JPH04217552A - Manufacturing system for short fiber bundle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To manufacture a short fiber bundle without having a hollow fiber closed and entailing any flection and unevenness in the fiber. CONSTITUTION:A manufacturing system for a short fiber bundle is provided with a long fiber layer 20 arranging a lot of hollow fibers (f) on a receiving tray 12 in parallel, a fiber cutter 11 cutting at least terminal of the (f) arranged side by side with the long fiber layer 20, a terminal binding machine 30 binding both ends of long bundles f1 whose terminals are cur off, an intermediate binder binding the intermediate part, and a bundle cutter cutting a binding part T1 of a long fiber bundle f2 bound and making it into a short fiber bundle. This long fiber layer 20 receivers the fiber (f) from an upper conveyor at the upper part as reciprocatively moving in the longitudinal direction of the troughlike receiving tray 12 at the lower part, while it receives the fiber (f) from this upper conveyor 41 at the same speed as delivery speed of the fiber, and it hangs it on the tray 12 at the same speed as traveling speed of a lower conveyor 22 for delivery, through which lot of the fibers (f) are arranged on the tray 12 side by side.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing short fiber bundles by binding at least one end of a large number of hollow fibers.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Fluid processing devices using hollow fibers are used in a wide range of fields such as separation of various gases, solution processing, dialysis of blood and body fluids, and ultrafiltration. In manufacturing such a device, at least one end of a large number of hollow fibers is tied together, the end is cut, the open end is temporarily sealed if necessary, and then the fiber is housed in a housing. Thereafter, the end of the fiber bundle and the inner wall of the casing are sealed with an adhesive such as polyurethane, and the adhesive seal is cut to form an open end of the fiber. Therefore, when manufacturing a fluid treatment device, it is necessary to provide a short fiber bundle manufacturing device that binds a large number of fiber bundles.

[0003] The above-mentioned short fiber bundle manufacturing apparatus cuts the continuously flowing fibers to a set length by grasping them near both sides of the cutting point and pulling them together, and after accumulating the cut fibers, cuts the fibers at the ends of the fibers. A device for binding parts is known (for example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-339).

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, since the fibers are gripped and pulled, it is inevitable that a tensile force is applied to the hollow fibers, and as a result, the hollow fibers become smaller in diameter and become clogged. There is a risk of If it is blocked in this way, it cannot be used as a filter element.

[0005] In recent years, the cutting length of fibers has been set to several times the length used for membrane modules, and after the long fibers are tied at both ends and in the middle, each tied part is cut using a bundle cutting machine. A device has been developed to obtain short fiber bundles by cutting with
For example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-37185). If such long fibers are held at both ends, the fibers will stretch due to their own weight, which may cause the hollow fibers to become clogged. Therefore, it cannot be used as a filter element after all.

[0006] Furthermore, in the above conventional technology, both ends of the fiber are gripped and pulled, so when this grip is released, the fiber returns inward from both ends due to the elasticity of the fiber, causing the fiber to bend or end. In order to prevent this problem from occurring, both ends of the fibers are alternately pressed against the receiving member by two sets of restraining pieces. In other words, in order to prevent the fibers from bending or having irregular ends, a restraining piece must be provided, which leads to the complexity and size of the device.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and is a short fiber bundle that does not have the risk of clogging the hollow fibers and does not require a separate device to prevent bending or unevenness of the fibers. The purpose is to provide manufacturing equipment.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fiber layer in which a large number of hollow fibers are arranged in parallel in a gutter-like tray, and at least the terminal ends of the fibers arranged in this fiber layer. It is equipped with a fiber cutting machine for cutting, and a binding machine for binding at least one end of the plurality of fibers whose terminal ends have been cut. The fiber layer receives fibers from an upper fiber feeder at the same speed as the fiber feeding speed while reciprocating in the longitudinal direction of the lower receiving tray, and receives fibers at the same speed as the moving speed. By dropping the fibers onto the tray and letting them out, a large number of fibers are arranged in parallel on the tray.

According to this invention, the fiber layer receives the fibers from the upper conveyor and drops them onto the lower tray while reciprocating in the longitudinal direction of the receiving tray. Accumulated. Here, the fiber layer receives fibers at the same speed as the fiber payout speed from the upper fiber feeder and is moving at the same speed as the fiber payout speed to the lower receiving tray.
The fibers do not stretch or loosen.

