ITMI20121143A1 - APPARATUS FOR THE PNEUMATIC JOINT OF WIRES AND YARN TO BE INSTALLED ON TEXTILE MACHINES, IN PARTICULAR AUTOMATIC WINDING MACHINES - Google Patents

Description

Apparatus for pneumatic joining of threads and yarns to be installed on textile machines, in particular automatic winders.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the pneumatic joining of threads and yarns to be installed on textile machines, in particular on automatic winders.

From US6,199,360 (IT1998MI1316) an apparatus for the pneumatic joining of threads or yarns is known in which the pressurized air is fed to the preparatory means of the ends of the garments to be joined and to the joining chamber, in the jargon called â € œsplicing chamberâ €, by means of a single distribution valve of the spool type, whose spool is mechanically controlled by a cam obtained in a drum activated in rotation alternatively in the two directions of rotation by a reversible electric motor step-by-step type.

In this known apparatus, the distribution valve has a single inlet port for the pressurized air which is fed, through a supply duct, from a source of pressurized air.

The inlet pressurized air is first fed to the preparatory means, when the spool is driven in a first direction of displacement, and then to the splicing chamber, when the spool is controlled in a second direction of displacement opposite to the first.

The air fed to the distribution valve at a defined pressure and used at this same pressure, unless there is a pressure drop, both by the preparatory means and by the splicing chamber, may not satisfy the needs of preparation and the joining of the ends of thread or yarn to be spliced.

For example, it may be necessary to use air at a different and controllable pressure from that of the air used for joining the ends. Such a need is felt, for example, in the case in which the yarns to be treated include mixed fibers of different nature and / or cellulose, viscose or other fibers, for which it was found that the use for the preparation by pneumatic de-torsion of the air ends at a pressure higher than that used for the subsequent joint, it allows to obtain joints of better quality than those obtained with the use of air at the same pressure for both preparation and junction of the extremities themselves.

The need to be able to use different pressures for the pressurized air fed to the preparatory means and to the splicing chamber, could also arise from different uses and conditions of use of the same in the adduction path respectively to the preparatory means and to the chamber of splicing.

Apparatuses are also known in which the pressurized air is fed to the preparatory means and to the splicing chamber by means of a respective solenoid valve, as for example indicated in US5,680,751. These known types of equipment, however, require the use of high cost components (solenoid valves and related electronic control boards).

The purpose of the present invention is to obviate the drawbacks of the known art.

Another object of the present invention is that of realizing an apparatus for the pneumatic joining of threads and yarns to be installed on textile machines, in particular on automatic winding machines, which is particularly simple and functional, with low costs.

These objects according to the present invention are achieved by realizing an apparatus for the pneumatic joining of threads and yarns to be installed on textile machines, in particular on automatic winders, as set forth in claim 1.

Further characteristics are provided in the dependent claims.

The characteristics and advantages of an apparatus for the pneumatic joining of threads and yarns to be installed on textile machines, in particular on automatic winding machines, according to the present invention, will become more evident from the following description, exemplary and not limiting, referring to the attached schematic drawings in which :

Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation and partially sectioned view of an apparatus according to the present invention with the distribution valve in the rest position;

Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view according to the plane II-II of Figure 1 and from the side opposite to that of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation and partially sectioned view of an apparatus according to the present invention with the distribution valve in the first open position for the supply of compressed air to the preparatory means;

figure 4 is a schematic sectional view according to the plane IV-IV of figure 3 and from the side opposite to that of figure 3;

figure 5 is a schematic side elevation and partially sectioned view of an apparatus according to the present invention with the distribution valve in the second open position for the supply of compressed air to the junction chamber;

figure 6 is a schematic sectional view according to the plane VI-VI of figure 5 and from the side opposite to that of figure 5;

figure 7 schematically shows the pneumatic circuit which feeds the distribution valve of the apparatus according to the present invention.

With reference to the figures, an apparatus 10 is shown for pneumatic joining of threads and yarns to be installed on textile machines.

The apparatus 10 is of the type which can be implemented on textile machines, in particular automatic winders, which are not shown as they are of a known type and are not part of the present invention.

The structure and operation of components and parts of the apparatus 10 or of its variants already known and described, for example, in previous patents, among which, in particular, the following patents are not described and represented here in detail: US5,680,751 (IT1275947) and US6,199,360 (IT1998MI1316), to which explicit reference is made.

