EP2620532B1 - Air jet spinning machine with a cleaning organ and method for cleaning the eddy chamber of an air jet spinning machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air-spinning machine for producing a yarn from a fiber structure, wherein the spinning machine comprises at least one spinning station, wherein the spinning station has a vortex chamber with an inlet opening for the fiber structure and a Garnbildelement at least partially extending into the vortex chamber with an inlet mouth for the yarn , wherein the vortex chamber in the direction of the Garnbildungselements associated spinnerets are, can be introduced via the air in the vortex chamber to impart rotation to the fiber structure in the region of the inlet mouth, wherein the vortex chamber is associated with an outlet channel, on the at least a part of the Spinning nozzles introduced air is discharged, and wherein the Garnbildungselement has an adjacent to the inlet port discharge channel through which the yarn from the vortex chamber is removable. Furthermore, a method for cleaning a vortex chamber of an air-spinning machine is proposed, wherein the spinning machine comprises at least one spinning station, wherein the spinning station has a vortex chamber with an inlet opening for the fiber structure and an at least partially extending into the vortex chamber yarn formation element with an inlet mouth for the yarn associated with the vortex chamber in the direction of the Garnbildungselements aligned spinneret over which during the yarn production air is introduced into the vortex chamber to impart rotation to the fiber strand in the region of the inlet mouth of Garnbildungselements, wherein the vortex chamber is associated with an outlet channel, on the at least one part the air introduced through the spinnerets during yarn production is discharged, and wherein the yarn forming member has a discharge duct adjacent the inlet mouth over which the yarn passes during yarn production the vortex chamber is withdrawn.

Generic air-jet spinning machines serve to produce a yarn from an elongated fiber structure by means of a vortex air flow generated by the spinnerets within the vortex chamber. In this case, the outer fibers of the fiber composite are wound around the inner fibers (core) in the area of said inlet opening of the yarn formation element, so that a stable yarn with a true twist results, which is finally removed from the vortex chamber via the extraction channel and wound onto a bobbin can be.

Since with the fiber structure inevitably entrained impurities (honeydew, Avivage, contaminants, etc.) enter the vortex chamber, it comes with increasing spinning operation to contamination of the vortex chamber interior and in particular the surface of the mostly spindle-shaped Garnbildelements. This eventually leads to a negative effect on the yarn properties, so that the vortex chamber including the Garnbildungselements must be cleaned at regular intervals. In order to be able to carry out a corresponding cleaning, it is known, for example, to make the yarn formation element displaceable along the discharge channel in order to improve the accessibility of the surfaces to be cleaned. A suitably trained spinning chamber is for example the DE 103 33 411 A1 refer to.

Moreover, it is already known to clean the vortex chamber of corresponding air-jet spinning machines from time to time with an air stream ( DE 103 49 651 A1 ), wherein the air used for cleaning is introduced, for example via rigidly connected to the vortex chamber compressed air lines in the vortex chamber. Shown are appropriate solutions, for example in the EP 2 107 141 A2 and CN 101 280 478 A ,

Object of the present invention is therefore to propose an air-spinning machine whose vortex chamber on particularly simple, yet reliable Can be freed of accumulated during the spinning process impurities.

The object is achieved by an air-spinning machine with the features of patent claim 1.

According to the invention, the air-spinning machine is characterized in that it has at least one cleaning member with an inlet and an outlet for a cleaning medium, wherein a cleaning medium supplied to the cleaning member via the inlet cleaning medium during the cleaning step via the outlet into the vortex chamber can be introduced. In other words, the air-spinning machine has a cleaning device comprising the cleaning device, with the help of a particular automatic cleaning of the vortex chamber and thus also the Garnbildungselements is possible. During the cleaning step, the fluidizing chamber is supplied with a liquid, gaseous or solid (eg pulverulent) cleaning medium. The cleaning member is in this case preferably via its inlet to a pump or a cleaning medium leading overpressure line in combination, so that the cleaning medium is pressed as a result via the outlet into the vortex chamber or its inlet opening. The cleaning medium eventually takes the way to the surface of the yarn-forming element, which also has to take the fiber structure during the spinning process. This results in a recording of the impurities, which can finally be discharged together with the cleaning medium from the vortex chamber.

