which is characterized in that the deformation members 11 and 12 are rotatably mounted in the directions according to the arrows 15 and 16 on swivel arms 52a and 53 and via intermediate wheels 43 and 44 are driven by the drive wheel 22. Depending on the size of the swivel angle a of the swivel members 52a and 53, the width W of the area of action 14 changes. If the swivel members 52a and 53 are actuated, for example, by a lever mechanism 54, the device 10a with a large width W can be in the range of fixed fiber associations to be connected 2 and 3 are brought without the fiber assemblies 2 and 3 already coming into contact with the deformation elements 11 and 12. Subsequently, the deformation members 11 and 12 can be brought together by actuating the lever mechanism 54, whereby the deformation of the fiber assemblies begins and a connection 1 is established. After this has taken place, an actuation area 14 can be opened by actuating the lever mechanism 54 again, and the device 10a can be pulled away, so that the interconnected fiber associations 2 and 3 with their connection 1 are freely accessible. An embodiment of the device 10 according to variant 10a is particularly suitable for use in an automatic workflow.

It has been shown that, according to the described methods and with the described devices, connections 1 can be produced which fully meet all practical requirements. It should be noted here that such a connection is created in about one second and the entire work cycle, i.e. Insertion of the fiber associations, formation of the connection and routing of the connected fiber associations can be carried out within a few seconds. It has also been shown that connections produced by the described method, if the parameters are optimally selected, already have a sufficient tensile strength at a length L of the connection 1 from approximately the size of the diameter D, for example in the range of the tensile strength of an individual fiber structure or even lies above. Another advantage of the connections described is their very high flexibility and the fact that the diameter D of the connection can be chosen approximately equal to the original diameter of one of the fiber associations to be connected. Another advantage of the connection described can be seen in the fact that no foreign materials are required for the wrapping 4, so that, for example, there are no differences in the subsequent coloring. Finally, it should also be pointed out that the device 10 required for executing the connection is constructed much more simply, for example, compared to automatic knotting devices, and can therefore also be produced at lower costs. Due to the low energy consumption, it is also very easily possible to produce a movable or portable device, for example with a battery-operated electric motor drive.

The device also has the advantage of having a self-cleaning effect in that contamination of the device is practically avoided by an air flow generated by it or its moving parts.

Claims (41)

1. A connection of the end regions of fiber structures wherein the fiber structures are wrapped around in a force-locked manner by fibers (4) over a region (6) of the length (L) of the connection (1), characterised in that the fibers (4) which serve for wrapping around are formed from the connection region (6) of at least one of the fiber structures (2, 3), from which they are not separated.

2. A connection in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the remainder (5) of the fibers of the connected fiber structures (2, 3) substantially amounts to the sum of the individual fibers at the location of the connection of the connected fiber structures (2, 3) prior to formation of the connection (1), less the fibers (4) used in the wrapping region (6).

3. A connection in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the named remainder (5) is smaller, by a number of fibers intentionally removed from the fiber structures (2, 3), than the sum of the individual fibers in the wrapping region of the fiber structures (2, 3) piror to formation of the connection less the fibers used in the wrapping.

4. A connection in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the fiber structures (2, 3) which are joined with one another in the wrapping region (6) are pressed together by the wrapping, substantially without mutual intermixing of the individual fibers originating from the fiber structures (2, 3) to be connected.

5. A connection in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the connection (1) has a substantially circular cross-section (Q) with the diameter (D) in the wrapping region (6); and in that the original substantially circular cross-sections (Q_i, Q_z) of the interconnected fiber structures (2, 3) with their original diameters (D_i) and (0₂) are deformed to part areas (F₁, F₂) of a circle having approximately the diameter D.

6. A connection in accordance with claim 5, characterised in that the part areas (F_i, F₂) are substantially similar segments of the circular cross-section (Q), and indeed semicircular segments with two connected fiber structures (2, 3) and sectors with more than two connected fiber structures.

7. A connection in accordance with claim 5, characterised in that the segments (F_i, F₂) are at least partly wrapped around one another.

8. A connection in accordance with claim 5, characterised in that the fibers of at least one fiber structure (2) of the connected fiber structures (2, 3) form a core zone (7) within the cross-section (Q) of the connection (1); and in that fibers of at least one other fiber structure (3) of the connected fiber structures (2, 3) form a sheath zone (8) which is surrounded by the wrapping fibers (4).

9. A connection in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that fibers originally belonging to different ones of the interconnected fiber structures (2, 3) are substantially mixed together in the wrapping region (6) and surrounded by the wrapping fibers (4).

