US3565359A

US3565359A - Winding machine

Info

Publication number: US3565359A
Application number: US805397A
Authority: US
Inventors: William V Goodhue
Original assignee: Leesona Corp
Current assignee: Leesona Corp
Priority date: 1969-03-10
Filing date: 1969-03-10
Publication date: 1971-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 1988-02-23
Also published as: JPS4944011B1; CH510580A; NL7003419A; CA925066A; DE2011298A1; GB1311797A; FR2034795A1

Abstract

A winding machine incorporating yarn traversing mechanism having a pair of oppositely moving belt spans, each provided with yarn engaging guides for moving the yarn along a traversal path in a controlled manner to wind a package of yarn, the yarn being transferred from one guide to another at each end of the path adjacent each package end. The traversal path of each of the spans is regulated so that the oppositely moving spans run parallel to the axis of the package in the zone corresponding to the axial midsection of the package. In the zones corresponding to the end sections of the package the oppositely moving belt spans run in paths diverging from said parallel paths. Stabilizing pulleys are provided to track the oppositely moving belt spans and thereby preclude vibrations being introduced into the yarn during its traversal.

Description

United States Patent Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath AttorneysAlbert P. Davis and Barnett W. Norton ABSTRACT: A winding machine incorporating yarn traversing mechanism having a pair of oppositely moving belt spans, each provided with yarn engaging guides for moving the yarn along a traversal path in a-controlled manner to wind a package of yarn, the yarn being transferred from one guide to another at each end of the path adjacent each package end. The traversal path of each of the spans is regulated so that the oppositely moving spans run parallel to the axis of the package in the zone corresponding to the axial midsection of the package. in the zones corresponding to the end sections of the package the oppositely moving belt spans run in paths diverging from said parallel paths. Stabilizing pulleys are provided to track the oppositely moving belt spans and thereby preclude vibrations being introduced into the yarn during its traversal.

WENTEUFEMIQH 3565;359

mvnm m. WILLIA V ODHU E' BY 4.

ATTORNEYS WINDING MACHINE The present invention relates to a winding machine and is directed more particularly to a winding machine incorporating improved traversing mechanism for guiding a strand of yarn onto a takeup package especially at very high speeds.

In the following specification and claims it is to be understood that the term yarn" is used in the general sense to apply to all kinds of strand material either textile or otherwise, and the designation package is intended to mean the product of the winding machine whatever its form.

In the'high-speed winding of yarn such as is practiced when extruded polymer filaments manufactured in melt spinning operations are taken up, it is known to use a winding machine incorporating traversing mechanism comprising a.plurality of traversing guides or fingers connected to oppositely moving endless members such as belts, tapes, chains, etc., for traversing the yarn to and fro axially of a package core to thus wind up the yarn into a package. Customarily the endless members move in opposite rectilinear paths and, at each end of the package, reversal of the yarn is effected by transferring the yarn from a first one of the yarn fingers moving in one direction to a second of the fingers moving in an opposite direction relative to the package core axis. In order that commercially acceptable yarn packages may be wound with this technique, it is necessary that reversal of the yarn at each end of the package be instantaneous and, further, that reversal occurs at the same point at each transfer, all so that the walls of the package will be straight. To achieve this desired result it has been proposed to arrange the opposite spans so that they move in rectilinear paths which are'at an angle inclined to the axis of the yarn package, the anglesof the two spans being equal to each other but inclined in opposite senses so that they cross each other in a line corresponding generally to the axial midpoint of the package being wound. In practice with mechanisms of this type the yarn is constrained to move in a path parallel to the package axis as it is moved to and fro by yarn engaging fingers on the spans. Consequently, as the yarn is moved from one end of the package to the other, engaged on a given yarn finger, the yarn slides outwardly relative to said finger and finally drops off over the tip of the finger proximate to one end of the package. At this point an oncoming finger on a companion span moving in the opposite sense picks the yarn up to move it toward the opposite package end, the yarnsimilarly sliding along said finger to a point where it ultimately drops offthe finger for engagement by a further oppositely moving finger. These repetitive steps take place until a package of given diameter is wound.

