Yarn threading device in a joining unit of a ring spinning machine
By improving the automatic splicing unit, and utilizing the synergistic action of the top suction tube, clamping arm, rocker arm, and tensioning arm, the yarn was successfully inserted into the wire traveler of the ring spinning machine, solving the problem of frequent yarn breakage and achieving automated splicing and efficient production.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- LAKSHMI MACHINE WORKS LTD
- Filing Date
- 2021-09-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-05
AI Technical Summary
In existing ring spinning machines, yarn breakage is frequent. The automatic splicing unit cannot successfully insert the yarn into the traveler, and the broken yarn requires manual splicing by workers, which affects production efficiency and worker health.
An improved automatic splicing unit is used, including a top suction tube, a clamping arm, a rocker arm, and a tensioning arm. The wire traveler is rotated by a blow nozzle, the clamping arm and rocker arm hook the yarn end, and the tensioning arm inserts the yarn into the wire traveler, avoiding contact with the air ring control ring.
The automated yarn splicing process reduces manual intervention, improves production efficiency, protects worker health, and allows yarn to be successfully inserted into the wire loop even with a yarn breakage sensor installed on the circular track.
Smart Images
Figure CN114164530B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to textile spinning machines. More specifically, it relates to an automatic splicing unit for splicing the ends of broken yarns in a textile ring spinning machine. More specifically, it relates to an improved yarn threading device in the splicing unit for inserting the ends of broken yarns into the ring travelers of the textile ring spinning machine. Background Technology
[0002] Ring spinning machines are the yarn production machines used in the textile spinning industry. Globally, the textile spinning industry faces a long-standing and unresolved problem: frequent yarn breakage in ring spinning machines. Yarn breakage is a major issue requiring constant attention from workers. Today, yarn breakage remains a significant drawback of ring spinning machines, forcing a large number of workers to continuously monitor the machines along both sides of the entire frame length (typically exceeding 1600 spindles and over 75 meters in length). After a yarn breakage, the broken yarn must be manually spliced on-site by a worker, and the spinning sequence must be restarted to avoid wasting yarn. Currently, there is a significant demand for manual labor in the spinning industry, and spinning mills urgently need automation. Even with a limited workforce available, the physical capabilities and health of workers are affected by the continuous walking along long ring spinning machine frames to manually splice the ends of broken yarns, as spinning mills operate around the clock, unless maintenance or power outages occur.
[0003] Automated splicing units are being developed as an improvement over traditional manual splicing methods. Automated splicing equipment involves a robot or worker in a splicing vehicle or device, which has built-in drive and sensing units typically required by automated splicing devices. This automated splicing equipment advances towards the ring spinning machine to perform the splicing operation and returns after completing the operation. Existing splicing devices have been unsuccessful to date because splicing units lack any automated mechanism to successfully insert the yarn to be spliced into the traveler (which is the primary task).
[0004] During the yarn build-up process, the air ring control ring of the ring spinning machine moves vertically up and down along the ring track of the ring spinning machine, which prevents the automatic splicing unit from inserting / passing the yarn into / through the rotatable traveler of the ring spinning machine.
[0005] U.S. Patent 3,807,155 discloses an automatic splicing unit. This patent teaches a method and apparatus for splicing (joining) yarns on a ring spinning machine. In this patent, broken yarn is threaded through a traveler using multiple links and levers mounted above a large lifting plate. This structure is quite complex, featuring multiple arms. It uses a stop arm to stop the traveler's movement via an air jet, and a guide rod with hooks and guides to guide the unwound yarn from the spool toward the hooks. The guide lever is pivoted on the lifting plate via a pivot pin, such that the unwound yarn held by the traction hook is guided toward the traveler by the movement of the guide lever in accordance with the downward movement of the guide rod. Furthermore, a push lever with a traveler hanger is oscillatingly mounted on the lifting plate, and the traveler hanger is oscillatingly mounted on the front end of the push lever, allowing the traveler hanger to swing up and down. The aforementioned prior art patent provides a complex yarn bonding mechanism with a complex driver. Due to the technical difficulties involved, such a mechanism is not feasible in practice and has not been successfully implemented to date.
