EP1984550B1 - Circular knitting machine for producing a knitted fabric from fibrous material - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a circular knitting machine of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 for producing a knitted fabric made of fiber material.

Circular knitting machines of this type are characterized in that, instead of conventional yarns, predominantly or exclusively threads are used which consist of substantially untwisted staple fibers arranged parallel to one another. Such threads are produced in draw frames, which are immediately preceded by the knitting points of the circular knitting machine from them supplied Lunten or tapes and converted to ensure trouble-free transport from the drafting to the stitch forming sites with the help of spin organs in temporary yarns whose turns only shortly before the enema be broken down again into the stitch formation points (false-twist principle). The actually processed into knit fabric threads therefore consist essentially of untwisted, parallel fibers, which is why the finished knitwear is characterized by an extreme softness. If necessary, additional auxiliary yarns consisting of classical yarns can be incorporated, but this is basically not necessary.

A known circular knitting machine of the type mentioned ( PCT WO 2004/079068 A2 ) indicates for each stitch formation site a drafting system. Since the drafting systems can not be made arbitrarily small, it results in a significant space and handling problem. It is therefore provided, for example, to arrange the drafting systems with comparatively large distances from the circular knitting machine and to surround them with an elevated platform from which the drafting systems are accessible. This makes it possible to arrange a large number of drafting devices on the circumference of the circular knitting machine, but this is achieved with the disadvantage that the operator working on the circular knitting machine, if an error occurs in one of the drafting units, leave the usual working space of the machine to enter the work platform, fix the error from there and then return to the usual workspace. In addition, additional cost-increasing measures must be taken, for example, consist of a plurality of spinlines and these subsequent transport tubes per stitch formation point to safely transport the drains leaving the drafting to the knitting needles or other stitch-forming elements. Finally, due to the predominantly practiced in spinning technology, horizontal position of the various drafting device complex drive systems with numerous gear stages are required.

In addition, it is also already known to summarize the drafting systems barren into three groups, which are arranged at angular intervals of about 120 ° on the circumference of the circular knitting machine. However, this solution entails the additional disadvantage that the paths from the drafting devices to the stitch formation sites fluctuate greatly. This results in different friction conditions for the threads, especially if in this case transport tubes are used, which can lead to different Thread tensions result and easier tear the threads exposed to increased friction. Apart from that, all solutions which require two or more mechanically or compressed air-operated spinning units per knitting point have the disadvantage of increased energy consumption.

From the GB 1 538 924 is a knitting machine for the production of cord-like products is known, which has a drafting device, wherein the drafting system comprises two pairs of drafting rollers, in each case a roller is arranged at the upper end of a vertical axis.

The technical problem of the invention is to design the circular knitting machine of the type mentioned above in such a way that the drafting devices can be arranged tightly and with a high packing density on the machine and yet be driven with simple, inexpensive means.

This problem is solved by the characterizing features of claim 1.

The invention has the advantage that due to the vertical arrangement of at least the output rollers, a very dense arrangement of the drafting devices on the machine circumference is possible, in particular if the drafting devices are arranged segment-shaped and radially to the machine axis. The drive of the so-called lower rollers of the ... Output drafting devices can now be done from above and by means of a circulating around the machine axis drive belt for all lower rollers together and requires no additional space. A further advantage is that because of the location of the drafting directly on the machine circumference, the length of the transport tubes and the number of required spin organs can be minimized, which also leads to the saving of energy. Finally, can be created by the fact that the drafting systems in development of the invention are designed so that they can be opened downwards or sideways, despite the large packing density favorable operating options for working on the circular knitting machine people are created.

Further advantageous features of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

• Fig. 1 einen schematischen Vertikalschnitt durch ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Rundstrickmaschine;
• Fig. 2 eine Draufsicht auf die Rundstrickmaschine nach Fig. 1 unter Weglassung eines Hilfsfadens und unter Hinzufügung von Spinnvorrichtungen;
• Fig. 3 und 4 schematisch und in vergrößerten Maßstab ein Streckwerk der Rundstrickmaschine nach Fig. 2 mit einem üblichen Druckarm, in je einer geschlossenen und geöffneten Stellung;
• Fig. 5 einen Längsschnitt durch ein Streckwerk für die Rundstrickmaschine nach Fig. 1, von oben her gesehen;
• Fig. 6 einen Schnitt etwa längs einer Linie VI - VI der Fig. 5;
• Fig. 7 bis 10 rein schematisch Ausführungsbeispiele für weitere erfindungsgemäße Anordnungen und Ausbildungen von Streckwerken;
• Fig. 11 eine Draufsicht auf eine Antriebseinrichtung für die Streckwerke; und
• Fig. 12 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform eines Einschubteils für die Streckwerke nach Fig. 7 bis 10 in Form einer Kassette.

The invention will be explained in more detail below in connection with the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

• Fig. 1 a schematic vertical section through a first embodiment of a circular knitting machine according to the invention;
• Fig. 2 a top view of the circular knitting machine after Fig. 1 omitting an auxiliary thread and with the addition of spinning devices;
• 3 and 4 schematically and on an enlarged scale a drafting of the circular knitting machine according to Fig. 2 with a usual pressure arm, in a closed and open position;
• Fig. 5 a longitudinal section through a drafting system for the circular knitting machine Fig. 1 , seen from above;
• Fig. 6 a section approximately along a line VI - VI of Fig. 5 ;
• Fig. 7 to 10 purely schematically embodiments for further inventive Arrangements and designs of drafting systems;
• Fig. 11 a plan view of a drive device for the drafting systems; and
• Fig. 12 a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an insertion part for the drafting systems after Fig. 7 to 10 in the form of a cassette.

