TWI393812B - Yarn feeding device - Google Patents

Description

Yarn feeding device

The present invention relates to a yarn feeding device for a textile machine, and more particularly to a yarn feeding device for a knitting machine such as a circular knitting machine, a flat knitting machine or another type of knitting machine.

In general, such yarn feeding devices are used to feed the yarn to a knitting machine, such as a single knitting machine of a circular knitting machine, in a controlled manner. An example of such a yarn feeding device is disclosed in the document EP 0 333 482 A1. The yarn feeding device includes a bracket designed as a housing having a mounting clamp at one end for mounting the yarn feeding device to the knitting machine. To this end, the knitting machine has an annular bracket (commonly known as a machine ring) on which a plurality of substantially identical yarn feeding devices are placed, the yarn feeding devices extending radially outward from the machine ring. The bracket of the yarn feeding device includes a lower arm and an upper arm defining an intermediate space therebetween. The lower arm and the upper arm each support a ball bearing for supporting a vertical shaft that carries a yarn feed pulley below the lower arm. A pulley for driving the shaft is provided in an intermediate space between the two bearings and above the upper bearing. These pulleys are selectively engageable with the shaft. Rotating the belt drives the pulleys, which ultimately causes the yarn feed pulley to be rotated.

The bracket or housing pivotally supports the yarn sensing rods, and the yarn sensing rods actuate control elements located within the housing. The control elements emit a yarn break signal by means of an indicator light provided on the housing. In doing so, this indicator is located between the mounting clamp and the feed pulley. If the bystander looks at the yarn feeding device in the longitudinal direction of the casing, the bystander does not see the indicator light. This perspective represents the natural viewing direction when the bystander is standing next to the knitting machine - that is, radial to the circular knitting machine.

The yarn feeding device becomes dirty during actual use. During the knitting operation, monofilaments which are detached from the knitting yarn or knitted material and filled in the air of the knitting shop, together with dust, are deposited on all of the upwardly facing surfaces. For a long time, such dust deposits cause unpleasant results and contain impaired function or loss of function. Preventing this matter is very important.

Document DD-PS 207 940 discloses a yarn feeding device designed as a tape feeder. The belt feeder includes a cylindrical housing having a bracket for a yarn feed pulley disposed below the housing. The yarn feed pulley is designed in the form of a toothed disc through which the drive belt provided on the knitting machine is moved to drive all of the yarn feeding devices. The yarn is guided on the yarn guiding element between the drive belt and the toothed disc and is thus conveyed.

Felt may deposit on the upper side of the cylindrical casing.

It is an object of the present invention to further open the yarn delivery device and eliminate the disadvantages associated with one or more of the above characteristics.

This object is achieved by a yarn feeding device according to item 1 of the patent application: the yarn feeding device according to the invention comprises a holder having a clamp at one end for mounting the yarn feeding device to the textile machine. The bracket holds the two ball bearings so as to be vertically aligned with each other at a distance from each other. The ball bearings rotatably support a vertically disposed shaft having a feed pulley at a lower end thereof. This yarn feed pulley is preferably designed for active yarn feeding. This is the case where the yarn is fed without slipping. To achieve this, the yarn is wound several times on the yarn feed pulley to form a coil. As the yarn feed pulley moves, the yarn is brushed against the upper edge while moving past the preferably conical upper edge of the yarn feed pulley. In doing so, the yarn forms a coil on the yarn storage section and then exits the lower edge while brushing against the lower edge of the yarn feed pulley. The speed of the yarn feed pulley is proportional to the yarn moving speed. These yarn feed wheels can be designed as deep drawn steel sheet components, ceramic bodies, turned parts, rod cages or the like, as is known in the art. It may also consist of one or more components. Preferably, it is held at the lower end of the shaft to make it replaceable. It is preferably mounted by an axial assembly screw that is identical to the locking screw on the clamp on the bracket. Therefore, these screws are interchangeable.

Alternatively, it is possible to use other feed rollers, such as a feed pulley designed for yarn delivery that is subject to slippage. Such feed rollers are disclosed in the document DE 10 219 537 A1. In this case, the yarn speed is no longer proportional to the speed of the feed pulley. Furthermore, it is possible to use a feed pulley with an active yarn feed feature, for example in accordance with DE 31 05 990 A1.

