Fiber bundle condensing device

Abstract

A fiber bundle condensing device (20) includes: a plurality of countershafts (30); a plurality of holding portions (502b); and a coupling (70). The countershafts (30) are disposed adjacent to each other in axial directions of the countershafts (30). The holding portions (502b) are disposed adjacent to each other in the axial directions of the countershafts (30) and each rotatably support the countershaft (30) via a bearing (52). The coupling (70) is disposed between the adjacent holding portions (502b). The coupling (70) couples the adjacent countershafts (30) and rotates together with the adjacent countershafts (30). Each of the adjacent holding portions (502b) has an opposing surface (502c). The opposing surface (502c) of one of the adjacent holding portions (502b) faces the opposing surface (502c) of the other of the adjacent holding portions (502b) in the axial directions of the countershafts (30). A dimension (L) of each of the countershafts (30) in the axial direction of the countershaft (30) is equal to or shorter than a distance (P1) between the opposing surfaces (502c) of the adjacent holding portions (502b).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fiber bundle condensing device.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The fiber bundle condensing device for a spinning machine is configured to condense fiber bundles, which are drafted by a draft device, before twisting. This reduces fluff or increases yarn strength to improve yarn quality. The fiber bundle condensing device is supported by a roller stand of a spinning machine. Such a fiber bundle condensing device includes a rotary shaft for rotating a delivery bottom roller that delivers fiber bundles, a plurality of condensing units for condensing the fiber bundles drafted, and a plurality of countershafts that drives the rotary shaft, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-108077, for example. The rotary shaft is equipped with a driven gear that receives drive from the countershafts, and each of the countershafts is equipped with a drive gear that meshes with the driven gear. The countershaft is coupled to the corresponding one of the condensing units by a coupling. Generally, the countershaft is rotatably supported by a holding portion of the roller stand via a bearing.

[0003] In a fiber bundle condensing device, when maintenance or replacement is required for any or all of the countershafts, the countershafts are detached from and attached to the holding portions. However, in the fiber bundle condensing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-108077, no consideration is given to the ease of attachment and detachment of the countershafts to the holding portions.

[0004] The present invention, which has been made in light of the above-mentioned problem, is directed to providing a fiber bundle condensing device that is capable of improving attachment and detachment of a countershaft to a holding portion.SUMMARY

[0005] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fiber bundle condensing device. The fiber bundle condensing device includes: a condensing unit; a plurality of countershafts; a plurality of holding portions; and a coupling. The condensing unit includes: a delivery bottom roller for delivering a fiber bundle; a suction unit configured to exert suction acting on the fiber bundle; an air-permeable apron rotated along the suction unit; and a delivery top roller configured to come into contact with the delivery bottom roller via the air-permeable apron and rotate together with the delivery bottom roller. The condensing unit is configured to condense the fiber bundle drafted. The plurality of countershafts is configured to rotate the delivery bottom roller. The countershafts are disposed adjacent to each other in axial directions of the countershafts. The holding portions are disposed adjacent to each other in the axial directions of the countershafts and each rotatably support the countershaft via a bearing. The coupling is disposed between the adjacent holding portions. The coupling couples the adjacent countershafts and rotates together with the adjacent countershafts. Each of the adjacent holding portions has an opposing surface. The opposing surface of one of the adjacent holding portions faces the opposing surface of the other of the adjacent holding portions in the axial directions of the countershafts. A dimension of each of the countershafts in the axial direction of the countershaft is equal to or shorter than a distance between the opposing surfaces of the adjacent holding portions.

[0006] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a spinning machine; FIG. 2 is a side view of a roller stand and a support plate; FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a fiber bundle condensing device; FIG. 4 is a view of holding portions and countershafts; FIG. 5 is a view of a coupling and the countershafts; FIG. 6 is a view of the countershaft inserted between the holding portions; FIG. 7 is a view of the countershaft with a second small diameter portion of the countershaft attached to a second holding portion; FIG. 8 is a view of the countershaft being detached, and FIG. 9 is a view of a support plate according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The following will describe an embodiment of a fiber bundle condensing device. FIGS. 4 to 8 are schematic illustrations for ease of viewing.<Spinning machine>

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a spinning machine 10 that includes a pair of draft devices 11, a pair of fiber bundle condensing devices 20, a plurality of roller stands 50, a plurality pairs of support plates 51 integrated with the roller stands 50, an endhead 101, and a gearhead 102. The direction in which the endhead 101 faces the gearhead 102 is defined as a longitudinal direction X of the spinning machine 10. The vertical direction is defined as a vertical direction Z. A right-left direction Y is perpendicular to the vertical direction Z and the longitudinal direction X.

[0010] As illustrated in FIG. 2, one of the draft devices 11 and one of the fiber bundle condensing devices 20 are disposed on the right side of the spinning machine 10, and the other of the draft devices 11 and the other of the fiber bundle condensing devices 20 are disposed on the left side of the spinning machine 10 in the right-left direction Y. Since the right and left draft devices 11 have the same configuration and the right and left fiber bundle condensing devices 20 have the same configuration, the following description will focus on only the draft device 11 and the fiber bundle condensing device 20 disposed on one of the right and left sides of the spinning machine 10.

