US3820731A

US3820731A - Thread supply device for textile machines

Info

Publication number: US3820731A
Application number: US00312048A
Authority: US
Inventors: K Rosen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-12-03
Filing date: 1972-12-04
Publication date: 1974-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 1991-06-28
Also published as: FR2170410A5; DE2160161B2; DE2160161A1; GB1373884A; JPS4863063A; IT975926B; JPS5231978B2

Abstract

A thread supply device for a textile machine, said device including a rotatable drum upon which a thread issuing from a storage coil is tangentially wound to form on the drum an intermediate thread storage. A thread guide element is positioned adjacent the drum for guiding the thread as unwound from the intermediate storage. The thread guide element is movably mounted transversely relative to the direction of the thread passing therethrough and is resiliently biased in said transverse direction such that the thread is resiliently deflected in the lateral direction to form a compensation loop.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 ill] 3,820,731

Rosen l June 28, 1974 THREAD SUPPLY DEVICE FOR TEXTILE MACHINES Inventor: Karl Isac Joel Rosen, Villa Haga,

S-523OO Ulricehamn, Sweden Filed: Dec. 4, 1972 App]. No.: 312,048

US. Cl. 242/4712, 242/4701 Int. Cl B65h 51/20 Field of Search ..2 l 2 /47 I 1 f7 12 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Tannert 242/47.l2 X Muhlaushler 242/47.l2 X

Primary Examinen-John W. Huckert Assistant Examiner-Milton S. Gerstein Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Woodhams, Blanchard & Flynn [5 7] ABSTRACT A thread supply device for a textile machine, said device including a rotatable drum upon which a thread issuing from a storage coil is tangentially wound to form on the drum an intermediate thread storage. A thread guide element is positioned adjacent the drum for guiding the thread as unwound] from the intermediate storage. The thread guide element is movably mounted transversely relative to the direction of the thread passing therethrough and is resiliently biased in said transverse direction such that the thread is resiliently deflected in the lateral direction to form a compensation loop.

13 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures THREAD SUPPLY DEVICE FOR TEXTILE MACHINES This invention relates to a thread supply device for textile machines comprising a drum which can be set in rotation, upon which a thread issuing from a storage coil can be tangentially wound up to form an intermediate thread storage and further comprising a thread guide element for the thread unwinding from the drum.

If a thread supply device of this type is employed for so-called positive thread supply in which the thread supply device only releases a limited amount of thread per work cycle of the textile machine, the movable op erating parts of the textile machine and the drum of the thread supply device must always move synchronously. lf deviations in the synchronized movement develop due to mass inertia, clearance or slippage in the drive system, braking delays or other reasons, there is a danger that the textile machine will remove more or less thread from the drum than corresponds to the rotation of the same. This could cause breaks in the thread of reduction of the thread tension to zero, both of which could result in flaws or irregularities in the goods.

The invention is based on the task of developing a thread supply device of the class defined at the outset such that deviations in synchronization between the textile machine and the thread supply device do not lead to breakdowns or interruptions in the thread supply. This task is accomplished in accordance with the invention in that thethread guide element is movably mounted transversely to the direction of the thread passing through said thread guide element and in that a force storage means is biased such that the thread is resiliently deflected in a lateral direction to form a compensation loop.

in the thread supply device in accordance with the invention the thread forms a compensation loop between the drum and the textile machine which can be increased or decreased in size. Changes in the length of the thread between the drum and the operating elements of the textile machines which are caused by deviations in the synchronization between the textile machine and the drum of the thread supply device are compensated for by changes in the size of the loop task of dictating the suitable thread path for positive or intermittent thread supply.

In a known thread supply device of the type recited at the outset (German published application 1,760,600), the thread guide element designed as a thread eye is mounted at the free end of a pivotal arm.