In the present description, therefore, those components and parts already known of the apparatus 10, or of its variants, useful for the interpretation and implementation of the present invention, will be described in generic terms.

The apparatus 10 comprises a body 11 on which a junction head 12 is mounted in which a junction chamber is obtained, known in the jargon of the sector as the splicing chamber 13, which is provided with two opposite lateral openings between which extends a longitudinal slit open at the top for the introduction into it of two ends of a thread or yarn to be spliced, not shown for simplicity of representation.

A lid 14 is movably associated with the body 11 for the temporary partial or total closure of the longitudinal slot which constitutes the splicing chamber 13.

The apparatus 10 then comprises, in a known manner, means for clamping the two ends of thread or yarn to be spliced and means for cutting the ends of said two ends, each of which comprises a fixed member and a movable member and which does not they are shown in detail being of a known type and for example described in US5,680,751.

The apparatus 10 also comprises, again in a known way, preparatory means for the pneumatic preparation of the ends of the ends of the thread or yarn to be spliced, the fibers of which are opened and twisted by a jet of injected pressurized air. in the latter preparatory means, of which only one is represented in figures 4 and 6 where it is indicated with the reference number 15.

There are also means for withdrawing, in practice constituted by mobile levers, the ends of the yarns or yarns to be spliced prepared in the preparatory means 15 towards the interior of the splicing chamber 13 so as to overlap them for a predetermined length. Also in this case, for simplicity of representation and description, these withdrawal means are not shown and described in detail as they are of a known type, as for example described in US6,199,360.

As is known, the clamping means, the cutting means, the preparatory means 15 of the ends of the two ends to be joined and the means for withdrawing the prepared ends are arranged at each of the two opposite lateral openings of the longitudinal slot of the splicing chamber 13, to a predetermined distance from them and spaced from each other in a predefined succession.

The apparatus 10 is also provided with a valve 16 distributing compressed air respectively to a first supply duct 17 obtained in the body 11 and which supplies the preparatory means 15 and to a second supply duct 18 obtained in the body 11 and which feeds the splice chamber 13.

The distribution valve 16 is of the spool type and comprises a valve body 19 which is associated with the body 11 and which is provided with an internal cavity in which a spool 20 is housed in a mobile way of rectilinear motion in both directions .

The valve body 19, that is to say the casing or in any case the body of the distribution valve 16, or even just a part of it, can be obtained in one piece in the body 11 or be constituted by a separate component and mounted therein.

The various movable members of the apparatus 10, including, in particular, the movable members of the clamping means and the cutting means, the withdrawal levers and the spool 20, are associated with actuation members, in practice constituted by levers actuators, associated with respective control members, in practice constituted by a respective control cam.

With reference to the embodiment shown in the attached figures, the control cams are each in circular form and are all formed, in the form of hollows or projections, in a single drum 21 which can be rotated by stepping and reversible motor means. and in practice consisting of an electric motor M of the stepping and reversible type, directly or indirectly connected to the drum 21, schematically represented only in Figure 1.

Briefly, referring to what is described for example in US6,199,360, starting from the end that can be associated with the motor are obtained in the drum 21:

- a first control cam consisting of a hollow track T1 which controls, by means of a lever not shown being of a known type, the movable members of the clamping means and the cutting means on one of the two sides of the appliance 10;

- a second control cam consisting of a hollow track T2 which controls, by means of a control lever 22, described below, the rectilinear motion of the spool 20;

- a third control cam consisting of a recessed track with track T3 which controls, by means of an operating lever not shown being of a known type, the movable members of the clamping means and of the cutting means on the other side of the € ™ device 10; - a fourth control cam consisting of a recessed track of track T4 advantageously with a stepped profile and which controls, by means of an operating lever not shown being of known type, the withdrawal levers.

The control of the opening and closing of the cover 14 is delegated to respective control members which can be of the mechanical or pneumatic type, the latter also derived from the distribution valve 16 itself.

A peculiar characteristic of the present invention is the provision of two distinct and separate compressed air inlets in the distribution valve 16, each fed by a respective supply duct associated with a respective source of compressed air, in which the pressure of the compressed air supplied from one of these two sources and, therefore, supply ducts, can be the same or different to that of the air fed by the other of these two sources or in any case adjustable.

It is thus possible to modify and / or differentiate the pressure of the air fed to the preparatory means 15 with respect to that fed into the splicing chamber 13 according to the different operating requirements and, in particular, of preparation and / or junction of the thread or yarn ends to be spliced.