[0011] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the gearhead 102 includes a front bottom roller drive unit 103 and a countershaft drive unit 104. The front bottom roller drive unit 103 and the countershaft drive unit 104 are motors. The front bottom roller drive unit 103 rotates a rotary shaft 112a of a front bottom roller 112 of the draft device 11. The countershaft drive unit 104 rotates a countershaft 30 of the fiber bundle condensing device 20. The axial direction of the countershaft 30 corresponds to the longitudinal direction X. That is, the axis of the countershaft 30 extends in the longitudinal direction X.

[0012] The roller stands 50 are arranged between the endhead 101 and the gearhead 102 in the longitudinal direction X, and regularly spaced along the longitudinal direction X. The position of each roller stand 50 is adjustable in the longitudinal direction X.

[0013] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the roller stand 50 has a base portion 501 located in the center of the spinning machine 10 in the right-left direction Y, and a right-left pair of extension portions 502 respectively extending to the right and left from the base portion 501. Each of the extension portions 502 is fixed to one of the pairs of support plates 51.

[0014] The extension portion 502 of the roller stand 50 rotatably supports a plurality of rotating bodies. FIG. 2 illustrates the extension portion 502 that rotatably supports the front bottom roller 112, which serves as one of the rotating bodies, and the countershaft 30. The extension portion 502 has a support portion 502a that supports the rotary shaft 112a of the front bottom roller 112. The support portion 502a is recessed in an arc shape in the upper edge of the extension portion 502.

[0015] The extension portion 502 has a holding portion 502b that holds a bearing 52. The holding portion 502b is located below the support portion 502a in the vertical direction Z. The bearing 52 is press-fitted into the holding portion 502b. The countershaft 30 is rotatably supported by the holding portion 502b via the bearing 52.

[0016] The holding portions 502b of the extension portions 502 are arranged adjacent each other in the axial direction of the countershaft 30, and each of the holding portions 502b has opposite surfaces (i.e., opposite side surfaces that define the holding portion 502b in the longitudinal direction X). Each of the support plates 51 is integrated with each of the opposite surfaces of the holding portion 502b. The support plate 51 has a shaft support recess 51a in which the countershaft 30 is disposed, and a support recess 51b for supporting a part of the fiber bundle condensing device 20. The shaft support recess 51a is recessed in the upper edge of the support plate 51. The shaft support recess 51a is located in a position aligned with the bearing 52 held by the holding portion 502b in the longitudinal direction X. The countershaft 30 inserted through the bearing 52 is disposed in the shaft support recess 51a. Thus, the holding portion 502b rotatably supports the countershaft 30 via the bearing 52.

[0017] The support recess 51b is distant from the roller stand 50 along the right-left direction Y. The shaft support recess 51a is located between the support recess 51b and the base portion 501 in the right-left direction Y. The support recess 51b is recessed in the upper edge of the support plate 51. Each of the pair of support plates 51 integrated with the holding portion 502b supports an end cap 21a of a condensing unit 21 at the support recess 51b of the support plate 51.

[0018] Of the support plates 51 integrated with the opposite surfaces of the holding portion 502b, the support plate 51 adjacent to a coupling 70, which will be described later, is provided with a positioning jig 65. The positioning jig 65 includes an attachment piece 65a attached to the support plate 51 and a positioning piece 65b extending from the attachment piece 65a in the longitudinal direction X.

[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the front bottom rollers 112 include: a first roller 112b, which is one of the roller 112 nearest to the positioning jig 65 in the longitudinal direction X; and a second roller 112c adjacent to the first roller 112b.

[0020] The positioning piece 65b extends in the longitudinal direction X beyond the first roller 112b, so that the distal end surface of the positioning piece 65b is located between the first roller 112b and the second roller 112c. In the longitudinal direction X, the positioning piece 65b extends slightly beyond the first roller 112b. The coupling 70, which will be described later, is brought into contact with the distal end surface of the positioning piece 65b, thereby determining the position of the coupling 70 in the longitudinal direction X.<Draft device>

[0021] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the draft device 11 includes a pair of back rollers and a pair of middle rollers (not illustrated), and a pair of front rollers 111. The pair of front rollers 111 is disposed downstream of the pair of back rollers and the pair of middle rollers in a delivery direction of a fiber bundle F. The fiber bundle F is delivered from the base portion 501 of the roller stand 50 toward the distal end of the extension portion 502.

[0022] The pair of front rollers 111 includes the front bottom roller 112 and a front top roller 113. The front top roller 113 is a rubber roller, and the front bottom roller 112 is a metal roller. The diameter of the front bottom roller 112 is enlarged at some points in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 112a. The front bottom roller 112 is rotated together with the rotary shaft 112a. The rotary shaft 112a and the front bottom roller 112 are rotated by the front bottom roller drive unit 103. The rotary shaft 112a of the front bottom roller 112 is rotatably supported by the support portions 502a of the roller stands 50. In other words, each of the roller stands 50 rotatably supports the rotary shaft 112a, which rotates together with the front bottom roller 112. The front top roller 113 is rotatably supported by a support arm (not illustrated).

[0023] The draft device 11 drafts the fiber bundle F by using a peripheral speed difference between the pair of front rollers 111, the pair of middle rollers, and the pair of back rollers (not illustrated). The fiber bundle F drafted by the draft device 11 is delivered from the pair of front rollers 111 toward the fiber bundle condensing device 20.<Fiber bundle condensing device>

[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the fiber bundle condensing device 20 is disposed between the endhead 101 and the gearhead 102 in the longitudinal direction X. The fiber bundle condensing device 20 includes the condensing units 21, the countershafts 30, the couplings 70, and the holding portions 502b.<Condensing unit>

[0025] Each of the condensing units 21 condenses the fiber bundle F drafted by the draft device 11. That is, the condensing unit 21 condenses the fiber bundle F delivered by the pair of front rollers 111 while drawing the fiber bundle F by suction.

