EP3530779B1 - Device and method for adjusting a distance between a drum and at least one adjacent work element in a spinning preparation machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device on a spinning preparation machine, in particular a card or card, with a garnished drum and at least one working element adjacent thereto, the drum and the working element interacting at a working distance. The device comprises an adjusting device which acts on a bearing of the drum or the working element in order to adjust or readjust the working distance between the drum and the working element during operation of the machine. The invention also relates to a method for setting such a working distance, according to the preamble of claim 12.

The working elements of high-performance cards are usually completely encapsulated in order to meet the high safety standards, prevent particle emissions into the environment and minimize the maintenance requirements of the machines. This significantly increases the input of heat into the machine, while the heat output by means of convection decreases significantly. The resulting increased heating of high-performance cards leads to greater thermoelastic deformations which, due to the uneven distribution of the temperature field, influence the set distances between the active surfaces: The distances between drum and cover, doffers, adjacent rollers, fixed covers and separation points decrease. In the extreme case, the set gap between the active surfaces can be reduced by thermal expansion in such a way that relatively moving components collide with one another.

The result is greater damage to the affected high-performance card. After all, the generation of heat in the working area of the card can lead to different thermal expansions if the temperature differences between the components are too great.

Carding gaps and roller spacings are of great importance in a card: The carding and thus the yarn quality depends on an exact setting and also on compliance with this gap (roller gap). The rollers can expand radially under the influence of heat and as a result of centrifugal forces, which leads to a change in the gap dimensions. Furthermore, high production quantities and the processing of carding-intensive types of fibers or fiber blends can also lead to strong heating of the rollers, which further increases the thermally induced dimensional changes in the rollers. In order to achieve an optimal carding quality, it is therefore necessary that the roller spacings remain constant when the card is in operation. In this context, constant means that the change in distance should preferably be less than 0.01 mm.

DE 10 2009 031 978 A1 shows a generic device on a card or card according to the preamble of claim 1. This device is used to set a working distance between the drum and at least one adjacent roller of a card. To compensate for changing operating conditions of the card, the device comprises an adjusting device with which a distance between the drum and an adjacent roller can be set or kept constant. For this purpose, the adjusting device is actuated by actively supplying or removing heat energy, for example by a Peltier element attached to the adjusting device and supplied with electrical energy. In addition to the required supply of electrical energy, another disadvantage of such an adjustment device is that the supply or removal of thermal energy for the Adjusting device takes place only indirectly through the Peltier element and may not be precise and fast enough.

Out DE 29 48 825 C2 Another generic device according to the preamble of claim 1 is known. A metal rod around which an electrical resistor is wrapped is used as an adjusting device for adjusting the working distance between the drum and an adjacent roller. This generates a supply of heat that is required for the thermal expansion of the metal rod for the purpose of setting the working distance as desired. However, this device suffers from the same disadvantages as in connection with DE 10 2009 031 978 A1 explained.

The WO2017 / 178148 discloses a combined pull / push element which can be inserted into the cavity of a carding element. It is disclosed that at least part of the combined tension / compression element should have a shape memory alloy. With the combined tension / compression element, the evenness of the carding rod or its bending can be influenced.

In the EP 1231303 A1 a carding gap setting is described in which heating rods or bi-metals are subjected to a temperature, which changes their length.

The DE 2803477 describes an electrical heating device for a web guide element in order to increase the temperature of the web guide element when the card starts up. The invention is based on the knowledge that at increased temperature the sliding properties of certain fibers are improved.

In the DE 102011009938 A1 describes a flat rod or a carding element with a tension rod integrated along the longitudinal axis. The tension rod or parts of it can be made of a bimetal which, with different coefficients of thermal expansion, cause the tension rod to bend or recede.

The JP 60231827 discloses the use of a shape memory alloy in which a hinge is formed at the end of a partition or a fleece guide element with a shape memory alloy. The shape memory alloy as a joint is heated by a power supply so that the end piece of the partition can fold up or down and thus change the distance to the roller.

Accordingly, the invention is based on the object of developing a spinning preparation machine in such a way that an adjustment of a working distance between the drum and an adjacent working element is possible automatically and / or with greater precision.