10. A connection in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the structure and/or surface condition of at least one part of the connected and/or wrapping fibers of the fiber structures is intentionally changed in the region of the connection relative to their state prior to the connection and outside of the connection (1).

11. A connection in accordance with claim 10, characterised in that the change of the structure and/or the surface condition is arranged to increase the adhesion.

12. A connection in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the length of individual fibers (4) within the connection (1) is shortened relative to the length of individual fibers (4) outside of the connection (1).

13. A method of generating a connection in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein the fiber structures (2, 3) which are to be connected are brought together into a closely adjacent and at least approximately parallel position relative to one another, characterised in that both thrust forces and also tension and/or compression forces are exerted on at least one part of the periphery of each of the fiber structures (2, 3) to be connected and on the totality of the fiber structures (2, 3) by bodily contact of the same with at least two deforming members (11, 12) which press the fiber structures together in opposite directions transverse to the length of the connection region (6) in order, on the one hand, to change the original cross-sections (D_i, D_z) and/or structure of the fiber structures (2, 3) which are to be connected and, on the other hand, in order to release, from at least one of the fiber structures (2, 3) to be joined, individual fibers (4) at least partly from their structure and to displace them in such a way that they are finally wrapped in force-locked manner around the fiber structures to be connected, at least in a part (6) of the range of action (14) of the deforming members (11, 12); and in that the fiber structures (2, 3) which are connected by the wrapping are subsequently brought out again from the range of action (14) of the deforming members (11, 12).

14. A method in accordance with claim 13, characterised in that at least one working parameter for the generation of the connection is changeable and/or adjustable in order to achieve the formation of prefered connection structures through a specific selection of individual ones of such parameters, and/or specific combinations of such parameters, with one or more of the following list of working parameters being usable as the parameter:

1. the separation between the points at which the fiber structures (2, 3) to be joined are gripped;

2. the tension of the gripped fiber structures;

3. the structure of the surfaces of the deforming members (11, 12)

4. the mutual spacing of the deforming members (11, 12)

5. the mutual spatial orientation of the deforming members (11, 12)

6. the pressure of the deforming members (11, 12) on the fiber structures (2, 3) to be joined;

7. the speed of the deforming members (11, 12) relative to the fiber structures (2, 3);

8. the angular position of the deforming members (11, 12) or their direction of movement relative to the fiber structures (2, 3);

9. the speed of passage and/or dwell time of the fiber structures (2, 3) to be joined through or in the range of action (14) of the forming members (11, 12).

15. A method in accordance with one of the claims 13 or 14, characterised in that the fiber structures (2, 3) to be connected are moved through the range of action (14) of the deforming members (11, 12) and/or are temporarily left in this range of action (14) by a relative movement between the fiber structures (2, 3) to be connected and an apparatus (10) for carrying out the method.

16. A method in accordance with one of the claims 12 to 14, characterised in that the forces which act on the fiber structures (2, 3) to be connected through the deforming members (11, 12) vary in size and/or direction in rapid temporal sequence during the dwell time of the fiber structures (2, 3) which are to be connected.

17. Apparatus for carrying out the method of claim 13, characterised in that the apparatus (10) has at least two deforming members (11,12) which are movably mounted on a carrier (13), wherein the deforming members (11, 12) are moved in opposite directions onto the fiber structures (2, 3) to be joined in the range of action (14), wherein the fiber structures (2, 3) to be joined can be moved towards the range of action (14) by means of a first guide device, and wherein the joined fiber structures (19) can be moved out of this range of action (14) by means of a second guide device.

18. Apparatus in accordance with claim 17, characterised in that the deforming members (11, 12) are bodies of rotation with at least one part of their surfaces being structured; in that the deforming members (11, 12) are each rotatably supported on an axle (20, 21) and drivable via a drive wheel (22), with the drive wheel (22) itself being coupled with the motive power source (23) via a coupling member (24).

19. Apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 17 to 18, characterised in that at least one of the deforming members (12) is journalled with its axle (21) in an adjustable bearing device (25) whereby a change in and/or a specific adjustment of the width (W) of the range of action (14) is possible.

20. Apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 17 to 19, characterised in that at least one movable member (26) is provided for at least temporarily guiding and/or sensing of the fiber structures (2, 3) to be joined.

21. Apparatus in accordance with claim 20, characterised in that the movable member (26) is in connection with a switch member (27) in order to actuate this switch member independence on the position of the fiber structures (2, 3) which are to be joined and to free the range of action (14).

22. Apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 17 to 21, characterised in that at least a part of the surface or the peripheral surface of the deforming members (11, 12) is toothed; and in that the axial spacing of the deforming members (11, 12) is selected so that their contours or teeth do not contact one another but approach one another, when facing one another at the narrowest point of the range of action (14), up to a distance (W) which is less then the sum of the diameters (D,, O2) of the fiber structures (2, 3) which are to be joined.

23. Apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 17 to 22, characterised in that at least one deforming member (11, 12) is a body of rotation with a structured peripheral surface (27), with the peripheral surface having a variable width (B) along the periphery of the peripheral surface.

24. Apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 17 to 22, characterised in that at least one deforming member (11) is a body of rotation with a structured peripheral surface (27), with the peripheral surface (27) having a constant width (B,) for a first region of its periphery and a different width (B_z) over a further region of the periphery.

25. Apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 17 to 22, characterised in that at least one deforming member (11) is constructed as a body of rotation with a structured peripheral surface (27) in such a way that, in the region of a cut-out (28), only one part of the width (B,) of the peripheral surface (27) comes into contact with the fiber structures (2, 3) to be joined.

26. Apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 17 to 22, characterised in that at least one deforming member (11) is a body of rotation with a structured peripheral surface (27), with a wedge- like cut-out (29) being provided at one side of the deforming member (11) and with the remaining peripheral surface (27) having a different working width along its periphery in the region of a sloping surface (30).

27. Apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 17 to 22, characterised in that the deforming member (11) has a cut-out (28) lying symmetrically to the central plane of the deforming member (11) on a first part of the periphery and further, oppositely disposed cut-outs (31, 32) on another part of the periphery so that, in operation, points of the peripheral surface (27) of different width and position on the peripheral surface (33, 34, 35) alternately come into contact with and act on the fiber structures (2, 3) to be joined.

28. Apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 17 to 27, characterised in that the structure of the peripheral surface (27) is represented by a tooth profile which is formed either with a straight or with a sloping contour.

29. Apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 17 to 28, characterised in that the deforming members (11, 12) and/or the drive wheel (22) have the same or different numbers of teeth.

30. Apparatus in accordance with claim 17, characterised in that the deforming members (11, 12) have a structured peripheral surface, and in that the deforming members (11, 12) are however indirectly driven with their peripheral surfaces not themselves engaging with further toothed surfaces.

31. Apparatus in accordance with claim 30, characterised in that the deforming members (11, 12) are drivable via their axles (20, 21), and via intermediate wheels (43,44) connected thereto, by a movable toothed rod (45) or by the drive wheel (22).

32. Apparatus in accordance with claim 28, characterised in that the peripheral surface has a structure with rectangular, or trapezoidal, or sawtooth-like, or rib-like profile.

33. Apparatus in accordance with claim 30, characterised in that the peripheral surface has alternate concave and convex teeth.

34. Apparatus in accordance with claim 30, characterised in that the peripheral surface is al- ternatedly provided with cylindrical and plane surfaces.

35. Apparatus in accordance with claim 29, characterised in that at least one of the deforming members has a rough surface in the manner of a grinding disc.

36. Apparatus in accordance with claim 17, characterised in that the deforming members (11, 12) are formed as a linearly movable body and face one another in paired manner with structured surfaces, with the fiber structures which are to be connected being movable between the structured surfaces.

37. Apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 17 to 36, characterised in that a first guide means (49) for the fiber structures (2, 3) to be joined is arranged on one side of the range of action (14) of the deforming members (11, 12) at a first distance (50); and in that a second guide means (51) is arranged on the other side of the range of action (14) of the deforming members (11, 12) at a second distance (52).

38. Apparatus in accordance with claim 37, characterised in that the first distance (50) and the second distance (52) are at least approximately of the same size.

39. Apparatus in accordance with claim 37, characterised in that the second distance (52) is larger than the first distance (50).

40. Apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 37 to 39, characterised in that at least one of the guide means (49^*, 51 ^*) is constructed in such a way that the fiber structures (2, 3) to be joined are each separatedly guided.

41. Apparatus in accordance with claim 17, characterised in that the deforming members (11, 12) are rotatably arranged on pivotal members (52a, 53) and are driven by intermediate wheels (43, 44) from a drive wheel (22), with the range of action (14) and its width (W) varying in dependence on the angle of pivoting (a) of the pivotal members (52a, 53).

Images