EP4012088B1 - Needle machine and needling method - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a needling machine and a needling method with the features in the independent claims.

Such a needling machine for a nonwoven fiber web is known from practice and figure 1 shown. It has a needling unit with oscillating needles for piercing, needling and solidifying the nonwoven fiber web. The needling unit has a lifting drive and reversingly driven parallel, linearly guided drive rods for moving the needles. The needles perform a straight and oscillating movement in the lifting direction. The connecting rods also move in this lifting direction, which are aligned with their longitudinal axes parallel to the lifting direction. The needles pierce perpendicularly to the nonwoven fiber web that is fed and moved transversely to the lifting direction.

From the DE 196 50 697 A1 a needling machine with crank mechanisms and needle bars directly connected to their connecting rods is known, with the vertical lifting movement of the needle bar being superimposed on a transverse movement by an additional horizontal drive.

A further developed variant of such a needle machine with lifting drive and crank mechanisms as well as a supporting beam for the needles, which is connected directly to the connecting rods in an articulated manner, is from WO 2009/127520 A1 known. A link mechanism superimposes a horizontal movement on the vertical lifting movement of the supporting beam.

EP 2250308 B1 discloses a needling machine having a balancing mass associated with the crank drive of a vertical engine. This balancing mass is offset to an eccentric of the crank drive.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved needling technique.

The invention solves this problem with the features in the main claim.

The claimed needling technique, i.e. the needling machine and the needling process, have several advantages.

The needling unit of the needling machine has a supporting beam which is connected to the needles and extends in the direction of passage of the nonwoven fiber web and which is directly or indirectly connected to the needles. The drive rods, which are reversibly driven by the lifting drive and are linearly guided, are articulated to the supporting beam via a beam bearing. One of the beam bearings has an additional degree of freedom of movement. The lifting drive can have any constructive design and can drive the connecting rods reversingly in any way and allow them to execute an oscillating, preferably vertical, lifting movement.

Thanks to the one additional degree of freedom of movement on one beam bearing, the supporting beam can change its orientation and position relative to the parallel connecting rods. In particular, it can be aligned at an angle to the connecting rods and their longitudinal axis and to the lifting direction parallel thereto. This has advantages, particularly when the connecting rods are moved with a mutual phase offset (ϕ) and are driven by the lifting drive. This allows the needles to move in the lifting direction with a superimposed additional needle movement in the direction of passage of the nonwoven fibrous web. The superimposed needle movement in the throughput direction can support the transport of the nonwoven fiber web.

The needles, in particular the needle tips, can in particular have an elliptical path of movement. The needles can pierce the nonwoven fiber web upstream, viewed in the throughput direction, and then exit again downstream. This enables the needles to have a movement component in the throughput direction, which is favorable for the needles to pierce and extend the moving nonwoven fiber web with few collisions and disruptions. Disturbances in the fiber web structure, e.g. a moiree effect, can be avoided. The quality of the bonded nonwoven fibrous web is very high.

The nonwoven fiber web can be formed from natural fibers or synthetic fibers or fiber mixtures. It can be, for example, a single-layer or multi-layer fiber fleece that is fed to the needling machine by a fleece lapper, in particular a cross-lapper. The fleece layer can, for example, fold a fiber fleece produced by a pile producer, e.g. a card or card, an airlay or the like, into a multi-layer fiber fleece and place it on a discharge belt.

The construction and control costs of the needle machine are low and are lower than in the prior art mentioned at the outset. A phase adjustment option on the lifting drive and/or on the connecting rods is sufficient. The support beam with the needles then adjusts itself to the phase-shifted connecting rod movement. No additional horizontal drive and/or link gear is required for the desired movement of the supporting beam and the needles.

On the other hand, the parallel connecting rods arranged one behind the other in the direction of passage have the advantage that they can absorb and support the transverse forces that occur during operation particularly well. This can wear and tear happen with little disruption. On the other hand, the formation of the articulated beam bearing between the drive rods and the support beam can be simplified and improved. The bearing loads can be kept low.