The invention achieves the object set by a device with the features specified in claim 1, and by a method according to claim 10. Advantageous developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The above object is achieved by a device on a spinning preparation machine, in particular a card or carding machine, such a machine having a garnished (tambour) drum and at least one working element which is arranged adjacent to the drum. Such a working element can be formed from a garnished doffer roll, or e.g. also from a flat bar, a fixed bar, a lickerin roller, a cleaning element or a suction hood. The drum and the working element work together at a working distance. If the working element is formed from a garnished doffer roller, this interaction takes place between the cylindrical surfaces of the drum and roller at the fiber transfer points. The device according to the invention comprises an adjusting device which acts either on a bearing of the drum or a bearing of the working element in order to thereby set or readjust the working distance between the drum and the working element during operation of the spinning preparation machine.

The invention includes the technical teaching that the actuating device has at least one shape memory alloy element (for short: SMA element). This means that such an SMA element can at least be part of the actuating device. The actuating device can preferably also be formed or manufactured from at least one SMA element or from several such SMA elements.

In the same way, the invention also provides a method for setting a working distance between a garnished drum and at least one for this purpose adjacent work element in a spinning preparation machine. Here, the working distance between the drum and the working element is set or readjusted during operation of the spinning preparation machine using at least one SMA element.

The invention is based on the essential knowledge that on the basis of the SMA element, which is either part of the actuating device or of which the actuating device consists, whose property as a solid body actuator is used to determine the working distance between the drum and the working element when the spinning preparation machine is in operation to readjust. The material parameters (e.g. the coefficient of linear expansion) of the SMA element are selected in such a way that when the spinning preparation machine has reached its operating temperature and there is a thermal expansion of the drum and an adjacent working element compared to the cold state of the machine, the SMA- Element experiences a change in length as a result of the increased operating temperatures, and thereby the working distance between the drum and the working element adjoining it is adjusted or kept constant. In this way, a "self-adjustment" can be implemented for the spinning preparation machine with regard to the working distance between the drum and the working element. This means that a supply of energy (e.g. electricity or heat) is not absolutely necessary for such self-adjustment of the working distance.

• minimales Gewicht,
• einfacher und kompakter Aufbau,
• geräuschlose Arbeitsweise,
• elektromagnetische Verträglichkeit, und
• minimaler Bedarf an Bauraum.

The use of at least one SMA element for the control device leads to the following additional advantages:

• minimal weight,
• simple and compact structure,
• noiseless operation,
• electromagnetic compatibility, and
• minimal space requirement.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the SMA element can be calibrated or designed in its property as a solid-state actuator in such a way that it reaches a predetermined value when there is a change in its ambient temperature Has change in length. This calibration is suitably matched to the increase in temperature of the spinning preparation machine in its operating state compared to the cold state, possibly also taking into account the location of the machine and the climatic conditions prevailing there.

In an advantageous further development of the invention it can be provided that the SMA element has a positive coefficient of linear expansion. Correspondingly, a change in length of the SMA element increases with increasing temperatures. In this way, a structurally simple integration of the adjusting element with the SMA element in the spinning preparation machine can be implemented in order to thereby set the working distance between the drum and the working element.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the SMA element (with a positive or negative coefficient of linear expansion) can be in operative connection with the mounting of the working element via a lever mechanism with reverse kinematics. In the context of the present invention, "reverse kinematics" means that a linear expansion of the SMA element leads to a reduction in the working distance between the working element and the drum. Accordingly, the use of an additional cooling device is expedient here, with which the SMA element is specifically and actively acted upon with a cooled fluid (air, gas, liquid) when the machine is in operation. The resulting contraction of the SMA element then leads, taking into account the aforementioned reversal kinematics, to a desired increase in the distance between the working element and the drum in order to appropriately adjust the working distance or keep it constant.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the SMA element can be connected to an electrical voltage source. By applying an electrical voltage, it is therefore possible to control, preferably regulate, a change in length of the SMA element as a function of the applied voltage. This effect can be superimposed with the change in length of the SMA element caused by the change in temperature. As a result, it becomes for the SMA element a faster response behavior (or a lower inertia) is achieved, in connection with a higher precision for the manipulated variable of the SMA element, ie its resulting change in length.

In connection with the application of an electrical voltage to the SMA element, it should be noted that it is useful here to measure the actual position of the working element relative to the drum with a suitable sensor, in particular a displacement transducer or a distance meter. In addition and / or as an alternative, the speed of the drum can be measured with a sensor. On the basis of this, the voltage applied to the SMA element can then be regulated by means of a control device, taking into account the measured actual position of the working element or the measured speed of the drum, in order to adjust the current working distance between the drum and the working element to a predetermined target value .

