EP0802999B1 - Brush conveyor and needle loom provided therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR96/00051 Sec. 371 Date Jul. 10, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 10, 1997 PCT Filed Jan. 12, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO96/21762 PCT Pub. Date Jul. 18, 1996A brush conveyor, such as a velvet needling machine, has an assembly of contiguous brushes disposed in transverse rows, and a drive source for this assembly of brushes which forms a conveying plane having a predetermined direction of displacement to constitute an upper face of the conveyor. Each brush includes a body including, on its upper face, holes which are provided for receiving a tuft of hair and, on its lower face, connecting apparatus to fasten this brush to a drive source. The drive source has several parallel drive belts or chains placed between at least two drive cylinders running in the same direction. The conveyor also has a support structure for supporting the brush bodies forming the conveying plane. This support structure includes a support table having several flat support parts separated by spaces provided for the drive belts or chains. With each transverse row of brushes a connecting rail, attached to at least one brush in a row, extends along the width of the conveyor, disposed perpendicular to the direction of displacement. The connecting rail is also attached to the drive belts or chains.

Description

The present invention relates to a conveyor brushes. It also targets a needling machine equipped with this conveyor.

Current needling machines are equipped with a fiber fleece drive system, provided with a set of contiguous brushes. These brushes are for double function of training fibers and welcoming these fibers at the time of needling. They are generally fixed on rails arranged transversely to the direction of training and driven by chains or belts training.

We see on current systems that the brushes have a double tilting movement in the direction vertical and horizontally when needling, then cleaning because of the play between the brushes and the rails and the great distance between the axis of the chain or the drive belt and the brush body. This double movement induces a textile marking or lineage, detrimental to quality of the final product. Document FR-A-2 217 460 discloses a needling machine comprising an endless band lined with bristles which leans under a set needling, on a horizontally movable pad providing a support function. This endless strip can be made up of separate links articulated between them and playing the role of supports for the bristles. This configuration is not suitable for needling machines equipped with a conveyor comprising a set of brushes contiguous and does not actually solve the problem encountered with a double brush tilting movement during needling and cleaning.

The object of the invention is to remedy these disadvantages by offering a brush conveyor for a velvet needle loom which allows to obtain a isotropic product without lineage.

This objective is achieved with a brush conveyor comprising a set of contiguous brushes arranged in transverse rows, means for driving this set of brushes so as to constitute on the face upper part of the conveyor a conveyor plan according to predetermined direction of movement, each brush comprising a body comprising on its upper face holes provided to each receive a tuft of hair and on its underside, means for connecting this brush to the training means, these means drive comprising several belts or chains parallel drives placed between at least two drive cylinders and whose direction is common and this conveyor including in addition to means for directly supporting the bodies of brushes constituting the conveying plane.

According to the invention, the support means include a support table with multiple flat support parts separated by spaces to receive the belts or drive chains, and each transverse row of brushes is associated with a connecting rail extending over the entire depth of the conveyor, arranged perpendicular to the direction of displacement and fixed to belts or chains training.

Thus, the play of the brushes is considerably reduced during needling. In addition, by reducing the distance between the drive means and the body of brushes, we help reduce the harmful effects of swaying of these brushes. In a conveyor according to the invention, the brush bodies are both maintained transversely with respect to each other thanks to the connecting rails and at the same time supported vertically by a support table.

According to an advantageous version of the invention, the conveyor further comprises means for holding the brushes constituting the conveying plane against the support table so the undersides of the bodies of these brushes are kept in constant contact with the support parts, which is not at all the case on current systems.

The holding means may include means of magnetic attraction, and the undersides of brush body and support table include parts of ferromagnetic material.

We can also provide that the support table has perforations and that the holding means include ways to create depression at through the perforations of the support table.

According to another aspect of the invention, it is proposed a velvet needle loom including a conveyor brush according to one of the preceding claims and means for needling a supported sheet of fibers and driven by the conveyor, these needling means cooperating with the conveyor brushes to drive fibers of the web in the tufts of hair of these brushes.

