GB2087439A - Thread or Yarn Fournisseur for Textile Machinery, Particularly Circular Knitting Machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To permit selective engagement and disengagement of the storage drum of a yarn feed fournisseur, the drum (12) is separately journalled on the drive shaft (5) of the fournisseur and a selectively engageable and disengageable coupling arrangement is provided between the fournisseur shaft and the drum (12). This may be carried out by coupling an end cap (16) to the shaft (5) such that axial sliding movement of the cap is permissible, preferably between positively locked (28, 29) positions. The drum (12) is coupled to the cap by engaging a projecting pin (14a) in an opening (27) of a rim portion (18, 19) of the drum; or in other embodiments by interengaging teeth formed on the cap and on the drum, or by a friction coupling engaging between the cap and the drum. The cap can be moved manually or by electrical or pneumatic force, manual operation being the simplest, and pneumatic and electrical operation being particularly applicable where access to the fournisseur is impaired. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Thread or Yarn Fournisseur for Textile Machinery, Particularly Circular Knitting Machine The present invention relates to a thread or yarn fournisseur for textile machinery, and more particularly to a fournisseur adapted for attachment to circular knitting machines in which a rotatable drum can be selectively coupled or uncoupled, respectively from the machine drive mechanism while leaving the machine drive belt in engagement with the fournisseur drive pulley.

The type of fournisseur to which the present invention relates is described, for example, in German Patent DE-PS 26 08 590, in which the yarn supply speed to a drum is equal to the yarn draw-off speed. Upon constant drum speed, the yarn utilization device, for example a knitting feed of a knitting machine, will always receive the same length of yarn or thread per unit time. The number of the storage windings on the drum always remains the same.

Many circular knitting machines are of the multi-feed type in which a plurality of fournisseurs are provided. If it is necessary to remove from a fournisseur a larger quantity of yarn for a given period of time, for example upon readjustment, initial setting, or the like, of one or more of the feeds, it has been customary to either pull off yarn over the head end of the drum, or disengage the drum. Some fournisseurs, see for example German Patent DE-PS 1 760 600, permit removal of the yarn from a fixed draw-off eye or yarn guide element so that the yarn can be pulled off over the head of the drum. Doing this, however, decreases the number of reserve or storage windings on the drum which, upon later resumption of normal yarn feed, can lead to interference with ordinary operation of the yarn supply system.Before resuming normal operation, it is thus necessary to spool yarn again on the drum in order to fill the drum with the necessary and required number of reserve or storage windings. This is comparatively difficult, requires extensive manual interference with the machine, which frequently cannot readily be done because the yarn storage drums may be located in positions which are accessible only with difficulty.

It is an object to provide a fournisseur in which, under normal operating conditions, the yarn supply speed to the drum is equal to the yarn pulloff speed but which, nevertheless, permits temporary removal of yarn from the drum at a different rate without, however, changing the number of the storage windings on the drum.

Briefly, the drum is supported by a bearing on the drive shaft of the fournisseur so that the drum can rotate independently of the rotation of the drive shaft. Coupling means are provided which have one part secured to the drum, and the other part secured to the drive shaft, and selectively engageable or disengageable, so that driving coupling engagement between the shaft and the drum can be selectively controlled.

When the coupling device is engaged, the fournisseur operates with normal positive yarn supply, that is, the yarn draw-off speed corresponds exactly to the circumferential speed of the driven yarn drum. If, for example, it is necessary, however, to pull off additional yarn, for example upon first setting up or changing the set up of a circular knitting machine, it is only necessary to disengage the coupling, so that the drum can rotate freely with respect to the drive shaft which, at this operation, usually is stopped.

Upon pull-off of the yarn from the drum, an equal quantity will be wound thereon, so that the drum can rotate to the necessary extent, and the number of the storage or reserve windings on the drum will remain constant. If the yarn should break between the drum and the yarn guide element of a circular knitting machine, no further yarn need be accepted by the drum, which then later on would have to be pulled off, so that, again, further rotation of the drum should be inhibited.