Advantageously, the beam bearing arranged downstream on the carrying beam in the direction of passage has the additional degree of freedom of movement. The other beam bearing located upstream can be designed as a simple swivel joint. Together with the associated drive rod, this beam bearing can absorb the transverse forces that occur particularly well. This is particularly advantageous in the case of a phase shift, because the center of gravity of the mass of supporting beams, needle bed, etc. hanging on the connecting rods also moves on an elliptical path. In an advantageous embodiment, two drive rods and two beam bearings are arranged on the supporting beam.

There are various configuration options for forming the additional degree of freedom of movement on a beam bearing. Preferably there is only a single additional degree of freedom of movement. Alternatively, there can be several.

The additional degree of freedom of movement can be rotational or translational. The beam bearing in question can be designed, for example, as an eccentric bearing with an additional rotational degree of freedom of movement or as a sliding bearing with an additional translational degree of freedom of movement. The translational degree of freedom of movement can be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the supporting beam or along the direction of passage of the nonwoven fiber web.

A straight and preferably upright guide, in particular a linear guide, is advantageous for the connecting rods. The guide and the longitudinal axis of the connecting rods extend in the lifting direction. They are preferably aligned vertically. The guide can be optimized to ensure that the connecting rods are guided securely and to absorb transverse forces, e.g. by using two or more separate bearing and guide points that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the rod.

The needling unit can have two or more support beams with drive rods and said beam bearings, which are arranged one behind the other in a direction transverse to the direction of passage. The lifting drive can be adapted to such a multiple arrangement.

The needles can be arranged directly or indirectly on the supporting beam. In an advantageous embodiment, they are arranged on a needle bed, which is preferably detachably mounted on a needle bar. The needle bar and the needle board can extend transversely to the one or more support bars and transversely to the direction of travel. This design enables a particularly stable and torsion-free support structure for the needles.

The lifting drive can drive the connecting rods in the same direction in their direction of movement, with the phase offset φ mentioned being able to exist. The phase offset can be adjustable and adjustable. For this purpose, a phase adjuster can be arranged on the lifting drive or at another point. There are various options for designing the lifting drive.

The lifting drive can each have its own drive mechanism for the connecting rods arranged one behind the other in the direction of passage. This can be done in a advantageous embodiment be designed as a preferably revolving rotating crank mechanism. Such a crank mechanism can have, for example, a rotating crankshaft with a disc-shaped eccentric and a connecting rod. The connecting rod can be rotatably mounted at one end via a connecting rod bearing on the eccentric and connected at the other end via a joint to the associated connecting rod. On the other hand, a crank mechanism can also have an offset crankshaft with connection of the connecting rod to the offset.

The lifting drive can each have its own drive motor for the engines. In another embodiment, it can have a common drive motor for several engines. A transfer case or the like can transmit the driving force of the engine to the engines. If several supporting beams with connecting rods are arranged one behind the other transversely to the direction of passage, a separate engine can be present for each connecting rod, it being possible for the engines arranged one behind the other in the transverse direction to have a common crankshaft. These common crankshafts can be coupled in the aforementioned way with their own motors or with a common motor. Said motors can be designed in any suitable way, preferably as controllable electric motors, in particular AC or three-phase motors.

The needling machine can have several needling units arranged one behind the other in the throughput direction. These allow multi-stage needling and strengthening of the nonwoven fiber web. Alternatively or additionally, the needling machine can have several needling units arranged on both sides of the nonwoven fiber web. These can be arranged in particular above and below the nonwoven fiber web. They allow double-sided needling and strengthening of the nonwoven fiber web. To avoid collisions, the two-sided needling units can work out of phase and pierce the nonwoven fiber web with their needles.

In the case of a multi-stage needling machine, one or more claimed needling units can be arranged at the entry area of the needling machine, viewed in the throughput direction. One or more subsequent needling units can be designed in a conventional manner. In particular, you can work with a purely straight, in particular vertical, insertion and extension movement of the needles.

Further advantageous refinements of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The claimed needling machine and the method for needling and strengthening a nonwoven fiber web can have the following configurations, which can be used individually or in any combination.

The connecting rods of the needling machine, in particular of the needling unit, can each be guided straight and preferably upright. The needling machine can have a straight and preferably upright guide for the drive rods.