• la figure 1 illustre une vue en perspective éclatée d'un convoyeur à brosses équipant une aiguilleteuse selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente un exemple de montage de brosses mis en oeuvre dans une aiguilleteuse selon l'invention ;
• la figure 3 représente un exemple de rail mis en oeuvre pour le montage des brosses ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe partielle d'une rangée transversale de brosses illustrant un mode particulier de fixation d'une brosse à une courroie d'entraínement dans une aiguilleteuse selon l'invention ;
• la figure 5A représente un premier mode de maintien des brosses contre une table-support, mettant en oeuvre des aimants permanents disposés dans les brosses ;
• la figure 5B représente un second mode de maintien, mettant en oeuvre des aimants permanents disposés dans le rail de liaison et des clavettes de section rectangulaire ;
• la figure 5C représente un troisième mode de maintien mettant en oeuvre des aimants disposés dans le rail de liaison et des clavettes de section circulaire ; et
• la figure 6 représente un quatrième mode de maintien des brosses contre une table-support, mettant en oeuvre un système à dépression.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description below. In the appended drawings given by way of nonlimiting examples:

• Figure 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a brush conveyor fitted to a needling machine according to the invention;
• FIG. 2 represents an example of assembly of brushes used in a needling machine according to the invention;
• FIG. 3 shows an example of a rail used for mounting the brushes;
• Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of a transverse row of brushes illustrating a particular method of fixing a brush to a drive belt in a needle loom according to the invention;
• FIG. 5A represents a first method of holding the brushes against a support table, using permanent magnets arranged in the brushes;
• FIG. 5B shows a second holding mode, using permanent magnets arranged in the connecting rail and keys of rectangular section;
• FIG. 5C shows a third holding mode using magnets arranged in the connecting rail and keys of circular section; and
• FIG. 6 represents a fourth method of holding the brushes against a support table, using a vacuum system.

We will now describe an example of an embodiment of a brush conveyor according to the present invention, in reference to Figures 1 to 4.

A brush conveyor 1 comprises a device drive not including example two cylinders 15, 16 around which are placed belts 3-6 or any other equivalent means such as Chains. The movement of these belts defines a direction of movement D and the upper plane space existing between the two cylinders 15, 16 constitutes a conveying plane P which has the function of supporting and to entrain a layer of fibers during the operation needling. This conveyor plan includes a set 2 brushes 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180 arranged in transverse rows 200, 201, 202 perpendicular to the direction of travel D. When a row transverse of brushes leaves the conveying plane P, it then describes a first circular trajectory around a cylinder 16, then a straight path between the two cylinders, and again a second circular path around the other cylinder for finally join the conveying plane P in which the brushes are tightly contiguous to limit the appearance of marking defects on the product needled. When they are in the conveying plane P, brushes 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180 have their bodies 122, 132, 142, 152, 162, 172, 182 in contact direct with a substantially flat support table S and horizontal, and the tufts of hair 121, 131, 141, 151, 161, 171, 181, 32 regularly implanted in holes receptors 33 on the upper surfaces of the brushes realize a homogeneous and isotropic whole in which the needles will penetrate alternately.

The support table S consists in practice of several support parts 7, 8, 9, 10 separated by spaces or interstices extending parallel to the direction of travel D and designed to accommodate drive belts 3, 4, 5, 6 which in practice are flush with the support parts. Within a same transverse row 200, 201, 202, the bodies 122, 132, 142, 152, 162, 172, 182 of the brushes are joined by a connecting rail 30 (Figure 2) common to the assembly brushes and itself attached to the drive belts by fixing devices 20.