0010

Embodiments Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, an example will be described in which a long fiber bundle in which both ends of a large number of hollow fibers are tied is divided to produce a plurality of short fiber bundles in which both ends are tied. It is also possible to produce a single short fiber bundle from the beginning without dividing the long fiber bundle, or to produce a fiber bundle with one end free by tying only one end of the fiber bundle. 1 to 8 show a first embodiment.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are a schematic plan view and a front view, respectively, of an apparatus for producing short fiber bundles. As shown in FIG. 3, this manufacturing apparatus includes a long fiber bundle manufacturing machine 10, an intermediate binding machine 30A, a bundle cutting machine 60, and a short fiber bundle conveying machine 70.
It is composed of etc.

First, the long fiber bundle manufacturing machine 10 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 1, the long fiber bundle manufacturing machine 10 includes a long fiber layer 20, a fiber cutting machine 11, and an end binding machine 30.
It is equipped with such things as This long fiber bundle manufacturing machine 10 receives the yarn f (indicated by a two-dot chain line) sent from the yarn feeder 40 and binds the yarn f to manufacture a long fiber bundle f2. It is something.

The yarn feeder 40 feeds the long fiber layer 20 with yarn f, which is made by assembling a large number (for example, about 100) of hollow fibers. This yarn feeder 40 includes a traverser 42 that slightly reciprocates in the direction of arrow F to adjust the position of yarn f to be sent to an upper conveyor (fiber feeder) 41, and a yarn storage device 43 provided upstream of this traverser 42. It is equipped with The yarn storage device 43 is equipped with a guide roller 44, a lower limit detector 45, an intermediate detector 46, an upper limit detector 47, and a moving roller (not shown) that moves up and down, and allows the yarn f sent from upstream to be used as needed. It is stored accordingly.

The long fiber layer 20 is equipped with a middle conveyor 21 and a lower conveyor 22, and receives the yarn f from the upper conveyor 41 while reciprocating in the longitudinal direction of the gutter-shaped tray 12 below. , by dropping the yarn f onto the saucer 12 and letting it out, the yarn f
A large number of these are lined up on a tray 12 to form an unbound long bundle f1 of about 3,000 to 15,000 pieces. The upper, middle, and lower conveyors 41, 21, and 22 have belts with a large number of grooves on their surfaces, and belts that have a large frictional force with the yarn f are used.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the long fiber layer 20. The lower conveyor 22 constitutes a part of a U-shaped conveyor 23 having a U-shaped belt 23a wound endlessly. The drive roller 23b at the upper left of the U-shaped conveyor 23 and the drive roller 41a of the upper stage conveyor 41 are connected to a motor (not shown) and rotate in the directions of arrows C and D, respectively. Both drive rollers 41a and 23b are supported by a fixed frame (not shown), and their axial center positions are fixed.

The U-shaped conveyor 23 has a pair of horizontally long plate-shaped first moving frames 24. The first moving frame 24 rotatably supports a pair of upper and lower intermediate rollers 23d of the U-shaped conveyor 23 and a pair of middle rollers 21a of the middle conveyor 22. A pair of left and right wheels 23d are provided on the legs of the first moving frame 24.
is attached, and the first moving frame 24 is movably supported on the rail surface 23e. A small second moving frame 25 supporting the lower conveyor 22 has wheels 25a attached to its lower part.
The moving frame 25 can travel at a different moving speed from the first moving frame 24. A tension roller 22a of the lower conveyor 22 is rotatably attached to the second moving frame 25.

One end of an end-shaped running wire 26a is connected to the upstream end of the second moving frame 25. The running wire 26a is wound around a running drive pulley 26b and a running driven pulley 26c which are pivotally supported on a fixed frame (not shown). Both pulleys 26b and 26c are rotatably supported by a fixed frame (not shown), and the traveling drive pulley 26b is
It is rotated in forward and reverse directions by a motor (not shown) or the like. The other end of the running wire 26a is wound around a movable pulley 26d provided on the leg of the first moving frame 24, and further,
It is connected to the support shaft 26e of the traveling driven pulley 26c. Therefore, due to the rotation of the driving pulley 26b, the first moving frame 24 and the second moving frame 2
5 moves at a speed of 1:2.