If the speed of the garnished drum (tambour) is changed while the spinning preparation machine is in operation, different centrifugal forces also act on the drum. This can change the dimensions of the drum - in its radial direction - slightly. By actively controlling the SMA element by applying an electrical voltage to it, an optimal working distance to the working element can always be maintained when the spinning preparation machine is in operation, even with changed drum speeds. With the readjustment of the working distance, changed radial dimensions of the drum can thus be suitably compensated.

The working element, which is arranged adjacent to the drum, can be a particularly garnished doffer roller, a flat bar, a fixed bar, a lickerin roller, be a cleaning element or a suction hood. In this regard, it should be pointed out that the device according to the invention can also be provided with several such working elements in order to readjust the respective working distance of the individual working elements to the drum when the machine is in operation.

With the device according to the invention and the implementation of a corresponding method, it is possible, in a spinning preparation machine (in particular card or card), to readjust the working distance between the garnished drum and an adjacent working element, if necessary just by using an SMA element if the operating temperature is reached of the spinning preparation machine, the drum and the working element are exposed to elevated temperatures and thermally expand. The interaction of the SMA element with the changed temperatures and the resulting targeted change in length of the SMA element ensures that the actuating device for the spinning preparation machine functions automatically, with the working distance between the drum and the working element without the addition of energy (electricity or heat ) is readjusted and thus kept constant. The optional application of an electrical voltage to the SMA element and / or the targeted application of a cooled fluid (air, gas, liquid) to the SMA element improves the response of the device according to the invention to dynamic changes during production (e.g. temperature increases, and also changed speeds or centrifugal forces).

Fig. 1

eine schematische Querschnittsansicht einer Spinnereivorbereitungsmaschine in Form einer Karde, bei der die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung eingesetzt wird,

Fig. 2a

eine Seitenansicht einer Stelleinrichtung, als Teil einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 2b

eine Perspektivansicht der Stelleinrichtung von Fig. 2a,

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung, bei der die Stelleinrichtung von Fig. 2 eingesetzt wird, zur Verwendung bei einer Karde von Fig. 1,

Fig. 3a

Details der Vorrichtung von Fig. 3,

Fig. 4, 5

jeweils Seitenansichten der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung nach weiteren Ausführungsformen, wobei das Stellelement an einer schwenkbar gelagerten Abnehmer-Walze angelenkt ist,

Fig. 6

eine schematische Seitenansicht der Trommel mit Vorreißer- und Abnehmer-Einheit sowie Zuordnung von erfindungsgemäßen Stellelementen zu den die Trommel tragenden Trägerstützen,

Fig. 7

eine Seitenansicht einer Stelleinrichtung nach einer weiteren Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung, bei der an die Stelleinrichtung eine elektrische Spannung angelegt wird, und

Fig. 8

ein schematisches Blockschaltbild eines Regelkreises, mit dem erfindungsgemäß der Arbeitsabstand zwischen der Trommel und einem hierzu benachbarten Arbeitselement nachgestellt wird.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. Show here:

Fig. 1

a schematic cross-sectional view of a spinning preparation machine in the form of a card, in which the device according to the invention is used,

Fig. 2a

a side view of an adjusting device, as part of a device according to the invention,

Figure 2b

a perspective view of the actuator of FIG Fig. 2a ,

Fig. 3

a side view of a device according to the invention, in which the actuating device of Fig. 2 is used, for use in a card from Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3a

Details of the device of Fig. 3 ,

Fig. 4, 5

each side views of the device according to the invention according to further embodiments, wherein the adjusting element is articulated on a pivotably mounted doffer roller,

Fig. 6

a schematic side view of the drum with licker-in and doffer unit and assignment of adjusting elements according to the invention to the carrier supports carrying the drum,

Fig. 7

a side view of an actuating device according to a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which an electrical voltage is applied to the actuating device, and

Fig. 8

a schematic block diagram of a control loop with which, according to the invention, the working distance between the drum and an adjacent working element is adjusted.

With reference to the Figs. 1 to 8 preferred embodiments of a device 100 according to the invention, which is intended for use on a spinning preparation machine (for example a card or card) for cotton, chemical fibers or the like. The same features in the drawing are each provided with the same reference symbols. At this point it goes without saying that the drawing is only shown in a simplified manner and, in particular, without a scale. By means of the device 100 it is possible, in the spinning preparation machine, to set the working distance between a garnished drum (tambour) and a working element which is arranged adjacent to this drum, as explained in detail below.

