WO1997027351A1

WO1997027351A1 - Processing unit monitoring device for preparing fibrous material for spinning

Info

Publication number: WO1997027351A1
Application number: PCT/CH1997/000013
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hansjörg RUTZ; François BAECHLER
Original assignee: Zellweger Luwa Ag
Priority date: 1996-01-24
Filing date: 1997-01-17
Publication date: 1997-07-31

Abstract

The invention concerns a processing unit monitoring device for preparing fibrous material for spinning. In order to be able to adapt the device to a particular task in an optimum manner for monitoring purposes, the device comprises at least one monitoring element (9, 19, 42) with connections (67, 68, 69, 70) to the processing unit, with a connection (62) to a display unit (63), with a connection (82) to a similar monitoring unit and with a processor (61) for performing at least two functions, each function being able to follow its own procedures.

Description

Device for monitoring processing units for the preparation of fiber material for spinning

The invention relates to a device for monitoring processing units for the preparation of fiber material for spinning.

As processing units in the above sense, for example, drafting systems for fiber tapes, cards and combing machines are to be understood. The work of these processing units is crucial for the quality of the spun yarn. It is therefore customary to provide such processing units with monitors or in particular also with controls which help to produce the best possible product at the exit of the processing unit from the respective material at the entrance. In the case of a drafting system, one or more bands, which may have uneven thickness or mass, should be given a band which is as uniform as possible at the exit. In the case of a card, a nonwoven that is as uniform as possible and also has a uniform thickness over its width or a uniform band is to be dispensed at the exit. In the simplest case, the monitoring consists in providing data on the product or the starting material via sensors on the processing unit, which data provide, for example, an indication of whether manual or mechanical intervention in the processing is necessary. In a more complex case, the monitoring also includes regulating the sequence in the processing unit.

For example, from WO 93/18213 a device for regulating the draft of a drafting system is known, which enables the processes in the drafting system to be monitored as far as possible by carrying out actual control processes in a control unit. For this purpose, the device takes into account measured values that are detected by sensors and predetermined values that are entered. Devices of this type for monitoring processing units of the type mentioned are usually designed and constructed precisely to suit the present case. The device is thus designed and constructed, for example, according to its function, in particular as monitoring, as regulation, as monitoring with regulation, or according to its task for a route, with one or two deliveries, for a card or for a combing machine, etc. . This means that each device is designed for a specific application and may even be manufactured for a specific customer and according to the customer's specifications.

A disadvantage of this conventional way of designing such devices is, for example, that this orientation towards specific applications results in a large variety of types for the manufacturer of such devices. When attempting to restrict the variety of types and to use the same components of the device in different applications, the result is that that these components are nevertheless expensive for those customers who only want a device with a low output, since they are designed for higher outputs. So simple devices for lower needs do not pay off in price.

The invention, as characterized in the patent claims, solves the problem of creating a device of the type mentioned at the outset which provides for monitoring tasks with low requirements a correspondingly simple device which can also be used for more complex monitoring tasks.

This is achieved in particular in that a monitoring element is provided for the device, with connections to the processing unit, with a connection to an input unit, with a connection to a similar monitoring element and with a processor for performing at least one, but preferably two functions, where ¬ can follow its own laws for each function. In particular, the laws of the functions can be entered via the input unit and at least two functions, namely the pure monitoring and the pure regulation of a processing unit, are provided as functions. We understand the passive absorption of Measured values and possibly their processing to further values. We understand pure regulation as the active influencing of the processing process based on measured values. Otherwise we understand the term "monitoring" in its general meaning all functions that can contribute to the control of a process. The term "regulation" is then a special case of the term "monitoring". A bus is preferably provided as a connection to the processing unit, which bus is connected to a plurality of functional units and connects them in series, the monitoring element being designed to output addresses to the subscribers when operation begins. Functional units are each assigned sensors and actuators which are arranged on the processing device.