The feed wheel is preferably driven at a specified rotational speed, which is, for example, constant in the stationary mode. The rotational speed can be proportional to the operating speed of the knitting machine (the rotational speed of the circular knitting machine). At least one pulley for driving the yarn feed pulley is positioned in the intermediate space between the two pillars. These struts support the bearings, which are preferably constructed to form a ball bearing or to form other types of rolling bearings.

A housing defining a boundary of the interior space is preferably provided in the space between the lowermost pulley and the feed pulley, and preferably below the lower bearing. This interior space houses one or more electrical components or even electronic components that can be used, for example, to monitor the operation of the yarn feeding device. The space defined by the pulley and the feed pulley is also strongly protected by the deposition of dust. On the upper side, the pulley has prevented dust deposition in the stop mode of the pulley due to its function as an umbrella and further prevents dust deposition in its rotation mode. On the other hand, by occupying the space between the lower pulley and the yarn feeding pulley, the housing prevents dust from being deposited on the upper side of the yarn feeding roller or in the yarn feeding pulley. For the case where the yarn feed pulley is preferably designed as a closed deep drawing member without a gas vent, dust deposition in the yarn feeding wheel is a particularly troublesome thing, so the inner space is like a can. shield.

Also, provide sufficient space to accommodate simple or even complex circuits. This can be achieved without exposing the housing to the risk of dust deposits. If desired, the bracket can be designed in a relatively narrow manner to further reduce dust deposits that would otherwise be harmless because of the distance from the moving components and away from the yarn.

The housing and the bracket, although not absolutely necessary, are preferably designed as separate components that can be mounted to each other by suitable connecting members when the yarn feeding device is assembled. These components can be composed of different materials. Although the bracket may, for example, be composed of a plastic material or a mechanically-stabilized component of metal, the housing does not have to take over a holding or supporting function and thus can be made with a correspondingly thinner wall. The housing can have a different color than the bracket. This not only provides an aesthetic effect, but also provides a contour that takes into account the visual appearance of the machine ring and the yarn feed device.

The choice of the different materials for the housing and the bracket also makes it possible for the housing to be made entirely or partially of a light transmissive, preferably translucent or transparent material. In view of this, the electronic system housed in the housing is visible to the naked eye. For example, this can be used for control of functions when a security element or other element that is optically controllable with respect to a function is disposed within the housing. In addition, optical indicating elements such as light emitting diodes or other communication elements that are visible to the naked eye (as seen from either side through the housing) can be positioned directly on one of the circuit boards within the housing. Furthermore, the housing can exhibit light guiding properties to enhance the visibility of the indicator elements on all sides. An indicator light located between the clamp and the feed pulley can thus be replaced. Visibility is improved. The housing may also contain one or more antennas for transmitting and/or receiving high frequency signals.

The independent design of the housing and the bracket and the removal of any supporting function from the housing make it possible to design the housing with a particularly thin wall. Therefore, a control element such as a magnetic switching reed switch or the like can be housed in the housing and can be easily actuated by a magnet disposed outside.

In view of the aforementioned dust deposition, it is preferred that the housing has a cross section that is slightly smaller than the largest cross section of the pulley and, if desired, slightly larger than the upper edge of the feed pulley. In this case, the diameters of the pulley, the housing and the yarn feed pulley are decremented from front to back in the stated order.

Preferably, the yarn sensor (the yarn feed side stopper and the yarn exit side yarn stopper) is completely mounted under the apparatus or the holder body. Therefore, the yarn sensor does not extend laterally from under the bracket body. Debris is difficult to deposit because it eliminates the laterally extending bracket that is part of the yarn feeder. Moreover, the design of the device is very narrow. Even if they are mounted next to each other on a machine ring, they still allow good access to the device. There are no interference lines or other components protruding laterally from the unit during maintenance and cleaning operations.

Further details of advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the drawings, the description of the embodiments and the scope of the claims.