Four sprockets 27a are rotatably supported on the first moving frame 24. These 4
One sprocket 27a has two sprockets 2
Ended chains 27b and 27d are wound around each chain 7a. One ends of both chains 27b, 27d are connected to each other via a second moving frame 25, and the other ends are connected to a fixed part 27 such as a fixed frame (not shown).
It is fixed at c. The sprocket 27a and the chains 27b, 27d are connected to the traveling drive pulley 2.
This is to enable the first and second movable frames 24, 25 to reciprocate by the rotational force of the frame 6b (lower left side). Note that the traveling drive pulley 26b and the aforementioned drive rollers 41a, 23b are rotated by the same motor (not shown), and their shaft portions are shaded to make the diagram easier to read. be.

A large-diameter roller 28 for applying tension to the U-shaped belt 23a and a large-diameter sprocket 29a are coaxially attached to the first moving frame 24. The large diameter sprocket 29a is the U-shaped belt 23a.
It rotates together with the large diameter roller 28, which is rotated by the drive of. This large-diameter sprocket 29a has a belt drive chain 2 that drives the middle belt 21b of the middle conveyor 21.
It is connected to the small diameter sprocket 29c via the sprocket 9b. This small diameter sprocket 29c is mounted coaxially with one of the intermediate rollers 21a. Therefore, the middle belt 21b is the U-shaped belt 23a.
With the rotation of the drive roller 23b, the U-shaped belt 23b
, large diameter roller 28, large diameter sprocket 29a, belt drive chain 29b, small diameter sprocket 29c, and middle roller 21a.

Next, before explaining other components, the operation of the long fiber layer 20 will be explained. First, the operation when the U-shaped conveyor 23 moves to the left (outward path) will be explained. On this outward journey, the traveling drive pulley 26
Rotate b in the direction of arrow C.

When the running drive pulley 26b is rotated in the direction of arrow C, the second moving frame 25 is moved to the left by the running wire 26a, and at the same time, the second moving frame 25 is moved through the chain 27d connected to the second moving frame 25. ,
The sprocket 27a and the first moving frame 24 also include
Move to the left as shown in Figures 5(a) and (b). The second moving frame 25 and the first moving frame 24 are
Since the running wire 26a is wound around the movable pulley 26b, it moves at a speed of 2:1.

Simultaneously with the rotation of the traveling driving pulley 26b in FIG. 21b Send upward.

On the other hand, simultaneously with the rotation of the driving pulley 26b, the driving roller 23b of the U-shaped conveyor 23 is rotated.
rotates in the direction of arrow C, and as a result of this rotation, the middle roller 21a is rotated through the large diameter roller 28, large diameter sprocket 29a, chain 29b and small diameter sprocket 29c.
rotates in the direction of arrow D. By the rotation of this middle stage roller 21a, the middle stage belt 2
1b rotates to receive the yarn f fed from the upper stage conveyor 41 and send this yarn f downward.

The tension roller 22 of the lower conveyor 22 is rotated by the rotation of the drive roller 23b in the direction of arrow C.
a and the U-shaped belt 23a rotate in the direction of arrow C, and as shown in FIG. 5(a), receive the yarn f fed from the intermediate conveyor 21, and let out the yarn f hanging downward. At this time, the second moving frame 2
5 has moved to the left, the yarn f is as shown in Fig. 5(a),
As shown in (b), they are arranged on the saucer 12 from left to right. After the yarns f are lined up to the left end as shown in FIG. 5(b), the running drive pulley 26b is reversed, and the fiber cutting machine 11 (see FIG. 1) cuts the yarns f.

Next, the operation when the U-shaped conveyor 23 moves to the right (return trip) will be explained. On this return trip, the travel drive pulley 26b is rotated in the direction of arrow D. When the travel drive pulley 26b is rotated in the direction of arrow D, the second moving frame 25 and the first moving frame 24 move in the opposite direction to the above-mentioned forward path. On the other hand, the drive rollers 41a and 23b of the upper stage conveyor 41 and the U-shaped conveyor 23 rotate in the directions of arrows D and C, which are the same as those on the outward path. Therefore, as in the outward journey, the upper conveyor 4
The yarn f from 1 is fed out onto the tray 12 via the middle conveyor 21 and the lower conveyor 22, but since both moving frames 24 and 25 move to the right, the yarn f is fed onto the tray 12 from the left end. It is placed towards the right edge. The other operations are the same as those on the outward journey, and their explanation will be omitted.

