EP2093179B1

EP2093179B1 - Device to adapt a winder to the length of the bobbins to be processed

Info

Publication number: EP2093179B1
Application number: EP20090152589
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roberto Badiali; Giuseppe Morini; Michele Simonatto
Original assignee: Savio Macchine Tessili SpA
Current assignee: Savio Macchine Tessili SpA
Priority date: 2008-02-20
Filing date: 2009-02-11
Publication date: 2013-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-11
Also published as: EP2093179A2; ITMI20080275A1; CN101513968A; EP2093179A3; CN101513968B

Description

The present invention refers to a device for adapting the winder to every new batch of bobbins to be fed to the automatic winder.
Widely prevailing in the industrial practice is the technique of producing yarns in a first spinning stage - typically for ring spinning that produces a yarn in bobbin - followed by a second winding stage in which the yarn is unwound from its bobbin, cleared of its defects and wound again in a package, which contains a much larger amount of yarn and corresponds to a considerable number of processed bobbins. The winding process is much faster than the spinning and thus a small amount of winding units or stations, amounting to tens of units, is capable of performing the production of a large amount of spinning units, amounting to thousands of units.
The transfer between the two processes, of the bobbins full of yarn to the winder and that of their empty tubes to the spinning frame, may occur "in hoppers" or through wheeled boxes, or - in the so-called "spin-winders" - transferring the bobbins directly and separately to winder.
Widely prevailing in the automatic winders of the latest design is the technique of moving and unrolling the bobbins, using peg supports to be arranged on conveyor belts or other similar machine movement operation members - such as for example rotating disks or tracks - to separately move said bobbins and tubes to and from the winding units.
Generally, winders are used for winding batches of bobbins coming from different spinning frames and they must be easily adapted to receive and process the batches of bobbins coming therefrom. Still generally, such batches of bobbins may have different shapes, generally depending on the type of yarn under process. The choice of the size of the bobbin derives from a compromise between the needs related to the performance of the spinning frame and energy saving. In order to have a high performance of the spinning frame, the ratio between the spinning frame doffing time and the actual spinning time must be reduced, i.e. bobbins with longer winding must be produced. In order to reduce the unitary energy consumption the bobbin is required to be small, short and narrow and with lower content of wound yarn, to reduce the size of the balloon, the frictions and dispersions. In cases where energy is costly the bobbins are generally of a smaller size. The current production the length of the bobbins may thus vary in the range between 180 and 280 mm.
In order to clarify both the technical problems encountered and solved through the following invention as well as its characteristics and advantages with respect to the prior art, following is a brief reference to the winding method in its essential principles related to the path of the processed yarn in a single winding unit, as illustrated for exemplifying purpose in figure 1.
The winder is generally made up of a plurality winding units aligned and served by a common transport system which bears pegs with full bobbins and unloads pegs with empty bobbins; the single winding units are arranged according to a plurality of transverse paths, in which the processing of the bobbins is performed, served by conveyor belts, in which there are new standby bobbins and a bobbin under process. Such arrangement is, for example, described more in details in the copending patent application MI2007A134 on behalf of the same applicant.
The unrolling bobbin, from which the yarn 2 is taken is indicated with 1. The yarn 2 moves through the means 3 for removing and guiding the yarn, through the yarn presence detector 4 and through the yarn tensioner 5 with facing pegs, which press it between them. Furthermore, along the yarn path 2 there is a yarn splicer 6, supplied by suction mouths, not shown in the figure, which pick up and take the skeins of the yarn to be spliced in case of interruptions thereof, both due to breakages and interventions of the yarn clearer 7, arranged immediately downstream of the yarn splicer. The yarn 2, cleared of its defects, is collected in the package 8, rotated by the actuation roller 9 and supported with the package holder 10.
The actuation of the roller 9 is performed at a predetermined and substantially constant speed according to the variation of the dimension of the package being formed; it draws the yarn 2, unwinding it at a high speed of rotation from the bobbin 1, which in turn is immobile on its support peg 11.
A considerable technical problem occurs in the step of unwinding the bobbins in the winder. As a matter of fact, it should be taken into account that in the winders of the latest concept the unwinding velocities may even reach 30 m/sec and beyond. The underlying bobbin 1 is fitted on the pin of its transport peg 11 and it is placed on its base collar.
