EP0370039B1 - Process and device for doffing yarn bobbins - Google Patents

Abstract

In a process and device for doffing yarn bobbins, bobbin charging can be carried out automatically. The doffing device has a support frame in which one or more take-up mandrels (40) are held on one side by a mandrel-holding device (41-48). A handling device (70-73) which accepts a full bobbin has a coupling device (71) with which it can be coupled to the take-up mandrel. After coupling, the mandrel-holding device (41-48) is removed from the take-up mandrel (40) and the full yarn bobbin can be slid onto the take-up mandrel.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for operating a take-off device, which is particularly suitable for yarn spools, and a device for performing this method.

Textile yarns such as B. yarns made of natural fibers such as wool, cotton, or synthetic fibers such as polyamide, polyester and the like, or yarns made from a mixture of such fibers, are usually wound onto tubes during manufacture, these tubes mostly consisting of paper, cardboard, plastic or the like. The yarn packages produced thereby often have considerable dimensions and a weight, particularly when the yarn is intended for industrial further processing, and a weight which can be up to 20 kg and in some cases up to 40 kg and more.

In the industrial processing of the yarns, ie z. B. if the yarns have to be subjected to further processing steps, or in the manufacture of textile products from these yarns, the yarns must be removed from the bobbins in a suitable manner.

It is known to use take-off devices for yarn packages, which have a holding mandrel, onto which the package with the opening in the sleeve is pushed. The deduction itself takes place overhead, i.e. H. with the coil at a standstill, so that the mandrel must be supported on one side.

If several yarns are to be processed simultaneously for reasons of productivity, or, if for the manufacture of a textile product, e.g. B. a carpet, several yarns are required at the same time, the known extraction devices have a plurality of mandrels, which are arranged next to and / or one above the other.

In order to increase productivity, the textile industry attaches great importance to the fact that the processing of yarns or the further processing of yarns can take place as continuously as possible. This means that the supply of yarn to the further processing point must not be interrupted when a bobbin has expired. To ensure the continuous supply of yarn, take-off devices are used in which at least twice as many mandrels are provided as yarns are required. In these take-off devices, a second take-up mandrel with a replacement spool is then arranged next to or above the take-up mandrel on which the bobbin is located, the yarn of which is being drawn off. The yarn end of the first bobbin, which is located on the first mandrel, is connected to the beginning of the yarn of the second bobbin, which is located on the second mandrel. As soon as the first spool has run out, the trigger automatically jumps to the second spool. Then, while the second bobbin is running, the first bobbin can be exchanged, in which case the beginning of the yarn is then connected to the end of the yarn of the previous second bobbin. In this way, a continuous yarn run can be ensured.

The problem with all these take-off devices is the replacement of the coils. When the yarn is drawn off axially (stationary bobbin) the yarn rotates around the respective bobbin at a relatively high speed. This forms a so-called yarn balloon or thread balloon, which makes access to the mandrels, in which the bobbins have to be changed, considerably more difficult. It is therefore still not possible to automate such extraction devices. The trigger devices must rather be monitored by an operator who, for. B. when a bobbin expires, attaches a new bobbin to the released mandrel and connects the beginning of the yarn to the yarn end of the assigned bobbin.

This manual changing of the bobbins is very unpleasant heavy work for bobbins with a high weight. Furthermore, the need to change the bobbins manually prevents a rationalization of the yarn processing.

The present invention therefore has as its object to provide a method with which an efficient operation of yarn take-off devices is possible. Furthermore, the invention has for its object to provide a trigger device that can be operated efficiently and largely without the use of workers.

This object is achieved by the method according to claim 1. The trigger device according to the invention is the subject of claim 12. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The method according to the invention brings significant advantages in the operation of a take-off device of the type mentioned at the outset. It has not hitherto been possible to design an automatic placement of bobbins on a take-off device in such a way that this attachment can also be carried out while yarn is being drawn off individual take-up mandrels. This is due to the fact that, due to the one-sided mounting of the holding mandrels, the yarn packages always had to be pushed on from the take-off side, which was considerably hampered by the removed yarns themselves.

According to the present invention, a mandrel is now used which has a mandrel holding device which can be removed from the mandrel. The holding of the mandrel when the mandrel holding device is removed is ensured by a handling device which holds the mandrel in its original position. The handling device, which preferably has a manipulation mandrel, carries the coil which is to be applied to the holding mandrel. This coil is then pushed onto the holding mandrel by the manipulation mandrel, any empty sleeve that may be present being thrown off over the free end of the holding mandrel.

This method makes it possible for the first time to insert the spool from the side of the take-off device opposite the take-off side. As a result, the yarn take-off on the take-off side is not hindered by the push-on process itself and it is therefore possible to use an automated handling device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the empty tube is initially held in a horizontal position during the ejection and is then dropped from this position, so that the tube falls parallel to the yarn take-off direction. This has the major advantage that the bobbins can be replaced even with thin yarns if the yarn is drawn off from other mandrels. It has been found that when the empty tube is dropped, the yarn tears above all when the empty tube falls in a position in which its longitudinal axis is inclined with respect to the horizontal. The rotating, drawn-off yarn then hits the sleeve, possibly even wraps around the sleeve and then tears. This either leads to errors in the manufactured textile products or the yarn processing is interrupted. However, if the sleeve is dropped in a horizontal position, the yarn can briefly touch the sleeve and is then deflected by the sleeve in a manner that does not cause the yarn to tear.

The connection between the holding mandrel and the manipulating mandrel can preferably be non-positive as well as preferably positive.

With the method according to the invention described above, it is also possible to carry out a continuous yarn draw-off, as is known in principle in the prior art, as was pointed out above. In this case, two mandrels are provided for each withdrawal point, which preferably lie next to one another and / or one above the other and whose coils are assigned to one another. This assignment means that the yarn end of the first spool is connected to the beginning of the yarn of the second spool and that the first spool is drawn off. As soon as the first bobbin has run out, the take-off then automatically jumps over to the second bobbin and the first bobbin can then be exchanged and its beginning of yarn can be connected to the end of the second bobbin, whereby the process then takes place in reverse.

A special object of the invention is further to design the method and the device for pulling yarn so that take-off devices can be built which have a significantly reduced space requirement compared to the known take-off devices and are particularly suitable for continuous take-off.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method according to the invention is therefore carried out in such a way that two bobbins are arranged on the mandrel at the same time, the end of the thread of the front bobbin in the draw-off direction with the start of the bobbin closer to the mandrel holding device connected is.

In this embodiment of the method according to the invention, a continuous yarn draw-off is ensured without having to provide twice as many mandrels as there are draw-off points. This embodiment therefore reduces the space requirement of continuously working Yarn take-off devices achieved, which can already be described as dramatic. So far z. For example, in the prior art, 48 mandrels are required to provide 24 continuously running yarns. According to this particular embodiment of the method and device according to the invention, only 24 mandrels, ie half, are now required. Since the space requirement of a machine is based primarily on the number of mandrels, and not on their length, the space requirement of a continuously operating holding device is practically halved.

The change is then carried out in a simple manner: as soon as the yarn has run off the front bobbin, a new bobbin with the handling device and the manipulation mandrel is pushed onto the take-up mandrel. In doing so, the empty tube of the coil lying foremost is forward, i. H. ejected in the withdrawal direction. During this entire activity, the deduction process is continued on the same recording dome without impairing this process. The empty tube is pushed forward and preferably first held in a horizontal position according to the procedure described. The empty tube is then dropped and can be removed from the area of the machine using suitable devices.

According to a further, preferred embodiment of the method, the connection of the beginning and end of the yarn of the successive bobbins takes place automatically by means of a yarn connecting device, i. H. without manual handling, whereby this automatic yarn connection is preferably carried out as a pneumatic splice.

It is further preferred that the beginning and / or end of a spool to be plugged on or a spool located on the take-up spool is automatically recognized and preferably detected by a spool holder.

It is further preferred that the yarn end of a bobbin to be plugged on is held in a yarn clamping device which is arranged on the take-off device until the next bobbin is put on again.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, which serves in particular a rational procedure, a handling device with a manipulation mandrel can supply several mandrels with new spools of thread, in which case the handling device with the manipulation mandrel is preferably arranged to be movable.

Due to the complexity of the aforementioned method steps, it is preferable that the control of the process sequence is carried out by one or more data processing units.

In order to enable a fully automatic operation of the take-off device, it is further preferred that the handling device is automatically supplied with full bobbins to be attached. This can e.g. B. happen by a movable handling device starts a spool supply magazine, and with the manipulation mandrel receives a full spool or several full spools of this spool supply magazine.

