GB2467851A

GB2467851A - One-piece roller lateral holding device and setting bend

Info

Publication number: GB2467851A
Application number: GB1002527A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andreas Ebenhoh; Armin Leder
Original assignee: Truetzschler GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Truetzschler GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2009-02-17
Filing date: 2010-02-15
Publication date: 2010-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2030-02-15
Also published as: BRPI1000309B8; CN101805945B; ITMI20100078A1; CH700438A2; DE102009009333A1; BRPI1000309B1; GB201002527D0; GB2467851B; CN101805945A; IT1397897B1; CH700438B1; BRPI1000309A2

Abstract

A lateral holding device 19a for the roller of a spinning room preparation machine and at least one associated setting bend 34a are in the form of a one-piece component, preferably by casting and/ or machining from solid. Through-openings 43a-e in or between which there are arranged flexible positioning elements 44a-d for the setting bend are located between the holding device 19a and setting bend 34a. The nip between components carried by the bend and the clothing carried by the roller may be adjusted by positioning devices 36I-IVextending between the setting bend 34a and a flange 19' of the holding device 19a. The positioning devices may be threaded spindles 36I-IVpreferably extending through openings in the flexible elements 44a-d, or may be thermally expandable metal bar. The flexible elements are preferably arranged symmetrically and may be in the form of a leaf spring having a thickness less than its width or may be arranged in a meandering or serpentine pattern.

Description

Apparatus on a spinning room preparation machine, espec ially a flat card, roller card or the like, for setting a The invention relates to an apparatus on a spinning room preparation machine, especially a flat card, roller card or the like, for setting a working nip.

It is known for a spinning room preparation machine to have a roller, for example a cylinder, which has a cylindrical clothed wall surface, and to have, located opposite the roller clothing and spaced apart radially therefrom, clothed and/or non-clothed movable or fixed machine elements and two fixed lateral holding devices (side screens), in which setting bends are provided as supporting elements for the machine elements, which setting bends are associated with the lateral holding devices (side screens), the setting bends being used for setting the working nip and positioning devices being associated with the setting bends.

In modern carding machines it is essential to set the carding nip, that is to say the spacing between the cylinder clothing and the clothings and working elements located opposite it, before the machines are brought into operation. The setting operation is necessary because true-to-size fabrication of the individual components is not possible on account of tolerances and application-related height differences. For that purpose there are used so-called setting bends on which functional elements such as blades, carding elements, revolving card tops etc. are mounted. The setting bends are screwed movably onto the side screen of the cylinder and are moved into their final setting position by means of setting spindles. This procedure has proved its worth for more than eighty years now and is used by every carding machine manufacturer.

The spacings between the cylinder clothing and surfaces lying opposite the cylinder clothing (counter-surfaces) are of major importance for the technical characteristics of the machinery and fibres. The carding result, that is to say in terms of cleaning, nep formation and fibre shortening, is substantially dependent upon the carding nip, that is to say the spacing between the cylinder clothing and the clothings of the revolving and fixed card tops. Guiding air around the cylinder and directing away heat are likewise dependent upon the spacing between the cylinder clothing and clothed or non-clothed surfaces lying opposite, for example take-off blades or casing elements. The spacings are subject to a variety of influences, some of which act counter to one another. The wear to clothings lying opposite one another results in an increase in the size of the carding nip, which is associated with a rise in the number of neps and with a reduction in fibre shortening. Increasing the speed of rotation of the cylinder, for example in order to enhance the cleaning action, entails expansion of the cylinder, including the clothing, as a result of centri-fugal force and, consequently, brings about a reduction in the size of the carding nip. Also, during the processing of large amounts of fibre and certain kinds of fibre, for example synthetic fibres, the cylinder expands as a result of a rise in temperature, so that the spacings become smaller for that reason.

The carding nip is affected especially by the machine settings on the one hand and by the condition of the clothing on the other hand. The most important carding nip of the revolving card top carding machine is located in the main carding zone, that is to say between the cylinder and the revolving card top assembly. In practice, the card tops slide on curved strips, the flexible bends (resilient bends), which are arranged approximately concentrically with respect to the cylinder and are attached as separate structural elements to the side screens (machine frame) of the carding machine, this being effected in such a way that they can be adjusted by means of positioning devices (DE 29 48 825 C2), for example by means of threaded spindles. Because the radius of the cylinder clothing also decreases as the clothing is worn down, the flexible bends, when they approach the cylinder, also have to be able to give so that their curvature matches the cylinder radius that is becoming smaller. The same applies to the compensation of manufacturing tolerances. For that purpose, the flexible bends are generally cast from a special alloy which has a high degree of elasticity and is able to give to the necessary shape. During the setting operation, the sliding surface is displaced by about from 0. 2 to 4 mm. A disadvantage is that in the event of unequal radial settings undesirable warping will occur. In addition, the geometry is dependent upon the number of setting spindles, that is to say the precision and uniformity of the spacing between card top and cylinder clothing is not the same at all locations over the entire bend. Manufacture and mounting are very complicated. Parts are produced individually. The flexible bend tends to become distorted as a result of its low inherent rigidity.

