EP2746440A1 - Tool module for a textile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The module (16) has a module body (15) at which a tool (14) is held or fastenable, where the module body comprises two contact surfaces mutually arranged at an angle. The contact surfaces are separated from each other by a groove. The module body is formed as a casting body from metal. The contact surfaces are formed as a flat surface, a curved surface a cylinder surface or a truncated cone surface. The groove comprises a planar bottom portion, which is arranged parallel to one of the contact surfaces.

Description

The invention relates to a tool module for a textile machine, in particular for attachment to a bar of a textile machine, such as a tufting machine or a knitting machine.

The bar of a tufting machine or a knitting machine carries a large number of tools, such as grippers, needles, hole needles, knives, Rietfinger or the like, which are grouped together in modules. Each module comprises a base body in or to which a number of tools are attached. To equip the bar with tools, modules are connected to the bar.

This principle is the DE 42 23 642 C2 and subsequently the DE 44 11 277 A1 , of the US 5,947,042 or the DE 199 28 885 C1 refer to.

Furthermore, the shows DE 103 92 189 T5 Tool modules for attachment to a bar, said tool modules having a first, horizontally oriented abutment surface formed on a nose away from a back rib on the bottom. On both sides of the rib, a second abutment surface divided by the rib is provided, which is vertically oriented and spaced from the first abutment surface.

It is an object of the invention to provide a way to more precise and easier production of tool modules.

• Das erfindungsgemäße Werkzeugmodul weist einen Modulkörper auf, an dem mindestens ein Werkzeug befestigt oder befestigbar ist. Der Modulkörper weist außerdem mindestens zwei Anlageflächen auf, die in einem Winkel (z.B. einem rechten Winkel) zueinander angeordnet sind. Die Anlageflächen können eben oder gekrümmt ausgebildet sein. Wenigstens eine der beiden Anlageflächen erstreckt sich erfindungsgemäß in gerader Verlängerung in die Nut hinein. Durch diese Maßnahme wird eine fertigungsfreundliche Struktur erhalten. Zum Beispiel können die Modulkörper im Gießverfahren hergestellt werden und dabei entlang der sich in die Nut hinein erstreckenden Anlagefläche leicht ausgeformt werden. Es können relativ einfache ausgebildete Gießformen zur Herstellung der Modulkörper genutzt werden.

This object is achieved with the tool module according to claim 1:

• The tool module according to the invention has a module body on which at least one tool is fastened or fastened. The module body also has at least two contact surfaces, which are arranged at an angle (eg a right angle) to each other. The contact surfaces may be flat or curved. At least one of the two contact surfaces extends according to the invention in a straight extension into the groove. By this measure, a production-friendly structure is obtained. For example, the module bodies may be manufactured by casting and thereby easily formed along the abutment surface extending into the groove. It can be used to produce the module body relatively simple trained molds.

In addition, the proposed design of the groove facilitates precise production of the modules. In particular, the special arrangement of the groove of the flatness of the adjoining the groove contact surface benefits. This is particularly the case when the areal smaller of the two contact surfaces separated by the groove is defined as the contact surface which extends in a straight extension into the groove. This is especially true in the manufacture of modular bodies made of castable metals, such as aluminum, zinc or their alloys, as well as plastic or a plastic composite material. In particular, it is preferred that the groove surrounds the larger of the contact surfaces at least on two sides. With regard to the cooling and shrinkage behavior of the materials used, this can increase the flatness of the contact surface.

At least one of the contact surfaces is preferably a plane surface. The contact surface can be formed continuous or divided. For example, the groove running along the edge of the contact surface can be branched and have branches which divide the plane surface into partial surfaces. The partial surfaces can be connected to one another or completely divided by the branch of the groove.

The abutment surface may also be a curved surface, for example a cylindrical surface, a frusto-conical surface or the like. In the case of a frusto-conical surface, the cone angle is preferably small, for example less than 5 °.

The module body is preferably a cast body, for example an injection-molded body, for example made of a metal. The groove may have a rectangular, square or trapezoidal cross-section. The corners of this cross section can be rounded. Such cross-sections result in a groove with a plane, i. not rounded bottom. Preferably, this flat bottom is arranged parallel to at least one of the contact surfaces. This results in a clear undercut-free construction and releases the contact surfaces to such an extent that the module body is subject to minimal distortion during cooling.

The groove may have two opposite flanks. These are preferably oriented parallel to each other or they form an acute angle with each other, which opens away from the groove. This results in a undercut-free structure, which easily allows the molding of the module body even in very simple forms with little or no moving parts.