We will now describe in more detail an example of connecting a row of brushes to the device drive of a conveyor according to the invention, in reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. The brushes 25, 26, 27 of this conveyor each have a recess made in the level of their underside and making slide, extending longitudinally in the main axis of each brush and designed to receive a connecting rail 30 having in practice a profiled type structure. When a row of brushes 27, 25, 26 is formed by inserting the connecting rail 30 into the recesses respective, keys 22, 23 are then inserted in force or not in appropriate housing within recesses to maintain and secure all of the brush body in a row. The 25 brushes find themselves at the base of a separating space between two support parts 7, 8 have at their face lower a device 20 for fixing the whole body brush / rail connecting to the drive belt 3 located in the separator space considered. This space separator preferably has a width significantly less than the length of a brush so that the brushes 25 located above the space separator still have on their underside sufficient contact surfaces with the parts of support 7. The brushes 26 which are not located at the above a separator space do they have the whole face lower in contact with the support part correspondent 7.

Each fixing device 20 has a length substantially equal to the width of a belt 3,, in reference to Figures 2 and 4, so that it does not hinder not the circulation of this belt within the space separator. It includes a part 43 inserted in a free space inside the connecting rail 30 and made integral with the latter by three rods transverse 40, 41, 42. This part 43 is provided for receive two nuts 24, 28 corresponding to two screws 21, 27 coming to tighten the belt 3 on the one hand, a tooth 29 of the belt pierced with two holes for the passage screws and placed under the belt 3, and secondly, the underside of the connecting rail 30. This device fixing 20 thus makes it possible to fix the connecting rail 30 to the belt 3. The other brushes are also driven by the mechanical connection of the brushes on the same transverse row which is provided by the presence of the connecting rail. With this method of attachment, the undersides of the brush bodies 27, 25, 26 may be in direct contact with parts of support 7, 8, which contributes to significantly improving the stability of these brushes during needling.

The effects of swinging of the brushes by implementing a maintenance active brush bodies against the support table, as illustrated in Figures 5A, SB, 5C and 6.

A first embodiment of this maintenance involves implementing well-known effects of magnetic attraction. We can for example, in reference to FIG. 5A, provide on the underside of the body 51 of each brush made integral with a rail connecting 30 by keys 57/1, 57/2, magnets permanent 52, 53 in ferrite or rare earth material such than Samarium-Cobalt or Iron-Neodymium-Boron, and use a support table 55 made of material ferromagnetic. The effects of magnetic attraction between the magnets and the ferromagnetic table will generate attraction forces of substantially normal direction on the support table plan. We can also plan to place permanent magnets on the support table, for example in the form of ribbons or strips or any other shape, and make brush bodies in ferromagnetic material.

In a second embodiment illustrated by the FIG. 5B, permanent magnets 56 are arranged in the interior space 50 of the connecting rail 30, the support table 55 being always made of material ferromagnetic.

In a third embodiment illustrated by the FIG. 5C, magnets 56 are also arranged at inside the connecting rail 59, the latter and the brush bodies being arranged to receive keys 58/1, 58/2 having a circular section. This embodiment offers the advantage of catching up automatic lateral play.

A fourth embodiment of active maintenance brushes against the support table consists in setting works an attraction by depression, as illustrated by figure 6. A vacuum generating device 67 includes suction equipment is arranged under a support table 65 provided with perforations 66. A depression is thus created on the surface of the support table 65. This depression must be adjusted for ensure correct maintenance of the brush bodies 61 at the during needling operations.

In each of the above embodiments, the holding means 52, 53; 67 cooperate with the means link 50; 60 to ensure the greatest stability to the brush bodies when subjected to both drive forces transmitted by the belts and by the connecting rails and alternative forces needling. We can also consider combining several distinct brush holding techniques against the support table.

The brush conveyor 1 which has just been described can be advantageously used in a needling machine velvet, but it can also be used in other industrial equipment requiring an area of conveyor having a brush-like surface condition.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous arrangements can be brought to these examples without departing from the framework of the invention. So we can consider many other arrangements for the realization of the means of maintenance. In particular, the optimal arrangement of permanent magnets can be determined based on electromagnetic calculations. In addition, we can plan multiple variants for the body fixing method brushes to belts or drive chains. Of plus, the shape of the brushes, the density of bristles, the organization of the brushes in the conveying plan, as well as their method of assembly do not constitute limitations to the scope of the present invention.