[0006] The applicants' common pending patent application number 201841017625 provides an improved solution for inserting the end of a broken yarn into a rotatable wire loop using a clamping and rocking arm. The mechanism inserts the yarn into the wire loop via a surrounding air ring control ring (i.e., a yarn contact air ring control ring). However, if this mechanism is used for yarn insertion, there are some obstacles to mounting a yarn breakage sensor on a circular track, namely, the yarn breakage sensor cannot be mounted on a circular track.
[0007] To overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, the present invention, which is about to be disclosed, provides a novel and improved yarn threading device in the splicing unit of a textile ring spinning machine.
[0008] Purpose of the invention
[0009] The main objective of this invention is to provide an improved automatic splicing unit for a textile ring spinning machine.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved yarn threading device for an automatic splicing unit of a textile ring spinning machine.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved yarn threading device in the splicing unit, which can insert the yarn into the rotatable wire loop even when the yarn breakage sensor unit is present on the annular track, and prevent the yarn from contacting / encircling the air ring control ring that moves vertically up and down with the annular track of the ring spinning machine. Summary of the Invention
[0012] According to the present invention, a ring spinning machine is provided with an improved automatic splicing unit. The automatic splicing unit includes a top suction tube for holding the end of a broken yarn being lifted from the spool of the ring spinning machine. The top suction tube moves upstream near the drafting zone and guides the yarn into the guide hook of the ring spinning machine. The automatic splicing unit also includes a clamping arm of a threading device configured to move toward a left position toward the spool, move horizontally to the right to hook the end of the yarn held between the top suction tube and the spool, and move rearward and then downward together with the hooked yarn to a position below the plane of the air ring control ring. The clamping arm is provided with a hook-shaped tip for guiding the yarn. The automatic splicing unit also includes a rocker arm of a threading device configured to move forward. The clamping arm moves to the left, and the rocker arm moves in a rearward direction to hook the end of the yarn held between the clamping arm and the spool. The clamping arm moves forward toward the spool. As the clamping arm moves forward toward the spool, the tensioning arm advances toward the yarn. The automatic splicing unit also includes a blow nozzle configured to rotate the traveler of the ring spinning machine. The tensioning arm and the blow nozzle are housed in adjacent housings.
[0013] In one aspect, the clamping arm and rocker arm are housed within the housing and hold the yarn against the tangent line, allowing the yarn to pass through the blow nozzle into the rotating wire loop. The clamping arm, rocker arm, and tensioning arm all retract to release the yarn from the hook and insert it into the wire loop.
[0014] In one respect, the tensioning arm is configured to advance forward so that the held yarn does not come into contact with the balloon control ring, and is guided on the tensioning arm and reaches the traveler position without any obstruction.
[0015] In one embodiment, the yarn breakage sensor of the ring spinning machine is positioned to the right of the spindle, pointing towards the yarn spool, and the threading device is advanced to the left of the yarn spool. In this case, the traveler rotates counterclockwise to thread the yarn. Alternatively, the yarn breakage sensor of the ring spinning machine is positioned to the left of the spindle, pointing towards the yarn spool, and the threading device is advanced to the right of the yarn spool. In this case, the traveler rotates clockwise to thread the yarn.
[0016] In one aspect, the vertical movement of the tension arm's housing is performed by an actuator, which includes pneumatic actuators, electric actuators, linear actuators, and hydraulic actuators.
[0017] In one aspect, the tension arm is propelled forward by an actuation device, which includes pneumatic actuators, electric actuators, linear actuators, and hydraulic actuators.
[0018] In one aspect, after the yarn is inserted into the traveler, it is automatically guided by tension within the air ring control ring and prepared for subsequent splicing with the yarn transferred from the drafting zone.
