US3339819A

US3339819A - Thread transporting roller

Info

Publication number: US3339819A
Application number: US432329A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gollos Wolfgang
Original assignee: Glanzstoff AG
Current assignee: Glanzstoff AG; Vereinigte Glanzstoff Fabriken AG
Priority date: 1964-02-15
Filing date: 1965-02-12
Publication date: 1967-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 1984-09-05
Also published as: AT257821B; CH430032A; FR1424348A

Description

- Sept. 5, 1967 w. GOLLOS 3,339,819

THREAD TRANS PORT I NG ROLLER Filed Feb. 12, 1965 I FIGZ TAKE-UP SPOOL T INVENTOR:

( 3533 WOLFGANG GOLLOS W g-1J5 M (im ATT'YS United States Patent f 3,339,819 THREAD TRANSPORTING ROLLER Wolfgang Gollos, Klingenberg, Germany, assignor to Vereinigte Glanzstoif-Fabriken A.G., Wuppertal-Elberfeld, Germany Filed Feb. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 432,329 Claims priority, applicatiorsr 9(gar-many, Feb. 15, 1964,

1 6 Claims. (Cl. 226-190) This invention relates to a thread transporting roller for conveying or guiding continuous threads, filaments and especially fine yarns during various textile operations, for example as a lead or delivery roller in combination with a take-up spool during the collection of freshly spun filaments. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a thread transporting roller which can be disassembled for cleaning without completely removing it from its drive shaft.

Thread transporting rollers adapted to receive a thread or yarn in running contact over a circumferential surface are well known in the art, and many forms of construction in which the roller has a generally cylindrical shape and in which various designs or configurations are exhibited by the thread running surface are also known, these constructions being generally useful for the purposes of the present invention. These rollers are adapted to be mounted on a shaft and rotated at peripheral speeds corresponding approximately to the linear speed of the thread. In the case of lead rollers, the speed of the rotating roller is usually adjusted to regulate the longitudinal tension being placed on the thread as it is transported to the take-up spool.

During operation of the roller, broken filament ends in the thread or yarn sometimes cause an undesirable winding or raveling in the form of a tangled collection of threads around the transporting roller, especially where the thread contacting surface in the form of a groove is capable of frictional engagement with the running thread. These so-called winders of twisted and tangled thread accumulations on the roller cannot be removed without shutting oif the particular machine position or roller, and this involves a considerable expenditure of time and interruption in the continuous handling of the thread.

Such winders are unavoidable in any practical commercial operation and occur relatively frequently because of the large number of individual machine positions and rollers corresponding to the total number of individual threads or yarns being handled. Therefore, the necessity of first stopping a roller, before it can be taken apart and the winder removed, has been quite troublesome and very expensive.

One object of the present invention is to provide a thread transporting roller which offers the possibility of rapidly and easily removing winders therefrom while the particular machine position which is affected and even the roller continues to run at its normal speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a thread transporting roller adapted to be mounted on the end of a rotating drive shaft in such a manner that at least the outermost portion or segment of the roller can be detached and/or reinserted by hand while the shaft is still rotating.

Still-another object is to provide a thread transporting roller in which a first element can be firmly connected to a rotating drive shaft while a second element having a peripheral thread receiving surface is detachably connected to the first element solely by magnetic force, preferably with contacting surfaces of the two elements being in frictional engagement'for transmission of torque. These and other objects and advantages of the inven- Patented. Sept. 5, 1967 tion will become more apparent upon consideration of the following disclosure of specific thread transporting rollers.

In accordance with the invention it has now been found that a substantial improvement is achieved in removing undesirable thread accumulations or otherwise cleaning a rotatable thread transporting roller if it is constructed from two elements which are detachably centered on a common axis and which have oppositely disposed inner faces preferably in at least partial frictional contact with each other for transmission of torque. In addition, magnetic means are contained in the opposing faces of these two elements for adherence of one to the other while one of the elements is adapted to be firmly connected to a rotatable drive shaft, the magnetic force being sufiiciently great to hold the second element in place during rotation of the roller for thread transport and sufficiently small to permit disengagement and removal of the second element while continuing the rotation of the first element. Thus, the inner opposing face of one element can be so constructed and arranged to contain permanent magnets secured thereto while the inner 0pposing face of the other element contains an annular ring composed of a ferromagnetic substance of high permeability, i.e. low remanence and high magnetizability. The magnets should generally be situated in annular positions approximately opposite the ferromagnetic ring when the two elements are in the assembled position of the roller.