Furthermore, the invention provides that the outlet of the cleaning member during a cleaning step sealing contact with the inlet opening of the vortex chamber can be brought into contact, so that a cleaning member supplied via the inlet cleaning medium during the cleaning step through the outlet and finally via the inlet opening into the vortex chamber can be introduced , The cleaning member is thus a separate from the wall surrounding the vortex chamber and preferably movably mounted component and serves as a coupling member between a reservoir for the cleaning medium and the wall surrounding the vortex chamber. If a cleaning step is to be carried out, all that is required is to stop the supply of the fiber dressing and bring the cleaning element into liquid-tight or gas-tight contact with said wall. The supply of the cleaning medium finally takes place via the outlet of the cleaning member and the adjacent inlet opening of the vortex chamber.

In this context, it is particularly advantageous if the outlet channel of the vortex chamber is connected to a switchable flow switch, which is connected on the one hand with an air discharge line and on the other hand with a line for the removal of the cleaning medium. As a result, depending on the position of the flow switch, the discharge channel can either pass into the air discharge line or into the line for removing the cleaning medium. In other words, both the air during the spinning process and the cleaning medium during the cleaning step leaves the vortex chamber via the same opening, namely the outlet channel. However, in order to prevent penetration of the cleaning medium into the air circulation of the air-spinning machine, a flow switch is placed in the outlet channel, preferably by means of a drive via a control unit. The line for the removal of the cleaning medium can finally with a storage container for the cleaning medium be connected so that the cleaning medium during the cleaning step in the circulation are promoted (possibly with the interposition of a filter device for removing the impurities from the cleaning medium).

Alternatively, it may also be advantageous if the vortex chamber is assigned a separate discharge channel for discharging the cleaning medium introduced into the vortex chamber during the cleaning step. In this case, the cleaning medium does not leave the vortex chamber above the outlet channel provided for the exit of the air (which is for example connected to a vacuum source). Rather, there is a separate channel through which the cleaning medium is withdrawn during the cleaning step. This channel can in turn be connected to a storage container and / or a pump for the cleaning medium.

It also brings benefits when the inlet mouth of the Garnbildungselements viewed in the axial direction of the discharge channel between the inlet opening and opening into the vortex chamber opening of the outlet channel or between the inlet opening and opening into the vortex chamber opening of the discharge channel is arranged. The optionally available for the removal of the cleaning medium channels (outlet channel or discharge) are thus placed in an area that ensures that the cleaning medium must flow through a large part of the vortex chamber. In particular, in this case, the tip of the yarn formation element having the inlet mouth of the draw channel comes into intimate contact, so that removal of contaminants deposited there is ensured. The outlet channel or the discharge channel are also placed in a plan view of the inlet mouth, preferably on the opposite side of the inlet opening of the vortex chamber to ensure that the cleaning medium must flow around the Garnbildungselement. It is particularly advantageous if the cleaning member identifies a seal in the region of the outlet. In this way it can be ensured in a simple manner that during the cleaning step, no cleaning medium between the cleaning member and the wall surrounding the vortex chamber, on which the cleaning member is applied, can escape. Rather, the entire cleaning medium supplied to the cleaning member via its inlet flows through the inlet opening into the vortex chamber, even if the cleaning medium is pressed in with a certain overpressure. The seal may be formed as a ring seal and consists for example of a rubber surrounding the outlet of the cleaning device.

It is advantageous if the cleaning member is in communication with a carrier element and with the aid of which is movable relative to the inlet opening of the vortex chamber. This is particularly advantageous because the inlet opening must be accessible during the normal spinning process for the fiber structure. If the cleaning member is located on a support element (for example in the form of a drive arm having a drive), the cleaning member for the cleaning step can be moved in the direction of the inlet opening, for example pivoted. After completion of the cleaning step, the cleaning member is finally moved away from the inlet opening so far that the vortex chamber can be fed again a fiber structure.