Here, in order to prevent tensile force or loosening from occurring in the fibers constituting the yarn f, the rotational speed Vb1 of the middle roller 21a of the middle conveyor 21 is set to the feed speed Vf of the upper conveyor 41 in FIG. , lower conveyor 2
The rotational speed Vb2 of the tension roller 22a of No. 2, the first
The traveling speeds of the second moving frames 24 and 25 are set as shown in the following equations (4) to (7) and (14) to (17). This will be explained separately for the outbound and return trips.

In FIG. 6(a) showing the outward path, when the feed speed of the upper stage conveyor 41 is Vf, the upper stage conveyor 4
The feeding speed of the yarn f fed from the yarn 1 to the middle conveyor 21 is also Vf. On the other hand, a fixed frame (not shown) in the middle stage belt 21b of the middle stage conveyor 21
The speed relative to the rotational speed Vb1 of the middle belt 21b is
, the moving speed of the middle conveyor 21 (travel speed of the first moving frame 24) -Vt1, and the combined speed (Vb1
-Vt1). In order to prevent tensile force or loosening from occurring in the yarn f, the above-mentioned combined speed (Vb1 - Vt1) must be equal to the payout speed Vf of the yarn f. Therefore, Vf=Vb1 +(-Vt1)...
...(1) The relationship is set as follows.

Since the speed of the yarn f delivered from the middle conveyor 21 to the lower conveyor 22 is equal to the rotational speed Vb1 of the middle roller 21a of the middle conveyor 21, V
It is b1. On the other hand, the belt 23a of the lower conveyor 22
The speed that the surface has with respect to the fixed frame is the sum of the rotational speed Vb2 of the tension roller 22a and the moving speed of the entire lower conveyor 22 (travel speed of the second moving frame 25) +Vt2 (Vb2 +Vt2)
It is. Here, since the lower conveyor 22 receives the yarn f from the moving middle conveyor 21, in order to prevent the yarn f from becoming loose between the middle conveyor 21 and the lower conveyor 22, it is necessary to Relative speed between speed (Vb2 +Vt2) and moving speed -Vt1 of middle stage conveyor 21 {(Vb2 +Vt2
) +(-Vt1)} must be equal to the payout speed Vb1 of the yarn f. Therefore, Vb1 = (Vb2 +Vt2) +(-Vt
1) ...(2) The relationship is set.

In the middle conveyor 21, the feeding speed Vb1 of the yarn f and the receiving speed (combined speed) Vb1 - Vt1 of the yarn f are not equal, because the first moving frame 24 moves. Therefore, on the outward journey, the middle conveyor 21 is as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), a larger amount of yarn f is sent out than received yarn f. The difference between the received amount and the delivered amount of yarn f is caused by the lower conveyor 22 on the outward journey, the middle and lower conveyors 21 on the return journey,
22 also occurs in the same way.

The speed of the yarn f fed out from the lower conveyor 22 in FIG. 6(a) to the receiving tray 12 (FIG. 4) is Vb2 because it is equal to the rotational speed Vb2 of the tension roller 22a of the lower conveyor 22. On the other hand, in order to prevent the yarn f from becoming loose, the rotational speed (feeding speed) Vb2 of the lower conveyor 22 and the moving speed Vt2 are required.
must be equal. Therefore, Vb2 =
Vt2...(3) The relationship is set as follows.

Here, the first and second moving frames 24
, 25 speeds Vt1 and Vt2 are set at 1:2, so from this relationship, the above (1), (2), (
3) Solving the equation, Vb1 = 1.5Vf...
(4) Vb2 = Vf...(5)
Vt1 =0.5Vf...(6) V
The following relationship is obtained: t2 = Vf (7).

The outbound path shown in FIG. 6(b) is obtained in the same way as the outbound path. Here, the moving directions of the first and second moving frames 24, 25 on the return trip are opposite to those on the outward trip in FIG. 6(a). Therefore, in the above equations (1) and (2), -Vt1
Substitute Vt1 in place of , and -Vt in place of Vt2.
2, Vf = Vb1 + Vt1
...(11)Vb1 = (Vb2-V
t2 ) +Vt1 ...(12)Vb2 =Vt
2...The relationship shown in (13) is obtained.

Here, as in the case of the outward journey, the velocities Vt1 and Vt2 of the first and second moving frames 24 and 25 are
is set at 1:2, so from this relationship the above (
11), (12), and (13), Vb1 = 0.5Vf ... (14) Vb2
=Vf...(15)Vt1 =0.5
Vf...(16)Vt2=Vf
...The relationship (17) is obtained.