In other words, the device consists of a monitoring element or basic component which has elements for the alternative or parallel exercise of two main functions. Main functions that can be carried out in pairs are conceivable 2x pure monitoring, 2x pure control or 1x control + 1x monitoring. The basic module has interfaces for

- several sensors and actuators,

- a bus as a connection to the same basic module,

- Another bus as a connection to a supplementary module for further evaluations,

- a power supply,

- a higher-level machine control,

- a small computer and for

- Data input and output units.

The advantages achieved by the invention can be seen, in particular, in the fact that it can provide a simple and inexpensive device for applications without great requirements, and also a device designed to carry out a number of sophisticated functions, which is correspondingly more expensive for the device according to the invention Expect an expense that is approximately proportional to the claims direction regarding performance, etc. For the manufacturer, there are logistical advantages in that individual parts can be used in different devices and thus the storage is simplified. The range of functions of the device can thus be adapted much more precisely to the customer's wishes and can also be charged to the customer in terms of costs. Different concepts of monitoring and regulation can be implemented in any combination.

In the following the invention is explained in more detail using an example and with reference to the accompanying figures

FIG. 1 shows a simplified illustration of a device according to the invention for monitoring,

FIG. 2 shows a representation according to FIG. 1 for monitoring with regulation,

FIG. 3 control of a system in an open and closed control loop,

FIG. 4 monitoring and regulation of a card,

FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a monitoring and control system for a route with two deliveries,

FIGS. 6 and 8 each have a device with a supplementary module for further evaluations for monitoring functions with different operating units,

FIGS. 7 and 9 each have a device according to FIG. 6 for a route with two deliveries and

Figure 10 is a schematic representation of the structure of a monitoring element or basic module. 1 shows a schematic representation of a processing unit 1 in which a processing process is carried out. This is exerted on a material 2 which is fed in via an inlet 3. At an outlet 5, a product 4 is output, which here reaches a container 6. The processing unit 1 can be designed as a drafting device, as shown here in particular, as a card or as a combing machine, it being possible to assume that the card and the combing machine are processes perform, which are similar to the stretching process, because material is pulled apart, so that the product 4 has a larger dimension in one direction than the material 2 at the entrance 3. The material 2 can be a plurality of tapes or a nonwoven as shown here . The product 4 can also be a tape or a fleece. Between the outlet 5 and the container 6 there is a measuring element 7, shown here in particular as a tape measuring element, which detects, for example, the mass and the uniformity of the product 4. The measuring element 7 is connected via a line 8 to a monitoring element 9, which is used for evaluation of measured values and consists of an evaluation part 9a and a display * and input unit 9b. Another measuring element 10, here designed as a pulse generator, which indicates the delivery speed of the product 4, is likewise connected to the monitoring element 9 via a line 11. A bus 12 is also connected to this, which is connected to various sensors and / or actuators 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. and via which, for example, the position of various elements, switches, etc. is influenced or reported to the monitoring unit 9. The bus 12 can thus report or trigger events from the processing machine by the monitoring element 9 emitting a corresponding signal to the bus 12. Such events are, for example, messages about open doors or flaps, reporting or triggering a can change, etc.

2 shows, as an example of a processing unit, a section 13, upstream thereof a measuring member 14 and downstream thereof a measuring member 15 and a container 16 for the product. As is already known from FIG. 1, the measuring element 15 is connected via lines 17 and 18 to a monitoring element 19, to which a bus 20 in turn for the same functions as in FIG Fig. 1 for the bus 12 is connected. The measuring element 14 outputs measured values, for example a value for the thickness or mass of the strips 23 and a value for the speed, to the monitoring element 19 via lines 21 and 22. in this case the monitoring element 19 is designed for monitoring in the sense of processing and output of measured values and for regulation. Therefore, it is connected to a servo drive 25 via a line 24. This can intervene in the processing via a connection 26, which can be a shaft here. A feedback from the servo drive 25 to the monitoring element 19, for. B. on the current position of the servo drive 25. The measuring element 14, the lines 21, 22, the monitoring element 19, the line

24, the servo drive 25, the connection 26 and the path 13 together form an open control loop.

