Integrated drafting mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a drafting device for drafting a carded sliver before a loop is placed in a can, the drafting device (1) being arranged on the upper side of a can changer (W) associated with a carding machine (K), the drafting device having two vertically arranged drafting devices (2 up and 2 down), the drafting mechanism is provided with an upper first drafting roller pair (7, 8) and a lower second drafting roller pair (9, 10). The invention is characterized in that the upper first drafting roller pair (7, 8) and the lower second drafting roller pair (9, 10) are respectively supported in a separate drive housing (4a, 4b) and a bearing block (18a, 18b), and the distance between them is adjustable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a drafting mechanism for drafting carded fiber slivers before placing them into cans, wherein the drafting mechanism is arranged on the upper side of a can changer associated with a carding machine. Background Art

[0002] According to the prior art, it is known in the field of textile technology to place the carded fiber slivers in cans. For this purpose, a drafting mechanism can be arranged between the carding machine and the coiler, which significantly saves space and reduces investment costs for subsequent processes. In addition, there is no need to control a drafting device arranged separately downstream of the coiler of the carding machine, and the time-consuming process of transporting the cans is eliminated. The entire production line from the carding machine to the air-spinning machine or rotor spinning machine has one less drafting link. This so-called "integrated drafting device" can be arranged in the carding machine housing (horizontally arranged in the direction of material flow) or above the coiler (vertically arranged in the direction of material flow). The integrated drafting device arranged above the coiler has the following advantages: the carding machine output can be reduced when changing cans, and the storage arranged between the carding machine and the integrated drafting device can compensate for the speed drop of the fiber sliver.

[0003] These integrated drafting devices can be controlled or uncontrolled. Unlike the known drafting devices that draft and combine multiple fiber strips, only a single incoming fiber strip is processed in such integrated drafting devices. They usually have a two-zone drafting mechanism consisting of a 3-up 3-down or 3-up 4-down roller arrangement with a limited drafting zone width. Therefore, the applicability to specific fiber lengths is limited, because especially when processing short fibers (<20 mm), the textile properties of the subsequently manufactured yarn are insufficient with only one fiber strip. Especially when processing recycled textiles, the proportion of short fibers in the fiber mixture increases, which makes the processing more complicated. In order to process different fiber mixtures, the clamping line distance between the drafting rollers must be adjusted. According to the prior art, this is relatively complicated because, in addition to adjusting the drafting rollers, the associated drive components also need to be adjusted. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Accordingly, the task of the present invention is to provide a drafting device for the carded fiber sliver, which can process fibers of a plurality of different fiber lengths with high quality. For this reason, the adjustment of the clamping line distance should be simplified.

[0005] The invention achieves the stated object by a device having the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0006] The invention relates to a drafting arrangement for drafting a carded fiber sliver before it is wound into a can, wherein the drafting arrangement is arranged on the upper side of a can changer associated with a carding machine.

[0007] The drafting device according to the present invention has a vertically arranged 2-upper-2-lower drafting arrangement, which has a first upper drafting roller pair and a second upper drafting roller pair.

[0008] The present invention includes the technical teaching that a first upper drafting roller pair and a second lower drafting roller pair are each supported in separate drive housings and bearing blocks, and the distance between them is adjustable. Thus, the clamping line distance between the drafting roller pairs can be adjusted by shifting or changing the distance between the drive housings, thereby eliminating the need for individual movement of the drafting rollers and readjustment of the drive assembly.

[0009] The bearing blocks extend parallel to at least one drive housing and are each connected to the drive housing via a support element. The lower and upper rollers are thus supported on a U-shaped frame consisting of the respective drive housing, the bearing blocks arranged parallel to the drive housing, and the connected support elements. This arrangement for supporting the upper rollers creates free space for cleaning and maintenance of the drafting mechanism.

[0010] By configuring an adjustment element for adjusting the distance between the upper and lower drive housings, the clamping line distance between the drafting rollers can be adjusted without having to readjust the drive components. Changing the clamping line distance using an adjustment element acting on the drive housing eliminates the need for individual adjustment of the drafting rollers or adaption of drive components such as belts, deflectors, or gears. Depending on the fiber being processed, the clamping line distance can be changed very quickly, either automatically or manually. The adjustment element can be designed, for example, as a manually operated threaded spindle or as an electric drive.

[0011] Because the entry measuring roller pair and the funnel are arranged above the first upper drafting roller pair on the upper drive housing, the distance between the entry measuring roller pair and the funnel and the first upper drafting roller pair remains unchanged when adjusting the clamping line distance. Automatic threading can continue unchanged, and sliver breaks or fiber sliver twists at the first upper roller can still be detected.

