EP2057309B1 - Rotating-nozzle converter - Google Patents

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a rotary nozzle converter for converting one or more endless yarns into staple fibers.

From the US 3 119 294 A and the one GB 641,262 A rotary nozzle converter is already known for converting one or more endless yarns into staple fibers, with a rotor nozzle having a rotor, and a cutting edge, wherein the rotor has a channel for passing the yarn and the nozzle function is integrated into the rotor.

For new developments in the field of medical textiles and technical textiles, in the field of materials on the one hand and in the product sector on the other hand, staple fibers made of continuous filaments are needed. The high price of the raw materials and the material properties mean that known processes can not be used due to the mass throughput or the required brittleness of the fiber material. Most of the fibers are cut by hand. Both the claims become to the length of the pile, the cost as well as the purity is not met.

The invention is therefore in particular the object of providing a converter with which fibers or yarns can be optimally cut.

The object is achieved by a Rotordüsekonverter according to claim 1, wherein further embodiments of the inventions can be found in claims 2 to 23.

The invention relates to a rotary nozzle converter for converting one or more endless yarns into staple fibers by means of a rotor nozzle and a cutter, wherein the nozzle function is integrated into the rotor and the yarn is deflected by an angle of less than 90 °. Under a cutting should be understood here preferably a blade with at least one cutting edge. The rotor nozzle sucks the fiber strand itself and conveys it by means of a supplied gas stream, preferably by means of air, at the same speed at which the endless yarn is fed to a nozzle exit of the rotor. By the negative pressure in the catchment area and the transport by means of an air flow to the cutting the thread is advantageously aligned straight over the entire transport path. Further, the self-priming of the nozzle allows integration of the rotor nozzle converter in a running process for further processing of the staple fibers and reduces the air consumption of the converter with respect to a separate arrangement of nozzle and rotor. A so-called in-line circuit is important to ensure the purity of the material and to avoid yarn damage by winding operations, recrystallization, storage and transport. At the same time, the process becomes more productive by combining individual stages. Thereby a higher process speed and the saving of costs are possible. By deflecting the yarn at an angle of less than 90 °, all fiber types can be processed.

The deflection of the yarn causes the yarn to exit at an outer edge of the rotor nozzle, thereby moving and cutting the yarn at an increased speed.

Advantageously, a second cutting edge is provided. Preferably, this acts as a counter-blade to the first cutting edge. The design allows separation of fibers of soft and tough nature, since the two cutting edges develop sufficient force to cut tough fibers as well, with the second cutting edge applying a counter pressure to the pressure developed by the first cutting edge.

It is proposed that the second cutting edge is rotatably mounted. Due to the rotation of the second cutting edge, the two cutting edges are not in constant contact. As a result, the generation of heat is avoided because the two edges only touch once per revolution of the rotor.

It is also proposed that the second cutting edge is fixed to the rotor. This allows a simple construction of the converter, as can be dispensed with a separate storage of the second cutting edge. The second cutting edge may be an attachment plate, which is applied to a surface of the Rotordüsekonverters, preferably an end face of the Rotordüsekonverters in which at least one outlet opening of the yarn is applied to the entire extent and at least one recess which releases the outlet opening and the is cut like a blade at its edges.

It is proposed that the second cutting edge cover a front side of the rotor nozzle in a segment-like manner. Here, the side of the rotor nozzle is defined as the end face on which the outlet opening of the endless yarn is arranged. Segment-like in this context means that the second cutting only covers a portion of the end face of the Rotordüsekonverters and remain free large parts of the total area. Advantageously, the second cutting edge is formed as a sheet metal part which is beveled like a blade on the side facing the outlet opening of the yarn. In addition, this sheet metal part is easy and inexpensive to produce or replace.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if a cutting edge of the second cutting edge forms a secant to an exit opening of the yarn. Advantageously, the cutting edge of the second cutting edge is arranged on one side of the exit opening of the yarn, which, in one embodiment of a cut, viewed in a projection view, lies opposite the side on which the first cutting edge is arranged. This ensures a consistent and good quality of cut.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous if at least one cutting edge of the first cutting edge and at least one cutting edge of the second cutting edge lie in a common plane in at least one operating mode, whereby the cut of the yarn can be carried out correctly and with μm accuracy.

