Swivel mechanism for blow duct of travelling cleaner for ring spinning machine, travelling cleaner comprising swivel mechanism and method for operating swivel mechanism

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rotary mechanism (4) for a blower duct (2.2) of a mobile cleaner (2), the blower duct having an upper portion and a lower portion (2.2a and 2.2b). The rotary mechanism (4) includes a connector (9) for connecting to the upper and lower portions (2.2a and 2.2b) of the blower duct, and a support (6) for a sensor system (5) which can be mounted on the connector (9). The rotary mechanism (4) additionally includes a motor (8) for driving a gear (10), an electronic unit (7) connected to the sensor system (5) and the motor (8), and a toothed belt (11). A mobile cleaner (2) and a method are also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of traveling cleaners in spinning mills. During operation, ring spinning machines and their components are cleaned by means of traveling cleaners. Maintenance devices for performing maintenance operations at the various spinning points of the ring spinning machine increasingly travel along the ring spinning machine. This invention facilitates the collision-free operation of traveling cleaners, and specifically the collision-free operation of maintenance devices on ring spinning machines. Existing technology

[0002] In a spinning mill, multiple ring spinning machines are arranged adjacent to each other. A traveling cleaner runs along each ring spinning machine. This traveling cleaner typically includes at least one suction pipe on each side of the ring spinning machine for removing fiber residue and other impurities from the ground, and a blowing duct with multiple blowing nozzles protruding from a blower duct. This blower duct is arranged such that it uses compressed air to release fiber residue from the spinning components of the ring spinning machine, such as spindles, rings and rollers, yarn guides, output roller pairs, and the entire drafting system. Both the suction pipe and the blowing duct are arranged at a distance from the ring spinning machine, a distance that allows these pipes of the traveling cleaner to pass through the suspension for roving, the head and feet of the ring spinning machine, and the intermediate drive of the ring spinning machine. Because the blowing nozzles of the blowing duct should ideally be as close as possible to the corresponding spinning components, according to the prior art, the blowing duct typically has a bend / curve facing the spinning machine above the height of the stretching unit. In this way, the distance to the ring spinning machine or individual spinning components is reduced, and the air nozzles are closer to the respective spinning components for more thorough cleaning. To further optimize cleaning, various attachments for guiding compressed air are used in spinning machines that were previously operating without maintenance devices; for example, attachments with narrowing sections or Y-shaped attachments. For this purpose, the air nozzles are made of a material stable enough to support these attachments. Furthermore, longer air nozzles (closer to a given spinning component) can also be used in ring spinning machines operating in this manner. The increasing use of maintenance devices on ring spinning machines no longer permits this design of the air nozzles, as collisions with passing maintenance devices occur.

[0003] Today, an increasing number of ring spinning machines are operated using a maintenance device that moves along one side of the machine. To prevent collisions between the maintenance device and the blow nozzles or curved air tubes, the blow nozzles are made of a highly flexible material that allows them to bend as they pass the maintenance device, the head and foot sections, or any intermediate drives of the ring spinning machine, and then bend back to their original orientation afterward. In this way, the parking position can also be assumed at the head and / or foot sections and at the intermediate drives.

[0004] A drawback of using blower nozzles made of highly flexible materials is that their mechanical strength does not allow for the installation of the aforementioned attachments. The length of the blower nozzle is also limited. Another disadvantage is that blower nozzles manufactured and used in this manner are subject to high wear. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of known traveling cleaners for ring spinning machines, which are operated using maintenance devices to allow for optimal cleaning of the spinning components of the ring spinning machine. Therefore, a rotary mechanism, a traveling cleaner equipped with the rotary mechanism, and a method for operating the rotary mechanism are proposed.

[0006] This objective is achieved by the rotary mechanism according to claim 1.

[0007] Therefore, the essence of the present invention lies in a rotary mechanism for a blower duct of a traveling cleaner that runs along a ring spinning machine. The blower duct includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The rotary mechanism includes a connector for connecting to the upper and lower portions of the blower duct, and a support for a sensor system, which can be mounted on the connector. Furthermore, the rotary mechanism includes a motor for driving a gear, an electronic unit connected to the sensor system and the motor, and a toothed belt that can operatively contact both the gear and at least one portion of the blower duct.