The lifting drive of the needling unit can drive the connecting rods in the same direction. The connecting rods can be moved up and down synchronously.

The lifting drive of the needling unit can drive the drive rods in phase or with a mutual phase offset (ϕ).

The lifting drive of the needling unit can have a phase adjuster for setting and, if necessary, adjusting a mutual phase offset (φ) of the drive rods exhibit. The phase adjuster can be designed in different ways.

The lifting drive of the needling unit can each have its own drive unit for the connecting rods arranged one behind the other in the direction of passage of the nonwoven fiber web.

The drive mechanisms of the connecting rods can be designed as rotating crank mechanisms.

The drive mechanisms of the connecting rods can be driven to rotate in opposite directions.

The drive mechanisms of the connecting rods can be driven reversingly by a predetermined angle of rotation or revolving.

A needle bar with a needle board and needles there can be arranged on the support bar or bars of a needling unit.

The needle bar and, if necessary, the needle board can extend transversely to the direction of passage of the nonwoven fiber web.

The needling machine can have several needling units, which are arranged one behind the other in the direction of passage of the nonwoven fiber web.

Figur 1:

eine Nadelmaschine nach dem Stand der Technik,

Figur 2:

eine schematischen Frontansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Nadelmaschine mit Hubantrieb, Treibstangen, Tragbalken und einem Balkenlager mit einem zusätzlichen Bewegungs-Freiheitsgrad in einer ersten Betriebsstellung,

Figur 3:

den Tragbalken und die Treibstangen nebst Nadeln in einer anderen Betriebsstellung mit Phasenversatz der Treibstangen sowie elliptischer Bewegungsbahn der Nadeln,

Figur 4:

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Anordnung von Figur 2,

Figur 5:

eine vergrößerte Darstellung einer elliptischen Bewegungsbahn der Nadelspitzen mit Darstellung der Nadelausrichtung,

Figur 6:

eine schematische Darstellung von mehreren quer zueinander in Durchlaufrichtung angeordneten Tragbalken und Treibstangen,

Figur 7:

eine vergrößerte Frontansicht eines Tragbalkens mit einem als Exzenterlager mit einem zusätzlichen Bewegungs-Freiheitsgrad ausgebildeten Balkenlager,

Figur 8 bis 15:

einen Bewegungszyklus der Vernadelungseinheit mit einem als Exzenterlager ausgebildeten Balkenlager in mehreren Winkelstellungen des Hubantriebs und

Figur 16 bis 23:

einen Bewegungszyklus mit einer Variante eines als Schiebelager ausgebildeten Balkenlagers.

The invention is shown by way of example and schematically in the drawings. Show in detail:

Figure 1:

a prior art needle loom,

Figure 2:

a schematic front view of a needling machine according to the invention with a lifting drive, connecting rods, support beams and a beam bearing with an additional degree of freedom of movement in a first operating position,

Figure 3:

the supporting beam and the connecting rods together with the needles in a different operating position with a phase offset of the connecting rods and an elliptical movement path of the needles,

Figure 4:

a perspective view of the arrangement of FIG figure 2 ,

Figure 5:

an enlarged view of an elliptical trajectory of the needle tips showing the needle orientation,

Figure 6:

a schematic representation of several support beams and connecting rods arranged transversely to one another in the direction of passage,

Figure 7:

an enlarged front view of a support beam with a beam bearing designed as an eccentric bearing with an additional degree of freedom of movement,

Figure 8 to 15:

a movement cycle of the needling unit with a beam bearing designed as an eccentric bearing in several angular positions of the lifting drive and

Figure 16 to 23:

a movement cycle with a variant of a beam bearing designed as a sliding bearing.

The invention relates to a needling machine (1) and a needling method for needling and strengthening a nonwoven fiber web (2).

figure 1 shows a needling machine (1) according to the prior art for needling and strengthening a nonwoven fiber web (2), which is fed to the needling machine (1) in a throughput direction (3) and passed through the needling machine (1).

The needling machine (1) has at least one needling unit (5) with oscillating needles (11) for needling and solidifying the nonwoven fiber web (2). The needling unit (5) comprises a lifting drive (6) which reversely drives two parallel connecting rods (15, 16) which are each guided straight in a linear guide (17). The connecting rods (15,16) execute a synchronous oscillating, e.g. vertical, lifting movement.