[0026] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a single condensing unit 21 includes a plurality of delivery bottom rollers 23, one suction unit 24, the same number of air-permeable aprons 25 as the number of delivery bottom rollers 23, the same number of guiding units 29 as the number of delivery bottom rollers 23, the same number of delivery top rollers 26 as the number of delivery bottom rollers 23, and the pair of end caps 21a.

[0027] The delivery bottom rollers 23 are disposed on a peripheral surface of a delivery rotation shaft 23a that rotates together with the delivery bottom rollers 23. The delivery bottom rollers 23 are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the delivery rotation shaft 23a. The delivery rotation shaft 23a is a rotary shaft that rotates the delivery bottom rollers 23.

[0028] The delivery rotation shaft 23a has a driven gear 23b on the peripheral surface of the delivery rotation shaft 23a. The driven gear 23b is rotated together with the delivery rotation shaft 23a and thus the delivery bottom rollers 23. The delivery bottom rollers 23 cooperate with the delivery top rollers 26 to nip the fiber bundle F and the air-permeable aprons 25, and deliver the condensed fiber bundle F in the delivery direction.

[0029] The suction unit 24 is in the form of a long pipe extending in the longitudinal direction X. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the suction unit 24 has a plurality of suction holes 24a. The suction holes 24a are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction X. The suction unit 24 exerts suction acting on the fiber bundle F delivered by the pair of front rollers 111 in the delivery direction to condense the fiber bundle F while drawing the fiber bundle F.

[0030] Each of the air-permeable aprons 25 is made of an endless woven fabric with air permeability. The air-permeable apron 25 is wound around the delivery bottom roller 23, a part of the suction unit 24 where the suction holes 24a are formed, and the guiding unit 29. The suction unit 24 exerts suction acting on the delivered fiber bundle F via the air-permeable apron 25. The air-permeable apron 25 is rotated along the suction unit 24, the delivery bottom roller 23, and the guiding unit 29.

[0031] Each of the delivery top rollers 26 is a rubber roller. The delivery bottom roller 23 faces the delivery top roller 26. The air-permeable apron 25 travels between the delivery top roller 26 and the delivery bottom roller 23. The delivery top roller 26 comes into contact with the delivery bottom roller 23 via the air-permeable apron 25, and rotates together with the delivery bottom roller 23.

[0032] The end caps 21a are disposed at opposite ends of the delivery rotation shaft 23a and the suction unit 24. The end caps 21a rotatably support the delivery rotation shaft 23a, and also support the suction unit 24.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 1, one condensing unit 21 is defined as the section between the two adjacent roller stands 50, and supported by the support plates 51 facing each other in the longitudinal direction X. Specifically, one condensing unit 21 is supported by the pair of support plates 51 with the end caps 21a inserted into the support recesses 51b. Therefore, the countershaft 30 passes through the support plates 51, and the support plates 51 supports the delivery bottom roller 23 and the suction unit 24.<Countershaft>

[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the countershafts 30 are aligned in the axial directions of the countershafts 30. The countershafts 30 are aligned in the longitudinal direction X so as to be collinear. The countershafts 30 rotate the delivery bottom rollers 23 via a power transmission device 40, which will be described later.

[0035] Each of the countershafts 30 has a long large diameter portion 301 having a first end and a second end that define the large diameter portion 301 in the axial direction of the large diameter portion 301, a first small diameter portion 302 extending from the first end of the large diameter portion 301, and a second small diameter portion 303 extending from the second end of the large diameter portion 301. The large diameter portion 301, the first small diameter portion 302, and the second small diameter portion 303 are coaxial. The large diameter portion 301 has a constant diameter in the axial direction, and the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 also have a constant diameter in the axial direction. The dimension of the large diameter portion 301 is greater than the dimension of the first small diameter portion 302 and the dimension of the second small diameter portion 303 in the axial direction of the countershaft 30. The dimension of the first small diameter portion 302 is smaller than the dimension of the second small diameter portion 303 in the axial direction of the countershaft 30. The diameter of the first small diameter portion 302 and the diameter of the second small diameter portion 303 are the same.

[0036] The second small diameter portion 303 of the countershaft 30 is inserted into the holding portion 502b and rotatably supported by the holding portion 502b. Thus, the roller stand 50 including the holding portions 502b rotatably supports the countershaft 30 via the bearings 52.