[0019] The present invention also describes a method for splicing broken yarn using an automatic splicing unit of a ring spinning machine. The method includes lifting the end of the broken yarn from the spool and holding the end of the yarn within a top suction tube. The method further includes moving the top suction tube upstream near the drafting zone and guiding the yarn into a guide hook of the ring spinning machine. The method further includes moving the clamping arm of a threading device disposed in the automatic splicing unit toward a position to the left of the spool. The method further includes moving the clamping arm horizontally to the right to hook the end of the yarn held between the top suction tube and the spool. The method further includes moving the clamping arm rearward together with the hooked yarn, and then moving the clamping arm downward together with the hooked yarn to a position below the plane of the air ring control ring. The method further includes moving the rocker arm of the threading device in a forward direction. The method further includes moving the clamping arm horizontally to the left and moving the rocker arm rearward to hook the end of the yarn held between the clamping arm and the spool. The method further includes moving the clamping arm forward toward the spool to thread the yarn. The method further includes advancing the tensioning arm toward the yarn in a forward direction before threading the yarn into the traveler. The method also includes using a blow nozzle to rotate the traveler counterclockwise. A clamping arm and a rocker arm hold the yarn against the tangent line, allowing the yarn to pass through the blow nozzle into the rotating traveler. The method further includes retracting the clamping arm, rocker arm, and tensioning arm to release the yarn from the hook and insert it into the traveler.
[0020] In one aspect, the tensioning arm moves forward so that the held yarn does not come into contact with the balloon control ring, and is guided on the tensioning arm and reaches the traveler position without any obstruction.
[0021] In one aspect, when the yarn breakage sensor is positioned on the right side of the yarn spool and the threading device is advanced to the left side of the yarn spool, the traveler rotates counterclockwise to thread the yarn. Alternatively, when the yarn breakage sensor is positioned on the left side of the yarn spool and the threading device is advanced to the right side of the yarn spool, the traveler rotates clockwise to thread the yarn.
[0022] In one aspect, the rocker arm, clamping arm, and tensioning arm move up and down synchronously with the circular track to hook the end of the yarn.
[0023] In one aspect, the yarn is guided by tension within the air ring control ring and becomes a splice that can be used subsequently with fibers transferred from the drafting zone of the ring spinning machine.
[0024] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the principles of the invention by way of example. Attached Figure Description
[0025] Figure 1 and 1aA perspective view and a top view of the yarn threading device for an automatic splicing unit for a ring spinning machine according to the present invention are shown respectively.
[0026] Figure 2 and 2a An installation device for the tensioning arm unit housing in the automatic joint unit according to the present invention is shown.
[0027] Figure 3 A side view of the top suction tube of an automatic splicing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the yarn is held inside the top suction tube. Detailed Implementation
[0028] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The yarn threading device 1 of the automatic splicing unit 2 includes a clamping arm 3 and a rocker arm 4 disposed in a common housing 5. Furthermore, in a linear movement unit adjacent to the housing 5 of the clamping arm 3 and rocker arm 4 of the automatic splicing unit 2, a blower nozzle arm 6 and a tensioning arm 7 are disposed in a separate housing 8, which can move vertically synchronously with the annular track 9 of the ring spinning machine 10. The housing 8 of the tensioning arm 7 unit is rested on the annular track 9 of the ring spinning machine 10 by a mounting device 11 and moves up and down with the annular track 9 during the yarn threading operation. The controlled movement of the housing 8 is performed by a suitable sensor and actuator (preferably pneumatic). The actuator can also be electric, hydraulic, linear, etc. After the end of the yarn 12 is threaded into the wire loop 13 of the ring 14, the threading device 1 retracts and holds the yarn 12 in the top suction tube 15 with the yarn splice conveyed from the traction zone 16 of the ring spinning machine 10.