[0008] The traveling cleaner runs along the ring spinning machine and, in addition to at least one suction pipe, includes air ducts on each side of the ring spinning machine. As is known from the prior art, multiple air nozzles are present on the air ducts, which are oriented toward the ring spinning machine and remove fiber residues and other contaminants, such as dust, airborne fibers, etc., from the respective spinning components by means of air (e.g., compressed air).

[0009] By separating the blower duct above, preferably at the minimum possible distance from the bend / knot (if present), for example directly above the bend / knot of the blower duct, and inserting and attaching a connector to, for example, the two existing parts of the blower duct, namely the upper and lower parts, a rotary mechanism can be installed on the blower duct of a standard mobile cleaner. The connector is advantageously cylindrical in design, with flanges and other fixing members mounted on the outer surface, i.e., the side surface of the connector. Furthermore, the connector can consist of two parts, such as a first part and a second part, connected to each other, allowing relative rotational movement between the two parts.

[0010] The connection between the air duct and the connector is rotationally stable relative to at least one of the upper and / or lower portions of the air duct. For example, the connection to the upper portion must be designed to be rotationally stable, allowing the lower portion of the air duct to rotate while the upper portion remains in place. The connector also remains in place. If the connector is made of two parts connected in a way that allows for relative rotational movement between the two parts, the air duct and connector are connected in a rotationally stable manner relative to the upper and lower portions of the air duct. The first portion of the connector remains in place, and a support can be attached to this first portion.

[0011] The rotationally stable connection between the connector and the upper and / or lower portion of the blower duct can be a clamping connection. Alternatively, external fastening devices such as duct clamps, flanges, and screws can be used to secure the connector.

[0012] If the air duct has no bends / knocks, the connector must be attached at a height that allows the maintenance device to pass through. This typically corresponds to the height above the uppermost air nozzle (i.e., the air nozzle assigned to the stretching unit). The higher the maintenance device, the higher the position of the slewing mechanism, specifically the connector, on the air duct. Depending on the design, the height of the foot and / or head section, as well as any intermediate drives, also affects the determination of the connector's height on the air duct, ensuring that the slewing mechanism allows passage of the foot and / or head section of the ring spinning machine and any intermediate drives (e.g., when a traveling cleaner moves to a stopping position at the head or foot end during doffing in the ring spinning machine).

[0013] In the context of this invention, "top, above, upper portion" is understood to refer to the direction toward the roving device of the ring spinning machine, while "below, lower portion, lower part" refers to the direction toward the ground where the ring spinning machine is located.

[0014] A support for the sensor system can be mounted on a preferably cylindrical / tubular connector. For this purpose, the connector has a fixing member, such as a circumferential flange or the like. If the connector is made of two parts, the support can be mounted on a first part facing the upper portion of the air duct, such that a second part of the connector, facing the lower portion of the air duct and thus rotationally stable, can rotate relative to the first part. The connection between the connector and the support is rotationally stable. Additionally, if the support has sufficiently high mechanical strength, it can be connected to the upper portion of the air duct or at least one suction tube. This additional fastening / connection to the upper portion of the air duct increases the stability of the support. Stable support is advantageous for positioning the sensor system, as it prevents positional changes during operation and thus ensures the reliability of the method, i.e., timely rotation of the air duct portion.

[0015] The sensor system is mounted or positioned on a support structure to promptly detect approaching objects, whether maintenance devices and / or head and / or foot sections and / or intermediate drives of the ring spinning machine, and forwards this information to electronic units connected to sensors and motors, each in a communication link. The sensor system includes at least one optical sensor. Furthermore, a properly positioned sensor system can detect not only maintenance devices but also the head and / or foot sections of the ring spinning machine and any intermediate drives that may be present. The sensor system must be designed and positioned accordingly, for example, by means of additional, appropriately positioned sensors.

