EP1731649B1

EP1731649B1 - High-speed high-stand fabric take-up device with uniform fabric tautness arrangement

Info

Publication number: EP1731649B1
Application number: EP05104851A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Shih-Chi Chen
Original assignee: Pai Lung Machinery Mill Co Ltd
Current assignee: Pai Lung Machinery Mill Co Ltd
Priority date: 2005-06-03
Filing date: 2005-06-03
Publication date: 2012-03-07
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-03
Also published as: EP1731649A1; ES2382194T3; ATE548491T1; PL1731649T3

Abstract

Provided is a high-speed high-stand device (200) for taking up fabric (20) comprising two side boxes (210) each including a projection (211) formed on its side proximate top; a take-up shaft (220) provided across intermediate portions of the side boxes (210), the take-up shaft (220) being adapted to wind fabric (20) therearound; and a friction mechanism (230) including two arms (231) each having the other end (231a) pivotably connected to the projection (211), and a friction rod (232) fixedly interconnected one ends (231b) of the arms (231), the friction rod (232) being provided above the take-up shaft (220) to contact the fabric (20) wound therearound. In a fabric take-up process, an angle from an initial position of the arms (231) to an operating position thereof is limited as a diameter of the fabric (20) is increasing, and a pressing force exerted by the friction rod (232) on the fabric (20) being wound around the take-up shaft (220) is the same for obtaining a uniform tautness of the wound fabric (20).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fabric take-up devices and more particularly to a high-speed high-stand fabric take-up device having an arrangement for applying same pressing force on fabric being wound around a take-up shaft such that a fabric roll with uniform tautness can be obtained around the shaft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a knitting machine, a take-up device is typically employed to wind fabric in rolls. One type of take-up device can wind fabric in rolls having a diameter of about 20 inches. It is not widely employed due to its small capacity. The other type of take-up device, which is more widely employed due to its higher capacity, can wind fabric rolls having a diameter of about 46 inches (i.e., fabric weight more than 100 kg). However, for the latter one centrifugal forces increase as the fabric is wound-up on the take-up shaft. Furthermore, the fabric is pliable in nature. Thus, there tends to be a waste of fabric in the winding process.
U.S. Patent No. 6,637,241 entitled "Fabric Take-Up Apparatus" aims at solving the above problem. However, the patent still has a drawback as detailed below by referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B. The fabric take-up apparatus 100 comprises two sets of friction mechanisms 110. Each friction mechanism 110 has two operating arms 112 each having axles 112a and 112b both at the same side of and above an axis of the shaft 120 for taking up fabric. A virtual line from one operating arm 112 to the other operating arm 112 is about perpendicular to a virtual line extended upward from the axis of the shaft 120 in the fabric winding process. Initially, forces applied on the fabric 10 is provided by the weight of the edge of the friction rods 111. Furthermore, the extent of the perpendicularity is almost 90 degrees as the fabric 10 continues to be wound around the shaft 120 (i.e., diameter of fabric 10 increases). At this time, a force applied on the fabric 10 is provided by the weight of the whole friction rods 111. Thus, the force applied on the fabric 10 is not constant in the fabric winding process. In fact, the force applied on the fabric 10 is increasing in the process. For solving this problem, a balancing weight mechanism 130 is provided below the shaft 120. The balancing weight mechanism 130 is adapted to provide same the pressing force on the fabric 10 being wound. However, the provision of friction mechanisms 110 and balancing weight mechanism 130 may inevitably increase the manufacturing cost and complicate the components of the fabric take-up apparatus 100. Thus, the need for improvement still exists.
EP 0 591 988 A1 discloses a device for taking up fabric according to the preamble of claim 1. The fabric take-up mechanism includes a bracket, a pair of side frame members, a bottom frame member, a bearing box and a plurality of rolls. The bracket and the bottom frame member are disposed on the top and bottom of the frame members. The bearing box is mounted below the frame members. A Take-up roll and a driving roll are located between the frame members. The Take-up roll is journaled for free rotation in bearings at opposite ends thereof mounted on the side frame members, and the driving roll is journaled for rotation at its opposite ends in bearings carried by mounting members which is connected with brackets through pivots. A fabric is delivered to the take-up roll through the plurality of rolls that are driven by a motor and a plurality of gears. The driving roll is also driven by a motor. The motors are installed inside the roll and the take-up roll, respectively. A proximity sensing device is mounted on the frame members, which determines the tension in the fabric through detecting the movement of a swing arm to change the rotation speed of the motors by a control means. Mounting the motors inside the rollers requires, however, a complicated mechanical configuration and electronic control.