Figure 1 shows a yarn feeding device 1 for feeding a yarn to a knitting machine such as a circular knitting machine. For this reason, a plurality of such yarn feeding devices 1 are mounted on a machine ring 2 which is horizontally mounted on a circular knitting machine. The yarn feeding device 1 comprises a bracket 3 provided with a clamp 4 for attachment to the machine ring 2. For example, the bracket 4 is a metal component such as a die cast aluminum component, a die cast zinc component or even a die cast or extruded plastic component. The clamp 4 has an opening that opens toward the bottom to accommodate the machine ring and a locking screw 5 for tensioning the machine ring 4 in this opening. The bracket 3 extends from the clamp 4 relative to a first upper bearing arrangement 6 and relative to a second lower bearing arrangement 7. In doing so, the bracket can have, for example, two arched struts 8, 9 as shown in Fig. 1, which define a boundary between intermediate spaces 10 therebetween.

As shown in Figure 1, each of the bearing assemblies 6 and 7 has a bearing 11, 12 which is a ball bearing that is coaxial with respect to a common axis of rotation 13. These ball bearings are arranged to rotatably support a shaft 14 which supports a yarn feed pulley 15 at its lower end below the lower leg 9. At least one and preferably a plurality of pulleys 16, 17 are disposed in the intermediate space 10 which are seated on the shaft 14 to drive the shaft. The pulley 16 or 17 and the shaft 14 are prevented from being torque-engaged by an axially movable clutch disc 18 or any other clutch member.

The yarn feed roller 15 is attached to the lower end of the shaft 14 by a locking screw 19 which is screwed into one of the axial end side threaded holes of the end of the shaft. Preferably, the locking screw 19 is identical to the locking screw 5 to assist in the simple and reasonable handling of the yarn feeding device 1.

The bearing device 7 is part of the lower strut 9 which can extend into the internal space of the pulley 16. Although the pulley 16 is positioned under this condition in a gap formed in the bearing device 7 and the bearing device 6 or in an internal space, the pulley extends at least partially above the lower bearing device 7.

The bearing device 7 is preferably part of the post 9 below the bracket 3. The post 9 extends from the clamp 9 to a distal end 20 on which a yarn tensioning device 21 can be placed. This yarn stretching device can be designed in any conventional manner. For example, it may include a ring that adheres to each other by magnetic force, whereby a yarn 22 must pass between the rings.

To guide the yarn 22 along its path to the yarn drawing device 21, a feed loop 23 can be provided on the free end of the upper post 8. This strut 8 initially extends from the clamp 4 to the bearing arrangement 6 and then from the bearing arrangement 6 to its free end 24. Below the feed loop eye 23, a knot remover 25 is provided which is constructed as a sheet metal part having a slit through which the yarn 22 is moved. A gap is formed between the knot catcher 25 and the yarn tensioning device 21, which allows free access to the pulley 16.

Referring to the illustrated embodiment, the lower leg 9 preferably supports a housing 26 that is positioned in an intermediate space formed between the lower pulley 16 and the feed pulley 15. If the diameter of the yarn feed roller 15 and the diameter of the pulley 16 are equal to each other, the intermediate space is cylindrical. If the diameter of the yarn feed roller 15 is smaller than the diameter of the pulley 16, the intermediate space is slightly tapered in a conical manner and becomes smaller in the downward direction. Irrespective of this, the shape of the housing 26 is preferably determined in such a manner that the intermediate space is substantially filled. It is apparent that the pulleys 16, the housing 26 and the yarn feed pulley 15 in particular have a diameter (measured perpendicular to the projection plane in Fig. 1) from the top to the bottom in a direction transverse to the direction of the strut 9. Preferably, the pulley 16 has its largest diameter at its lower edge which is slightly larger than the diameter of the housing 26. Preferably, the housing has a diameter at least slightly larger than the diameter of the upper edge of the feed pulley 15 to extend slightly beyond the edge. In the present embodiment, the housing 26 is cylindrical and is made of a semi-transparent or transparent plastic material. On its upper side, the housing is closed and supported by the support 3, in particular by the support 9 of the support. Again, the housing has a bottom 27, as is evident from Figure 2. An extension tube 28 can be provided approximately at the center of the housing. The extension tube can be part of the bracket 3 or can be part of the housing 26 or can be a separate component. An annular inner space 29 enclosing the extension tube 28 and also enclosing the shaft 14 is defined between the extension tube 28 and the housing 26.