The setting operation by means of the positioning spindles for the production of a uniform carding nip in the circumferential direction at the beginning of mounting or in the event of re-setting during operation is complic-ated. Setting the setting spindles accordingly only enables the flexible bend to be curved to a greater or lesser degree with respect to the rotational axis of the cylinder (change in the radius of curvature) . The rigid side screen, to which the flexible bend is attached as a separate component, remains unchanged, resulting in a functional separation.

In the pre-and/or post-carding zone(s) (between licker-in and revolving card top and between revolving card top and doffer, respectively), the cylinder regularly has located opposite it a plurality of fixed (stationary) working elements, for example fixed carding elements, extraction devices, take-off blades, guide plates and the like, which -seen in the circumferential direction of the roller-are arranged one next to the other.

Wa 2007/033504 A discloses an arrangement in the post-carding zone of a carding machine in which two take-off modules (with blades), a carding segment and a guide element form a fixed structural unit, each unit being attached at its end to a bend (extension bend) . The bends are attached to the carding machine frame by means of bolts which co-operate with seatings on the respective bend. The wall elements of the take-off modules are attached to the bend independently of one another by means of their respective foot parts, this being effected in each case in such a way that the spacing between the foot part and the cylinder clothing can be set selectably. The bend and the carding machine frame are separate structural elements. The setting of the working elements with respect to the bend is effected by means of their foot parts.

Setting of the bend is not intended; the bend is used only as a support means during the setting operation.

Setting bends (adjustment bends) can be present also in the lower carding zone (between doffer and licker-in) In all cases, setting of the working and functional elements is provided, whereas on the other hand the rigid side screen or carding machine frame remains fixed and unchanged.

The known setting bends (flexible bends and extension bends) are separate structural elements which have to be manufactured and mounted separately. The use of separate setting bends is based on the manufacture of a large number of individual parts with appropriately precise interfaces and appropriate cutting by machining. A further disadvantage lies in the additional space requirement.

Another problem is the amount of mounting work necessary for the attachment of the setting bends.

It is an aim of the invention to provide an apparatus of the kind described at the beginning which avoids or mitigates the mentioned disadvantages, which is especially simple in terms of structure and mounting and which enables the setting of the working nip to be improved.

The invention provides an apparatus on a spinning room preparation machine for setting a working nip, having a roller, which has a cylindrical clothed wall surface, and having, located opposite the roller clothing and spaced apart radially therefrom, clothed and/or non-clothed movable or fixed machine elements, opposed fixed lateral holding devices for the roller, and setting bends usable for setting the working nip, wherein at least one said lateral holding device and at least one associated setting bend are formed as a one-piece component, and the component has between the holding device and said setting bend through-openings in or between which flexible positioning elements for the setting bend are arranged.

Using the apparatus according to the invention it is possible in an elegant way to produce the side screen, or carding machine frame, and the setting bends as one component and nevertheless to enable setting to be carried out (inter alia compensation of all or substantially all tolerances) . By virtue of the fact that at least one setting bend is merged and formed in one piece with the respective holding device, for example side screen, it is advantageously possible to use fewer individual parts. The setting bends are integrated into the side screens. In this simple way, functional unification is achieved, in which the side screens fulfil both the supporting function and a setting function for the machine elements. The setting bends are flexibly adjustable.

Further advantages of preferred embodiments of the invention are in particular that an existing machine element (side screen) is modified in order that the setting bend can be integrated mechanically therein. The setting bend is accordingly part of the machine element.

As a result, on the one hand space is saved and on the other hand a highly functional unit is obtained. Since it is possible in some embodiments for an extremely wide variety of functional elements to be arranged on the machine element (side screen), the setting bend is therefore combined with a functional group of the textile machine, so that this combination serves a plurality of functions simultaneously.

The individual components (setting bends) that are difficult to manage are no longer present and the interfaces necessary for joining the individual parts are no longer present. The precision of the total system for forming the carding nip can be increased.

Advantageously, the holding device and the setting bend are merged with one another. Preferably, the setting bend is integrated into the holding device.

Advantageously, a portion of the holding device forms the setting bend. For example, a convexly curved portion of the holding device may form the setting bend. In one advantageous embodiment, a sub-region of the periphery of the holding device forms the setting bend.

Advantageously, the holding device is a side screen. In some advantageous embodiments the holding device consists of a resilient metal. Advantageously, the side screen consists of aluminium or an aluminium alloy. Preferably, the holding device, the at least one setting bend and the flexible positioning elements are in one piece.

Preferably, on each side of the carding machine there is provided a one-piece component comprising holding device, at least one setting bend and flexible positioning elements. Advantageously, the one-piece component comprises between holding device and setting bend a structure comprising through-openings and flexible positioning elements. Preferably, the setting bend is flexibly settable. Advantageously, the flexible positioning elements are flexural elements.

Advantageously, there are flexural regions in the openings. Advantageously, the flexural regions and/or the flexural elements are in the form of patterns. For example, the flexural regions and flexural elements may cooperate to form one or more patterns, which may each have one or more axes of symmetry. Preferably, the pattern forms a structure (pattern structure) The flexural regions may be in the form of a structure (flexural structure) . Preferably, the patterns comprise loops. Advantageously, the patterns are formed by regions of flat metal. For example, the flexural elements may be in the form of leaf springs or the like.

In another embodiment, the pattern may comprise a meander or the like, or serpentines or the like. In certain preferred embodiments, the pattern is present seen in plan view onto the side screen. Preferably, the pattern is present seen in the axial direction of the cylinder.