The extraction device according to the invention, which is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention, has a support frame to which one or more mandrels, which in the latter case are preferably arranged next to one another and / or one above the other, are fastened. Of course, offset arrangements are also possible. The mandrel or mandrels are held on one side in mandrel holding devices and take up the yarn spools. Each arbor can be connected to a handling device by means of a coupling device. The coupling device and the handling devices are designed such that the mandrel holding device is moved away from the holding mandrel can, and the mandrel is then held by the handling device.

It is preferred that the handling device be movable with respect to the mandrels. According to a preferred embodiment, the handling device is moved in a plane which is perpendicular to the axes of the holding mandrels, namely once in the horizontal direction, i. H. in the x direction and in the vertical direction, d. H. in the y direction. According to a preferred embodiment, a reference point is then defined, from which the movement of the handling device in the x direction and in the y direction is counted in step pulses. In this way it can always be determined exactly where the handling device is in relation to the position of the holding mandrels. According to a preferred embodiment, control sensors are provided with which the calculated position and the actual position of the handling device can be compared with one another. For example, microswitches or optical sensors can be used as control sensors. Driving on a mandrel can then z. B. be designed so that the handling device a certain area in the aforementioned level, for. B. starts a window of 10 x 10 mm, in which the calculated position of the mandrel is. If the mandrel is not found in this area, an alarm is triggered. Furthermore, the handling device must be able to be moved so that the coupling devices can be brought into engagement, for which purpose e.g. a movement in the direction of the axis of the arbor may be required.

The handling device preferably has a manipulation mandrel, the diameter of which is such that it is smaller than the inner diameter of the empty tube of a yarn spool. As a result, the yarn package to be changed can be carried directly by the manipulation mandrel and then preferably pushed onto the mandrel with a sliding device.

In order to ensure that the empty sleeve falls horizontally when an empty sleeve is pushed off the holding mandrel, a sleeve holding device is preferably provided which initially holds the empty sleeve in a horizontal position when it is pushed off the holding mandrel. niese holding function must be completed in a short period of time, d. H. practically suddenly, so that the sleeve can then fall down from this horizontal position and falls with its sleeve longitudinal axis approximately parallel to the horizontal.

Means are preferably provided to catch the ejected sleeves, which are preferably arranged under each receiving dome. This has the advantage that the empty tube must at most pass through a rotating yarn balloon. The sleeves are preferably conveyed by slides and / or conveyor belts and the like to a sleeve collecting device, from which the sleeves can then be removed.

The function of the sleeve holding device is preferably carried out by an elongated body, i. H. thus caused by a kind of rod, which is arranged in a bore of the mandrel. The rod can be extended in the withdrawal direction from the holding mandrel, which is preferably brought about by the fact that this elongated body is provided with a corresponding driver device.

A tension spring is preferably provided in the bore of the receiving dome, which is stretched when the elongate body is extended from the receiving mandrel.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the sleeve holding device has a spring-loaded latching device, which causes the driver device to disengage as soon as the elongate body has been moved out of the receiving dome by a certain distance. By disengaging the driver device, the elongated body can be pulled back into the holding mandrel by the action of the tension spring mounted in the holding dome. This withdrawal occurs suddenly, so that the sleeve is in its position not significantly changed during the retraction process. As soon as the body is withdrawn, the sleeve is still in a horizontal position and falls down from this position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device is designed so that a continuous yarn draw-off is possible. As is known in the prior art for conventional trigger devices, this can be done by providing twice as many mandrels as trigger points are required. In this case, there is the advantage over the known take-off devices that the yarn packages on these take-off devices can be changed in a simple and efficient manner. It should be particularly mentioned that it is possible in this way to convert existing and operating extraction devices in such a way that they are suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention. This means that even with such retracted take-off devices, an efficient change of the bobbins is possible.

As already mentioned, however, it is also a particular concern of the present invention to provide a trigger device which requires less space than the prior art. According to a special embodiment of the invention, the take-off device is therefore designed so that the receiving domes can accommodate two coils in a row. With extensive take-off devices or with small coils and with certain types of take-off, it can also be expedient to design the receiving dome so that three and more coils can be taken up.

For the continuous yarn take-off, the take-off device is preferably provided with an automatic yarn connecting device. This yarn connecting device connects the yarn end of a first bobbin to the yarn start of a second bobbin assigned to it. It should be noted that this is automatic Yarn connecting device can be used both if, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, two or more yarn spools assigned to one another are arranged on the same mandrel. However, it is also possible to use such a yarn connecting device if the two coils assigned to one another are held on holding mandrels arranged next to one another or one above the other. Such a design can, for. B. may be necessary if a draw-off device with two coils arranged one behind the other is not possible for reasons of space.

It is further preferred that a device for searching and detecting the end of the yarn or the beginning of the yarn of a bobbin is provided. Such a device is particularly useful if a continuous yarn flow is to be ensured. However, it can also be used if the yarn is not processed continuously, e.g. B. to then feed the beginning of the yarn to the processing station.

The search process is preferably carried out in such a way that the yarn finder can be moved over the area of the bobbin at which the beginning or end of the yarn are to be expected, the bobbin preferably being rotated in the process.

A particularly important concern of the invention is to provide such a reliably working device for finding the beginning or end of yarn. Since such a device for finding yarn can not only be used in take-off devices, independent protection may be claimed for this aspect of the invention.

The yarn finder according to the invention is designed in such a way that it has an area in which there is a negative pressure relative to the atmospheric ambient pressure, through which the yarn end or the yarn start is sucked in. In order to facilitate the suction process, it is particularly preferable for hairy and heavy yarns that a device is provided that can be integrated directly into the yarn finder, the spool or generally the area in which, for. B. for a textile product or the like, a yarn start or a yarn end is sought, blown with compressed air to whirl up the yarn.

According to an alternative, also preferred embodiment of the invention, a brush is provided which is guided over the bobbin and can brush up the beginning of the yarn. It has been shown that particularly hairy and / or heavy yarns can be easily detached from the bobbin.

According to a preferred embodiment of the yarn finder, the vacuum region is designed as a channel into which the yarn is sucked in. This negative pressure is preferably generated by compressed air which is fed to the yarn finder and which flows through an appropriately designed nozzle in order to generate the negative pressure. The channel is preferably arranged in the interior of this nozzle.

However, it is also readily possible to generate the vacuum in a different way, e.g. B. by the yarn finder is equipped with an appropriate pump. It is also possible to use a centrally acting pump which is connected to the yarn finder or the yarn finders via a hose line.

In particular, in the automatic operation of a take-off device or a machine of whatever type used for textile processing, it is very important that it is reliably established whether the yarn finder according to the invention has actually picked up a yarn. The yarn finder is therefore preferably equipped with a yarn detection device. The presence of the yarn in the channel can be determined in various ways according to the invention. It is preferable to use an optical sensor, e.g. B. a light barrier, which is arranged so that the flow of light is interrupted or weakened as soon as the yarn in the corresponding channel is located. It is also possible to build up an electrical field around the channel by means of a suitable coil and to determine the field change due to the yarn being drawn in.

The yarn detection device can determine whether the yarn finder has picked up a yarn. Is this, e.g. B. does not happen within a predetermined period of time, the corresponding bobbin or the corresponding textile product can be discarded for a special manual processing.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the yarn finder, it is equipped with a yarn holding device. Through this yarn holding device, the yarn can be held in the yarn finder in order to further manipulate the yarn, e.g. B. to allow insertion into a yarn splicing device or into a yarn clamping device. The advantage of using such a yarn holding device is that relatively high forces can be exerted on the yarn.

According to a preferred embodiment, the yarn holding device, which is preferably assigned to the yarn finder, has a piston which presses the yarn against a suitably shaped counterpart. The piston can be operated electrically, pneumatically or in some other way mechanically.

According to a further preferred embodiment, a yarn cutting device is provided, which is preferably also assigned to the yarn finder. By using this thread cutting device it is possible to shorten the threads detected with the thread finder to a uniform length. This facilitates the further processing of the yarns.

The yarn cutting device preferably has a knife actuated by means of a pneumatic piston and a cutting anvil, the yarn being cut between the knife and the cutting anvil becomes. In a take-off device of the type mentioned at the beginning, two yarn finders are preferably used so that the beginning and end of the yarn can be recognized and detected independently of one another.

In order to guide the yarn finder at the correct distance over the bobbin or the textile product to be examined, the yarn finder preferably has a mechanically or optically or electrically acting sensor which holds the yarn finder at a predetermined distance above the yarn to be searched. It has been shown that, depending on the nature of the yarn, a distance of approximately 1-10 mm, preferably 3-7 mm, preferably approximately 5 mm is appropriate.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the method, which is particularly advantageous in the case of take-off devices with continuous yarn take-off, a thread clamping device is assigned to each take-up mandrel, in which the yarn end of the rearmost spool located on the take-up mandrel is held. As a result, the yarn end of the bobbin located on the take-up mandrel can be picked up in a simple manner by a yarn finder or a yarn connecting device if the yarn end of this bobbin is to be connected to the yarn start of another bobbin.