US 6,000,246 discloses a take-up device including first and second vertical side panels, a cloth-transfer cylinder connected between the vertical side panels adjacent a top side of the vertical side panels, and two impression cylinders connected in parallel between the vertical side panels and peripherally disposed in contact with the cloth-transfer cylinder at two opposite sides for guiding a finished piece of knitted fabric over the cloth-transfer cylinder. The cloth take-up cylinder is connected between the support arms. A transmission shaft is coupled to a main bevel gear by an auxiliary bevel gear. A gear train is coupled to the main bevel gear by another auxiliary bevel gear, and a belt transmission mechanism is mounted on the second vertical side panel. This document does not disclose, however, a plurality of transmission assemblies mounted in different vertical side panels and driving different mechanism of the take-up device.
GB 2 276 636 A discloses another take-up device for fabrics, including transmission assemblies disposed in vertical side boxes of the device. These transmission assemblies drive, however, only an upstream supply mechanism and a tensioning roller.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to further improve the device for taking up fabric from a knitting machine according to the preamble of claim 1 in order to enable even lower manufacturing costs and less complicated components while ensuring a reliable operation with rather constant processing conditions.
According to the present invention this problem is solved by a device for taking up fabric from a knitting machine according to claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject-matter of the dependent claims.
In a fabric take-up process of the device according to the present invention, an angle of a friction rod from its initial inoperative position to its maximum operating position is much less than that of the prior art. This is because the weight of the whole friction rod is applied on the fabric being wound around a take-up shaft while the diameter of the fabric is increasing. Furthermore, the pressing force exerted by the friction rod on fabric is the same during the fabric take-up process. As a result, a fabric roll with uniform tautness can be obtained. Moreover, the constituent components of the fabric take-up device are simplified, resulting in a reduction in its manufacturing cost.
A device for taking up fabric from a knitting machine according to the present invention comprises all features according to claim 1 including two side boxes each including a projection formed on its side proximate top; a take-up shaft disposed across intermediate portions of the side boxes, the take-up shaft being adapted to wind fabric therearound; and a friction mechanism, which is U-shaped and includes two arms each having a first end and an opposite second end, said arms being pivotably supported at said first end, wherein a friction rod fixedly interconnects said second ends of the arms, the friction rod being disposed above the take-up shaft to contact the fabric wound therearound. In a fabric take-up process, an angle from an initial inoperative position of the arms to a maximum operating position thereof is limited to a predetermined range as a diameter of the fabric is increasing, and a pressing force exerted by the friction rod on the fabric being wound around the take-up shaft is the same during the fabric take-up process.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic side views of a conventional fabric take-up apparatus in its initial and full operating positions respectively;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of high-speed high-stand fabric take-up device according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with covers of certain components removed for showing details therein;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 viewed from an opposite direction; and
FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views schematically showing initial and full operating positions of the fabric take-up device respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a high-speed high-stand fabric take-up device 200 of high capacity in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises two side boxes 210, a take-up shaft 220, a friction mechanism 230, a speed change mechanism 240, a first transmission assembly 250, a second transmission assembly 260, a third transmission assembly 270, a fourth transmission assembly 280, and a supply mechanism 290. Each component is discussed in detail below.
Please refer to FIG.2. A triangular projection 211 is formed on a side of the side box 210 proximate its top. The take-up shaft 220 is provided across intermediate portions of the side boxes 210. The take-up shaft 220 is adapted to wind fabric therearound. The friction mechanism 230 is U-shaped and comprises two arms 231 each having a first end 231aand an opposite second end 231b, said arms 231 being pivotably supported at the projection 211, wherein a friction rod 232 fixedly interconnects the second ends 231 b of the arms 231. The friction rod 232 is disposed above the take-up shaft 220 to contact the fabric wound therearound.