[0029] Before splicing begins, the spindle of the broken yarn is braked, lifting the end of the broken yarn from the spool 17 and holding it within the top suction tube 15. The top suction tube 15 then moves upstream near the drafting zone 16 of the ring spinning machine 10, causing the yarn 12 to enter the guide hook (not shown) of the ring spinning machine 10. The clamping arm 3 of the threading device 1, located in the automatic splicing unit 2, moves forward to a position to the left of the spindle / spool 17 of the broken yarn, while the yarn breakage sensor 18 of the ring spinning machine 10 is positioned to the right of the spindle, pointing towards the spool 17. The clamping arm 3 is then positioned to move horizontally to the right, hooking the end of the yarn 12 held between the top suction tube 15 and the spool 17. The clamping arm 3 is provided with a hook-shaped tip for pulling the yarn 12. The clamping arm 3 then moves backward together with the hooked yarn and subsequently downward to a position below the plane of the air ring control ring 19.
[0030] Subsequently, the rocker arm 4 of the threading device 1, adjacent to the clamping arm 3 on the left side, moves forward; this rocker arm 4 is housed within the same housing 5. Then, the clamping arm 3 is positioned to move horizontally to the left. Afterward, the rocker arm 4 is positioned to move backward, thereby hooking the end of the yarn held between the clamping arm 3 and the yarn spool 17. During this stage, the rocker arm 4 and the clamping arm 3 move synchronously up and down along the annular track 9.
[0031] Then, the clamping arm 3 is positioned to move forward toward the spool 17 to guide the yarn 12. As the clamping arm 3 moves forward, the tensioning arm 7 advances toward the yarn 12 held between the clamping arm 3 and the spool 17. The tensioning arm 7 according to the invention is mounted in an adjacent housing 8 in a module separate from the clamping unit module. The tensioning arm 7 is normally in a retracted position. Before the yarn 12 is threaded into the traveler 13, the tensioning arm 7 is advanced forward by an actuation device 20, preferably pneumatic, but any type of actuation device is also included. This advancement of the tensioning arm 7 ensures that the held yarn does not contact the air ring control ring 19, is guided on the tensioning arm 7, and reaches the position of the traveler 13 without any obstruction. If the tensioning arm 7 is not provided, the yarn 12 held in the clamping arm 3 is wrapped around the air ring control ring 19, preventing the yarn from threading into the traveler 13. The movement of the tensioning arm 7 actively guides the yarn 12 and ensures that it remains tangential to the ring 14 for successful insertion into the traveler 13. Subsequently, the traveler 13 is rotated counterclockwise by means of a blow nozzle 6 located adjacent to the housing of the tensioning arm 7. The clamping arm 3 and rocker arm 4 maintain the yarn 12 tangential to the ring 14 on the left side, allowing the yarn to pass through the rotating traveler 13 due to the blow nozzle 6. Then, all arms (i.e., clamping arm 3, rocker arm 4, and tensioning arm 7) retract, allowing the yarn 12 to be released quickly and continuously from the hook and easily inserted into the traveler 13. The yarn 12 is automatically guided along a path within the air ring control ring 19 by tension and is prepared for subsequent splicing with the yarn delivered from the drafting zone 16 of the ring spinning machine 10. After splicing, the spindle brake is released.
[0032] The horizontal linear and lateral movements of the clamping arm 3, rocker arm 4, and tensioning arm 7, as well as the forward and backward movements of the threading device 1, are all executed by an actuator, which can be electric, pneumatic, rotary, linear, hydraulic, etc.
[0033] According to the present invention, the yarn breakage sensor 18 is located on the right side and the threading device 1 is advanced on the left side of the yarn roll 17. In this case, the wire traveler 13 rotates counterclockwise to thread the yarn.
[0034] According to another embodiment of the invention, the yarn breakage sensor 18 can be positioned on the left side of the yarn roll 17, while the threading device 1 can be advanced on the right side of the yarn roll 17. In this case, the wire traveler 13 rotates clockwise to thread the yarn.