[0037] The first small diameter portion 302 of the countershaft 30 is spaced toward the endhead 101 from the holding portion 502b adjacent to the first small diameter portion 302 in the longitudinal direction X. The first small diameter portion 302 of the countershaft 30 is coupled by the coupling 70 to the second small diameter portion 303 of another countershaft 30 which passes through the holding portion 502b adjacent to the first small diameter portion 302 on the gearhead 102 side. Therefore, in the fiber bundle condensing device 20, the coupling 70 is disposed between the adjacent holding portions 502b adjacent to each other in the axial directions of the countershafts 30, and the countershafts 30 adjacent to each other in the axial directions of the countershafts 30 are coupled by the coupling 70 between the adjacent holding portions 502b adjacent to each other in the axial directions of the countershafts 30.<Coupling>

[0038] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the coupling 70 includes a first coupling member 72, a second coupling member 73, and bolts 80. The axial direction of the coupling 70 is defined as axial directions of the first coupling member 72 and the second coupling member 73, and the radial direction of the coupling 70 is defined as radial directions of the first coupling member 72 and the second coupling member 73. The first coupling member 72 and the second coupling member 73 are each formed in a half-cylinder shape. The first coupling member 72 and the second coupling member 73 each have an accommodation recess 74. The accommodation recess 74 accommodates the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303. The first coupling member 72 and the second coupling member 73 each have a matching surface 75, and the accommodation recess 74 is located between the matching surfaces 75 in the radial direction.

[0039] The first coupling member 72 has insertion holes 72b. Each of the insertion holes 72b opens on the outer surface and the matching surface 75 of the first coupling member 72. The insertion holes 72b are arranged along the accommodation recess 74 in a line in the axial direction of the first coupling member 72 on the opposite sides of the accommodation recess 74. That is, the accommodation recess 74 is located between the insertion holes 72b in the radial direction of the accommodation recess 74.

[0040] The second coupling member 73 has female-threaded holes 77. Each of the female-threaded holes 77 provides communication between the outer surface and the matching surface 75 of the second coupling member 73. The female-threaded holes 77 are arranged along the accommodation recess 74 in the axial direction of the second coupling member 73 on the opposite sides of the accommodation recess 74. That is, the accommodation recess 74 is located between the female-threaded holes 77 in the radial direction of the accommodation recess 74. The second coupling member 73 includes a positioning pin 78 that protrudes from the inner surface of the second coupling member 73 that defines the accommodation recess 74.

[0041] Each of the bolts 80 is inserted into the insertion hole 72b of the first coupling member 72, and screwed into the female-threaded hole 77 of the second coupling member 73. Accordingly, the first coupling member 72 and the second coupling member 73 are closely tightened by the bolt 80 screwed into the female-threaded hole 77. In such a manner, the coupling 70 is formed.

[0042] The first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 are held by the accommodation recess 74 of the first coupling member 72 and the accommodation recess 74 of the second coupling member 73. This configuration couples the countershafts 30 adjacent side by side. The coupling 70 couples the countershafts 30 adjacent to each other in the axial directions of the countershafts 30, and rotates together with the countershafts 30. The first small diameter portion 302 comes into contact with the positioning pin 78, and thus is restricted from moving toward the second small diameter portion 303 in the axial direction of the coupling 70.

[0043] In order to ensure coupling strength by the coupling 70, each of the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 is inserted into and held by the coupling 70 for a required length N. Both the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 are simultaneously held by the coupling 70 for the required lengths N, so that the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 are coupled to each other.

[0044] In the axial direction of the countershaft 30, the coupling 70 has a dimension that allows a desired gap d to be formed between an end of the first small diameter portion 302 of one of the adjacent countershafts 30 and an end of the second small diameter portion 303 of the other of the adjacent countershafts 30 when the coupling 70 holds the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 for the required lengths N. In such a manner, the countershafts 30 adjacent to each other in the axial directions of the countershafts 30 are coupled by the coupling 70 with the gap d formed between the end of one of the adjacent countershafts 30 and the end of the other of the adjacent countershafts 30, wherein the one end of the one of the adjacent countershafts 30 and the one end of the other of the adjacent countershafts 30 face each other in the axial direction.

[0045] The dimension of the coupling 70 in the axial direction of the countershaft 30 has upper and lower limits. The contact area between the coupling 70 and the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 increases as the dimension of the coupling 70 in the axial direction increases, and the coupling strength of the countershafts 30 with the coupling 70 increases as the contact area between the coupling 70 and the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 increases. Accordingly, it is preferable to increase the dimension of the coupling 70 in the axial direction. However, in order to avoid interference between the coupling 70 and the fiber bundle F delivered from the pair of front rollers 111, the dimension of the coupling 70 in the axial direction is smaller than a dimension between the front bottom rollers 112 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X, specifically, a dimension between the first roller 112b and the second roller 112c. For this reason, the upper limit of the dimension of the coupling 70 in the axial direction is equal to or smaller than the dimension between the front bottom rollers 112 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X.

[0046] However, decreasing the dimension of the coupling 70 in the axial direction of the countershaft 30 leads to a decrease in the desired gap d between the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 when the coupling 70 holds the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 for the required lengths N. When the countershafts 30 coupled by the coupling 70 are uncoupled, the presence of the gap d allows one of the adjacent countershafts 30 to move toward the other of the countershafts 30 in the longitudinal direction X. Accordingly, decreasing the gap d between the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 restricts the movement of the countershaft 30, which is not preferable.

[0047] Furthermore, the countershaft 30 is disposed between the holding portions 502b adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X by inserting each of the ends of the countershaft 30 into the holding portion 502b, and the countershaft 30 is disposed between the holding portions 502b adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X by pulling out each of the ends of the countershaft 30 from the holding portion 502b. For this reason, the countershaft 30 needs to be movable in the axial direction of the countershaft 30 by at least a thickness T of the holding portion 502b.

