EP3981898A1

EP3981898A1 - Spindle brake arrangement for piecing unit of ring spinning machine

Info

Publication number: EP3981898A1
Application number: EP21194831.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jeganathan Pasupathy; Arulanandam Thilip Kumar; Selvaraj Santhosh
Original assignee: Lakshmi Machine Works Ltd
Current assignee: Lakshmi Machine Works Ltd
Priority date: 2020-10-12
Filing date: 2021-09-03
Publication date: 2022-04-13
Also published as: CN114351305A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic piecing unit (2) of a ring spinning machine (1). The automatic piecing unit (2) comprises a spindle brake unit (4) which includes gripper arms (6a, 6b) adapted to move sideways with respect to each other in a linear motion guideway (7). Each of the gripper arms (6a, 6b) is coupled with at least one gripping finger (8a, 8b), and each of the at least one gripping finger (8a, 8b) comprises one or more brake shoes (11) disposed at an inner end thereof. The one or more brake shoes (11) are adapted to grip a spindle wharve (10) of a spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1) to stop rotation of the spindle (3).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to textile ring spinning machines. Particularly, the invention relates to an automatic yarn piecing device in ring spinning machines. More particularly, the invention relates to spindle brake unit for automatic piecing unit for spindle braking operation in textile ring spinning machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In textile spinning mills, the cotton is converted into yarn through a series of machines. Ring spinning machines are the resultant yarn producing and crucial machines in textile spinning mills. Textile roving materials produced from roving frame machines are usually fed into the ring spinning machines. The said ring spinning machines delivers the final stage of cotton in spinning line, so called yarn. During ring spinning, yarn breakage occurs frequently and it is to be continuously monitored and pieced by the manual labours. The yarn breakage occurs due to various parameters of yarn and machine and it is unavoidable. In long spinning frame sites, manual labours continuously watch for yarn breakages and perform manual piecing of broken yarns. This has to be done for a machine frame normally consisting of more than 1600 spindles. Then, yarn spinning sequence has to be restarted then and there after yarn breakage in order to resume yarn spinning and to avoid wastage of yarn.
To overcome above problems, automatic piecing units are developed. The automatic piecing unit is in the form of a movable vehicle with wheels/rails. The said piecing vehicle stops at respective spindle units which require piecing attention. The piecing unit in general moves longitudinally over the machine frame aisles. Before initiating piecing operation, the piecing vehicle stops in front of the spindle position of ring spinning machine. The broken yarn spindle has to be applied brake to initiate piecing operation. The conventional spindle brake unit available in ring spinning machines in the form of hand actuated lever to hold the spindle wharve to stop the spindle rotation forms hindrance for automatic piecing unit to pass inside piecing zone. Hence, the conventional spindle brake needs to be removed. Even if the existing brake is removed, the automatic piecing unit has to stop the rotation of broken yarn spindle while performing piecing operations with the aid of contacting member provided in the automatic piecing unit, which is capable of moving forward and backward. The said contacting member abuts on the front face of ring spinning spindle wharve and acts as brake to stop the rotation of spindle. The spindle brake has to be applied intermittently multiple times to enable operation of various piecing modules during the piecing sequence. The impact load of said contacting member of spindle brake over the spindle wharve due to one side load creates spindle distortion / deflection. The disadvantage in this type of braking action and spindle distortion is that, it causes spindle misalignment, wobbling and bending and spindle wear and tear damages occur. The said problems lead to poor yarn quality and affects overall piecing and production efficiency of both automatic piecing unit and ring spinning machine. Further frequent replacement of spindles due to damages results in higher costs.
To overcome the above mentioned disadvantages, the present invention provides an improved braking arrangement for spindles to enable automatic piecing in ring spinning machines.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present invention is to provide an improved piecing unit for textile ring spinning machines.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a braking arrangement for spindle in the automatic piecing unit of the textile ring spinning machines.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved braking arrangement for spindle in the automatic piecing unit of the textile ring spinning machines which does not cause any damage to the spindle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, the automatic piecing unit is provided for textile ring spinning machines. The automatic piecing unit assists in yarn piecing operation during yarn breakage incidents in ring spinning machines. The spindle rotation should be stopped, before and/or during the piecing operation. To enable the same, the present invention is provided with an improved spindle brake unit in automatic piecing unit. The said spindle brake unit comprises at least two gripper arms adapted to move sideways with respect to each other. The at least two gripper arms are substantially parallel to each other, and are positioned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the ring spinning machine. Each of the at least two gripper arms is coupled with at least one gripping finger adapted to grip a spindle wharve of a spindle of the ring spinning machine to stop rotation of the spindle. Each of the at least one gripping finger comprises one or more brake shoes disposed at an inner end thereof, to grip the spindle wharve of the spindle of the ring spinning machine.
In one aspect, the gripper arms move sideways with respect to each other in a linear motion guideway of the spindle brake unit.