The earlier movable spans were often constituted as chains or relatively stiff tapes driven by sprockets or wheels. However, increasing use has been made of lightweight, flexible timing belts capable of operation at speeds far in excess of that contemplated for the earlier chains and tapes. With the use of these timing belts it has become desirable to provide intermediate idler pulleys to support the belts and control their tracking over the relatively long spans which they make. As shown in US. Pat. application Ser. No. 801,232 filed on Feb. 3, 1969, inventor Hans l-l. Richter, for Strand Handling Equipment, an idler pulley is provided for each belt span, the pulleys being disposed centrally along each span so that the tangent point of each belt with its pulley occurs in the same plane at which the belt spans cross each other. This plane, as already suggested, is on a line corresponding generally to the axial midpoint of the package being wound. In operation, it has been found that with the belts and pulleys arranged as just described an undesirable groove is formed in the periphery of the package as yarn is wound thereon. This groove is caused by each yarn finger being accelerated around that portion of the pulley with which the belt span comes in contact. When it is remembered that the points of tangency of both belt spans with their respective pulleys are aligned with the same point on the yarn package it will be seen that the groove is accentuated so that it is, in fact, twice the depth it might otherwise be if the tangent points of the belt spans with their idler pulleys were spaced. While a slight groove in the periphery of a package presents a commercially acceptable condition, an unusually deep groove such'as arises when the axis of the idler pulleys are aligned with reference to the package may cause the yarn wraps or coils adjacent to the groove to collapse into the groove and thereby render unwinding of the package difficult or even impossible.

The invention herein represents improvements upon traversing mechanisms such as those just described wherein endless members are utilized for reciprocating yarn engaging fingers in opposite paths to traverse yarn onto a package core. According to the instant invention, there is provided traverse mechanism wherein endless belts are arranged to provide two oppositely moving spans each of which carries yarn engaging fingers for moving the yarn to and fro, axially of an associated yarn package core to distribute the yarn therealong as the yarn advances from supply source. The oppositely moving spans each are arranged to move in a first path generally parallel to the axis of the winding spindle and yarn core as the yarn is traversed onto a first zone of the core. When in this first path, the spans move in parallel courses in the region corresponding to the midsection of the associated yarn core and package wound thereon. The oppositely moving spans are further configured so that they incline relative to the axis of the package core proximate to the end sections of said core and of the package being wound thereon. By virtue of the unique and advantageous arrangement for the belt spans as provided herein, the winding machine is capable of providing a wound yarn package wherein the periphery of the package is virtually cylindrical along its entire surface, substantially free of grooves or other imperfections and wherein the yarn is traversed axially of the package by means of oppositely moving belt spans which are stabilized to afford vibration free control of the yarn during its traversing.

An object of the present invention is to provide a yarn traversing mechanism suitable for operation at high speeds.

A further object of the invention is to provide a traverse mechanism capable of traversing yarn at high speeds onto a core to form a package of yarn having a virtually cylindrical and grooveless surface from one end of the package to the other.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a traversing mechanism for traversing yarn axially of a rotating core to wind a package and for controlling the point of reversal of the yarn with accuracy to thereby form a package with rigid end walls.

Another object of the present invention is to provide traversing mechanism employing oppositely moving endless belt spans which are stabilized by means of intermediate idler pulleys axially spaced one from the other.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide traversing mechanism utilizing endless belt spans for moving the yarn to and fro axially of the rotating package core to wind a package of yarn thereon, the endless belt spans being movable in parallel paths as the yarn is traversed on the midsection of the package and the belt spans moving in inclined paths toward the end sections of said package end core. Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure in the scope of the application of which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure in the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional yarn takeup machine incorporating the novel traversing mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the traversing mechanism of the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the traversing mechanism of FIG. 2.