Please refer to FIGS. 2 and 3. The speed change mechanism 240 is provided at a lower portion of the fabric take-up device 200 between bottoms of the side boxes 210. The speed change mechanism 240 comprises a driving shaft 241 extended therethrough. Both ends of the driving shaft 241 are extended into the side boxes 210. The first transmission assembly 250 is provided in one side box 210 and comprises lower and upper wheels 251 and 252, and a belt 253 running around the wheels 251 and 252. The lower wheel 251 is fixedly connected to one end of the driving shaft 241 and the upper wheel 252 is fixedly connected to one end of the take-up shaft 220. The speed change mechanism 240 is adapted to activate for rotating the driving shaft 241 and the lower wheel 251. Also, the upper wheel 252 turns by running the belt 253. As a result, the take-up shaft 220 rotates. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that tautness of fabric wound around the take-up shaft 220 can be adjusted by adjusting the rotating speed of the take-up shaft 220. Also, adjustment of the rotating speed of the take-up shaft 220 can be carried out by controlling the speed change mechanism 240 and which is known in the art. Accordingly, further description thereof is omitted for purposes of brevity and convenience.
Please refer to FIGS. 3 and 4. The supply mechanism 290 is provided across upper portions of the side boxes 210 and comprises a drive shaft 291 and two driven shafts 292 and 293. The second transmission assembly 260 and the third transmission assembly 270 are provided in the other side box 210. The fourth transmission assembly 280 is provided in the arm 231 proximate the other side box 210. The speed change mechanism 240 is adapted to transmit motive force to the friction rod 232 through the second transmission assembly 260. Also, the speed change mechanism 240 is adapted to transmit motive force to the drive shaft 291 and the driven shafts 292 and 293 through the second transmission assembly 260 and the third transmission assembly 270.
The second transmission assembly 260 comprises four wheels 261, 262, 263, and 264, and a belt 265 running around the wheels 263 and 264. The wheel 261 is fixedly connected to the other end of the driving shaft 241. The wheels 262 and 263 are adapted to co-rotate. The wheel 262 is driven by the wheel 261. The wheel 264 is provided in a position higher than the take-up shaft 220.
The third transmission assembly 270 comprises two wheels 271 and 272, and a belt 273 running around the wheels 271, 272, and 264. The wheel 271 is fixedly connected to the first end 231a of the arm 231. The wheel 272 is fixedly connected to the first end 231a of the drive shaft 291. Thus, the third transmission assembly 270 can be driven as the second transmission assembly 260 drives. The fourth transmission assembly 280 comprises a seventh wheel 281 and an eighth wheel 282, and a belt 283 running around the seventh wheels 281 and the eighth wheel 282. The seventh wheel 281 is fixedly connected to the first end 231a of the arm 231. The eighth wheel 282 is fixedly connected to the second end 231b of the arm 231 joining the friction rod 232. Thus, the fourth transmission assembly 280 can be driven as the third transmission assembly 270 drives.
In operation, the speed change mechanism 240 can drive the driving shaft 241 to move the second transmission assembly 260, the third transmission assembly 270, and the fourth transmission assembly 280. The speed change mechanism 240 transmits motive force to the friction rod 232 through the second transmission assembly 260. Also, the speed change mechanism 240 transmits motive force to the drive shaft 291 through the second transmission assembly 260 and the third transmission assembly 270. Either end of the drive shaft 291 is formed as a drive wheel 294, either end of the driven shaft 292 is formed as a driven wheel 295, and either end of the driven shaft 293 is formed as a driven wheel 296 respectively. Also, the drive wheel 294 has two opposite points on its periphery to be in contact with the driven wheels 295 and 296. Thus, the driven wheels 295 and 296 can be driven as the drive wheel 294 rotates. Also, the driven shafts 292 and 293 can be driven as the drive shaft 291 rotates. By configuring as above, fabric, fed from a source (e.g., knitting machine (not shown)) can be conveyed from the drive shaft 291 to either driven shaft 292 or 293 prior to sending to the take-up shaft 220 for take-up.
Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, as stated above the arms 231 are provided above the take-up shaft 220. Also, for each arm 231 the first end 231ais pivotably supported by the projection 211 and the take-up shaft 220 has an axis 221 fixedly interconnecting the second ends 231 b of the arms 231. Thus, an angle of the friction rod 232 from its initial inoperative position in FIG. 5A to its maximum operating position in FIG . 5B is less than that of the prior art discussed in FIGS. 1A and 1B. This is because the weight of the whole friction rod 232 is applied on fabric 20 while diameter of fabric 20 is increasing in the fabric take-up process. Further, pressing force exerted by the friction rod 232 on fabric 20 being wound around the take-up shaft 220 is the same during the fabric take-up process. As a result, a fabric roll with uniform tautness is obtained.
As compared with the prior art, in the invention a balancing weight mechanism is eliminated. Also, only one friction mechanism 230 is provided. Thus, the constituent components of the fabric take-up device 200 are simplified, resulting in a reduction in its manufacturing cost.
While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.