A high power development for cutting the yarn can be achieved if, in at least one operating mode, the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge are biased against each other are. The operating mode preferably represents a cutting operation.

It may be particularly advantageous if at least one cutting edge of the first cutting edge and at least one cutting edge of the second cutting edge have a tilt relative to one another, which is intended to set a force component between the cutting edges during a cutting operation by means of the cutting edges. As a result, it is possible in particular to build up a voltage between the cutting edges and / or to achieve a change in a force component or a voltage during a cutting process. By tilting an optimal and at the same time gentle cutting result can be achieved. It is achieved a stepless change in force in a movement along the cutting edges in the cutting process, through which the fiber is handled without damage during a threading process. Furthermore, vibrations of the cutting edges, caused by a meeting of the cutting edges in the cutting process, can be reduced. Alternatively or additionally, an insertion bevel may be provided, which is arranged in at least one region of a cutting edge and lies on one side, which faces the other cutting edge. As a result, a particularly soft transition can be achieved at the beginning of the overlapping of the cutting edges.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that at least one cutting edge has a formation which is provided to set a force component between the cutting edges during a cutting operation by means of the cutting edges. This formation is intended in particular a curvature formed in the longitudinal direction of the cutting edge be, which causes the same effect and the same advantages as the tilt.

It is also proposed that the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge are intended to perform a cutting of the yarn according to a scissor-type principle. By "scissors principle" is to be understood here that the two cutting edges touch directly in front of the cut in a cutting point, which moves in a process of cutting and thus in a sliding past the cutting edges along the longitudinal extension of the cutting edges. This allows a precise and straight cut of the fibers. Thus, tough fibers can be cut. Preferably, the two cutting work on the principle of a cutting shear, whereby a large power development can be ensured for cutting the yarn.

Advantageously, an adjusting device for adjusting at least one cutting edge is provided. As a result, both blades can be matched exactly. In order to be able to cut the fibers precisely, the cutting edges must be aligned exactly 1 μm. Particularly advantageously, the adjustment device has a partial region provided for elastic deformation, whereby a fine adjustment of a cutting arrangement can be achieved in a structurally simple manner.

It is proposed that a collecting device for the staple fibers is provided, wherein the collecting device has a box and a shaft opening into the box. The box can also by another, the skilled person useful as catcher, such as a shaft, to be replaced. This embodiment makes it possible for the cut or severed fibers to pass directly into the resulting fleece or fiber bed without impurities.

It is also proposed that the shaft surround the cutting edges. Hereby, flying away of the cut fibers is effectively prevented, whereby the shaft acts as a nozzle.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the collecting device has an extraction device in order to accelerate the formation of a nonwoven or fiber bed and to optimize it overall.

In addition, it is proposed that the collecting device has a separating device which separates the blown and cut fibers from the air.

A preferred development is that a device is provided which has a plurality of rotor nozzle converter. As a result, a high throughput rate of cut staple fibers can advantageously be achieved.

An inexpensive device can be advantageously achieved if a drive is provided which at least partially drives the rotor nozzle converter.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the drive is a belt drive with a belt, which has a double-sided toothing. This can constructively simple and inexpensive synchronously working Device are designed. The belt can be designed as a wedge, flat or round belt, as a chain and / or particularly advantageous as a toothed belt. But it is also another conceivable to those skilled in the art as Umschlingungsantrieb conceivable.

drawings

Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawing. In the drawings, an embodiment of the invention is shown. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a rotor nozzle converter in a front view with a fixed cutting edge and a rotating counter cutting edge,

Fig. 2

a Rotordüsekonverter according to Fig. 1 as a sectional view AA,

Fig. 3

a rotor nozzle converter in a longitudinal section,

Fig. 4

an adjusting device for the cutting edges,

Fig. 5

a collecting device for the staple fibers in a schematic representation with a box and opening into the box shaft,

Fig. 6

a device with several Rotordüsekonvertern and

Fig. 7

a schematic representation of a tilt and a shape of the cutting.

Description of the embodiments

The FIGS. 1 to 3 show a rotor nozzle converter 10 for converting a yarn 12 into staple fibers. It can be mixed both several yarn or fiber strands and different yarn or fiber types. The rotor nozzle converter 10 comprises a rotor nozzle 14, 16, which has a rotor 14. The rotor 14 is rotatably mounted in at least one bearing 50 and can be set in rotation by a drive 52. In the present embodiment, it is preferably a belt drive, wherein in the FIGS. 2 and 3 only the belt guide 52 is shown. However, it can also be any further drive that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art.