[0034] The above formulas (14) to (17) and formula (4)
~ Comparing Equation (7), on the outbound and return journeys, (4)
(14) Rotational speed Vb1 of the middle roller 21a in the formula
are different. This will be briefly explained. In FIG. 4, the rotational speed Vb1 of the middle roller 21a (FIG. 6)
is proportional to the rotation speed of the large diameter roller 28. Here, in the outward path (when moving to the left), the large-diameter roller 28 rotates in the D direction due to the rotation of the drive roller 23b, and the second moving frame 25 also rotates in the direction D when moving to the left.
Since it also rotates in the D direction by moving to the left relative to the target, the rotation speed increases. On the other hand, large diameter roller 2
8 rotates in the D direction due to the rotation of the drive roller 23b during the return journey from the state shown in FIG. 5B to the right, but the second moving frame 25 moves to the right relative to the first moving frame 24. As a result, it rotates in the opposite direction to the direction of arrow D, so the rotation speed becomes smaller. Therefore, the rotational speed Vb1 of the middle roller 21a (FIG. 6)
Even if the rotational speed of the drive roller 23b of the U-shaped conveyor 23 is constant, it changes between the outward and return trips. Therefore, the large diameter roller 28 and large diameter sprocket 29a in FIG.
, the diameter and number of teeth of the small diameter sprocket 29c are as described above (
4), is set to a value that satisfies equations (14).

Next, other configurations will be explained. In FIG. 1, the saucer 12 has a long intermediate portion 12a and a short end portion 12b, with a cutout portion 12c provided therebetween. The trays 12 are attached to the chain conveyor 31 at equal pitches via brackets 12d (the lower tray is not shown). The chain conveyor 31 moves intermittently by the mounting pitch of the receiving trays 12, and sends the long bundle f1 in which the yarns f are accumulated to the end binding machine 30, and also transfers empty receiving trays (not shown) to the long fibers. The object is moved to the lower part of the layer 20.

The end binding machine 30 includes a pair of upper and lower tape rolls 32, 32, and is provided at positions corresponding to the two notches 12c of the receiving tray 12. A single tape T is wound around the tape rolls 32, 32 in opposite directions, and the tape T is stretched between the tape rolls 32, 32. The end binding machine 30, as shown in FIG.
A welding/cutting machine 33 divided into upper and lower parts is provided at the location where 1 passes through. This welding cutting machine 33 is a central thermal cutting machine 33a.
and a pair of left and right heat welders 33b, 33c, which move up and down.

The welding/cutting machine 33 moves up and down as shown in FIG. 7(c) after the long bundle f1 passes through while pulling the tape T as shown in FIG. The welding machine 33c comes into contact and binds the long bundle f1 with the tape T. The left heat welding machines 33b are in contact with each other,
This is for welding the tape T. Further, the central thermal cutters 33a are in contact with each other to cut the tape T by melting. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7(d), by vertically separating the welding and cutting machine 33, the tape T is returned to the state in which it is stretched between the tape rolls 32, 32.

In FIG. 1, a guide member 34 is provided near the end of the chain conveyor 31. Guide member 3
Reference numeral 4 guides the long fiber bundle f2 falling from the tray 12 as the chain conveyor 31 rotates to the first bundle conveyor 51. The first bundle conveyor 51 has a stopper 51 that receives the long fiber bundle f2 that has rolled from the guide member 34.
a is provided.

In FIG. 2, the first bundle conveyor 51 includes second, third and fourth bundle conveyors 52, 53,
54 are in a row. These bundle conveyors 51 to 54 transport the long fiber bundle f2 in the longitudinal direction E. A pair of guide belts 55 are provided at the tip of the second bundle conveyor 52. This guide belt 55 includes a column 56 provided between the second bundle conveyor 52 and the third bundle conveyor 53,
56 to guide the long fiber bundle f2.

In FIG. 3, a tape detector 57 is provided above the rear of the third bundle conveyor 53. This tape detector 57 is provided at a distance in the longitudinal direction E from the intermediate binder 30A by a distance equal to the length of the short fiber bundle f3. The second and third bundle conveyors 52 and 53, the support column 56, and the tape detector 57 are mounted on a traverser 58 (see FIG. 8), and as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. It reciprocates in the radial direction F of f2. Second bundle conveyor 52 and third bundle conveyor 53
Intermediate binding machine 3 is installed at the location where the
0A is provided.