The module body can be seamlessly formed in one piece be, so that the contact surfaces are formed on the same body. But it is also possible to construct the module body in two or more parts by first a base body is provided, in which an arrangement element is inserted. The locating element may be cast into the body or otherwise secured therein. While the one contact surface is formed on the base body, the other contact surface is preferably formed on the arrangement element. The arrangement element may be a pin, a pin with or without a head, a cuboid body or another body. It can be placed in the mold for the module body and thus joined to the molded body during casting.

• Figur 1 eine Barre einer Tufting-Maschine mit einem daran befestigten Greifermodul, in schematisierter Perspektivdarstellung,
• Figur 2 das Greifermodul nach Figur 1, in perspektivischer Darstellung mit Veranschaulichung seiner Rückseite,
• Figur 3 die Barre und das Tuftingmodul nach Figur 1, in ausschnittsweiser Vertikalschnittdarstellung,
• Figur 4 bis 6 das Tuftingmodul gemäß Figur 2 in unterschiedlichen Ausführungsformen, jeweils vertikal geschnitten,
• Figur 7 und 8 weitere Ausführungsformen des Tuftingmoduls ähnlich Figur 2, in ausschnittsweiser Perspektivdarstellung und
• Figur 9 und 10 weitere Ausführungsformen eines Werkzeugmoduls zur Befestigung an einer Barre, in perspektivischer Darstellung.

Further details of advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the drawings, the description or claims. Show it:

• FIG. 1 a barre of a tufting machine with an attached gripper module, in a schematic perspective view,
• FIG. 2 the gripper module after FIG. 1 , in perspective view with illustration of its back,
• FIG. 3 the barre and the tufting module after FIG. 1 in a sectional vertical section,
• FIGS. 4 to 6 the tufting module according to FIG. 2 in different embodiments, each vertically cut,
• FIGS. 7 and 8 similar embodiments of the tufting module similar FIG. 2 , in partial perspective view and
• FIGS. 9 and 10 further embodiments of a tool module for attachment to a bar, in perspective view.

In FIG. 1 is a Barre 10 illustrates how it occurs in textile machines, such as tufting machines or knitting machines. By way of example, the bar of a tufting machine is illustrated here. However, the following explanations apply accordingly to knitting machines or other textile machines, for example stitchbonding machines or the like, which have moving bars with which tools 11 are moved together. On the Barre 10 in FIG. 1 sit as tools 11 loop grippers 12, 13, 14, which are held on a common module body 15 and form a tool module 16 with this. The tool module 16 can hold one, several or even many tools 12 to 14, depending on fineness and work task. The tools 12 to 14 are formed in a conventional manner. It can, as shown, to gripper, but also any other tools such as hole needles, slider, needle, Rietfinger or the like act.

The module body 15 is adapted to come with positioning of the Barre 10 in matching facility. Positioning surfaces, for example, a front plane surface 17 or cylindrical wall surfaces 18, 19, 20 ( FIG. 3 ) of bores mounted in the bar 10. Other surfaces of the bar 10, such as its upper narrow side 21, may also serve as locating surfaces.

How out FIGS. 2 and 3 can be seen, the module body 15 on a flat contact surface 22, which is intended to bear against the flat surface 17. The first planar contact surface 22 is formed on the back of the module body 15 facing the bar 10 in order to come into contact with the planar surface 17.

The module body 15 has on its rear side further contact surfaces. These may be formed, for example, on a rectangular projection 23 and / or on one or more pins 24, 25 projecting from the rear side. In the case of the rectangular projection 23, a contact surface 26 as a flat surface on an in FIG. 2 masked, but out FIG. 3 be formed at an angle, for example, a right angle to the contact surface 22 standing underside. The pins 24 and / or 25 may on their cylindrical or frustoconical shell bearing surfaces 27, 28 have.

The tool module 16 according to the invention is characterized in that at least two contact surfaces 22, 26 and / or 22, 27 and / or 22, 28 are separated from each other by a groove 29, 30, 31 ( FIG. 2 ). The respective groove 28 to 31 is preferably formed so that it completely separates the respective contact surface pair from each other.