This can assume two positions. In the first position, the thread eye is radially readially in spaced relation to the drum axis and thereby dictates a positive thread supply. In the second position, the thread eye is aligned with the drum axis so that intermittent thread supply is also possible with the same thread supplyidevice by drawing off the thread over the lower edge of the drum. The pivot arm supporting the thread eye is stationary in both work positions so that no precautions have to be taken in the known thread supply device against the possibility of interruptions or breakdowns occurring as discussed above with regard to positive thread supply. Furthermore, the invention provides a further development of the thread supply device according to German published application 1,760,600 such that the thread guide element can be brought in .a manner known per se from a first position for positive thread supply in which it is movably arranged radially at a distance from the drum axis as well as transversely to the thread path to form the compensation loop to a second position for intermittent thread supply in which it is aligned with the drum axis. The pivot arm which serves in the known thread supply device to convert from positive to intermittent thread supply and viceversa forms with its thread eye in the further development of the invention the thread guide element which produces a compensa tion loop in the thread path after the drum when in positionfor positive thread supply.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the thread guide element is concur rently a part of a disconnecting or cut-off device which monitors the thread for breaks. The thread guide element thus assumes still another function, namely monitoring the thread unwinding from the drum for breaks. Since the thread guide element is affected by the action of a force storage means in its position for positive thread supply, the movement of the thread guide element which is produced by the force storage means when the thread breaks can be employed to disconnect the textile machine and the supply device.

Between the drum circumference and the thread guide element located radially in space relation to the drum there is expediently arranged a thread support element such that it supports the thread passing by the thread support element contrary to the thread deflection caused by the thread guide element. The compensation loop is thus formed in back of the thread support element in the course of the thread path. The lateral deflection of the thread which is required to form the compensation loop thus does not extend to the surface of the drum. The thread can run radially in the most favorable direction for uninterrupted progress of the thread from thedrum to the thread support element and is not laterally deflected until ithas passed said support element.

The thread support element can expediently be adjusted parallel to the drum axis. This adjustment enables that course of the thread to be set which is most favorable for uninterrupted running of the thread from the drum and for the formation of the compensation loop.

if the thread guide" element which is movably disposed transversely to the direction of the thread unwinding fromthe drum is. at the same time, a part of a cut-off device monitoring thethread for breaks, it is particularly favorable it the thread support element has a thread eyewhich can be moved from a first position for positive thread supply in which it is radially arranged in space relation to the drum axis in a stationary manner into a second position ,for intermittent thread supply in which it is aligned with the drum axis. The function of the converter from positive to intermittent thread supply and vice-versa is assumed by the thread support element in this embodiment of the invention.

This causes the thread guide element forming a shut-off device to remain effective even when the device is set for intermittent thread supply. The thread issuing from the drum is thus monitored for breaks even in the case of intermittent thread supply.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained hereinafter in conjunction with the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a thread supply device in accordance with the invention in the position for positive thread supply,

FIG. 2 is an illustration corresponding to FIG. 1 in the position for intermittent thread supply,

FIG. 3 is a plan elevation of the thread supply device in accordance with FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is an electrical circuit diagram, and

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of another embodiment of the invention.

The thread supply device has a drum 1 which is rotatably journaled in a housing 2. The housing 2 is arranged at the outer end of a support arm 3 which is provided at its inner end with a clamping member 4 by means of which the thread supply device can be clamped to a support of the textile machine. Electrical contacts for supplying the electrical part of the supply device are shown at 5.

The drum 1 which is designed in the illustration embodiment as a rod cage forms in its upper section la a pulley which is bordered at the bottom by a flange 6 and which is encompassed by a belt 7. The belt 7 runs over a drive disc 8 (cf. FIG. 4) which in turn is driven via a shaft (shown by the dot-and-dash line at 9) from the main drive motor 10 of the textile machine which cooperates with the supply device. In this way, the drum 1 can be rotated by the main drive motor 10 substantially synchronously with the moved operating elements of the textile machine.

A pivot arm 11 is rotatably journaled in the housing 2 about an axis 12. This axis 12 extends perpendicularly tothe imaginary axis of rotation 13 and lies in a common plane therewith. A coil spring 14 indicated by the dotted line in FIGS. 1 and 2 and engaging the axis 12 tends to pivot the arm 11 in counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 1 and 2. The axis 12 is also journaled in a knurled wheel 14a which is rotatablyjournaled on the housing 12 and by means of which the position of the pivot arm 11 can be varied.