The intermediate binding machine 30A binds the long fiber bundle f2 between the binding parts T1 at both ends, and connects the second and third bundle conveyors 52, 5 in the following manner.
Each time 3 makes one reciprocation in the direction of arrow F, it is tied at two places. In FIG. 8A, the intermediate binding machine 30A is equipped with a pair of welding and cutting machines 33 separated into upper and lower sections, respectively, before and after the tape roll 32. In the intermediate binding machine 30A, as shown in FIGS. 8(a), (b), (c) and (d), when the traverser 58 moves to the right, the welding and cutting machine 33 on the right side performs binding. On the other hand, the welding and cutting machine 33 on the left side performs binding when the traverser 58 moves to the left side. Each time the bundling at one location is completed, the second and third bundle conveyors 52 and 53 in FIG. 2 send the long fiber bundle f2 in the longitudinal direction E at a pitch equal to the length of the short fiber bundle f3.

A guide belt 59 is provided at the tip of the fourth bundle conveyor 54. A loader 72 having a comb-shaped support member 71 is arranged in front of the fourth bundle conveyor 54 . In FIG. 3, the comb-shaped support member 71
A bundle cutting machine 60 is provided above. The bundle cutting machine 60 cuts the long fiber bundle f2 into short fiber bundles f3 at the center of each bundle T1. The bundle cutting machine 60
A tape detector 61 is provided below. Note that f4 is a chip at the end.

In FIG. 2, the loader 72 moves in the longitudinal direction E and rotates around the horizontal axis to tilt the support member 71 downward, thereby moving the lower box B.
The short fiber bundle f3 is dropped into the chamber o. In addition,
The box Bo is sent in the G direction by the box conveyor 73.

Next, a series of operations for producing short fiber bundle f3 from yarn f will be explained. In FIG. 1, after the long fiber layer 20 has placed the yarn f hanging from one end of the receiving tray 12 to the other, the fiber cutting machine 11 on the right side cuts the yarn f. After this cutting, the long fiber layer 20 places the yarn f hanging from the other end of the receiving tray 12 to one end, and then the fiber cutting machine 11 on the left side cuts the yarn f. By repeating this operation, a large number of yarns f are arranged and accumulated on the tray 12, and the yarns f become an unbound long bundle f1.

After that, the long fiber layer 20 stops operating, and the yarn storage device 43 stores the yarn f sent from upstream, thereby stopping the supply of the yarn f. After that, the chain conveyor 31 moves the tray 12 containing the long bundle f1 by one pitch toward the end binding machine 30 side, and conveys the empty tray (not shown) below the long fiber layer 20. .

When the chain conveyor 31 moves the tray 12 by one pitch, the unbound long bundle f1 near the end binding machine 30 crosses the end binding machine 30, and the ends are bound. Ru. The bundled long fiber bundle f2 rolls down onto the first bundle conveyor 51 as the tray 12 rotates at the end of the chain conveyor 31. After the chain conveyor 31 moves the tray 12 by one pitch, the yarn f is sent out from the yarn storage device 43 again, and
The long fiber layer 20 starts operating. In this way, the long fiber bundle f2 is manufactured one after another by the long fiber bundle manufacturing machine 10.

The long fiber bundle f2 is transferred from the first bundle conveyor 51 to the second bundle conveyor 52, as shown in FIG.
Furthermore, a second bundle conveyor 52 and a third bundle conveyor 53
It is moved to a position where it straddles the gap between the two and stops. After this stop, the traverser 58 (see FIG. 8) transports the second and third bundle conveyors 52, 53 to the position shown by the two-dot chain line. During this transfer, the intermediate binding machine 30A binds the ends of the long fiber bundle f2 at one location. After this bundling, the long fiber bundle f2 is sent by the second and third bundle conveyors 52, 53 in the direction of arrow E by a pitch corresponding to the short fiber bundle f3. After this, the traverser 58 (see FIG. 8)
The second and third bundle conveyors 52, 53 are returned to the positions indicated by solid lines, and the second bundle is tied. By repeating this back and forth, the long fiber bundle f2 is bundled at a pitch equal to the length of the short fiber bundle f3.

