Automatic splicing unit for ring spinning machines and method for braking the ring by means thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic piecing unit (2) of a ring spinning machine (1) and a method of braking a spindle (3) of a ring spinning machine (1) by means of the automatic piecing unit (2). The automatic piecing unit (2) comprises a spindle braking unit (4) comprising clamping arms (6a, 6b) adapted to move laterally relative to each other in a linear motion guide (7). Each of the clamping arms (6a, 6b) is coupled with at least one clamping finger (8a, 8b) and each of the at least one clamping finger (8a, 8b) comprises one or more braking shoes (11) provided at an inner end thereof. The one or more braking shoes (11) are adapted to clamp a spindle flyer (10) of a spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1) to stop rotation of the spindle (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a ring spinning machine. Specifically, it relates to an automatic splicing unit in a ring spinning machine and a method for braking the spindles of a ring spinning machine via the automatic splicing unit. More specifically, it relates to a spindle braking unit for use with an automatic splicing unit in the spindle braking operation of a ring spinning machine. Background Technology

[0002] In textile spinning mills, cotton is transformed into yarn through a series of machines. The ring spinning machine is a key machine in the production of synthetic yarn in textile spinning mills. Textile roving material produced by the roving frame is typically fed into the ring spinning machine. The ring spinning machine is the final stage in the spinning production line, conveying cotton to its final stage, namely, yarn. Yarn breakage frequently occurs during ring spinning and requires continuous manual monitoring and splicing. Yarn breakage due to various parameters of the yarn and the machine is unavoidable. At multiple stations on a long spinning frame, manual labor continuously observes for yarn breakage and performs manual splicing of broken yarn. This is essential for a frame typically consisting of more than 1600 spindles. Then, after a yarn breakage, the yarn spinning sequence must be restarted to resume spinning and avoid yarn waste.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, an automatic splicing unit was developed. The automatic splicing unit is in the form of a movable carrier with wheels / tracks. This carrier stops at the corresponding spindle unit where splicing is required. The splicing unit typically moves longitudinally along the frame channel. Before initiating the splicing operation, the carrier stops in front of the spindle position on the ring spinning machine. The spindle with disconnected yarn is braked to initiate the splicing operation. Conventional spindle brakes available in ring spinning machines, which hold the spindle disc in the form of a manually driven lever to stop spindle rotation, create an obstruction for the automatic splicing unit within the splicing area. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the conventional spindle brake. Furthermore, even with the existing brake removed, the automatic splicing unit must stop the spindle with disconnected yarn rotation while splicing using a contact member that can move back and forth within the automatic splicing unit. This contact member is adjacent to the front of the ring spinning spindle disc and acts as a brake to stop spindle rotation. The spindle brake is applied intermittently multiple times during the splicing sequence to allow operation of various splicing modules. Due to unilateral load, the impact load generated on the spindle disc by the contact member of the spindle brake causes spindle deformation / deflection. The disadvantages of this type of braking action and spindle deformation are that it leads to spindle misalignment, wobbling, and bending, as well as spindle wear and tear damage. These problems result in poor yarn quality, affecting the overall splicing and production efficiency of both the automatic splicing unit and the ring spinning machine. Furthermore, frequent spindle replacements due to damage lead to higher costs.

[0004] To overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, the present invention provides an improved braking device for spindles, which enables automatic splicing in ring spinning machines. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide an improved splicing unit for textile ring spinning machines.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a braking device for spindles in an automatic splicing unit of a textile ring spinning machine.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved braking device for spindles in the automatic splicing unit of a textile ring spinning machine, which does not cause any damage to the spindles.

[0008] According to the present invention, an automatic splicing unit is provided in a ring spinning machine. The automatic splicing unit assists in the splicing operation in the event of a yarn breakage in the ring spinning machine. Before and / or during the splicing operation, spindle rotation should be stopped. To achieve this, the present invention provides an improved spindle braking unit in the automatic splicing unit. The spindle braking unit includes at least two clamping arms adapted to move laterally relative to each other. The at least two clamping arms are generally parallel to each other and positioned generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ring spinning machine. Each of the at least two clamping arms is coupled to at least one clamping finger adapted to clamp the spindle disc of the ring spinning machine to stop the spindle rotation. Each of the at least one clamping finger includes one or more brake shoes disposed at its inner end to clamp the spindle disc of the ring spinning machine.