The rotor 14 has a channel 54 for the passage of the yarn 12. In the channel 54 is according to Fig. 4 a feed tube 86 is provided for the yarn 12, which is stationary, that is not co-rotated with the rotor 14. The yarn 12 is according to Fig. 3 deflected in the rotor 14 by an angle of less than 90 °. In the rotor 14, the nozzle function is integrated, wherein a nozzle unit 16 is used to fulfill the nozzle function. The nozzle unit 16 is arranged in the channel 54 of the rotor 14. The nozzle unit 16 is preferably supplied with compressed air via a sealed circulation gap 56. Cooling can be achieved via the air flow and / or the moisture in the converter 10 and thus the cutting properties of the yarn 12 can be regulated.

A cutting edge 18 is mounted fixedly in front of the rotor 14 or in front of an end face 26 of the rotor via a holder 58 described in greater detail below. In addition, a second cutting edge 20 is provided which acts as a counter-cutting edge to the first cutting edge 18. The second cutting edge 20 is rotatably mounted. In the present exemplary embodiment, the cutting edge 20 is fastened to the rotor 14 and rotates in the direction of rotation 90 with the rotor 14. However, it is also conceivable that the second cutting edge 20 on another component is rotatably mounted. The cutting edges 18, 20 are preferably made of steel, hard metal, ceramic or a hybrid material of, for example, any mixture of the aforementioned materials. Furthermore, the cutters 18, 20 can additionally have a coating, for example of a carbon compound, such as diamond. Alternatively, the use of a laser, in particular a diode laser, as a cutting edge is conceivable.

The second cutting edge 20 is arranged above an outlet opening 22 of the yarn 12 which is located in the front side 26, wherein the outlet opening 22 can have an arbitrary distance to the axis of rotation of the rotor. The first fixed cutting edge 18 is arranged in front of the rotor 14 in such a way that after each full rotation of the rotor 14, the cutting edges 18, 20 are aligned at a distance which is precisely adjusted with respect to the μm.

The fed with uniform and / or stepped speed, which is also variable via a step program, supplied yarn 12 is inserted through the nozzle unit 16 in the channel 54 of the rotor 14. The yarn 12 is passed in the channel 54 to the outlet opening 22 and the open yarn end is expelled from the outlet opening 22. With each rotation of the rotor 14, the co-rotating second cutting edge 20 passes through the stationary first cutting edge 18, the yarn 12, during rotation, being drawn between the cutting edges 18, 20 and being cut.

The two cutting edges 18, 20 function like a pair of scissors, in particular like a pair of cutting shears. By the rotation of the second cutting edge 20, the two cutting edges 18, 20 must always meet again. In order to allow a cut of the yarn 12, the cutting edges 18, 20 are arranged in two different planes, which run parallel to each other. As a limiting case, it would also be possible for the cutting edges 18, 20 to be arranged in the same plane. The cutting edges 60, 62 of the cutters 18, 20 acting as scissors lie in one plane at the time of the meeting and the execution of the cut. In this case, the cutting edges 18, 20 or the cutting edges 60, 62 at the time of the cut only ever a point of contact with each other, in the process of cutting and thus in a sliding along the cutting edges 18, 20 along the longitudinal extent of the cutting edges 60, 62nd emotional.

As already mentioned, the two cutting edges 18, 20 with their cutting edges 60, 62 microns must be precisely matched to each other to achieve an exact cut of the tough fibers 12, such as aramid fibers, so that the shock-sensitive cutting materials suffer no damage and a long life the cutting 18, 20 can be achieved. For this purpose, an adjusting means 92 for the cutting 18, 20 is provided, wherein the adjusting means 92 for aligning the cutting edges 18, 20 is used. It is arranged, for example, on the holder 58 of the second cutting edge 18. By means of the adjusting means 92, for example, a tilting and / or a bias of the blades 18, 20 can be adjusted. In Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of the tilting exemplified, based on the second cutting edge 20 shown. In this case, the cutting edges 18, 20 are adjusted so that both cutting edges 18, 20 are in each case by the longitudinal extent of their cutting edges 60, 62 extending axis 98 are rotated with the same direction of rotation. As a result, large-area contact of the cutting surfaces in the longitudinal extension of the cutting edges 18, 20 is prevented and the cutting edges 60, 62 only touch one another at a point which moves along the cutting edges 60, 62 in the cutting process. Furthermore, at least one cutting edge 20 is tilted in a further axis 100 with a tilting 94. Alternatively, the cutting edge 20 can be rotated in a center 102 on its support surface. This results in a point contact of the cutting edges 60, 62, which, neglecting the deformation along the longitudinal extension of the cutting edges 60, 62 by the mutual voltage during the cut, lie in a plane. Furthermore, a bias voltage is provided which increases the tension between the blades 18, 20 and thus improves the quality of cut. As an alternative to this tilting, a formation 96 in the form of a curvature can also be provided on at least one cutting edge 20.

