KR102417782B1 - Yarn connecting device and Warp knitting machine with a yarn connecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a thread connecting device (1) for connecting a first thermoplastic fiber yarn (7) with a second thermoplastic fiber yarn (8). According to the present invention, the yarn connecting device 1 comprises a pressure device 3 for applying a mechanical pressing force to a pair of yarns formed by the first thermoplastic yarn 7 and the second thermoplastic yarn 8, and this yarn and an energy input device (4) for fusion of the pair of yarns while the pair is placed in the pressure device (3). The present invention also relates to a warp knitting machine comprising a yarn connecting device (1) according to the present invention.

Description

{Yarn connecting device and Warp knitting machine with a yarn connecting device}

The present invention relates to a yarn connecting device for connecting a first thermoplastic yarn to a second thermoplastic yarn.

A device for connecting two fiber yarns is known from the prior art. DE 195 04 573 C2 discloses a knotting device capable of knotting two threads together. However, the resulting knot includes a relatively large diameter. Accordingly, such knots can easily become caught in a textile tool such as a guide needle or the like as the yarn is further processed by the textile machine and become stagnant. This can lead to wear of the yarn, loosening of the knots or even damage to the textile tools.

Accordingly, an object forming the basis of the present invention is to provide a thread connecting device in which a connecting point generated at this time is not easily caught by a textile tool while connecting the fiber yarns to each other.

This object is a thread connecting device in the technical field described in the introduction, wherein the thread connecting device is a pressure device for applying a mechanical pressing force to a pair of yarns formed by a first thermoplastic fiber yarn and a second thermoplastic fiber yarn according to the present invention; and an energy input device for fusion of the pair of yarns while the pair of yarns are disposed within the pressure device.

Thermoplastic materials melt when heated. The energy input device supplies energy to the yarns so that these yarns can be heated and melted together. At the same time, the yarns are pressed against each other and/or twisted with each other by means of a pressure device. The diameter of the resulting connection point exceeds the diameter of the thermoplastic yarns, at most insignificantly. Since the connection point has a small diameter, which, unlike a knot, is constantly changing in the area of the connection point, the yarn does not easily catch on the textile tool and become stagnant.

The energy input device preferably refers to an ultrasonic generator. The ultrasonic generator generates ultrasonic waves, and the fiber yarns vibrate at a high frequency by the ultrasonic waves. This causes internal friction in the yarn, which in turn heats the yarn. The yarn is heated enough to melt. As can be seen, the melting process can be controlled very precisely in this way, so that the connecting ends of the thermoplastic fiber yarns are melted homogeneously and a uniform and stable connecting point is obtained. The melting time and hence the energy input can be precisely controlled. As soon as no more ultrasonic waves are introduced, the yarn stops heating up further.

The energy input device may alternatively be formed by a heating element. Such heating elements are suitable for generating thermal energy. According to the invention, it may refer to an electric heating element. The thermal energy generated by the heating element may be directed to the thermoplastic yarn by convection, thermal conduction and/or thermal radiation.

According to the invention, the energy input device can be combined with a pressure device. According to the invention, the ultrasonic generator can be combined with a pressure device, so that the ultrasonic generator can introduce ultrasonic waves into the yarn through the components of the pressure device. If a heating element is used, this heating element can be combined with parts of the pressure device according to the invention so that the parts of the pressure device can guide the thermal energy generated by the heating element by means of heat conduction to the yarn.

The pressure device comprises two pressure elements, each pressure element comprising a pressure surface, at least one of the pressure elements coupled to a drive part, the drive part being in the longitudinal direction of the first and second thermoplastic yarns. It is advantageous to be able to displace the pressure element transversely to the Upon actuation of the yarn connecting device, the yarns are first pressed between the pressing surfaces. The drive then moves at least one of the pressure elements. Since the pressure elements then move transversely to the longitudinal direction of the yarns, the yarns are twisted together. A very stable connection point is created. Using a pressure element, the yarn connecting device can connect multiple yarns to each other at the same time. On the other hand, the knotting device can process the knotted pair of yarns only sequentially.

The pressure element is preferably formed planar or plate-shaped. Alternatively, however, the pressure element may comprise a different shape. According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the two pressure elements are movable and are moved by means of one or more drives. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first pressure element is movable while the second pressure element is stationary. According to the invention, the second pressure element may form part of the machine frame or part of other parts of the textile machine.