Particular lead or delivery rollers are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view in which the right-hand portion of the roller is connected to a drive shaft while the left-hand portion has been detached and removed to a position in which its axis is turned at a angle to the axis of the drive shaft;

FIG. 2 is a diametric cross-sectional view of the roller of FIG. 1 when assembled and the two elements thereof adhered by magnetic force;

' FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view as in FIG. 1 but illustrating a different roller construction;

FIG. 4 is a diametric cross-sectional view of the roller of FIG. 3 in its assembled position; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the manner in which the thread transporting roller cooperates with a take-up spool.

Both types of rollers as illustrated in the drawing consist of one part which is firmly'attached or connected to a drive shaft and a removable part which slips freely over the end of the drive shaft. Both parts of the roller are held together in their assembled position by permanent magnets and consist of a number of subsidiary structural components as described in detail hereinafter.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, a roller corresponding to the ball race type conventional for transporting normal textile threads is divided into two separable members'l and 2, the latter being connected firmly with the drive shaft 3 (shown by broken lines in FIG. 2) by means of a clamping spring 4 having a lug 5 which engages in a recess of the shaft. Each of the separable members has a substantially cylindrical base support 6 and 7, respectively, the outer face of each support being recessed to hold a clamping spring and the inner face of each support carrying magnetic coupling means. Only one of these supports 6 is connected inwardly from but adjacent to the end of the drive shaft, the other support 7 slipping freely over the end of the shaft. However, because of the symmetrical construction of these supports, their position on the shaft is interchangeable simply by transferring the clamping spring 4 from one to the other.

The thread receiving cups 8 and 9 are held in place by the retaining rings and 11, respectively, which in turn are firmly attached to the supports by means of a number of

screws

12 and 13 positioned concentrically around the center axis. The outer

peripheral rims

14 and 15 of these cups have smooth surfaces and form a shallow groove in which the thread is received and contained in actual operation of the roller. The

flanges

16 and 17 of these cups form opposing annular surfaces containing a plurality of shallow deformations or

semispherical projections

18 and 19 which are spaced at uniform intervals around the circumference of each flange. When the two members are assembled, these projections contact and intermesh with each other so as to assist in transmitting torque from the fixed member 2 to the member 1 freely mounted on the shaft. These projections or similar contacting surfaces can be further coated with any substance which will increase their sliding friction.

The annular retaining ring 10 preferably consists of a nonmagnetic material and has six concentrically arranged depressions or recessed openings in which permanent magnets 20 are inserted and secured by an adhesive or other suitable bonding agent. The outwardly exposed fiat surfaces of these cylindrically shaped magnets fall in a single plane perpendicular to the axis of the roller, and the size, shape and number of the magnets depends upon the properties of the magnetic material and the desired magnetic force.

The annular ring 11 attached to the other member 2 consists of a ferromagnetic material with a low remanence but a high magnetizability, preferably being composed of so-called soft iron. This magnetizable ring 11 is arranged in an annular position opposite the magnets 20 so as to provide the maximum attraction between the magnets and the magnetizable ring regardless of the relative position of the two members 1 and 2 on the drive shaft. However, in 'order to keep the ring 11 from sticking to the magnets 20, it is desirable to arrange the various components such that While he cups 14 and 15 contact each other in the assembled position of the two members, a slight air gap a separates the magnets from the magnetizable ring.

Another embodiment of a lead or delivery roller is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and is adapted to be used for conveying freshly spun elastomeric threads, as explained in greater detail in my copending application, filed concurrently herewith. For purposes of the present invention, this roller is constructed in a manner similar to the previously described roller with two

separable members

21 and 22, the latter being connected to the drive shaft 23 by means of set screw 24 in sleeve 25 and the former fitting freely over the drive shaft and attached solely by magnetic coupling means.