After that, the long fiber bundle f2 is sent from the third bundle conveyor 53 to the fourth bundle conveyor 54, and further,
The bundle portion T1 is transferred until it is directly below the bundle cutter 60. After this transfer, the bundle cutter 60 cuts the end bundle T1, and then the long fiber bundle f2 is transferred in the direction of arrow E. After this transfer, the bundle cutter 60 cuts the middle bundle T1. hand,
A short fiber bundle f3 is produced.

After that, the loader 72 moves slightly in the direction of the arrow E, and then rotates to roll the short fiber bundle f3 into the box Bo. Box Bo is transported in the direction of arrow G by box conveyor 73.

In the above configuration, as described above, FIG.
While reciprocating in the longitudinal direction of the receiving tray 12 (FIG. 1), the long fiber layer 20 of
1 receives the yarn f, and the lower conveyor 22 receives the yarn f at the same speed as the payout speed Vb1 of the yarn f from the middle conveyor 21, and furthermore, the feedout speed Vb is the same as the moving speed Vt2 of the lower conveyor 22.
2, the yarn f is fed out into the saucer 12 (Fig. 1). Therefore, the yarn f does not stretch or loosen. Therefore, since there is no fear that the hollow fibers will be subjected to tensile force, there is no problem that the hollow fibers become clogged due to their diameter becoming small.

Furthermore, since the fibers do not loosen, there is no problem of the fibers being bent or the ends of the long bundle f1 (FIG. 1) becoming irregular. Therefore, the long bundle f1 (Fig. 1
) without going through the process of aligning the ends of the long bundle f1(
1) is possible, thus eliminating the need for an edge aligner, which simplifies the device and reduces its size.

Incidentally, in the above embodiment, the ratio between the moving speed Vt1 of the middle stage conveyor 21 and the moving speed Vt2 of the lower stage conveyor 22 is set to 1:2, but it is not necessarily 1:2.
There is no need to set it to 2. Furthermore, the middle conveyor 21 and the lower conveyor 22 do not need to be operated by one traveling drive pulley 26b and drive roller 23b as shown in FIG. 4, but may be operated by separate traveling drive pulleys and drive rollers. .

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the two fiber cutting machines 11 in FIG. 1 cut the yarn f in units constituting the long bundle f1, but only one fiber cutting machine 11 is provided , the yarns f may be arranged so as to be folded back, and only the terminal ends of the yarns f in the long bundle f1 may be cut. moreover,
In the above embodiment, the bundle cutting machine 60 shown in FIG. 2 cuts both the binding portions T1 at both ends and the intermediate binding portion T1 of the long fiber bundle f2, but the yarn f protrudes from the binding portions T1 at both ends. If there is no such case, there is no need to cut the binding portions T1 at both ends.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a second embodiment. In FIG. 9, the tray 12 has a large number of notches 12c formed at a pitch equal to the length of the short fiber bundle f3, and the tray 12 has a large number of intermediate portions 12a and end portions 12b at both ends. There is. Each notch 1 is provided between the saucers 12, 12.
An end tying machine 30 or an intermediate tying machine 30B is provided for every 2c. The intermediate binding machine 30B is the end binding machine 30
It has the same structure as . Two bundle cutters 60 are arranged above the tray 12 near the short fiber bundle conveyor 51A. As shown in FIG. 10, this bundle cutting machine 60 repeatedly moves up and down and moves in the horizontal direction to cut the bundle T1. The short fiber bundle conveyor 51A is
The short fiber bundle f3 is transferred onto the support member 71 of the loader 72 shown in FIG. The rest of the structure is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same or equivalent parts are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

The operation of the above configuration will be briefly explained. The long bundle f1 made by the long fiber layer 20 is transferred to the receiving tray 12.
While being transferred by the chain conveyor 31, they are bound by both binding machines 30, 30B. After this bundling, the bundle cutter 60 cuts each bundled portion T1 to produce a short fiber bundle f3. Thereafter, the short fiber bundle f3 is conveyed into the box Bo by the short fiber bundle conveyor 51A or the like. In this embodiment, all the binding parts T1 are bound while the long bundle f1 is transferred on the receiving tray 12, so that
Unlike the first embodiment, the bundle conveyors 52 to 54 (see FIG. 2) are not required, so the apparatus becomes smaller.

FIGS. 11 to 13 show a third embodiment. In FIG. 11, dual-purpose binding machines 80, 80 or a bundle cutting machine 60 are provided above the three trays 12, respectively. The dual-purpose binding machine 80 is movable in the horizontal direction along a horizontal axis 81, and by moving in the vertical direction in FIG. It is something that unites.