The spinning preparation machine in which the device 100 according to the invention is used can be a card K, which is shown in FIG Fig. 1 is shown in a side view. Such a card K comprises a feed roller 1, a feed table 2, licker-in 3a, 3b, 3c, a drum 4 (= tambour), a working element in the form of a doffer roller 5, a scraper roller 6, squeeze rollers 7, 8, a web guide element 9 , a pile funnel 10, take-off rollers 11, 12, a revolving cover 13 with cover pulleys 13a, 13b and flat bars 14, a can 15 and a can stick 16. The center (or the bearing axis) of the drum 4 is designated by M ₁ , with M ₂ the center point (or the bearing axis) of the pick-up roller 5 is designated. The directions of rotation of the rollers are in Fig. 1 indicated by curved arrows, the arrow 4b indicating the direction of rotation of the drum 4 and the arrow 5b the direction of rotation of the doffer roller 5. The direction of rotation of the revolving flat 13 in the carding position is denoted by C, and the direction of return transport is denoted by D.

The device 100 comprises an actuating device 102 which is formed from a shape memory alloy element (abbreviated: SMA element) 110 is. The SMA element 110 is made of a metallic shape memory material which, when sufficient temperature changes occur, enables reversible deformations of 8-10%, for example, and is available as a nickel-titanium alloy, for example. Fig. 2a shows a side view of the SMA element 110, which can be designed as an elongated rod. Figure 2b illustrates an alternative embodiment for the actuating device 102, the SMA element 110 - as in FIG Figure 2b shown in perspective - is designed as an elongated sleeve. The SMA element 110 can furthermore also be designed in the form of a wire (not shown) or a sheet metal.

The side view of Fig. 3 shows - in principle simplified - parts of the card K of Fig. 1 namely the drum 4, the adjoining pick-up roller 5, their attachment to a stationary frame device 20, and the interaction with the actuating device 102. In detail:

The frame device 20 comprises a total of four supports, of which in Fig. 3 only the front two supports 21a and 21b are shown. Between the supports 21 there are each horizontal longitudinal members 22, of which in Fig. 3 only the front is shown. Using cross members (not shown) which are each attached between the two longitudinal members 22 at their ends, the frame device 20 thus forms a stable and rigid support structure on which the drum 4 and the doffer roller 5 are rotatably mounted.

The drum 4 is supported by two support elements 24 (only one of which is shown in Fig. 2 is shown), which are firmly screwed together with the longitudinal beams 22 with screws 23a, 23b, are stationary and rotatably mounted about the axis M ₁ . A tip fitting 4a is attached to the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the drum 4. The doffer roller 5 is also with two support elements 25 (only one shown) on the side members 22 of the frame device 20 rotatably mounted about the axis M ₂ . On the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the doffer roller 5, a tip set 5a is attached. The drum 4 and the doffer roller 5 are positioned relative to one another in such a way that, when the card K is in operation, a working distance a is established between the tip clothing 4a and 5a when the drum 4 and the doffer roller rotate in the directions mentioned.

Details regarding the attachment of the doffer roller 5 to the frame device 20 are given in FIG Fig. 3a shown. The support elements 25 are not screwed to the longitudinal girders 22, but are guided on them in a translatory manner, e.g. by using prismatic guides 26. Thus, the supporting elements 25 can be moved along the longitudinal girders 22 in the direction of the drum 4 or away from it, e.g. by a distance of 1 to 2 mm. This is in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 3a indicated by the arrow V (displacement in the direction of the drum 4) or by the arrow R (displacement away from the drum 4).

On the side members 22 of the frame device 20 between the axes M ₁ and M _{2 are} each fixed stops 27 ( Fig. 3a ) is provided, between such a fixed stop 27 and a support element 25 each having an adjusting device 102 according to FIG Fig. 2 is appropriate. For this case, the SMA element 110 of the actuating device 102 has a positive coefficient of linear expansion. At the ends of the adjusting device 102, threaded connections can be provided, with which the adjusting device 102 is firmly anchored in the support element 25 and the stop 27. Thus, the actuating device 102 acts directly on the support elements 25 in order to move the bearing axis M _{2 of} the pick-up roller 5 and to adjust the working distance a between the tip sets 4a and 5a in the event of a longitudinal expansion of the SMA element 110, ie an expansion or contraction .