It also brings benefits when the air-spinning machine comprises a plurality of spinning units, wherein each spinning stations own or a group of several spinning stations is assigned a common cleaning member, wherein the cleaning member in the latter case the individual spinning stations is as needed deliverable. The cleaning member may in this case, as described, be associated with a carrier element, which controls the cleaning member in dependence on the cleaning step parameters (operating time of the air spinning machine, to be spun Fiber material, spinning speed, etc.) of the respective spinning station is delivered. For example, it would be conceivable to use the vortex chambers of two adjacent spinning stations with a cleaning member, which is mounted between the two spinning stations.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the air-spinning machine comprises a plurality of spinning stations and if the cleaning device is part of a service robot of the air-spinning machine patrolling along the spinning stations. Corresponding service robots are conventionally used to initiate re-spinning in the event of a yarn breakage or failure, or to replace a full bobbin with an empty bobbin. If the service robot now additionally or exclusively has the described cleaning device, it is possible to clean all or a plurality of the spinning positions of an air-jet spinning machine with only one cleaning element. The service robot can also have its own storage container with cleaning medium, a pump for introducing the cleaning medium into the vortex chamber, or also a filter device for separating the impurities removed from the cleaning medium from the cleaning medium. As an alternative to a stored storage container, the service robot can also have a coupling system with which it can be connected to the spinning unit to be cleaned with a line system of the air-spinning machine which carries the cleaning medium. If the cleaning medium is under a certain overpressure and a discharge line for the cleaning medium already passed through the vortex chamber is present, it is possible to dispense with a self-powered pump.

As already stated, it is advantageous if the air-spinning machine has a storage container for the cleaning medium, which communicates with the cleaning member and / or with the discharge channel or the discharge channel of the vortex chamber or can be brought into connection. The storage container can in this case attach to the machine frame of the air spinning machine or else be part of the service robot. Furthermore, there is the storage container Preferably with a pumping and / or filter device in contact to promote the cleaning medium or to be able to free from impurities. It is also conceivable to combine the cleaning member with a disposable cartridge, taken from the fresh cleaning medium and can be returned to the contaminated cleaning medium after passing through the vortex chamber.

Finally, the method according to the invention for cleaning a vortex chamber of an air-spinning machine is characterized in that a cleaning medium is introduced into the vortex chamber via the inlet opening during a cleaning step during which the yarn production is interrupted, and that the cleaning medium returns after passing at least part of the vortex chamber is removed from this. The vortex chamber is thus automatically cleaned with the aid of a cleaning medium to be described later, as soon as a cleaning medium is introduced into the vortex chamber. The cleaning medium flows into the vortex chamber and in this case takes the same path that the fiber structure also takes during the spinning process. In other words, the cleaning medium comes into contact with exactly the locations of the vortex chamber (inner surface, surface of the yarn formation element), which are most often covered with corresponding impurities. The impurities are finally released from the cleaning medium and leave with this the vortex chamber via the outlet channel, through which the air leaves the vortex chamber during the spinning process. Alternatively, the cleaning medium can also be removed via a separate discharge channel. If the cleaning medium is supplied via a separate, movably mounted cleaning member, the introduction begins, for example, as soon as the cleaning member has been sealingly brought into contact with the wall having the inlet opening (the cleaning member can, for example, after interrupting the yarn production by means of a driven support member, for example by means of a Carrier arm, moved to its cleaning position, for example, be pivoted).

In addition, the invention provides that at the beginning of the cleaning step, an outlet of the cleaning member is sealingly brought into contact with the inlet opening of the vortex chamber, and that the cleaning medium is introduced via the outlet of the cleaning member in the vortex chamber. If the outlet and / or the wall surrounding the inlet opening has, for example, a seal, it can be prevented that the cleaning medium also escapes to the outside when subjected to overpressure at the connection point between the cleaning member and the wall surrounding the vortex chamber.

In general, a liquid (for example a cleaning agent or solvent or a carrier fluid mixed therewith, for example in the form of water), a bulk material (eg a fine-grained metal, sand or plastic powder) may be used as the cleaning medium a liquid enriched in bulk or a gas enriched with a liquid and / or a bulk material are used. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the cleaning medium is heated before its use to increase the cleaning effect in addition.