The pivot arm 11 has at its free end a thread guide element 15 in the form of a thread eye. A stop 16 is positioned laterally on the housing 2 beneath the axis 12 and is releasably engaged by the pivot arm 11 in the position in accordance with FIGS. 2 and 3.

A bracket-like thread support element 17 is journaled on the support arm 3 adjacent the housing 2 in a clamping head 18 so as to be adjustable in height. The thread support element 17 has at the lower end a horizontal arm 17a which is located relative to the position of the pivot arm 11 according to FIG. 1 somewhat beneath the thread guide element 15.

The circuit elements belonging to the supply device are contained within the frame 19 in the schematic drawing of FIG. 4 while the frame 20 includes the circuit and drive elements of the associated textile machine, for example, a knitting machine.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the pivot arm 11 is coupled with a double switch 21 such that the double switch is open when the pivot arm 11 is in the operating positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but is closed when the pivot arm 11 is moved through the position according to FIGS. 1 and 4 in a counterclockwise direction by the coil spring 14. This operation is described in greater detail hereinafter.

The drive motor 10 is supplied from a three-phase main supply 25 via a contactor 22. Number 24 is a cutoff relay connected with the switch 21 via contact 5. Number 26 designates a two-button switch by means of which the motor 10 can be switched on or off via contactor 22. Number 27 is a transformer which can supply low-voltage current via switch 21. Finally, a warning light is indicated by 28. t

The mode of operation is as follows:

When the main drive motor 10 of the textile machine is switched on, the drum 1 is driven via the

drive connection

7, 8, 9 at a speed which is synchronous with the movement of the operating elements of the textile machine, for example, the needle cylinder of a round bed knitting machine. A thread F issuing from a thread storage coil 29 (FIG. 4) is tangentially supplied to the drum 1 and is wound up thereupon to form a intermediate thread storage V. A thread transport element 30 is provided to distribute the thread storage V along the drum jacket formed from the rod cage. This thread transport element comprises a disc which is inclined relative to the axis of rotation 13 of the drum and projects with its radial arms through the rods of the rod cage forming the drum 1, the outer ends of the arms being connected with one another by means of a closed ring. Thread transport elements of this type are already known, for example from German published application 1,760,600 and from US. Pat. No. 3,419,225. In the known cases, the inclined disc which forms the thread transport element is pivotally disposed about an axis perpendicular relative to the axis of rotation of the drum. In the present case, such a pivotably arrangement is not necessary. The disc 30 has a given inclined position relative to the axis of drum rotation 13 and is journaled to this end on a pivot bearing (not shown) which forms an angle somewhat under with the axis 13 such that it retains the spacial inclined position evident from the drawing, butcan nevertheless rotate with the drum 1.

The thread F which is fed in a tangential direction is pressed downwardly by the inclined disc 30 in the axial direction of the drum 1 and thus forms the thread storage V mentioned above.

In the normal operating position of the thread supply device in accordance with the invention, the pivot arm 11 assumes the position according to FIGS. 1 and 4. The thread F is unwound from the drum 1 substantially tangentially, passes under the horizontal arm 17a of the thread support element 17 and then passes through the eye-shaped thread guide element 15. The thread F is deflected laterally by the thread guide element 15 by virtue of the spring load of the pivot arm 11 in the counterclockwise direction and thereby forms a compensation loop A. The exact path of the thread unwinding from the drum 1 and the size and shape of the compensation loop A can be influenced by the height at which the thread support element 17 is adjusted.

When the pivot arm 11 is positioned in accordance with FIGS. 1 and 4, the thread F cannot be withdrawn from the rotating drum 1 more rapidly than corresponds to the speed of the drum 1. Hence, the textile machine can only utilize a specific maximum amount of thread. This mode of operation is normally referred to as positive thread feeding.