From a broader general view the present invention contemplates the provision of a pair of endless timing belts each of which is provided with a plurality of yarn traversing fingers. The fingers are supported on their respective belt spans and extend laterally therefrom. The belts are carried on respective guide means such as timing pulleys which serve to track and drive the belt. It will be appreciated that each of the belt spans moves in a direction opposite to the other to thereby effect transversal movement of the yarn axially to and fro relative of a rotatable package core mounted on an associated winding machine to thereby wind a package. When viewed in the vertical plane the opposite belt spans are guided so that they operate along parallel courses in the zone corresponding to the general midsection of the core and yarn package being wound thereon. In the zones corresponding to the end sections of the package and its core the belt spans are arranged when viewed in the vertical plane to move in inclined planes relative to the axis of the package core. This feature facilitates transfer of the yarn from one of the yarn engaging fingers advancing the yarn in one direction to an oncoming finger for yarn movement in the opposite direction. Thus, accurate reversal of the yarn at each end of the package is achieved.

Referring now, in detail, to the drawing wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, and with particular reference at the outset to FIG. 1, there is shown winding mechanism designated generally at mounted on a pedestal or base 12. The winding mechanism 10 is of the type known in the art as a "precision winder wherein the number of rotations of the spindle 14 to each reciprocation of the yarn across the package is fixed from the start of the winding operation until the package P being wound is completed. The winding mechanism shown comprises a spindle 14 rotatably journaled in a casing 16. Spindle 14 is provided with an expansible and contractile package core holder shown generally at 18 for releasably mounting a package core 20 on said spindle. Means such as an operating handle (not shown) is provided for contracting the package core holder 18 when it is desired to remove a full yarn package P therefrom and replace it with an empty package core prior to commencing the winding of a new package. The winding mechanism 10 is driven by suitable means such as an electric motor (not shown) which may be mounted within base 12 and connected with spindle 14 via suitable drive means such as a driving belt. The motor may be wound so that is has variable speed characteristics, that is to say, the speed of the motor would increase or decrease as the electrical current supplied thereto is increased or decreased. Tensioning means such as a dancer arm 22 is provided which has a yarn receiving element 24 connected to the outer end thereof. The yarn receiving element operates to engage the yarn Y flowing from its source of supply and guide the yarn for winding onto package P while the yarn receiving element 24 and its rockable mounting arm 22 function to control the tension in the yarn during its take up. All of the foregoing structure is old and well known in the art and further description thereof is not deemed necessary herein, the preceding discussion being presented in the interest of providing a clear and concise understanding of the present invention.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1 it will be observed that the yarn flows downward from its supply source to the yarn engaging element 24, where the path of the yarn is reversed to direct it upwardly from said yarn engaging element 24 to be engaged by traversing mechanism referenced generally by the numeral 30 which serves to reciprocate the yarn axially of the package core 20 and thereby distribute the yarn along said core to thus wind the package P. In the course of its upward movement the yarn passes through a channel 32 (FIG. 2) which is defined on one side by the front straight wall 34 of the housing surrounding traverse mechanism 30. The opposing wall of channel 32 is formed by a bar 36 fastened at its ends by means of screws 37 to the end sections of front wall 34. It will be seen in FIG. 2 that bar 36 is spaced from said wall 34 over its major length to thus afford clearance constituting channel 32, said channel running parallel with the axis of spindle 14. Further guide means for the yarn advancing to package P is provided by a roller bail 38 which is situated proximate to the front end of traverse mechanism 30. This roller bail is rotatably supported at its ends in bearings 39 and provides a rotational surface on which package P is supported during its winding. Yarn Y is guided onto package P through the nip defined at the contact line of package P with roller bail 38.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3 wherein the traversing mechanism 30 is shown in detail, said mechanism includes a pair of

endless timing belts

40, 42 movable at constant speeds in opposite directions, as indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 2 and 3. Means for guiding and tracking the

timing belts

40, 42 are constituted as a series of timing pulleys. Thus, a first series of

pulleys

44, 45, 46 and 47 are provided for guiding the upper endless belt 40 and, similarly, a further series of

sprockets

48, 49, 50 and 51 are situated so as to guide and track the lower endless timing belt 42. The drive means for

belts

40, 42 may be the same as that fully illustrated and described in commonly assigned copending U.S. application Ser. No. 801,232 previously cited. Guide pulleys 44, 45, 46 and 47 are mounted on