The take-off device is preferably further provided with a magazine device for bobbins. Such a magazine device, for. B. a coil carriage, can accommodate a variety of coils that can be picked up by the handling device to be attached to the mandrels.

If bobbins with yarns of different qualities and / or different colors are required, these yarn bobbins are preferably arranged in different magazine devices, each of which contains only bobbins of the same quality and the same color. The handling device, which in this case is expediently controlled by a data processing device, can then move to the corresponding magazine device and take up the coil required for the respective mandrel.

According to an alternative embodiment of the method, coils of different qualities and / or colors can also be arranged in the same magazine device. In this case, it must then be ensured that the handling device is provided with devices which can recognize the quality and / or the color of the respective yarn and which can then select the next required bobbin from the magazine device. Such a magazine device can, for. B. be such that different spools of thread are arranged side by side, which are examined in succession by the handling device for their nature. The coding of the bobbins can, for. B. via a bar code, the so-called bar code, which is scanned by a corresponding reading device of the handling device. It is also possible, for. B. magnetic strips as a code carrier or a hole coding.

According to a preferred embodiment of the take-off device, which is to be preferred in particular if the coils located in the magazine device are to be picked up one after the other by the handling device, i. H. that is, without changing their sequence, a positioning device is provided which brings the coils into a predetermined position for reception by the handling device.

Such a positioning device can ensure that the full bobbin to be picked up is always in the same position, so that the handling device does not have to carry out a search operation, but only has to control the defined position.

The positioning device is preferably designed as a lifting device which lifts the coil to a predetermined height from a lower position from which it is brought out of a magazine device by gravity or by appropriate conveying means.

A sensor is preferably provided which stops this lifting device when the sleeve of the coil has reached a predetermined height. This ensures that the sleeve is always in a position in which a manipulation mandrel of the handling device can be inserted into the sleeve, regardless of the diameter of the thread spool. It is thus possible to use spools of different diameters in the take-off device without the take-off device having to be adapted to the respective diameter of the yarn spool. This is an important step towards the goal of achieving a largely automatic operation of the trigger device.

The sensor, which detects that the sleeve is at a predetermined height, can be mechanical or electrical, but is preferably designed optically. An optical sensor is then preferably used, which is arranged in the plane in which the sleeve axis lies and which continuously emits a light signal. During the lifting process, this light signal is first reflected by the spool of thread, but as soon as the sleeve is at the level of the sensor, the light beam penetrates through the opening of the sleeve without being reflected. This event is used to shut down the lifting device, and depending on the nature of the device, a larger or smaller distance can be covered in order to determine a final position of the sleeve. The sleeve is then in a position in which the manipulation mandrel can receive the coil.

For reasons of space, the magazine device can be constructed in such a way that the longitudinal axes of the yarn bobbins accommodated in the magazine device lie transversely to the axes of the holding mandrels. In this case, the positioning device can preferably have a device which rotates the coil simultaneously with the lifting.

The positioning device can furthermore have two rollers which are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the yarn package to be picked up. The distance between the rollers is preferably such that that the yarn spool can rest on these rollers without touching other parts of the positioning device.

One or both rollers can then be connected to a drive device which sets the rollers and thus the yarn spool on them in rotation. As a result, the yarn spool can be rotated in a simple manner, in which case the yarn finding process is then preferably carried out on the positioning device.

As can be seen from the above description of preferred embodiments, the extraction device can have a very complex structure, depending on how many of the described devices are integrated in the extraction device. It is therefore preferable in any case that one or more data processing devices are provided, which preferably control the entire extraction device. Several data processing units can be provided, which are then controlled by a common central data processing unit, or a correspondingly constructed central data processing unit can be provided. The extraction device then preferably has sensors which monitor the correct operation of all devices. The trigger device is preferably monitored and controlled according to a corresponding program which is stored in the data processing device (s).

Furthermore, alarm devices are preferably provided which cause an acoustic and / or optical alarm to be triggered when one of the devices belonging to the extraction device is operated improperly.

The method according to the invention and the device according to the invention described above are suitable for pulling off the yarns overhead. This means that the bobbin stands still and the yarn rotates around the bobbin as it is drawn off. However, it is expressly pointed out that the method according to the invention can also be carried out with radially removable thread spools. In this case, the bobbins rotate and the yarn is drawn off to the side. The trigger device according to the invention can also be designed so that a radial reference is possible. In this case, constructive care must then be taken to ensure that the rotary movement of the coil is possible.

Further advantages and features of the present invention result from the subclaims and the following description of an exemplary embodiment in connection with the drawing.

• Fig. 1 eine Ansicht der Abzugsvorrichtung von der der Abzugsseite entgegengesetzten Seite;
• Fig. 2 eine Aufsicht auf die Abzugsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 eine Seitenansicht der Abzugsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1;
• Fig. 4 eine weitere Seitenansicht der Abzugsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1;
• Fig. 5 eine Detailansicht des Tragrahmens, bei dem drei Spulen in der Dornhalte-Einrichtung gehalten sind, und bei der die Dornhalte-Einrichtung von einer Spule gelöst ist;
• Fig. 6 eine teilweise schematisierte Schnittansicht des Aufnahmedorns des Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß Fig. 1;
• Fig. 7 eine vergrößerte Darstellung der Mitnehmereinrichtung, welche im Aufnahmedorn gemäß Fig. 6 angeordnet ist;
• Fig. 8 eine Prinzipdarstellung des Falls einer horizontal geneigten Leerhülse durch einen Garnballon;
• Fig. 9 eine Prinzipsskizze des Falls einer horizontal ausgerichteten Leerhülse durch einen Garnballon;
• Fig. 10 eine Teil-Seitenansicht der Abzugsvorrichtung gemäß Figur 1, wobei der Manipulationsdorn an den Aufnahmedorn angekoppelt und eine Garnspule auf den Aufnahmedorn aufgeschoben wird;
• Fig. 11 eine Aufsicht auf die Abzugsvorrichtung bei dem der Spulenwechsel gemäß Fig. 10 durchgeführt wird;
• Fig. 12a eine Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Garnfinders;
• Fig. 12b die Verbindung des Garnfinders mit einer Garnschneide-Einrichtung;
• Fig. 13 eine Schemadarstellung der Bewegung des Garnfinders über der Garnspule;
• Fig. 14 eine Seitenansicht der Garnklemm-Einrichtung der Abzugsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1;
• Fig. 15 eine Aufsicht auf die Garnklemm-Einrichtung gemäß Fig. 14;
• Fig. 16 eine Teilaufsicht auf die Garnklemm-Einrichtung gemäß Fig. 15, wobei hier das obere Teil zur Verdeutlichung weggelassen wurde;
• Fig. 17 eine Aufsicht auf die Garnklemm-Einrichtung gemäß Fig. 14 mit zurückgezogenem Schlitten;
• Fig. 18 eine Seiten- und Teilansicht des Tragrahmens und der Handhabungseinrichtung, bevor die Ersatzspule aufgeschoben und das Garn verbunden wird;
• Fig. 19 eine Seitenansicht entsprechend der der Fig. 18, nachdem die Ersatzspule aufgeschoben ist, wobei dargestellt ist, wie das Garn in der Garnklemm-Einrichtung gehalten ist;
• Fig. 20 eine Vorderansicht der Positioniereinrichtung;
• Fig. 21 eine Seitenansicht der Positioniereinrichtung gemäß Fig. 20;
• Fig. 22 eine Aufsicht auf die Positioniereinrichtung gemäß Fig. 20 und 21;

In a schematic representation:

• Figure 1 is a view of the trigger device from the side opposite the trigger side.
• FIG. 2 shows a top view of the trigger device according to FIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 shows a side view of the trigger device according to FIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 shows a further side view of the trigger device according to FIG. 1;
• 5 shows a detailed view of the supporting frame, in which three coils are held in the mandrel holding device, and in which the mandrel holding device is released from a coil;
• FIG. 6 shows a partially schematic sectional view of the holding mandrel of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1;
• FIG. 7 shows an enlarged illustration of the driver device which is arranged in the holding mandrel according to FIG. 6;
• Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the case of a horizontal inclined empty tube by a yarn balloon;
• 9 shows a basic sketch of the case of a horizontally oriented empty tube through a yarn balloon;
• 10 shows a partial side view of the take-off device according to FIG. 1, the manipulation mandrel being coupled to the receiving mandrel and a yarn spool being pushed onto the receiving mandrel;
• FIG. 11 shows a top view of the take-off device in which the bobbin change according to FIG. 10 is carried out;
• 12a is a sectional view of a yarn finder according to the invention;
• 12b shows the connection of the yarn finder with a yarn cutting device;
• 13 is a schematic representation of the movement of the yarn finder over the yarn package;
• FIG. 14 shows a side view of the yarn clamping device of the take-off device according to FIG. 1;
• 15 shows a plan view of the yarn clamping device according to FIG. 14;
• FIG. 16 is a partial top view of the yarn clamping device according to FIG. 15, the upper part being omitted here for clarification;
• FIG. 17 is a plan view of the yarn clamping device according to FIG. 14 with the carriage withdrawn;
• Fig. 18 is a side and partial view of the support frame and the Handling device before the replacement spool is pushed open and the yarn is connected;
• Figure 19 is a side view corresponding to that of Figure 18 after the replacement spool has been pushed on, showing how the yarn is held in the yarn clamping device;
• 20 is a front view of the positioning device;
• FIG. 21 shows a side view of the positioning device according to FIG. 20;
• 22 shows a plan view of the positioning device according to FIGS. 20 and 21;

With reference to the aforementioned figures, an embodiment of the invention is described in which a continuous yarn take-off is realized, in which two yarn packages can be accommodated on a mandrel.

