Suction device for a textile machine, textile machine with a suction device and method for sucking in yarns

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a suction device for a textile machine, a textile machine with a suction device and a method for sucking yarns.

[0002] Yarn suction devices are used to pick up and thread yarns into textile machines during operation. During operation, the yarns are transported through the textile machine at high speed, making threading difficult. Suction devices require suction tubes of a certain length to reach the yarns. In order for the suction devices to thread yarns reliably, they must generate high pressure forces. This is the only way to ensure that a sufficiently high thread tension can be maintained to enable the yarn to be transported. A cyclone element is typically used to increase the suction capacity of the suction device.

[0003] US Pat. No. 4,503,662 discloses sequentially connected cyclone elements. However, these are not designed to suck in yarns because they have different rotation directions. KR 2012 0006481 U discloses a suction device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to remedy these and other disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, to provide a suction device for a textile machine, a textile machine with a suction device and a method for sucking yarns, which can reliably suck in and transport yarns and thereby have a high degree of efficiency.

[0005] According to the invention, these objects are achieved by a suction device for a textile machine, a textile machine with a suction device and a method for sucking yarns according to the independent claims.

[0006] The object is achieved in particular by a suction device according to claim 1 for a textile machine. The suction device comprises a mouthpiece for introducing at least one yarn, a suction pipe for guiding the yarn, and a suction element for generating a suction pressure. The suction element comprises at least two cyclone elements for generating a vortex flow of compressed air. The cyclone elements are arranged one behind the other in the suction direction, so that a yarn can be guided first through a first cyclone element and then through a second cyclone element. Each cyclone element comprises a cyclone axis, wherein the cyclone axes are in particular coaxially aligned. Each cyclone element comprises at least one opening on the circumference, which is connected to an air supply preferably common to both cyclone elements, in particular such that swirls in both cyclone elements have the same direction of rotation. The suction device comprises in particular a Laval nozzle.

[0007] In order to generate sufficiently high yarn tension, the suction power must be correspondingly high. The aforementioned arrangement of cyclone elements enables high efficiency because the same yarn tension can be achieved with lower pressure than with an arrangement with one cyclone element. The cyclone elements are cone-shaped sections in an intake channel of the suction device through which a vortex of the fluid flow is generated, so that a negative pressure is created in the center of the vortex. This negative pressure leads to a suction flow. The cyclone elements are therefore suction elements. With this arrangement, a higher yarn tension can be achieved at the same pressure as with an arrangement of one cyclone element. The pressure is between 4 - 16 bar. The cyclone elements can be the same size or different sizes. The at least one circumferential opening of the first cyclone element can be larger than the at least one circumferential opening of the second cyclone element.In particular, each cyclone element and the Laval nozzle comprise 3-25 circumferential openings. The cross-sectional diameter of the at least one circumferential opening of the cyclone elements and the Laval nozzle is substantially between 0.5 mm and 3 mm. The circumferential opening or openings can be round, oval, elliptical, triangular, or square, or have another suitable geometry. Instead of a Laval nozzle, a different diffuser can be used.

[0008] The suction element may include at least one connection to a compressed air line. The suction element may include at least one motor.

[0009] The suction direction corresponds to the direction in which the yarn is to be transported.

[0010] The intake pipe may include shock-absorbing materials on its outside to prevent damage to the textile machine.

[0011] The mouthpiece can be detachably attached to the intake tube and / or attachable. This allows the mouthpiece to be replaced if damaged or adapted for a specific application.

[0012] The suction device is designed, in particular, in terms of size and weight, so that a user can easily lift and use it. Preferably, the suction device comprises a handle or a holding portion for a user to hold the suction device. The suction device can also be designed to be an integral part of a textile machine.

[0013] The intake device may include fluid lines for connection to a fluid supply. The fluid lines may include constrictions in the cross-sectional diameter and / or other geometric changes and / or surface coatings or structures to accelerate the fluid or reduce frictional losses. The intake device may include pumps, compressors, or other fluid devices. The cyclone elements may include fluid guide elements such as grooves or projections.

[0014] Such a suction device can suck in all types of threads, yarns, cables, or similar materials. These can be made of artificial fibers (plastics such as PE, PP, etc.), natural fibers (cotton, wool, raffia, etc.), or blended fibers. These materials can be monofilaments or multifilaments. In this context, the term "yarn" is used for all these types of materials processed in a textile machine.