The invention is explained in more detail below on a large circular knitting machine (Ø = 30 "), which in the exemplary embodiments comprises a multiplicity of, for example, 48, 72 or 96 knitting points in the form of knitting points and stitching systems in the form of conventional latch needles However, it is clear that the invention can be realized in an analogous manner also on circular knitting machines, which is provided with other diameters and / or a relatively small number of knitting systems.

Fig. 1 and 2 schematically show a circular knitting machine 1 with a rotatable needle cylinder 2, are mounted in the knitting needles 3 slidably. In front of the circular knitting machine 1 or in a surrounding area, a working space 4 is schematically indicated, in which an operator 5 stops during normal work on the circular knitting machine 1. The height of the circular knitting machine 1 is dimensioned in a conventional manner so that a plurality of stitch forming or knitting 6, which are formed by lock parts, not shown, and of which in Fig. 1 only one is shown in the grip area of the operator 5 is located. The term "handle area" is understood to mean that area which preferably has an ergonomically favorable and / or z. B. by work instructions, standards or otherwise prescribed distance above a soil 7 od. Like. Is arranged on which both the circular knitting machine 1 and the operator 5 is.

The circular knitting machine 1 of interest in the context of the present invention is designed as a so-called spinning knitting machine. Each stitch formation or knitting point 6 is assigned to a drafting 8, which is fed to a tipped from a pot 9 sliver 10. This sliver 10 is refined in the drafting device 8 in a conventional manner to a thread 11 and preferably presented by means of a yarn guide 12 the knitting needles 3 for stitch formation. By the reference numeral 14, an auxiliary thread is further indicated, which can also be supplied to the yarn guide 12.

Mesh-forming machines of the type described are those skilled z. B. from the aforementioned publication PCT WO 2004/079068 A2 which is hereby incorporated by reference herein to avoid repetition.

According to the drafting units 8 are arranged so that they are like the stitch formation points 6 in the grip region of the operating on the circular knitting machine 1 operator 5. For this purpose, the drafting 8 z. B. attached to a support ring 15 which is supported by means of columns 16 on a base or lock plate 17 of the circular knitting machine 1. Moreover, according to the invention, the arrangement is such that the nip lines formed by three or more pairs of functional parts (for example draw rolls 18 or the like) lie in vertical planes. This is achieved in that the axes of the drafting rollers 18 are all arranged vertically in a state of installation or use. In order to achieve that the drafting units 8 are not only accessible to the operator 5 from the working space 4, but also easily maintained and / or repaired without having to dismantle them completely, the drafting units 8 can be at least partially opened by their essential functional parts according to the invention are at least partially pivotally mounted to the side in the drafting 8. Is in Fig. 2 indicated by a so-called upper rollers 18a supporting component in the form of a pressure arm 19, which is in contrast to the conventional technique on the side instead of above and in the direction of arrow v can be pivoted to an exemplified, vertical pivot axis 20. As a result, if necessary, the top rollers 18a of a selected drafting system 8 are exposed, so that exchanged at these existing straps, in the drafting 8 existing fiber clusters eliminated and other work can be performed without the operator 5 must leave her work space 4.

The pivotability of the pressure arms 19, for the corresponding arrangement of the pivot axes 20 and conventional pressure arms can be used is more accurate 3 and 4 4, which shows a conventional pressure arm 19 and its actuating and locking elements 19a, 19b in the closed state (FIG. Fig. 3 ) and in the open state ( Fig. 4 ) demonstrate.

So that the threads 11 even when the drafting 8 after Fig. 2 have a greater distance from the circumference of the needle cylinder 2, can be safely inserted into the knitting needles 3, according to Fig. 2 preferably between the drafting 8 and the yarn guides 12 spinners 21 is provided. These spinning devices 21 contain, as is known from the document mentioned, z. The spinning devices 21 serve the purpose of initially converting the emerging from the drafting 8 threads 11 into temporary yarns with real rotations, the 23 between the ends of the spinning tubes and the knitting points 6 associated yarn guides 12 ( Fig. 3 ) are resolved again due to the so-called false-wire effect. Because of the selectable length of the radially to the circular knitting machine 1 arranged transport tubes 23, the distance of the drafting 8 can be selected from the central axis of the needle cylinder in principle comparatively large and largely arbitrary. As a result, a circumferentially resulting distance a ( Fig. 2 ) between two adjacent drafting units 8 to a preselected, the pivoting of the pressure arms 19 enabling value can be set.

According to the invention, however, it is preferred to arrange the drafting units 8 radially as close as possible to the needle cylinder 2 in order to keep the length of the spinning tubes 23 and the number of spin or twist elements 22 required as small as possible. This is due to the vertical arrangement of at least two output draw rolls 18b (FIG. Fig. 2 possible) which are the Ummittelbar the needle cylinder 2, so that the distance a can be minimized there. At a distance from the needle cylinder 2 end of the drafting the position of the drafting equipment located there is not quite so critical, because there is naturally by the radial position a greater distance b between the drafting 8 is present.

Otherwise, the embodiment has Fig. 1 to 4 the advantage that the drafting rollers 18, since they are vertical, can be driven in a simple manner by extending in the circumferential direction of the needle cylinder 2, circularly mounted drive belt. For this it is only necessary, the waves of each so-called lower roller of the three roller pairs shown at their upper ends z. B. to see each with a pulley, as explained below.

Finally, it is according to the embodiment Fig. 1 and 2 According to the invention particularly advantageous to arrange two or more drafting 8 with their rollers 18 coaxial one above the other. This makes it possible to halve or even more to reduce the space required in the circumferential direction for the drafting 8, since in this case, two or more threads from each drafting segment segment can be guided to adjacent knitting points, as in Fig. 1 is indicated by two threads 11. As a result, the packing density of the drafting systems can be doubled or multiplied.