It is also advantageous if at least temporarily air is introduced via the spinnerets into the vortex chamber during the introduction of the cleaning medium. This leads to an increase in the cleaning effect and in particular to a vortex formation in the region of the yarn formation element. If the cleaning medium is a powder or a powder-air mixture, the air entering via the spinnerets produces an air-powder vortex which frees the yarn-forming element from impurities, similar to a sandblasting device. If the fluidizing chamber is supplied with a liquid cleaning medium (eg a fat-dissolving fluid), Thus, in the region of the yarn-forming element, an air-liquid swirling occurs, which cleans the respectively swept surfaces similar to a high-pressure cleaner. In all cases, the air can be introduced into the vortex chamber continuously or else in a pulsed manner, wherein the air pressure or the air volume flow can each be greater or smaller than during the spinning process.

It is particularly advantageous if the cleaning medium is sucked out of the vortex chamber via the outlet channel, via which air is removed during yarn production, or a separate discharge channel. In the former case, a flow switch may be present after the outlet channel, which must be passed by the air (during the spinning process) or the cleaning medium (during the cleaning step). The flow switch can be brought, for example by means of a drive and a controller in the respective position. If the vortex chamber has a separate discharge channel for the cleaning medium, it may be advantageous if the outlet channel is closed during the cleaning step and the discharge channel during the spinning process in order to prevent the respective medium from escaping via the wrong exit.

It is particularly advantageous if, at the end of the cleaning step, the supply of the cleaning medium is stopped and then the cleaning member is again removed from the inlet opening of the vortex chamber and the production of the yarn is started. By removing the cleaning member from the inlet opening ensures that the fiber structure during the spinning process can enter undisturbed in the inlet opening.

Figur 1

eine Schnittansicht eines Ausschnitts einer Spinnstelle einer erfindungsgemäßen Luftspinnmaschine,

Figur 2

die Ansicht gemäß Figur 1 mit auf dem Garnbildungselement abgelagerten Verunreinigungen,

Figur 3

die Ansicht gemäß Figur 2 mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsorgan,

Figur 4

die Ansicht gemäß Figur 3 mit aufgesetztem Reinigungsorgan,

Figur 5

die Ansicht gemäß Figur 4 während eines erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsschritts,

Figur 6

eine Schnittansicht eines Ausschnitts einer alternativen Ausführungsform einer Spinnstelle einer erfindungsgemäßen Luftspinnmaschine,

Figur 7

eine teilweise geschnittene Seitenansicht eines Serviceroboters an einer Spinnstelle einer erfindungsgemäßen Luftspinnmaschine,

Figur 8

eine schematische Darstellung der möglichen Abfuhr von Luft und von Reinigungsmedium aus einer Spinnstelle einer erfindungsgemäßen Luftspinnmaschine, und

Figur 9

eine Schnittansicht eines Ausschnitts einer Ausführungsform einer Spinnstelle einer Luftspinnmaschine nicht gemäß der Erfindung.

Further advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiments. It shows:

FIG. 1

a sectional view of a section of a spinning station of an air-spinning machine according to the invention,

FIG. 2

the view according to FIG. 1 with impurities deposited on the yarn formation element,

FIG. 3

the view according to FIG. 2 with a cleaning member according to the invention,

FIG. 4

the view according to FIG. 3 with attached cleaning member,

FIG. 5

the view according to FIG. 4 during a cleaning step according to the invention,

FIG. 6

3 is a sectional view of a section of an alternative embodiment of a spinning station of an air-spinning machine according to the invention,

FIG. 7

2 a partially sectioned side view of a service robot at a spinning station of an air-spinning machine according to the invention,

FIG. 8

a schematic representation of the possible removal of air and cleaning medium from a spinning station of an air-jet spinning machine according to the invention, and

FIG. 9

a sectional view of a section of an embodiment of a spinning station of an air-spinning machine not according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a section of a spinning station of an air-spinning machine according to the invention. The air-spinning machine usually includes a drafting system, not shown, which with a Fiber structure 2, for example in the form of a doubled sliver 2, is supplied. Further, the spinning station comprises a vortex chamber 3, which is seen after the drafting system seen in the transport direction of the fiber strand 2 and in which the actual yarn production takes place.