Preferably, the pattern has axes extending in a first direction that runs substantially in the radial direction with respect to the side screen or the cylinder.

Preferably, the pattern has axes extending in a second direction, which preferably runs substantially parallel to the tangent with respect to the convex curve of the side panel or the wall of the roller. In one embodiment, the first and second directions are orthogonal.

Advantageously, the first and second directions are not orthogonal. In another embodiment, the pattern has at least unevenly or evenly alternating portions.

In some embodiments there may be first and second said patterns. Preferably, the first and second patterns comprise a plurality of through-openings. Preferably, the patterns enclose a plurality of flexible cells. In that way the movement of the setting bend radially inwards and outwards is facilitated. Preferably, the shaping of the pattern (structure) is flexible. Preferably, the cells grow larger on expansion of the setting bend. Preferably, the cells shrink on contraction of the setting bend.

In embodiments in which the flexible positioning elements comprise loops, through-openings are present outs�de the loops, and/or between the loops.

In a preferred embodiment, the one-piece component has a sandwich-like construction with a radially inner support means and with a radially outer setting bend, the pattern structure being arranged between the setting bend and the support means. Preferably, the setting bend and the support means are connected by positioning devices, for example positioning spindles. The positioning devices, which are not formed in one piece, can provide for movement of the setting band relative to a radially inner support portion of the one piece component.

Preferably, there are provided positioning devices with which the radius (radius of curvature) of the setting bend can be altered. Preferably, the setting devices are able to displace the setting bend in the radial direction.

Preferably, each flexible positioning element, for example loop, leaf spring or the like, is associated with a positioning device. In certain embodiments, the positioning devices include a threaded spindle. In other embodiments, the positioning device comprises a resilient element, for example a compression spring or a leaf spring. In yet further embodiments, the positioning device comprises a thermal expansion element, which may for example comprise a thermally expandable metal bar. In certain embodiments, the positioning device is used for expanding or contracting the pattern structure.

Preferably, the positioning device is arranged concentrically with respect to the pattern structure.

Preferably, the positioning device, for example positioning spindle, is arranged in the centre of the pattern structure on the axis extending in the first direction. Advantageously, the positioning device is able to produce relatively long displacement paths in the case of relatively small changes in tension. Advantageously, the pattern structure is cast together with the one-piece component. After casting, the cast structure is preferably subjected to machine cutting. The pattern structure can advantageously be produced by machining of the component.

In certain embodiments, the setting bend is divided into individual support regions (section) . In that case, the patterns maybe arranged symmetrically with respect to one another inside a support region.

Preferably, a slideway, for example a plastics element, is arranged on the setting bend. There may be associated with the or each said setting bend one or more machine elements. In certain embodiments, the machine element is a clothed card top bar of a revolving card top assembly. In other preferred embodiments, there may be formed as setting bends of said one piece component one or more extension bends, each of which may independently support a plurality of machine elements selected from fixed carding elements, extraction hoods, take-off modules and take-off blades. As well or instead there may be formed as a setting bend of a said one-piece component a flexible bend for movable card top bars. Advantageously, the one-piece component comprises one or more extension bends for fixed working elements or functional elements.

Preferably, there is an extension bend arranged in each of the pre-and/or post-carding region(s) . Advantageously, on the carding machine there are provided only integral setting bends for fixed working elements or functional elements. In some embodiments, the setting bend may be an adjustment bend in the lower region of the carding machine.

The invention further provides an apparatus an a spinning room preparation machine, especially a flat card, -10 -roller card or the like, for setting a working nip, having a roller, for example a cylinder, which has a cylindrical clothed wall surface, and having, located opposite the roller clothing and spaced apart radially therefrom, clothed and/or non-clothed movable or fixed machine elements and two fixed lateral holding devices (side screens), in which setting bends are provided as supporting elements for the machine elements, which setting bends are associated with the lateral holding devices (side screens), the setting bends being used for setting the working nip and positioning devices being associated with the setting bends, wherein the]atera] holding device (side screen) and at least one associated setting bend are in the form of a one-piece component, and the component has between holding device and setting bend through-openings in or between which flexible positioning elements for the setting bend are arranged.

Certain embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail below, by way of illustration, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a carding machine having an apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of a top portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1, showing card. top bars of the revolving card top and a portion of a slideway, of a setting bend (flexible bend) integrated in a side screen and of the cylinder, as well as showing the carding nip between the clothings of the card top bars and the cylinder clothing; -11 -Fig. 3 is a side view of an embodiment in which the side screen has an integrated setting bend (flexible bend) for revolving card top bars, two integrated setting bends (extension bends) for fixed functional elements and an integrated setting bend (adjustment bend) in the lower region of the carding machine; Fig. 4 shows diagrammatically section I -I through the setting bend (flexible bend) integrated in the side screen in accordance with Fig. 3 on one side and a corresponding view on the other side; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a setting bend (flexible bend) integrated in a side screen; Fig. 6 is a side view of a side screen and an integrated setting bend (extension bend) in the pre-carding zone, with fixed functional elements; Fig. 6a is a side view of a carding element and opposed portion of the cylinder clothing; Fig. 7 is a side view of the side screen and an integrated setting bend (extension bend) in the post-carding zone, with fixed functional elements; -12 -Fig. 8 is a side view of the embodiment in accordance with Fig. 6 in detail with flexible positioning elements for the setting bend and with positioning spindles; Fig. 9 is a perspective detailed view of a flexible positioning element merged integrally with the setting bend and the side screen, co-operating with a positioning spindle; Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic side view of a further embodiment of the invention with meander-shaped positioning elements and respectively associated adjusting screws; Fig. ha, llb show the setting bend with two flexible positioning elements in a first position (Fig. ha) and in a second position (Fig. llb) and Fig. llc shows the displacement path and the displacement directions of the setting bend of Figs. ha & hhb.