More specifically, the valve body 19 comprises:

- a first compressed air inlet port 23 in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the valve body 19 and with a first compressed air supply duct 24 which can be associated with a first source 25 of compressed air at pressure P1,

- a second inlet port 26 for compressed air in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the valve body 19 and with a second supply duct 27 for compressed air which can be associated with a second source 28 of compressed air at a pressure P2 equal to or different from P1 ,

- a first outlet 29 for compressed air in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the valve body 19 and with the first supply duct 17 to the preparatory means 15 and which, in a first opening position of the distributor valve 16, is placed in communication through the spool 20 with the first inlet port 23 (Figures 3 and 4) e

- a second outlet port 30 for compressed air in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the valve body 19 and with the second supply duct 18 to the splicing chamber 13 and which, in a second opening position of the distributor valve 16, is placed in communication through the spool 20 with the second inlet port 26 (Figures 5 and 6).

As easily understood by the skilled in the art, the first and second inlet ports 23, 26 and outlet 29, 30 are separated from each other by baffles and gaskets.

With particular reference to the embodiment shown in the attached figures, the distribution of the first and second inlet ports 23, 26 and outlet 29, 30 is symmetrical and specular with respect to a transverse median plane of the valve body 19 and indicated by the line A in figure 2.

In particular, the first entrance opening 23 and the second entrance opening 26 are defined at opposite sides of the transverse median plane A. The first exit opening 29, on the other hand, is defined at the side of the first entrance opening 23 opposite the plane transverse median A, while the second exit port 30 is defined to the side of the second entry port 26 opposite the transverse median plane A.

The spool 20, correspondingly, comprises a rod 31 which carries a first end piston 32, a second end piston 33 and a central piston 34 which is interposed between the first end piston 32 and the second end piston 33 at a distance from each of them.

A first groove 35 is defined between the central piston 34 and the first end piston 32, a second groove 36 is also defined between the central piston 34 and the second end piston 33.

The distribution valve 16 assumes a rest position (Figures 1 and 2) in which the spool 20 is centered with respect to the valve body 19 in such a way that the first end piston 32 occludes the first outlet port 29, the second end piston 33 occludes the second outlet port 30 and the central piston 34 keeps the first and second inlet ports 23 and 26 separate.

Starting from the rest position, by moving the spool 20 in one of the two directions, the distributor valve 16 assumes a first opening position (Figures 3 and 4), in which the first groove 35 puts the first inlet port 23 in communication with the first outlet 29 for the supply of compressed air at pressure P1 to the preparatory means 15 through the first supply duct 17.

By moving the spool 20 in the opposite direction, however, the distributor valve 16 assumes a second opening position (Figures 5 and 6), in which the second groove 36 puts the second inlet port 26 in communication with the second outlet port 30 for feed the compressed air at pressure P2 into the splicing chamber 13 through the second supply duct 18.

The central piston 34 keeps the first inlet port 23 separate from the second inlet port 26 in all the rest and opening positions of the distributor valve 16.

The motion of the spool 20 for the passage of the distributor valve 16 from the rest position to the first and second opening position and vice versa is controlled by the lever 22 which has a C-shaped bracket portion constrained to the opposite ends of the spool 20 and which is driven in straight motion by a guide rod 37.

Lever 22 is equipped with an element that slides along the respective second control cam T1. The latter, as known, splits, for at least a stretch, in a first branch R1 and in a second branch R2 separated by a central relief.

The first branch R1 controls at least the displacement of the spool 20 in a first direction from the rest position to the first opening position of the distributor valve 16, when the drum 21 is driven in motion in a first direction to feed compressed air into the preparatory means 15 .

The second branch R2 controls at least the displacement of the spool 20 in a second direction from the rest position to the second opening position of the distributor valve 16, when the drum 21 is driven in motion in a second direction opposite to the first direction to supply compressed air. in the splice chamber 13.

As schematically represented in Figure 7, the first source 25 of compressed air and the second source 28 of compressed air comprise a respective duct 25A and 28A having an outlet end respectively associable to the first supply duct 24 and to the second supply duct 27 and an inlet end that can be associated with a common compressed air supply 38.

Along at least one of the two ducts 25A and 28A, advantageously along each of them, there is a device 39, 40 for varying and controlling the pressure of the compressed air fed by it respectively into the first supply duct 24 or into the second supply duct. power supply 27.