If the operating elements of the textile machine temporarily consume for any reason whatsoever somewhat more thread than is released by the drum 1, this does not result in a break in the thread in the case of the supply device in accordance with the invention. On the contrary, the compensation loop A is merely temporarily reduced in size by swinging the pivot arm 11 in the clockwise direction against the force of the spring 14. On the contrary, lower thread consumption by the textile machine as compared to free release on the drum 1 does not allow the thread to become slack because the spring-loaded pivot arm 11 increases the size of the compensation loop A in such a case by moving in the counterclockwise direction.

If the thread F, however, does break for some reason between the drum 1 and the textile machine, the thread guide element is released so that the spring 14 can swing the pivot arm 11 further in the counterclockwise direction, thereby closing the switch 21 and thereby actuating the cut-off relay 24 which brings the contactor 22 into switch-off position. The textile machine is then out of operation. At the same time, the warning lamp 28 is supplied with the current via switch 21 and lights up so that the operator is made aware of the break in the thread.

If an intermittent thread supply is desired which is independent of the operating speed of the textile machine, for example because adjustment or repair work is supposed to be carried out on the shut-down textile machine which can only be operated manually, and for which the thread must be supplied manually, then the pivot arm 11 is brought into the position according to FIGS. 2 and 3 in which it is secured in the stop 16. The thread can then be withdrawn from the drum 1 in an axial direction as is indicated at F. The speed of withdrawal is independent of the speed of the drum. In particular, the thread can also be withdrawn when the drum 1 is stationary. The eye-like thread guide element 15 is located in this case in alignment with the imaginary axis of drum rotation 13.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiment shown in the drawing. It is of course also possible to conduct the thread guide element 15 between the two positions by other means, for example, in a elongated slot. A spring load exerted transversely to the unwinding thread in the case of positive thread supply would of course have to be provided in this case as well. Furthermore, a weight for biassing the thread guide element in the corresponding sense could also be provided in place of the spring 14.

Furthermore, another drive means for the drum 1 is also feasible, for example, by means of a motor which drives the drum 1 directly and which runs synchronously with the main drive motor of the textile machine.

Finally, the axial transport of the intermediate thread supply V on the drum 1 can also be accomplished by other means. For instance, conical transport surfaces, rod changes and belt drives which move axially between the rods of the drum are also known in the field of technology in this context.

In the case of the embodiment illustrated, the intermediate thread supply on the drum is not automatically maintained within specific limits in the case of intermittent thread supply. The thread storage must therefore be observed and, if necessary, must be refilled by rotating the drum manually or by means of an auxiliary device. This is completely adequate for intermittent operation during adjustment or repair work on the textile machine. If intermittent thread supply is desired during normal operation of the textile machine, the thread supply must be automatically maintained within specific limits by known means, for example, by designing the transport element 30 as a scanner for the amount of thread storage which automatically causes the thread storage to be refilled as described in German published application 1,760,600.

The invention can also be employed even if the thread guide element 15 cannot be brought intothe position for intermittent thread supply. Even in the case of thread supply which is always positive, the compensation loops exclude and prevent any interruptions or breakdowns.

The embodiment according to FIG. 5 agrees in part with that according to FIGS. 1 to 4. The same parts are provided with the same reference numerals and therefore do not need to be described again.

ln the case of the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4i, the pivot arm 11 serves to convert from positive to intermittent thread supply and vice-versa. It also forms in the position according to F lG. 1 an automatic disconnecting means which monitors the thread unwinding from the drum 1 in terms of pressure. If it is, however, pivoted in the position for intermittent thread supply according to FIG. 2, the automatic disconnecting function is shut off. Hence, no monitoring of the thread unwinding from the drum 1 for thread break is provided in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4 in the position for intermittent thread supply.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, this disadvantage is obviated. The function of converting from positive to intermittent thread supply and viceversa is assumed in this embodiment by the thread support element 17a which is designed here as a thread eye and which is mounted on a pivot arm l7 which can be pivoted about a housing axis 12a extending transversely to the drum axis 13. In the position indicated by the solid lines in FIG. 5, the pivot arm 17 is releasably locked by a stop 16'. The thread issuing from the drum 1 runs along the path shown by the dot-and-dash line through the thread eye 17a forming the thread support element and from here through the eye-shaped thread guide ele ment 15. By positioning the thread eye l7'a in radially spaced relation from the axis 13 of the drum, only that amount of thread can be unwound from the drum as is simultaneously wound up thereupon. Hence, positive thread supply is achieved. The unwinding thread F also forms a compensation loop A due to the movable and spring-loaded pivot arm 11 and is monitored for thread break in the manner recited in conjunction with FIG. 1.