The following are in the Figures 4 and 5 Further embodiments are shown in which the adjusting device 102 is positioned in the card K in such a way that it is not directly connected to the bearing axis M _{2 of} the doffer roller 5, but rather via a lever mechanism. The lever mechanism enables a translation with which the travel that results from a change in length of the SMA element 110 can be increased. This lever mechanism works as follows:
In the embodiment of Fig. 4 the drum 4 is fixedly attached to the frame device 20, as already explained above. In contrast, the bearing axis M _{2 of} the pick-up roller 5 is attached to one end of a rotary arm 51. The other, opposite end of the rotary arm 51 is articulated about a stationary rotary bearing 50 provided on the frame device 20. The rotary arm 51 can thus be pivoted about the rotary bearing 50 away from the drum 4 (see arrow H) or in the direction of the drum 4 (see arrow I). Another stationary pivot bearing 54 is provided, to which the actuating device 102 (with a positive coefficient of linear expansion) is hinged at one end. This rotary bearing 54 is - with respect to the rotary arm 51 - positioned between the rotary bearing 50 and the drum 4, ie on a side of the rotary arm 51 which faces the drum 4. The other opposite end of the actuating device 102 is articulated with a joint 52 on the rotary arm 51, for example in a central section of the rotary arm 51. If the associated SMA element 110 expands during a temperature increase acting on the actuating device 102, the Rotary arm 51 is pivoted about rotary bearing 50 in the direction of arrow H, as a result of which the bearing axis M _{2 of} the pick-up roller 5 is moved away from the drum 4 and the working distance a between the tip sets 4a, 5a then increases.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5 the bearing axis M ₂ of the doffer roller 5 is also provided at one end of the rotary arm 51, the opposite end of which is rotatably mounted on the stationary rotary bearing 50. In contrast to the Fig. 4 a further stationary rotary bearing 53 is now positioned on one side of the rotary arm 51 which is opposite to the drum 4 or facing away from it. The adjusting device 102 is hinged at one end to the rotary bearing 53, the opposite end of the adjusting device 102 being hinged to the rotary arm 51 by the joint 52. To this extent, this lever mechanism has reverse kinematics. This means that when the adjusting device 102 expands in length, the rotary arm 51 is pivoted about the rotary bearing 50 in the direction of the arrow I, ie in the direction of the drum 4. Conversely, upon contraction of the adjusting device 102, the rotary arm 51 is pivoted about the rotary bearing 50 in the direction of the arrow H, ie away from the drum 4.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5 the SMA element 110 of the actuating device 102 can have a negative coefficient of linear expansion. This means that with an increase in the temperature which acts on the actuating device 102, the SMA element 110 then contracts or contracts, as a result of which the rotary arm 51 is pivoted about the rotary bearing 50 in the direction of the arrow H, as explained. In the same way as with the Fig. 4 the working distance a between the tip sets 4a, 5a is thereby increased.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 there is the advantage of a leverage, thanks to which the travel for the bearing axis M _{2 of} the pick-up roller 5 is increased as a result of the change in length of the SMA element 110. This leverage can be modified as follows: The closer the joint 52, with which the actuating device 102 is articulated to the rotary arm 51, to the rotary arm 51 in the direction of the Rotary joint 50 is provided, the greater the travel distance by which the bearing axis M ₂ , which is attached to the opposite end of the rotary arm 51, is moved or pivoted - with the change in length of the SMA element remaining the same. Such a changed position of the joint 52 on the rotary arm 51 can also have the effect that, with possibly only very small changes in length of the SMA element 110, a sufficient adjustment path for the bearing axis M ₂ of the doffing roller 5 is achieved to readjust the working distance a.

Another embodiment of the invention is in the side view of FIG Fig. 6 clarified. Here is the drum 4 - in the same way as in the Fig. 3 - By means of two support elements 24 fixedly mounted on the supports 22 rotatably about the axis M ₁ . The doffer roller 5 is arranged laterally adjacent to the drum 4 on a separate support frame 28. The vertical supports 21 ′ on which the horizontal supports 22 are supported have adjusting elements 102 with at least one SMA element 110 (with a positive coefficient of linear expansion) or are formed by adjusting elements 102 of this type. Thus, when the temperature increases during operation of the card K as a result of the longitudinal expansion of the SMA elements 110, the horizontal girders 22, and thus also the support elements 24 together with the drum 4, are raised vertically upwards. This increases the distance c ₁ between the bearing axis M _{1 of} the drum 4 and the foundation, and thus also the working distance a between the drum 4 and the doffer roller 5.