Fig. 1 shows a carding machine, for example a Trdtzschler flat card IC 07 made by Irdtzschler GmbH & Co. KG of Mönchengladbach, Germany, having a feed roller 1, feed table 2, lickers-in 3a, 3b, 3c, cylinder 4, doffer 5, stripper roller 6, nip rollers 7, 8, web guide element 9, web funnel 10, delivery rollers 11, 12, revolving card top -13 - 13 with card top guide rollers 13a, 13b and card top bars 14, can 15 and coiler 16. The directions of rotation of the rollers are indicated by curved arrows. Reference letter M denotes the centre point (axis) of the cylinder 4. Reference numeral 4a denotes the clothing and reference numeral 4b denotes the direction of rotation of the cylinder 4. Reference letter B denotes the direction of rotation of the revolving card top 13 in the carding position and reference letter C denotes the return transport direction of the card top bars 14, with reference numerals 30', 30'' denoting functional elements and reference numeral 41 denoting a covering below the cylinder 4. The arrow A denotes the working direction.

In an embodiment shown in Fig. 2, on each side of the carding machine there is provided a setting bend 17 (flexible bend) which is integrated monolithically into the associated side screen 19. The setting bend 17 has a convex outer surface 17a and an underside 17b. On top of the setting bend 17 there is a slideway 20, for example made of low-friction plastics material, which has a convex outer surface 20a and a concave inner surface 20b. The concave inner surface 20b rests on top of the convex outer surface 17a and is able to slide thereon in the direction of arrows D, E. Each card top bar 14 consists of a rear part 14a and a carrying member 14b. Each card top bar 14 has, at each of its two ends, a card top head, each of which comprises two steel pins 14, 142. Those portions of the steel pins 14, 142 that extend out beyond the end faces of the carrying member 14b slide on the convex outer surface 20a of the slideway 20 in the direction of the arrow B. A clothing 18 is attached to the underside of the carrying member 14b. Reference numeral 21 denotes the circle of tips of the card top clothings 18. The cylinder 4 has on its circumference a cylinder clothing 4a, for example a sawtooth clothing. The tooth -14 -height of the sawteeth is, for example, h = 2 mm.

Reference numeral 22 denotes the circle of the tips of the cylinder clothing 4a. The spacing (carding nip) between the circle of tips 21 and the circle of tips 22 is denoted by reference letter a and is, for example, 3/1000". The spacing between the convex outer surface 20a and the circle of tips 22 is denoted by reference letter b. The spacing between the convex outer surface 20a and the circle of tips 21 is denoted by reference letter c. The radius of the convex outer surface 20a is denoted by reference letter r3 and the radius of the circle of tips 22 is denoted by reference letter r1. The radii r1 and r3 intersect at the centre point M of the cylinder 4.

Reference numeral 19 denotes the side screen.

In an arrangement according to Fig. 3, a side screen 19a (the side screen 19b on the other side is shown in Fig. 4) is shown with an integrated setting bend 17 (flexible bend) for the revolving card top bars 14 and two integrated setting bends 34a, 35a (extension bends) for fixed functional elements (fixed carding elements, extraction hoods) . The setting bend 17 is arranged in the region of the upper periphery of the side screen 19a. As positioning devices, four positioning spindles 26a to 26d (threaded spindles) are provided which are supported by their one end on a flange 19' of the side screen 19a and by their other end on the setting bend 17. In the two lateral peripheral regions of the side screen 19a there are two setting bends 34a, 35a. As positioning devices, positioning spindles 36', 36'', 36''' and 37', 37'', 37''' are associated with the setting bends 34a and 35a, respectively. The positioning spindles 36', 36'', 36''' are supported by their one end on a flange 19' of the side screen 19a and by their other end on the setting bend 34a. The positioning spindles 37', 37'', 37''' are supported by their one end on a flange 19''' of the side screen and by their other end on the setting bend 35a. The -15 -setting bend 34a is arranged between licker-in 3 and card top guide roller 13a, that is to say in the pre-carding region. On the setting bend 34a there are mounted fixed functional elements 30', which in the example of Figure 3 are non-clothed cover elements 31a to 31c, three fixed carding elements 32a to 32c and three extraction hoods 33a, 33b, 33c. The setting bend 35a is arranged between card top guide roller 13b and doffer 5, that is to say in the post-carding region. On the setting bend 35a there are mounted fixed functional elements 30'', which in the example of Fig. 3 are six fixed carding elements 38a to 38f and three extraction hoods 39a to 39c.