[0012] Similarly, a funnel and an outlet metering roller pair are located below the lower second drafting roller pair in the lower drive housing. Their distance from the lower second drafting roller pair remains unchanged even when the clamping line distance is adjusted. Besides automatically threading and detecting fiber sliver breaks or tangles at the lower second upper roller, these components ensure a controlled draft at the drafting mechanism without requiring adjustment.

[0013] Preferably, each drive housing has a separate drive for the associated drafting roller pair. In addition to the advantage of adjustable clamping line distances, the lower rollers can also be driven independently of one another, making it easy to adjust the drafting arrangement even when the drafting roller pairs are adjusted relative to one another. Crossing drive belts, as known in the prior art, are avoided, simplifying the adjustment of the drive assembly.

[0014] By varying the distance between the drive housings between the upper first drafting roller pair and the lower second drafting roller pair, the clamping distance can be adjusted between 35 mm and 75 mm. To this end, a pressure lever is positioned below the upper drafting roller pair, fixed relative to the upper drafting roller pair. This lever can be used to increase the clamping distance, particularly when processing staple fibers. This allows for the processing of mixed fibers containing a high proportion of recycled fibers with higher quality. This ensures that the automatic threading and guidance of the staple fibers is not affected when the clamping distance is varied.

[0015] The upper drafting roller is configured to pivotally move the funnel above the upper side and the lower drafting roller is configured to pivot the funnel below the lower side, away from the material flow path of the fiber strip. This allows for better cleaning of the drafting mechanism.

[0016] The drive assembly between the drive and the associated drafting roller pair is preferably arranged on the back of the drafting mechanism, wherein the drive is configured to drive the corresponding lower roller and the corresponding fixed inlet or outlet metering roller. By arranging the drive assembly on the back of the drafting mechanism, the accessibility of the front area for cleaning and maintenance work is improved. At the same time, the drive area can be enclosed in the housing, thereby blocking fiber flying and impurities. Cross-drive is avoided by driving the components of the upper drive housing (the first lower roller and the inlet metering roller pair) by the upper drive of the self and driving the components of the lower drive housing (the second lower roller and the outlet metering roller pair) by the lower drive of the self. Each drive can be controlled independently of each other, so that the draft between the drafting rollers is adjustable and adjustable.

[0017] Here, the movable measuring rollers are driven by the fixed inlet or outlet measuring rollers via belts. This indirect drive of the movable measuring rollers by independent drives ensures the correct direction of rotation for these rollers in the simplest manner and allows them to be driven regardless of their position relative to the fixed measuring rollers. They are thus arranged to be movable in both the operating position and the maintenance position, and can be moved into the maintenance position using a lever. This eliminates the need to dismantle or re-tension the drive belts.

[0018] The fixed inlet measuring roller can be combined with a sensor for determining the circular motion. This allows for measurement-based compensation of any non-circular motion. This allows for accurate control of the measurement accuracy of specific sliver weight deviations.

[0019] Preferably, the lower drive is configured to drive the can carousel. Since the second lower roller is indirectly coupled to the can carousel via the lower drive, the speed at which the fiber rings are placed into the can is also adapted while the drafting is adapted by the lower drafting roller pair.

[0020] The drafting mechanism is preferably designed as a controlled drafting mechanism. The inlet and outlet metering rollers control the sliver weight after drafting and are also designed to detect malfunctions, sliver breaks, or sliver jams during automatic spinning-in. To control the sliver weight, the upper and lower drafting roller pairs can be driven independently of each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Further measures for improving the invention are explained in detail below in conjunction with the description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention with the aid of the drawings.

[0022] In the picture:

[0023] Figure 1 A carding machine with a subsequent coiler and an integrated drafting device is shown;

[0024] Figure 2a 、 Figure 2b showing perspective views of the housing with and without closing;

[0025] Figure 3 A front view showing the main components of the drafting device according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4a 、 Figure 4b Two views showing a drafting roller pair with a pressure bar having different drafting zone widths;

[0027] Figure 5 A first perspective view showing the support structure of the drafting roller pair;

[0028] Figure 6 Shows a top view of the drafting mechanism with the upper roller in the unlocked position;

[0029] Figure 7 A second perspective view showing the support structure of the drafting roller pair with the upper roller removed;

[0030] Figure 8 Shows a rear view of the drafting arrangement with the drive assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1A carding machine K is shown, in which the produced fiber strip FB is guided to a drafting mechanism 1 via a plurality of deflection wheels R. The drafting mechanism 1 is arranged on the upper side of the can changer W and is integrated therewith, and is therefore a component of the carding machine K. In this embodiment, a storage S for the fiber strip FB is arranged between the carding machine K and the drafting mechanism 1, which is designed to at least partially compensate for the difference in the supply speed of the fiber strip FB between the carding machine K and the drafting mechanism 1. The use or arrangement of the storage S is not important for the present invention. In order to better understand the subsequent arrangement of the individual components, a Cartesian coordinate system is used here, in which the z direction is the vertical direction in which the fiber strip FB enters the drafting mechanism 1. The y direction corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the drafting roller in the subsequent figures, and the x direction is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the drafting roller.