Within the vortex chamber 3, the fiber structure 2 or at least a part of the fibers of the fiber composite 2 is provided after passing through an inlet opening 4 for producing the desired yarn 1 with a rotation. The rotation is produced by a targeted air flow in the region of a preferably spindle-shaped Garnbildelements 5, wherein the air flow is generated by usually tangentially opening into the vortex chamber 3 spinnerets 7. The spinnerets 7 are supplied with air, for example, via at least one air line 15 and a ring line 30 arranged between the air line 15 and the spinnerets 7, the air, after passing through the surface of the yarn forming element 5, leaving the vortex chamber 3 again via an outlet channel 8 (the one for this purpose) a vacuum source can be connected).

Furthermore, the spinning station may have a take-off device formed by a take-off roller pair and a winding device connected downstream of the take-off roller for winding up the yarn 1, wherein the yarn 1 passes through an inlet mouth 6 of the yarn-forming element 5 (in the area also the rotation and thus the actual yarn production takes place) and the subsequent discharge channel 9 is withdrawn from the spinning station.

During the spinning process, it is now unavoidable that impurities 24 (honeydew, fiber particles, lubricant) are deposited in the area of the inlet mouth 6 of the yarn formation element 5 or the inner wall of the vortex chamber 3 (see FIG FIG. 2 ), which negatively affect the spinning process.

In order to enable a quick and reliable cleaning of the vortex chamber 3 including the Garnbildungselements 5, the air-spinning machine according to the invention now has at least a cleaning member 10, as for example in the FIGS. 3 to 5 is shown.

The cleaning member 10 has a (for example via a pump 23 in communication with a storage container 21) inlet 11 and a correspondingly engageable with the inlet opening 4 of the vortex chamber 3 in contact outlet 12 for a still closer to be described cleaning medium 13.

During a periodically performed cleaning step, the supply of the fiber composite 2 is interrupted in the vortex chamber 3 and the cleaning member 10 moves as far to the spinning station until it rests sealingly on its outlet 12 surrounding the inlet opening 4 wall of the spinning station. In order to prevent an unwanted escape of the cleaning medium 13 between the cleaning member 10 and said wall during the cleaning step, a seal 18 surrounding the inlet opening 4 may be provided in the region of the outlet 12 or the opposite wall.

Now that the area of the cleaning element 10 having the outlet 12 has been placed on the wall, for example with the aid of a carrier element 19 which carries the cleaning element 10 and can be moved by means of a drive ( FIG. 4 ), is introduced via the outlet 12 to the cleaning member 10 via the inlet 11 supplied cleaning medium 13 in the vortex chamber 3. The introduction preferably takes place with the aid of a pump 23, which presses the cleaning medium 13 into the vortex chamber 3.

Alternatively, a liquid (eg water mixed with cleaning agent or solvent), a bulk material 22 (eg a fine cleaning powder), one enriched with a bulk material 22 may be used as the cleaning medium 13 Liquid or even a gas enriched with a liquid and / or a bulk material 22 are used.

The cleaning medium 13 flows around after passing through the inlet opening 4 all surface sections that are passed during the spinning process of the fiber material. As a result, it also comes into contact with the contaminants 24 and thereby causes them to detach (see FIG. 5 ). After passing through the Garnbildungselements 5 enriched with the impurities 24 cleaning medium 13 leaves the vortex chamber 3, for example via the outlet channel 8, through which the air is sucked off during the spinning process.

In order to be able to discharge the cleaning medium 13 separately, the outlet channel 8, as in FIG. 8 shown to be in communication with a flow switch 14. Depending on the position of the flow, the outlet channel 8 is finally either (during the spinning process) with an air discharge line 29 or (during the cleaning step) with a line 16 for the removal of the cleaning medium 13 in connection. Last mentioned line 16 may in turn be in communication with the already mentioned storage container 21, so that the cleaning medium 13 during the cleaning step (for example, with the interposition of a filter device for separating the entrained impurities 24) can be recycled.

Alternatively, the vortex chamber 3 also have a separate discharge channel 17, as in the FIGS. 6 and 7 is shown. The removal of the cleaning medium 13 during the cleaning step takes place in this case exclusively via the discharge channel 17, while the supplied via the spinnerets 7 air is discharged via the outlet channel 8 during the spinning process.