[0035] Reference Figure 2 and 2a The diagram shows the housing 8 of the tensioning arm 7 unit installed in the automatic connector unit 2. The tensioning arm 7 and the blow nozzle arm 6 are mounted in the housing 8. The housing 8 is vertically guided in a linear motion guide 21 mounted in the automatic connector unit frame 22 by an actuator 23 (preferably pneumatic) mounted to the frame 22. The actuator 23 may also include electric, hydraulic, etc. The housing 8 of the tensioning arm 7 unit moves synchronously with the annular track 9 via the mounting device 11 and appropriate sensors, stops, and actuators. Synchronization with the annular track 9 can be contact / non-contact.
[0036] The yarn threading device for the automatic splicing unit 2 pre-positions the yarn 12 well in front of the air ring control ring 19, so that even in the presence of the yarn breakage sensor 18 on the annular track 9, the clamping arm 3 and the rocker arm 4 can thread the yarn 12 into the traveler 13 without contacting / encircling the air ring control ring 19, which moves vertically up and down with the annular track 9 of the ring spinning machine. Therefore, according to the present invention, this automatic splicing operation is very efficient and advantageous.
[0037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the clamping arm, rocker arm, and tensioning arm can move in any order and in any direction in order to thread the yarn into the wire loop.
[0038] In view of this disclosure describing the invention, all changes, modifications and variations within the equivalent meaning and scope are considered to be within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. An automatic splicing unit (2) for a ring spinning machine (10) for splicing broken yarn, the automatic splicing unit (2) comprising: A top suction tube (15) adapted to receive the end of a broken yarn (12) lifted from a spool (17) of the ring spinning machine (10), wherein the top suction tube (15) is configured to move upstream near the drafting zone (16) of the ring spinning machine and to pass the yarn (12) through a guide hook of the ring spinning machine (10); The clamping arm (3) of the threading device (1) is provided with a hook-shaped tip suitable for pulling the yarn (12), wherein the clamping arm (3) is configured as follows: Move to the left side of the coil (17), Move horizontally to the right to hook the end of the yarn (12) held between the top suction tube (15) and the spool (17), and Move backward together with the hooked yarn (12), and then move downward to a position below the plane of the air ring control ring (19); The rocker arm (4) of the threading device (1) is configured to move forward, wherein the clamping arm (3) moves to the left and the rocker arm (4) moves in a rearward direction to hook the end of the yarn (12) held between the clamping arm (3) and the yarn spool (17), wherein the clamping arm (3) moves in a forward direction toward the yarn spool (17); When the clamping arm (3) moves forward toward the spool (17), the tensioning arm (7) is configured to advance forward via the first actuation device (20) so that the held yarn (12) does not contact the air ring control ring (19), and is guided on the tensioning arm (7) and reaches the position of the wire loop (13) of the ring (14) without any obstruction; and A blow nozzle (6) is configured to rotate the traveler (13) of the ring spinning machine (10), wherein the clamping arm (3) and the rocker arm (4) keep the yarn (12) tangential to the ring (14) so that the yarn (12) passes through the blow nozzle (6) into the rotating traveler (13). The clamping arm (3), the rocker arm (4) and the tensioning arm (7) are all retracted to release the yarn (12) from the hook and insert the yarn (12) into the wire loop (13); The tensioning arm (7) and the blowing nozzle (6) are disposed in adjacent first housings (8). The vertical movement of the first housing (8) of the tensioning arm (7) is performed by a second actuation device (23), which includes one of a pneumatic actuator, an electric actuator, a linear actuator, and a hydraulic actuator.
2. The automatic splicing unit (2) of the ring spinning machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The yarn breakage sensor (18) of the ring spinning machine (10) is positioned on the right side of the spindle of the ring spinning machine (10) and points to the spool (17) of the ring spinning machine (10), while the threading device (1) is advanced on the left side of the spool (17) of the ring spinning machine (10). In this case, the traveler (13) of the ring spinning machine (10) is rotated counterclockwise by the blowing nozzle (6) to thread the yarn.