[0048] Accordingly, in the axial direction of the countershaft 30, the coupling 70 has the dimension that secures the required lengths N of the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 and secures the gap d with a desired dimension so as to enable the movement of the countershaft 30.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the dimension of the gap d between the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 is equal to the thickness T of the holding portion 502b plus a dimension α. In other words, the end of the first small diameter portion 302 faces the second small diameter portion 303 in the axial direction of the countershaft 30, and the gap d between the end of the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 is defined by [T + α].

[0050] That is, when the countershafts 30 are coupled by the couplings 70, the gap d of [T + α] is secured on opposite sides of each of the countershafts 30 in the axial direction. This configuration allows the countershaft 30 to move up to the dimension of the gap d in each of opposite directions along the longitudinal direction X when the couplings 70 are removed.

[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the countershaft 30 has a drive gear 31 at a position adjacent to the second small diameter portion 303 in the axial direction. The drive gear 31 rotates together with the countershaft 30. The countershafts 30 rotate to rotate the delivery bottom rollers 23 of the condensing units 21.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 1, of the multiple countershafts 30, the countershaft 30 nearest to the gearhead 102 is coupled to the countershaft drive unit 104. When the countershaft 30 nearest to the gearhead 102 is rotated by the countershaft drive unit 104, the countershafts 30 coupled to each other by the couplings 70 are also rotated. Accordingly, the countershaft 30 rotates independently of the front bottom roller 112, which is one of the pair of front rollers 111.<Power transmission device>

[0053] The power transmission device 40 includes the driven gear 23b provided on the peripheral surface of the delivery rotation shaft 23a, the drive gear 31 provided on the peripheral surface of the countershaft 30, and an intermediate gear 41 meshed with the driven gear 23b and the drive gear 31. The countershaft 30 and the delivery bottom roller 23 are coupled by the power transmission device 40.

[0054] The intermediate gear 41 is fixed to the support plate 51 via a gear bracket 42. The gear bracket 42 is fixed to one of the pair of support plates 51 closer to the drive gear 31 than the other of the pair of support plates 51.

[0055] All the countershafts 30 are rotated synchronously by the countershaft drive unit 104. When the countershafts 30 are rotated, the drive gear 31 rotates together with the countershafts 30. The rotation of the drive gear 31 is transmitted to the intermediate gear 41, which rotates the intermediate gear 41. The rotation of the intermediate gear 41 is transmitted to the driven gear 23b, which rotates the driven gear 23b. Accordingly, the delivery rotation shaft 23a integrated with the driven gear 23b and therefore the delivery bottom roller 23 rotate.<Countershaft, roller stand, and support plate >

[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the axial direction of the countershaft 30, the countershaft 30 has a dimension represented by a length L. The length L of the countershaft 30 is the dimension from the distal end of the first small diameter portion 302 to the distal end of the second small diameter portion 303.

[0057] The dimension of the holding portion 502b of the roller stand 50 in the longitudinal direction X is represented by the thickness T. The arrangement interval between the adjacent holding portions 502b in the longitudinal direction X is represented by a pitch P. Each of the adjacent holding portions 502b has an opposing surface 502c (i.e., each of the opposite surfaces of the holding portions 502b), and the opposing surface 502c of one of the two adjacent holding portions 502b faces the opposing surface 502c of the other of the two adjacent holding portions 502b. The distance between the opposing surfaces of the two adjacent holding portions 502b is represented by a distance P1. The pitch P is the distance between the centers of the adjacent holding portions 502b in the longitudinal direction X. In other words, the distance between the adjacent holding portions 502b in the longitudinal direction X is represented by the pitch P. In the longitudinal direction X, the support plate 51 has a dimension represented by a thickness S.

[0058] The length L of the countershaft 30 is sufficient to dispose or remove the countershaft 30 between the adjacent holding portions 502b facing each other in the longitudinal direction X. In this embodiment, the length L of the countershaft 30 is shorter than the distance P1 between the opposing surfaces 502c of the adjacent holding portions 502b in the longitudinal direction X. Therefore, the following mathematical expression (1) holds true. L < P 1 = P − T [P - T] is the distance P1 between the opposing surfaces 502c of the adjacent holding portions 502b facing each other in the longitudinal direction X. One of the adjacent holding portions 502b serves as a first holding portion 53a, and the other serves as a second holding portion 53b. The countershaft 30 is rotatably supported by the first holding portion 53a and the second holding portion 53b via bearings 52.

[0059] The support plate 51 fixed to the first holding portion 53a and facing the support plate 51 fixed to the second holding portion 53b serves as a first support plate 54a. The support plate 51 fixed to the second holding portion 53b and facing the first support plate 54a of the first holding portion 53a serves as a second support plate 54b. The holding portion 502b is not present between the first support plate 54a and the second support plate 54b. The first support plate 54a and the second support plate 54b have an opposing surface 54a1 and an opposing surface 54b1, respectively, and the opposing surface 54a1 faces the opposing surface 54b1. The distance between the opposing surface 54a1 and the opposing surface 54b1 is represented by a distance P2.

[0060] The length L of the countershaft 30 satisfies the following mathematical expression (2): L > P − T − 2 S [P - T - 2S] expresses the distance P2 between the opposing surface 54a1 of the first support plate 54a and the opposing surface 54b1 of the second support plate 54b, taking into account the thicknesses S of the two support plates 51. Satisfying the mathematical expression (2) allows the countershaft 30 to be temporarily placed in and supported by the support recess 51b of the first support plate 54a and the support recess 51b of the second support plate 54b from which the condensing unit 21 is removed.