respective stub shafts

54, 55, 56 and 57 via ball bearings (not shown), the outer races of the bearings being press fitted in recesses provided inside the top wall 58 of traversing mechanism 30. The timing pulleys 48, 49, 50 and 51 which serve to guide and track the lower belt 42 are mounted in a similar manner to that just described in connection with the pulleys which support the top belt 40. Thus, a stub shaft 62 is provided for mounting pulley 48. Similarly, a stub shaft 63 mounts pulley 49, and

further stub shafts

64 and 65 mount pulleys 50 and 51, respectively. The

stub shafts

62, 63, 64 and 65 are rotatably carried on ball bearings (not shown) which are press fitted into suitable recesses provided in the bottom wall 66 of traverse mechanism 30. As is most apparent in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 each of the

belts

40, 42 has mounted thereon at spaced positions a pair of yarn engaging fingers 68 each of which is adapted to project through an elongated slot 69 formed in front wall 34 of the traverse mechanism 30 and traverse the yarn axially of the package consistent with the direction of movement imparted thereto by its mounting

belt

40 or 42. These fingers and their mode of mounting on the

respective belts

40, 42 are fully shown and described in aforementioned U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 801,232 and further discussion of the configuration of the fingers and the means for mounting these fingers on the belt is not deemed necessary herein.

Viewing FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be observed that

stub shafts

54 and 62 and

stub shafts

57 and 65 are in coaxial alignment. However, in contradistinction thereto, it will be observed that the axis of stub shaft 55 is offset from the axis of stub shaft 64 both in the horizontal and vertical planes. Similarly it will also be seen that the axis of stub shaft 56 is offset horizontally and vertically from the axis of stub shaft 64. As will be more fully related hereafter, the offset axes of stub shafts as just described contributes to effective transfer of the yarn from one yarn finger 68 to another as the yarn reaches other each end of the package.

A further unique feature of the instant invention is the provision of a pair of relatively large stabilizing

pulleys

70 and 72 which are rotatable on spaced-apart

stub shafts

74 and 76, respectively positioned within the housing of traverse mechanism 30. As is seen in the drawing, the enlarged pulley 70 spans the width between the front run 40a of belt 40 and the rear run of 40b of said belt 40 to thereby simultaneously engage both the front and rear runs of said belt 40 and provide stability thereto as these elongated runs reach between pulley 47 and pulley 44, and between pulley 45 and pulley 46. In like manner the enlarged pulley 72 is of sufficient diameter to engage the front span of 42a and the rear span 42b of belt 42. Thus, this latter pulley provides stability to belt 42 in its elongated reach between

pulleys

51 and 48 and between

pulleys

49 and 50.

The unique arrangement of pulleys as provided by the present invention situates eachv of the

belts

40, 42 advantageously for traversing the yarn .Y onto package P and, coincidently therewith, for controlling the movement of the respective belts with minimal .vibration. Thus, considering, firstly, the specific orientation of belt 40, and as best seen and traced with reference to the arrows in FIG. 2, this belt moves in an inclined path from pulley 44 andpas'ses partially around pulley 45. Said pulley 45 is mounted so that belt 40 is delivered tangentially therefrom to pulley 70 along a rectilinear path a-a, said path being parallel to channel'32 and to the axis of spindle 14.-From its tangent point on pulley 70 the belt 40 declines to engage and be guided partially around pulleys 46 and 47 whereuponthe belt is moved in an extended run 405 to once again pass partially around pulley 44. As previously discussed, belt 40 engages tangentially with intermediate pulley 70 in its rearward'run 40b to thus be supported over this rather extensive pass.

With reference now to belt 42 and considering its path of movement, said belt 42 makes a partial wrap around pulley 51 and inclines upwardly at rather a steep angle to make a partial pass around pulley 50 and then run rectilinearly in a path b-b to engage tangentially with pulley 72, arid-the'reafter to decline at any a an angle to wrap partiallyaround pulleys 49 and 48. From pulley 48 belt 42 extends in its rearward run 42b to once again make a partial pass around pulley 51. In the course of its movement in path b-b the belt moves parallel to channel 32 and the axis of spindle 14. Furthermore, paths a-a of belt 40 and bb of belt 42 are vertically aligned, as best seen in FIG. 2. Hence, it follows that in the zone -0 the two

belts

40 and 42 move in parallel, vertically aligned paths, said paths being also parallel to the axis of spindle l4 and channel 32. The zone c-c is perpendicular to the axial rnidsectionof package P.