The connecting rods (15, 16) are connected to the lifting drive (6) at one end, for example the upper end, and are connected to the needles (11) at their respective other end, in particular the lower end. In the embodiment shown, at said ends of the drive rods (15,16) there is a needle bar (9) with a changeable, for example, one Needle bed (10) and needles (11) mounted there. The needle bars (9) and the needles (11) extend across the nonwoven fiber web (2) and across the direction of passage (3). The lifting movement and the piercing movement of the needles (11) are aligned perpendicularly to the nonwoven fiber web (2) and to the direction of passage (3).

The linear actuator (6) has according to figure 1 on two engines (22,23), which are each designed as a crank mechanism and have a rotatingly driven crankshaft (24) and an eccentric (25) mounted thereon. Furthermore, the crank mechanisms each comprise a connecting rod (26) which is articulated at its one end, for example the lower end, via a joint (28) to the associated connecting rod (15, 16). At the other end, the connecting rod (26) is rotatably connected to the eccentric (25) via a connecting rod bearing (27). When the crankshaft (24) and the eccentric (25) rotate, the connecting rods (26) each perform a lifting and lowering movement directed along the connecting rods (15, 16) and a superimposed pivoting movement. The nonwoven fiber web (2) is preferably guided straight and, for example, horizontally between a perforated wiper (13) and a stitch pad (14). The aforementioned components of the needling unit (5) are arranged in a machine frame (4) of the needling machine (1). The needling unit (5) can also have several drive units (22, 23) which are arranged one behind the other on a common crankshaft (24) transversely to the direction of passage (3) and to the plane of the drawing and are jointly driven thereby.

In Figure 2 to 7 a needling machine (1) according to the invention and a needling unit (5) are shown. figure 2 shows a schematic front view and figure 4 a perspective view. In figure 5 is an elliptical trajectory of a needle point relative to the nonwoven fibrous web (2) shown. Figure 6 and 7 illustrate a support beam (8) and its connection to connecting rods (15,16). Figure 8 to 15 on the one hand and Figure 16 to Figure 23 on the other hand each show a movement cycle.

The needling machine (1) according to the invention can be parts of the needling machine (1). figure 1 include, where matching components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The needling machine (1) according to the invention has a machine frame (4) with at least one needling unit (5) and a lifting drive (6) for the reversing drive of parallel drive rods (15, 16) linearly guided in a guide (17) for moving the needles (11) on. The eg two parallel drive rods (15,16) are arranged one behind the other in the direction of passage (3). The guide (17) can, for example, according to figure 2 have several, eg two, guide and bearing points which are arranged at a mutual distance in the longitudinal direction of the rod.

The needles (11) are moved up and down by the connecting rods (15, 16) in an oscillating manner, e.g. The needles are available in large numbers, only a few needles (11) being shown in the drawings for reasons of clarity.

Figure 1 to 4 illustrate the arrangement of the stripper (13) with passage openings (29) for the penetrating needles (11). The through openings (29) are according to figure 3 designed as oblong holes aligned in the direction of passage (3). The arrangement of a stitch pad (14) is also shown, which also has openings, in particular oblong holes, for receiving the needles (11) as they pass through the nonwoven fiber web (2).

The drawings show a simplified design of the needling machine (1) with only one needling unit (5). In another variant that is not shown, the needling machine (1) can be constructed in several stages and have several needling units (5) which are arranged one behind the other in the direction of passage (3). They can be located on the same machine frame (4).

The needling unit (5) shown is preferably located at the beginning of a multi-stage needling machine (1), viewed in the throughput direction (3), the supplied nonwoven fiber web (2) not yet being solidified or only slightly so. In the throughput direction (3) subsequent needling units in a different way, for example according to figure 1 , be educated. They can act on the already at least partially consolidated nonwoven fiber web (2) with a purely linear needle movement.

Such an arrangement with one or more needling units (5) can be present in the case of one-sided needling of the nonwoven fiber web (2) and one-sided piercing and exchanging of the needles (11), shown as an example. Said arrangement can also be used for needling on both sides.