The pressure elements are preferably displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the pressure surfaces. The pressing surfaces can be moved overlapping along the travel path so that the yarns are squeezed adjacent to each other between the pressure elements.

Preferably, the yarn connecting device comprises a positioning device for positioning the first and second thermoplastic yarns in the region of the pressure device. Very preferably, the yarn connecting device comprises a positioning device for positioning the first and second thermoplastic yarns in the region of the pressure device to which the yarns are connected to each other by means of the pressure device. According to the invention, the alignment device can position the thermoplastic yarns next to each other in the region of the pressure device, so that these yarns can be connected to each other. The positioning device is preferably configured to align the thermoplastic yarns parallel to each other.

According to the present invention, the positioning device may include a first pair of yarn combs for supporting the first thermoplastic fiber yarn and a second pair of yarn combs for supporting the second thermoplastic yarn, each of the yarn combs The pair of vices includes a first thread comb and a second thread comb, and the first and second thread combs are disposed on opposite sides of the pressure device. The thread combs are preferably arranged on the side of the pressure device. The first thread comb and the second thread comb of the first pair of thread combs support the first fiber yarn. The first thread comb and the second thread comb of the second pair of thread combs support the second fiber yarn. Each yarn comb may support a plurality of fiber yarns in some cases, so that a plurality of yarn pairs may be connected to each other at the same time. According to the invention, the thread combs can be arranged on the side of the pressure elements outside the travel path of these pressure elements, and the yarns can be sandwiched between the pressure elements.

Preferably, the pressure device comprises at least one rotatable roller and a drive unit coupled to the rotatable roller, wherein the pressure device is configured to move the first and second thermoplastic yarns in pairs through the pressure device. It forms a path through which the thread can pass. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the roller may mean a substantially cylindrical body, which serves for conveying the thread. Accordingly, the yarns can be moved in pairs along the path through which the yarns pass, and the rollers rotate. The yarns are preferably aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the roller. By rotation of the roller, the first thermoplastic fiber yarn and the second thermoplastic fiber yarn are twisted with each other. As the yarns are simultaneously heated by the energy input device, these yarns melt together and form a stable connection point.

It is highly preferred that the pressure device comprises two rotatable rollers arranged next to each other, the pressure device forming between these rotatable rollers the passage through or part of the passage through the yarn. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the roller refers to a cylindrical body serving for the conveying of the yarn. In order to move the yarns along the yarn passing path, the rollers may be driven in the same direction. When the rollers rotate in the same direction, twisting of the first and second thermoplastic fiber yarns is obtained.

It is advantageous for the at least one rotatable roller to be displaceable transversely with respect to the axis of rotation of the roller. In order to adjust the width of the thread passing path, either one roller or both rollers may be moved. Through this, the pressing force applied to the fiber yarn by the roller may be changed.

According to the invention, it is conceivable that the pressure device comprises a counter-support having a depression, in which at least one rotatable roller is arranged, so that the pressure device passes a seal between the rotatable roller and the counter-support. It forms part of a path or thread-through path. In this embodiment, the yarns are connected between the rotatable roller and the counter support.

According to the invention, the alignment device may comprise movable yarn guiding elements for conveying the first and second thermoplastic yarns along the yarn passage path. The yarn guiding elements thus form a positioning device of the yarn connecting device which serves for positioning of the yarns in the region of the pressure device. The yarn guiding elements laterally displace the yarns and ensure that neighboring yarns are positioned side by side closely. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the yarn guiding elements can grip the yarns, and the yarns can be arranged next to each other and guided along the yarn passing path next to each other.

According to one variant of the invention, the yarn guiding elements can be used for positioning the yarns in the yarn passing path. Thereafter, the yarns are further moved along the yarn passage path solely by means of a roller or rotation of the rollers. Also, embodiments of the invention that can be driven completely without a yarn guide element are possible. According to the invention, the yarn connecting device may further comprise a yarn singulating device, which first individualizes yarn pairs from a plurality of yarns, whereby the first and second thermoplastic yarns are provided to the yarn guide elements. do.

The pressure device is advantageously formed by a funnel, which has a wide inlet opening and a narrow outlet opening. It is very advantageous that the outlet opening comprises a cross-section corresponding to the desired diameter of the connection point of the first and second thermoplastic yarns. Accordingly, the first yarn and the second yarn can be threaded through the funnel, and these yarns are connected to each other due to the influence of the energy input device and the pressing force applied by the funnel in the area of the narrow outlet opening.