If the device according to FIG. 5 is supposed to be converted to intermittent thread supply, the pivot arm 17 is swung into the position shown by the dotted line in which it is releasably held in the stop 16 and extends parallel to the axis 13 of the drum. The thread eye 17 'a mounted laterally on the pivot arm 17' is aligned in this case with the drum axis 13 so that the thread can be withdrawn from the drum 1 in a downward direction along the path F of the dotted line. Hence, intermittent thread supply is possible independently of the thread winding speed. After passing through the thread eye l7'a the thread returns to the thread guide element 15 even in the case of intermittent thread supply and then first arrives at the operating elements of the textile machine from the guide element. If the thread F breaks between the thread drum 1 and the working elements of the textile machine in the case of intermittent thread supply, the thread guide element in conjunction with the pivot arm 11 still fulfill the function of a cutoff or disconnecting device which stops the operation when the thread breaks.

What is claimed is:

1. In a thread supply device for a textile machine, said supply device including drum means upon which a thread can be tangentially wound to form an intermediate thread storage and thread guiding means for guiding the thread withdrawn from said drum means, the improvement comprising means mounting said thread guiding means for movement in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the thread passing through said thread guiding means, and biasing means coacting with said thread guiding means for urging same in said transverse direction to form a compensating loop in the thread as it is withdrawn from said drum means.

2. A thread supply device according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means mounts said thread guiding means for movement relative to said drum means between a first position wherein said thread guiding means is spaced radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of said drum means for permitting positive thread supply from said drum means and a second position wherein said thread guiding means is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of said drum means for permitting intermittent thread supply from said drum means.

3. A thread supply device according to claim 2, wherein said mounting means includes lever means mounted for pivotal movement about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said drum means, said lever means being pivotally movable between said first and second positions, and said thread guiding means being mounted on said lever means adjacent the free end thereof.

4. A thread supply device according to claim 2, further including monitoring means operative at least when said thread guiding means is in said first position for sensing when a breakage occurs in the thread as withdrawn from said drum means.

5. A thread supply device according to claim 4, wherein said monitoring means includes cut-off means for deactivating a textile machine associated with said thread supply device, said cut-off device being activated in response to movement of said thread guiding means by said biasing means into a third position which is spaced from said first position and is located on the side thereof opposite said second position, said thread guiding means being moved into said third position by said biasing means when said withdrawn thread experiences a breakage.

6. A thread supply device according to claim 1, wherein said thread guiding means is normally maintained in a first position by the thread withdrawn from said drum means, said biasing means normally urging said thread guiding means in said transverse direction toward a second position which is spaced from said first position, said biasing means causing said thread guiding means to be moved into said second position upon breakage of said withdrawn thread, and monitoring means for sensing the presence of a breakage in the thread withdrawn from said drum means, said monitoring means including a cut-off device associated with a textile machine used in conjunction with said thread supply device for deactivating said textile machine upon breakage of said withdrawn thread, said cutoff device being actuated for deactivating said textile machine upon movement of said thread guiding means into said second position.

'7. A thread supply device according to claim 1, further including control means coacting with the thread as withdrawn from said drum means for permitting either a positive or an intermittent thread supply from said drum means to a textile machine, said control means including a thread guide element engaged with the thread as withdrawn from said drum means and movable relative to said drum means between a first location spaced radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of said drum for permitting a positive thread supply and a second location located substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of said drum means for permitting an intermittent thread supply, said thread guide element when in said first location being disposed for engagement with the withdrawn thread at a point thereon which has already been removed from engagement with the drum means but has not yet passed through said thread guiding means.