The drive shaft of the fournisseur is coupled to the drive source from the knitting machine, typically a drive belt, independently of the operation of the coupling, and remains continuously connected to the knitting machine drive mechanism. Thus, no interference with the drive of all the fournisseurs and the knitting machine fournisseur drive system is needed.

Individual fournisseurs can be individually uncoupled. In uncoupled condition, the drawn-off yarn only rotates that one of the fournisseurs which is uncoupled, independently of the drive shaft thereof, so that the moment of inertia of the mass to be moved by the yarn is comparatively small. Thus, the yarn will not be subjected to excessive tension which may occur, for example, upon resetting of a circular knitting machine, and which is unavoidable upon set-up or changes in set-up. When uncoupled, the drum can be moved by hand. It is not necessary to lift off a drive belt from the drive pulley of the fournisseur itself.

In accordance with a preferred feature of the invention, the coupling is a positive engagement coupling to prevent any slippage between the drive shaft and the yarn drum. In such a preferred embodiment, the coupling is placed in the free end of the drive shaft, connected to a component rotating therewith which, for example, may be cylindrical disk or cup-shaped. The coupling can then simply be made by moving this element axially with respect to the drum and forming an engaging element on the drum, for example interengaging teeth, a projecting yarn cage pin, or the like. This arrangement is particularly suitable since the actual coupling element may include the run-off edge of the yarn drum, when coupled together, which can readily be gripped by hand to effect engagement or disengagement, respectively, of the coupling. Additional operating levers, and the like, can be omitted.

Drawings:- Fig. 1 is a side view, half of it in axial section, of a fournisseur including the coupling arrangement; Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 and illustrating another coupling arrangement; Fig. 3 is a half section illustrating a magnetic coupling arrangement; and Fig. 4 is a part-side, part-sectional view of the drum illustrating pneumatically controlled coupling.

The fournisseur-- referring specifically to Fig.

1 - has a holder element 1 which is formed with a groove 2 against which a set screw can bear in order to clamp the holder 1 and with it the fournisseur on the fournisseur carrying ring of a circular knitting machine. The holder 1 has a bore 4 formed therethrough, through which a drive shaft 5 passes. The drive shaft 5 is rotatably secured in the holder 1 by a bearing 7 seated within the holder. The drive shaft 5 has a pulley 8 secured thereto by a clamping nut 9 so that, upon engagement of the pulley 8 with the drive belt, which is customarily part of a circular knitting machine, the shaft 5 will be rotated. The bearing 7 is seated in a bearing seat 6 formed on the holder 1. The drive shaft 5 has a second ball bearing 11 secured thereto, spaced from bearing 7 by a spacer ring 10.The outer race of bearing 11 carries a cage-like yarn supply drum 12. The yarn supply drum 12 is made of two half-shells 13, preferably made of plastic, in which, at their circumferential end portions, rods 14 are seated, uniformly spaced around the circumference of the half-shells.

A cap 16 is secured to the end portion 15 of the drive shaft 5 to rotate therewith. Preferably, the end portion 1 5 has a cross section other than round, for example hexagonal or square, and the cap 1 6 has an opening which matches the shape of the end portion. The cap 16 is formed with a recess 17 deep enough to receive the end portion 15, but permitting axial sliding of the cap 16, up and down with respect to Fig. 1, the non-round cross section of the end portion 1 5 and of the opening 17 in the capninsuring conjoint rotation of the cap 16 and the shaft 5. The cap 16 is formed with a cup-shaped yarn or thread run-off edge 18 at its outer end portion, positioned coaxially with respect to the drum 12 and extending somewhat over the drum 12 by a predetermined distance.The end portion 18 is additionally formed with an upstanding rim 19 which at least in part extends over the pins 14 of the drum 12.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the rotary coupling between the drive shaft 5 and the cap 1 6 is obtained by shaping the end portion 15 and the opening 17 in the cap 16 in hexagonal form.