The yarn connecting device preferably comprises at least one drawing device for stretching the first and/or the second thermoplastic yarns. The yarns are drawn or stretched in the longitudinal direction by this drawing device while placed in a pressure device. In the region of the connection point of the first and second thermoplastic yarns, the first and second yarns are positioned side by side. When the yarns are fused to each other, they generally form a connection point, the cross-section of this connection point approximately corresponding to the sum of the cross-sections of the first and second thermoplastic yarns. Although the cross-section obtained is generally smaller than the cross-section obtained in knots of yarns, it is often desirable to further reduce the cross-section. This can be achieved by stretching the yarns in the longitudinal direction while the yarns are fused to each other. The connection point heated by the energy input device is viscous and can be stretched in the longitudinal direction, so that the cross-section of the connection point is also small. By stretching, the formation of steps in the region of the connection point can be further prevented, in which the diameter of the connection point changes drastically over a short path. Such a step may assist in causing the connection point to become jammed and stagnant in the knitting tool.

According to the present invention, the stretching device may be formed by the above-described thread comb portions. For this purpose, the thread combs may be provided with a fixing device for fixing the yarn to the thread combs. According to the present invention, at least one of the thread combs may be relatively displaceable with respect to the pressure device. By the displacement of the thread comb, the fiber yarns can be drawn. According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the at least one thread comb can be displaced by the driving unit, so that the stretching can be done automatically.

Alternatively, the stretching device may be formed by a yarn conveying device, which stretches the connecting point of the warp by tensioning the yarns in the longitudinal direction. The yarn conveying device may according to the present invention be formed by one or more rotatable rollers, which may be rotated by a driving unit. According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the yarn conveying device may refer to a fabric take down device of a textile machine.

According to the present invention, the thread connecting device may include a thread cutting device for cutting the thread protrusion. When the first thermoplastic yarns are fused together with the second thermoplastic yarns, protruding areas where the yarns lie side by side but are not fused can be created. The thread protrusion formed through this may be cut using a thread cutting device. The thread cutting device may point to an automated shearing tool or the like suitable for cutting protruding thread ends according to the present invention.

The present invention also relates to a warp knitting machine equipped with the above-described yarn connecting device. When replacing the warp beam, the warp still located in the warp knitting machine will have to be connected with the warp sent out by the newly replaced warp beam. The connection of these inclinations is made using a thread connecting device. The yarn connecting device may be formed as a travelable component having rollers or the like to access the machine frame of the warp knitting machine. The yarn connecting device may alternatively be fixedly connected to the warp knitting machine. Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the yarn connecting device can be fixed to the machine frame of the warp knitting machine. According to the present invention, also, the yarn connecting device is rotatably mounted on the machine frame of the warp knitting machine so that this yarn connecting device can be rotated into a yarn supply path extending from the warp beam to the knitting position.

The drawings represent preferred embodiments of the present invention. The drawing is as follows.
1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a seal connecting device according to the invention comprising pressure elements in a spaced state;
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a seal connecting device comprising pressure elements in a spaced state; FIG.
3 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a seal connecting device comprising pressure elements in close proximity;
4 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a seal connecting device comprising pressure elements in close proximity;
5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pressure elements of the first embodiment of the thread connecting device at the start of the connecting process;
6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pressure elements of the first embodiment of the thread connecting device during the connecting process;
Fig. 7 is a schematic view relating to a second embodiment of a yarn connecting device including two rollers.
Fig. 8 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of a thread connecting device including a roller and a counter support;
Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the yarn guiding elements of the second and third embodiments of the yarn connecting device;
Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram relating to a funnel forming a pressure device of a fourth embodiment of the thread coupling device.

1 shows a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a seal connecting device 1 according to the invention comprising pressure elements 2 in a spaced apart state. Each pressure element 2 comprises a pressing surface 21 . The pressure elements 2 form the pressure device 3 of the seal connecting device 1 . An energy input device 4 is arranged on one of the pressure elements 2 , the energy input device pointing to an ultrasonic generator. The two thread comb pairs each include a first thread comb part 5 and a second thread comb part 6 . The thread comb pairs support the first thermoplastic fiber yarn 7 or the second thermoplastic fiber yarn 8 . The first thermoplastic fiber yarns 7 should be fused with the second thermoplastic fiber yarns 8, respectively. The second thermoplastic fiber yarn 8 is unwound from the warp beam 23 of the warp knitting machine, and must be connected to the first thermoplastic fiber yarn 7 already existing in the warp knitting machine. This represents a possible application scenario of the thread connecting device 1 .