Fig. 4 shows a portion of cylinder 4, for example that of Fig. 3, with a cylindrical surface 4f of its wall 4e and cylinder ends 4c, 4d (radial supporting elements) . The surface 4f is provided with a clothing 4a, which in this example is provided in the form of wire with sawteeth. The sawtooth wire is drawn onto the cylinder 4, that is to say is wound around the cylinder 4 in tightly adjacent turns between side flanges (not shown) , in order to form a cylindrical working surface provided with tips. Fibres should be processed as evenly as possible on the working surface (clothing) . The carding work is performed between the clothings 18 and 4a located opposite one another and is substantially influenced by the position of one clothing with respect to the other and by the clothing spacing a between the tips of the teeth of the two clothings 18 and 4a. The working width of the cylinder 4 is a determining factor for all other working elements of the carding machine, especially for the revolving card tops 14 or fixed card tops 30', 30'' (Fig. 1), which together with the cylinder 4 card the fibres evenly over the entire working width. In order to be able to perform even carding work over the entire working width, the settings of the working elements (including those of additional elements) must be maintained over that working -16 -width. The cylinder 4 itself can, however, become deformed as a result of the drawing-on of the clothing wire, as a result of centrifugal force or as a result of heat produced by the carding process. The journals 23a, 23b of the cylinder 4 are mounted in bearings 25a, 25b, which are mounted on the fixed machine frame 24a, 24b. The diameter, for example 1250 mm, of the cylindrical surface 4f, that is to say twice the radius r4, is an important dimension of the machine and becomes larger during operation as a result of the heat of work. The side screens 19a, 19b are attached to the two machine frames 24a, 24b, respectively.

The setting bends 17, 172 (flexible bends) are integrated monolithically into the side screens 19a, 19b, respectively. The circumferential speed of the cylinder 4 is, for example, 35 rn/sec.

When, in operation, especially at a high production rate and/or when synthetic fibres or cotton/synthetic fibre mixtures are being processed, the carding work gives rise to heat in the carding nip a between the clothings 18 (or in the carding nip d between the clothings 27a, 27b) and the cylinder clothing 4a, the cylinder wall 4e undergoes expansion, that is to say the radius r4 increases and the carding nip a or 6. decreases. The heat is directed via the cylinder wall 4e into the radial supporting elements, the cylinder ends 4c and 4d. The cylinder ends 4c, 4d likewise undergo expansion as a result thereof, that is to say the radius increases. The cylinder 4 is almost entirely encased (enclosed) on all sides: in the radial direction by the elements 14, 30', 30'', 41 (see Fig. 1) and to the two sides of the carding machine by the elements 17, 172, 19a, 19b, 24a, 24b. As a result, scarcely any heat is radiated from the cylinder 4 to the outside (to the atmosphere) . Nevertheless, the heat of the cylinder ends 4c, 4d of large surface area is especially conveyed by means of radiation to a consider-able extent to the side screens 19a, 19b of large surface -17 -area, from where the heat is radiated out to the colder atmosphere. As a result of that radiation, the side screens 19a, 19b expand to a relatively lesser degree than the cylinder ends 4c, 4d, which results in a reduction of the carding nip a (Fig. 2a) and of the carding nip d (see Fig. 6a) that ranges from undesirable (in terms of the result of carding) to hazardous. The carding elements (card top bars 14) are mounted on the setting bends 17, 172 (flexible bends) and the fixed carding elements 30 are mounted on the setting bends 34a, 35a (extension bends), which are in turn merged integrally with the side screens 19a, 19b. In the event of heating, the lifting of the setting bends 17a, 17b -and, as a result, of the clothings 18 of the card top bars 14 -increases less, compared to the expansion of the radius r4 of the cylinder wall 4e -and, as a result, of the clothing 4a of the cylinder 4 -, which results in narrowing of the carding nip a. The cylinder wall 4e and the cylinder ends 4c, 4d are made of steel, for example St 37, having a linear thermal expansion coefficient of = 11.5 x 10 [1/°K]. In order then to compensate for the relative differences in the expansion of the cylinder ends 4c, 4d and the cylinder wall 4e, on the one hand, and the side screens 19a, 19b (because radiation of heat into the atmosphere is impeded by the encasing of the cylinder 4 but heat is radiated freely into the atmosphere from the side screens), the side screens consist, for example, of aluminium having a linear thermal expansion coefficient of = 23.8 x 10-6 [1/°K]. In accordance with another construction, the cylinder 4 can also be made of glass-fibre-reinforced plastics material and the side screens 19 can be made, for example, of cast iron GG having a linear thermal expansion coefficient of = 10.5 x 10 [1/°K]. In both cases, the radial expansion of the side screens 19a, 19b is greater than the radial expansion of the cylinder 4. By that means, even though the expansion of the cylinder 4 remains -18 -the same, the machine elements, for example card top bars and/or carding bars, are displaced outwards, or lifted, in the radial direction. As a result, the undesirable reduction in the carding nip a due to thermal influences is greatly reduced or made smaller.

By means of the positioning spindles 26a to 26d; 36' to 36''; 37' to 37w, the radii of curvature of the setting bends 17, 34, 35, respectively, are matched to the respective radius of curvature r4 of the cylinder 4. That is routinely effected prior to the carding machine's being brought into operation. Adaptive adjustment during the operating phase is likewise possible.