The holder 1 has a bail 20 secured thereto which carries a yarn supply eye 21. At the opposite side of the drum, a holder 22 is provided which carries a pay-out or take-up eye 23, positioned laterally adjacent the edge portion 18 extending from the cap 1 6. Yarn 24, supplied through the supply eye 21, is wrapped around the drum 1 2 to form thereon a plurality of storage or reserve windings 25. The windings are spirally placed around the drum. The other end of the yarn is then guided through the runout eye 23, for tangential pull-off of the yarn from the drum. The pull-off speed of the yarn 20 thus is always equal to the supply speed of the yarn supplied through the eye 21 which, likewise, supplies the yarn tangentially to the drum.

In accordance with the invention, the drum 12 can be selectively coupled to the drive shaft 5, or uncoupled therefrom. An engageable and disengageable coupling or clutching element is provided.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the coupling is effected by at least one extension on one of the rods 14, illustrated at rod 1 4a of the drum 12, which extends beyond the bottom of the drum 12, as seen at 26, over and beyond the lower end surface of the drum 12 and which, in the position illustrated in Fig.1, engages in a bore 27 formed in the extension rim 18 of the cap 16. Thus, in the position shown in Fig. 1, when the extended pin 1 4a is engaged in the respective hole 27, the drum will be carried along by rotation of the cap 16, which is coupled to the shaft 5 by the nonround profile of the end portion 1 5 and the receiving opening 1 7 in the cap 1 6.

To disengage the coupling, the cap 1 6 is pulled downwardly, so that the edge portion 1 8 is pulled below the end portion 26 of the pin 14a, and so that the end portion 26 is released from engagement with the bore 27. The engaged and disengaged positions of the cap 16, and hence of the rim 18, are defined by notches or grooves 28, 29 engaged by a spring-loaded ball 31 pressed against the respective groove or notch by spring 30.

Preferably, openings 27 are formed along the circumference of the rim 18, closely spaced with respect to each other. More than one of the pins 14 may be elongated as shown at 14a.

Engagement and disengagement of the coupling can be effected regardless of the operating condition of the shaft 5, that is, also when the shaft 5 is being driven by the machine.

The edge 18, with the smoother outer upstanding rim 19 can readily be gripped by hand and pulled downwardly, or pushed upwardly, for respective engagement of the end portions 26 of pins 14a in the respective openings 27.

Embodiment of Fig. 2: The basic arrangement is similar, and similar parts will not be described again; they have been given the same reference numerals. Components not necessary for an understanding of the invention have been omitted.

The basic difference between the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2 is the coupling arrangement between the drum 12 and the drive shaft 5. The pins 14 are all of the same length, and the rim 1 8 with the upstanding ridge or edge 1 9 is not formed with any openings; rather, the cap 1 6 is formed with projecting teeth 33 which match corresponding engaging teeth 34 formed on the inside of the drum 12.As can readily be seen in Fig. 2, which illustrates the drum in engaged, interconnected position, pulling cap 1 6 downwardly will remove the teeth 33 from engagement with the teeth 34, thus permitting free rotation of the drum 12 with respect to the shaft 5, although the cap 1 6 will continue to rotate with the shaft 5; pushing cap 1 6 upwardly engages teeth 33, 34. Fig. 2 shows the engaged position. The respective, engaged and disengaged positions, again, are defined by notches or circumferential grooves 28, 29 formed in the end portion of shaft 5.

Embodiments of Figs. 3 and 4: The basic construction is the same as that previously described, and only essential components necessary for an understanding of the different embodiments have been specifically shown and will be described. In those two embodiments, engagement and disengagement of the drum 12 from driven comnection by shaft 5 is effected by externally controlled force, for example electrical (Fig. 3) or pneumatic (Fig. 4).

In the embodiments of Figs. 3 and 4, cap 16 is connected to the drive shaft 5 by radial pin 35 which engages a matching groove 36 in the cap 1 6 to permit axial movement of the cap 16, but provide for rotary connection between the cap 1 6 and the shaft 5. The bearing 11 is fixed on shaft 5, and prevented from vertical sliding by a C-ring 56, or similar structural element. Cap 16 is formed with coupling teeth 33 (see also Fig. 2) which engage matching teeth 34 formed on the drum 12. Axial movement of the cap 16, in order to effect engagement and disengagement of the coupling teeth, is caused by externally controlled force.