[0032] Figure 2a and Figure 2b The cover 2 of the drafting arrangement 1 according to the present invention is shown closed and opened. It has horizontally openable flaps 2a, 2b on the front, providing access to the drafting mechanism for maintenance work. The flaps 2a, 2b are pivotally fastened to the cover 2 by hinges. Also located on the cover 2 is a cover 3 that can be pivoted upward and has an opening 3a. The cover 3 is integrated into the flaps 2a, 2b, so that the flaps 2a, 2b have recesses that correspond to the contour of the cover 3. A deflecting wheel R is arranged on the cover 3, which deflects the fiber strip FB and guides it into the opening 3a of the cover 3 and into the first funnel 5 above. A pipe 37 is arranged on the upper side of the cover 2, to which a line for the exhaust air from the spinning preparation process can be connected. Dust and unprocessed fiber material can be removed via the pipe 37. The drafting arrangement 1 is arranged on the upper side of the can changer W, with a recessed storage area A located on this upper side. The storage area A is designed to store the upper rollers 7 and 8 of the drafting mechanism 1 during maintenance or cleaning. Unlike the prior art, no fiber-guiding or fiber-processing components are located on the inside of the wings 2a and 2b. A magnetic lock detectable by a sensor allows the cover 3 and the wings 2a and 2b to completely close the cover 2 (except for the opening 3a). This means that if the cover 2 is opened during operation, the card control system stops the drafting mechanism 1.

[0033] Figure 3A first front view of the open drafting mechanism 1 is shown, with the cover 2 and the cover plate 3 removed. Only the front part of the upper drive housing 4a is visible, which, according to the other figures, extends further behind the arrangement of rollers and funnels, not shown here. The fiber strip FB, not shown here, enters the first funnel 5 vertically (z direction) and is detected by the entry metering roller pair 6a, 6b. The funnel 5 is designed to be pivotable upward in the vertical direction (Z direction) away from the entry metering roller pair 6a, 6b to allow cleaning of the subsequent entry metering roller pair 6a, 6b or to eliminate incorrect yarn spinning. The subsequent entry metering roller pair 6a, 6b is designed to detect deviations of the fiber strip FB from a preset sliver weight and transmit the measured values ​​to a control device (not shown) and display them on a display, which can be, for example, the control device of the carding machine K. For this purpose, one entry metering roller 6b is rotatably supported in a fixed position, while the second entry metering roller 6a is movably supported relative to the first entry metering roller 6b. The movement of the second entry metering roller 6a can be detected, for example, using a moving coil sensor (Tauchspule) or other sensor, and the displacement change can be converted into a weight deviation. Not further shown, scraper-type roller cleaners can be arranged on both sides of the entry metering roller pair 6a, 6b to clean the surface of the entry metering rollers 6a, 6b. The entry metering roller pair 6a, 6b can be designed as grooved / detection rollers or stepped rollers, or can include two smooth rollers. A scraper 16 or other guiding element can be arranged below the metering roller 6b on the left side of this view, which is used to separate the fiber strip FB from the entry metering roller pair 6a, 6b and introduce it into the first drafting roller pair 7, 8. The lever 36a can release the pressure load on the movable entry metering roller 6a, which is not shown, thereby allowing it to move away from the fixed entry metering roller 6b. This makes it easier to maintain and clean the entry metering roller pair 6a, 6b and the upper drafting roller pair 7, 8 arranged below them. The lever 36a is shown in the locked position for the movable entry metering roller 6a.

[0034] The fiber strip FB continues to run vertically downward until it is caught by the first lower roller 7 and the first upper roller 8. These two rollers 7 and 8 form a first drafting roller pair. With a slight deviation against the x-direction, the fiber strip FB hits the pressure bar 13, is guided through the pressure bar and reaches the second drafting roller pair formed by the second lower roller 9 and the second upper roller 10. Thus, the drafting mechanism 1 according to the present invention is constructed as a vertically arranged 2-up 2-down drafting mechanism (single-zone drafting mechanism) with two lower rollers 7 and 9 and two upper rollers 8 and 10. Although the drafting roller pairs are arranged perpendicular to each other, they can still be compared here to conventional drafting mechanisms with a horizontal material flow direction of the fiber strip having upper and lower rollers, because the lower roller has a metal grooved surface, while the upper roller is covered with a plastic or rubber sleeve. Due to the different rotational speeds, the fiber strip FB is longitudinally drafted by the first and second drafting roller pairs and introduced into the second funnel 14. Furthermore, the first and second cylinders 11 a , 12 a can be seen, with which the upper rollers 8 , 10 are pressed at one end against the lower rollers 7 , 9 by means of the pistons of the cylinders 11 a , 12 a , counter to the x-direction.