2 shows in a schematic perspective view a first embodiment of a seal connecting device 1 comprising pressure elements 2 in a spaced apart state. The ultrasonic generator is not shown here. A first thermoplastic yarn 7 and a second thermoplastic yarn 8 are arranged between the pressure elements 2 . The thread combs 5 , 6 position the yarns 7 , 8 between the pressure elements 2 .

3 shows a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a seal connecting device 1 comprising pressure elements 2 in close proximity. The pressure elements 2 are moved superimposed on each other and now press the thermoplastic yarns 7 , 8 . By activating the ultrasonic generator, the yarns 7 and 8 are heated. At the same time, the pressure elements 2 are displaced relative to each other by means of a drive, not shown. In this way, the yarns 7 and 8 are twisted together. During simultaneous heating, the thermoplastic fiber yarns 7 and 8 are interconnected.

4 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the thread connecting device 1 in a closed state. The thermoplastic fiber yarns (7, 8) are fixed to the thread combs (5, 6). The first thread comb part 5 and the second thread comb part 6 are displaced during the connecting process, so that the distance between these thread comb parts is increased. Through this, the connection point of the first fiber yarn 7 and the second fiber yarn 8 is drawn. Accordingly, the cross-section of the connection point created between the yarns 7 and 8 becomes small.

5 shows in a schematic cross-sectional view the pressure elements 2 of a first embodiment of the thread connecting device at the start of the connecting process. The first thermoplastic fiber yarns 7 are respectively positioned next to the second thermoplastic fiber yarns 8 . Now, the pressure elements 2 are displaced relative to each other along the offset axis 9 . The offset axis 9 is aligned transversely to the longitudinal direction of the first and second thermoplastic yarns 7 and 8 .

6 shows in a schematic cross-sectional view the pressure elements 2 of a first embodiment of the thread connecting device during the connecting process. By connecting the thermoplastic yarns to each other, a connection point 10 is created, and the cross section of this connection point can be seen in this figure. Thereafter, the connection point 10 has to be stretched to reduce the cross-section.

7 schematically shows a second embodiment of a thread connecting device 1 comprising two rollers 11 . The rollers 11 form the pressure device of this thread connecting device 1 . One of the rollers 11 is connected to an energy input device, not shown. The rollers 11 are rotated in the same rotational direction by the driving unit, and this rotational direction is indicated by the rotational direction arrow 12 . As the rollers 11 are rotated, the first thermoplastic fiber yarn 7 and the second thermoplastic fiber yarn 8 are moved between the rollers 11 along the thread passing path 13 . At this time, the thermoplastic fiber yarns 7.8 are twisted together. The thermoplastic yarns 7 , 8 are heated under the influence of the energy input device and are connected to each other.

FIG. 8 shows schematically a third embodiment of a thread connecting device 1 comprising a roller 11 and a counter support 14 . The counter support 14 comprises a recess 22 in which the roller 11 is positioned. The roller 11 and the counter support 14 form the pressure device 3 of the thread connecting device 1 . The roller 11 is connected to an energy input device (not shown). The roller 11 can be rotated by the driving part, so that the first thermoplastic fiber yarn 7 and the second thermoplastic fiber yarn 8 are moved along the thread passing path 13 of the pressure device 3 and are connected to each other .

9 shows, in schematic view, a thread guiding element 15 of a second and third embodiment of the thread connecting device. The thermoplastic fiber yarns 7 and 8 are individually provided by a yarn intersection 16 , respectively. The yarn cross section 16 is formed by a yarn that is guided around the thermoplastic fiber yarns 7 and 8. The yarn crossing 16 releases the thermoplastic yarns 7 , 8 in a pairwise manner so that the yarn guide element 15 then comprises a first thermoplastic yarn 7 and a second thermoplastic yarn 8 . Push each pair of seals into the seal passage of the pressure device.