The invention has hitherto been described on the basis of drafting units 8, which are distinguished by the fact that the axes of rotation of all drafting device elements, including functional parts in the form of straps 24 (FIG. Fig. 2 to 4 ), are arranged parallel to each other and vertically.

Regardless, the invention should also be able to be applied to drafting systems having axes of rotation, which are arranged at preselected angles between 0 ° and 90 ° relative to each other. This applies in particular to what are known as folding drafting systems which convey the fiber materials during their transport through the drafting system elements Fold around an axis parallel to the transport direction and thereby reduce the width of the fiber materials by half or more. Such drafting systems are described below with reference to Fig. 5 and 6 explained in more detail, wherein Fig. 5 is a partially sectioned, schematic side view of a single drafting system 25 and shows its drafting device or functional parts and other details, while Fig. 6 about a section along the line VI - VI of the Fig. 5 by the drafting system 25 is. It can be seen that the drafting 25 together with a according to Fig. 6 about this arranged drafting system 25a in tandem construction to a reference to the Fig. 1 segment can be summarized.

According to Fig. 5 and 6 a fibrous material 27 is passed through the drafting system 25 in a direction indicated by arrows 26 transport direction. For this purpose, the drafting system 25 has four pairs I, II, III and IV of drafting device bodies lying one behind the other in the transport direction 26. The first pair I in the transporting direction 26 and the second pair II following it in the direction of draft contain two rollers 28a, 28b or 29a and 29b, of which Fig. 5 only one roller 28a, 29a is visible. The following third pair III contains as drafting elements 30a and 30b, of which Fig. 6 Only one is visible, stretching rollers 31a and 31b, these associated deflection elements 32a and 32b, which may consist of deflection rollers or rods, and on the deflection elements 32a, 32b and the associated rollers 31a, 31b guided straps 34a and 34b, in the in the case of double-belt drafting systems, a lower strap 34 and an upper strap 34b are known, between which the fiber material 27 is guided after leaving the draw rollers 31a, 31b. Finally, the fourth, in the transport direction 26 last pair IV again contains two drafting device in the form of a respective roller 35a and 35b. The axes of rotation of the rollers 31 and 35 and the axes of the deflection elements 32 are perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the rollers 28 and 29 and arranged vertically. Apart from that, all four pairs I to IV define between the said rollers 28, 29, 31 and 35 usual, in Fig. 5 Dotted lines indicated by dash-dotted lines 36, 37, 38 and 39. At the entrance to the drafting 25 an inlet funnel or Trocar 40 is provided through which the fiber material 27 is fed and slightly compressed.

According to Fig. 5 the pairs I and II of the drafting system members 28, 29 form a draft zone 41, wherein the peripheral speeds of the drafting system members 28, 29 z. B. are selected so that a distortion of the fiber material 27 is obtained between 5 and 15 times, which comes close to the delay in a conventional flyer. In contrast, the fiber material 27 is subjected to a main distortion between the clamping lines 28 and 39 or in a zone 42; to a stretching of the fiber material 27 z. B. leads to 50 times or more and to a preselected final fineness.

Finally, the described drafting system 25 has at least two pairs of drafting device elements, which bring about a folding of the fiber material 27. These are in Fig. 5 and 6 the pairs II and III, whose clamping lines 37 and 38 form a folding zone 43 between them. In contrast to the Verzagszonen 41 and 42 takes place between the nip lines 37 and 38 only a tension distortion instead, preferably z. B. is 10% and just enough to keep the fiber material 27 stretched and to effect a defined folding.

For folding the fiber material 27 in the folding zone 43 are not shown center axes of the rollers 29a, 29b and the nip line 37 perpendicular to the transport direction 26 and during operation preferably arranged horizontally, the central axes of the drive for the straps 34a, 34b certain rollers 31a, 31b and On the other hand, although the clamping line 38 also extends transversely to the transport direction 26, during operation it extends vertically. In other words, the center axes of the rollers 31 of the pair III are tilted or pivoted by 90 ° with respect to the center axes of the rollers 29 of the pair II. However, angles deviating from 90 ° are also possible, but these are preferably between 45 ° and 90 °. By contrast, the center axes of the drafting device elements 28 are arranged parallel to those of the drafting device 29 and the center axes of the drafting device 35 parallel to those of the rollers 31.

A consequence of the arrangement of the axes of rotation of the rollers 29 and 31 pivoted by 90 ° is that the band-shaped fiber material 27 between the clamping lines 37 and 38 when maintaining preselected conditions in a defined manner by at least one Fold line is folded, which extends parallel to the transport direction 26 and therefore leads to a reduction in the width of the fiber material 27. The same would apply, of course, if the drafting members 30a, 30b would have only the rollers 31a, 31b, ie the straps 34a, 34b completely omitted, or if both pairs II and III are provided with rolling elements formed by rollers and straps. This does not change the type of folding.

The nature of the resulting convolution depends largely on the choice of a distance D ( Fig. 5 ) between the clamping lines 37 and 38 of the drafting device organs 29, 30, which are preferably pivoted by 90 °, or the length D of the folding zone 43, as well as of a width B (FIG. Fig. 5 ) of the rollers 29a, 29b leaving fiber material 27 from. As the distance D decreases and the width B increases, the fold changes from V-shaped via N-shaped and W-shaped up to W-shaped with extensions, ie the folding shape is a function of the distance D and the width B. With particular Advantageously, the distance D and the width B are adjusted such that a W-shaped fold results and the original width B of the fiber material is reduced from eg 20 mm to a final width of approximately 5 mm. This width corresponds approximately to the diameter of a standard roving, with the result that the fibrous material reduced to this width is spun in the usual way without further intermediate step and / or according to the stitch-forming machines Fig. 1 to 4 can be supplied. Such folding is achieved when the distance D is about twice as large as the width B. The conditions desired in the individual case can easily be determined by experiments.