[0009] In one aspect, the clamping arms move laterally relative to each other in the linear motion guide of the spindle braking unit.

[0010] In one aspect, in the working position, the spindle braking unit is positioned as a spindle disc concentrically surrounding the spindle of the ring spinning machine.

[0011] In one aspect, each of at least two gripping arms is connected to at least one gripping finger via a connecting tool.

[0012] In one aspect, when the spindle is about to perform a yarn splicing operation to disconnect the yarn, the spindle braking unit stops and releases the rotation of the spindle of the ring spinning machine a number of times according to each predetermined program.

[0013] The automatic coupling unit includes an actuation tool for moving the spindle braking unit toward the spindle.

[0014] In one aspect, one or more brake shoes are made of either a polymer material or an elastic material.

[0015] In one aspect, at least two clamping arms are capable of lateral movement via air from an air source from the ring spinning machine or the automatic splicing unit.

[0016] In one aspect, a method for braking a spindle of a ring spinning machine via an automatic splicing unit includes: placing a spindle braking unit of the automatic splicing unit circumferentially around the spindle of the ring spinning machine at a predetermined distance from the center of the spindle. The method further includes: clamping a spindle disc of the spindle of the ring spinning machine by at least two clamping arms coupled to at least one clamping finger, the at least two clamping arms being adapted to move laterally relative to each other to stop the rotation of the spindle during splicing operations.

[0017] 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 in a stylistic manner. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram is shown of a spindle braking unit provided in the automatic splicing unit of a ring spinning machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2a and Figure 2b Top views of the spindle braking unit according to the invention before and during braking are shown respectively. Detailed Implementation

[0020] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2a and Figure 2b The ring spinning machine 1 of the present invention is provided with an automatic splicing unit 2. The automatic splicing unit 2 moves longitudinally along the channel of the ring spinning machine 1. The ring spinning machine 1 is capable of winding yarn (not shown) onto a bobbin mounted on a spinning spindle 3, i.e., the so-called weft bobbin. When a yarn breakage occurs during normal operation, the automatic splicing unit 2 moves toward the specific spindle 3 of the broken yarn and splices the broken yarn using a conveying yarn from the drafting zone (not shown). Before starting the splicing sequence and / or during splicing, the rotation of the spindle 3 must be stopped to assist the splicing operation.

[0021] The automatic splicing unit 2 according to the invention is provided with an improved spindle braking unit 4 mounted within the automatic splicing unit 2. The spindle braking unit 4 is provided with a suitable actuating tool to move the braking unit 4 toward the spindle 3. The spindle braking unit 4, together with the actuating tool, is mounted to the automatic splicing unit 2 via a suitable connecting tool and bracket. The spindle braking unit 4 is provided with two generally parallel clamping arms 6a, 6b, which are capable of laterally moving toward and away from each other in a horizontal linear motion guide 7. The horizontal linear motion guide 7 is supplied by a suitable air source from the automatic splicing unit 2 and / or from other air sources in the spinning machine / spinning mill. The clamping arms 6a, 6b are equipped with two jaws 8a, 8b, each jaw externally connected by a connecting tool 9 (such as a screw) to form clamping fingers / jaws 8a, 8b. In the working position, the spindle braking unit 4 is positioned concentrically around the spindle disc 10 below the annular guide. The external gripping fingers / jaws 8a and 8b connected to the gripping arms 6a and 6b are positioned generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ring spinning machine.

[0022] After the spindle braking unit 4 is placed in the working position, spindle braking is applied by an air source through two parallel clamping arms 6a, 6b. The spindle disc 10 is securely clamped on both sides by clamping fingers 8a, 8b connected to the clamping arms 6a, 6b. The clamping fingers 8a, 8b are provided with brake pads / brake shoes 11 at their inner ends, such that before / during the engagement, the clamping fingers 8 with brake shoes 11 laterally and securely hold the spindle disc 10 at its circumference, stopping the spindle 3 from rotating. Preferably, the brake pads 11 are made of polymer, elastic material, or the like. The braking member clamps the spindle disc on both sides without any impact load, and has a small force itself when the load is distributed on both sides of the spindle disc. Therefore, the disadvantages of spindle deformation / deflection, misalignment, wobbling, and bending are avoided.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the clamping arms 6a, 6b and the clamping fingers 8a, 8b can be integrated into a single part at each end.