The housing 26 need not be absolutely sealed (but preferably sealed) such that it seals the interior space 29 in a manner that prevents dust from the environment.

The bottom portion 27 can be slightly offset in the upward direction against the lower edge 30 of the outer casing of the housing 26 and thus can limit the flat notch into which the yarn feed pulley 15 extends (as viewed from the bottom side).

The yarn feed wheel is preferably fabricated in one piece into a deep drawn sheet metal part. For example, the wheel has a yarn feed zone 32 extending from an upper edge, the yarn feed zone being steeply tapered in a downward direction and having a circular cross section, one having a downward direction only A slightly tapered non-circular cross-section ribbed yarn storage region 32, a projecting lower edge region 33, the yarn 22 exits in a sliding contact on the projecting lower edge region. The yarn storage section 32 is for accommodating a yarn roll 34 which is slightly advanced in the axial direction as the yarn reaches the yarn feed zone 31. The yarn feed roller 15 is preferably designed to be hollow. In the downward direction, the wheel is closed by a closed end face. The bottom portion 27 and the edge 30 extending in the downward direction on the bottom portion effectively protect the interior space enclosed by the yarn feed pulley 15 from flying feathers.

One or more electrical and/or electronic components 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 are housed in the interior space 29, which components can be mounted to a circuit board 41 as shown in FIG. These components 35 to 40 include, for example, dry-reed relays 35 and 37 that can be actuated by magnetic force, electronic circuitry 36, light-emitting diodes 39 or other optical indicators, one or more antennas 40, and passive components. For example, resistor 38. Additional components such as fuses, capacitors, transistors, diodes and the like can also be added. The circuit board 41 is for mounting within the annular interior space 29 and has a suitable recess for the extension tube 28. Also, the circuit board can have an extension 42 that can project from the cylindrical section of the housing 26 and into the other protected section 42. The protected section may be part of the housing 26 or may be other coverings.

Reed relays 35, 37 are used, for example, to detect the tightness or sag or absence of yarn 22. This can be accomplished with a yarn feed sensor 44 and a yarn exit sensor 45 having eyelets at their ends whereby the yarn 22 moves through the eyelets. If the yarn breaks or if the yarn sags, the yarn sensors 44, 45 pivot in the appropriate direction away from the position shown in the figures and thus cause the magnets, such as a permanent magnet 46, to exit the respective reed relay. This can be indicated by the light-emitting diode 39 at the moment or after a reasonably selected delay time. The yarn tensioning device (preferably without any yarn guide eye) is preferably the only element in contact between the yarn feed sensor 44 and the knotter 25 that is in contact with the yarn.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bracket may additionally (e.g., in the immediate vicinity of the yarn take-up sensor 45) have eye guide loops 47, 48 that determine the angle at which the yarn 22 exits the feed pulley 15.

The operation of the yarn feeding device 1 up to this point follows the principle of the active yarn feeder. If a belt not specifically illustrated begins to rotate the yarn feed pulley 15 via the pulley 16 or 17, the wheel continues to wind up the yarn 22. This yarn is moved to the yarn storage area 32 via the yarn feed zone 31. The yarn feed roller 15 conveys the yarn at a predetermined yarn speed via the yarn exit loops 47, 48. The yarn feed sensor 44 and the yarn take-up sensor 45 are in their operational positions. The electronic circuit on the circuit board 41 detects this and the light-emitting diode 39 does not illuminate.

During operation, it is possible for the dander to deposit on the bracket 3, but not on the housing 26 between the pulley 16 and the yarn feeding device 15. The housing remains clean on the outside despite its relatively large volume and large internal space. Its transparent exterior is still clean, as is the case in the example embodiment. The indicator light in the housing space remains visible from either side.

Because of the higher cleanliness of the device and better visibility of the indicator light, it is believed that the device will be accepted by the end user to a higher degree.

With reference to the yarn feeding device 1, many variations are possible. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the bracket can be reinforced between its struts 8, 9 by a strip 49. A pocket 50 can be provided between the strip 49 and the clamp 4. This recess can be constructed as a passage opening or it can be closed by a thin wall. The latter is of particular interest when the stent 3 is made from a cost-effective plastic material.