Further details regarding the described folding are in a parallel application DE 10 2006 006 504.2 (filing date 13.02.2006 ) of the same applicant, which is hereby made the subject of the present disclosure to avoid repetition by reference to them.

For the purposes of the present invention, it is with regard to Fig. 5 and 6 especially important that the axes of the input rollers 28a, 28b perpendicular to the Axes of the output rollers 35a, 35b stand. Therefore, it is in principle indifferent whether the distance D and the width B of the fiber material 27 in Fig. 5 and 6 are selected so that the folding described results, or whether the perpendicular arrangement of the axes is used for other purposes, as explained in more detail below.

Fig. 6 shows that the drafting system 25a is formed substantially the same as the drafting system 25 and the overall arrangement is analogous to Fig. 1 and 2 especially suitable for a segmental grouping. In Fig. 6 are only two drafting 25, 25a on top of each other. However, it is clear that groups with more than two superimposed drafting systems could be provided. Also shows Fig. 6 in that the drafting devices 25, 25a can differ from one another by the relative positions of their rollers 28, 29. The drafting system 25a has - seen in the transport direction 26 - each upper overhead, shown by double top rollers 28b, 29b and lower bottom rollers 28a, 29a, while in the drafting system 25 inversely the bottom rollers 28a, 29a above and the top rollers 28b, 29b are down , Therefore, and because the rolls 28, 29 are horizontal in operation, the rolls 31, 35 are arranged vertically, the terms "lower roll" and "upper roll" are misleading because they are no longer, as is common in spinning technology, always the " specify lower or upper position. Therefore, for the purposes of the present application, the lower rollers 28a, 29a, 31a, and 35a are generally referred to as the driving rollers, and the upper rollers 28b, 29b, 31b, and 35b are referred to as the driven rollers. This is also expressed that the rollers 28b, 29b, 31b and 35b usually have no own drive, but in a known manner by means of components in the form of conventional pressure arms 44 (FIG. Fig. 6 ) or 19 ( Fig. 4 ) and a z. B. elastic or pneumatic force against associated driving rollers 28a, 29a, 31a and 35a pressed and offset by frictional force of these in turns. The driving rollers 28a, 29a, 31a and 35a, however, each have a positive drive. This is z. In Fig. 5 indicated. The driving rollers 28a, 29a are rotatably mounted here with shafts 45a, 45b in a bearing block or housing 46, and the shafts 45a, 45b are z. B. with timing pulleys, gears od. Like. Provided od with timing belt, other gears od. Like. In engagement and can be offset by these drive motors not shown in turns. Similarly, the rollers 31a and 35a can be driven. As Fig. 6 In addition, it is possible to form the driven rollers 31b of two adjacent drafting devices (eg 25, 25a) in pairs on a common shaft 47 and / or to arrange the driving rollers on a common shaft extending axially over all existing drafting systems 25, 25a of the respective group extends as in Fig. 6 is indicated schematically for the output roller 35a. Finally show Fig. 5 and 6 in that each of the output rollers 35a, 35b of the pair IV has a spinning device 21 according to FIG Fig. 2 can connect.

To even when using the folding drafting 25, 25a after Fig. 5 and 6 to allow the operator 5 ( Fig. 1 ) If necessary has easy access to essential functional parts, these drafting 25, 25 a are formed as more details in Fig. 5 and 6 demonstrate.

According to Fig. 6 For example, the pressure arms 44 carrying the driven rollers 28b, 29b of the lower drafting system 25 can each be pivoted downwards in the housing 46, like the rollers 28, 29 horizontally pivoting in the direction of a double arrow x or optionally opened and closed. Therefore, the lower drafting units 25 deviating from Fig. 1 to 4 arranged with their pressure arms 44 not only in the grip area of the operator 5, but also actuated by this without leaving the working space 4 and are opened at the bottom. For the respective overhead drafting this is not readily possible. Therefore, in this embodiment, either the in Fig. 6 upper drafting 25a omitted or in a particularly preferred ein.weiter below with reference to Fig. 7 to 10 described, working with insertion parts construction provided.

Next shows Fig. 5 in that the driven roller 35b is rotatably mounted on a further component in the form of an arm 50 which can pivot with a pivot pin 51 is mounted on a in the transport direction 26 completely lying from the lying part of the housing 46. The pivot axis is arranged parallel to the rotation axis of the output roller 35b. Therefore, the roller 35b in FIG Fig. 5 be pivoted to the side of the drafting system 25 in a dot-dash line position indicated by a double arrow y, in which they and the exit slit between the straps 34a, 34b are accessible.

Furthermore, the assemblies carrying the straps 34a, 34b are also mounted on a pivotable arm 52. The arm 52 is pivotably mounted on a rear part of the housing 46, which is opposite to the arm 50, by means of a further pivot pin 53 whose pivot axis extends parallel to the pivot axis of the pivot pin 51. Therefore, the arm 52 and with it the strappy assemblies can be correspondingly Fig. 5 swung back and forth in the direction of a double arrow z and for replacing the straps 34a, 34b. Like. Be pivoted out of the drafting system 25 out in a dot-dashed position. In addition, the arrangement is selected so that the arm 50 in the counterclockwise direction and the arm 52 is pivoted clockwise into the open position, so that first the roller 35b and then without hindrance and the strap assembly can be pivoted into the open position.