[0016] In the context of this invention, "early / on-time" depends on the relative speed between the maintenance device approaching the traveling cleaner or air duct and the traveling cleaner. This method allows the maintenance device to lag behind, lead ahead of, or move toward the traveling cleaner, depending on the speeds of both the maintenance device and the traveling cleaner, and their current positions along the corresponding side of the ring spinning machine. According to these methods, at least one sensor, preferably four or more, should be positioned. When positioning at least one optical sensor, it must be ensured that the maintenance device can be detected by at least one sensor from the entrance into the area monitored by the sensor (e.g., defined by the light cone of the optical sensor) until exiting that area. The size of this area, specifically its width extending parallel to the ring spinning machine, depends on the relative speed between the traveling cleaner and the maintenance device.

[0017] Depending on the design, the head and / or foot sections of the ring spinning machine, as well as any intermediate drives, can also be detected. In this context, the method depends solely on the speed of the traveling cleaner, and therefore, the timely rotation of a portion of the blower duct (i.e., the lower section of the blower duct) also depends on that speed.

[0018] The rotary mechanism also includes an electric motor for driving the gear. The electric motor is also mounted on a support and connected to the electronic unit. Depending on the embodiment, a housing for the electronic unit and the electric motor is provided on the support. The gear is operatively connected to the electric motor via a toothed belt, which in turn is operatively connected to the air duct, preferably to the lower portion of the air duct. Alternatively, if the connector consists of two parts, the gear is in a rotationally stable connection with the second part of the connector. When the electric motor is actuated accordingly by the electronic unit, the gear driven by the electric motor rotates a predetermined number of revolutions, which is monitored, for example, by a sensor (e.g., an inductive sensor) that detects a switch mark mounted at a suitable position on the toothed belt or the support, or alternatively explicitly predetermined, thereby moving at least one portion of the toothed belt and the air duct operatively connected to the toothed belt, preferably the lower portion of the air duct, or the second portion of the connector operatively connected to the lower portion of the air duct. After detecting the maintenance device and / or head and / or foot sections of the ring spinning machine, as well as any intermediate drives, the above-listed object is approaching. The motor is activated by the electronic unit to which it is connected, which receives input from the sensor system. When the corresponding object passes through the rotating air duct and the monitoring area of ​​the sensor system, the electronic unit receives input that the object has passed the traveling cleaner or the traveling cleaner has passed the object, and the air duct, preferably the lower section of the air duct or including a second section comprising a connector that is rotationally stable and connected to the lower section of the air duct, then rotates back to its initial position, i.e., the operating position.

[0019] The toothed belt of the rotating mechanism engages in a rotationally stable manner with the second part of the connector or a portion of the blower duct, preferably the lower portion of the blower duct, and when the motor is actuated accordingly via a gear operatively connected to the toothed belt, this portion of the blower duct, preferably the lower portion of the blower duct, is rotated to a passing position. In the passing position where the blower nozzle is rotated approximately 90° to the left or right, or 60° to 90°, the maintenance device can pass through the traveling cleaner without bumping, scratching, or bending the blower nozzle. The traveling cleaner can also pass through the head and / or foot sections and any intermediate drives that may be present, or stop in front of them (parking position).

[0020] A chain can also be used instead of a timing belt. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the cylinder actuates / starts the rotation, which is achieved through interaction with corresponding attached gears, screws, or connecting rods.

[0021] One advantage of the rotary mechanism according to the invention is that the blow nozzle exhibits less wear. Since the blow duct or a portion thereof (including the blow nozzle) rotates as it passes an object such as a maintenance device, the blow nozzle does not scrape against the maintenance device, thus eliminating the need for elastic bending, which reduces wear. Furthermore, the blow nozzle can now be made of a harder, less flexible material, giving it greater mechanical strength. This, in turn, allows for the use of attachments that optimally guide the compressed air, enabling more precise flow of compressed air to the corresponding spinning components. Additionally, the blow nozzle, specifically in the region of the stretching unit, can be made longer, allowing compressed air to be closer to the components of the stretching unit for effective cleaning as well.

[0022] Another advantage is that the rotary mechanism allows for a simple and economical conversion to a standard traveling cleaning unit for ring spinning machines, specifically ring spinning machines operated with maintenance devices.