The lifting drive (6) for the connecting rods (15, 16) can be designed in any way in the needling unit (5) according to the invention. The needling unit (5) has, for example, at least two preferably straight connecting rods (15, 16) with linear guides (17) on the machine frame (4) arranged one behind the other in the throughput direction (3). The lifting drive (6) includes, for example, a drive mechanism (22,23) for each connecting rod (15,16). The engines (22,23) are of their own engine or a common engine and a Powered transfer case. The motor is preferably designed as a controllable electric motor, in particular as an AC motor or a three-phase motor.

The engines (22,23) can, for example, according to figure 2 and 4 be designed as crank mechanisms and have a crankshaft (24) with an eccentric (25) and a connecting rod (26) which is articulated at its free end via a joint (28) to the associated connecting rod (15,16). The design of the crank mechanisms can be the same as that described above figure 1 be.

Alternatively, the crank mechanisms can also have an offset crankshaft (24), as shown in figure 2 is indicated. The eccentric (25) is formed by the offset of the crankshaft (24).

The reversing drive of the connecting rods (15,16) with the lifting and lowering movement along the longitudinal axis of the rod and the guide (17) can take place in the same direction and in phase. The connecting rods (15,16) are moved up and down synchronously. This can have the same kinematics as in figure 1 be. On the other hand, a phase-shifted movement of the drive rods (15,16) with a phase angle (φ) is possible, as shown in figure 8 and 16 is shown. The phase angle can be up to 30° or more, for example.

the inside figure 2 Schematically indicated lifting drive (6) can have a phase adjuster (7) for setting and, if necessary, adjusting the phase angle (φ). The phase adjuster (7) can be designed in different ways. If there is a common drive motor with a transfer gear for the connecting rod arrangement, the phase adjuster (7) can be arranged, for example, on the transfer gear. The distribution gear can be designed, for example, as a gear drive or as a toothed belt drive. In a gear transmission, for example, the Phase adjustment done by shifting a helical gear wheel. With a toothed belt drive, the toothed belt path between the engines (22, 23) can be changed.

If the engines (22, 23) are driven directly by their own drive motor, the phase adjuster (2) can be arranged in a controller for the drive motors and set or adjust their relative phase angle or phase offset. There are also other training opportunities.

Said drive rods (15,16) are articulated in the invention with a supporting beam (8) which extends in the direction of passage (3). The connecting rods (15,16) and the supporting beam (8) are each connected via a beam bearing (18,19). The beam bearings (18, 19) have at least one articulated component and allow the supporting beam (8) to pivot in relation to the respective drive rod (15, 16). In the embodiments shown, for example, two connecting rods (15,16) are connected in an articulated manner to their associated supporting beam (8) via two beam bearings (18,19).

The beam bearings (18,19) are designed differently. They have a different number of degrees of freedom of movement. One beam bearing (18) has at least one more degree of freedom of movement than the other beam bearing (19). The beam bearing (18) equipped with more degrees of freedom of movement is preferably arranged downstream on the supporting beam (8) as seen in the direction of passage (3) and the other beam bearing (19) is arranged upstream.

One beam bearing (19) with the smaller range of degrees of freedom of movement is designed, for example, as a pivot bearing with a single rotational degree of freedom. The The bearing axis is arranged transversely to the throughput direction (3) and to the plane of the drawing.

The other beam bearing (18) with the greater range of degrees of freedom of movement has one more degree of freedom in the embodiments shown. It is in the embodiments of Figure 2 to 7 designed as a rotatable eccentric bearing (20) whose bearing axes are aligned transversely to the direction of passage (3) and parallel to the bearing axis of the other beam bearing (19). The eccentric bearing (20) is formed, for example, by a bearing bolt of the beam bearing (18) and an eccentric disk arranged thereon, which is rotatably mounted at the lower end of the connecting rod. figure 4 illustrates this arrangement with a support beam (8) shown transparent. With the supporting beam (8) connected to the bearing bolts of the beam bearing (18,19) according to figure 7 be of the same design and arranged at the same height on the supporting beam (8). Alternatively, a different design of the eccentric bearing (20) is possible. Clarify with the movement cycles Figure 8 to 15 this version of the beam bearing (18) as an eccentric bearing (20).