The overlying package 8 draws the yarn from the bobbin located at the lower part in the winding unit and the yarn wound in turns on its tube 12 to form the bobbin is unwound from it with vortex rotation, in the order of 15000 revolutions per minute. In such conditions, the yarn being unwound acquires, due to the centrifugal force on the yarn itself, a trajectory that is curved and swollen outwards forming the so-called "balloon" 13 upon detachment from the bobbin itself, generating considerable centrifugal stresses which are converted into strains that can cause the yarn to break. Furthermore, such stresses tend to move the bobbin 1 from its correct vertical position. Such centrifugal forces directly depend on the maximum radial dimension of the balloon 13, which must thus be controlled and maintained low. It is also observed that the unwinding tension of the yarn has a pulsating and growing trend from the beginning to the end of the bobbin, due to the greater length of the free yarn section that generates the balloon 13.
It should be taken into account that the depositing of the yarn onto the bobbin generally starts in the lower part of the bobbin growing upwards with overlapped layers in a conical manner, with coordinated movements of the spinning frame ring rail. The bobbin thus obtained is tapered and compact, in such a manner to avoid that it disintegrates during the unwinding and so that the yarn is unwound layer by layer from its upper conical part progressively descending downwards.
In order to limit the size of the balloon and be able to operate at a high bobbins unwinding speed, numerous technical solutions were proposed, generally represented by restraint members arranged close to the point of detachment of the yarn from the bobbin being unwound and which limit the free section before contact with the restraint member.
Such restraint members may be fixed and arranged just above the bobbin as described, for example, by patent EP 909.736 on behalf of the same applicant. A balloon restraint device of overturned funnel shape, which axially follows the unwinding development, is described in patent USA 5.553.799 . A cylindrical-bell-shaped balloon restraint device arranged around the bobbin being unwound and divided into two half-bells which open to move the peg 11 with its bobbin and close around the peg during the unwinding is described in patent EP 374.403 .
Upon replacing the batch of bobbins under process with bobbins of different size, a part from the obvious new calibration of the clearers to operate on a yarn with different count, hairiness and mechanical resistance, the winder requires considerable adaptation operations for the new process due to the variation of the geometry of the free yarn section from the beginning to the end of the unwinding thereof.
A possible technical solution to the problem lies in intervening on the balloon controller means due to the different length of the yarn section which forms the balloon itself. Hence, changing the size of the bobbin under process requires that the axial position of the members provided for restraining the balloon with respect to the shape of the new bobbin be suitably modified, possibly replacing some of its components. Such technical solution is difficult and expensive in its entirety, also due to the fact that such operations must be performed winding unit per winding unit.
A different technical solution to the problem exploits - upon changing the length of the bobbin to be processed - the modification of the level of the bobbin under process adjusting the winding unit thereto; this meets the need of maintaining the level of the top of the tube 12 of the bobbin 1 being unwound substantially constant i.e. maintaining the distance between said top of the tube 12 from the overlying members 3 for removing and guiding the yarn 2, in such a manner to have a free section 13 of a rotating yarn having a substantially unaltered length between the bobbins of different sizes. Patent EP 844.206 on behalf of the same applicant describes a bobbin-bearing peg with a bobbin support having an adjustable height and adaptable to the height of the bobbin to be processed. Such expedient fairly provides a solution to the technical problem tackled herein, but it has a drawback in that such bobbin-bearing peg non cannot also be used in the ring spinning frame, i.e. in the spin-winders with the same conveyor system in common between the two machines.
The present invention is aimed at adapting the winder to receive and operate - with maximum efficiency - bobbins of different sizes produced on different spinning frames, maintaining them in an erect position on their peg and overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art, according to the technical solution based on the requirement to maintain substantially constant the distance between the top of the tube 12 of the bobbin 1 from the overlying guide members of the yarn 3 and from the sequence of the members that process the yarn 2 in its path from the bobbin 1 to the package 8.
The present invention, in its most general meaning, of device for adapting the winder to the bobbin to be processed, is defined in the first claim. Its variants and preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims 2 - 7.
Characteristics and advantages of the device and the method for adapting the winder to the bobbins to be processed according to the present invention shall be more apparent from the description of a typical embodiment thereof, provided for exemplifying and nonlimiting pourposes, illustrated in figures 2 and 3.