[0023] Another advantage is that the rotary mechanism can identify not only maintenance devices, but also the head and / or foot sections of the ring spinning machine and any intermediate drives, and can rotate the blow duct to a pass position, specifically the lower portion of the blow duct (depending on the embodiment with a second part having a connector that is rotationally stable to the lower portion of the blow duct), on which the blow nozzles are located. Therefore, the pass position also includes, for example, a stopping position at the head and / or foot sections of the ring spinning machine during doffing.

[0024] Advantageously, the sensor system includes at least one optical sensor. Optical sensors are inexpensive to purchase, reliable in operation, and flexible in use. This allows for easy repositioning of the optical sensor, for example, in the event of a change in the size of the maintenance device.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sensor system includes four optical sensors.

[0026] [Claim 4] Furthermore, it is advantageous that a sensor system comprising at least one optical sensor, preferably four optical sensors, can be positioned on the support to detect objects. If more than one optical sensor is present, these optical sensors can be aligned at different heights and in different directions, which ensures, for example, that the maintenance device is detectable when a traveling cleaner passes by, and that the slewing mechanism does not prematurely return from the passing position to the operating position, which would inevitably lead to a collision between the traveling cleaner (more precisely, the air duct) and the air nozzle. It is conceivable that a single optical sensor would be sufficient. Similarly, the head and / or foot portions of the ring spinning machine and the intermediate drive of the ring spinning machine can be detected by means of a properly positioned sensor system.

[0027] Advantageously, the electronic unit can be mounted on the support.

[0028] Furthermore, it is advantageous to have communication links between the sensor system and the electronic unit, and between the electronic unit and the motor. Through this connection, the sensor sends an input of "object present" or "object not present" to the electronic unit, which then forwards a control command to the motor to rotate. In this way, the motor is driven, and if an object is present, the air duct, preferably the lower portion of the air duct with the air nozzle, rotates to the pass position. This input is retained until the input "object not found" is sent. This input causes the motor to drive a gear, causing the air duct, preferably the lower portion of the air duct with the air nozzle, to rotate from the pass position to the operating position. Depending on the implementation of the connector, rotation of the lower portion of the air duct means that a second part of the connector, which is rotationally stable, is also pivoted.

[0029] In this way, fully automated operation of the traveling cleaner on a ring spinning machine is possible without collisions, despite the presence of maintenance devices. Similarly, it can travel through the head and / or foot sections and / or intermediate drives, or a parking position can be assumed.

[0030] Advantageously, as already mentioned, the motor can be controlled by an electronic unit. For this purpose, the motor is communicatively connected to the electronic unit.

[0031] Advantageously, the connector includes a rotating mechanism that allows relative rotational movement between at least one portion of the air duct and the connector, or between a first portion and a second portion of the connector. The rotating mechanism can be, for example, a rolling bearing, such as a ball bearing, wherein the lower portion of the air duct is rotationally stably connected to a bearing portion of the connector, such as the inner ring of a ball bearing, while another portion of the rotating mechanism, such as the outer ring of a ball bearing (which is also a ball bearing portion), is designed to rotate stably together with the connector or as part of the connector. This allows relative rotational movement between the air duct (= the corresponding portion of the air duct, here the lower portion) and the connector. If the connector consists of two portions, namely a first portion and a second portion, the rotating mechanism is attached between the first and second portions of the connector and allows relative rotational movement between the two portions of the connector. To allow the lower portion of the air duct to rotate, this embodiment provides a rotationally stably connected between the lower and upper portions via the connector.

[0032] The advantage of rotary mechanisms, specifically ball bearings, is that due to low friction, a small force must be applied to achieve rotation by means of relative rotational movement. Furthermore, rotary mechanisms can be used in both directions: from the operating position to the pass position, and vice versa.

[0033] Advantageously, at least one part of the blower duct is the lower part of the blower duct.

[0034] Furthermore, the essence of the present invention lies in a traveling cleaner for a ring spinning machine, which includes a rotary mechanism according to the present invention.

[0035] Furthermore, the essence of the present invention provides a method for rotating the air duct of a traveling cleaner for a ring spinning machine according to the present invention, the method comprising the following steps:

[0036] - Use sensor systems to detect objects.