The module body 15 consists for example of a metal, such as zinc die-casting. However, it may also be manufactured as an aluminum injection molding, plastic injection molding, plastic composite material or another material. Preferably, it is produced in a corresponding casting process. However, other manufacturing processes that can not be assigned to the primary molds but are also to be assigned to the forming or machining are also suitable. By means of the groove 29 to 31, incorrect positioning is avoided and it is ensured that the contact surface 22 comes into full-surface secure contact with the plane surface 17. It is also ensured that the tool modules 16 can be easily detached from the bar 10, if a fixing screw from the in FIG. 1 shown fastening opening 32 is turned out.

FIG. 4 illustrates the tool module 16 accordingly FIG. 3 again omitting the hatching for further clarification and explanation. The tool 14 is, as can be seen embedded in the module body 15, for example, cast. The grooves 29, 30 (31) are rectangular grooves in this case. As can be seen in the example of the groove 29, a planar groove bottom 33 is adjoined by an also first planar flank 34 and opposite a further planar flank 35. The smaller contact surface 26 passes without offset and straight into the first flank 34 and thus extends into the groove 29. On the other hand, the second, larger contact surface 22 with the adjoining flank 35 encloses an angle, for example a right angle or a slightly larger slightly obtuse angle. Thus, the groove 29 from the rear view (perpendicular au the flat contact surface 22) undercuts. The groove 29 can be very easily produced by casting, without moving moldings would be necessary.

Similarly, the contact surface 27 extends into the groove 30 and forms in the groove 30, a pin-side flank 36 of the groove 30. The annular edge 36 opposite a further annular edge 37 is arranged. Between the flanks 36, 37 a preferably flat bottom 38 is arranged. The bottom 38 may be oriented parallel to the abutment surface 22. It can also be frusto-conical and, for example, rise towards the pin 24.

Through the groove 30, a minimal resilient compliance of the pin 24 can be effected to, in particular when using two pins 24, 25, to prevent jamming of the tool module 16 to the bar 10 and on the other hand, a play-free fit of the contact surface 27, 28 in corresponding positioning holes of the bar 10 to enable.

In FIG. 4 the cross sections of the grooves 29, 30 are shown as almost square rectangles. The cross sections may differ from this form, as already mentioned. In particular, however, it is also possible to give the bottom 33, 38 a concave curvature. The same applies to the groove 31st

The module body 15 is according to FIG. 4 integrally formed seamlessly from one and the same material. However, it can also be composed of several parts, as it is FIG. 5 shows. While maintaining the geometry of the contact surfaces 22, 26, 27 and the grooves 39, 30 (31), the pin 24 (25) may be formed as a separate arrangement element 39. It may be, for example, a steel pin or the like, which is encapsulated with the module body 15.

The pin can also be connected in some other way to the module body 15, for example by pressing, screwing, gluing, welding, soldering or the like.

A modified embodiment shows FIG. 6 , This differs in particular by the formation of the arrangement element 39 of the embodiment FIG. 5 with which it otherwise agrees, which is why the previous description, including all the modifications explained applies accordingly. The arrangement element 39 has a head 40, on which the contact surface 27 is formed. From the cylindrical head 27, a shaft 40 extends, which projects into the module body 15 and is anchored in this. The groove 30 is now radially open, while it was axially open in the embodiments described above. It behind the head 40 there is an undercut. The contact surface 22 extends into the groove 30. While it can not contribute to the relaxation of the contact surface 22 during cooling of the module body 15 from the casting heat now, unlike in the previous embodiments, but it causes an increase in the flexibility of the pin 24 in the radial direction and thus contributes to the proper fit of the tool module 16 at the Barre 10 to increase without clamping tendencies due to manufacturing tolerances.

FIG. 7 FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment based on the embodiment of FIG FIG. 4 , The groove 30 is formed here particularly flat. Otherwise, the previous description applies accordingly. It should be noted that the pin 24 both in accordance with FIG. 4 one-piece component of the module body 15 or alternatively also based on FIG. 5 can be used as a separate element in these. In addition, the pin 24 can be stepped, as it FIG. 6 suggests.

FIG. 8 illustrates that the groove 30, regardless of its cross-sectional shape does not necessarily have to be formed as a closed ring, but may also be branched. It branches off from the groove 30 at least one branch 41, de may extend to a side surface 42 of the module body 15. Thus, the branch 41 cuts through the contact surface 22 at least on one side of the pin 24. The contact surface 22 is thus still partially coherent. However, further branches can branch off from the groove 30 and lead to the central attachment opening 43 (FIG. FIG. 2 ) or extending to the other groove 31 and / or the groove 29. The contact surface 22 can thus be divided partially or simply or even several times. The latter leads to increased relaxation of the contact surface 2 during cooling of the module body 15 from its casting heat.