Fig. 3 shows a similar arrangement as Fig. 2, which also has many identical elements. These are given the same reference numerals. What is new here is a tape measuring element 28, which for example works capacitively and is connected to the monitoring element 19 via a line 29. A speed sensor 30 is arranged here on the line 13 and also connected to the monitoring element 19 via a line 31. This arrangement is suitable for control with an open and a closed control loop. The open control loop is controlled by the section 13, the tape measuring element 28, the monitoring element 19 and the servo drive

25, the connection 26 and the lines 24, 29, 31 are formed. The closed control loop is formed by the measuring element 15, the lines 17, 18, the monitoring element 19, the line 24, the servo drive 25 and the connection 26.

4 shows as a processing unit a card 32 with a measuring element 33 at the output, which is connected to a monitoring element 35 via lines 34. This is connected via a line 37 to a servo drive 38, which is connected via a connection 39 to a feed roller 40 and can influence the rotational speed thereof. A bus 36 for the functions known for FIG. 1 is also connected here. Here there is regulation via a closed control loop, that is to say via the feed roller 40. In addition, a pure monitoring Chung of the tape 41 available on the measuring member 33. In this example, the measuring element 33 operates in parallel according to two different measuring principles and also has two measuring elements. Thus, one measuring element can be provided for the regulation and the other measuring element for the pure output of measured values.

With further simplified schematic representations, further embodiments of the device according to the invention are shown in the following figures.

5 shows two similar monitoring elements 42a, 42b which are electrically connected to one another via a connection 43. The connection 43 is designed as a bus and also includes the necessary connections and interfaces on the two monitoring elements 42a, 42b. One of them is provided with a feed 44 which can be connected to the power supply in a manner known per se. This arrangement is particularly suitable for a drafting system with two deliveries, which is expressed in two measuring elements 45 and 46 for a belt, which are each connected to one of the monitoring elements 42a, 42b. Each monitoring element 42a, 42b has inputs 47a, 47b for further sensors 48, 49 and for a bus 50, 51 as a connection to further sensors and actuators or switching elements or to a higher-level machine control, for example the control of the spinning machine, which is located upstream is etc., on. Each monitoring unit 42a, 42b also has an interface 52 for connecting a so-called PC or personal computer. Connections 53 for a servo drive 54 are not missing here either.

FIG. 6 shows a monitoring element 42 as is already known from FIG. 5. Here it is connected via bus 43 to a supplementary element 55 for further evaluations. This also has a connection 56 for a data system with which, for example, the entire production process in the spinning preparation can be monitored. Here, a further output 57 is also provided in the monitoring element 42 for a separate operating unit 58 assigned to the monitoring element 42. With this version, the product of the processing can be monitored, which supplies a great deal of data that is stable are prepared table. For example, thick spots can be reported and spectrograms, length variation curves etc. can be determined and output.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment that builds on the embodiment according to FIG. 6. In particular, it has two monitoring elements 42a, 42b and a supplementary element 55 for further evaluations, which here also has the feed 44. The supplementary element 55 is only connected to the monitoring unit 42a via a bus 59. This version is suitable for monitoring with regulation of routes with two deliveries and the output of many, including statistical, data.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment according to FIG. 6, with a connection 60 for an external computer, which can be, for example, the computer of a machine connected to the processing unit or the computer of an entire production system. This connection is provided on the supplementary element 55.

FIG. 9 shows the same embodiment of the device as in FIG. 7 but with the connection 60 to the external computer, as is known from FIG. 8.

Fig. 10 shows the structure of a monitoring element 9, 19, 35, 42. The central component of which is a microprocessor 61, which has connections via a bus 62a to a display unit 63 and connections via a bus 62b to digital / analog converters 64, 65 and a memory 66. Input stages 67, 68 with filters are connected upstream of the converter 65, so that there are connections to the processing unit 1 via which data can be entered into the monitoring element 9, 19, 42. The input stages 67, 68 thus form connections or inputs for sensors which emit an analog signal. Output stages 69, 70 with filters are connected upstream of the converter 64, so that data or instructions from the monitoring element 9, 19, 42 can be output. The output stages 69, 70 thus form connections for actuators. Further connections 71, 72, 73 are connected directly to the microprocessor 61 via lines 74, 75, 76. These connections 74, 75, 76 are particularly suitable They are used as inputs for signals that are present as impulses, i.e. already digital. The microprocessor 61 is connected via a data bus 77 and an address bus 78 to a memory 79 mK of random access (RAM) and an electronically erasable memory (Flash EPROM) 80. The data bus 77 is also connected to drivers 81 and 82 which have a plurality of outputs 83 which form connections to further monitoring elements, to supplementary elements and to other computers etc.