In one aspect, the spindle brake unit is positioned concentrically around the spindle wharve of the spindle of the ring spinning machine in working position.
In one aspect, each of the at least two gripper arms is connected to the at least one gripping finger by a connecting means.
In one aspect, the spindle brake unit stops and releases the rotation of the spindle of the ring spinning machine for required number of times as per predetermined programs when a piecing operation of a broken yarn of the spindle is to be performed.
The automatic piecing unit comprises an actuating means for moving the spindle brake unit towards the spindle.
In one aspect, the one or more brake shoes are made of any of a polymer material and an elastomer material.
In one aspect, sideways movement of the at least two gripper arms is enabled by air from an air source of the ring spinning machine or the automatic piecing unit.
In one aspect, a method for braking a spindle of a ring spinning machine by an automatic piecing unit comprises placing a spindle brake unit of the automatic piecing unit at a predetermined distance from the spindle centre in a circumferential manner around the spindle of the ring spinning machine. The method further comprises gripping a spindle wharve of the spindle of the ring spinning machine by means of at least two gripper arms coupled with at least one gripping finger, adapted to move sideways with respect to each other, to stop rotation of the spindle during piecing operation.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates the schematic view of the spindle brake unit provided in automatic piecing unit of ring spinning machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 2a and 2b illustrate the top views of the spindle brake unit before and during applying brake respectively according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to figures 1, 2a & 2b, the ring spinning machine (1) of the present invention is provided with automatic piecing unit (2). The automatic piecing unit (2) moves longitudinally along the aisle of the ring spinning machine (1). The ring spinning machine (1) is capable of winding yarn (not shown) onto a bobbin mounted to spinning spindle (3), so called cop. When yarn breakage occurs during normal running conditions, the automatic piecing unit (2) moves to particular broken yarn spindle (3) and pieces the broken yarn with the delivery yarn from drafting zone (not shown). Before initiating the piecing sequence and/or during piecing, the spindle (3) rotation must be stopped to assist the piecing operation.
The automatic piecing unit (2) according to the present invention is provided with an improved spindle brake unit (4) mounted in the automatic piecing unit (2). The spindle brake unit (4) is provided with suitable actuating means to move the braking unit (4) towards the spindle (3). The spindle brake unit (4) along with actuating means is mounted to the automatic piecing unit (2) through suitable connecting means and brackets. The braking unit (4) is provided with two substantially parallel gripper arms (6a, 6b) capable of moving sideways towards and away from each other in a horizontal linear motion guideway (7). The said horizontal linear motion guideway (7) is provided by suitable air source from auto piecing unit (2) and/or from other air source in spinning machine / mill. The said gripper arms (6a, 6b) are mounted with two gripping jaws (8a, 8b) each connected externally through connecting means (9) such as screws in the form of gripping fingers / jaws (8a, 8b). In working position, the spindle brake unit (4) is positioned concentrically around the spindle wharve (10) below the ring rail. The external gripping fingers / jaws (8a, 8b) connected to gripping arms (6a, 6b) are placed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ring spinning machine.
After the spindle brake unit (4) is placed in working position, the spindle brake is applied by means of air source through the two parallel gripper arms (6a, 6b). The spindle wharve (10) is gripped firmly on two sides by means of gripping fingers (8a, 8b) connected to the gripping arms (6a, 6b). The gripping fingers (8a, 8b) are provided with brake linings / shoes (11) at the inner ends so that the gripping fingers (8) with brake shoes (11) holds the spindle wharve (10) sideways firmly at the circumference of spindle wharve (10) and stops the spindle (3) rotation during / before initiating piecing. The brake linings (11) are made of a polymer or an elastomer material preferably or the like. The braking member grips the spindle wharve at double side without any impact load and with lesser force itself as the load is distributed at two sides. Therefore, the disadvantages of spindle distortion / deflection, misalignment, wobbling and bending are avoided.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the gripping arm (6a / 6b) and gripping finger (8a / 8b) can be integrated as a single piece at each ends.
According to further embodiment, during the piecing sequences, the spindle brake is actuated and released for required number of times as per predetermined programs to assist in working of various modules of the automatic piecing unit. The brake is applied and relieved at any sequence and any timing during piecing operation. Since the spindle is stopped by means of two gripping fingers sideways, the spindle is stopped in more precise manner and held firmly. The spindle misalignment due to braking is completely eliminated in the present invention.
According to a further embodiment, the number of gripping fingers / jaws is not limited to two. The jaws can be provided in any numbers more than two. The spindle wharve is not only braked sideways by linear gripping fingers. It can also be gripped around the circumference anywhere by means of rotary gripping jaws and the like.
Thus, the above described automatic piecing unit for ring spinning machine frame provides an effective spindle braking arrangement for enabling reliable piecing operation and prevents damage to machine components.
In view of the present disclosure which describes the present invention, all changes, modifications and variations within the meaning and range of equivalency are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