The sleeve 25 and cylindrical side plate 26 are preferably integral with each other and composed of a nonmagnetic material. The inner recessed face 27 of the plate 26 has two cylindrical magnets 28 embedded or seated therein so that the exposed flat surfaces of the magnets are substantially flush with the inner face 27.

The thread receiving grooved annular ring 29 contains a plurality of equidistantly spaced radial openings 30 and is specially designed to convey elastomeric threads under substantially zero tension to a take-up spool. This grooved ring 29 is held in place on the side plate 31 of member 21 by the retaining ring 32 and screws 33. This retaining ring 32 is composed of a ferromagnetic material of low remanence and high magnetizability and has an outwardly projecting circumferential flange 32' directly opposite the magnets 28 and at least partially overlapping these magnets. Again, to prevent sticking, the inner face 27 of member 22 is recessed sufficiently to provide a slight air gap a between the ring 32 and the magnets 28.

In order to provide higher torque transmission after the two members have been magnetically coupled, the contacting surfaces 34 of side plate 26 and grooved ring 29 can be coated with a substance which increases their frictional adhesion. Alternatively, these surfaces can be indented, scored or roughened in the form of so-called Hirth serrations, thereby increasing their frictional adhesion and consequently improving the torque transmission.

In the operation of these rollers, the innermost member is clamped securely to the shaft a short distance from the end thereof, and the outermost member is then seated freely on the end of the shaft, preferably so that the shaft does not protrude more than a short distance out of the roller and still more preferably 50 that the shaft is journaled completely within the outermost member 21 as shown in FIG. 4.

The magnetic coupling of the two members is sufiicient to hold the outermost or removable member in place during rotation with a thread running in contact with the grooved surface, particularly if there is additional frictional adherence between contacting surfaces. The grooved surface should be at least partly located in the removable member because winders of broken thread or other deposits or accumulations such as dust or oil are generally located in this groove. When such problems arise, it is then quite easy and convenient to grasp the outermost member to stop its rotation and slip it off the end of the drive shaft for cleaning. A corresponding detachable member which is already clean can be immediately slipped onto the shaft and magnetically coupled, so that very little time is lost in removing winders" from any roller position.

FIG. 5 merely illustrates the well-known manner in which a thread T is guided and/0r conveyed around a lead roller to a rotatably driven take-up spool or bobbin. In general, this combination of lead roller andtake-up spool will be repeated many times in a commercial installation, corresponding to a large number of spinning and winding positions.

It will be apparent that the shape and arrangement of the various roller components can be considerably altered without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size and shape of the magnets as well as the number and arrangement of these magnets on the inner face of one of the two separable elements is quite arbitary. It would be feasible to employ a concentric ring-shaped magnet opposite the magnetizable ring or opposite a number of individual magnetizable inserts, but it is more convenient to use permanent magnets having the familiar form of relatively thin, fiat discs, wafers or bars. Also, instead of a continuous magnetizable ring, it can be broken into a number of individual segments or can be formed by a number of progressively smaller concentric rings. It is desirable, however, to use a substantially continuous ring in order to make certain that the magnets will be opposite the magnetizable component regardless of the position of rotation of the two elements.

Although it is possible to make these variations in the magnetic coupling structure as well as many variations in the remaining structure, it has been found that the magnets should be employed in a sufiicient number and strength to give a total adhesion or coupling force of at least about 1 kilogram up to about 10 kilograms, preferably about 1.5 to 8 kilograms.

The lower limit of about 1 to 1.5 kg. is generally necessary to provide a strong coupling, and the transmission of torque can be increased if there are Hirth serrations or so-called planar notch indentations in the contacting surfaces on the inner opposing faces of the separate elements.

On the other hand, it is recommended that the maximum magnetic coupling force not exceed an amount of about'8 to 10 kg. so that a separation of the two detachable elements by hand does not become too dangerous. If this upper limit is still not sufficient by itself to ensure the transmission of torque because of the size or weight of the two halves of the roller, then it is again advisable to employ such measures as Hirth-type serrations or a suitable coating on the contacting surfaces in order to increase their coefiicient of friction. In this, manner, a higher torque can be transmitted than would otherwise be possible with the same magnetic coupling force.