3. The automatic splicing unit (2) of the ring spinning machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The yarn breakage sensor (18) of the ring spinning machine (10) is positioned on the left side of the spindle and points to the spool (17) of the ring spinning machine (10), while the threading device (1) is advanced on the right side of the spool (17) of the ring spinning machine (10). In this case, the traveler (13) of the ring spinning machine (10) is rotated clockwise by the blowing nozzle (6) to thread the yarn.
4. The automatic splicing unit (2) of the ring spinning machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping arm (3) and the rocker arm (4) of the threading device (1) are disposed in the second housing (5).
5. The automatic splicing unit (2) of the ring spinning machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tensioning arm (7) is propelled forward by the first actuation device (20), which includes one of a pneumatic actuator, an electric actuator, a linear actuator, and a hydraulic actuator.
6. The automatic splicing unit (2) of the ring spinning machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, After the yarn is inserted into the traveler (13) of the ring spinning machine (10), it is automatically guided by tension in the air ring control ring (19) and prepared to subsequently splice with the yarn delivered from the drafting zone (16) of the ring spinning machine (10).
7. A method for splicing broken yarn using an automatic splicing unit (2) of a ring spinning machine (10), the method comprising: The end of the broken yarn (12) is lifted from the spool (17) of the ring spinning machine (10) and the end of the yarn (12) is held in the top suction tube (15); The top suction tube (15) is moved upstream near the drafting zone (16) of the ring spinning machine (10) and the yarn (12) is brought into the yarn guide hook of the ring spinning machine (10). Move the clamping arm (3) of the threading device (1) in the automatic connector unit (2) toward the left side of the wire roll (17); Move the clamping arm (3) horizontally to the right to hook the end of the yarn (12) held between the top suction tube (15) and the spool (17); Move the clamping arm (3) and the hooked yarn backward together, and then move the clamping arm (3) and the hooked yarn (12) downward together to a position below the plane of the air ring control ring (19); Move the rocker arm (4) of the threading device (1) in the forward direction; Move the clamping arm (3) horizontally to the left and move the rocker arm (4) backward to hook the end of the yarn (12) held between the clamping arm (3) and the yarn spool (17); Move the clamping arm (3) forward toward the yarn roll (17) to thread the yarn (12); Before threading the yarn (12) into the wire loop (13) of the ring (14), the tensioning arm (7) is advanced in a forward direction such that the yarn (12) is kept from contacting the air ring control ring (19), and is guided on the tensioning arm (7) and reaches the position of the wire loop (13) without any obstruction. The wire loop (13) is rotated counterclockwise using a blow nozzle (6), wherein the clamping arm (3) and the rocker arm (4) keep the yarn (12) tangential to the loop (14), such that the yarn (12) passes through the blow nozzle (6) into the rotating wire loop (13); and The clamping arm (3), the rocker arm (4) and the tensioning arm (7) are retracted to release the yarn (12) from the hook and insert the yarn (12) into the wire loop (13).
8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, When the yarn breakage sensor (18) of the ring spinning machine (10) is positioned on the right side of the spool (17) of the ring spinning machine (10) and the threading device (1) is advanced on the left side of the spool (17) of the ring spinning machine (10), the traveler (13) of the ring spinning machine (10) rotates counterclockwise to thread the yarn.
9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, When the yarn breakage sensor (18) of the ring spinning machine (10) is positioned on the left side of the spool (17) of the ring spinning machine (10) and the threading device (1) is advanced on the right side of the spool (17) of the ring spinning machine (10), the traveler (13) of the ring spinning machine (10) rotates clockwise to thread the yarn.
10. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The rocker arm (4), the clamping arm (3) and the tensioning arm (7) move up and down synchronously together with the annular track (9) of the ring spinning machine (10) to hook the end of the yarn (12).
11. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The yarn (12) is guided by tension within the air ring control ring (19) of the ring spinning machine (10) and can be used to splice fibers subsequently delivered from the drafting zone (16) of the ring spinning machine (10).