[0015] Textile machines are generally understood to be machines for the industrial production and processing of textiles, for example spinning machines, weaving machines, knitting machines and sewing machines.

[0016] Preferably, the second cyclone element comprises a larger swirling volume than the first cyclone element, in particular the second cyclone element comprises at least 120%, in particular at least 200%, preferably 150%, of the swirling volume of the first cyclone element.

[0017] This allows the suction force to be easily increased without using more compressed air. The swirl volume is the volume consisting of the average diameter of the vortex flow and the length in the suction direction within a cyclone element.

[0018] Preferably, the suction device comprises a first suction diameter upstream of the first cyclone element, a second suction diameter upstream of the second cyclone element, and a third suction diameter downstream of the second cyclone element. The first suction diameter is smaller than the second and third suction diameters; in particular, the second suction diameter is smaller than the third suction diameter.

[0019] This enables optimal air flow guidance.

[0020] Preferably, the first cyclone element comprises a first maximum cyclone diameter transverse to the cyclone axis. The first maximum cyclone diameter is larger than the second intake diameter.

[0021] Preferably, the second cyclone element comprises a second maximum cyclone diameter transverse to the cyclone axis, wherein the second maximum cyclone diameter is greater than the third suction diameter.

[0022] This allows for a larger swirl diameter in the second cyclone element. Since the pressure inside larger vortices is lower, the suction power is increased.

[0023] The suction device comprises a mouthpiece for introducing at least one yarn, a suction tube for guiding the yarn, and a suction element for generating suction pressure. The mouthpiece has at least one opening on its inner circumference. An air stream can be introduced into the mouthpiece through this opening, with the opening being oriented in the suction direction, so that the air stream introduced through this opening flows in the suction direction.

[0024] This makes it easy to generate suction pressure at the inlet of the suction device. Typically, the negative pressure is created at the end of the suction tube opposite the nozzle. Since the suction tube is a certain length, the negative pressure must be correspondingly large to exert sufficient suction force on the yarn. However, if an air stream is introduced into the nozzle, thus creating a negative pressure, the yarn can be drawn into the suction tube even with low suction force. If the previously described suction element is also used with this suction device, the required amount of compressed air can be further reduced.

[0025] According to the invention, the intake pipe comprises a first pipe channel for transporting yarns along the pipe axis and a second pipe channel for transporting an air stream.

[0026] In this way, the air flow from a suction element at one end of the intake pipe can be easily introduced into the intake pipe and / or the mouthpiece in order to create turbulence in the intake pipe and / or the mouthpiece.

[0027] According to the invention, the air supply is designed such that the air supply serves both as an air supply to the cyclone elements and to the mouthpiece, in particular via the second pipe channel.

[0028] If the intake elements (here the mouthpiece) and the suction elements (here the cyclone elements) have the same air supply, a simple, compact design of the suction device is possible: an air flow only needs to be generated at one point.

[0029] Preferably, the air supply from the air supply to at least one, preferably both, cyclone elements can be closed and / or the air supply to the mouthpiece can be closed independently thereof, in particular by means of a switching valve for switching an air flow between the second pipe channel and at least one cyclone element.

[0030] Depending on the desired function, a yarn can be sucked in and / or a yarn can be transported along the suction direction. The suction element used to generate the suction pressure therefore requires less power.

[0031] Preferably, the suction device comprises an actuating element for closing and / or opening the air supply to at least one, preferably both, cyclone elements and / or to the mouthpiece by a user.

[0032] This allows for easy handling of the suction device by the user. Alternatively, it is possible to install sensors on the nozzle and / or in the suction tube and / or other elements of the suction device to monitor the suction process and a control device that enables automated threading of the yarns.

[0033] The task is further solved by a textile machine with a suction device as previously described.

[0034] A textile machine can be designed to automatically detect the beginning of a yarn and operate the suction device. The suction device can be movably attached to the textile machine or can be attached.

[0035] By using two cyclone elements, especially two cyclone elements of different sizes, a greater thread tension can be achieved at the same air flow pressure.

[0036] Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method for sucking yarns in a textile machine with a suction device as described above. The method comprises the following steps: Aligning the mouthpiece to the yarn ends Sucking the thread ends through the mouthpiece into the suction pipe Guiding a yarn through a first and a second cyclone element.