The trigger device shown in Fig. 1 is generally designated 1. The extraction device has a support frame 2, which is provided in the schematic representation of FIG. 1 for receiving 24 mandrels 40, the individual mandrels being arranged in a grid in which 6 mandrels are arranged horizontally parallel to one another, and 4 each Mandrels are arranged vertically parallel one above the other, so that the total number of 24 mandrels mentioned results. Since in the illustrated embodiment each arbor 2 Can take up bobbins 3, the entire take-off device can thus accommodate 48 yarn bobbins in the form shown.

In front of the support frame 2, the bobbin changing device 4 is arranged horizontally, i. H. is movable in the lateral direction in the direction of the double arrow 5 on a frame part 6. The bobbin changing device has a handling device as well as a splicing device and yarn finder. A control cabinet 7 is likewise arranged on the frame part 6 in FIG. 1 to the left of the supporting frame. Above all, this control cabinet contains a central data processing device, in the present case a central computer which controls and / or regulates the extraction device.

On the right side of the support frame in FIG. 1, a magazine device 8 is shown, which in this case is designed as a coil carriage. Various coils 3 are located on the two coil carriages 9 shown. For reasons of space, the coil carriage is arranged in such a way that its longitudinal axis lies parallel to the axes of the receiving mandrels. This means that the axes of the coils are arranged offset by 90 ° to the plane in which the coils are located on the mandrel during the withdrawal. The coils must therefore be rotated before they are attached to the mandrels.

1, FIG. 2 shows how the bobbins are arranged one behind the other on the holding mandrels 40, the yarn being drawn off from the front bobbin 3a, while the rear bobbin 3b is held as a reserve spool to ensure a continuous yarn run after the yarn has run out of the front spool 3a. This situation is shown in Fig. 2 with reference to the mandrel 40 '. On this mandrel, the empty sleeve 11 can be seen on its front part facing the take-off side, in this case the take-off already takes place from the rear full bobbin 3b '.

It can also be seen that the bobbin changing device 4 has a mast 12 through which the bobbin changing device can be adjusted in height. The height adjustment of the bobbin changing device can be seen in FIG. 3, which shows a side view of the bobbin changing device.

FIG. 4 shows a further side view, from the side opposite the view in FIG. 3. In this figure it can be seen how the individual coils are arranged on the coil carriage 9.

Fig. 5 shows in a more detailed manner the structure of the support frame and the function of the mandrel holding device.

As can be seen in particular with reference to FIGS. 5 and 10, the support frame 2 is constructed from steel profile parts 20 running horizontally transverse to the axis of the holding mandrels, from vertically running steel profile parts 21 and from steel profile parts 22 running horizontally parallel to the holding mandrels. The profile parts are welded together in the present case, but it is also possible to provide a screw or other suitable connection.

The vertical and horizontal profile parts of the support frame form individual support frame cutouts, each of which is delimited by two front profile parts 20, two rear profile parts 20, 4 vertical profile parts 21 and four profile parts 22 that run horizontally parallel to the axes of the holding mandrels. In each of these support frame cutouts, a holding mandrel 40 is provided, which is designed to hold two yarn packages. In the present case, the holding mandrel essentially consists of a tube, the outer diameter of which is significantly smaller than the inner diameter 32 of the opening of the sleeve 30, on which the yarn is wound into a bobbin.

Each mandrel 40 is assigned a mandrel holding device 41 which is held by the support frame 2. For this purpose, a guide rod 25 is provided on the support frame, which is fastened in brackets 26 on the support frame. In the present case, the guide rod 25 has a circular cross section, but other types of cross section are also possible. Furthermore, a guide profile 27 is provided on the support frame, which in the present case is designed as a U-profile, the U being open towards the bottom.

The mandrel holding device 41 has a vertical support rod 42 which is fastened in a carriage 43, this fastening being able to be carried out by welding, screwing and the like.

The carriage 43 has a horizontally running bore with which the carriage is guided on the guide rod 25. With its upper part, the support rod engages in the guide profile 27.

An upper holding element 44 and a lower holding element 45 are fastened to the support rod 42. The upper holding element 44 is designed so that it can receive the corresponding part of the mandrel with a circular cross section. A lever 46 is pivotally mounted on the lower holding element 45 about an axis 47. A spring 48 engages on the lever 46 and is fastened to the slide 43 of the mandrel holding device. This spring is arranged so that the lever is held in a closed position when the mandrel is carried by the mandrel holder. The angle at which the spring is inserted is also designed so that the lever remains in an open position when the dome holding device does not carry the mandrel.

The function of the mandrel holding device is as follows: During normal operation of the trigger device, the mandrel holding device is in the middle of the corresponding support frame cutout and carries the holding mandrel with the two coils thereon. If a spool of thread is to be changed, the mandrel is first removed by the handling device, the function of which later is explained. The mandrel therefore remains essentially always in the same place in the support frame. The handling device has an actuating element with which the dome holding device can be pushed aside, to the right as shown in FIG. 5. In Fig. 5, the mandrel holding device 41 'is shown, which is in such an open position. When the mandrel holding device is moved from the closed position to the right, the lever 46 folds to the left and releases the holding mandrel. If the mandrel holding device is then pushed back to the holding mandrel, the lever 46 is pushed back by the holding mandrel to its original, vertically upward position and is then held there by the spring 48. In this position, the lever 46 can then hold the mandrel in the predetermined horizontal position together with the holding element 44. As mentioned above, the holding mandrel has a circular cross section. In order to prevent the mandrel from moving in the axial direction, a recess 66 is provided at the location of the mandrel that comes into contact with the lever 46, the width of which corresponds to the width of the lever 46, in which this lever then engages.

The holding mandrel has a device for holding the sleeve during the ejection process, which makes the holding mandrel particularly suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention. This sleeve holding device is arranged in the interior of the tubular holding mandrel and has a support rod 51 which has an angle 52 at its front end which serves to adapt the supporting height of this supporting rod to the upper surface line of the holding mandrel. A spring 53 is arranged in the holding mandrel and is connected to the support rod 51 via a driver device 54. This driver device 54 has a driver lever 55 which is rotatably mounted about the axis 56. A spring 58, which loads a ball 59, is arranged in a bore 57 of the driver device. A projection 60 of the driving lever 55 is supported on this ball. In the front part of the mandrel, a release pin 61 is arranged so that its longitudinal axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arbor. The outside diameter of the release pin is smaller than the inside diameter of the bore 57.

The function of this driver device is now as follows: A new spool of thread is applied when the front spool has expired, that is to say that only its empty tube is left on the mandrel and the withdrawal from the rear spool takes place. According to the invention, the replacement spool is pushed on from behind, ie from the side of the holding mandrel facing the mandrel holding device. The length of the tension spring 53 and the other dimensions of the holding mandrel are designed so that the driver is gripped by the rear spool from which it is being pulled when this spool has been displaced by about a quarter of its sleeve length. The sleeve of the spool, from which it is being pulled off, thus abuts the driver and pushes it forward, ie in the direction of the take-off side, as a result of which the tension spring 53 is stretched. The driver then moves forward with the support rod attached to it in the arbor, whereby the empty sleeve to be pushed off is carried by the support rod. As soon as the driver reaches the front end of the arbor, the release pin 61 engages in the bore 57 and presses the projection of the driver 60 and the ball 59 back against the action of the spring 58. This causes the carrier to fold down and the holding function through the sleeve of the rear cooking spool, which is now pushed forward, is ended. As a result, the tension spring 53 pulls the driver 54 and the support rod 51 attached to it back into the holding mandrel. Due to the large energy stored in the tension spring 53, this back acceleration of the support rod and the driving takes place practically suddenly. The length of time in which the support rod snaps back into the mandrel is in any case so short with a corresponding design of the spring that the empty sleeve pushed down by the mandrel does not change its horizontal position during the snapping back of the mandrel. This causes the sleeve to drop from a horizontal position.