In an embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the side screen 19a and the setting bend 17, (flexible bend) are in the form of a one-piece component. That one-piece construction, which is shown diagrammatically in section in Fig. 4, is shown in perspective view in Fig. 5. An analogous construction is also described in greater detail below in Fig. 8 using the example of the setting bend 34a (extension bend) In the embodiment of Figs. 6 and 7, there are integrated into the side screen 19a (the same applies to the side screen 19b, see Fig. 4) a setting bend 34a (extension bend) in the pre-carding zone and a setting bend 35a (extension bend) in the post-carding zone. The setting bends 34a and 35a each co-operate with four positioning spindles 36' to 36'' and 37' to 37'', respectively. The fixed functional elements 30', 30'', for example carding elements 32, are in the form of modules B, to B, and C, to C3, respectively, which are attached to the respective setting bend 34a, 35a by means of setting screws 40a, 40b (only two screws shown) . The functional elements 30' can also be attached to the setting bend 34a, 35a individually by means of at least one setting screw 40a, 40b, respectively.

-19 -Fig. 6a shows a fixed carding element 32, the clothings 27a, 27b of which have a carding nip d with respect to the clothing 4a of the cylinder 4.

Fig. 8 shows the embodiment in accordance with Figure 6 in detail with flexible positioning elements for the setting bend 34a (extension bend) and with positioning spindles 36' to 36w. That embodiment can be used in the same way for the setting bend 35a (extension bend) in accordance with Fig. 7 and for the setting bend 17, (flexible bend) in accordance with Fig. 5.

According to Fig. 8, as fixed lateral holding device there is provided the side screen 19a (a portion of which is shown) . As supporting element for the functional elements, for example fixed carding elements 32, there is provided the setting bend 34a (extension bend) which is associated with the side screen 19a. As positioning devices, four positioning spindles 36' to 36 (threaded spindles) are associated with the setting bend 34a. The side screen 19a and the setting bend 34a are in the form of a one-piece component 42. The one-piece component 42 has between side screen 19a and setting bend 34a through-openings 43a to 43e in which leaf-spring-like flexural elements 44a to 44d are arranged as flexible positioning elements. In that way, the side screen 19a and the setting bend 34a are merged with one another. The setting bend 34a is integrated into the side screen 19a i.e. a part of the side screen 19a forms the setting bend 34a. The flexural elements 44a to 44d form the connecting bridge between side screen 19a and setting bend 34a and are an integral part of the one-piece component 42. As a result of the flexural elements 44a to 44d, flexural regions are present in the region between side screen 19a and setting bend 34a. Adjacent openings 43a to 43e and flexural regions 44a to 44d alternate with one another. Seen in the axial direction with respect to the cylinder 4, the flexural regions are in the form of a pattern and the pattern forms -20 -a structure (pattern structure) . The pattern has axes extending in a first direction -substantially in the radial direction with respect to the side screen 19a or the cylinder 4. There is an axis of symmetry S. The loops of the flexural elements 44a and 44b have a left-hand curve and the loops of the flexural elements 44c and 44d have a right-hand curve. It is also possible (not shown) for the loops of the flexural elements 44a and 44c to have a left-hand curve and the loops of the flexural elements 44b and 44d to have a right-hand curve. Finally, the two further alternatives (not shown) are also possible: flexural elements 44a and 44b have right-hand curves and flexural elements 44c and 44d have left-hand curves or flexural elements 44a and 44c have right-hand curves and flexural elements 44b and 44d have left-hand curves. As a result of the afore-mentioned arrangements around respective axes of symmetry, mechanical stability and uniform spatial displacement of the setting bend 34a outwards or inwards in the radial direction is achieved.

The one-piece component 42 (comprising side screen 19a, setting bend 34a, flexural elements 44a to 44d) can be made in any suitable manner. By way of illustration, it can be cast in one piece (metal casting), for example from aluminium. In an alternative illustration, the one-piece component 42 can be produced by mechanical processing, especially cutting by machining, in which the openings 43a to 43e are carved out of a solid material. In a final illustration, the one-piece component 42 can be produced by casting and the flexural elements 44a to 44d and/or the openings 43a to 43e finished mechanically.

In an illustrative arrangement shown in Fig. 9, the flexural element 44c is as constructed from flat metal.

When stretched out, the flexural element is a metal strip, the thickness e of which is less than its width f. The flexural element 44c is a kind of leaf spring having a loop. At its one end the flexural element 44c grows out of -21 -the flange 19' and at its other end it merges into the setting bend 34a. Starting from the flange 19', the flexural element 44c first has, approximately orthogonally, a straight portion 44, which is followed at an obtuse angle by an ascending portion 442 which merges by way of a curved portion 443 (right-hand curve) into a further ascending portion 444, which is followed at an obtuse angle by the last portion 445 which is arranged approximately orthogonally with respect to the setting bend 34a. In that way, with the flexural element 44c a resilient leaf spring is formed which can be extended and contracted in the radial direction.

To implement the flexural movement or deformation, the positioning spindle 36' is used which is attached by its one end to the flange 19' and by its other end to the setting bend 34a. The setting spindle 36' passes through the portions 442 and 444 of the flexural element 44c by way of through-apertures, for example bores, located therein.

