Semi-automatic doffing spinning machine and semi-automatic doffing method

Abstract

Semi-automatic doffing spinning machine and semi-automatic doffing method, the semi-automatic doffing spinning machine comprises a spinning unit, producing a yarn, the yarn is wound on a tube to form a bobbin, the tube is pivotally supported by a bobbin holding arm, the bobbin holding arm is mounted with a pair of tailstocks, the tube is pivotally supported between the tailstocks, at least one of the tailstocks of the bobbin holding arm is an active tailstock so as to be controllable when opening and / or closing, at least one of the tailstocks of the bobbin holding arm is a thread hooking tailstock, the thread hooking tailstock is equipped with at least one mechanical device configured to intercept the yarn. The spinning machine is equipped with at least one splicing car with a movable nozzle, the nozzle is configured to suck the yarn produced by the spinning unit and bring it to an intermediate transfer position. The splicing car has a movable yarn holding unit configured to recover the yarn at the intermediate transfer position with the movable nozzle, tension the yarn and position it in the vicinity of at least one thread hooking tailstock so as to allow at least one thread hooking tailstock to fix the yarn to the tube.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a semi-automatic doffing spinning machine and to a method of semi-automatic doffing in a spinning machine. BACKGROUND

[0002] It should be noted that the term "thread" or "single thread" or "continuous thread" refers to a single filament or continuous filament (for example in the case of silk, artificial or synthetic fibers), while the term "yarn" refers to a group of variable length elementary fibers that are parallel and joined together by twisting. In the following, one or the other term will be used indistinctly, it being understood that the application of the invention is not limited to one or the other type.

[0003] It is known that in spinning systems, such as open and air-jet systems, when the spool reaches a given size, the system stops spinning and starts the doffing cycle of that particular spool.

[0004] The doffing car, usually equipped with the spinning system, reaches the cell related to the doffing cycle, removes the spool from the spool holding arm, inserts the empty tube (provided on the car or on the cell) from the tube magazine, starts spinning and starts winding the yarn produced by the cell on the tube.

[0005] Usually, the first loop is wound by clamping the yarn between the tube on the bottom side of the spool and the tailstock and rotating the tube. Before releasing the tube, it can be placed in the rotating position by the trolley by its own means to facilitate the restart, or it can be "roughly" restarted by releasing the tube against a cylinder rotating at full speed.

[0006] All these operations are very delicate, precise and must be carried out in a perfectly synchronized way in a very short time: for this reason, the doffing car is a highly complex and expensive robot.

[0007] In short, the traditional doffing cycle involves the following operations:

[0008] 1) opening the spool holding arm to remove the spool from the drive cylinder;

[0009] 2) opening the tube tailstock while unloading the spool onto a dedicated belt for spool transport;

[0010] 3) removing the empty tube from the tube magazine and placing it between the tailstocks;

[0011] 4) starting spinning and sucking the yarn produced;

[0012] 5) positioning the yarn between the bobbin on the bottom side of the spool and the tailstock, while closing the tailstock;

[0013] 6) the reserve of yarn possibly present on the tube;

[0014] 7) The arms are positioned in the working position while the tubes are accelerated to almost full spinning speed;

[0015] 8) End of the cycle.

[0016] In order to be able to perform all these steps, the doffer car (or, more precisely, the automatic doffing function) needs to have a tube storage at the head, a mechanism for loading 3 or 4 tubes on the car, and a system for unloading the yarn waste sucked in during the doffing cycle. The doffer car must also return to the tube magazine to unload the yarn waste and replenish its tube stock. This results in low efficiency if several spools are spun simultaneously, which is often the case in spinning systems comprising multiple spinning heads.

[0017] If the spinning machine is not equipped with a doffer car, and therefore cannot perform doffing in an automatic manner, a traditional semi-automatic solution is usually used, which includes manual unloading of the finished spool and manual positioning of the new tube by the operator. However, this traditional solution (i.e. the prior art) provides for pre-winding several meters of yarn on the tube, and restarting spinning is in fact configured as a simple splicing cycle performed by a splicing car.

[0018] This solution has several drawbacks, such as the yarn having to be pre-wound on the tube manually, this yarn being identical to the type of yarn in production, the inevitable creation of additional connections in the spool, and the impossibility of performing a yarn reserve. SUMMARY

[0019] Therefore, there is a need to solve the drawbacks and limitations mentioned with reference to the prior art.