Claims (14)

1. Brush conveyor (1), in particular for a velvet needling machine, comprising an assembly (2) of contiguous brushes (121, 131, 141, 151, 161, 171, 181) disposed in transverse rows (200), means (15, 16, 3-6) for driving this assembly (2) of brushes in order to constitute on the upper face of the conveyor (1) a conveying plane (P) having a predetermined direction of displacement (D), each brush (25) comprising a body (34) comprising, on its upper face, holes (33) each of which is provided for receiving a tuft of hair (32) and, on its lower face, means (20, 30) for connecting this brush (25) to the drive means (15, 16, 3-6), these drive means comprising several parallel drive belts or chains (3-6) placed between at least two drive cylinders (15, 16) whose direction of drive is common and this conveyor furthermore comprising means (S, 7-10) for directly supporting the brush bodies (51, 61) constituting the conveying plane (P), characterized in that these support means comprise a support table (S) comprising several flat support parts (7-10) separated by spaces provided for receiving the drive belts or chains (3-6), and in that with each transverse row (200) of brushes there is associated a connecting rail (30) extending over the entire width of the conveyor (1), disposed perpendicular to the direction of displacement (D) and attached to the drive belts or chains (3-6).
2. Brush conveyor (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that each brush body (34, 51, 61, 26) comprises, as a means of connection, a recess (46, 56, 66) over its entire length provided for receiving the connecting rail (30, 54, 64) and means for locking the connection (22, 23), this recess (46, 56, 66) and this connecting rail (30, 54, 64) being designed to ensure direct contact of the lower faces of the bodies (34, 51, 61, 26) on the support parts (7-10).
3. Brush conveyor (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the connection means furthermore comprise, for each rail (30), means (20)for attaching this rail to each drive belt or chain, these means being partially engaged in recesses (46, 56, 66) of the bodies (34, 132, 152, 172) of the brushes (25, 130, 150, 170) located above each belt or chain (3-6).
4. Brush conveyor (1) according to one of Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the connecting rails (30) associated with each transverse row of brushes (200) have a structure of the profiled type.
5. Brush conveyor (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that it furthermore comprises means (52, 66, 67) for holding the brushes (2) constituting the conveying plane (P) against the support table (S) in such a way that the lower faces of the bodies (51, 34, 61) of these brushes are held in permanent contact with the support parts (7-9).
6. Brush conveyor (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the holding means comprise magnetic attraction means (52, 55) and in that the lower faces of the bodies (51) of the brushes and the support table (55) comprise parts made of ferromagnetic material.
7. Brush conveyor (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the magnetic attraction means comprise permanent magnets (52, 53, 56).
8. Brush conveyor (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the permanent magnets (52, 53) are located on the lower faces of the bodies (51) of the brushes.
9. Brush conveyor (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the permanent magnets are located on the support table (S).
10. Brush conveyor (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the permanent magnets (56) are disposed in the connecting rail (30, 59).
11. Brush conveyor (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the support table (65) comprises perforations (66) and in that the holding means comprise means (67) for creating a depression through the perforations of the support table (65).
12. Brush conveyor (1) according to one of Claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the connection locking means comprise keys (57/1, 57/2) of substantially rectangular cross-section, and in that the connecting rail (30) and the brush bodies (51A, 512B) are designed to receive these keys (57/1, 57/2).
13. Brush conveyor (1) according to one of Claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the connection locking means comprise keys (58/1, 58/2) of substantially circular cross-section, and in that the connecting rail (59) and the brush bodies (51C) are designed to receive these keys (58/1, 58/2).
14. Velvet needling machine comprising a brush conveyor according to one of the preceding claims and means for needling a layer fibres supported and driven by the conveyor, these needling means cooperating with the brushes of the conveyor in order to drive fibres from the layer into the tufts of hair of these brushes.

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