After carrying out any maintenance or repair work, the arms 50, 52 pivoted back into their operating position and fixed in the housing 46 with locking means, not shown, as well as for the pressure arms 44 provided with conventional locking means ( Fig. 6 ), the z. B. accordingly 3 and 4 could be trained.

The arms 50, 52 are otherwise, as not shown in detail, formed by means of springs, pneumatic or otherwise as pressure arms od the mounted on them, driven rollers od. Like. Od against the associated, driving rollers. The like. Press ,

It is particularly advantageous, the two rollers 31a and 31b, over which the straps 34a, 34b run, not shown, for. At a location 54 (e.g. Fig. 5 ) to couple engaged spur gears. This makes it possible, even the normally only by frictional force entrained, in Fig. 5 Forcing upper rollers 31b forcibly by positive locking. For this purpose, the driving roller 31a of the strap 34a in Fig. 5 expediently driven by means of a toothed belt indicated by arrows r, which is placed around a toothed belt pulley 55 whose axis of rotation coincides with the pivot axis of the pivot pin 53. The toothed belt pulley 55 is preferably mounted on a shaft projecting through the entire drafting system group, parallel to the output rollers 35a, 35b, from which the drives for the rollers 31a of the other drafting devices 25a, etc. are also derived.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to provide the rollers 31a, 31b circumferentially with radial pins 56 (FIG. Fig. 6 ), which engage in holes 57 which are attached to the edges of the straps 34a, 34b and arranged in the transport direction 26 one behind the other. This makes it possible to drive both straps 34a, 34b forcibly and completely without slippage, which promotes a uniform refinement of the fiber material 27.

Further shows Fig. 5 schematically, as in spite of the hinged arrangement of the various functional parts, a suction / blowing air device can be provided to od the drafting device 25 largely free of lint. Like. To keep. For this purpose, on both sides of the output rollers 35a, 35b at least one respective blowing nozzle 58 is provided, into which blowing air is introduced in the direction of the drawn arrows. As a result, the rollers 35a, 35b remain largely free of lint. The exiting blown air flow is directed onto the return runs of the straps 34a, 34b via patches 59 which are arranged on the back of the rollers 35a, 35b near the exit gap between the straps 34a, 34b and which serve to optimize the blowing air flow. From there, the air flow through air channels 60 and 61, which are formed on the bottom and top of the drafting 25 enveloping housing 46 and in which there is advantageously a slight negative pressure, fed to a central exhaust. In spite of the lower air channel 60, a pivoting of the To allow arms 52, the air channel 60, as dividing points 60a indicate in a front and rear area, a central portion 60b, which is so attached to the arm 52, that it together with this and the strap assemblies in the direction of arrow z the housing 46 can be swung out ( Fig. 5 ). In addition, the patches 59 are suitably mounted on the arm 50 or 52 so as not to interfere with their pivotal movements.

Further shows Fig. 6 in that two further patches 62 are arranged in each case between the rollers 28a, 29a and 28b, 29b in the pre-draft zone 41, which form guide channels 63 for the fiber material 27 between them. As a result, the automatic threading the fiber material 27 is substantially facilitated in the largely closed drafting system 25. The same applies to the remaining drafting systems 25a and 25b

Finally, a distance measure 64 in Fig. 6 in that the guidance of the folded fiber material 27 by the pair of rollers IV is expediently not exactly centered in comparison to the course of the fibers in the roller pairs I and II. Because the rollers 35b (usually coated with a rubber layer) Fig. 5 ) because of the high speeds of z. B. 2000 rpm to 4000 rpm are subject to a certain wear, the rollers 35b can be turned if necessary. As a result, the running time of the rollers 35b can be doubled even without costly traversing.

Fig. 7 to 10 show exemplary embodiments of drafting systems, which have at least output drafting members with vertical axes of rotation and which are preferably provided with withdrawable from the drafting units slide-in parts for storage of the various drafting device and other functional parts. As a result, no more pivotable to the side pressure arms need to be provided, resulting in a particularly high packing density can be achieved for the drafting.

Fig. 7 shows as an exemplary embodiment, a 3-roller drafting system 102 accordingly Fig. 3 with two parallel working drafting sections, each having a pair I, II and III of drafting device organs, wherein in Fig. 7 in each case only one of the pairs existing drafting system is visible. Each drafting section includes two input rollers 103, two output rollers 104 and between each two slip assemblies 105 each having a roller 106. All drafting elements have as in Fig. 1 arranged parallel to each other and during operation vertical axes of rotation, as indicated in each case by dotted lines. To the exit rollers 104 is also followed by a nozzle 107, which consists essentially of a closed housing in which other functional parts not shown, for blowing the output rollers 104 certain air nozzles, also suction channels for loose fibers and air ducts for the pneumatic twist elements 22nd the spinning devices 21 can be accommodated. As indicated by dashed lines, the strap assemblies 105 and the nozzle assembly 107 are each formed as insertion parts 108, 109, which can be pulled out in the direction of arrows u down from the drafting system 102. As a schematically indicated coupling 110 for the insertion part 108 shows the strap assemblies 105 can be decoupled when pulling out of the insertion part 108 of overlying drive members whose axes are parallel to those of the rollers 106. In a corresponding manner, the output rollers 104 may be arranged in an insertion part 104a, which is connected to a further coupling 110 to the drive or decoupled from this.

In contrast, the driven rolls of the pair I, since they have a greater radial distance from the central axis of the circular knitting machine 1, in analogy in Fig. 1 be stored on a common, not shown, pivotable to the side of the pressure arm, which could also be replaced by two individual pressure arms.