[0020] The semi-automatic doffing spinning machine and method according to the present application meet this need.

[0021] According to an aspect of the present application, the semi-automatic doffing spinning machine comprises a spinning unit, which produces yarn, the yarn being wound on a tube to form a spool. The tube is pivotally supported by a spool holding arm, which is mounted with a pair of tailstocks, between which the tube is pivotally supported. Among them, at least one of the tailstocks of the spool holding arm is an active tailstock, so as to be controllable when opening and / or closing. Among them, the spinning machine is equipped with at least one splicing car, which has a movable nozzle, the nozzle being configured to suck the yarn produced by the spinning unit and bring the yarn to an intermediate handover position. Among them, at least one of the tailstocks of the spool holding arm is a yarn hooking tailstock. The splicing car has a movable yarn holding unit, which is configured to recover the yarn with the movable nozzle at the intermediate handover position, tension the yarn and position the yarn near the at least one yarn hooking tailstock, so as to allow the at least one yarn hooking tailstock (34) to fix the yarn to the tube.

[0022] Further, the at least one active tailstock is equipped with an electrical, mechanical or pneumatic opening and closing driver.

[0023] Further, at least one hooking tailstock is provided with at least one mechanical device configured to intercept the yarn and fix it to the tube.

[0024] Further, the mechanical device comprises at least one hook.

[0025] Further, the mechanical device comprises a plurality of hooks arranged on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the tube.

[0026] Further, the spinning machine is provided with a yarn cleaner and wherein the intermediate handover position is arranged in the vicinity of the yarn cleaner.

[0027] Further, the spinning machine is provided with a processing and control unit programmed so that the yarn holding unit manages the hooking of the yarn to the at least one hooking tailstock and manages the amount and position of the yarn rewound at the beginning of the tube.

[0028] Further, the spinning machine is provided with a separate single guide configured to manage the formation of the bobbin in a precise and customizable manner at the restart.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present application, the semi-automatic doffing method comprises the steps of: providing a spinning unit producing a yarn, the yarn being wound on a tube to form a bobbin, the tube being pivotally supported by a bobbin holding arm, the bobbin holding arm being provided with a pair of tailstocks, the tube being pivotally supported between the tailstocks, wherein at least one of the tailstocks of the bobbin holding arm is an active tailstock so as to be controllable at opening and / or closing, and at least one of the tailstocks of the bobbin holding arm is a hooking tailstock; providing at least one splicing car with a movable nozzle so as to suck in the yarn produced by the spinning unit and bring the yarn to an intermediate handover position; providing a yarn holding unit on the splicing car; controlling the yarn holding unit so as to recover the yarn with the movable nozzle at the intermediate handover position, tension the yarn and position the yarn in the vicinity of the at least one hooking tailstock so as to allow the hooking tailstock to fix the yarn to the tube.

[0030] Further, comprising the step of actuating the yarn holding unit to allow the yarn to engage on the at least one hooking tailstock and create a reserve of yarn on the tube during the initial winding step.

[0031] Further, comprising the step of providing the spinning machine of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0032] Further features and advantages of the present application will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred and non-limiting embodiment thereof, given purely by way of example and shown in the figures of the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0033] Figures 1 to 4 A partial perspective view of the sequence of operating steps of a spinning machine according to another embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0034] Elements or parts of elements common to the embodiments described below will be indicated with the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] With reference to the above figures, the reference number 4 generally indicates a semi-automatic doffing spinning machine.

[0036] In particular, the semi-automatic doffing spinning machine 4 comprises a spinning unit 8 which produces a yarn 12 which is wound on a tube 16 to form a bobbin 20.

[0037] The tube 16 is pivotally supported by a bobbin retaining arm 24, which is mounted with a pair of tailstocks 28 between which the tube 16 is pivotally supported.

[0038] Generally, the tube 16 is arranged along a transverse direction X-X which is perpendicular to said tailstocks 28. Said transverse direction X-X defines an axis of rotation of the tube 16.

[0039] At least one of said tailstocks 28 of the bobbin retaining arm is an active tailstock 32 so as to be controllable in opening and / or closing to allow loading / unloading of the tube 16 and / or of the bobbin 20.

[0040] For example, said at least one active tailstock 32 is equipped with an electric, mechanical or pneumatic opening / closing actuator.