Fig. 4 1 shows an adjustment device 24 in which the rotor 14 of the rotor nozzle 14, 16 is at least partially surrounded by a stationary component 64, which receives the holder 58 for the first cutting edge 18. The holder 58 has a connecting element 66, to which the first cutting edge 18 is fastened by means of an adjusting element 70, which is displaceable essentially in the direction of a transverse axis 68. The connecting element 66 has a slope or slope 72 extending from the adjusting element 70 to the cutting edge 18 of less than 4 °, preferably 2 °. In a recess 74 of the connecting element 66 is a spring element, preferably a plate spring 76 or a package of disc springs 76, provided, which, together with a recess 74 provided on the recess 78, which reduces a partial region 88 of a connecting element to a third of its width to approximately 11 mm, permits an elastic partial deformation of the connecting element 66.

If the adjusting element 70 is displaced along the bevel 72 of the connecting element 66, a coarse adjustment of the cutters 18, 20 can be achieved. In this case, for example, a displacement of 3 mm corresponds approximately to a change in a gap 80 between the cutting edges 60, 62 in its horizontal extent of 100 μm. In the desired position, the adjusting element 70 is fixed. For fine adjustment, the plate spring 76 is used, whereby a cutting gap can be set to a fiber thickness of a fiber strand. About a change in the biasing force of the spring 76 is the deformation of the partially elastic connecting member 66, the gap 80 adapted in its vertical extent. In this case, for example, the gap 80 can be changed by 1 micron, when the spring 76 is adjusted by 15 °.

After the cut, the fibers should be used for the direct production of a nonwoven or a fiber bed. Advantageously, the cut or severed fibers should fall directly onto the resulting web or fiber bed. The strength of the supplied compressed air flow, however, has an effect on the fall or the storage of the fibers. In order to prevent turbulence and flying away of the cut and blown fibers, according to the invention a collecting device 28 according to Fig. 5 provided, which comprises a box 30 and opening into the box 30 shaft 32, wherein the Box 30 and the shaft 32 can be made in one piece. The shaft 32 surrounds the blades 18, 20 and thus prevents blowing away of the cut fibers. In addition, the collecting device 28 has an extraction device 34. As a rule, the cut fibers are heavier than air and automatically fall down. If this automatism is disturbed, the suction device 34 may intervene by, for example, applying a vacuum. In addition, a separator is provided in the form of at least one baffle 36 which separates air and fibers from each other.

According to Fig. 6 is also a device with a plurality of Rotordüsekonvertern 10 conceivable, in which case only one rotor nozzle converter per row is provided with a reference numeral. For example, the rotary nozzle converters 10 may rotate in opposite directions 82, 84 so that untwisting of a "twisted" fiber strand is possible. The device preferably has a common drive 38, which drives one part or all of the rotor nozzle converters 10. The Rotordüsekonverter 10, for example, according to Fig. 6 be arranged behind one another or in a zigzag shape, so that a belt loop in the form of a toothed belt 38 with double-sided toothing comes into consideration as a common belt drive, which belt runs between the two rows of the rotor nozzle converter 10. In this case, the two rows each rotate in opposite directions 82, 84.