When the card K is in operation, for the transfer of fibers from the drum 4 to the doffer roller 5, the working distance a between the tip clothing 4a, 5a, which are attached to the cylindrical outer circumferential surfaces of the drum 4 and the doffer roller 5, is large Significance, as well as the speeds set for this and the type of tip sets 4a, 5a provided. Exact compliance with the Working distance a within exact and very narrow tolerances is a prerequisite for trouble-free operation of card K and good carding quality. An optimal value for the working distance a can be in a range of approx. 0.05 mm <a <0.3 mm. Here, the lower limit is not due to technology, but is only to be adhered to in order to avoid mutual contact or disturbance of the opposite tip sets 4a, 5a. The working distance a is extremely small compared to the dimensions of the drum 4 or the doffing roller 5. The enlargements in diameter for the drum 4 or the doffer roller 5 caused by the increase in the operating temperature can be approximately in the order of magnitude of approx. 0.08 mm per 10 ° C. increase in temperature. Similar deformations can be caused by the influence of the centrifugal force during the rotation of the drum 4 or the doffer roller 5.

The invention now works as follows:
The setting of the carding gap between the drum 4 and the working elements of the card adjoining it is initially carried out with the machine at a standstill, in a relatively cold state. This also includes the working distance a between the drum 4 and the doffer roller 5. After the card K has been started up, its operating temperature increases in comparison with the cold state. As explained, this increase in temperature leads to thermal expansion or enlargement of the diameter of the drum 4 and the doffer roller 5, possibly superimposed by a radial deformation as a result of centrifugal forces. The risk or tendency that this could inadmissibly decrease the set working distance a between the drum 4 and the working element in the form of the pick-up roller 5 is compensated for by the fact that the said temperature increase - at least in the embodiments according to Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 - then leads to a linear expansion of the SMA element 110 (with a positive coefficient of linear expansion), whereby the bearing axis M _{2 of} the pick-up roller 5 is moved away from the drum 4 (at Fig. 3 + Fig. 4 ) or the bearing axis M _{1 of} the drum 4 is removed from the pick-up roller 5. Correspondingly, the working distance a between the tip sets 4a, 5a is thereby increased or adjusted. As a result, the working distance a remains maintained or constant within the required tolerances despite the change in dimensions of the drum 4 and the doffer roller 5.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5 If the SMA element 110 has a negative coefficient of linear expansion, this functionality of a readjustment of the working distance a is the same, because: The temperature increase during operation of the card K leads to a contraction of the SMA element 110 or the associated actuating device 102 This has the consequence that the rotary arm 51 is pivoted in the direction of the arrow H about the rotary bearing 50, with a corresponding increase or readjustment of the working distance a.

In the embodiment of Fig. 6 a lickerin roller 3c is rotatably mounted on a separate support frame 29 in a stationary manner. The adjustment mechanism explained above, according to which in the event of a temperature increase due to the linear expansion of the SMA elements 110, the horizontal girders 22, and thus also the support elements 24 together with the drum 4, are raised vertically upwards, then also causes the working distance to be adjusted b between the drum 4 and the lickerin roller 3c (cf. Fig. 6 ).

According to a further embodiment of the invention - schematically simplified in FIG Fig. 7 shown - an electrical voltage can be applied to the actuating device 102, and thus to the SMA element 110. For this purpose, the actuating device 102 is electrically connected to a voltage source 112. Creating a Electrical voltage to the SMA element 110 has a positive effect on the actuator properties of the SMA element 110, ie its linear expansion then increases. Accordingly, the SMA element 110 can be actively controlled, preferably regulated, by applying an electrical voltage.

For the previously explained embodiments according to Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 It should be pointed out that the actuating device 102 used here is in accordance with the embodiment of FIG Fig. 7 can be actively controlled, namely by applying an electrical voltage. This then also has an effect on the linear expansion of the SMA element 110 in its function as a solid-state actuator.

To regulate the electrical voltage that is applied to the actuating device 102 and its SMA element 110, the device 100 includes further components, for example sensors 114 and 115, a controller 116, a setpoint adjuster 118 and optionally also a disturbance variable input element 120 These components are integrated into a control loop that is Fig. 8 is illustrated.

The sensor 114 can be a displacement transducer, a distance meter or the like, with which a current position (= actual position) of the doffing roller 5 relative to the drum 4 is measured when the card K is in operation. In addition and / or as an alternative, a speed sensor 115 can also be provided with which the current speeds of the drum 4 and the doffing roller 5 can be measured.