[0035] The funnel 14 is designed as a spinning-in aid and has swirl nozzles along its inner opening, through which compressed air flows. This creates suction at the funnel opening, drawing the fiber sliver FB into the funnel and guiding it to the pair of outlet metering rollers 15a, 15b. These outlet metering rollers 15a, 15b are also designed to detect deviations from a preset sliver weight. A fixed, rotatable first outlet metering roller 15b cooperates with a movably mounted, rotatable second outlet metering roller 15a. Changes in the distance between these rollers and the fixed (stationary and rotatable) first outlet metering roller 15b are converted into sliver weight deviation values ​​by a sensor (not shown) (e.g., located in the carding machine control). These values ​​are also transmitted to a control unit (e.g., the carding machine control unit), which compares them with the values ​​of the inlet metering roller pair 6a, 6b and displays them on a screen. The outlet metering roller pair 15a, 15b can be configured as a smooth roller pair, a grooved / detection roller pair, or a stepped roller pair. Not further indicated, scraper-type roller cleaners can be arranged on both sides of the outlet measuring roller pair 15a, 15b to clean the surfaces of the measuring rollers. The pressure load on the movable outlet measuring roller 15a (not shown) can be released by lever 36b, thereby allowing it to move away from the fixed outlet measuring roller 15b. This makes maintenance and cleaning of the outlet measuring roller pair 15a, 15b and the coiler tube 40 arranged thereunder easier. Figures 5 to 7 , the lever 36b is shown in a locked position with respect to the movable outlet measuring roller 15a, Figure 8 In the middle, it is shown in the release position for the movable outlet metering roller 15a.

[0036] After the exit metering roller pair 15a, 15b, the drafted fiber sliver FB is wound, for example cycloid-shaped, into a can (not shown) via a known coiler tube 40, which is twisted by a can carousel 41. A sensor 17 is arranged between the exit metering roller pair 15a, 15b and the coiler tube 40. The sensor is designed to monitor the inlet or opening of the coiler tube 40 for possible sliver obstruction.

[0037] The signals from the inlet measuring roller pair 6a, 6b and the outlet measuring roller pair 15a, 15b can be processed in the control unit of the carding machine K or the control unit of the spinning preparation system. The control unit can output a signal when the automatic spinning-in process is running smoothly. Thus, both measuring roller pairs 6a, 6b; 15a, 15b generate stable signals regarding the sliver weight. If, after automatic spinning-in, only the inlet measuring roller pair 6a, 6b displays a stable signal, while the outlet measuring roller pair 15a, 15b displays no signal or a significant change in signal, this may indicate a break in the fiber sliver FB or that the automatic spinning-in process was unsuccessful.

[0038] Figure 4a and Figure 4b The arrangement of the drafting rollers 7, 8, 9, 10 relative to one another in combination with the pressure rod 13 is shown. The drafting zone between the clamping points P1 and P2 is offset by an amount V relative to the vertical direction in the x-direction. The value of V can be between 5 mm and 12 mm. In the first drafting roller pair 7, 8, the first upper roller 8 is arranged below the first lower roller 7 in the z-direction with an offset in the vertical direction. Similarly, the second upper roller 10 is arranged below the second lower roller 9 in the z-direction with an offset in the vertical direction. Due to the upper and lower offset V of the drafting rollers 7, 8; 9, 10, the pressure rod 13 is arranged between the first and second upper rollers 8, 10, so that the fiber strip FB is deflected to the second clamping point P2 by the pressure rod 13. The pressure rod 13 is arranged in a fixed position spaced apart from the first drafting roller pair 7, 8 and is formed by a rectangular or square base body, the outer surface of which is provided with a convex surface profile. The convex surface profile can be constructed as a semicircle or an arc segment with a continuous radius. By means of the pressure rod 13, the clamping line distance can be changed from L1 (35 mm) to Figure 4a ) increased to 75mm L2( Figure 4b). The pressure bar 13 is inclined from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction in its longitudinal direction at an angle α, which can be between 40° and 60°, preferably between 50° and 55°. The center line of the pressure bar 13 can intersect with the center point of the first upper roller 8 here. The convex surface of the pressure bar 13 contacts the fiber strip FB and guides the fiber, which is shown as being inclined downward along the z direction. Preferably, the pressure bar 13 is arranged so that the fiber strip FB hits the upward and inclined side surface of the pressure bar 13 from the clamping point P1 between the first drafting roller pair 7, 8, and is vertically guided to the second clamping point P2 by the convex surface of the pressure bar 13. The convex surface of the pressure bar 13 is therefore tangent to the vertical line passing through the second clamping point P2 of the second drafting roller pair 9, 10. The pressure bar is arranged not far behind the first drafting roller pair 7, 8 at an inclined angle α, which is conducive to the automatic introduction of the fiber strip FB into the drafting mechanism 1. The convex surface of the pressure rod 13 is arranged tangentially to the vertical line passing through the second clamping point P2, which is offset by a value V relative to the first clamping point P1 in the x direction. This is conducive to guiding short fibers, which can be stretched within the range of the clamping line distance L1 = 35 to L2 = 75 mm (inclusive).