[0037] Preferably, the method comprises the steps: Actuating an actuating element to close the air supply to at least one cyclone element and to open the air supply to a mouthpiece. Actuating the actuating element to close the air supply to the mouthpiece and simultaneously to open the air supply to at least one cyclone element.

[0038] Embodiments of preferred intake devices are explained by way of example with reference to the following figures.

[0039] They show: Figure 1: Cross section through an embodiment of a suction device not according to the invention Figure 2 : Cyclone elements of the suction device made of Figure 1 Figure 3 : Air flow through the cyclone elements of the intake device Figure 2 Figure 4 : Cross section through an embodiment of the intake device according to the invention Figure 1 shows a cross section through a suction device 100. The suction device 100 comprises a mouthpiece 2 at a first end of a suction pipe 3 in the suction direction A, further in the suction direction A a suction pipe 3 and a suction element 5 with two cyclone elements 1a and 1b and a Laval nozzle 13, the walls of which open with a gradient between 2°-10°.

[0040] The intake pipe 3 comprises an outer shell 4 for protection against damage to a textile machine. The mouthpiece 2 is attached to the intake pipe 3 at a first end 11a. A handle 8 is arranged at the opposite second end 11b. The intake pipe 3 is connected to a housing 7 of the suction element 5 via this second end 11b.

[0041] The suction element 5 comprises this housing 7, the two cyclone elements 1a, 1b, and a connection 14 to a compressed air line. The housing 7 comprises an air chamber 6 and an air supply 12. The two cyclone elements 1a and 1b are arranged in the housing 7. The housing 7 comprises an interior space 15 that surrounds the two cyclone elements 1a and 1b and supplies them with compressed air.

[0042] When using the suction device 100, the nozzle 2 is aligned with a yarn end. An air stream is introduced into the cyclone elements 1a and 1b via the connection 14 through the air supply 12. This creates a negative pressure, which guides a yarn through the nozzle 2, the suction pipe 3, the first cyclone element 1a, and the second cyclone element 1b into the Laval nozzle 13.

[0043] Figure 2 shows in detail the cyclone elements 1a and 1b of the suction device 100 in cross section.

[0044] Along the suction direction A, a pipe section 21 with a first suction diameter 26 of 4 mm is first arranged; in other embodiments (not shown here), the first suction diameter 26 can be up to 20 mm. This is followed by the first cyclone element 1a. The cross-section of the pipe therefore opens in the first inlet section 31a of the first cyclone element 1a with a gradient of 60° to the first maximum cyclone diameter 27 of 6 mm, which is maintained for 1 mm. In other embodiments (not shown here), the first inlet section 31a can open with a gradient of up to 120° to the first maximum cyclone diameter 27 of up to 32 mm, wherein this diameter is maintained up to 4 mm. The cyclone element 1a then narrows in the first outlet section 25a with a gradient of 30° to the second suction diameter 28 of 5 mm.In other embodiments (not shown here), the diameter in the first outlet section 25a can be narrowed with a gradient of up to 60° to a second suction diameter 28 of up to 30 mm. The second suction diameter 28 is maintained in an intermediate section 22. The intermediate section 22 is 4 mm long. In other embodiments (not shown here), the intermediate section 22 can be up to 12 mm long. This is followed by the second cyclone element 1b. Here, the tube opens with a gradient of 60° in a second inlet section 24b to the second maximum cyclone diameter 29 of 8 mm. In other embodiments (not shown here), the second inlet section 24b can be opened with a gradient of up to 120° to the second maximum cyclone diameter 29 of up to 48 mm, whereby this diameter is maintained up to 4 mm.The second cyclone element 1b then narrows with a pitch of 30° in an outlet section 25b to the third intake diameter 30 of 6 mm in the transition section 23. In other embodiments (not shown here), the diameter in the second outlet section 25b can be narrowed with a pitch of up to 60° to a third intake diameter 30 of up to 37 mm. The third intake diameter 30 is maintained at 4 mm.

[0045] In the first and second inlet sections 24a and 24b, openings 31a and 31b are arranged on the circumference through which air flows are guided into the cyclone elements 1a and 1b.