[0037] -Transmitting information from the sensor system to the electronic unit,

[0038] - The electric motor connected to the gear drive is activated via an electronic unit; and

[0039] - At least one part of the blower duct is rotated from the operating position to the through position via a toothed belt operatively connected to a part or connector of the gear and the blower duct.

[0040] The rotation of the blower duct refers to the rotation of the lower part of the blower duct, to which the blower nozzle is attached, and depending on the implementation of the connector, which is either a one-piece or two-piece connector consisting of a first part and a second part, the rotation of the blower duct includes the common rotation of the second part of the connector, which is rotatably connected to the lower part of the blower duct.

[0041] The object or near object may be the maintenance device and / or head and / or foot parts of the ring spinning machine, as well as the intermediate drive.

[0042] Information is transmitted via a communication link between the sensor system and the electronic unit.

[0043] The electric motor is activated by an electronic unit. There is also a communication link between the electronic unit and the electric motor.

[0044] The gear is driven by an electric motor. Depending on the embodiment of the connector, the rotatable portion of the blower duct also includes the common pivoting of a second portion of the connector, which is connected to the lower portion of the blower duct in a rotationally stable manner. According to this embodiment, the toothed belt is operatively connected to the lower portion of the connector.

[0045] The positioning allows objects to pass through because, due to the rotation of the lower section of the blower duct, the blower nozzles are no longer aligned with the ring spinning machine, but rather point to the left or right. This orientation is designed so that objects can pass through without scraping the blower nozzles.

[0046] Advantageously, the method further specifies that if the sensor system no longer detects an object, the electronic unit activates the motor, and at least one portion of the air duct returns from the passing position to the operating position. If the object leaves the area monitored by the sensor system as described above, the electronics are accordingly notified via the communication link between the sensor system and the electronic unit, and the electronic unit actuates the motor. The motor then operates the gear in the opposite direction at a predetermined number of revolutions to retract the toothed belt operatively connected to the gear and at least one portion of the air duct or a second portion of the connector. This causes at least the lower portion of the air duct to return from the passing position to the operating position.

[0047] The object is a maintenance device and / or foot section of a ring spinning machine and / or head section of a ring spinning machine and / or intermediate drive of a ring spinning machine. In this case, a traveling cleaner can approach the object, and the object can also approach the traveling cleaner; both the traveling cleaner and the object can approach each other.

[0048] Advantageously, the sensor system includes at least one optical sensor, specifically four optical sensors.

[0049] Advantageously, at least one of the rotatable portions of the blower duct is the lower portion of the blower duct. Attached Figure Description

[0050] The advantages of the present invention are described in the following exemplary embodiments, wherein:

[0051] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a traveling cleaner with a rotary mechanism or air duct in the operating position;

[0052] Figure 2 It is a cross-section of a ring spinning machine with a traveling cleaner and maintenance device in operation;

[0053] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the rotary mechanism;

[0054] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a connector with a rotating mechanism; and

[0055] Figure 5 It is the cross-section of the support member on the connector.

[0056] Only features essential to the invention are shown and described. In different figures, the same features have the same reference numerals.

[0057] Figure 1A traveling cleaner 2 is shown, having two suction tubes 2.1 and a blowing duct 2.2 in the operating position, wherein multiple blowing nozzles 2.2.1 are mounted on the blowing duct 2.2. Furthermore, the blowing duct has a bend 2.2.2. In the operating position shown, the blowing nozzles 2.2.1 are oriented towards the spinning machine to ensure that the corresponding spinning components are free of fiber residue, airborne fibers, etc., by means of compressed air. Above the bend 2.2.2, a rotating mechanism 4 is attached, and the rotating mechanism shows a support 6 on which four sensors 5.1-5.4 are arranged. These four sensors are positioned to detect approaching or passing maintenance devices as objects 3. A given light cone from the optical sensors 5.1'-5.4' indicates the area monitored by the optical sensors 5.1-5.4. The optical sensors 5.1-5.4 are mounted at different heights (here, two heights) and different angles to detect objects 3 in the most optimal way possible. Once object 3 (here: maintenance device) reaches the area monitored by the optical sensor system, the air duct 2.2 rotates from the operating position to the passing position, and once object 3 (here: maintenance device) leaves the monitoring area, the air duct 2.2 rotates back to the operating position. A housing for the electronic unit 7 and the motor 8 is also mounted on the support 6. The support 6 is attached to a connector 9 (here, cylindrical), which connects to two portions 2.2a and 2.2b of the air duct, allowing the lower portion 2.2b of the air duct to rotate. In the illustrated embodiment, the support 6 is additionally attached to the upper portion of the air duct 2.2a. Typically, once object 3 (e.g., the maintenance device and / or head and / or foot portion and / or intermediate drive of a ring spinning machine) or the operator is in the area monitored by optical sensors 5.1-5.4, the lower portion 2.2b of the air duct rotates to the passage position and remains there until object 3 leaves the monitoring area, at which point the lower portion of the air duct rotates back to the operating position.