[0039] The improvements in textile technology are particularly evident in recycled fiber mixes with a high proportion of short fibers. Thanks to the fiber guidance of the pressure rods, these improvements are measurable right up to the yarn stage. Yarn tenacity has increased by up to 8%, while the IPI value (total IPI) has been reduced by 10 to 20%.

[0040] Since the first drafting rollers 7 and 8 are supported together with the pressure bar 13 on / in the upper drive housing 4a, which is separate from the lower drive housing 4b of the second drafting rollers 9 and 10, the clamping line distances L1 and L2 can be changed using a simple adjustment device without having to decouple and remove the drafting rollers 7 and 8 from the drive. The distance between the pressure bar 13 and the first drafting rollers 7 and 8 remains unchanged.

[0041] Figure 5The drafting mechanism 1 is shown in a perspective view without the cover 2. A first drive 21 is located on the upper drive housing 4a, driving the pair of inlet metering rollers 6a, 6b and the first lower roller 7. The pivotable arrangement of the first funnel 5 in the z-direction can also be seen. Also located on the upper drive housing 4a is an upper support 22a, on which an upper counter bearing 19a with a first cylinder 11b is arranged orthogonally. The upper counter bearing 19a and the first cylinder 11b are configured to lock the first end of the first upper roller 8 in the upper bearing seat 18a. The second end of the first upper roller 8 is supported within the upper drive housing 4a. The upper bearing seat 18a, slightly obscured behind the upper counter bearing 19a, supports the first lower roller 7 and the first end of the first upper roller 8. The second end of the first lower roller 7 is also supported within the upper drive housing 4a. The first lower roller 7 is fixedly supported at its second end on / in the upper drive housing 4a. The other first end of the first lower roller 7 is also fixedly supported on the upper bearing seat 18a. The upper bearing seat 18a extends parallel to the upper drive housing 4a and is connected to it via the upper mating bearing 19a. The first upper roller 8 is supported in a manner that it can move toward the first lower roller 7 in the x direction. Figure 7 Elaborated in detail.

[0042] Not shown is the lower bearing block 18b, which is also arranged parallel to the lower drive housing 4b and connected thereto via the lower support element 22b. The second lower roller 9 and the second upper roller 10 are each supported on the lower bearing block 18b, with their first ends fixed in position and movable in the x-direction toward the second lower roller 9. The second lower roller 9 and the second upper roller 10 are each supported in the lower drive housing 4b, with their second ends fixed in position and movable in the x-direction toward the second lower roller 9. The second cylinder 12b is arranged on the lower mating bearing 19b. The lower mating bearing 19b and the second cylinder 12b are configured to lock the support of the first end of the second upper roller 10 in the lower bearing block 18b.

[0043] The lower drive housing 4b houses the second lower roller 9, the second upper roller 10, the pair of outlet metering rollers 15a and 15b, and a second hopper 14 arranged above them. The second hopper 14 is pivotably mounted horizontally on a swivel bearing 14b via a lever 14a. Compressed air is supplied via the lever 14a, thereby generating a suction effect through a swirl nozzle (not shown). The pivotability of the second hopper 14 improves cleaning of the drafting mechanism 1.

[0044] The lower drive housing 4b also has a lower support element 22b, on which the lower bearing seat 18b (shown obscured) for the second upper and lower rollers 9 and 10, and the lower counter bearing 19b for the second upper roller 10, are located. The separation of the drive housings 4a and 4b, and the separate arrangement and support of the first and second drafting roller pairs 7, 8; 9, 10, allows the distance of the upper drive housing 4a relative to the lower drive housing 4b to be adjusted using an adjustable element 23 (obscured). To this end, the upper drive housing 4a is fastened to lateral vertical guides, allowing it to be adjusted in the vertical direction (z-axis). This adjustment allows the clamping line distances L1 and L2 between the drafting roller pairs to be adjusted, allowing the drafting arrangement 1 to be adjusted with minimal effort when fiber quality varies. Lateral guide plates 24, with integrated dovetail grooves or linear guides, for example, correspond to the outer surface of the upper drive housing 4a. The adjustable element 23 can be designed, for example, as a threaded spindle or an electric drive.