With the control loop according to Fig. 8 The sensor 114 and / or the sensor 115 are electrically connected to the controller 116 (e.g. a PID controller) as a measuring element, which receives the measured variables determined on the card K (current working distance a, and / or speeds of drum 4 and doffer roller 5, as the actual value). A setpoint adjuster 118 (for example a memory) is assigned to the controller 116, for specifying the desired working distance a, as a setpoint or reference variable. To the controller 116 is electrically connected to the voltage source 112, to which a manipulated variable is output by the controller 116, namely for setting the voltage that is to be applied to the actuating device 102. This manipulated variable or voltage is then output to the adjusting device 102 (or the SMA element 110) connected to the voltage source 112.

When the card K is in operation, there is a permanent analysis of the operating state, also referred to as "T-Con" by the applicant. Here, the nominal value of the working distance a is given by the calculations from the drum speed and the temperatures of the drum 4 and the environment. Details on this are already known from the prior art, for example from DE 10 2006 002 812 A1 of the applicant. On the basis of the permanent operating status analysis, for example, the actual position of the pick-up roller 5 in relation to the drum 4 is measured via the sensor 114. The controller 116 then compares this actual position with the predefined setpoint value and accordingly regulates the voltage that is applied to the actuating device 102. This causes the SMA element 110 to expand in length, so that, as explained, the working distance a is readjusted.

Interferences, such as B. the change in ambient temperature can adversely affect the working distance a now reached. This can be detected by the disturbance variable input element 120 (e.g. a temperature sensor), the sensor 114 in turn measuring this change in the working distance a and the controller 116 readjusting it again, whereby the control loop is closed.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5 For the setting device 102, an SMA element 110 with a positive coefficient of linear expansion can also be used. In connection with this, a cooling device 122 is then provided, which is positioned adjacent to the actuating device 102, and with which the actuating device 102 is selectively connected to a cooled fluid (air, gas, liquid) can be applied. By applying cooled air or a cooled gas, a contraction of the SMA element 110 is achieved, whereby the rotary arm 51 is also pivoted in the direction of the arrow H about the rotary bearing 50. This then leads to the desired readjustment of the working distance a. The volume flow of cooled air or gas that is generated by the cooling device 122 to act on the actuating device 102, and / or the temperature of the air or the gas, which are required for adjusting the working distance a, can also be adjusted by means of the control loop of Fig. 8 be managed.

Reference number

1

Feed roller

2

Dining table

3a, 3b, 3c

Lickerin roller

4th

drum

4a

Top set (of drum 4)

4b

Direction of rotation of the drum 4

5

Doffer roller

5a

Top clothing (of the doffer roller 5)

5b

Direction of rotation of the doffer roller 5

6

Doctor roller

7.8

Squeegee

9

Fleece guide element

10

Pile funnel

11, 12

Take-off rollers

13

Revolving lid

13a, 13b

Cover pulleys

14th

Flat bars

15th

Jug

16

Jug stick

20th

Frame equipment

21st

Support (s)

22nd

Side member

23a, 23b

Screw (noun)

24

Support element (for drum 4)

25th

Support element (for the take-off roller 5)

26th

Prismatic guidance

27

Fixed stop

28

Separate support frame (for the doffer roller 5)

29

Separate support frame (for the lickerin rollers 3a, 3b, 3c)

100

contraption

102

Adjusting device

110

Shape memory alloy (SMA) element

112

Electric voltage source

114

Sensor (e.g. distance meter)

115

Speed sensor

116

Regulator

118

Setpoint adjuster

120

Disturbance input element

122

Cooling device

a

Working distance (between drum 4 and doffer roller 5)

b

Working distance (between drum 4 and a lickerin roller 3c)

C.

Direction of rotation (of revolving cover 13)

D.

Return direction (of flat bars 14)

V, R

Displacement directions of the pick-up roller 5 at Fig. 3

HI

Swivel directions of the pick-up roller 5 at Fig. 3 , Fig. 4

K

Card

M ₁

Center point or bearing axis (of drum 4)

M ₂

Center or bearing axis (of the pick-up roller 5)

Claims (13)