On the other hand, the additional degree of freedom of the beam bearing (18) can also be a translational degree of freedom. This can be directed along the supporting beam (8) and the direction of passage (3). With such a design, the beam bearing (18) can be designed as a sliding bearing (21). Due to the slide bearing (21), the associated drive rod (15) is rotatable on the one hand and slidably connected to the supporting beam (8) on the other hand in the said degree of freedom direction. Figure 16 to 23 illustrate this training schematically.

The needling unit (5) according to the invention can have several support beams (8) arranged one behind the other transversely to the throughput direction (3), as well as pairs of connecting rods (15,16) and also drive units (22,23). figure 6 schematically illustrates such an arrangement. In a modification that is not shown, instead of the several narrow supporting beams (8) shown, there can be a single wide supporting beam (8) on which two or more pairs of connecting rods (15, 16) act.

The several pairs of connecting rods of parallel connecting rods (15,16) arranged one behind the other in the direction of passage (3) can be driven in rotation via a common drive motor or their own associated drive motors of the lifting drive (6). The connecting rod pairs arranged one behind the other transversely to the direction of passage (3) can have a common crankshaft (24) or some other common drive means.

In the needling machine (1) according to the invention and in the needling process, the needles (11) can be arranged directly on the supporting beam (8). The supporting beam (8) can extend transversely across the nonwoven fiber web (2) and transversely to the direction of passage (3). In the embodiment shown and preferred, the needles (11) are connected indirectly to the supporting beam (8). They are eg according to Figure 6 and 7 mounted on a needle bed (10) which is rigidly or interchangeably connected to a needle bar (9). The needle beam (9) is attached to the preferably several support beams (8) and extends, for example, across the nonwoven fiber web (2) and across the direction of passage (3).

The additional degree of freedom of movement of one beam bearing (18) is achieved with a phase offset (φ) of the reversing drive and the oscillating movement the connecting rods (15,16) effective. If there is a phase offset (φ), the movements of the drive rods (15, 16) are essentially in the same direction except for the reverse phases, with one drive rod leading the other.

In the embodiment shown, for example, the drive rod (15) located downstream in the direction of passage (3) precedes the drive rod (16) located upstream. This leading movement leads to an inclined position of the supporting beam (8). This is e.g. in figure 3 shown schematically with an arrow indicated by a leading upward movement of the connecting rod (15). The inclination of the supporting beam (8) changes during a movement cycle of the lifting drive (6), in particular a 360° rotation of the drive mechanisms (22, 23). This is from the movement sequences explained below Figure 8 to 15 and Figure 16 to 23 apparent.

During these cycles, the supporting beam (8) performs a pivoting movement about the bearing axis mentioned about the one beam bearing (19) with the smaller number of degrees of freedom. The other beam bearing (18) compensates for the changing inclinations and also the changing distances of the coupling points of the connecting rods (15,16) on the supporting beam (8) due to the phase shift due to its additional degree of freedom of movement.

With said phase offset (φ), for example, the drive rod (15) located downstream in the direction of passage (3) rushes ahead of the other drive rod (16) in the direction of movement by said phase angle (φ). The beam bearing (18) with the additional degree of freedom of movement is also preferably arranged on the leading connecting rod (15).

The engines (22, 23) rotate in opposite directions in the exemplary embodiments and movement cycles shown, which is advantageous for reasons of vibration. The direction of rotation is selectable. For example, the leading engine (22) rotates clockwise and the other engine (23) rotates counterclockwise. The direction of rotation can be reversed.

In another kinematic variant, the engines (22, 23) can rotate in the same direction. Other kinematic parameters can be changed, e.g. the directions of the phase offset or phase angle (ϕ).

figure 8 shows the movement cycle with an eccentric bearing (20). in the in figure 8 The starting position shown is that the engine (22) and the connecting rod (26) and the connecting rod (15) have already been moved by the angle (ϕ) in the direction of rotation shown from the extended position of the connecting rod (26) and connecting rod (15). The other connecting rod (16) and its connecting rod (26) are still in this extended position. Figure 9 to 15 show the further movement phases with a turning and angular progression of 45° each.