This process of falling down is shown schematically in FIGS. 8 and 9. 8 shows how the empty sleeve falls when it is not initially held in a horizontal position. In this case, the sleeve 11 tilts down at the front, since there it first loses the support from the holding mandrel and falls down in a manner inclined to the horizontal. If the thread 10 of the rotating yarn balloon of the rear spool strikes the sleeve, it can wind around the sleeve and tear off. FIG. 9 shows how, according to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the sleeve is dropped parallel to the horizontal. In this parallel case, due to the then smaller expansion of the sleeve in the vertical direction, the probability that the yarn rotating around the bobbin hits the sleeve is much less. Furthermore, there is no danger that the yarn can wrap around the sleeve. Rather, the yarn hits the tube and is immediately pushed back by its curved surface. There is no tearing of the yarn or any other impairment of the withdrawal process.

Experiments with the method according to the invention have shown that in this way the empty tube can still be reliably ejected even when the yarn withdrawal speed is 1000 m per minute. It is pointed out that this effect can be used advantageously not only when there are two spools of thread on the mandrel. It is also advantageous in embodiments of the present invention in which there is only one yarn spool on each mandrel and in which the sleeve then has to pass through the rotating thread balloon of a mandrel arranged below it when it is replaced. In this case, too, the horizontal ejection of the empty tube is of great advantage.

As soon as the driver snaps back into the holding mandrel, the driver lever is simultaneously pushed up again by the action of the compression spring 57 and can thus be caught again by the coil when the next coil is pushed on.

The holding mandrel also has a wire bracket 62 with which it is ensured that the sleeve lies in a predetermined position on the holding mandrel. The wire bracket is dimensioned such that the diameter of the holding mandrel plus the extension of the bracket in the vertical direction corresponds approximately to the inside diameter of the sleeve of the yarn spool.

At its end facing away from the support device, the holding mandrel has a hardened end pin 63. This end pin 63 is cylindrical and has a flattened portion 64 at its end in order to prevent rotation of the holding mandrel in the manipulation mandrel. A chamfer 65 at the end of the cylindrical end pin 63 facilitates the pushing on of the manipulation mandrel. A recess 66 in the end region of the holding mandrel serves to engage the lever 46 of the mandrel holding device, as a result of which the holding mandrel is fixed in relation to its longitudinal axis in the mandrel holding device.

The further structure of the trigger device is described below with reference to the figures already mentioned and to Figures 10 and 11. The handling device according to the invention can be constructed in many different ways. In the present case, it consists of a frame made of square aluminum tubes, which ensure that the handling device is lightweight. Instead of a scaffold frame, a self-supporting housing can of course also be provided. As will be described later, the handling device can be moved parallel to the supporting frame 2. Furthermore, it can be moved on the mast 12 in the vertical direction.

Regarding the terminology, it should be noted that handling devices are mentioned when the function of carrying a thread spool and the holding mandrel is mentioned. If the handling device is combined with yarn finders and the like, the entire device is referred to as a bobbin changing device.

In the present case, the handling device has a manipulation mandrel 70 which essentially has a circular cross section and whose outer diameter is such that it is smaller than the inner diameter of the sleeve of a yarn package. In the front part of the manipulation mandrel there is a bore 71 concentric with the mandrel axis, which corresponds approximately to the diameter of the end pin 63 of the holding mandrel.

The manipulation mandrel is mounted for longitudinal movement on a carriage 72 and can be moved in its axial direction by a pneumatically operated cylinder 73. The mandrel is only held by the manipulation mandrel during the bobbin change. For this purpose, the handling device first moves into a position in which the holding mandrel and the manipulating mandrel have the same axial direction. At this time, the mandrel is held by the mandrel holding device. Then the manipulation mandrel is moved towards the holding mandrel and the end pin of the holding mandrel is inserted into the bore 71 of the manipulation mandrel. The tolerances of the end pin of the holding mandrel and the bore 71 of the manipulation mandrel are dimensioned such that the holding mandrel is held by the friction between the pin and the hole. A movement of the holding mandrel during the sliding on of the manipulation mandrel in the longitudinal direction is prevented by the fact that the mandrel holding device engages in the rotation of the holding mandrel, which is thus fixed in its longitudinal direction. Bending of the mandrel holding device, which would also lead to a movement in the longitudinal direction of the holding mandrel, is prevented by the upper U-shaped guide profile and the support rod.

It is pointed out that the bore must have a suitable depth in order to be able to absorb the corresponding surface pressure and the leverage forces which are exerted by the holding mandrel. It is also pointed out that it is expedient to use either the end pin of the holding mandrels or the surface of the bore of the manipulation mandrel or both a hardening process undergo, in particular, to increase the life of the device.

After the mandrel holding device has been removed from the holding mandrel, the holding mandrel is only carried by the manipulation mandrel. Tests have shown that the friction between the mandrel and the manipulation mandrel is sufficient to ensure a secure hold of the mandrel. If this non-positive connection is not suitable or not advantageous for a specific application, it is still possible to form-fit the connection between the holding mandrel and the manipulating mandrel. For this, e.g. B. the end pin of the mandrel have a circumferential groove into which a corresponding, pneumatically or electrically actuated element can engage. It should be pointed out that care must of course be taken that such devices must be accommodated in the manipulation mandrel itself, since the manipulation mandrel must be able to accommodate the yarn spool.

The handling device furthermore has a coupling pin 80 which engages in a corresponding bore 81 in the slide 43 of the mandrel holding device 41. In order to enable this engagement, this coupling bolt is connected to a cylinder 82 which moves the coupling bolt in the direction of the support frame 2 and can be pulled away from it. The coupling bolt is also connected to a cylinder 83, through which it laterally, i. H. can be moved in the horizontal direction parallel to the profile parts 20.

When changing the bobbin, the coupling pin 80 is first inserted into the bore 81 of the mandrel holding device by actuating the cylinder 82. The position of the bore 81 of the mandrel holding device also serves as a reference position and ensures that the manipulation mandrel is in the correct position in relation to the receiving mandrel. The manipulation mandrel is then moved towards the holding mandrel and takes its end pin 63 in the Hole 71 on. Now the cylinder 83 is actuated and the coupling pin pushes the mandrel holding device according to the view of FIG. 5 to the right, the mandrel holding device opening at the same time. The mandrel holding device is removed from the holding mandrel until the spool change is no longer hindered.

A sliding device 90 is further provided on the handling device, which has a sliding part 91 and a sliding plate 92. The sliding part 91 is connected to a pneumatically operated cylinder 93 and can be moved by this in the direction of the yarn spool picked up by the manipulation mandrel.

The embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing also has a device for collecting the dropped empty tubes. For this purpose, a sleeve slide 94 is arranged under each mandrel, which has an inclined plane inclined towards the support frame, through which the sleeves are conveyed to the support frame. This inclined plane is also inclined to the transversely arranged profile part, which is located in the middle plane between two mandrels. As a result, the sleeve is conveyed both to the support frame and to the plane which lies in the middle between the planes in which the holding mandrels arranged one above the other are located. A sleeve shaft is arranged in this vertical central plane, through which the sleeves, which reach the sleeve chess via the inclined plane, can fall down between the holding mandrels. Below the sleeve shaft, d. H. Also below the bottom row of mandrels there is a conveyor, preferably a conveyor belt, through which the empty tubes are conveyed to a collecting container. This collection container can then be emptied regularly.

This sleeve collecting device also contributes significantly to the fact that the entire operation of the extraction device can be automated.

One of the main problems that hindered the automation of the bobbin change in a continuously operated take-off device was the need to connect the yarn end of the first bobbin to the yarn start of the associated replacement bobbin. In order to achieve automatic operation, it is first necessary to reliably detect the beginning and end of the thread. According to the invention, an automatic yarn finder is provided for this purpose, the structure and mode of operation of which is described below with reference to FIGS. 12a, 12b and 13.