An automatic piecing unit (2) of a ring spinning machine (1) comprising:
a spindle brake unit (4), comprising:
at least two gripper arms (6a, 6b) adapted to move sideways with respect to each other,

wherein each of the at least two gripper arms (6a, 6b) is coupled with at least one gripping finger (8a, 8b) adapted to grip a spindle wharve (10) of a spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1) to stop rotation of the spindle (3).
The automatic piecing unit (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripper arms (6a, 6b) move sideways with respect to each other in a linear motion guideway (7) of the spindle brake unit (4).
The automatic piecing unit (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the at least one gripping finger (8a, 8b) comprises one or more brake shoes (11) disposed at an inner end thereof, to grip the spindle wharve (10) of the spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1).
The automatic piecing unit (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two gripper arms (6a, 6b) are substantially parallel to each other, and are positioned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the ring spinning machine (1).
The automatic piecing unit (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spindle brake unit (4) is positioned concentrically around the spindle wharve (10) of the spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1) in working position.
The automatic piecing unit (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the at least two gripper arms (6a, 6b) is connected to the at least one gripping finger (8a, 8b) by a connecting means (9).
The automatic piecing unit (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spindle brake unit (4) stops and releases the rotation of the spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1) for required number of times as per predetermined programs when a piecing operation of a broken yarn of the spindle (3) is to be performed.
The automatic piecing unit (2) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an actuating means for moving the spindle brake unit (4) towards the spindle (3).
The automatic piecing unit (2) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the one or more brake shoes (11) are made of any of a polymer material and an elastomer material.
The automatic piecing unit (2) as claimed in claim 2, wherein sideways movement of the at least two gripper arms (6a, 6b) is enabled by air from an air source of the ring spinning machine (1) or the automatic piecing unit (2).
A method for braking a spindle (3) of a ring spinning machine (1) by an automatic piecing unit (2), the method comprising;
placing a spindle brake unit (4) of the automatic piecing unit (2) at a predetermined distance from the spindle (3) centre in a circumferential manner around the spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1); and

gripping a spindle wharve (10) of the spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1) by means of at least two gripper arms (6a, 6b) coupled with at least one gripping finger (8a, 8b), adapted to move sideways with respect to each other, to stop rotation of the spindle (3) during piecing operation.
The method for braking the spindle (3) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the spindle brake unit (4) stops and releases the rotation of the spindle (3) for required number of times as per predetermined programs when a piecing operation of a broken yarn of the spindle (3) is to be performed.
The method for braking the spindle (3) as claimed in claim 11, wherein sideways movement of the at least two gripper arms (6a, 6b) with respect to each other is enabled by air from an air source of the ring spinning machine (1) or the automatic piecing unit (2).