As FIG. 9 illustrated, the principle of using a groove between different contact surfaces can also be used in principle differently shaped module bodies or adapter bodies for use on parallel bars 10. FIG. 9 illustrates a module body 45 with a T-shaped projection 46 which fits in corresponding recesses of a bar (not shown). At one in FIG. 9 facing away from the viewer side 47 one or more tools can be attached. The T-shaped projection 46 of the module body 45 may at an angle, for example. A right angle to each other stationary contact surfaces 47, 48 and 49, 50 which are adjacent to each other in pairs and each separated by a groove 51, 52. These grooves are, for example, seen parallel to the respective grooves 51, 52, undercuts. In these cases, however, none of the contact surfaces 47 to 50 must extend into the respective groove 51, 52, wherein it is also possible for at least one of the contact surfaces 47, 48 to extend in a straight extension into the groove 51. The same applies to the groove 52 and the contact surfaces 49, 50.

On both sides of the T-shaped projection 46 bearing surfaces 53, 54 may be provided, which preferably lie in a common plane. The contact surface 53 is separated from the contact surface 47 and the contact surface 48 by a groove 55 and spaced. Accordingly, a groove 56 separates and spaces the abutment surface 54 from the abutment surfaces 49, 50. The abutment surfaces 47, 48 extend into the groove 55 in a straight extension. The contact surfaces 49, 50 extend into the groove 56 in a straight extension. With regard to the cross-sectional shape and function of the grooves 55, 56, reference is made to the previous description and the effect of the grooves 29, 30, 31 in particular. These statements apply here accordingly. Next will pointed out that the grooves 55, 56 can be branched like FIG. 10 illustrated. A corresponding branch 57 of the groove 55 can subdivide the abutment surface 53, so that two, for example, rectangular or square partial surfaces 53a, 53b are formed. The same applies to the abutment surface 54, which may have separate partial surfaces 54a, 54b separated by a corresponding branch 58 of the groove 56.

Also with regard to the grooves 57, 58, the statements made to the other grooves apply.

A tool module 16 comprises a module body 15 with at least two contact surfaces 22, 27. These are separated by a groove 30, one of which extends into the groove 30 inside. Through this groove a firm and accurate fit of the tool module 16 is ensured at each bar. Yarn filaments or the finest dirt particles, burrs or wear on the receptacles can be absorbed by the groove. In addition, a simple and trouble-free installation is ensured.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

bar

11

Tools

12 - 14

looper

15

module body

16

tool module

17

plane surface

18 - 20

wall surfaces

21

upper narrow side of the Barre 10

22

level contact surface

23

rectangular projection

24, 25

spigot

26 - 28

contact surfaces

29 - 31

groove

32

fastening opening

33

ground

34

first flank

35

second flank

36

first annular flank

37

second annular flank

38

ground

39

array element

40

shaft

41

branch

42

side surface

43

fastening opening

45

module body

46

head Start

47 - 50

contact surfaces

51, 52

groove

53, 54

contact surface

53a, 53b

subareas

54a, 54b

55, 56

groove

57, 58

branch

Claims (15)

Tool module (16) for a textile machine, in particular for attachment to a bar (10) of a textile machine,
with a module body (15) on which at least one tool (14) is held or fastened and which has at least two mutually angled contact surfaces (22, 27) which are separated from each other by a groove (30). Tool module according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the contact surfaces (22, 27) is a plane surface. Tool module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the bearing surfaces (22, 27) is a curved surface. Tool module according to claim 3, characterized in that the curved contact surface (27) is a cylindrical surface or a frusto-conical surface. Tool module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module body (15) is a cast body. Tool module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module body (15) consists of a metal. Tool module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the groove (9) has a flat bottom (33). Tool module according to claim 7, characterized in that the bottom (33) to one of the contact surfaces () is arranged in parallel. Tool module according to claim 7, characterized in that the bottom (33) is arranged parallel to the planar contact surface (22). Tool module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the groove (29) has two mutually opposite, parallel flanks (34, 35). Tool module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the groove (29) has a width which is at most as large as its depth. Tool module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the bearing surfaces (22, 27) of the groove (29) is completely enclosed. Tool module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the groove (29) is formed parallel to a mounting opening (43) seen undercuts. Tool module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module body (15) is formed seamlessly in one piece. Tool module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module body (15) has a base body on which at least one of Contact surfaces (22, 27) is formed, and in that in the base body, an arrangement element (39) is inserted, on which another of the contact surfaces (22, 27) is formed.

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