[0058] Figure 2This is a schematic cross-section of a ring spinning machine 1, showing both sides of the machine. A traveling cleaner 2 is arranged along the ring spinning machine 1. The traveling cleaner 2 includes at least one suction pipe 2.1 and a blower duct 2.2 on each side of the ring spinning machine 1. A given blower duct 2.2 includes an upper portion 2.2a and a lower portion 2.2b, on which a blower nozzle 2.2.1 is arranged, facing in the operating position towards the various ring spinning assemblies of the corresponding spinning station on one side of the ring spinning machine 1. From an observer's perspective, the maintenance device is assigned to the left side of the ring spinning machine 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the maintenance device (object 3) operates along the left side of the ring spinning machine 1. The rotary mechanism 4 is concealed by the suction pipe 2.1. The rotary mechanism 4, or the associated air duct 2.2 consisting of the upper portion 2.2a and the lower portion 2.2b of the air duct, is in a passing position; more precisely, the lower portion 2.2b of the air duct is in a passing position. In the passing position, the air nozzle 2.2.1 is away from the left side of the maintenance device 3 and the ring spinning machine 1, allowing the maintenance device (as object 3) to pass unobstructed. Figure 2 In the process, the light cones 5.3' and 5.4' of the four optical sensors 5.3-5.4 are visible to the maintenance device 3, and the maintenance device 3 is located within the monitoring area of ​​the sensor system, more precisely, between the four optical sensors 5.1-5.4.

[0059] On the opposite side of the ring spinning machine 1, the lower portion of the air blowing duct 2.2b is in the operating position. The air blowing nozzle 2.2.1 faces each ring spinning assembly / ring spinning machine and is equipped with an attachment.

[0060] Figure 3 The rotary mechanism 4 is schematically shown, including a portion of the support member 3, two cylindrical connecting parts 9.1 and 9.2, a gear 10, schematically electronic components 11, a motor 8, and a toothed belt 11. Sensors attached to the support member 3 are not depicted; preferably optical sensors 5.1-5.4 (see [link to documentation]). Figure 1 and Figure 2 The rotary mechanism 4 can be connected in a rotationally stable manner to the upper and lower portions of the air duct (not shown). A toothed belt 11, operatively connected to the gear 10, is connected to the second portion of the connector, such that the second portion of the connector and the lower portion of the air duct (not shown) to which it is connected in a rotationally stable manner are rotated by the gear 10 driven by the electric motor 8. The first portion of the connector 9.1 does not rotate because the support 4 is attached to it, which is positioned by the sensor system, which should not move if possible.

[0061] A rotating mechanism 12, such as a ball bearing, is arranged between the first part 9.1 and the second part 9.2 of the connector. Figure 4 As shown, this allows for relative rotational movement between the two parts. An electronic unit communicatively connected to at least one sensor (e.g., one or preferably four optical sensor systems) is also communicatively connected to the motor. If at least one sensor detects, for example, a maintenance device as object 3, the motor 8 is actuated via the electronic unit 7 and rotates a predetermined number of revolutions, or until the sensor detects the rotation of gear 10 or support 6 stopping, such as a metal protrusion / plate, a switch mark at a predetermined position on gear 10 or support 6, the rotational movement of the motor 8 stops and thereby moves the toothed belt 11 operatively connected to the second part of connector 9.2. This allows the second part of connector 9.2 to rotate, which is operatively connected to the toothed belt 11 (here, a fixed mechanical connection), and the lower portion of the air duct (not shown here) is connected to the second part of the connector in a rotationally stable manner. This rotation allows for changes from the operating position to the pass position and back.