The input unit 63 consists of a microprocessor 86, which is connected via a bus 87, 88, 89 to a keyboard 90 and displays 91, 92.

The operation of the device according to the invention is as follows:

Before the device is operated, it must be provided with a program which specifies the laws for a function to be carried out. This program can be stored in a memory from a computer or a PC computer via the connections 82 and a driver 81, 82 79 can be loaded. The same applies to values, threshold values etc. which can be selected and entered for the program. When the program is loaded, however, there is also the possibility of specifying certain values, functions or operating states via the keyboard 90 of the display unit 63. Once the functions and the specified values have been entered, the device can work. It then works in the sense of the entered function as monitoring, as control with an open or closed control loop, etc.

If the processing of the material 2 is carried out in the processing unit 1, properties of the product 4 and the processing unit 1 can, for example, be detected by measuring organs 7, 10 and converted into electrical signals which are fed to the monitoring element 9 via lines 8, 11. They arrive there, for example, via one of the input stages 67, 68 or one of the connections 71, 72, 73 and are fed to the microprocessor 61. This carries out the saved function. If the stored function is a monitoring function as it may apply to the device shown in FIG. 1, the monitoring element 9 receives values for the instantaneous mass of a band as well as values or impulses which indicate the instantaneous speed of the band or product 4 from the measuring element 7. The microprocessor 61 now compares these values, as prescribed by the stored program, for example with predetermined threshold values and, if such threshold values are exceeded, sends a corresponding signal to the input unit 63 and the display 92. The operator can then read values from the display 92, which, for example, indicate the current quality of the product or an operating state of the device. However, the display 92 can also be used to display values which are derived from the measured values, for example statistically determined values such as are used for a spectrogram or a length variation curve. However, it can also be provided that when the threshold values are exceeded, a signal is sent via bus 12 to a shading element, which is actuated thereby and, for example, shuts down the processing unit.

In the case of a processing unit with monitoring and control as is known from FIG. 2, the same processes as described for the device according to FIG. 1 take place. In addition, however, a program for a control is stored in the memory 79, which uses values from the lines 21, 22 and 27 and from which the speed of the incoming material and the instantaneous thickness or mass of the material are determined. From this, the microprocessor 61 uses the program to calculate values for an intervention in the processing unit, here the path 13. The intervention is triggered by values, for example via the converter 64, one of the output stages 69, 70 and line 24 to the servo drive 25 are supplied, which acts on a drive motor in the drafting system 13 or a drive for a differential gear in a manner known per se.

Claims

Claims:

1. Device for monitoring processing units for the preparation of fiber material for spinning, characterized by a monitoring element (9, 19, 42) with connections (67, 68, 69, 70) to the processing unit with a connection (62) to one Input unit (63) with a connection (82, 83) to a similar monitoring element and with a processor (61) for performing at least one function according to selectable laws.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the regularities of the function can be entered via a connection (81, 82, 83) and that as a function at least two functions from a group of functions consisting of the monitoring and consisting of the regulation of a processing unit are provided.

3. device according to claim 1, characterized in that a bus (12) is provided as a connection to the processing unit, which bus is connected to a plurality of functional units (12a, 12b, 12c) and connects them in series, the monitoring element ( 9, 19, 42) is designed for outputting addresses to the functional units at the start of operation.

4. arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that each functional unit (84) is connected to a sensor or an actuator.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that an identical monitoring element (42b) or a supplementary element (55) for the preparation of statistical data is provided as a similar monitoring element (42a).

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a z-central computer, in particular assigned to the processing unit, with a data input (81, 82) assigned to it is provided as the input unit.

7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing and the output of data from the processing unit is provided as a function.

8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing and output of data to the processing unit is provided as a function.