8. A thread supply device according to claim 7, wherein the control means comprises an elongated lever mounted for pivotal movement about an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said drum means, said thread guide element being mounted on said lever adjacent the free end thereof and being movable between said first and second locations in response to swinging movement of said lever relative to said drum means.

9. A thread supply device according to claim 8, wherein said mounting means includes a second elongated lever mounted for pivotal movement relative to said drum means about an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said drum means, said thread guiding means being mounted on said second lever adjacent the free end thereof, and the thread guide element when in said first location being located radially between said thread guiding means and the external periphery of said drum means.

W. A thread supply device according to claim 9, wherein said thread guiding means is normally maintained in a first position by the thread withdrawn from said drum means, said biasing means normally urging said thread guiding means in said transverse direction toward a second position which is spaced from said first position, said biasing means causing said thread guiding means to be moved into said second position upon breakage of said withdrawn thread, and monitoring means for sensing the presence of a breakage in the thread withdrawn from said drum means, said monitoring means including a cut-off device associated with a textile machine used in conjunction with said thread supply device for deactivating said textile machine upon breakage of said withdrawn thread, said cutoff device being actuated for deactivating said textile machine upon movement of said thread guiding means into said second position.

11. A thread supply device according to claim 1, further including thread support means positioned externally of said drum means and disposed for engaging the thread withdrawn from said drum means, said support 13. A thread supply device according to claim 11, wherein said thread guiding means includes a thread engaging member movable relative to said drum means between a first position spaced radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of said drum means for permitting positive thread supply from said drum means and a second position located substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of said drum means for permitting intermittent thread supply from said drum means.

Claims

6. A thread supply device according to claim 1, wherein said thread guiding means is normally maintained in a first position by the thread withdrawn from said drum means, said biasing means normally urging said thread guiding means in said transverse direction toward a second position which is spaced from said first position, said biasing means causing said thread guiding means to be moved into said second position upon breakage of said withdrawn thread, and monitoring means for sensing the presence of a breakage in the thread withdrawn from said drum means, said monitoring means including a cut-off device associated with a textile machine used in conjunction with said thread supply device for deactivating said textile machine upon breakage of said withdrawn thread, said cut-off device being actuated for deactivating said textile machine upon movement of said thread guiding means into said second position.

7. A thread supply device according to claim 1, further including control means coacting with the thread as withdrawn from said drum means for permitting either a positive or an intermittent thread supply from said drum means to a textile machine, said control means including a thread guide element engaged with the thread as withdrawn from said drum means and movable relative to said drum means between a first location spaced radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of said drum for permitting a positive thread supply and a second location located substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of said drum means for permitting an intermittent thread supply, said thread guide element when in said first location being disposed for engagement with the withdrawn thread at a point thereon which has already been removed from engagement with the drum means but has not yet passed through said thread guiding means.

10. A thread supply device according to claim 9, wherein said thread guiding means is normally maintained in a first position by the thread withdrawn from said drum means, said biasing means normally urging said thread guiding means in said transverse direction toward a second position which is spaced from said first position, said biasing means causing said thread guiding means to be moved into said second position upon breakage of said withdrawn thread, and monitoring means for sensing the presence of a breakage in the thread withdrawn from said drum means, said monitorIng means including a cut-off device associated with a textile machine used in conjunction with said thread supply device for deactivating said textile machine upon breakage of said withdrawn thread, said cutoff device being actuated for deactivating said textile machine upon movement of said thread guiding means into said second position.

11. A thread supply device according to claim 1, further including thread support means positioned externally of said drum means and disposed for engaging the thread withdrawn from said drum means, said support means including a thread support element disposed radially outwardly from the circumference of said drum means and located between the circumference of the drum means and said thread guiding means for supportingly engaging the withdrawn thread.

12. A thread supply device according to claim 11, further including means mounting said thread support means for permitting adjustment in the position of same relative to said drum means in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said drum means.

13. A thread supply device according to claim 11, wherein said thread guiding means includes a thread engaging member movable relative to said drum means between a first position spaced radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of said drum means for permitting positive thread supply from said drum means and a second position located substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of said drum means for permitting intermittent thread supply from said drum means.