The embodiment according to Fig. 8 is different from that Fig. 7 in that it is designed as a 4-roller folding drafting device 111. Here, in operation horizontal input rollers 112 of the first pair I and with these the Vorverzugszone forming, during operation also horizontal rollers 113 of the second pair II in a insertion part 114 forming cassette are arranged. This can be analogous to Fig. 7 be formed and arranged and pulled down in the direction of an arrow 1 become. In this way it is possible to completely expose the space before subsequent strap assemblies 115 of the drafting system 111.

The axes of the input rollers 112 and the rollers 113 of the pair II are horizontal ago, the axes of the belt assemblies 115 and of output rollers 116, however, arranged vertically. Therefore, the driving rollers of the pairs I and II z. B. driven by means of bevel gears 117, 118; which mesh with other sitting on the shafts 112, 113 further bevel gears and at the same time serve as couplings when pulling out or insertion of the insertion part 114. As a result, the rollers 112, 113 are automatically coupled with the movements of the insertion part 114 with a non-illustrated, explained below drive or decoupled from these.

The driven drafting devices of the apron assemblies 115 and the exit rollers 116 may be analogous to 3 and 4 od to be pivoted to the sides of the drafting system 111 pressure arms. Like. Be stored. A particularly preferred embodiment, however, results when the apron assemblies 115 and the exit rollers 116 are analogous to Fig. 7 be attached to insertion parts 115b and 116a, which can be pulled away in the direction of arrows 1 down.

Fig. 9 shows a 4-roller drafting system 119, which is currently considered to be the best embodiment of the invention and from the Fig. 8 characterized in that the axes of input rollers 120, Riemchenwalzen 121 and exit rollers 122 are all arranged vertically in operation, while further, arranged between the input and Riemchenwalzen 120, 121 rollers 123 have horizontal axes. In order to prevent the fiber materials between the rolls 120, 123 of the first and second pairs I and II, although arranged perpendicular to one another, being folded, the distances between the nip lines of these rolls are chosen in relation to the width of the fed fiber sliver. that the folding conditions required, explained above conditions are not met by z. B. the distances of the nip lines much larger than that Widths of the slivers are chosen. In addition, between the rollers 120 and 123 oblique or over an angle of 90 ° helically curved guide elements 124 od. Like. Are provided, on the one hand prevent folding, on the other hand promote a mere folding the sliver by 90 °.

An advantage of the drafting system 119 after Fig. 9 is that in operation, the axes of the rollers 123 can be arranged horizontally, all other rollers, however, vertically, as it is for reasons of a simplified drive, as explained below, is preferred. Suitably, the horizontal rollers 123 and possibly the guide elements 124 are housed in an insertion part 125 which can be pulled out in the direction of an arrow m down from the drafting system 119, as is also true for the remaining functional parts. Therefore, all rolls of the pairs I, II, III and IV are at the FIGS. 7 and 8 apparent insertion parts mounted. Finally, only a single, the insertion part 125 associated bevel gear 126 is required, which also serves as a coupling for the rollers 123, while all other insertion parts are coupled via the couplings 110 to the drive.

Fig. 10 Finally, an embodiment of a drafting device 127 which is provided in the region of the pairs I and II with vertically arranged rollers 128 and 129. Furthermore, the drafting device 127 analogously Fig. 9 in the region of drafting device organs III and IV, two pairs of apron assemblies 130 and output rollers 131, whose axes are also arranged vertically during operation. Between the drafting pairs II and III, however, an additional pair V of drafting system members is provided, consisting of horizontally arranged rollers 132. On the one hand, the ratios are selected so that the rollers 129 and 132 a folding zone in the sense of the folding zone 43 after Fig. 5 For example, by setting the initial width of the sliver in the nip line of the rollers 129 to 16 mm and the distance of the nip lines between the rollers 129 and 132 to about 30 mm, resulting in a W-shaped fold and leaving the rollers 132 Sliver only has a width of about 4 mm. On the other hand, the distance between the nip lines of the rollers 132 and the rollers 133 of the apron assembly becomes 130 with z. B. also 30 mm compared to the only about 4 mm wide sliver adjusted so large that there is no re-folding. It would also be conceivable, between the rollers 132 and 133 the guide plates 124 after Fig. 9 to arrange appropriate baffles. Incidentally, the drafting device 127 can be realized simply by additionally installing the rollers 132 between the rollers of the second and third pairs of a conventional 4-roller drafting system.

The embodiment according to Fig. 10 Incidentally, as the embodiment according to Fig. 9 the advantage that only one drive bevel gear 134 is required to drive the rollers 132, since the axes of all other rollers 128, 129, 131 and 133 can be vertically disposed during operation and connected via the clutches 110. Therefore, it is usually sufficient to store only the rollers 132 in an additional insertion part 135 which can be pulled out in the direction of an arrow n down from the drafting system 127, while the other pairs of rollers analogous to Fig. 7 to 9 can be stored on the insertion parts described therein. Apart from that it is clear that also the embodiments after Fig. 8 to 10 could be provided with a nozzle 107.