[0041] Advantageously, the spinning machine 4 is equipped with at least one piecing cart 36 having a movable nozzle 40 configured to suck the yarn 12 produced by the spinning unit 8 and to bring it to an intermediate handover position 44. Figure 1 ), and to position it in the proximity of said at least one hooking tailstock 34 so as to allow said at least one hooking tailstock 34 to intercept the yarn 12 and to fix it to the tube 16. Figure 2

[0042] Preferably, at least one of said tailstocks 28 is a hooking tailstock 34 equipped with at least one mechanical yarn catching device 52.

[0043] For example, said mechanical device 52 comprises at least one hook 56.

[0044] According to a possible embodiment, said at least one hooking tailstock 34 comprises a wheel having a plurality of hooks and lying on a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the tube 16.

[0045] Moreover, the piecing cart 36 is mounted with a movable yarn retaining unit 48 configured to recover the yarn 12 with the movable nozzle 40 in said intermediate handover position 44, to tension the yarn and to position it in the proximity of said at least one hooking tailstock 34 so as to allow said at least one hooking tailstock 34 to intercept the yarn 12 and to fix it to the tube 16. Figures 3 to 4 ​​

[0046] According to possible embodiments, the spinning machine 4 is equipped with a yarn cleaner (not shown); preferably, said intermediate transfer position 44 is positioned in the vicinity of said yarn cleaner.

[0047] Preferably, the spinning machine 4 is equipped with a processing and control unit programmed so that said yarn holding unit 48 manages the hooking of the yarn 12 to said at least one hooking tailstock 34 and the amount and position of the yarn 12 rewound at the start of the tube 16.

[0048] Advantageously, the spinning machine 4 is equipped with an independent single-thread guide 60 configured to automatically manage the restart of the individual spinning unit, thus improving the formation of the bobbin.

[0049] The operation of the semi-automatic doffing spinning machine according to the present application will now be described.

[0050] The movable nozzle 40 on the splicing carriage 36 sucks in the yarn 12 generated by the start of spinning and brings it down, positioning it in correspondence with the yarn cleaner, if any.

[0051] At this point, the dedicated yarn holding unit 48 positions the yarn 12 under tension in the vicinity of the hooking tailstock 34, drives the cylinder in rotation and the yarn 12 is fixed to the tube by means of the mechanical hooking device 52, for example the hooking tailstock 56.

[0052] At the same time, the single-thread guide 60 intercepts the end of the yarn and, being electronic and single, is able to manage the winding of the yarn 12 on the tube 16 in a precise and customizable way, producing a bobbin that is well made and easy to configure.

[0053] From the description it is understood that the above-described spinning machine can overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0054] In fact, the present application shows an innovative semi-automatic doffing solution which leaves only to the operator the steps of unloading the bobbin and positioning the empty tube on the tailstock, while the functions of winding the yarn on the tube and restarting spinning are assigned to the yarn holding unit and to the electronic thread guide system of the splicing carriage. In this way, even without a doffing carriage, it is possible to start winding the bobbin after doffing.

[0055] Moreover, the empty tube no longer needs to be pre-wound with yarn by hand, much less with the same yarn that is being processed.

[0056] Furthermore, the present application allows to reduce the number of additional connections during the formation of the bobbin, thus improving its performance in the subsequent stages of the textile cycle (warping, loom, knitting).

[0057] Furthermore, the method shown provides a semi-automatic doffing solution, able to perform a reserve of yarn on the tube.

[0058] The present application also significantly simplifies the structure of the spinning machine.

[0059] In fact, according to the present application, the splicing car is already equipped with a yarn waste nozzle and a corresponding centralized discharge.

[0060] Furthermore, the splicing car of the spinning machine, which is usually more than one (usually 3 to 6), can advantageously replace the doffer, i.e. perform the same operations as the doffer in the existing solutions. This reduces the doffing time by a factor of 3-6 compared to the existing solutions (usually one or at most two doffers are required).

[0061] Furthermore, in the present application, the doffer, if present, becomes a simple conical hopper (up to 15-20) with the function of unloading / accompanying the spool onto the conveyor belt.

[0062] Furthermore, thanks to the fact that the tailstock is equipped with a yarn hooking device, it is possible to fix the yarn on the tube without the need to insert it between the tailstock and the tube. With the "hook" tailstock, it is possible to bring the yarn in the right position, by slowly activating the driving cylinder, the yarn is jammed and wound on the tube without being damaged.