Again, as also shown in Figure 4, the housing 26 is offset from the cylindrical pattern. For example, it may have the shape of a prism, that is, have a polygonal cross section. FIG. 4 shows the corresponding edges 51, 52, 53, 54 of the example hexagonal housing 26. The housing may also have an octagonal or cross-section of a different shape.

Other modifications are also possible. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the bracket 3 can have a separate configuration. The separation may, for example, affect the lower strut 9 whereby one of its components extends from the clamp 4 to the bearing arrangement 7. The other component 55 can extend to the end 20 on the one hand and can be designed as a housing on the other hand to accommodate the extension 42 of the circuit board 41 and to support the yarn sensor 45 as well as the exit eyelets 41, 48. The member 55 is coupled to the strut in a manner that does not have a torque associated with the axis of rotation 13.

Furthermore, as also shown in Figure 5, the housing can have a full or partial conical design. In particular, the housing may have a conical protruding lower edge 56 that extends slightly beyond the upper edge of the feed pulley 15 to protect the wheel and its interior from flying debris.

Again, as shown in Figure 5, the shaft 14 can extend beyond the upper bearing assembly 6 to support one or more additional pulleys or a motor.

With reference to the idea according to the invention, it is particularly advantageous if the yarn feed pulley 1 permits a modular construction. The yarn exit side yarn stopper consisting of the yarn take-up sensor 45 and the yarn exit loops 47, 48 and other elements represents a detachable yarn feed device without the assembly for detaching the yarn feed device from the machine ring. The same applies to the feed pulley 15 and the housing 26 with the electronic system therein. Therefore, such a new yarn feeding device 1 is particularly easy to maintain.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a modified embodiment of one of the yarn feed sensors 44. The yarn feed sensor 44 is arranged to pivot about a horizontal axis of rotation 57. The internal space 29 of the housing 26 contains a reed switch 37 as a magnetic sensor. Near the switch there is a permanent magnet 58 mounted as immovable. The yarn sensor 44 is coupled to a metal cover 59 that is positioned between the permanent magnet 58 and the reed switch 37 when the yarn 22 is tight. This cover isolates the magnetic field of the permanent magnet magnet from the reed switch 37. This switch is open, ie it does not conduct current. If the yarn is slack or broken, the yarn feed sensor is moved to another position, thereby moving the metal cover 59 away from the intermediate switch between the permanent magnet 58 and the reed switch 37. At this time, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 58 reaches the reed switch 37. The contact of the switch is closed; current can flow. The same principle can be applied to the yarn exit sensor 45.

The yarn feeding device according to the invention comprises a support 3 which is connected by its bearing means 6, 7 to a clamp 4. Between the bearing means 6, 7 there is at least one pulley 16 for driving a vertical shaft 14 supported by the bearing means 6, 7 which carries a yarn feed pulley at its lower end. A housing 26 is provided between the lower pulley 16 and the feed pulley 15, which is held by the bracket 3 and is adapted to receive an electrical or electronic circuit. The housing is housed in a damp-proof area and may still have a relatively large and bulky design.

1. . . Yarn feeding device

2. . . Machine ring

3. . . support

4. . . clamp

5. . . Locking screw

6. . . Bearing device

7. . . Bearing device

8. . . pillar

9. . . pillar

10. . . Intermediate space

11. . . Bearing

12. . . Bearing

13. . . Rotation axis

14. . . axis

15. . . Yarn feeding wheel

16. . . Pulley

17. . . Pulley

18. . . Separation disk

19. . . Locking screw

20. . . End

twenty one. . . Yarn stretching device

twenty two. . . Yarn

twenty three. . . Feed ring eye

twenty four. . . End

25. . . Eliminator

26. . . case

27. . . bottom

28. . . Extension tube

29. . . Internal space

30. . . edge

31. . . Feeding area

32. . . Yarn storage area

33. . . Marginal zone

34. . . Yarn roll

35-40. . . Component

41. . . Circuit board

42. . . Extension

43. . . region

44. . . Yarn sensor

45. . . Yarn sensor

46. . . Permanent magnet

47. . . Yarn ring

48. . . Yarn ring

49. . . Bands

50. . . Pocket

51-54. . . edge

55. . . component

56. . . edge

57. . . Rotation axis

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a yarn feeding device according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a partial yarn feeding device according to the present invention; 3 is a plan view of a circuit board for a housing of the yarn feeding device according to FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a modified embodiment of a yarn feeding device according to the present invention; A side view of another embodiment of the yarn feeding device; and Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a yarn feed side sensor of a yarn feeding device.