[0046] The cyclone elements 1a and 1b are formed by three sections 32a, 32b, and 32c, which are inserted one into the other in the suction direction. The first plug-on element 32a comprises the pipe section 21 and the inlet section 24a. The second plug-on element 32b comprises the area with the first maximum cyclone diameter 27, the first outlet section 25a, the intermediate section 22, and the second inlet section 24b. The third plug-on element 32c comprises the area with the second maximum cyclone diameter 29, the outlet section 25b, and the transition section 23.

[0047] The first plug-on element 32a is plugged onto the second plug-on element 32b and the second plug-on element 32c is plugged onto the third plug-on element 32c.

[0048] Figure 3shows the air flow through the cyclone elements 1a and 1b of the intake device 100. The air flow through the intake pipe 3 is essentially parallel to the inner walls of the intake pipe 3. The swirl volume in the first cyclone element 1a encompasses almost the entire volume of the cyclone element 1a. The swirl volume of the second cyclone element 1b is larger than that of the first. The swirl volume refers to the volume consisting of the average diameter of the vortex flow and the length in the intake direction within a cyclone element.

[0049] Figure 4 shows a cross section through an embodiment of the intake device 100 according to the invention. Here, only the differences from the first embodiment of the intake device 100 are explained.

[0050] The intake device 100 comprises an attachment element 52, which is arranged so as to be plugged onto the intake pipe 3. The intake pipe 3 of this embodiment is shorter than in the previous embodiment. This intake pipe 3 also comprises an air duct 55, which guides an air flow from the air supply 54 to the attachment element 52.

[0051] The mouthpiece 50 of this embodiment is part of the attachment element 52. The attachment element 52 also includes an air duct 51, which is connected to the air duct 55 of the intake pipe 3. The air duct 51 guides the air flow from the intake pipe 3 to openings 53 on the circumference of the mouthpiece 50. This allows an intake flow to be generated already at the entrance to the intake device 100. In conventional intake devices 100, the suction force is generated at the other end 11b of the intake pipe 3, which requires a greater suction force.

[0052] In an alternative not according to the invention, the embodiment of Figure 4can also be carried out without a double cyclone.

Claims

1. Suction device (100) for a textile machine, wherein the suction device (100) comprises an inlet piece (50) for introducing at least one yarn, a suction tube (3) for guiding the yarn and a suction element (5) for generating a suction pressure, wherein the suction unit (5) comprises at least two cyclone elements (1a, 1b) for generating a vortex flow of compressed air, which cyclone elements (1a, 1b) are arranged in series in the suction direction (A), so that a yarn can be guided first through a first cyclone element (1a) and then through a second cyclone element (1b), each cyclone element (1a, 1b) comprising a cyclone axis (Ma, Mb), each cyclone element (1a, 1b) comprising at least one aperture (31a, 31b) at the circumference, which is connected to a preferably common air supply (12) characterized in that the inlet piece (50) comprises at least one aperture (53) at the circumference on the inside, through which aperture (53) an air flow can be introduced into the inlet piece (50), the aperture (50) being aligned in the suction direction (A), so that the air flow introduced through this aperture (53) flows in the suction direction (A), and in that the suction tube (3) comprises a first tube channel for transporting yarns along the tube axis and a second tube channel (55) for transporting an air flow, the air supply (12) being designed such that the air supply (12) serves both as an air supply to cyclone elements (1a, 1b) of the suction device (100) and to the inlet piece (50), in particular via the second tube channel (55).

2. Suction device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the air supply from the air supply (12) to at least one, preferably both, cyclone elements (1a, 1b) can be closed, and / or the air supply to the inlet piece (52) can be closed independently thereof, in particular by means of a switching valve for switching an air flow between the second tube channel (55) and at least one cyclone element (1a, 1b).

3. Suction device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the suction device (100) comprises an actuating element for closing and / or opening the air supply to at least one, preferably both, cyclone elements (1a, 1b) and / or to the inlet piece (50) by an operator.

4. Textile machine with a suction device (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

5. A method for drawing in yarns in a textile machine with a suction device (100), according to any one of claims 1-3, comprising the steps of - Alignment of the inlet piece (2; 52) to yarn ends - Drawing in the thread ends through the inlet piece (2; 52) into the suction tube (3) - Guiding a yarn through a first and a second cyclone element (1a, 1b).

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of - Actuating of an actuating element for closing the air supply to at least one cyclone element (1a, 1b) - Actuating of the actuating element for closing the air supply to the inlet piece (52) and simultaneously opening the air supply to at least one cyclone element (1a, 1b).