In the embodiment of Fig. 3, an extending portion 37 of the cap 16, formed of non-magnetic material, has an exciter winding 38 secured thereto which is connected by wires 38', only schematically shown, conducted through a longitudinal bore of the shaft 5 to slip rings secured to the holder 1. An armature 40 is provided on the shaft 5 which armature has an offset lower bottom between which a spring 41 is secured, retaining, under normal condition, the parts in the arrangement shown in Fig. 3.

Operation: In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the spring 14 retains the teeth 33, 34 in engaged position. Upon energization of winding 34, the winding is pulled downwardly to match the position of the armature 40 which is fixed to the shaft 5, thus pulling the cap 1 6 and with it the teeth 33 out of engagement from the teeth 34 on the drum 12. Upon deenergization of the coil 38, spring 41, which is a compression spring, will expand to the position shown, and push the cap 1 6 into the position shown in Fig. 3.

Control of the energization of winding 38, and thus of engagement and disengagement of the coupling between the drive shaft 5 and the drum 12, can be effected by suitable switches located within the holder 1, which establish current connection to a fixed energization source, for example a battery or a control current supply. The arrangement can also be made in such a manner, however, that ali, or at least a group of fournisseurs located on a circular knitting machine are connected to a common energization or signaling source so that, selectively or together, control voltages can be applied to all or a number of connected coils 38 so that, centrally, all or a predetermined number of fournisseurs can be engaged or disengaged, as desired. The selective wiring and switching can be connected in accordance with well known suitable logic constructions.

The embodiment of Fig. 4 is, essentially, similar to that of Fig. 3; Fig. 4, however, illustrates yet another embodiment of the coupling connection as well. Rather than using an electrical engagement and disengagement control, pneumatic operation is used in which the shaft 5 is formed with a bore 39' which has a lateral opening between a guide rim 55 and a projection 55' formed on the extension 37 of the part 16 to push the part 16 downwardly upon admission of compressed air to duct 39r which can escape through a small lateral bore between the projection 55 and the element 55' which, together, form a cylinder-piston arrangement within the bore of cap 1 6 receiving the projections 55, 55'. Various other remote operating systems, including, for example, pistoncylinder arrangements, may be used.The spring 41, again, returns the cap 16 to the position shown in Fig. 4 when no compressed air is admitted to the duct 39'.

Control of fournisseurs when secured to a circular knitting machine by electrical or pneumatic coupling is particularly desirable if, in accordance with programs, various fournisseurs are to be individually operated. This is particularly important in Jacquard machines and the like.

Fig. 4 illustrates a coupling arrangement which permits a smooth engagement and disengagement; the coupling as shown in Fig. 4 is a friction coupling 50. The friction coupling 50 can be combined with a positive coupling, for example formed by teeth 33, 34, for example by locating a friction coupling material, similar to automotive clutch or brake drum linings on a resilient substrate, such as foam material or a spring shoe, which first engages a matching opPosite surface and then, upon compression of the resilient material, permits engagement of the positive drive, for example by interengaging teeth 33, 34 or engagement of one or more end portions 26 of projecting pins 14 with holes 27 in the rim 18 of the cap 16.

Fig. 4 illustrates yet another modification: the bearing 11 has been replaced by a slide bearing 51 which, for example, may be of the permanently lubricated type, or a sinter bearing.

When the coupling 50 is engaged, the fournisseur operates as a positive yarn feed element. By providing for selective disengagement, the fournisseur can be operated as a storage fournisseur, in which the yarn is pulled off over the head of the fournisseur and over a fixed thread guide element located beneath the fournisseur, as shown at 51', Fig. 1; the drum 1 2 is then rotated only in order to refill the thread reserve or storage windings thereon.