At its end region facing the flange 19' the positioning spindle 36' has a (known, not shown) screw thread which co-operates with two setting nuts 45, 46. The other end of the positioning spindle 36' is secured in an opening, for example a bore, in the setting bend, for example by means of a screw connection (not shown) . By loosening and securing the setting nuts 45, 46, the setting spindle 36''' can be displaced in direction F, G and thus the setting bend can be displaced radially outwards (in direction F) or inwards (in direction G) . Reference numerals 47 and 48 denote washers.

In a further embodiment shown in Fig. 10, two flexible flexural elements 49a, 49b are -seen in side view -meander-shaped. The two meander structures are arranged symmetrically with respect to one another.

Passing through the loops of the two meander-shaped flexural elements 49a, 49b are two respective setting -22 -screws 50a, 50b. The flexible flexural elements 49a, 49b can also be of serpentine shape or the like (not shown) Figures ha and hib show diagrammatically the displacement -shown exaggerated -of a slide bend portion 34' outwards in the radial direction (arrow H in Fig. lic) . The displacement path g between the spacings e and f is about � 2 mm. Displacement inwards in the radial direction (arrow I in Fig. ho) takes place analogously.

In accordance with the invention, in a flat card any one or more of an extension bend upstream of a revolving card top, a flexible bend associated with the revolving card top and an extension bend downstream of the revolving card top may be integrally formed with a lateral holding device and displaceable relative thereto by means of flexible positioning elements between and integrally formed with said bend(s) and the holding device. In a carding machine without a revolving card top, there may analogously be one or more setting bends integrally formed with a lateral holding device and displaceable relative thereto by means of flexible positioning elements between and integrally formed with said bend(s) and the holding device. The invention encompasses arrangements in which all of the bends present are integrally formed with the holding device, or in which fewer than all, including only one, of a plurality of bends present are integrally formed with the holding device. Other bends present may be attached by conventional means.

-23 -Reference numerals 1 feed roller

2 feed table

3a, 3b, 3c lickers-in 4 cylinder 4a cylinder clothing 4b direction of rotation of the cylinder 4c cylinder end 4d cylinder end 4e cylinder wall 4f cylinder wall surface doffer 6 stripper roller 7, 8 nip rollers 9 web guide element web funnel 11, 12 delivery rollers 13 revolving card top 13a, 13b card top guide rollers 14 card top bars 14a rear part 14b carrying member 14c interior 14, 142 steel pins can 16 coiler 17; 17, 172 setting bends (flexible bends) 17a outer surface 17b underside 18 card top clothings 19; 19a, 19b side screen slideway 20a outer surface 20b inner surface -24 - 21 circle of tips of the card top clothings 22 circle of tips of the cylinder clothing 23a, 23b journals 24a, 24b machine frame walls 25a, 25b bearings 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d positioning spindles 27a, 27b fixed carding element clothings 28', 28' through-slots 29 through-opening 30', 30' functional elements 31a to 31c cover elements 32; 32a to 32c fixed carding elements 33a to 33c extraction hoods 34; 34a, 34b setting bends (extension bends pre-carding region) 35; 35a, 35b setting bends (extension bends post-carding region) 36', 36'', 36''', 36'' positioning spindles 37 37, 37m 371V positioning spindles 38a to 38f fixed carding elements 39a to 39c extraction hood 40a, 40b fixing screws 41 cover 42 one-piece component 43a to 43e through-openings 44a to 44d flexible flexural elements setting nut 46 setting nut 47 washer 48 washer 49a, 49b meander-shaped flexural elements 50a, 50b setting screws 51 setting bend (adjustment bend lower region of carding machine)

Claims

-25 -Cia iins 1. An apparatus on a spinning room preparation machine for setting a working nip, having a roller, which has a cylindrical clothed wall surface, and having, located opposite the roller clothing arid spaced apart radially therefrom, clothed and/or non-clothed movable or fixed machine elements, opposed fixed lateral holding devices for the roller, and setting bends usable for setting the working nip, wherein at least one said lateral holding device and at least one associated setting bend are formed as a one-piece component, and the component has between the holding device and said setting bend through-openings in or between which flexible positioning elements for the setting bend are arranged.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said at least one holding device and associated setting bend or bends are merged with one another.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the or each associated setting bend is integrated into said at least one holding device.
4. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which a portion of said at least one holding device forms the or each associated setting bend.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4, in which a convexly curved portion of said at least one holding device forms the or each associated setting bend.
6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which a region of the periphery of the holding device forms the or each associated setting bend.
7. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which said at least one holding device is a side screen.

-26 -
8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which said at least one holding device consists of a resilient metal.
9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which said at least one side screen consists of aluminium or an aluminium alloy.
10. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which said at least one holding device, said at least one associated setting bend and the flexible positioning elements are in one piece.
11. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which on each side of the carding machine there is provided a one-piece component comprising holding device, at least one setting bend and flexible positioning elements.
12. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in which between holding device and setting bend, the one-piece component is in the form of a structure comprising through-openings and flexible positioning elements.
13. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which the flexible positioning elements are flexural elements.
14. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, in which there are flexural regions in the openings.
15. An apparatus according to claim 14, in which the flexural regions are arranged according to one or more patterns.
16. An apparatus according claim 15, in which the pattern forms a three-dimensional structure.
17. An apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 16, in which the flexural regions cooperate in the form of a flexural structure.
18. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 17, in which the flexural elements comprise loops.
19. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 18, in which the flexural elements consist of flat metal.