The magnetically coupled rollers according to the invention are relatively simple to manufacture and individual components are readily interchangeable. There are relatively few contacting surfaces so that wear and damage are kept to a minimum. Cleaning or removal of winders can be accomplished without shutting down a machine position and without the use of special tools normally required to tediously dismantle existing rollers. The amount of labor is correspondingly reduced by a considerable extent, and there is only a very slight interruption in the continuous transfer of thread because of the rapid manner in which the outer or detachable roller element can be replaced by another on the rotating drive shaft.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In a thread transporting roller having a grooved outer circumferential surface adapted to engage a thread or yarn in running contact therewith, the improvement of two roller elements detachably centered on a common axis and having oppositely disposed inner faces, the inner opposing face of one element containing permanent magnets secured thereto and the inner opposing face of the other element containing an annular ring composed of a ferromagnetic material of low remanence and high magnetizability, said magnets being situated in annular positions opposite said ring in the assembled position of the two elements with sufiicient magnetic force to couple one element when freely mounted on a rotating drive shaft to the other element when connected firmly for rotation with said drive shaft.

2. A roller as claimed in claim 1 wherein said magnets and magnetizable ring provide a magnetic coupling force between said elements of approximately 1 to kilograms.

3. A roller as claimed in claim 1 wherein said magnets and magnetizable ring provide a magnetic coupling force between said elements of about 1.5 to 8 kilograms.

4. A roller as claimed in claim 1 wherein said magnets and said ring are placed opposite each other in such a manner as to provide a small air gap therebetween in the assembled position of the two elements.

5. In a thread transporting roller having a grooved outer circumferential surface adapted to receive a thread in running contact therewith, the improvement of two roller elements detachably centered on a common axis and having oppositely disposed inner faces, the inner opposing face of one element containing permanent magnets secured thereto and the inner opposing face of the other element containing an annular ring composed of a ferromagnetic material of low remanence and high magnetizability, said magnets being situated in annular positions opposite said ring in the assembled position of the two elements with suflicient magnetic force to couple one element when freely mounted on a rotating drive shaft to the other element when connected firmly for rotation with said drive shaft, the contacting surfaces in the inner opposing faces of the two elements carrying shallow deformations engaging in one another, thereby providing a corresopndingly higher torque transmission between said elements.

6. A roller as claimed in claim 5 wherein said magnets and magnetizable ring provide a magnetic coupling force between said elements of approximately 1 to 10 kilograms.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,614,773 10/1952 Ammerall 242 2,956,658 10/1960 Jaeschke 19284 3,100,091 8/1963 Mindheim 242-150 3,154,260 10/1964 Stanislao 226- X M. HENSON FOOD, JR., Primary Examiner.

R. A. SCHACHER, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. IN A THREAD TRANSPORTING ROLLER HAVING A GROOVED OUTER CIRCUMFERENTIAL SURFACE ADAPTED TO ENGAGE A THREAD OR YARN IN RUNNING CONTACT THEREWITH, THE IMPROVEMENT OF TWO ROLLER ELEMENTS DETACHABLY CENTERED ON A COMMON AXIS AND HAVING OPPOSITELY DISPOSED INNER FACES, THE INNER OPPOSING FACE OF ONE ELEMENT CONTAINING PERMANENT MAGNETS SECURED THERETO AND THE INNER OPPOSING FACE OF THE OTHER ELEMENT CONTAINING AN ANNULAR RING COMPOSED OF A FERROMAGNETIC MATERIAL OF LOW REMANENCE AND HIGH MAGNETIZABILITY, SAID MAGNETS BEING SITUATED IN ANNULAR POSITIONS OPPOSITE SAID RING IN THE ASSEMBLED POSITION OF THE TWO ELEMENTS WITH SUFFICIENT MAGNETIC FORCE TO COUPLE ONE ELEMENT WHEN FREELY MOUNTED ON A ROTATING DRIVE SHAFT TO THE OTHER ELEMENT WHEN CONNECTED FIRMLY FOR ROTATION WITHE SAID DRIVE SHAFT.