1. . . Yarn feeding device

2. . . Machine ring

3. . . support

4. . . clamp

5. . . Locking screw

6. . . Bearing device

7. . . Bearing device

8. . . pillar

9. . . pillar

10. . . Intermediate space

11. . . Bearing

12. . . Bearing

13. . . Rotation axis

14. . . axis

15. . . Yarn feeding wheel

16. . . Pulley

17. . . Pulley

18. . . Separation disk

19. . . Locking screw

20. . . End

twenty one. . . Yarn stretching device

twenty two. . . Yarn

twenty three. . . Feed ring eye

twenty four. . . End

25. . . Eliminator

26. . . case

45. . . Yarn sensor

Claims (16)

A yarn feeding device (1) for a textile machine, in particular for a knitting machine, comprising: a bracket (3) comprising at least one for attaching the yarn feeding device (1) to the textile machine a clamp (4), a first pillar (8) and a second pillar (9); a first bearing (11) located on the first pillar (8) in use and having a vertical orientation a rotation axis (13); a second bearing (12) disposed on the second post (9) aligned with the first bearing (11), wherein an intermediate space (10) is formed in the first and the Between two struts (8, 9); a shaft (14) extending through the bearings (11, 12) and rotatably supported by the bearings; at least one disc pulley (16) disposed therein The shaft (14) is disposed in the intermediate space (10) to drive the shaft (14) in a rotational manner; a yarn feeding pulley (15) is disposed at a lower end of the shaft (14) for use by the shaft when in use (14) driving; and a casing (26) defining a boundary of the interior space (29) and being provided between the at least one pulley (16) and the yarn feeding pulley (15) to provide a An accommodation space for an electrical component (37, 38). A yarn feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing (26) and the bracket (3) are separate components. A yarn feeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that the casing (26) and the bracket (3) are composed of different materials. A yarn feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing (26) has at least one light-emitting area. A yarn feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing (26) has at least one opening for an optical indicating element. The yarn feeding device of claim 1 is characterized in that the maximum lateral dimension of the casing (26) is larger than the upper edge of the yarn feeding wheel (15). A yarn feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the maximum lateral dimension of the casing (26) is smaller than the maximum transverse diameter of the pulley (16). A yarn feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing (26) is designed to follow the curvature of the pulley (16) and has a rounded cross section. A yarn feeding device according to the first aspect of the invention is characterized in that the casing (26) is designed to follow the curvature of the pulley (16) and has a polygonal cross section. A yarn feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing (26) has an edge (30) extending above the yarn feeding pulley (15). The yarn feeding device of claim 1 is characterized in that the yarn guiding member (47, 48) and/or the yarn sensing member (44, 45) and/or a yarn stretching device (21) are disposed at The bracket (3) is not provided with a supporting function and serves only as an outer casing for enclosing the inner space (29). The yarn feeding device of claim 1, wherein the electronic processing member (41) is disposed in the internal space (29). A yarn feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that an antenna (40) is disposed in the internal space (29). A yarn feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a yarn sensing member (44, 45), the yarn sensing member comprising at least one magnetic sensing in the inner space (29) The device (37) and the at least one magnet (58) have a magnetic field that is affected by a sensing element (44, 59) located outside the internal space (29). A yarn feeding device according to the first aspect of the invention is characterized in that the inner space (29) is closed to the outside. A yarn feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that a yarn feeding sensor (44) and/or a yarn receiving sensor (45) are provided as a yarn sensor, and the yarn feeding feeling is obtained. The detector (44) and/or the yarn exit sensor (45) are completely disposed under the bracket (3)