As easily understood by the skilled in the art, the device 39, 40 for varying and controlling the pressure of the compressed air can be constituted by a pressure switch or equivalent devices able to allow control and variation according to the specific operating needs of the appliance 10 the pressure of the compressed air supplied to the respective inlet port of the distributor valve 16.

It should be noted that in this description expressions such as `` compressed air '' and `` pressurized air '' are to be understood as equivalent, as well as `` distribution valve '' or `` distribution valve '', while the distinction between `` first '' and â € œsecondâ € has no limiting value.

In the light of the attached figures and of the above description, the skilled in the art has no difficulty in understanding the operation of the apparatus 10 according to the present invention.

In short, when the control unit associated with the textile machine (automatic winder) on which the appliance 10 is applied receives the signal that the thread being processed has been or has been interrupted so that the appliance 10 must perform the joining of the two ends of it, it sends control and command signals of the motor M so as to activate the stepping motion of the drum 21 first in one direction and then in the opposite direction for the execution of the various phases in which the junction develops.

The motor M is first operated to rotate the drum 21 in a first forward direction so as to activate the clamping and cutting means of the ends of the ends of the wire to be spliced by means of the first and third control cam T1 and T3. .

During this rotation, the spool 20 is moved in a first direction to bring the distributor valve 16 into the first opening position (Figures 3 and 4), in which the first groove 35 puts the first inlet port 23 in communication with the first port output 29 of compressed air so as to feed the compressed air at pressure P1 into the first supply duct 17 and from this into the preparatory means 15 for preparing the ends to be joined.

It is possible to command the stop of the motor M and, therefore, of the drum 21, in this position for a programmed time which determines the duration of the preparation of the ends of the wire to be spliced.

At the end of the phase of preparation of the ends of the wire to be spliced, the control unit rotates the motor M and, therefore, the drum 21 always in the first forward direction to control the withdrawal of the ends to be spliced from the preparatory means 15 towards the Inside the splicing chamber 13 by means of the withdrawal levers until the programmed overlap length is obtained when they are introduced into the splicing chamber 13.

Upon reaching the advancement steps in the first forward direction of the drum 21 as pre-set in the control unit, it sends signals of inversion of the motion of the motor M and, therefore, of the drum 21 in a second return direction opposite to the first.

During this motion, after closing the splicing chamber 13 by the lid 14, the spool 20 is moved in a second direction opposite to the first to bring the distributor valve 16 into the second opening position (Figures 5 and 6), in which the second throat 36 puts the second inlet port 26 in communication with the second outlet port 30 of compressed air so as to feed the compressed air at pressure P2 into the second supply duct 18 and from this into the splicing chamber 13 for the € ™ execution of the junction of the two ends of the wire.

Also in this case, it is possible to command the stop of the motor M and, therefore, of the drum 21, in this position for a programmed time which determines the duration of the joining of the ends of the wire to be joined.

Once the splice is completed, the splicing chamber 13 is opened and the spliced wire extracted.

It should be noted that in the embodiment shown as an example, the apparatus 10 is of the type designed for air junction, however, it can also be of the type designed for junction with air and liquid (water) without altering the inventive concept underlying the present invention. In this case, along the second supply duct 18 there is a device for feeding liquid to the pressurized air fed to the splicing chamber 13.

The device object of the present invention has the advantage of allowing to differentiate the pressure of the compressed air fed to the preparatory means from that of the compressed air fed to the splicing chamber according to the different operating requirements and, in particular, of junction and of the different types of thread or yarn.

Furthermore, the apparatus object of the present invention has a simple and compact structure which makes it easily applicable and usable.

The apparatus for the pneumatic joining of threads and yarns to be installed on textile machines, in particular on automatic winding machines, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are included in the invention; furthermore, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any according to the technical requirements.