Figure 1 illustrates the technical problem solved by the present invention, while figures 2 and 3 refer to the attainment of the invention, of which:
figure 2 shows an elevational transverse view of one of the transverse paths serving the single winding units, in which the bobbins are processed,
figures 3A,B show an elevational transverse view of one of the transverse paths as in figure 2 together with a typical embodiment of the device for adapting the winder according to the invention.

As illustrated in figure 2 the winder, and the winding units of which it is made up, is served by a longitudinal conveyor belt 20 located at the rear, which takes - to the winding units - the bobbins 1 full of yarn to be unwound borne by their transport pegs 11, and by a longitudinal conveyor belt 21 on the front of the winder, which unloads the pegs with empty tubes of the spent bobbins or, possibly, with the bobbins with a residue of unwound yarn to be processed separately.
The single winding units, which are essentially made up of the members illustrated with reference to figure 1, are arranged according to transverse paths made with short conveyor belts or tracks 23, which connect the two conveyor belts 20 and 21 respectively for supplying the full bobbins 1 and for unloading the empty bobbins 12 on their pegs 11. Said transverse paths attained by means of conveyors 23 are preferably horizontal. Provided therein are one or more positions R for holding the new bobbins awaiting unwinding, an unwinding position L in which the bobbin 1 is shown under process and eventually a short final path for unloading the peg 11 with its empty bobbin 12, i.e. with its tube without the yarn wound thereon.
The conveyor belt 23 provides the transverse path and circulates between two return rollers 24 having a motorised actuation, not shown in the figure for the sake of simplicity. The view of figure 2 is entirely analogous to that described in the copending patent application MI2007A134 on behalf of the same applicant.
As illustrated in figure 3A the winder, and the winding units of which it is made up, are supported by a plurality of shoulders or transverse pedestals 30 arranged along its axis, usually with a distance between them equivalent to a winding group comprising 6-10 winding units. Such shoulders 30 are provided with adjustable feet 31, that allow arranging the winder assembly in the correct horizontal position, as well as with a plurality of supports, holes, openings and abutments for accommodating and supporting the winding units and their longitudinal frames for connecting to the main structure made up of a series of shoulders 30. Made in the body of the shoulders 30 are openings 33,34 for the transit of services in common between the winding units that make up the winder. For example, the opening 33 allows passage to the conveyor belt 20 for supplying full bobbins, that should deliver them to the winding units that require them, and the opening 34 serves for the passage of centralised service pipes, such as for example suction and compressed air services, used by the single winding units from time to time depending on the need.
Holes 36 are made on the lower part of the shoulder 30 to support the longitudinal 20,21 and transverse 23 conveyor devices as well as their frames - commonly referred to as beds - for connecting to the main structure made up of the shoulders 30. In particular, bed 37 is arranged in the rear part of the winder and supports the longitudinal belt 20 for supplying new bobbins and the rear roller 24 of the transverse belt 23, while bed 38 is arranged at the front part of the winder and supports the longitudinal belt 21 for unloading the empty bobbins and the front roller 24 of the transverse belt 23. In general, the length of said beds corresponds to the range between the two consecutive shoulders 30.
Connection plates 40,41 for respectively connecting to said shoulders 30 were integrally applied - at the shoulders 30 - to said beds 37 and 38, as shown in figure 3B. A series of holes 43,44 were made in such plates 40,41 arranged with a regular pitch according to the vertical direction, with the same dimension and with the same transverse ranges of the holes 36 made in the shoulders 30.
The holes 43 of the rear series are used to determine the level of the rear bed 37, while the holes 44 of the front series are used to determine the level of the front bed 38. The described holes may be through holes or threaded. Such holes may be, like shown in figures 3A,B for example, made on two or more pairs of vertical rows offsetting the level of the holes in each pair of rows. Still as an example, the holes of each row of the two pairs are made having a 20 mm pitch and thus it is possible to adjust the level of the bed thereof at 10 mm intervals: also the holes 36 are doubled in such case, as pairs of holes 36, in such a manner to ensure the adjustment at 10 mm intervals without transverse translation of the plates 40,41.
The constraint between the holes 36 made in the shoulders 30 and the holes of the plate 40,41 may be made using per se known means 46 - such as for example shown in figures 3A,B - with one or more pairs of screws that are engaged in the threaded holes 36, or with nuts and bolts in cases where said holes were made as through holes. The length of the rows of holes 43,44 corresponds to the allowed adjustment width of the level of the transverse belts 23 on which the bobbins 1 are processed and of the possible adaptation of the winder to the size of the bobbins to be processed, lifting or lowering the plates 40,41 according to the vertical arrows 47.
Depending on the level of the holes 43,44 preselected to provide the constraint with the shoulders 30, the level of the beds 37, 38 with the conveyor belts thereof may be adjusted to the desired height with respect to the shoulders 30 or with respect to the main structure of the winder.
Adjustment of the level of the beds 37,38 is easy and accurate. For example, it can occur as follows, by operating on the beds of one winding group unit at a time. First, the conveyor belts 20,21,23 are loosened by operating on the respective tensioning devices. Support and lifting devices - such as for example mechanical lifting jacks - are inserted beneath the beds 37,38 of the winding group to be height-adjusted, lifting such jacks to support said beds. Screws or bolts 46 that fix the plates 40,41 onto their respective adjacent shoulders 30 are loosened and removed. The mechanical jacks are actuated to move the two beds to the desired level, aligning one of the two pairs of holes 36 made on the shoulders with new pairs of holes 43,44 which determine the new level of the transverse path of the belt 23, at which level the new batch of bobbins is intended to be processed. The screws or bolts 46 that fix - at the new level - the plates 40,41 against their respective shoulders are inserted and fastened. After adjusting such level for all the spinning groups, the conveyor belts 20,21,23 are tensioned once again by operating on the respective tensioning devices. The possible level difference that occurs between the conveyors of the spinning frame and of the winder are compensated by means of an adjustable connection ramp at the beginning of the winder in a per se known manner.
Compared to the systems for adapting the bobbins to be processed according to the prior art, the method and device for adapting the winder according to the present invention offer considerable advantages, among which at least the following are worth mentioning briefly.
With respect to the technical solution which provides for intervening on the balloon restraint devices, the operations for adapting the winder to the new batch are very simple and they are performed per winding groups and not winding unit per winding unit. Use of different pegs on the spinning frame and in the winder is not required, thus avoiding using devices for replacing bobbins and tubes between the two machines.