The drive of the drafting systems described can be made in a usual way in drafting equipment. When applied to circular knit stitches (cf. Fig. 1 ) However, it is expedient to arrange as many drafting organs during operation so that on the one hand their axes are vertical and on the other hand, in particular Fig. 7 shows, the waves of these rollers protrude above the drafting housing and there od with timing pulleys. The like. Are provided. It is then possible to drive all the toothed belt pulleys belonging to the same drafting device pairs (I, II, etc.) through one toothed belt 137, 138 or 139 or the like coaxially surrounding the central axis of the needle cylinder 2. That is schematic in Fig. 11 shown in the three circularly arranged groups of pulleys 140, 141 and 142 are provided, wherein z. B. accordingly Fig. 8 . 9 and 10 the toothed belt pulleys 140 each on the shafts of the driving input rollers (eg 112, 120, 128), the toothed belt pulleys 141 are mounted on the shafts of the driving pulley drive rollers (eg 115a, 121, 133) and the toothed pulleys 142 are mounted on the shafts of the driving outfeed rollers (eg 116, 122, 131) , Each toothed belt 137, 138 and 139, regardless of the number of existing knitting need only ever a schematically indicated drive motor 143, 144 and 145 and if necessary ever a tension roller assigned.

The horizontal drafting device can be driven mainly with the same drive motors. These are in Fig. 8 z. B. on the shafts of the rollers 115 a additional spur gears 146 attached, which mesh with other spur gears 147 which are mounted on the shafts of the bevel gears 118. A corresponding arrangement is in Fig. 9 shown. On the other hand shows Fig. 10 in that two further spur gears 147 and 148 can mesh with the spur gear 146, the spur gear 147 serving to drive the horizontal rollers 132 by means of the bevel gear 134 and the spur gear 148 to directly drive the vertical rollers 129. According to the embodiment Fig. 7 only two timing belts and drive motors are required, the rollers 103 and 106 here z. B. by spur gears 150, 151 can be coupled to a drive shaft of the rollers 106.

Apart from that, FIGS. 13 to 16 show that in all cases components designed either as insertion parts 108, 109, 114, 125 and 135 or as pressure arms can be provided in order to make all essential functional parts accessible from the working space 4. However, it is expedient to use the insertion parts in particular where appropriate Fig. 2 near the knitting points especially small distances a of z. B. a few millimeters between the drafting units are desirable, since in such a case to the side swivel or sliding parts would hinder a close arrangement of the drafting systems.

A particularly preferred for the purposes of the invention, an insertion part 153 is in Fig. 12 shown. It includes a H-shaped housing 154 in the view, which on the tops of long legs 154a with screw holes, tapped holes 155 or the like is provided. In a short transverse web 154b of the H-shaped housing 154, two shafts extending parallel to the legs 154a are rotatably mounted. On these waves is on both sides of the crosspiece 154b z. B. one each for driving a strap 156a, 156b certain roller 157a, 157b or 158a, 158b attached, and the straps 156a, 156b (the second pair of straps is not visible in Fig. 18) are as usual of these rollers and two with Distance from these arranged deflecting elements 159 out, as in Fig. 18 for the pair of straps 156a, 156b is clearly visible.

Fig. 12 shows further that z. B. the roller 157 a or the shaft is longer than the adjacent roller 157 b or the shaft is formed and z. B. the top of the legs 154a, 154b with a z. B. four- or sechskantigen Kupplongsstift 160 surmounted. This coupling pin 160 further penetrates z. B. a cover plate 161 (Fig. 13) at the upper end of the drafting housing. In addition, at the lower end of one of these strap assembly associated drive shaft 162, for example, in the reference in FIG Fig. 11 is driven described manner, also a four- or hexagonal, certain for rotationally fixed receiving the coupling pin 160 and attached to this open coupling sleeve 163 attached. Is therefore z. B. a corresponding Fig. 12 trained insertion part 153 pulled out of the drafting housing down in the direction of the arrow u , then the parts 160 and 161, the in Fig. 7 to 9 represent schematically indicated couplings 110, automatically separated from each other. On the other hand, the arrangement is such that when retracting the insertion part 153 in the drafting housing automatically the coupling pin 160 enters the coupling sleeve 163 and thereby connects the strap assembly with the associated drive. After the application of the housing 154 to the cover plate 161, it is fastened with fastening screws screwed into the bore 155.

The other described insertion parts with vertically arranged functional parts can be designed accordingly, wherein the straps are missing depending on the case. In an analogous manner, such insertion parts can be provided with horizontal Functional parts (eg 123 in Fig. 9 ). In this case, take the place of the coupling pin 160 and the coupling sleeve 163 based on the Fig. 8 and 10 shown bevel gears 118, 126 and 134.

Finally shows Fig. 12 in that, according to the tandem construction described above above, the insertion part 153 has a double strap assembly above and below the transverse web 154b. The shafts or drive rollers of these modules are each only one side, ie on the side of the crosspiece 154b and thus cantilevered so that the run from them straps are deducted after removal of the insertion part 153 from the drafting up or down and replaced can. When using the tandem design, it is therefore expedient, the insertion parts so .Educate that they can be completely removed from the drafting systems, while it in plug-in parts, which identify only a pair of straps (in Fig. 12 z. B. the lower) would be sufficient if the insertion part could be pulled down so far that the straps to be replaced are easily accessible. Apart from that, the insertion parts 153 can be provided with resilient elements or the like, which push the driven straps 156b against the driving straps 156 during operation.