[0045] The first and second lower rollers 7, 9 are fixedly and rotatably supported in the upper or lower drive housing 4a, 4b in their respective second end positions. The drive element acts on the back of the drive housing 4a, 4b, which is explained by Figure 8 Explanation. The first and second lower rollers 7, 9 are each supported in a fixed and rotatable manner at their first ends in bearing seats 18a, 18b, which are in turn fastened to the associated support members 22a, 22b. The first and second upper rollers 8, 10 are also supported in the upper or lower drive housing 4a, 4b with their second ends movably and rotatably in the x-direction. The first ends of the first and second upper rollers 8, 10 are also supported in the bearing seats 18a, 18b movably and rotatably in the x-direction. The first and second upper rollers 8, 10 are each provided with a mating bearing 19a, 19b with an integrated cylinder 11b, 12b, wherein the mating bearings 19a, 19b are in turn arranged and fastened to the support members 22a, 22b. The pistons of the cylinders 11b, 12b act in the x-direction, i.e. in conjunction with Figure 3 The forces of the cylinder pistons 11a and 12a in the bearings 19a and 19b are directed in opposite directions. Each mating bearing 19a and 19b has a rocker arm 20a and 20b, with the piston rods of the corresponding cylinders 11b and 12b pressing against the first end of each rocker arm. Rocker arms 20a and 20b not only secure the top rollers 8 and 10 in the bearing seats 18a and 18b, but also adjust the load pressure between the drafting roller pairs 7 and 8; 9 and 10. Figure 5The rocker arms 20a, 20b are shown in a position in which no load pressure is applied to the upper rollers 8, 10, and the upper rollers can be removed from the bearings. The cylinders 11b, 12b are arranged in the opposite direction in the longitudinal direction to the cylinders 11a, 12a, leaving a free space on the front side of the drafting mechanism 1, which facilitates the assembly / disassembly of the upper rollers 8, 10 and the cleaning and elimination of sliver jams or sliver breaks.

[0046] As is known in the prior art, the lower rollers 7 and 9 are driven. The upper rollers 8 and 10 are driven directly at their second ends by cylinders 11a and 12a. At their respective first ends, they are indirectly pressed against the lower rollers 7 and 9 by rocker arms 20a and 20b via cylinders 11b and 12b, and driven by friction. Rocker arms 20a and 20b thus deflect the force of cylinders 11b and 12b by 180° from the x-direction to the opposite x-direction. The lower rollers 7 and 9 have conventional grooved metal surfaces, while the upper rollers 8 and 10 have rubber or plastic sleeves.

[0047] Figure 6 The released upper rollers 8 and 10 are shown in a top view, with only the first upper roller 8 and its upper components fully visible. The lower and upper rollers 7, 9; 8, 10 are identical to the prior art. The upper roller 8 shown here has a steel core on which an elastic roller shell 8.1 (e.g., made of rubber or plastic) is arranged. Two roller necks 8.2 and 8.3 accommodate the upper roller 8 on both sides in bearing guides 25a. The pressure required for drafting is applied on both sides by cylinders 11a and 11b to the roller bearings 8.4 and 8.5, which are arranged between the roller necks 8.2 and 8.3 and the roller shell 8.1. To reduce wear on the roller shell 8.1, the upper rollers 8 and 10 are designed asymmetrically, so that the roller shell 8.1 protrudes beyond the mating surface of the lower rollers 7 and 9. Therefore, if the first working surface for drafting the fiber strip FB wears, the upper rollers 8 and 10 can be installed rotated 180°. The second upper roller 10 adopts the same design, although this is not shown in the figure. According to the invention, the pressure on the second roller bearing 8.5 is applied by the cylinder 11a, while the pressure on the first roller bearing 8.4 is applied by the rocker arm 20a, which deflects the force of the cylinder 11b by 180°.

[0048] The upper bearing seat 18a and the upper mating bearing 19a are arranged orthogonally on the upper support member 22a. Also visible are the first lower roller 7 and the second lower roller 9, arranged below it at an offset V against the x-direction. The pneumatic cylinder 11b acting in the x-direction is visible in the upper mating bearing 19a, retracted, thereby placing the rocker arm 20a in the unloaded position. The pneumatic cylinder 11a acting against the x-direction on the second roller bearing 8.5 of the upper roller 8 is obscured. In this position, the cylinder 11a is also retracted, allowing the upper roller to be pushed out of the bearing guide in the x-direction. The same applies to the other obscured components 12a, 12b, 18b, 19b, 20b, and 22b. The first and second upper rollers 8 and 10 have been displaced in the x-direction within the bearing guides 25a and 25b (not shown) in the upper and lower drive housings 4a and 4b, thereby being spaced apart from the lower rollers 7 and 9.