The yarn finder 100 according to the invention has a base body 101, which can consist of steel, stainless steel, brass or also of a plastic such as polyamide. This base body has a main bore 102 which penetrates the entire length of the base body. An injector nozzle 103 is arranged in the lower part 102a of the bore and is sealed with a seal 104 with respect to the bore 102a. Above the seal 104, the injector nozzle has a smaller diameter than the bore 102a, so that a gap with an annular cross section is created. In the further part of the bore 102b, both the injector nozzle and the bore are tapered, the cone angle being different, so that a narrowing gap 102c is created. A bore 105 is embedded in the base body from the side and communicates with the bore 102. A connector 106 for a pneumatic hose 107 is screwed into this bore 105 in a sealing manner. Air is introduced into the bore 102 through this pneumatic hose 107 and flows through the annular gap and through the narrowing gap 102c. Provided in the interior of the injector nozzle 103 is a channel 108 which has a circular cross section and whose diameter corresponds to the diameter of the further part of the bore 102d. When compressed air flows through the pneumatic hose 107, a negative pressure is created in this channel 108, the pressure difference to the atmospheric pressure depending on the respective diameters of the bore and injector nozzle and on the pressure of the compressed air supplied. A further transverse bore 110 is arranged above the injector nozzle, in which a compressed air actuated piston 111 is guided. A pneumatic hose 112 is connected to the bore 110 via a corresponding connector. The piston 111 has a hemispherical shape on its front side 111a. On the side of the bore 102 opposite the piston, a further bore 113 is arranged, which has the same axis as the bore 110. A pressure piece 115 is screwed into this bore by means of a screw 114, which has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the front part 111a of the piston 111. If compressed air is now applied to the piston, it is pressed forward against this pressure piece 115.

A further bore 120 is provided above the bore 111, in which an optical sensor 121 is arranged. In the same axial direction as the bore 120, a bore 122 is arranged on the side opposite the bore 102, in which a reflective element 124 is in turn held by means of a screw 123.

The optical sensor is designed in such a way that it can both emit light and receive light reflected by the reflector 124.

In an alternative embodiment of the thread gripper, the optical sensor 121 is designed in such a way that it only emits light, while the receiving element is therefore arranged on the other side of the bore 102 in the bore 122.

In any case, the optical sensor is designed such that the amount of light received by the receiving element is reduced as soon as a piece of yarn is in the bore 102.

In the upper part 102d of the bore 102, a piece of pipe or a piece of hose 125 is screwed, which guides the sucked-in yarn.

The function of this yarn finder is now as follows: The yarn finder, as shown in FIG. 13, is guided over a spool 3 in a specific position. In order to determine the position of the yarn finder above the bobbin, an element is preferably arranged which mechanically, optically or electrically monitors the distance between the yarn finder and the bobbin, these values then being fed to a data processing unit which compares the distance achieved with the predetermined target distance and, if necessary ensures a change in distance between the yarn finder and the bobbin.

The yarn finder 100 is moved along a surface line of the bobbin 3 over the bobbin, in which case the bobbin is then subjected to a slow rotational movement. According to a preferred embodiment, the yarn finder also has a device with which compressed air is blown onto the bobbin. A possibly stuck yarn start can be loosened in this way.

Particularly in the case of hairy yarns which frequently "stick" firmly to the spool, it may be expedient to use a brush device which presses on the spool of yarn as it rotates. This also loosens the beginning of the yarn on the bobbin from the bobbin.

As soon as the yarn finder comes close to the yarn start lying on the spool or whirled up by compressed air, this yarn start is sucked into the yarn finder by the negative pressure prevailing in the channel 108, penetrates the bore 102 and enters the tube or hose piece 125.

As a result, the amount of light picked up by the optical sensor 121 is reduced. This event is registered by a data processing unit, which in turn controls the compressed air supply to the yarn finder in such a way that the compressed air connection 112 is supplied with compressed air, whereby the piston 111 is moved towards the pressure piece 115, and thereby the thread between the piston front side 111a and the pressure piece. The thread is now held in the yarn finder as long as the compressed air supply in the hose 112 continues.

The compressed air supply in the hose 107 can be interrupted. The yarn is then held in the yarn finder and can be moved with it.

According to an alternative embodiment, the piston 111 is not moved pneumatically, but electrically via a corresponding coil. A simple electrical connection is then provided instead of the compressed air connection 112.

Instead of the sensor 121, an electrical detection element can also be used, which can determine field changes in the area of the bore 102d.

Another embodiment of the yarn finder according to the invention is shown in FIG. 12b. In this embodiment, the tube piece 125 is replaced by a thread cutting device 130. The remaining parts of the yarn finder correspond to those of Fig. 12a. The yarn cutting device 130 has a channel 131 which runs in the axial direction of the channel 102 of the yarn finder. A bore 132 is arranged transversely to this channel 131, into which a connecting piece 133 is screwed, which is connected to a pneumatic hose 134. A piston 135 is arranged to be longitudinally movable in the bore 132, this piston having a knife edge 136 on its front side. A pin 137 prevents the piston from twisting in the bore 132. An anvil element 138 is arranged opposite the piston and cooperates with the knife edge 136 in order to cut the yarn drawn into the bore 131. The anvil element 138 consists of a sleeve 139 which is rotatably mounted on a pin 140. As can be seen from the drawing, the knife edge 136 does not strike the sleeve 139 symmetrically. As a result, a rotational movement of the sleeve 139 is simultaneously opposite when cutting the pin 140, which prevents premature wear of the sleeve 139.

The use of such a thread cutting device has the advantage that all threads have the same length for further processing.

Although the yarn finder has been described above with reference to the take-off device according to the invention, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that such a yarn finder can also be used in other areas in which a yarn or thread start has to be found and detected.

The yarn finder must be moved to perform its job. This can e.g. B. happen with pneumatic cylinder-piston units that enable the yarn finder to move in the respective direction of the piston stroke. The yarn finder can also be moved with a gripper arm that can be moved around several axes, as is typical for handling machines.

Since the beginning and end of the thread usually have to be detected in a bobbin, two thread finders are usually used in the take-off device according to the invention. Since the yarn end is usually clamped in the area of the tube, a yarn finder is used in this area, and thus finds the yarn end while the other yarn finder moves along the surface of the yarn bobbin and thus finds the start of the yarn.

It may happen that thread remnants are sucked in with the yarn finder described above, which pass through the bore 102 and are then ejected through the pipe or hose piece 125. In order to prevent an interruption in the yarn finding in this case, the yarn finder is preferably controlled in such a way that the clamping is only triggered when the optical signal has been checked in a specific time period. It has been found useful for. B. proved a time interval of 0.3 sec.

A pneumatically operating splicing device is provided for connecting the beginning of the second bobbin to the end of the first bobbin. This splicing device can also be arranged on the frame of the handling device.

A yarn clamping device is also provided on the support frame above each arbor, the structure and function of which is described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17.

Fig. 14 shows a side view of the yarn clamping device 150, the upper part 151 serving to hold the yarn end, while the lower part 152 is used to hold the yarn during the opening of the new bobbin and in particular to determine whether the yarn starts and the end of the yarn are properly connected and whether the front spool has expired.

The function of the upper part 151 is best seen in FIG. 15. This upper part consists of a sheet metal part 153, which has a nose 154. A leaf spring 155 presses onto this sheet metal part 153. A bore 156 is provided in the sheet metal part 153 and is closed by the leaf spring. The yarn end is inserted into this hole by means of the yarn finder and its yarn holding device, the leaf spring 155 being pushed back during insertion. The bore 156 is designed so that the thread is only loosely guided in this bore, which is essential for the function of this device.

The structure and function of the lower part 152 is best seen in FIGS. 16 and 17. The lower part consists of a sheet metal part 160, which is provided in its front part with an insertion opening 161. Arranged on the sheet metal part 160 are two rods 162, 163 which press the slide 165 into the position shown in FIG. 16 by means of compression springs 164 (only one is shown in the drawing for the sake of clarity). A holding projection 166 is arranged on the slide 165.

The function of this device is described with reference to the further FIGS. 18 and 19, which show how the connecting device and the thread clamping device work during the pushing on of a new bobbin.

18 shows the bobbin changing device 4 with the manipulation mandrel 70, the coil 3b being located on the manipulation mandrel. Furthermore, a first yarn finder 170 and a second yarn finder 172 as well as a pneumatically operating splicer 173 are shown in this illustration. The splicer has a suction hose 174. An empty sleeve 11a and a replacement coil 3a are located on the upper mandrel 40c. Further coils 3c and 3d are shown schematically on the mandrel 40d.

In FIG. 18 it can be seen how the yarn end 180 of the bobbin 3b is guided through the lower part 152 and the upper part 151 of the yarn clamping device 150. The thread connection can be carried out before the manipulation dome is coupled to the holding mandrel or after this coupling has taken place. The yarn connection takes place in that the splicer 173 connects the yarn start 181 and the yarn end 180 to one another. For this purpose, the yarn end 180 is sucked in in the area between the upper part 151 and the lower part 152, i. H. not the end of the thread itself. The splicer cuts both ends of the thread to the same length and then spliced them together. The loose yarn ends are sucked off by a special hose, so that the function of the take-off device cannot be impaired by yarn residues.