[0063] Finally, as can be clearly seen, it is possible to advantageously have automatic and semi-automatic machines, with not too many differences.

[0064] The person skilled in the art can make numerous modifications and variations to the above-described solution, to meet contingent and specific requirements.

[0065] The scope of protection of the present application is defined by the claims hereafter.

Claims

1. Semi-automatic doffing spinning machine (4), characterized in that, comprising: a spinning unit (8) producing a yarn (12) which is wound on a tube (16) to form a bobbin (20), said tube (16) being pivotally supported by a bobbin holding arm (24) which is fitted with a pair of tailstocks (28) between which said tube (16) is pivotally supported, wherein at least one of said tailstocks (28) of said bobbin holding arm (24) is an active tailstock (32) so as to be controllable upon opening and / or closing, wherein said spinning machine (4) is equipped with at least one splicing carriage (36) having a movable nozzle (40) configured to suck said yarn (12) produced by said spinning unit (8) and to bring said yarn to an intermediate handover position (44), wherein at least one of said tailstocks (28) of said bobbin holding arm (24) is a yarn hooking tailstock (34), said splicing carriage (36) having a movable yarn holding unit (48) configured to recover said yarn (12) with said movable nozzle (40) at said intermediate handover position (44), to tension said yarn and to position said yarn in the vicinity of at least one of said yarn hooking tailstocks (34) so as to allow at least one of said yarn hooking tailstocks (34) to fix said yarn (12) to said tube (16).

2. The semi-automatic doffing spinning machine (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of said active tailstocks (32) is equipped with an electric, mechanical or pneumatic opening and closing driver.

3. The semi-automatic doffing spinning machine (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, At least one of said yarn hooking tailstocks (34) is equipped with at least one mechanical device (52) configured to intercept said yarn (12) and to fix said yarn to said tube (16).

4. The semi-automatic doffing spinning machine (4) according to claim 3, characterized in that, Said mechanical device (52) comprises at least one hook.

5. The semi-automatic doffing spinning machine (4) according to claim 4, characterized in that, Said mechanical device (52) comprises a plurality of hooks (56) arranged on a plane perpendicular to the axis of said tube (16).

6. The semi-automatic doffing spinning machine (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Said spinning machine (4) is fitted with a yarn cleaner and wherein said intermediate handover position (44) is arranged in the vicinity of said yarn cleaner.

7. The semi-automatic doffing spinning machine (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, Said spinning machine (4) is equipped with a processing and control unit programmed so that said yarn holding unit (48) manages the hooking of said yarn (12) to at least one of said yarn hooking tailstocks (34) and manages the amount and position of said yarn (12) rewound at the beginning of said tube (16).

8. The semi-automatic doffing spinning machine (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, Said spinning machine (4) is equipped with an independent single guide (60) configured to manage the bobbin formation (20) in a precise and customizable manner upon restart.

9. A semi-automatic doffing method, characterized in that, comprising the steps of: A spinning unit (8) is provided for producing a yarn (12) which is wound on a tube (16) to form a bobbin (20), the tube (16) being pivotally supported by a bobbin holding arm (24) which is mounted with a pair of tailstocks (28) between which the tube (16) is pivotally supported, wherein at least one of the tailstocks (28) of the bobbin holding arm (24) is an active tailstock (32) to be controllable when opening and / or closing, and at least one of the tailstocks (28) of the bobbin holding arm (24) is a thread hooking tailstock (34), at least one splicing vehicle (36) is provided with a movable nozzle (40) to suck in the yarn (12) produced by the spinning unit (8) and to bring the yarn to an intermediate handover position (44), a yarn holding unit (48) is provided on the splicing vehicle (36), the yarn holding unit (48) is controlled to recover the yarn (12) with the movable nozzle (40) at the intermediate handover position (44), to tension the yarn and to position the yarn in the vicinity of at least one of the thread hooking tailstocks (34) to allow the thread hooking tailstock (34) to fix the yarn (12) to the tube (16).

10. The semi-automatic doffing method according to claim 9, characterized in that, comprising the following steps: the yarn holding unit (48) is actuated to allow the yarn (12) to engage on at least one of the thread hooking tailstocks (34) and to create a yarn reserve on the tube (16) during an initial winding step.

11. A semi-automatic doffing method, characterized in that, comprising the step of providing a spinning machine (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 8. comprising the step of providing a spinning machine (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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