As already described,

belts

40 and 42 diverge or move in inclined paths upon moving out of their zone of parallelism at 0-0 and on the downstream side' thereof. This feature facilitates transfer of the yarn from an active yarn engaging finger 68 on one of the belts for moving the yarn in one direction axially of package P to an oncoming finger carried.

on the opposite belt for traversing the yarn in the opposite direction. These diverging or inclined paths are perpendicular to end sections of the package and result from the axes of

pulley

45 and 49 and the axes of

pulleys

46 and 50 being offset from each other. Viewing FIG. 2 belt 40 is seen to incline downwardly from intermediate pulley 70 to its guide pulley 46, carrying with it a yat'nengaging finger 68. Consequently, since the yarn Y is constrai'netlto move in a straight path by virtue of its engagement in channel 32, the yarn will gradually move outwardly relative to saidfinger for ultimate disengagement therefrom. At the reversal point, which corresponds with the end of the package P, the yarn slips off the end of said finger 68 and is instantaneously engaged by an.oncoming finger 68 carried on belt 42. This oncoming finger is aligned to seize the yarn Y immediately due to it's being advanced forwardly or upwardly into the yarn-path as its belt 42 is guided over the forwardly located pulley'50.

Precisely the same action takes place for reversing the traversal movement of the yarn at the right-hand end of package P as seen in FIG. 2. That is, belt 42 inclines downwardly from the right hand end of its zone c-c toward pulley 45, thus carrying a finger 68 which is engaged with yarn Y downwardly therewith. As a resultof this movement the yarn gradually slips toward the end of finger 68 and eventually off the end of the finger. Simultaneously with the release of the yarn by said finger, a further finger 68 on belt 40 engages the yarn to carry it to the opposite end of the package. This repetitive action continues until package P is wound to its desired diameter.

Since path H of belt 40 and path b-b of belt 42 are parallel to the axes of channel 32, package P and spindle 14 the belts are operated in their effective traversing zones with a minimum of vibrations. Additionally the amplitude of vibrations is varied between the front runs 40a and 42a of

belts

40 and 42 respectively since the zone where the longer reach of relative to the axis of package P. Therefore, the tendency of a groove to develop on the package periphery as fingers 68 accelerate around a portion of either

pulley

70 or 72 is significantly reduced.

lclaim:

l. A yarn winding machine comprising, a rotatable spindle, first means for traversing an advancing strand of yarn axially of said spindle in a first direction, second means for traversing the yarn axially of said spindle in a second direction, traversing of the yarn by said first and second means serving to distribute the yarn to form a yarn package, guide means operable to direct said first and second means in respective first paths as the yarn istraversed onto related first zones of said package and in respective second paths as the yarn is traversed onto related second zones of said package, at least a portion of said first path of said first means and at least a portion of said second path of said second means being generally parallel to each other in a common plane spaced from said package.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and said second means each comprises respective first and second endless spans.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 including rotatable means for directing the paths of said first and second spans.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said rotatable means is operable to move said first and second spans in opposite directions.

5. The combination as set forth inclaim 2 wherein each of said first and second spans includes at least one yarn engaging member thereon for movement therewith.

Claims

1. A yarn winding machine comprising, a rOtatable spindle, first means for traversing an advancing strand of yarn axially of said spindle in a first direction, second means for traversing the yarn axially of said spindle in a second direction, traversing of the yarn by said first and second means serving to distribute the yarn to form a yarn package, guide means operable to direct said first and second means in respective first paths as the yarn is traversed onto related first zones of said package and in respective second paths as the yarn is traversed onto related second zones of said package, at least a portion of said first path of said first means and at least a portion of said second path of said second means being generally parallel to each other in a common plane spaced from said package.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said first and second spans includes at least one yarn engaging member thereon for movement therewith.