[0024] According to another embodiment, during the jointing sequence, the spindle brake is actuated and released a required number of times according to a predetermined program to assist the operation of the various modules of the automatic jointing unit. During jointing operation, the brake is applied and released in any sequence and at any time. Because the spindle is stopped laterally by two gripping fingers, it stops more precisely and is held securely. Misalignment of the spindle caused by the brake is completely eliminated in this invention.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the number of gripping fingers / jaws is not limited to two. The number of jaws can be any number, more than two. The spindle disc is not only laterally braked by the linear gripping fingers. The spindle disc can also be gripped anywhere around the circumference by rotary jaws or the like.

[0026] Therefore, the aforementioned automatic splicing unit for the ring spinning machine frame provides an effective spindle braking device to achieve reliable splicing operation and prevent damage to machine parts.

[0027] Based on the disclosure describing the present invention, all changes, modifications, and variations in the sense and scope of equivalents are also considered to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic splicing unit (2) for a ring spinning machine (1), comprising: Spindle braking unit (4), and An actuating tool is used to move the spindle braking unit (4) of the automatic splicing unit (2) toward the spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1). Its features are: The spindle braking unit (4) includes: At least two clamping arms (6a, 6b) are adapted to move laterally toward and away from each other in the horizontal linear motion guide (7) of the spindle braking unit (4). Each of the two clamping arms (6a, 6b) is connected to a clamping finger (8a, 8b) adapted to clamp the spindle disc (10) of the spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1) to stop the rotation of the spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1).

2. The automatic connector unit (2) according to claim 1, wherein, The clamping fingers (8a, 8b) include one or more brake shoes (11) disposed at the inner end of the clamping fingers toward the spindle disc (10) of the spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1) to clamp the spindle disc (10) of the spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1).

3. The automatic connector unit (2) according to claim 1, wherein, The at least two clamping arms (6a, 6b) are generally parallel to each other and are configured to be positioned generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ring spinning machine (1) to clamp the spindle disc (10) of the spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1).

4. The automatic connector unit (2) according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the at least two clamping arms (6a, 6b) is connected to the clamping fingers (8a, 8b) via a connecting tool (9).

5. The automatic connector unit (2) according to claim 1, wherein, When the yarn splicing operation of the spindle (3) is about to be performed, the spindle braking unit (4) stops and releases the rotation of the spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1) a number of times according to each predetermined program.

6. The automatic connector unit (2) according to claim 2, wherein, The one or more brake shoes (11) are made of either a polymer material or an elastic material.

7. The automatic connector unit (2) according to claim 1, wherein, The at least two clamping arms (6a, 6b) are capable of lateral movement by air from an air source from the ring spinning machine (1) or the automatic splicing unit (2).

8. A method for braking a spindle (3) of a ring spinning machine (1) by means of an automatic splicing unit (2), the method comprising: The spindle braking unit (4) of the automatic splicing unit (2) is placed circumferentially around the spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1) at a predetermined distance from the center of the spindle (3); and The spindle disc (10) of the spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1) is held by two clamping arms (6a, 6b), each clamping arm being connected to a clamping finger (8a, 8b), the clamping arms being adapted to move laterally toward and away from each other linearly by horizontal movement to stop the rotation of the spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1) during splicing operations.

9. The method for braking spindle (3) according to claim 8, wherein, When the yarn splicing operation of the spindle (3) is about to be performed, the spindle braking unit (4) stops and releases the rotation of the spindle (3) of the ring spinning machine (1) a number of times according to each predetermined program.

10. The method for braking spindle (3) according to claim 8, wherein, The two clamping arms (6a, 6b) are capable of moving laterally relative to each other by air from an air source from the ring spinning machine (1) or the automatic splicing unit (2).

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