1. A device (100) at a spinning preparation machine, in particular at a carding machine (K) or roller card, with a clothed cylinder (4) and at least one neighbouring working element (5), wherein the cylinder (4) and the working element (5) cooperate in a working distance (a), comprising a regulating device (102), which acts upon a bearing (M₁) of the cylinder (4) or a bearing (M₂) of the working element (5), in order to set respectively to set, respectively adjust the working distance (a) between the cylinder (4) and the working element (5) when the spinning preparation machine is in operation, characterized in that the regulating device (102) includes at least one shape memory alloy element (SMA-element 110) in the shape of an elongate bar or elongate bushing, wherein the SMA-element (110) is calibrated in that it includes a predetermined change in length at a temperature change.
2. The device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the SMA-element (110) has a positive coefficient of linear expansion, preferably in that the regulating device (102) acts directly upon the bearing (M₁) of the cylinder (4) or the bearing (M₂) of the working element (5), furthermore preferably that the regulating device (102) acts upon the bearing (M₂) of the working element (5) via a lever mechanism (50, 51) in such a manner that a linear expansion of the SMA-element (110) results in an increase of the working distance (a).
3. The device (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the SMA-element (110) has a negative coefficient of linear expansion, wherein the regulating device (102) cooperates with the bearing of the working element (5) via a lever mechanism (50, 51) with reverse kinematics in such a manner that a contraction of the SMA-element (110) results in an increase of the working distance (a).
4. The device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, upon occurrence of a change in the operating temperature of the carding machine (K), respectively of the roller card, setting, respectively adjusting the working distance (a) between the cylinder (4) and the working element (5) is automatically effected in this case by the change in length of the SMA-element (110), without requiring an electrical control variable for the SMA-element (110).
5. The device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the SMA-element (110) has a positive coefficient of linear expansion, wherein the regulating device (102) cooperates with the bearing of the working element (5) via a lever mechanism (50, 51) with reverse kinematics in such a manner that a contraction of the SMA-element (110) results in an increase of the working distance (a), wherein a cooling apparatus (122) is provided, by means of which the SMA-element (110) is chargeable with a cooled fluid (air, gas, liquid) in a targeted manner.
6. The device (100) according to any of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the SMA-element (110) is connected to an electrical voltage source (112), such that change in length of the SMA-element (110) is controllable, preferably adjustable depending on the applied voltage.
7. The device (100) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a sensor (114), in particular a position transducer or a distance meter, is provided, by means of which an actual-position of the working element (5) is measurable in relation to the cylinder (4), and in that a regulator (116) is provided, by means of which the voltage applied to the SMA-element (110) and/or the cooling apparatus (122) are/is controlled, while considering the measured actual-position of the working element (5), in order to adjust the current working distance (a) between the cylinder (4) and the working element (5) to a predetermined target value.
8. The device (100) according to any of the claims 5 to 7, characterized in that a sensor (115) is provided, by means of which a speed of the cylinder (4) is measurable, and in that a regulator (116) is provided, by means of which the voltage applied to the SMA-element (110) and/or the cooling apparatus (122) are/is controlled while considering the measured speed of the cylinder (4), in order to adjust the current working distance (a) between the cylinder (4) and the working element (5) to a predetermined target value.
9. The device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one working element is formed by a flat bar (14), a fixed bar, a licker-in roll (3a, 3b, 3c), a cleaning element, a suction hood and/or in particular a clothed doffer roll (5).
10. A method for setting a working distance (a) between a clothed cylinder (4) and at least one neighbouring working element (5) in a spinning preparation machine, in particular a carding machine (K) or a roller card, wherein the cylinder (4) and the working element (5) cooperate in the working distance (a), comprising a regulating device (102), formed to act upon a bearing (M₁) of the cylinder (4) or a bearing (M₂) of the working element (5), in order to set, respectively to adjust the working distance (a) between the cylinder (4) and the working element (5) when the spinning preparation machine is in operation, characterized in that the working distance (a) between the cylinder (4) and the working element (5) during operation of the spinning preparation machine is set, respectively adjusted using at least one shape memory alloy element (SMA-element 110) in the shape of an elongate bar or elongate bushing, wherein the SMA-element (110) is calibrated in that it includes a predetermined change in length during a temperature change.
11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that upon occurrence of a change in the operating temperature of the carding machine (K), respectively of the roller card, the setting, respectively adjusting of the working distance (a) between the cylinder (4) and the working element (5) is automatically realized by a change in length of the SMA-element (110).
12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that an electrical voltage is applied to the SMA-element (110), in order to thereby effect a change in length of the SMA-element (110) and to set, respectively adjust the working distance (a).
13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that an actual-position of the working element (5) in relation to the cylinder (4) and/or a speed of the cylinder (4) are/is measured, wherein the voltage applied to the SMA-element (110) is controlled by means of a regulator (116), while considering the measured actual-position of the working element (5) and/or the measured speed of the cylinder (4), in order to adjust the current working distance (a) between the cylinder (4) and the working element (5) to a predetermined target value.

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