[0062] Figure 4 The diagram shows a cross-section of an embodiment of the rotary mechanism 4, where the connector 9 is two parts, and illustrates the first part 9.1 and the second part 9.2 of the cylindrical connector, a portion of the support 6, and the rotary mechanism 12. The rotary mechanism 12 (here in the form of a ball bearing) allows relative rotational movement between the first part 9.1 and the second part 9.2 of the connector, wherein the second part 9.2 is rotationally stably connected to the bearing portion, here the inner ring of the ball bearing, and the first part 9.1 is rotationally stably connected to the outer ring of the ball bearing. Not shown, the upper and lower portions 2.2a and 2.2b of the blower duct are rotationally stably connected to the two parts of the connector 9.

[0063] Figure 5 This is a top view of a portion of the rotary mechanism 4, showing a cylindrical connector 9 and a support 6 attached thereto. According to this embodiment, the support 4 is connected to the connector via screws.

Claims

1. A rotary mechanism (4) for a blower duct (2.2) of a traveling cleaner (2) that runs along a ring spinning machine (1), wherein the blower duct comprises an upper portion and a lower portion (2.2a and 2.2b), and the rotary mechanism comprises: - Connector (9), the connector being used to connect to the upper portion and the lower portion (2.2a and 2.2b) of the blower duct, and - Support member (6), the support member being used for sensor system (5), the support member being capable of being mounted on connector (9); and - Electric motor (8), the electric motor being used to drive gear (10); and - Electronic unit (7), the electronic unit being connected to the sensor system (5) and the motor (8); and - A toothed belt (11) that is operatively in contact with both the gear (10) and at least one portion (2.2a or 2.2b) of the blower duct.

2. The rotary mechanism (4) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor system (5) includes at least one optical sensor (5.1).

3. The rotary mechanism (4) according to claim 2, wherein the sensor system comprises four optical sensors (5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4).

4. The rotary mechanism (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor system (5) is capable of being positioned on the support (6) so as to detect the object (3).

5. The rotary mechanism (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic unit (7) is capable of being mounted on the support.

6. The rotary mechanism (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is a communication link between the sensor system (5) and the electronic unit (7) and between the electronic device and the motor (8).

7. The rotary mechanism (4) according to claim 4, wherein the electric motor (8) is controllable by the electronic unit (7).

8. The rotary mechanism (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector (9) includes a rotating mechanism (12) that allows relative rotational movement between at least one portion (2.2a or 2.2b) of the blower duct and the connector (9) or between a first portion and a second portion of the connector (9.1, 9.2).

9. The rotary mechanism (4) according to claim 7, wherein at least one portion of the air blowing duct (2.2) is the lower portion (2.2b) of the air blowing duct.

10. A traveling cleaner (2) comprising a rotary mechanism (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A method for rotating the air duct (2.2) of a traveling cleaner (2) according to claim 9, the method comprising the following steps: - Use the sensor system (5) to detect the object (3). - Transmit information from the sensor system (5) to the electronic unit (7). - The electric motor (8) connected to the gear (10) is activated by the electronic unit (7); and - A portion of the air duct (2.2 a or 2.2 b) is rotated from the operating position to the pass position via the toothed belt (11) operatively connected to the gear (10) and a portion (2.2 a or 2.2 b) of the air duct or the connector (9).

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the method additionally specifies that when the sensor system (5) no longer detects the object (3), the electronic unit (7) activates the motor (8), and the at least one portion (2.2a or 2.2b) of the blower duct returns from the pass position to the operating position.

13. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the object (3) is a maintenance device and / or foot portion of the ring spinning machine and / or head portion of the ring spinning machine and / or intermediate drive of the ring spinning machine.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the sensor system (5) comprises at least one optical sensor (5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4), specifically four optical sensors (5.1-5.4).

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the at least one portion of the blower duct (2.2) is the lower portion (2.2b) of the blower duct.

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