Claims

A device for taking up fabric from a knitting machine comprising:
a first side box (210) and an opposite second side box (210) each including a projection (211) formed on its side proximate top;

a take-up shaft (220) disposed across intermediate portions of the side boxes (210), the take-up shaft (220) being adapted to wind fabric (20) therearound;

a friction mechanism (230) including two arms (231) each having a first end (231a) and an opposite second end (231b), said arms (231) being pivotably supported at said first end (231a), wherein a friction rod (232) interconnects said second ends (231b), which is disposed above the take-up shaft (220) to contact the fabric (20) wound therearound;

a speed change mechanism (240) for rotating a driving shaft (241) for driving transmission assemblies; and

a supply mechanism (290) disposed at top ends of said side boxes (210) and including a drive shaft (291) for conveying the fabric (20) fed from said knitting machine;

characterized in that said transmission assemblies include a first transmission assembly (250), a second transmission assembly (260), a third transmission assembly (270) and a fourth transmission assembly (280), wherein

said first transmission assembly (250) is provided in the first side box (210) and is driven by said speed change mechanism (240) to rotate said take-up shaft (220),

said second transmission assembly (260) is disposed in said second side box (210) and is driven by said speed change mechanism (240),

said third transmission assembly (270) is disposed in said opposite second side box (210) and is driven by said second transmission assembly (260) for driving said drive shaft (291) of said supply mechanism (290), and

said fourth transmission assembly (280) is disposed in the arm (231) proximale the second side box (210) and is driven by said third transmission assembly (270) for driving said friction rod (232).
The device of claim 1, wherein said speed change mechanism (240) is disposed between bottom ends of the side boxes (210).
The device of claim 2, wherein said driving shaft (241) extends through the speed change mechanism (240) and both ends of said driving shaft (241) extend into the side boxes (210), wherein the first transmission assembly (250) comprises a lower wheel (251) fixedly connected to a first end of the driving shaft (241), an upper wheel (252) fixedly connected to one end of the take-up shaft (220), and a belt (253) running around the lower and the upper wheels (251,252).
The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein said supply mechanism (290) is disposed across upper portions of the side boxes (210), the supply mechanism (290) further including a first driven shaft (292) and a second driven shaft (293).
The device of claim 4, wherein the second transmission assembly (260) comprises a first wheel (261) fixedly connected to a second end of the driving shaft (241), a second wheel (262) driven by the first wheel (261), a third wheel (263) being adapted to co-rotate with the second wheel (262), a fourth wheel (264) disposed in a position higher than the take-up shaft (220), and a belt (265) running around the third and the fourth wheels (263, 264).
The device of claim 5, wherein the third transmission assembly (270) comprises a fifth wheel (271) fixedly connected to the first end of one of said arms (231), a sixth wheel (272) fixedly connected to a first end of the drive shaft(291), and a belt (273) running around the fifth, the sixth, and the fourth wheels (271, 272, 264).
The device of at least claim 4 and any other preceding claims, wherein either end of the drive shaft (291) is formed as a drive wheel, either end of the first driven shaft (292) is formed as a first driven wheel, either end of the second driven shaft (293) is formed as a second driven wheel respectively, and the drive wheel has two opposite points on its periphery to be in contact with the first and the second driven wheels such that the first and the second driven wheels are adapted to drive as the drive wheel rotates, and the first and the second driven shafts (292, 293) are adapted to drive as the drive shaft (291) rotates.
The device of claim 6, wherein the fourth transmission assembly (280) comprises a seventh wheel (281) fixedly connected to the first end (231a) of one of said arms (231), an eighth wheel (282) fixedly connected to the second end (231b) of the arm (231) joining the friction rod (232), and a belt (283) running around the seventh and the eighth wheels.