[0049] Figure 7 In the perspective view, the disassembled upper rollers 8 and 10 are visible. Bearing guides 25a and 25b, arranged horizontally (in the x-direction) for the second ends of the upper rollers 8 and 10, are visible in the upper and lower drive housings 4a and 4b, respectively. The roll necks at the second ends of the upper rollers 8 and 10 engage in these bearing guides 25a and 25b. The roll necks at the first ends of the upper rollers 8 and 10 are similarly arranged, engaging in bearing guides (not shown) on the corresponding bearing blocks 18a and 18b. Cylinders 11a, 12a, 11b, and 12b press the upper rollers 8 and 10 with their sleeves against the metallic upper sides of the lower rollers 7 and 9 with a constant force. As the sleeves of the upper rollers 8 and 10 wear, they press further against the lower rollers 7 and 9, causing the roll necks to gradually approach the lower rollers 7 and 9 in the bearing guides 25a and 25b against the x-direction over time.

[0050] Figure 8 The rear view of a drafting arrangement with a drive design according to the present invention is shown. The upper drive housing 4a is completely separate from the lower drive housing 4b and can be moved along a guide plate 24 using an adjustment element 23 (not shown). This allows adjustment of the clamping line distances L1 and L2 without requiring individual adjustment of the drafting rollers 7, 8, 9, and 10. The upper drive housing 4a and the lower drive housing 4b each contain separate, independent drives that are not affected by the clamping line distance adjustment. Since all drive components are located on the rear side of the drafting arrangement, they are freely accessible from the front, providing ample space for maintenance and cleaning. Therefore, there is no need to disassemble or adjust the drive components. Furthermore, the bearing design of the upper rollers 7 and 9 (with the front cylinders 11b and 12b positioned opposite the rear cylinders 11a and 12b) facilitates removal of the upper rollers 7 and 9. Removing the upper rollers 7 and 9 creates ample free space for maintenance and cleaning of the remaining drafting arrangement components.

[0051] The upper drive housing 4a has a first drive 21, which drives the adjustable second inlet metering roller 6b and the first lower roller 7 via a first belt 26. A second belt 28 drives the first inlet metering roller 6a from the driven second inlet metering roller 6b and is deflected by a deflection wheel 29. The drive directions of the first and second inlet metering rollers 6a, 6b are opposite, so that the fiber sliver FB is transported vertically downward through the inlet metering rollers 6a, 6b. A sensor 27 is arranged on the fixed inlet metering roller 6b. The sensor is designed to determine the circularity of the roller 6b and compensate for any non-circular operation using measurement technology. This allows the measurement accuracy of the determined sliver weight deviation to be controlled. The sensor 27 can be designed, for example, as a moving coil sensor or a piezoelectric element. Alternatively, an inductive proximity switch can be used, which provides a pulse for each rotation of the measuring roller. This allows anomalies that repeatedly occur at the same position during the circular motion to be taken into account when evaluating the volume fluctuations of the fiber sliver. The first upper roller 8 is frictionally driven by pressing the roller shell 8.1 against the first lower roller 7 via the pressure of cylinders 11a and 11b on roller bearings 8.4 and 8.5. The separation of the drive into the upper drive housing 4a (with the first drafting roller pair 7 and 8) and the lower drive housing 4b (with the second drafting roller pair 9 and 10) allows for the adjustability of the clamping line distances L1 and L2. The speed of the lower rollers 7 and 9 of the drafting roller pairs and the load pressure of the upper rollers 8 and 10 can also be controlled individually. At the same time, the driven measuring rollers 6b and 15b are decoupled from each other (i.e., separated from each other in terms of drive technology), eliminating the need for cross belts.

[0052] The lower drive housing 4b also has its own second drive 30, which also drives the can carousel 41. The first belt 31 drives the second lower roller 9 and the fixed outlet metering roller 15b. The second belt 32 drives the adjustable outlet metering roller 15b from the fixed outlet metering roller 15b. The second belt 32 is deflected by a deflection wheel 34, driving the two outlet metering rollers 15a and 15b in opposite directions, passing the fiber sliver FB between them and transporting it into the coiler tube 40. A tensioning element 35 ensures the necessary belt tension. The third belt 33, driven by the second drive 30, rotates the can carousel 41.