In the initial position of figure 8 the supporting beam (8) already assumes a slight sloping position compared to its normal parallel orientation to the direction of passage (3). About the other drive and crank travel Figures 9 to 11 the inclination changes and increases, with the carrying beam (8) being inclined downwards towards the nonwoven fiber web (2) as seen in the direction of passage (3). The downstream end of the carrying beam (8) and the connecting rod (15) leads the downward stroke and is closer to the nonwoven fibrous web (2) than the upstream end of the carrying beam and the connecting rod (16). figure 10 shows the piercing in the nonwoven fiber web (2).

Depending on the rotational or angular position, the inclination gradually increases and then decreases again. After a rotation and drive angle of approx. 180°, the inclined position reverses accordingly Figure 12 to 15 order, the supporting beam (8) being directed obliquely upwards relative to the direction of passage (3). From this reversal, the connecting rod (15) rushes ahead in the upward movement of the other connecting rod (16). At the end of the cycle figure 15 the support beam (8) is again aligned essentially parallel to the direction of passage (3) and to the straight nonwoven fiber web (2).

Figure 16 to 23 illustrate the same movement cycle in the same 45 ° steps and illustrate the movements of the sliding bearing (21).

Figure 8 to 23 also illustrate a variant in the formation of the support beam (8), the needle beam (9) and the needle bed (10). On the supporting beam (8) connecting the connecting rods (15,16), on the side facing away from the connecting rods (15,16), in particular the underside, two needle beams (9), each with a needle bed (10), are arranged one behind the other in the throughput direction (3). . In the variant of Figure 6 and 7 a single and common needle bar (9) with a needle bed (10) is shown.

figure 3 and 5 illustrate the above motion cycles of Figure 8 to 23 running trajectory (12) of the needles (11). The oscillating lifting and lowering movement along the lifting direction and the superimposed pivoting movement of the support beam (8) result in an elliptical path of movement (12) for the needle tips of the needles (11). Seen in the direction of passage (3), the needle tips pierce the preferably continuously moving nonwoven fiber web (2) upstream and reappear downstream from the nonwoven fiber web (2). Here they move along their movement path (12) in areas with little resistance together with the nonwoven fiber web (2) in the throughput direction (3). The inclination of the needles (11) changes only slightly on the elliptical path of movement (12).

Alternatively or additionally, needling of the nonwoven fiber web (2) on both sides is possible. In this case, a further needling unit (5) can be arranged on the other side, e.g. the underside, of the nonwoven fiber web (2). The stitch pad (14) can be omitted and replaced by the additional needling unit (5) and its stripper (13). The needling units (5) on both sides preferably work with a mutual phase offset of 180°, for example, so that the needles (11) of one needling unit (5) dip into the nonwoven fiber web (2) while the needles (11) of the other needling unit ( 5) already left or have left the nonwoven fibrous web (2).

Modifications of the exemplary embodiments shown and described are possible in various ways. The arrangement of the beam bearings (18, 19) in relation to the passage direction (3) can be reversed, with the beam bearing (19) located upstream receiving the additional degree of freedom of movement. The phase shift (φ) between the connecting rods (15,16) can also be changed and e.g. swapped, with the upstream connecting rod (16) leading the downstream connecting rod (15).

Further possible variations relate to the design of the lifting drive (6). Instead of the rotary drive shown for the oscillating drive rods (15, 16), a translatory drive can be present. In addition, there are other design options for the lifting drive (6).