In order to enhance the cleaning effect of the supplied cleaning medium 13, it may additionally be provided during the cleaning step to supply the spinnerets 7 with air (for example, pulse-like). In this case, the air flows into the vortex chamber 3 and mixes with the supplied cleaning medium 13 to form a corresponding vortex flow in the region of the tip of the yarn formation element 5 which has the inlet mouth 6. If the cleaning medium 13 is a solid, then Cleaning in the manner of a sandblasting process. When a liquid is supplied, the cleaning effect of a high-pressure cleaner is created by the interaction of cleaning fluid and supplied air.

While each spinning station can be assigned its own cleaning member 10, it can also be advantageous if the cleaning member 10 is part of a service robot 20 patrolling along the spinning stations. A corresponding embodiment is in FIG. 7 shown. In this case, the service robot 20 preferably has a storage container 21 for the cleaning medium 13, which can be supplied to the cleaning member 10 by means of a pump 23 placed in an intermediate line 25. The cleaning member 10 is advantageously seated on a carrier element 19 (for example, via a joint 26 and with the aid of a drive, not shown), so that it is fed to the wall of the spinning station having the inlet opening 4 and removed again after completion of the cleaning process 10 can be.

In order to couple the service robot 20 with the spinning station, this can finally have a suction nozzle 28 which can be sealingly connected by means of a coupling 27 with the discharge channel 17 of the swirl chamber 3.

Alternatively shows FIG. 8 the already mentioned flow switch 14, via which the outlet channel 8 during the spinning process with an air line 15th and during the cleaning process with a conduit 16 for removing the cleaning medium 13 can be associated. The flow switch 14 is preferably provided with a drive and actuated by means of a control unit.

Finally shows FIG. 9 an embodiment of a spinning station not according to the invention. Instead of the already described separate cleaning member 10, the cleaning member 10 is formed here by an inlet channel 31, which is for example rigidly connected to an inlet, not shown, for the cleaning medium 13 in connection. Finally, the cleaning medium 13 is pressed into the vortex chamber 3 via the inlet channel 31 or sucked into it by the vacuum present at the outlet channel 8 (or a separately present discharge channel 17).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

yarn

2

fiber structure

3

swirl chamber

4

inlet opening

5

Garnbildungselement

6

inlet mouth

7

spinneret

8th

outlet channel

9

culvert

10

cleaning means

11

Intake

12

outlet

13

cleaning media

14

flow switch

15

air line

16

Line for the removal of the cleaning medium

17

discharge channel

18

poetry

19

support element

20

service robots

21

storage container

22

bulk

23

pump

24

pollution

25

intermediate line

26

joint

27

clutch

28

suction

29

Air discharge line

30

loop

31

inlet channel

Claims (13)

1. An airjet spinning machine for producing a yarn (1) from a fiber strand (2),

   - the airjet spinning machine comprising at least one spinning position,

   - the spinning position comprising a vortex chamber (3) having an intake opening (4) for the fiber strand (2) and a yarn forming element (5) extending at least partially into the vortex chamber (3) and having an inlet opening (6) for the yarn (1),

   - spinning nozzles (7) being assigned to the vortex chamber (3), which spinning nozzles (7) are aligned in the direction of the yarn forming element (5), and through which spinning nozzles (7) air can be introduced into the vortex chamber (3) in order to provide the fiber strand (2) in the area of the inlet opening (6) with a rotation,

   - an outlet duct (8) being assigned to the vortex chamber (3) by means of which outlet duct (8) at least part of the air introduced through the spinning nozzles (7) can be discharged,

   - the yarn forming element (5) comprising a draw-off duct (9) adjacent to the inlet opening (6) by means of which the yarn (1) can be drawn off out of the vortex chamber (3),

   - the airjet spinning machine comprising at least one cleaning device (10) having an infeed (11) and an outlet (12) for a cleaning medium (13),

   - a cleaning medium (13) fed to the cleaning device (10) through the infeed (11) being able to be introduced into the vortex chamber (3) through the outlet (12) during a cleaning step.