All parts not necessary for an understanding of the invention have been omitted in Figs. 3 and 4 which, in general, have the same holding and drum construction as described in connection with Fig. 1, where the overall unit is shown completely. The thread and storage windings, and devices to move the storage windings axially on the drum, have all been omitted for clarity.

Reference can be made to the above referred-to German Patent 26 08 590.

The arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1, in which coupling is effected by a projecting pin, is particularly simple and is easily made. By locating the holes 27 closely spaced around the circumference of rim 18, a plurality of positive engagement positions are provided, into which the drum and the shaft can readily snap by axial force exerted against the cap 1 6. This arrangement is particularly suitable for constructions in which the drum is formed with pins 14 located beyond the drum body itself in order to prevent deposits of fluff and lint on the drum and to reduce the overall rotating mass at a position spaced from the center of rotation.

Remote control is particularly important in installations in which the fournisseurs are applied to multi-feed large-diameter knitting machines which are closely located in a mill, so that fournisseurs between adjacent machines have restricted access. Engagement and disengagement can be effected during operation of the machine, and rotation of the fournisseurs.

Various changes and modifications may be made, and features described in connection with any one of the embodiments may be used with any of the others, within the scope of the inventive concept. For example, the connection element 50 (Fig. 4) can include two matching friction surfaces 53, 54 which provide for secure engaged, and smoothly disengaging and reengaging coupling.

Claims (14)

Claims

1. Fournisseur for a textile machine, particularly for a circular knitting machine, having a holder member, a drive shaft rotatably secured on the holder member, a thread or yarn storage drum located coaxially on the drive shaft and rotatable with respect thereto, thread or yarn supply guide means for guiding a thread or yarn to the drum, thread or yarn draw-off guide means for guiding the thread or yarn drawn off from the drum, and selectively engageable and disengageable means to couple the drum and the shaft, whereby the shaft and the drum may be selectively coupled together for conjoint rotation, or uncoupled to permit rotation of one of the shaft and the drum independently of the other.

2. Fournisseur according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means is a positive drive coupling.

3. Fournisseur according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the coupling means comprises a rotatable element coupled to the drive shaft for conjoint rotation therewith, and axially slidable with respect thereto to permit selective coupling and uncoupling in accordance with its axial position on the shaft.

4. Fournisseur according to claim 3, wherein said rotatable element comprises a projecting yarn run-off rim located coaxially with respect to the drum and extending radially beyond the extreme radial dimension of the drum.

5. Fournisseur according to either claim 3 or claim 4, further comprising positive positioning means forming interengaging resiliently deflectable projection-and-recess means located, respectively, on said rotatable element and on the shaft to position the rotatable element axially on the shaft in predetermined coupled or uncoupled location.

6. Fournisseur according to claim 1 , wherein said coupling means comprises interengaging coupling teeth.

7. Fournisseur according to claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises a pin element located eccentrically with respect to the shaft and parallel thereto, positioned on one of the shaft and the drum, and at least one receiving opening positioned to receive the coupling pin and formed on the other.

8. Fournisseur according to claim 7, wherein the drum is a cage-like drum, and said coupling pin comprises a cage pin element projecting beyond the end face of the drum.

9. Fournisseur according to claim 1, further comprising electrical operating means to cause selective engagement and disengagement of the coupling means.

1 0. Fournisseur according to claim 1 further comprising pneumatic operating means to cause selective engagement and disengagement of said coupling means.

11. Fournisseur according to claim 1 , wherein said coupling means comprises a friction element having a friction surface cooperable with a matching friction surface to couple said parts together when the friction surfaces are in mutually engaged position.

12. Fournisseur according to claim 1, further comprising remote force operating means to effect coupling or uncoupling of the coupling means, and wherein a plurality of fournisseurs are located on the machine, and a common control line is provided for at least some of said plurality of fournisseurs to couple or uncouple the fournisseurs connected to the common control line, conjointly.

13. Fournisseur according to claim 12, including selective switching means for selectively operating the remote force means coupled to specifically selected fournisseurs on the machine.

14. Fournisseur for a textile machine substantialiy as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.