Claims

Device for adapting a winder to the batch of bobbins (1) to be processed, wherein upon the variation of the bobbin length, the height of the top of the tube (12) of the bobbin (1) being unwound is maintained substantially constant, such bobbin being maintained in erect position on a transport peg (11) arranged on a transverse path (23) attained by means of a conveyor belt, characterised in that such transverse path is supported on beds (37,38) comprising means for modifying the level of such transverse path (23) to maintain the level of the top of the tube (12) substantially constant with respect to the sequence of the members processing the yarn (2) in its path from bobbin (1) to take-up package (8).
Device for adapting a winder according to claim 1, characterised in that the devices for modifying the level of the beds (37,38) also support and modify the level of the conveyor belts (20,21) which serve the transverse path (23) respectively supplying full bobbins and unloading empty bobbins, maintaining the conveyor belts (20,21,23) at the same level, which is adjusted to the desired height with respect to the main structure of the winder and in particular with respect to the transverse shoulders (30) arranged along its axis.
Device for adapting a winder according to claim 2, characterised in that the means for modifying the level of the conveyor belts (20,21,23) consist of plates (40,41) integral with the beds (37,38) on which a series of holes (43,44) are made aligned having a regular pitch according to the vertical direction, and of holes (36) made in the shoulders (30) whose transverse dimension and range are consistent with those of the holes (43,44) of the corresponding plates (40,41), and in that fixing screws and bolts (46) are inserted into such holes into pairs of holes (36) arranged at pairs of holes (43,44) that determine the level of the transverse path of the belt (23).
Device for adapting a winder according to claim 3, characterised in that the holes (43,44) are made on two or more pairs of vertical rows offsetting the level of the holes in each pair of rows.
Device for adapting a winder according to claim 3, characterised in that the holes (36,43,44) are through holes and the fixing is performed by means of bolts and nuts (46).
Device for adapting a winder according to claim 3, characterised in that the holes (36) are threaded through holes and the fixing is performed by means of screws (46).
Device for adapting a winder according to claim 3, characterised in that length of the rows of holes (43,44) corresponds to the adaptation of the winder to the size of the bobbins to be processed, lifting or lowering the plates (40,41) according to the vertical arrows (47).