FIG. 13 shows a dual-purpose binding machine 80. Figure 13 (
In a), the dual-purpose binding machine 80 transfers the tape T wound around the tape unwinding reel 82 to a pair of exit rollers 83,
83 rolls out. Below the exit rollers 83, 83,
An air nozzle 84 is provided. This air nozzle 84
The tape stretching machine 8 blows air onto the unwinding end T2 of the tape T to prevent the unwinding end T2 from hanging downward.
This facilitates the gripping of the unwinding end portion T2 by the gripper 5.

[0058] The tape stretching machine 85 has an air cylinder 85a.
It has a tape gripping device 85b at the end of the
As shown in (b), the tape T is stretched above the long fiber bundle f1. Inside the frame 86, a pair of heat welding cutting machines 87,
88 is installed.

Next, the operation of the dual-purpose binding machine 80 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 13(a), the air nozzle 84 blows air onto the unwinding end T2 of the tape T coming out from between the exit rollers 83, 83 to keep the unwinding end T2 in a horizontal state. Next, the air cylinder 85a of the tape stretching machine 85
After the tape is extended, the tape gripper 85b unwinds the unwinding end T2.
As shown in Figure 13(b), hold the air cylinder 85.
a is contracted, and the tape T is stretched horizontally above the long fiber bundle f1. After this tensioning, the frame 86 moves downward together with the horizontal shaft 81 (see Fig. 12).
As shown in FIG. 13(c), the tape T is wound about half a circumference around the long fiber bundle f1. After that, as shown in Figure 13(d),
The air cylinder 88a of one of the heat weld cutting machines 88 is extended, and the tape T is sandwiched between the two heat weld cuts 87 and 88, and the entire circumference of the long bundle f1 is wrapped with the tape T. A pair of heat welding and cutting machines 87 and 88 weld and cut the sandwiched portion of the tape T, and then cut the tape T as shown in FIG. 13(e).
The air cylinder 88a contracts as shown in FIG. At the same time as this contraction, the gripper 85b of the tape tensioning machine 85 releases its grip and the chips T3 are thrown away. Thereafter, the frame 86 is raised as shown in FIG. 13(f), and the binding at one location is completed.

When the end binding machine 80 of FIG. 12 finishes binding the ends, it moves along the horizontal axis 81 to the position of the adjacent notch 12c. After this movement, by repeating the series of operations shown in FIG. 13, the long fiber bundle f2 is bundled at the ends and the intermediate portion.

The rest of the structure is the same as that of the second embodiment, and the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0062]

As explained above, according to the present invention, while the fiber layer reciprocates in the longitudinal direction of the lower gutter-shaped tray, the fibers are fed out from the upper fiber feeder at the same speed as the fibers. By receiving the fibers at a speed of On the other hand,
Since the fibers do not loosen, the ends may become uneven,
The fibers do not bend. Further, since a separate edge alignment machine is not required, the apparatus becomes simple and compact.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a long fiber bundle manufacturing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the entire first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the same.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a long fiber layer.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the operation of the long fiber layer.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the moving speed of the long fiber layer.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the operation of the end binding machine.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the operation of the intermediate binding machine.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the same.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the same.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the operation of the dual-purpose binding machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Fiber cutting machine, 12... Receiver, 20... (long) fiber layer, 30... End binding machine, 30A... Intermediate binding machine,
80...combining machine, 41...fiber feeder (upper stage conveyor), f...fiber (yarn), f1... (long) bundle,
f2... (long) fiber bundle, f3... short fiber bundle, Vf... speed of feeding out fibers from the fiber feeder, Vt2... moving speed.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for producing short fiber bundles formed by binding together at least one end of a large number of hollow fibers, wherein the fibers are transferred to an upper fiber feeder while reciprocating in the longitudinal direction of a lower gutter-shaped saucer. a fiber layer in which a large number of fibers are arranged in parallel on the receiving tray by receiving the fibers from the fiber at the same speed as the unwinding speed of the fibers and letting out the fibers by dropping them onto the receiving tray at the same speed as the moving speed; A short fiber bundle manufacturing apparatus comprising a fiber cutting machine that cuts at least the terminal ends of the fibers arranged in the fiber layer, and a binding machine that binds at least one end of a large number of fibers whose terminal ends have been cut.