Fig. 10 schematically shows a funnel 17 forming a pressure device 3 of a fourth embodiment of the thread connecting device. The funnel 17 is coupled to an energy input device, not shown. The first thermoplastic yarn 7 is guided through the narrow outlet opening 18 of the funnel 17 . The second thermoplastic yarn 8 is guided through the wide inlet opening 19 and the narrow outlet opening 18 of the funnel 17 . When the yarns 7 , 8 are threaded through the funnel 17 in the direction of the arrow 20 , they are heated under the influence of the energy input device. As the yarns 7 and 8 pass through the outlet opening 18, they are pressed against each other and connected to each other.

1 Thread coupling device 2 Pressure element
3 Pressure device 4 Energy input device
5 1st thread comb part 6 2nd thread comb part
7 First thermoplastic fiber yarn 8 Second thermoplastic fiber yarn
9 Offset axis 10 Connection point
11 Roller 12 Rotation direction arrow
13 Thread passage 14 Counter support
15 Thread Guide Element 16 Thread Intersection
17 Funnel 18 Exit opening
19 Inlet opening 20 Arrow direction
21 Pressurized surface 22 Indentation
23 inclined beam

Claims (15)

A thread connecting device (1) for connecting a first thermoplastic fiber yarn (7) with a second thermoplastic fiber yarn (8),
The thread connecting device (1),
- a pressure device (3) for applying a mechanical pressing force to the yarn pair formed by the first thermoplastic fiber yarn (7) and the second thermoplastic fiber yarn (8), and
- an energy input device (4) for welding said pair of yarns while they are placed in said pressure device (3);
Thread connecting device (1), characterized in that the yarn connecting device (1) comprises at least one drawing device for drawing the first thermoplastic yarn (7) and/or the second thermoplastic yarn (8). ). The method of claim 1,
The thread connecting device (1), characterized in that the energy input device (4) is an ultrasonic generator. The method of claim 1,
The thread connecting device (1), characterized in that the energy input device (4) is a heating element. The method of claim 1,
The thread connecting device (1), characterized in that the energy input device (4) is coupled with the pressure device (3). The method of claim 1,
The pressure device (3) comprises two pressure elements (2), each of which comprises a pressure surface (21),
At least one pressure element of the pressure elements (2) is coupled to a driving part, said driving part being said to press the pressure in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the first and second thermoplastic yarns (7) and (8). A thread connecting device (1), characterized in that it is possible to displace the element (2). 6. The method of claim 5,
The thread connecting device (1), characterized in that the pressure elements (2) are displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the pressure surfaces (21). The method of claim 1,
The yarn connecting device (1) comprises a positioning device for positioning the first and second thermoplastic yarns (7) and (8) in the region of the pressure device (3). Thread connection device (1) with 8. The method of claim 7,
The positioning device includes a first pair of yarn combs for supporting the first thermoplastic fiber yarn (7) and a second pair of yarn combs for supporting the second thermoplastic yarn (8), each of the yarn comb teeth The pair includes a first thread comb part 5 and a second thread comb part 6,
The thread connecting device (1), characterized in that the first thread comb (5) and the second thread comb (6) are disposed on mutually opposite sides of the pressure device (3). The method of claim 1,
The pressure device (3) comprises at least one rotatable roller (11) and a drive unit coupled to the rotatable roller (11), the pressure device (3) forming a thread passageway (13),
Thread connecting device, characterized in that the first thermoplastic fiber yarn (7) and the second thermoplastic fiber yarn (8) can be moved through the pressure device (3) in pairs along the yarn passage path ( One). 10. The method of claim 9,
The pressure device (3) comprises two rotatable rollers (11) arranged next to each other,
The thread connecting device (1), characterized in that the pressure device (3) forms a part of the thread passing path (13) or the thread passing path (13) between the rotatable rollers (11). 10. The method of claim 9,
The pressure device (3) comprises a counter support (14) having a recess (22) in which at least one rotatable roller (11) is arranged, whereby the pressure device (3) is rotated. A thread connecting device (1), characterized in that it forms the thread passing path (13) or a part of the thread passing path between the enabling roller (11) and the counter support (14). 10. The method of claim 9,
The yarn connecting device 1 comprises movable yarn guide elements 15 for conveying the first thermoplastic yarn 7 and the second thermoplastic yarn 8 along the yarn passing path 13 . Thread connecting device (1), characterized in that it comprises. The method of claim 1,
The thread connecting device (1), characterized in that the pressure device (3) is formed by a funnel (17), the funnel (17) comprising a wide inlet opening (19) and a narrow outlet opening (18). delete A warp knitting machine comprising a yarn connecting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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