[0061] Accordingly, the length L of the countershaft 30 satisfies the following mathematical expression (3): P − T − 2 S < L < P − T In the present embodiment, the length L of the countershaft 30 is sufficient to pull out the countershaft 30 from between the first holding portion 53a and the second holding portion 53b after pulling out the countershaft 30 from the second holding portion 53b that supports the countershaft 30. Therefore, the length L of the countershaft 30 satisfies the following mathematical expression (4). L ≤ P − T + α As previously described, [T + α] expresses the dimension of the gap d between the ends of the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 coupled by the coupling 70 in the longitudinal direction X. Therefore, if the length L of the countershaft 30 is equal to or less than [P - (T + α)], the countershaft 30 is movable in the longitudinal direction X by [T + α] as the dimension of the gap d. This allows the countershaft 30 to be removed from the holding portions 502b and disposed between the holding portions 502b adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X.[Mounting of countershaft]

[0062] The countershaft 30 is mounted to the roller stand 50 while being supported by the roller stand 50 as described below. In the following description, it is assumed that the condensing unit 21 has been removed from between the roller stands 50. Each of the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 is integrated with an inner ring (not illustrated) of the bearing 52.

[0063] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 of the countershaft 30, which have been temporarily placed in the support recesses 51b, are respectively moved to and placed in the shaft support recess 51a of the first support plate 54a and the shaft support recess 51a of the second support plate 54b by a worker. The first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 of the countershaft 30 are respectively adjacent to the bearing 52 held by the first holding portion 53a and the bearing 52 held by the second holding portion 53b in the longitudinal direction X.

[0064] Next, as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 7, the countershaft 30 is moved toward the bearing 52 of the second holding portion 53b by the worker. Then, the second small diameter portion 303 is inserted into the second holding portion 53b and is supported by the bearing 52 held by the second holding portion 53b. The first small diameter portion 302 is distant from the side surface of the first holding portion 53a to the right in FIG. 7. This allows the countershaft 30 to be rotatably supported by the second holding portion 53b. In such a manner, each of the countershafts 30 is mounted to the roller stand 50 by the worker. In each of the countershafts 30, the second small diameter portion 303 of the countershaft 30 is supported by the second holding portion 53b and is distant from the first holding portion 53a. The second small diameter portion 303 of another countershaft 30 next to the countershaft 30 is supported by the first holding portion 53a.

[0065] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the second coupling member 73 of the coupling 70 is brought into contact with the distal end surface of the positioning piece 65b by the worker. This allows the second coupling member 73 to be disposed closer to the second roller 112c than to the first roller 112b, and is positioned between the first roller 112b and the second roller 112c.

[0066] Next, the second small diameter portion 303 of another countershaft 30, which has passed through the first holding portion 53a, is inserted by the required length N into the accommodation recess 74 of the second coupling member 73 positioned between the first roller 112b and the second roller 112. The countershaft 30 is moved toward the second coupling member 73 until the first small diameter portion 302 of the countershaft 30 supported by the second holding portion 53b comes into contact with the positioning pin 78 of the second coupling member 73. The first small diameter portion 302 is therefore accommodated in the accommodation recess 74 to the required length N. This secures the gap d of [T + α] between the ends of the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303. The first coupling member 72 is assembled to the coupling member 73, and the first coupling member 72 and the second coupling member 73 are integrated with the bolts 80 to form the coupling 70.

[0067] In such a manner, the countershafts 30 are coupled by the couplings 70 by the worker. Accordingly, the countershafts 30 are integrated together by the couplings 70.[Removal of countershaft]

[0068] If the drive gear 31 deteriorates, the countershaft 30 may need to be replaced, for example. To replace the countershaft 30, the worker disassembles the multiple couplings 70 for the countershafts 30 (referred to herein, for convenience, as a first countershaft 30, a second countershaft 30, and a third countershaft 30 from the gearhead 102 side toward the endhead 101 side, for example). For example, when the second countershaft 30 is to be replaced, the worker disassembles the couplings 70 that couple the second countershaft 30 to the first countershaft 30 and the third countershaft 30, and the coupling 70 that couples the first countershaft 30 to another countershaft 30 adjacent to the first countershaft 30 on the gearhead 102 side. Each of the couplings 70 is disassembled into the first coupling member 72 and the second coupling member 73 by removing the bolts 80 from the female-threaded holes 77. The second countershaft 30 to be replaced is referred to as a replacement countershaft 30A, and the first countershaft 30 that is adjacent to the replacement countershaft 30A and closer to the gearhead 102 than the replacement countershaft 30A is referred to as an adjacent countershaft 30B.