   characterized in that
   the outlet (12) of the cleaning device (10) can be brought into sealing contact with the intake opening (4) of the vortex chamber (3) during a cleaning step, so that the cleaning medium (13) fed to the cleaning device (10) through the infeed (11) can be brought into the vortex chamber (3) through the intake opening (4) during the cleaning step.
2. The airjet spinning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet duct (8) of the vortex chamber (3) is connected to a switchable flow gate (14) connected in turn to an air exhaust line (29) and a line (16) for draining the cleaning medium (13), so that the outlet duct (8) transitions either into the air exhaust line (29) or into the line (16) for draining the cleaning medium (13), depending on the setting of the flow gate (14).
3. The airjet spinning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a drain duct (17) is assigned to the vortex chamber (3) for draining the cleaning medium (13) introduced into the vortex chamber (3) during the cleaning step.
4. The airjet spinning machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the inlet opening (6) of the yarn forming element (5) is disposed between the intake opening (4) and the outlet duct (8) or the intake opening (4) and the drain duct (17), as seen in the axial direction of the draw-off duct (9).
5. The airjet spinning machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (10) comprises a seal (18) in the area of the outlet (12) and/or that the cleaning device (10) is connected to a carrier element (19) and is movable relative to the intake opening (4) of the vortex chamber (3) by means thereof.
6. The airjet spinning machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the airjet spinning machine comprises a plurality of spinning positions, wherein one cleaning device (10) is assigned to each of the spinning positions respectively or for common use to a group of a plurality of spinning positions, wherein in the latter case the cleaning device (10) can be positioned at the individual spinning positions as needed.
7. The airjet spinning machine according to one or more of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the airjet spinning machine comprises a plurality of spinning positions and that the cleaning device (10) is part of a service robot (20) of the airjet spinning machine patrolling along the spinning positions.
8. The airjet spinning machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the airjet spinning machine comprises a reservoir (21) for the cleaning medium (13) that is connected to the cleaning device (10) and/or to the drain duct (17) or the outlet duct (8) of the vortex chamber (3).
9. A method for cleaning a vortex chamber (3) of an airjet spinning machine serving for producing a yarn (1) from a fiber strand (2),

   - the airjet spinning machine comprising at least one spinning position,

   - the spinning position comprising a vortex chamber (3) having an intake opening (4) for the fiber strand (2) and a yarn forming element (5) extending at least partially into the vortex chamber (3) and having an inlet opening (6) for the yarn (1),

   - spinning nozzles (7) being assigned to the vortex chamber (3) which spinning nozzles (7) are aligned in the direction of the yarn forming element (5), through which spinning nozzles (7) air is introduced into the vortex chamber (3) during yarn production in order to provide the fiber strand (2) in the area of the inlet opening (6) of the yarn forming element (5) with a rotation,

   - an outlet duct (8) being assigned to the vortex chamber (3) by means of which outlet duct (8) at least part of the air introduced through the spinning nozzles (7) during yarn production is discharged, and

   - the yarn forming element (5) comprising a draw-off duct (9) adjacent to the inlet opening (6) through which the yarn (1) is drawn off out of the vortex chamber (3) during yarn production,

   - a cleaning medium (13) being introduced into the vortex chamber (3) during a cleaning step during which the yarn production is interrupted, and

   - the cleaning medium (13) being removed from the vortex chamber (3) again after passing through at least part thereof.

   characterized in that an outlet (12) of a cleaning device (10) is brought into sealing contact with the intake opening (4) of the vortex chamber (3) at the beginning of the cleaning step, and that the cleaning medium (13) is introduced into the vortex chamber (3) through the outlet (12) of the cleaning device (10) and through the intake opening (4) of the vortex chamber (3).
10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that air is introduced into the vortex chamber (3) through the spinning nozzles (7) at least intermittently during the introduction of the cleaning medium (13).
11. The method according to claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the cleaning medium (13) is exhausted out of the vortex chamber (3) through the outlet duct (8), through which air is discharged during the yarn production, or through a separate drain duct (17).
12. The method according to one or more of the claims 9 through 11, characterized in that a liquid, a bulk material (22), a liquid enriched with a bulk material (22), or a gas enriched with a liquid and/or a bulk material (22) is used as the cleaning medium (13).
13. The method according to one or more of the claims 9 through 12, characterized in that the infeed of the cleaning medium (13) is stopped at the end of the cleaning step and then the cleaning device (10) is removed again from the intake opening (4) of the vortex chamber (3) and the production of the yarn (1) is begun.

Images