When the full bobbin 3b is pushed onto the holding mandrel 10c, the spliced yarn, guided through the special opening 161 in the sheet 160, lies around the holding projection 166. This state can be seen in particular in FIG. 19, here the yarn end 180 of the bobbin 3a is included connected to the beginning of yarn 181 of the bobbin 3b and lies above the projection 165 of the yarn clamping device 150. At the same time, the yarn end 187 is added to the bobbin 3b by the second yarn finder 172 its forward movement inserted into the yarn clamping device. The yarn finder 172 then releases the yarn end 187 and the yarn end can then be sucked in again by the splicer during the next change process. The flipping of the yarn 180 and the yarn 181 causes the projection 166 to move in the direction away from the insertion opening in that the springs 164 are compressed as a result of the tensile force exerted on the yarn. This movement of the carriage 165 is recognized by a mechanical sensor, a so-called microswitch, not shown in FIGS. 14-17 and reported to the data processing device. As a result, this device receives a signal that the splicing has been carried out and the coil has been pushed open. If the yarn has not been spliced properly, there is no tensile stress on the projection 166 and the microswitch is not actuated, in which case an alarm is triggered.

The twine clamp device also has the function of recognizing when a bobbin has run out. This detection occurs when the yarn jumps over from the front spool 3a to the rear spool 3b. As soon as the front bobbin has run out, the full pulling force of the take-off is exerted on the yarn end 180 of the bobbin 3a. As a result, the carriage 165 moves backwards against the action of the spring 164. As soon as the slide and a scraper plate 167 come to lie on top of one another, as shown in FIG. 17, the yarn is stripped off from the holding projection 166. The yarn is now released from the yarn clamping device and the yarn is now drawn off from the bobbin 3b. The snap-back of the slide 165 into its starting position or the end stop of the slide 165 is detected by a further microswitch which at the same time reports to the computer that the trigger has reversed from the front to the rear spool. The computer now saves the mandrel on which this jumping process took place and then, after the other previous empty messages have been processed, initiates a corresponding spool change on this mandrel.

It should be pointed out that other sensors are also conceivable with which the fact that a yarn package is emptied can be recorded. So z. B. optical sensors are used, which indicate whether the yarn end 181 of the bobbin is still in the appropriate place or not. However, the present device is simple and, as tests have shown, its function is very reliable.

The device which is provided to convey the bobbins from the bobbin storage magazine to the handling device is described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 20-22. 4 shows a conventional coil carriage on which individual coils 3 are arranged on several inclined planes 200. A pivotable stop 201 ensures that only one coil from the coil carriage reaches the positioning device. The positioning device 210 has two rollers 211, 212, which can take up a full bobbin. The two rollers 211, 212 simultaneously serve to rotate the bobbin to find the beginning and end of the yarn. Below the rollers 211, 212 there is a turntable 213 which serves to rotate the positioning device by 90 ° so that the axis of the spool of thread thereon is parallel to the axes of the holding mandrels.

The positioning device is movable along a frame 215 and can be adjusted in height by guide rods 216, 217 by means of a spindle. To precisely guide the positioning device along the frame 215, a ring gear 220 is provided which, for. B. can be designed as involute toothing or as rack gear teeth. Depending on the type of ring gear, a rack or a corresponding element 221 is then provided, in which the ring gear 220 can engage. The function of the positioning device is now as follows:

The positioning device first moves to the first coil carriage or, if different coils are to be attached, the coil carriage on which the corresponding coil type is located. The stop 201 is released and the spool can roll onto the positioning device which is moved into its lower position. The positioning device is then moved back into the position that can be seen on the left in FIG. 22. The coil is rotated through 90 °, as is indicated schematically in FIG. 22. The coil is then raised. An optical sensor is provided, the light beam of which is emitted axially parallel to the axis of the sleeve of the coil. As soon as the bobbin is raised to an appropriate height, the emitted light is reflected by the yarn on the tube. This event is recorded by the data processing device. The thread spool is then moved on until the light of the sensor finally falls through the opening of the sleeve of the thread spool, as a result of which no reflection then takes place. In this position, the lifting movement of the positioning device is stopped. It is now ensured that the opening of the sleeve is at a very specific height. The handling device moves to the position of the positioning device and can now pick up this coil with the manipulation mandrel.

In the embodiment described here, in addition to the manipulation mandrel, the first and the second yarn finder and the splicer are arranged on the movable handling device. The yarn finder and the splicer are each mounted for longitudinal movement or pivoting via pneumatically operated cylinders and can be swiveled out to fulfill their function. This makes it possible to carry out the yarn finding function while the yarn package is still on the positioning device and is carried and rotated by the rollers 211, 212. As soon as the yarn has been picked up by the two yarn finders, the handling device with the manipulation mandrel and the yarns held in the yarn holding devices can then move to the corresponding location of the pick-up mandrel.

The extraction device described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 22 is characterized in that the entire operation of this Trigger device can be performed fully automatically. This was previously not possible in the prior art. Furthermore, the trigger device is characterized by a significantly reduced space requirement compared to conventional trigger devices. This is achieved in that two yarn packages are held by a mandrel in the pull-off device described. As a result, the number of mandrels and thus practically the space required for the extraction devices can be halved.

Claims (31)

1. Process for operating a doffing apparatus (1) for yarn bobbins (3) in which the yarn bobbins (3) consisting of a core (11) and a yarn (10) wound thereon are carried by take-up mandrels (40), whereby the take-up mandrels (40) are held on one side by mandrel-holding means (41) at their end regions opposed to the doffing side, characterized in that
      the mountlng of a full yarn bobbin (3b) onto a take-up mandrel (40) is accomplished with a handling means which takes up the full yarn bobbins (3b), that the end of the take-up mandrel (40), next to the mandrel-holding means is connected with the handling means, that subsequently the mandrel-holding means (41) of the take-up mandrel (40) is removed from the take-up mandrel (40) and that then the full bobbin (3) is slid onto the take-up mandrel (40), whereby an empty core (11) possibly located on the take-up mandrel (40) is discarded over the free end of the take-up mandrel (40).
2. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the taking up of the full yarn bobbins (3) is performed with a manipulation mandrel (70), which is inserted into the opening of the core (11) of the yarn bobbin (3), whereby the connection between the take-up mandrel (40) and the manipulation mandrel (70) is frictional or form-fitting.
3. Process according to claim 2, characterized in that a manipulation mandrel (70) is operatively associated with several take-up mandrels, whereby the manipulation mandrel (70) is moveable with said handling means.
4. Process according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the empty cores (11) when discarded are first held in horizontal position and then allowed to fall from this position.
5. Process according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one first (3a) and a second yarn bobbin (3b) are operatively associated with one another, so that the yarn draw-off takes place first from the first yarn bobbin (3a) and, after the first yarn bobbin (3a) is depleted, transfers to the second yarn bobbin (3b) and then in reverse, whereby the operative association encompasses that the yarn end (180) of the yarn bobbin (3a) being drawn off is connected with the starting yarn (181) of the associated bobbin (3b) to be drawn off next.
6. Process according to claim 5, characterized in that the yarn bobbins (3a, 3b) associated with one another are arranged on the same take-up mandrel (40) behind one another.
7. Process according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the starting yarn (181) and yarn end (180) of the associated bobbins (3a, 3b) are automatically connected with one another during the mounting process by a yarn connecting means (173).
8. Process according to claim 7, characterized in that the yarn connection is made by splicing.
9. Process according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the starting yarn (181) and/or the yarn end (180) of the bobbin (3) to be mounted is detected by an optical or mechanical yarn detection means and that the detected starting yarn (181) or detected yarn end (180) is retained by a yarn-holding means.
10. Process according to at least one of the claims 5 to 9 characterized by the following process steps:

    a) detecting the starting yarn (181) of a full bobbin (3),

    b) detecting the yarn end (180) of a full bobbin (3),

    c) retaining the starting yarn (181) in a first yarn-holding means,

    d) retaining the yarn end (180) in a second yarn-holding means,

    e) connecting the starting yarn (181) of the full bobbin (3) with the yarn end (180) of a previous bobbin (3) mounted on the same or another take-up mandrel (40),

    f) clamping the yarn end (180) of the full bobbin (3) in a yarn-clamping means (150) associated with one of the take-up mandrels (40).
11. Process according to at least of the claims 1 to 10, characterized by the following process steps:

    a) driving the handling means to a bobbin supply magazine,

    b) picking up at least one full bobbin with the manipulation mandrel (70),

    c) driving to the take-up mandrel (40) upon which the first-lying bobbin (3) on the manipulation mandrel (70) is to be mounted,