-27 -
20. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 19, in which the flexural elements are in the form of leaf springs.
21. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 20, in which the pattern formed by the flexural elements is a meandering pattern.
22. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 21, in which the pattern formed by the flexural elements comprises a serpentine pattern.
23. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 22, in which a patterned configuration is present seen in plan view onto the side screen.
24. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 23, in which a patterned configuration is present seen in the axial direction of the cylinder.
25. An apparatus according to claim 23 or claim 24, in which the pattern has axes extending in a first direction.
26. An apparatus according to claim 25, in which the first direction runs substantially in the radial direction with respect to the side screen or the cylinder.
27. An apparatus according to claim 25 or claim 26, in which the pattern has axes extending in a second direction.
28. An apparatus according to claim 27, in which the second direction runs substantially parallel to the tangent with respect to the convex curve of the side panel or the wall of the cylinder.
29. An apparatus according to claim 27 or claim 28, in which the first and second directions are orthogonal.
30. An apparatus according to claim 27 or claim 28, in which the first and second directions are not orthogonal.
31. An apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 30, in which the pattern has at least unevenly or evenly alternating portions.

-28 -
32. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 31, in which first and second patterns formed by the flexural elements comprise a plurality of through-openings.
33. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 32, in which a pattern formed by the flexural elements encloses a plurality of flexible cells.
34. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 34, in which the shaping of a pattern formed by the flexural elements and flexural regions is flexible.
35. An apparatus according to claim 34, in which cells between the flexural elements grow larger on expansion of the setting bend.
36. An apparatus according to claim 34 in which cells between the flexural elements shrink on contraction of the setting bend.
37. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 36, in which through-openings are present outside loops of the flexural elements.
38. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 37, in which through-openings are present between loops of the flexural elements.
39. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 38, in which the one-piece component has a radially inner support means and a radially outer setting bend, a pattern structure being arranged between the setting bend and the support means.
40. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 39, in which the setting bend and the support means are connected by positioning devices.
41. An apparatus according to claim 40, in which the positioning devices are positioning spindles.
42. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 42, in which there are provided positioning devices with which the radius of curvature of the setting bend can be altered.

-29 -
43. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 42, in which the positioning devices are able to displace the setting bend in the radial direction.
44. An apparatus according to claim 42 or claim 43, in which each flexible positioning element is associated with a positioning device.
45. An apparatus according to any one of claims 42 to 44, in which the positioning devices include a threaded spindle.
46. An apparatus according to any one of claims 42 to 45, in which the positioning device comprises a resilient element.
47. An apparatus according to claim 46, in which the resilient element is a compression spring.
48. An apparatus according claim 46, in which the resilient element is a leaf spring.
49. An apparatus according to any one of claims 42 to 48, in which the positioning device comprises a thermal expansion element.
50. An apparatus according to claim 49, in which the thermal expansion element comprises a thermally expandable metal bar.
51. An apparatus according to any one of claims 42 to 50, in which the positioning device is used for expanding or contracting a pattern structure that serves to adjust the position of the setting bend.
52. An apparatus according to any one of claims 42 to 51, in which the positioning device and a pattern structure that serves to adjust the position of the setting bend are arranged concentrically with respect to the axis of the roller.
53. An apparatus according to any one of claims 42 to 52, in which a positioning device is arranged in the centre of a pattern structure formed between the radially inner support means and the setting bend on the axis extending in a radial direction relative to the inner support means.

-30 -
54. An apparatus according to any one of claims 42 to 53, in which the positioning device is able to produce relatively long displacement paths in the case of relatively small changes in tension.
55. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 54, in which the one-piece component comprising a pattern structure formed by the flexible positioning elements is cast in one piece.
56. An apparatus according claim 55, in which the cast structure is subjected to machine cutting.
57. An apparatus according claim 56, in which the machine cutting of the component generates the pattern structure.
58. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 57, in which at least one said setting bend is divided into individual support regions.
59. An apparatus according to claim 58, in which two or more pattern structures are arranged symmetrically with respect to one another inside a support region.
60. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 59, in which the setting bend is flexibly adjustable.
61. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 60, in which a slideway is arranged on the setting bend.
62. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 61, in which the machine elements comprise a clothed card top bar of a revolving card top assembly.
63. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 62, in which the machine elements comprise a fixed carding element.
64. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 63, in which the machine elements comprise an extraction hood.
65. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 64, in which the machine elements comprise a take-off module.
66. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 65, in which the machine elements comprise a take-off blade.

-31 -
67. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 66, in which there is present as a said setting bend a flexible bend for movable card top bars.
68. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 67, in which there is present as a said setting bend an extension bend for fixed working elements or functional elements.
69. An apparatus according to claim 68, in which there is an extension bend is arranged in the or each of the pre-and post-carding region(s)
70. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 69, in which on the carding machine there are provided only setting bends for fixed working elements or functional elements.
71. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 70, comprising a said setting bend as an adjustment bend in the lower region of the carding machine.
72. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the spinning preparation machine is a flat card or roller card.
73. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the setting bends are provided as supporting elements for the machine elements.
74. A lateral holding device for a roller of a spinning room preparation machine substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any of Figs 1 to 6, 6a 1 to 10 and ha to hlc.