Claims (2)

CLAIMS 1) Apparatus (10) for the pneumatic joining of threads and yarns to be installed on textile machines, in particular on automatic winding machines, comprising: - a body (11) on which a joining head (12) is mounted in which is obtained a splicing chamber (13) which is provided with two opposite lateral openings between which extends a longitudinal slit open at the top for the introduction into it of two ends of a thread or yarn to be joined, - preparatory means (15) for the pneumatic preparation of the ends of the ends of the yarn or yarn to be spliced arranged at a distance from said opposite lateral openings of said splicing chamber (13), - at least a first duct (17) for supplying compressed air to said preparatory means (15) and which is obtained in said body (11), - at least a second supply duct (18) of compressed air to said splicing chamber (13) and which is obtained in said body (11), - a plurality of control cams of the movable members of said apparatus (10) which are formed in a cam plate or drum (21) mounted in a movable way in two opposite directions inside said body (11) and can be associated to respective stepper and reversible motor means (M), e - a valve (16) distributing compressed air to said first supply duct (17) and to said second supply duct (18) of the air to said preparatory means (15) and said splicing chamber (13) respectively, the which distribution valve (16) comprises a valve body (19) associated with said body (11) and provided with an internal cavity in which a spool (20) operated by a lever is housed in a rectilinear motion in both directions (22) which is controlled by a respective control cam (T2) of said plate or drum (21) of cams between a rest position of said distributor valve (16), a first opening position of said distributor valve ( 16) to supply compressed air to said first supply duct (17) to said preparatory means (15) and a second opening position of said distribution valve (16) to feed compressed air to said second supply duct adduction (18) to said spl icing, characterized in that said valve body (19) comprises at least: - a first compressed air inlet port (23) in fluid communication with said internal cavity and with a first compressed air supply duct (24) which can be associated with a first source (25) of compressed air at pressure P1, - a second inlet port (26) of compressed air in fluid communication with said internal cavity and with a second supply duct (27) of compressed air which can be associated with a second source (28) of compressed air at an equal or different pressure P2 to P1, - a first outlet port (29) for compressed air in fluid communication with said internal cavity and with said first supply duct (17) to said preparatory means (15) and which, when said distribution valve (16) is in said first opening position, is placed in communication through said spool (20) with said first inlet port (23) and - a second outlet port (30) for compressed air in fluid communication with said internal cavity and with said second supply duct (18) to said splicing chamber and which, when said distribution valve (16) is in said second position opening, is placed in communication by means of said shuttle (20) with said second inlet port (26). 2) Apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said valve body (19) is obtained, at least in part, in said body (11) or brought back into said body (11) 3) Apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of said first source (25) and said second source (28) of compressed air is provided with a variation and control device (39, 40 ) of the pressure of the compressed air fed respectively in said first duct and in said second supply duct (24, 27). 4) Apparatus (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first source (25) of compressed air and said second source (28) of compressed air comprise a respective duct (25A, 28A) having a an outlet end that can be associated with said first supply duct (24) and with said second supply duct (27), respectively, and an inlet end that can be associated with a common compressed air supply (38), in which along at least one of said ducts (25A, 28A) There is a device for variation and control (39, 40) of the pressure of the compressed air fed by it respectively into the first supply duct (24) or into the second supply duct (27). 5) Apparatus (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first inlet port (23) and said second inlet port (26) are defined on opposite sides of a transverse median plane (A) of said valve body (19), in which said first outlet port (29) is defined at the side of said first inlet port (23) opposite to said transverse median plane (A) and in which said second outlet port (30) It is defined on the side of said second inlet opening (26) opposite to said transverse median plane (A). 6) Apparatus (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that said spool (20) comprises a stem (31) carrying a first end piston (32) which, in said rest position of said distribution valve ( 16), occludes said first outlet port (29), a second end piston (33) which, in said rest position of said distribution valve (16), occludes said second outlet port (30) and a piston central (34) which is interposed between said first end piston (32) and said second end piston (33) at a distance from each of them and which, in said rest position and in said first and second opening position of said distributor valve (16), separates said first inlet port (23) from said second inlet port (26), in which between said central piston (34) and said first end piston (32 ) A first groove (35) is defined which, when said distributor valve (16) is in said first opening position ra, places said first inlet port (23) in communication with said first outlet port (29), and in which a second groove is defined between said central piston (34) and said second end piston (33) (36) which, when said distributor valve (16) is in said second opening position, places said second inlet port (26) in communication with said second outlet port (30). 7) Apparatus (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control cam (T1) of said spool (20) is doubled, for at least a section, in a first branch (R1) and in a second branch (R2), in which said first branch (R1) controls at least the displacement of said spool (20) in a first direction from said rest position to said first opening position, when said plate or drum (21) of cams is It is operated in motion in a first direction to feed compressed air into said preparatory means (15) and in which said second branch (R2) controls at least the displacement of said shuttle (20) in a second direction from said rest position to said second open position when said plate or cam drum (21) is driven in motion in a second direction opposite to said first direction to feed compressed air into said splicing chamber (13).