[0069] The adjacent countershaft 30B is displaced toward the gearhead 102 by the worker, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Specifically, the adjacent countershaft 30B is displaced toward the gearhead 102 by [T + α] as the dimension of the gap d. This positions the distal end of the second small diameter portion 303 of the adjacent countershaft 30B inside the holding portion 502b that supports the adjacent countershaft 30B. Next, the replacement countershaft 30A is moved toward the gearhead 102. Specifically, the replacement countershaft 30A is moved toward the gearhead 102 by [T + α] as the dimension of the gap d between the adjacent countershaft 30B and another countershaft 30 coupled to the adjacent countershaft 30B and [T + α] as the dimension of the gap d between the adjacent countershaft 30B and the replacement countershaft 30A. In other words, the replacement countershaft 30A is moved toward the gearhead 102 by a distance twice the gap d. The second small diameter portion 303 of the replacement countershaft 30A comes out of the holding portion 502b that supports the second small diameter portion 303, and is positioned between the holding portions 502b facing each other in the longitudinal direction X. The replacement countershaft 30A is supported by the support plates 51 of the holding portions 502b facing each other. The replacement countershaft 30A is pulled out from the shaft support recess 51a, and removed from between the holding portions 502b facing each other by the worker. In such a manner, the countershaft 30 is removed.[Mounting of countershaft]

[0070] While keeping the adjacent countershaft 30B displaced toward the gearhead 102, the worker places the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 of a new countershaft 30 in the shaft support recess 51a of the support plate 51 on the gearhead 102 side and in the shaft support recess 51a of the support plate 51 on the endhead 101 side, respectively. Accordingly, the new countershaft 30 is inserted between the holding portions 502b facing each other in the longitudinal direction X.

[0071] Next, the worker assembles the new countershaft 30 in the same manner as previously described so that the new countershaft 30 is supported by the holding portion 502b on the endhead 101 side. Then, the worker moves the adjacent countershaft 30B toward the endhead 101. Specifically, the adjacent countershaft 30B is moved toward the endhead 101 by the gap d. Accordingly, the new countershaft 30 is positioned distant from the adjacent countershaft 30B with the gap d of [T + α] formed between the new countershaft 30 and the adjacent countershaft 30B. The adjacent countershaft 30B is positioned distant from another countershaft 30 closer to the gearhead 102 than the adjacent countershaft 30 with the gap d of [T + α] formed between the adjacent countershaft 30B and another countershaft 30.

[0072] The worker then couples the countershafts 30 with the couplings 70.[Advantageous effects of embodiment]

[0073] The present embodiment obtains the following advantageous effects. (1) The length L of the countershaft 30 is shorter than the distance P1 between the opposing surfaces 502c of the two adjacent holding portions 502b facing each other in the longitudinal direction X. This configuration allows the countershaft 30 to be removed from and inserted between the adjacent holding portions 502b. This configuration therefore eliminates the need for the adjustment of the interval between the roller stands 50 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X, thereby facilitating the removal and mounting of the countershaft 30. (2) The length L of the countershaft 30 satisfies the mathematical expression (2). This allows the countershaft 30 to be temporarily placed in and supported by the support recesses 51b of the support plates 51 facing each other in the longitudinal direction X. This therefore allows the countershaft 30 to be easily supported by the holding portions 502b facing each other in the longitudinal direction X. The countershaft 30 temporarily placed in the support recesses 51 is moved to and supported by the shaft support recess 51a. The countershaft 30 is supported by each of the shaft support recesses 51a such that the countershaft 30 and the bearings 52 of the holding portions 502b are disposed adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X. This allows the countershaft 30 to be inserted into the bearings 52 by moving the countershaft 30 toward the holding portions 502b along the longitudinal direction X. This therefore allows the countershaft 30 to be easily supported by the holding portions 502b. (3) The length L of the countershaft 30 satisfies the mathematical expression (4). The length L of the countershaft 30 is shorter than the distance P1 between the opposing surfaces 502c of the adjacent holding portions 502b by a sufficient margin. This configuration facilitates the removal of the countershaft 30 from between the holding portions 502b facing each other and the insertion of the countershaft 30 between the holding portions 502b facing each other. (4) The countershafts 30 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X are coupled by the coupling 70. The coupling 70 holds the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 for the required lengths N to couple the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 with the gap d of [T + α] formed between the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303. The presence of the gap d allows the countershafts 30 to be moved along the longitudinal direction X when the countershafts 30 are uncoupled. This configuration facilitates the uncoupling of the countershafts 30. (5) The removal and insertion of the countershaft 30 between the holding portions 502b adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X become easier with a decrease in the length L of the countershaft 30. However, if the length L of the countershaft 30 is decreased too much, it is necessary to increase the dimension of the coupling 70, which couples the countershafts 30, in the axial direction of the countershaft 30. This is not preferable as it complicates the manufacturing of the coupling 70 or increases the manufacturing costs.

[0074] In contrast, the coupling 70 according to the embodiment of the present invention has, in the axial direction of the countershaft 30, a dimension that is sufficient to secure the required lengths N of the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303, and further has a length that is sufficient to couple the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 with the gap d of [T + α] formed between the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303. This configuration facilitates the removal and mounting of the countershaft 30 from the holding portions 502b while suppressing an increase in the manufacturing cost of the coupling 70.

[0075] (6) The countershaft 30 has the large diameter portion 301, and has the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 each having the diameter smaller than the diameter of the large diameter portion 301. In order to suppress the occurrence of twisting of the countershaft 30 during operation of the spinning machine 10, it is preferable to increase the dimension of the large diameter portion 301 of the countershaft 30 and decrease the dimensions of the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 in the axial direction of the countershaft 30. Accordingly, the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 according to the present embodiment each have a minimum length that is sufficient to secure the required length N. The coupling 70 holds the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 for the required lengths N with the gap d decreased to prevent an increase in the dimension of the coupling 70 in the axial direction of the countershaft 30. Therefore, the fiber bundle condensing device 20 according to the present embodiment facilitates the removal and mounting of the countershaft 30 while suppressing the occurrence of the twisting of the countershaft 30 and ensuring the coupling strength of the countershafts 30 coupled by the coupling 70.[Modification examples]

[0076] The embodiment of the present invention may be modified in various manners, as exemplified below. The present embodiment and the following modification examples may be combined within the scope of the present invention. ∘As illustrated in FIG. 9, the support plate 51 may have a shaft hole 51c instead of the shaft support recess 51a. This configuration does not allow the countershaft 30 to be inserted into the shaft hole 51c from the upper side of the support plate 51. That is, the countershaft 30 needs to penetrate the support plate 51 in thickness direction of the support plate 51.