    d) connecting the manipulation mandrel (70) and the take-up mandrel (40),

    e) removing the mandrel-holding means (41) from the take-up mandrel (40)
       whereby during or after these process steps the following steps are carried out:

    f) detecting the starting yarn (181) of the full bobbin (3b)

    g) detecting the yarn end (180) of the full bobbin (3b)

    h) retaining the starting yarn (181) in a first yarn-holding means (170, 111),

    i) retaining the yarn end (180) in second yarn-holding means (172, 111)
       and whereby then the following process steps are carried out:

    k) connecting the starting yarn (181) of the full bobbin (3b) with the yarn end (180) of a previously mounted bobbin (3a),

    l) clamping the yarn end (180) of the full bobbin (3b) in a clamping means (150) associated to the take-up mandrel (40),
       and whereby the following further steps are carried out after the mounting procedure:

    m) returning the mandrel-holding means (41) to the take-up mandrel (40),

    n) releasing the manipulation mandrel (70) from the take-up mandrel (40),

    o) driving the manipulation mandrel (70) to the bobbin magazine or if a bobbin (3) is still located on the manipulation mandrel, to the next take-up mandrel (40).
12. Doffing apparatus for yarn bobbins (3) with a support frame (2) and one or more take-up mandrels (40), which are arranged substantially adjacent to and/or above one another, whereby said take-up mandrels (40) are held at one end in mandrel-holding means (41) attached to the support frame (2) and which carry yarn bobbins (3) consisting of a core (11) and yarn (10) wound thereon, from which the yarn (10) is drawn off, characterized in that the yarn-holding means (41) for each take-up mandrel (40) can be moved apart therefrom, that one or more handling means are provided with which one or more full yarn bobbins can be handled, that one or more coupling means are provided for connecting a take-up mandrel (40) with the handling means and that said coupling means and said handling means are configured so that the end (63) of the take-up mandrel (40) next to the mandrel-holding means is held by the handling means after removal of the mandrel-holding means (41).
13. Doffing apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that each handling means comprises a manipulation mandrel (70), which can take up one or more yarn bobbins (3).
14. Doffing apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that a shifting means (91) is provided with which a yarn bobbin (3) can be slid from the manipulation mandrel (70) onto the take-up mandrel (40).
15. Doffing apparatus according to at least one of the claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the take-up mandrel (40) is configured so that the empty core (11) remaining on the take-up mandrel (40) from a previous yarn bobbin (3) is thrown off the take-up mandrel (40) in the direction in which doffing occurs when sliding on a full yarn bobbin (3).
16. Doffing apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that a core-holding means (51) is provided which holds the empty cores (11) initially in a substantially horizontal position when being slid off the take-up mandrel (40), whereby the core-holding means is so arranged that its holding function can be terminated within a very short time period, so that the core (11) falls downwardly from said horizontal position.
17. Doffing apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that means are provided for catching the discarded cores (11), whereby preferably each take-up mandrel (40) has an associated means for catching the cores (11) and whereby the means for catching the cores (11) preferably are connected to slides which feed the cores to a core collection means.
18. Doffing apparatus according to at least one ot the claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the core-holding means comprises an elongated body (51), which is arranged within the take-up mandrel (40) and which can be driven out of the take-up mandrel (40) in the draw-off direction, whereby the elongated body is connected to a first spring (53), which is expanded when the elongated body is driven out from the take-up mandrel (40) and whereby pivotal catching means (54) are provided on the elongated body, which are configured so that the elongated body is carried along when pushing off the core (11) and whereby locking means (57, 58, 59, 60) acting with the catching means are provided which cause the catching means to rotate back as soon as the elongated body has travelled out of the take-up mandrel (40) by a predetermined distance, whereby the elongated body is then accelerated back into the take-up mandrel (40) by the energy stored in said first spring.
19. Doffing apparatus according to at least one of the claims 12 to 18, characterized in that the take-up mandrels (40) are configured so that at least two yarn bobbins (3) can be taken up after one another, whereby the yarn-bobbins (3) are associated with one another so that the back yarn bobbin (3b) located closer to the mandrel-holding means serves as a reserve bobbin for the front bobbin (3a).
20. Doffing apparatus according to at least one of the claims 12 to 19, characterized in that each handling unit comprises two yarn-finders (170, 172), whereby the first yarn-finder (170) is provided to search for the starting yarn (181) and the second yarn-finder (172) to search for the yarn end (180).
21. Doffing apparatus according to at least one of the claims 12 to 20, characterized in that means (211, 212) are provided to rotate the bobbins (3) and that in addition means are provided with which the rotational movement of the bobbins is controlled so that the yarn end (180) after yarn detection lies substantially at the highest point of the core (11) in vertical direction.
22. Doffing apparatus according to at least one of the claims 12 to 21, characterized in that each take-up mandrel (40) has an associated yarn-clamping means (150), in which the yarn end (180) of the rearmost yarn bobbin (3) located on the take-up mandrel (40) is held.
23. Doffing apparatus according to claim 19 and claim 22, characterized in that the yarn-clamping means (150) also comprises means (166) to hold the connecting yarn from the first to the second yarn bobbin (3).
24. Doffing apparatus according to at least one of the claims 12 to 23, characterized in that the handling means and/or a yarn connecting means and/or one or two yarn-finders are encompassed in a yarn bobbin changing means (4), whereby the yarn bobbin changing means is preferably driveable.
25. Doffing apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that several take-up mandrels (40) are arranged parallel to one another in a lateral direction and optionally also in the vertical direction of said support frame (2) and that the yarn bobbin changing means (4) is moveable in said lateral direction along the support frame (2).
26. Doffing apparatus according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the yarn bobbin changing means (4) is carried by a mast (12) moveable in the lateral direction along the support frame (2) and that the yarn bobbin changing means is moveable in vertical direction on said mast.
27. Doffing apparatus according to at least one of the claims 12 to 26, characterized in that a guide rod (25) as well as a guide profile (27) is provided on the support frame (2), in which the mandrel-holding means (41) is slide-mounted, whereby the mandrel-holding means comprises a carriage (43) which can slide in the horizontal direction along the guide rod and that a perpendicular support rod (42) is arranged on this carriage, which engages in the horizontal guide profile.
28. Doffing apparatus according to claim 27, characterized in that an upper holding element (44) and a lower holding element (45) are fixed on the support rod for accepting a cylindrical part of the take-up mandrel (40).
29. Doffing apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that a lever (46) is arranged on the lower holding element (45), which is mounted on an axis (47), whereby a spring (48) engages this lever, said spring being arranged at an angle to said lever so that the lever is held in a closed position when the mandrel-holding means (41) supports the take-up mandrel (40) and so that the lever is held in an open position by the spring when the mandrel-holding means is removed from the take-up mandrel (40).
30. Doffing apparatus according to at least one of the claims 12 to 29, characterized in that it comprises the following mechanical and/or optical and/or electrical sensors:

    a) a sensor which detects that a yarn bobbin (3) on a take-up mandrel (40) is depleted; and/or

    b) a sensor which detects whether a yarn bobbin (3) is present in the magazine means, and/or

    c) a sensor which detects whether a yarn bobbin (3) is present on the positioning means, and/or

    d) a sensor which detects whether a yarn bobbin (3) is on the manipulation mandrel (70), and/or

    e) a sensor which detects that the position of the corresponding take-up mandrel (40) has been correctly travelled to by the handling means, and/or

    f) a sensor which detects that the yarn connection has been correctly carried out, and/or

    g) a sensor which detects that the starting yarn (181) of the bobbin (3) has been found by a first yarn-finder, and/or

    h) a sensor which detects that the yarn end (180) of a bobbin (3) has been correctly picked up by a second yarn-finder, and/or

    i) a sensor which detects that the yarn bobbin (3) is located in such a position that the yarn end (180) is located on the top of the core (11), and/or

    k) a sensor which detects that the yarn-connection has been correctly carried out and/or

    l) a sensor which detects that the mandrel-holding means is removed from the take-up mandrel (40), and/or

    m) a sensor which detects that the yarn end (180) of the bobbin (3) to be mounted has been correctly inserted into the yarn-clamping means, and/or

    n) a sensor which detects that the yarn end (180) of the previous bobbin (3) located in the yarn-clamping means has been correctly taken up, and/or

    o) a sensor which detects that a store for separating out yarn bobbins (3), for which the starting yarn (181) and/or yarn end (180) has not been found in a prescribed way, is full.
31. Doffing apparatus according to at least one of the claims 12 to 30, characterized in that a central, program-controlled data-processing unit is provided, which receives the signals from the sensors and which controls the entire doffing apparatus.

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