REFERENCE LIST

1

needle machine

2

fiber web, fleece

3

flow direction

4

machine frame

5

needling unit

6

lifting drive

7

phaser

8th

support beam

9

needle bar

10

needle board

11

needle

12

trajectory

13

scraper

14

stitch pad

15

connecting rod

16

connecting rod

17

guide

18

joist bearing

19

joist bearing

20

eccentric bearing

21

sliding bearing

22

Engine, crank engine

23

Engine, crank engine

24

crankshaft

25

eccentric

26

connecting rod

27

connecting rod bearings

28

joint

29

passage opening

Claims (15)

1. Needle machine for a non-woven fibrous web (2) which is fed in a material flow direction (3), wherein the needle machine (1) has a needling unit (5) having needles (11) which are moved in an oscillating manner for needling and consolidating the non-woven fibrous web (2), wherein the needling unit (5) has a lift drive (6) and parallel connecting rods (15, 16) for moving the needles (11), said connecting rods (15, 16) being driven by said lift drive (6) in a reciprocating manner and guided in a linear manner, wherein the needling unit (5) has a support beam (8) which is connected to the needles (11) and extends in the material flow direction (3), wherein the connecting rods (15) which are disposed behind one another in the material flow direction (3) are in each case connected in an articulated manner to the support beam (8) by way of one beam bearing (18, 19), and one of the beam bearings (18) which are disposed behind one another in the material flow direction (3) has an additional degree of freedom in terms of movement.
2. Needle machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that the beam bearing (18) which on the support beam (8) is disposed downstream in the material flow direction (3) has the additional degree of freedom in terms of movement.
3. Needle machine according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the beam bearing (18) having the additional degree of freedom in terms of movement is configured as an eccentric bearing (20) or as a sliding bearing (20).
4. Needle machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support beam (8) is connected to two parallel connecting rods (15, 16) by way of two beam bearings (18, 19).
5. Needle machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lift drive (6) drives the connecting rods (15, 16) in the same direction and preferably by way of a mutual phase shift (ϕ), wherein the lift drive (6) preferably has a phase actuator (7) for setting and optionally adjusting the phase shift (ϕ).
6. Needle machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lift drive (6) for the connecting rods (15, 16) disposed behind one another in the material flow direction (3) has in each case one dedicated driving gear (22, 23), wherein the driving gears (22, 23) are in particular configured as rotating crank mechanisms which are preferably driven so as to rotate in opposite directions.
7. Needle machine according to Claim 6, characterized in that the lift drive (5) for the driving gears (22, 23) has a common drive motor, or in each case one dedicated drive motor.
8. Needle machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the needling unit (5) has two or more support beams (8), and pairs of connecting rods (15, 16) which are in each case driven and are disposed behind one another transversely to the material flow direction (3).
9. Needle machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a needle beam (9) having a needle board (10) and needles (11) thereon is disposed on the support beam (8) or support beams (8).
10. Needle machine according to one of Claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the support beam (8) during a phase shift (ϕ) carries out a tumbling movement about the one beam bearing (19).
11. Needle machine according to one of Claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the needles (11) during a phase shift (ϕ) have an elliptic motion path (12).
12. Needle machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the needle machine (1) has a plurality of needling units (5) which are disposed on both sides of the non-woven fibrous web (2), in particular above and below the non-woven fibrous web (2).
13. Method for needling and consolidating a non-woven fibrous web (2) which in a material flow direction (3) is fed to a needle machine (1), wherein the needle machine (1) has a needling unit (5) having needles (11) which are moved in an oscillating manner for needling and consolidating the non-woven fibrous web (2), wherein the needling unit (5) has a lift drive (6) and parallel connecting rods (15, 16) for moving the needles (11), said connecting rods (15, 16) being driven by said lift drive (6) in a reciprocating manner and guided in a linear manner, wherein the needling unit (5) has a support beam (8) which is connected to the needles (11) and extends in the material flow direction (3), wherein the connecting rods (15) which are disposed behind one another in the material flow direction (3) are in each case connected in an articulated manner to the support beam (8) by way of one beam bearing (18, 19), and one of the beam bearings (18) which are disposed behind one another in the material flow direction (3) has an additional degree of freedom in terms of movement.
14. Method according to Claim 13, characterized in that the lift drive (6) drives the connecting rods (15, 16) by way of a mutual phase shift (ϕ), wherein the support beam (8) during the phase shift (ϕ) carries out a tumbling movement about the one beam bearing (19) without the additional degree of freedom in terms of movement.
15. Method according to Claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the lift drive (6) drives the connecting rods (15, 16) by way of a mutual phase shift (ϕ), wherein the needles (11) during a phase shift (ϕ) have an elliptic motion path (12).

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