[0053] Reference Signs List

[0054] 1 Drafting mechanism

[0055] 2 Cover

[0056] 2a, 2b Wings

[0057] 3 Cover

[0058] 3a Opening

[0059] 4a, 4b drive housing

[0060] 5 First Funnel

[0061] 6, 6a, 6b entrance measuring roller pair

[0062] 7 First lower roller

[0063] 8 First upper roller

[0064] 8.1 Roller cover

[0065] 8.2, 8.3 Roller neck

[0066] 8.4, 8.5 roller bearings

[0067] 9 Second lower roller

[0068] 10 Second upper roller

[0069] 11a, 11b First cylinder

[0070] 12a, 12b Second cylinder

[0071] 13. Pressure rod

[0072] 14 Second Funnel

[0073] 14a Leverage

[0074] 14b Rotary bearing

[0075] 15a, 15b Exit measuring roller pair

[0076] 16 scraper

[0077] 17 Sensors

[0078] 18a, 18b bearing seats

[0079] 19a, 19b matching bearings

[0080] 20a, 20b rocker arms

[0081] 21 First Drive

[0082] 22a, 22b support members

[0083] 23 Regulating elements

[0084] 24 Guide

[0085] 25a, 25b bearing guide

[0086] 26 First Belt

[0087] 27 Sensors

[0088] 28 Second Belt

[0089] 29 Steering wheel

[0090] 30 Second Drive

[0091] 31 First Belt

[0092] 32 Second Belt

[0093] 33 Third belt

[0094] 34 steering wheels

[0095] 35 tensioning element

[0096] 36a, 36b levers

[0097] 37 nozzle

[0098] 40 coil tube

[0099] 41 can carousel

[0100] A Storage Area

[0101] FB fiber strips

[0102] K Carding Machine

[0103] L1, L2 clamping line distance

[0104] P1, P2 clamping points

[0105] R Steering wheel

[0106] S Storage

[0107] V offset

[0108] W can changer

[0109] x, y, z directions

[0110] α pressure rod angle

Claims

1. A drafting mechanism for drafting the carded fiber strips before winding them into cans, wherein: The drafting mechanism (1) is arranged on the upper side of a can changer (W) associated with a carding machine (K), and the drafting mechanism has 2 upper and 2 lower drafting mechanisms arranged vertically, and the drafting mechanism has a first upper drafting roller pair (7, 8) and a second lower drafting roller pair (9, 10), and is characterized in that the first upper drafting roller pair (7, 8) and the second lower drafting roller pair (9, 10) are respectively supported in separate drive housings (4a, 4b) and bearing seats (18a, 18b), and the distance between them is adjustable.

2. The drafting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bearing seats (18a, 18b) extend parallel to at least one drive housing (4a, 4b) and are connected to the drive housing via support members (22a, 22b) respectively.

3. The drafting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: An adjusting element (23) is configured for adjusting the distance between the upper drive housing (4a) and the lower drive housing (4b).

4. The drafting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: An inlet metering roller pair (6a, 6b) and a funnel (5) are arranged above the upper first drafting roller pair (7, 8) on the upper drive housing (4a).

5. The drafting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: A funnel (14) and an outlet measuring roller pair (15a, 15b) are arranged below the second drafting roller pair (9, 10) on the lower drive housing (4b).

6. The drafting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each drive housing (4a, 4b) has a separate drive (21, 30) for the associated drafting roller pair (7, 8; 9, 10).

7. The drafting mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: There is a clamping line distance between the upper first drafting roller pair (7, 8) and the lower second drafting roller pair (9, 10), which varies between (L1) 35 mm and (L2) 75 mm.

8. The drafting mechanism according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The first funnel (5) is arranged above the upper drafting roller pair (7, 8), and the second funnel (14) is arranged below the lower drafting roller pair (9, 10). Both are constructed to be pivotally transferred out of the material flow trajectory of the fiber strip.

9. The drafting mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: A drive assembly between a drive (21, 30) and an associated pair of drafting rollers (7, 8; 9, 10) is arranged on the back side of the drafting mechanism (1), wherein the drive (21, 30) is designed to drive the corresponding lower roller (7, 9) and the corresponding fixed inlet or outlet measuring roller (6b, 15b).

10. The drafting mechanism according to claim 9, characterized in that: The associated movable measuring roller (6a, 15a) is driven by a fixed inlet or outlet measuring roller (6b, 15b) via a belt.

11. The drafting mechanism according to claim 9, characterized in that: The fixed inlet measuring roller (6b) cooperates with a sensor (27) for determining the circumferential movement.

12. The drafting mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: The lower drive (30) is designed to drive the can carousel (41).

13. The drafting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The drafting mechanism (1) is designed as a controlled single-zone drafting mechanism.

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