The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, which can be modified in many ways. This applies in particular to the described pivot arms and insertion parts, which are only examples of which can be deviated in many ways. In particular, the insertion parts may be provided with means not shown in detail to push the driven rollers and straps resiliently or pneumatically against the driving rollers and straps during operation. Especially for further removed from the central axis of the circular knitting functional parts could continue to be provided laterally extendable insertion parts. It is also clear that the functional parts to be serviced and, if necessary, frequently replaced, are preferably mounted on or in the pivotable arms, insertion parts, etc., so that they can easily be exchanged in the opened state. In addition it is recommended above all how Fig. 1 . 6 and 12 the rollers and deflection elements (eg 31, 32 in Fig. 6 ) Always store only at one end (flying), and arrange their free ends below or laterally so that at least the straps can be deducted after pivoting or pulling the ansich arbitrarily formed pressure arms, insertion parts, etc. to the free ends of the driving rollers out (see also Fig. 12 ). In this context, it is particularly important for tandem solutions ( Fig. 12 ) Also advantageous to form the insertion parts so that they can be completely pulled out of the drafting, so that both existing double-strap pairs can be easily replaced. Furthermore, it is expedient, in particular z. B. in the Vorverzugszonen, between successive nips each facing each other patches to form the Leitkanäle for the fiber materials, such as. In Fig. 6 . 7 and 8 is indicated schematically. In addition, the number of pairs of drafting devices used per drafting system may vary depending on the particular case, ie, 3, 4, 5-roll drafting devices, etc. may be provided. Next is the assembly of drafting on a stitch forming machine in Fig. 1 shown only as an example. In fact, it would also be possible to mount the drafting systems differently, in particular on a separate, close to the machine or this surrounding frame, for example, to retrofit an existing machine later with the described drafting equipment. It may also be advantageous, the straps, z. B. the strap assemblies 30a, 30b in Fig. 5 to form in the transport direction 26 longer than usual and assign them a clamping device axially displaceable in the transport direction 26, which produces an additional clamping zone in the gap formed by the straps in the main drafting zone, as schematically indicated by an arrow in FIG Fig. 5 is indicated. This allows the usual Klemmmaß adapt to the length of the fibers used and improve the uniformity of the exiting fiber materials. Finally, it is understood that the various features may be applied in combinations other than those described and illustrated.

Claims (14)

1. Circular knitting machine for producing a knitted product by at least partially using fibrous material (10, 22), including a vertical machine axis, a multiplicity of stitch-forming locations (6) and drafting arrangements (8, 25, 102, 111, 119, 127) associated with at least selected stitch-forming locations (6) and having at least one first pair of drafting members and a pair of front rollers (35a, 35b, 104, 116, 122, 131), wherein at least the front drafting members (35a, 35b, 104, 116, 122, 131) are provided with axes arranged vertically in an installation state, characterised in that it includes a plurality of drafting arrangements, which are distributed segmentally around the machine axis, wherein each drafting arrangement (8, 25, 102, 111, 119, 127) respectively has at least two drafting sections of the same type arranged in pairs coaxially on top of one another for processing two fibrous materials.
2. Circular knitting machine according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one drafting arrangement (8, 102) is configured as a 3-roller drafting arrangement and has drafting members (18, 103, 104, 106), the axes of which are all arranged vertically in the installation state.
3. Circular knitting machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at least one drafting arrangement (25, 25a, 111, 119, 127) is arranged as a folding drafting arrangement and has two nip lines (37, 38) arranged at an angle of between 0° and 90° forming a folding zone (43).
4. Circular knitting machine according to claim 3, characterised in that the drafting arrangement (125, 111, 119) has four pairs (I to IV) of drafting members (28, 29, 30, 35; 112, 113, 115a, 116; 120 to 123, 128, 133), wherein - viewed in a transport direction for the fibrous material - the first pair (I) and a second pair (II) form a predrafting zone, the second pair (II) and a third pair (III) form the folding zone and the third pair (III) and a fourth pair (IV) provided with the front drafting members (35, 116, 122) form a main drafting zone.
5. Circular knitting machine according to claim 4, characterised in that at least the third pair (III) is configured as a double-apron assembly (30a, 30b; 115) and includes two rollers (31a, 31b), two deflection elements (32a, 32b) and two aprons (34a, 34b) disposed thereon.
6. Circular knitting machine according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the drafting members (28a, 28b; 29a, 29b; 112, 113) of the first pair (I) and the second pair (II) are provided with axes, which form an angle with axes of the front drafting members (35a, 35b; 116).
7. Circular knitting machine according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the drafting members (123) of the second pair (II) are provided with axes, which form an angle with axes of the front drafting members (122), whereas the axes of the drafting members (120) of the first pair (I) are provided with axes arranged parallel to the axes of the front drafting elements (122), wherein the relationships between the drafting members (120, 123) of the first and second pair (I, II) are selected so that there is no fold between them.
8. Circular knitting machine according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the drafting members (128, 129) of the first and second pair (I, II) are provided with axes arranged parallel to the axes of the front drafting members (131) and that a fifth pair (V) of drafting members (132), which have axes arranged at an angle to the axes of the front drafting members (131), is provided between the drafting members (129, 133) of the second and third pair (II, III).
9. Circular knitting machine according to claim 8, characterised in that the relationships between the drafting members (132, 133) of the third and fifth pair (III, V) are selected so that there is no fold between them.
10. Circular knitting machine according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the drafting members (103, 104, 106; 115a, 116; 120; 122; 128, 129, 131, 133) include driving and driven drafting members, and that those drafting members that have vertical axes in the installation state are provided with upwardly projecting drive shafts (162).
11. Circular knitting machine according to claim 10, characterised in that the drive shafts respectively project through an upper cover plate (16) of a drafting arrangement housing and are connected to drive elements (140, 145) arranged above the cover plate.
12. Circular knitting machine according to claim 11, characterised in that a plurality of drafting arrangements (8) are distributed segmentally around the machine axis and the front drafting members of all drafting arrangements (8) can be jointly driven with a drive belt (140) arranged above the cover plate (161) and driven by a motor (143).
13. Circular knitting machine according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that a second drive belt (138, 139), which can be driven by at least one second motor (144, 145), is provided to drive the rest of the drafting members.
14. Circular knitting machine according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the associated drafting members (31 a, 31 b) of the drafting sections are configured at least partially on common shafts (47).

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