The Rotordüsekonverter 10 serves not only to convert the continuous yarns in staple fibers, but also for dosing the amount of fiber per unit time and / or the desired length of the fiber pieces. The length adjustment is adjustable via the feed rate of the yarn 12 and / or the rotational speed of the rotor 14, wherein a continuous metering is possible.

reference numeral

10

Rotordüsekonverter

12

yarn

14

Rotor nozzle (rotor)

16

Rotor nozzle (nozzle unit)

18

first cutting edge

20

second cutting edge

22

outlet opening

24

adjustment

26

front

28

catcher

30

box

32

shaft

34

Absaugungseinrichtung

36

Separating device (guide plate)

38

apron belts

40

converter

50

storage

52

Drive (belt guide)

54

channel

56

circumferential gap

58

bracket

60

Cutting edge (first edge)

62

Cutting edge (second cutting edge)

64

fixed component

66

connecting element

68

transverse axis

70

adjustment

72

slope

74

recess

76

Belleville spring

78

recess

80

gap

82

direction of rotation

84

direction of rotation

86

feed

88

subregion

90

direction of rotation

92

actuating means

94

tilt

96

formation

98

axis

100

axis

102

Focus

Claims (23)

1. Rotor nozzle converter (10) for converting one or more continuous filament yarn(s) (12) into staple fibres, having a rotor nozzle (14, 16) which has a rotor (14), and a blade (18), the rotor (14) having a channel (54) for guiding the yarn (12) through, and the nozzle function being integrated into the rotor (14), characterized in that the yarn is deflected in the rotor (14) by an angle of less than 90°.
2. Rotor nozzle converter according to Claim 1, characterized by a second blade (20).
3. Rotor nozzle converter according to Claim 2, characterized in that the second blade (20) is provided for acting as a counterblade with respect to the first blade (18).
4. Rotor nozzle converter according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the second blade (20) is rotatably supported.
5. Rotor nozzle converter at least according to Claim 2, characterized in that the second blade (20) is fastened to the rotor (14).
6. Rotor nozzle converter at least according to Claim 2, characterized in that the second blade (20) covers an end side (26) of the rotor nozzle (14, 16) in a segment-like manner.
7. Rotor nozzle converter at least according to Claim 2, characterized in that a cutting edge (62) of the second blade (20) forms a secant with respect to an outlet opening (22) for the yarn (12).
8. Rotor nozzle converter at least according to Claim 2, characterized in that at least one cutting edge (60) of the first blade (18) and at least one cutting edge (62) of the second blade (20) arranged in a common plane in at least one operating mode.
9. Rotor nozzle converter at least according to Claim 2, characterized in that the first blade (18) and the second blade (20) are prestressed against one another in at least one operating mode.
10. Rotor nozzle converter at least according to Claim 9, characterized in that at least one cutting edge (60) of the first blade (18) and at least one cutting edge (62) of the second blade (20) have a tilt (94) with respect to one another, wherein the tilt (94) is provided to set a force component between the blades (18, 20) during a cutting operation by means of the cutting edges (60, 62).
11. Rotor nozzle converter at least according to Claim 9, characterized in that at least one cutting edge (60) has a shaped portion (96) which is provided to set a force component between the blades (18, 20) during a cutting operation by means of the cutting edges (60, 62).
12. Rotor nozzle converter at least according to Claim 2, characterized in that a cutting edge (60) of the first blade (18) and a cutting edge (62) of the second blade (20) are provided to carry out a cut of the yarn (12) according to a scissors principle.
13. Rotor nozzle converter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a setting device (24) for at least one blade (18, 20).
14. Rotor nozzle converter according to Claim 13, characterized in that the setting device (24) has a portion (88) which is provided for elastic deformation.
15. Rotor nozzle converter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a collecting device (28) for the staple fibres.
16. Rotor nozzle converter according to Claim 15, characterized in that the collecting device (28) has a box (30) and a chute (32) which opens into the box (30).
17. Rotor nozzle converter according to Claim 16, characterized in that the chute (32) surrounds the blades (18, 20).
18. Rotor nozzle converter according to one of Claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the collecting device (28) has an extraction apparatus (34).
19. Rotor nozzle converter according to one of Claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the collecting device (28) has a separating apparatus (36).
20. Rotor nozzle converter according to Claim 19, characterized in that the separating apparatus is at least one guide plate (36).
21. Device having a plurality of rotor nozzle converters according to one of the preceding claims.
22. Device according to Claim 21, characterized by a drive (38) which drives the rotor nozzle converters (10) at least partially.
23. Device according to Claim 22, characterized in that the drive is a wraparound drive with a wraparound belt (38) which has a two-sided toothing system,

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