[0077] The length L of the countershaft 30 needs to be shorter than the distance P2 between the opposing surface 54a1 of the first support plate 54a and the opposing surface 54b1 of the second support plate 54b facing each other in the longitudinal direction X. For this reason, the length L of the countershaft 30 is expressed by the following mathematical expression (5), taking into account the thicknesses S of the two support plates 51. L ≤ P − T + 2 S o The length L of the countershaft 30 may be equal to the distance [P - T]. That is, the length L of the countershaft 30 may satisfy the following mathematical expression (6). L = P − T

[0078] That is, the dimension of the countershaft 30 in the axial direction may be equal to or shorter than the distance between the opposing surfaces of the adjacent holding portions 502b. Even if the length L of the countershaft 30 is equal to the distance [P - T], it is possible to insert the countershaft 30 between the first holding portion 53a and the second holding portion 53b, and to remove the countershaft 30 from between the first holding portion 53a and the second holding portion 53b. However, if the length L of the countershaft 30 is longer than the distance [P - T] due to a manufacturing tolerance of the countershaft 30, it is difficult to insert and remove the countershaft 30. For this reason, a manufacturing tolerance is defined only for reducing the length L of the countershaft 30. ∘ The countershafts 30 do not all have to be the same length, and may be of two different lengths. In this configuration, it is sufficient that each of the countershafts 30 of two different lengths L satisfies the mathematical expression (1) or the mathematical expression (6). ∘ When the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 are held by the coupling 70, the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 do not necessarily have to be separated from each other by the gap d. When the gap d is not formed between the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303, for example, the replacement countershaft 30A may be removed by moving the adjacent countershaft 30B appropriately after displacing the roller stand 50 closest to the gearhead 102 in the longitudinal direction X and removing the countershaft 30 closest to the gearhead 102. ∘ The countershaft 30 may be formed of only the large diameter portion 301. This configuration increases the area of each countershaft 30 held by the coupling 70, so that the countershafts 30 are firmly coupled to each other by the coupling 70. Each of the accommodation recesses 74 of the coupling 70 may have an axially stepped shape so that the large diameter portion 301 and each of the small diameter portions 302 and 303 are held by the accommodation recesses 74.

Claims

1. A fiber bundle condensing device (20) comprising: a condensing unit (21) including: a delivery bottom roller (23) for delivering a fiber bundle (F); a suction unit (24) configured to exert suction acting on the fiber bundle (F); an air-permeable apron (25) rotated along the suction unit (24); and a delivery top roller (26) configured to come into contact with the delivery bottom roller (23) via the air-permeable apron (25) and rotate together with the delivery bottom roller (23), the condensing unit (21) being configured to condense the fiber bundle (F) drafted; a plurality of countershafts (30) configured to rotate the delivery bottom roller, the countershafts (30) being disposed adjacent to each other in axial directions of the countershafts (30); a plurality of holding portions (502b) each rotatably supporting the countershaft (30) via a bearing (52), the holding portions (502b) being disposed adjacent to each other in the axial directions of the countershafts (30); and a coupling (70) disposed between the adjacent holding portions (502b), the coupling (70) coupling the adjacent countershafts (30) and rotating together with the adjacent countershafts (30), characterized in that each of the adjacent holding portions (502b) has an opposing surface (502c), and the opposing surface (502c) of one of the adjacent holding portions (502b) faces the opposing surface (502c) of the other of the adjacent holding portions (502b) in the axial directions of the countershafts (30), and a dimension (L) of each of the countershafts (30) in the axial direction of the countershaft (30) is equal to or shorter than a distance (P1) between the opposing surfaces (502c) of the adjacent holding portions (502b).

2. The fiber bundle condensing device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the holding portions (502b) has opposite surfaces that define the holding portion (502b) in the axial direction of the countershaft (30) and each serve as the opposing surface (502c), a support plate (51) through which the countershaft (30) passes is integrated with each of the opposite surfaces of the holding portion (502b), and supports the delivery bottom roller (23) and the suction unit (24), and the dimension (L) of the countershaft (30) satisfies L > P - T - 2S, wherein the dimension of the countershaft (30) in the axial direction of the countershaft (30) is represented by L, a dimension of the holding portion (502b) in the axial direction of the countershaft (30) is represented by T, a distance between the holding portions (502b) adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the countershaft (30) is represented by P, and a dimension of the support plate (51) in the axial direction of countershaft (30) is represented by S.

3. The fiber bundle condensing device (20) according to claim 2, characterized in that a gap (d) is formed between one end of one of the adjacent countershafts (30) and one end of the other of the adjacent countershafts (30) coupled, the dimension (L) of the countershaft (30) satisfies L ≤ P - (T + α), wherein a dimension of the gap (d) in the axial direction of the countershaft (30) is the dimension (T) of the holding portion (502b) plus a dimension α and represented by T plus α.

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