Draft device

Abstract

To improve the maintainability of an apron belt.SOLUTION: The draft device 5 includes a bottom apron belt 57, an arm member 85, and a motor 86. The motor 86 drives the arm member 85 in the apron traverse direction D1. The arm member 85 includes a protrusion 35 and a spring clip 40. The projecting portion 35 projects to the D1 in the upward direction different from the D2 in the apron traverse direction. The spring clip 40 is movable relative to the projection 35 between the restriction position P1 and the retraction position. When the spring clip 40 is at the restricting position P1, the bottom apron belt 57 is prevented from coming off from between the spring clip 40 and the projecting portion 35 toward the D1 in the apron traverse direction, and when the spring clip 40 is at the retracted position, the bottom apron belt 57 is allowed to come off. When the spring clip 40 is located at the restricting position P1, the spring clip 40 is located on the opposite side of the projecting portion 35 across the bottom apron belt 57 in the apron traverse direction D1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a drafting device for drafting a fiber bundle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a drafting device of this type.

[0003] The draft device of Patent Document 1 is provided in an air spinning machine. This draft device includes an endless apron belt. The apron belt is driven in a circular motion while in contact with the sliver, thereby stretching the sliver. The draft device of Patent Document 1 also includes a traverse device for traversing the apron belt. The traverse device includes a guide unit and a drive unit. The guide unit guides the apron belt. The drive unit moves the guide unit back and forth along the width direction of the apron belt.

[0004] The traverse device moves the apron belt back and forth in the width direction relative to the sliver travel path, thereby suppressing the progression of localized wear on the apron belt and extending the life of the apron belt. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-66820 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The apron belt wears with use and therefore needs to be replaced at a predetermined frequency. However, the configuration of Patent Document 1 makes it difficult to remove the apron belt from the guide portion.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a draft device in which the apron belt can be easily removed and which is easy to maintain.

[0008] The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above. Next, the means for solving this problem and the effects thereof will be explained.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drafting device having the following configuration. That is, the drafting device drafts a fiber bundle. The drafting device includes an apron belt, a guide unit, and a drive unit. The apron belt travels in a circular motion while contacting the fiber bundle. The guide unit guides the apron belt to traverse. The drive unit drives the guide unit in a first direction. The guide unit has a protruding portion and a regulating portion. The protruding portion protrudes in a second direction different from the first direction and moves the apron belt along the first direction. The regulating portion moves the apron belt in the first direction in a direction opposite to the direction in which the protruding portion moves the apron belt. The regulating portion is movable relative to the protruding portion between a first position and a second position. When the regulating portion is in the first position, the apron belt is prevented from slipping out in the first direction from between the regulating portion and the protruding portion. When the restricting portion is in the second position, the apron belt is allowed to slip out from between the restricting portion and the protruding portion in the first direction. When the restricting portion is in the first position, the restricting portion is located on the opposite side of the protruding portion with the apron belt sandwiched therebetween in the first direction.

[0010] This allows the apron belt to traverse using the protrusion and the restricting portion in the first position, thereby suppressing localized wear of the apron belt. During maintenance, the restricting portion can be moved relative to the protrusion to the second position, making it easy to attach and detach the apron belt to and from the guide portion.

[0011] In the above draft device, it is preferable that the restricting portion is relatively movable between the first position and the second position while remaining attached to the guide portion.

[0012] This eliminates the need to completely remove the restricting portion from the guide portion, which simplifies the maintenance work for the apron belt and also prevents the restricting portion from being lost.

[0013] The above-described draft device is preferably configured as follows: That is, the regulating portion is provided rotatably about an axis in a third direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and the regulating portion rotates during the process of the regulating portion moving relatively between the first position and the second position.

[0014] This allows the restriction portion to be moved between the first position and the second position with a simple operation.

[0015] The above-described draft device is preferably configured as follows: the restricting portion is attached to the guide portion so as to be movable parallel to the second direction, and the restricting portion moves parallel to the second direction during the relative movement between the first position and the second position.

[0016] This allows the restriction portion to be moved relatively between the first position and the second position with a simple operation.

[0017] The above-described draft device is preferably configured as follows. That is, one of the restricting portion and the guide portion is formed with a first guide recess and a second guide recess. The first guide recess includes a portion parallel to the second direction. The second guide recess includes a first guide portion parallel to the second direction and a second guide portion having a substantially arc-shaped configuration. The other of the restricting portion and the guide portion includes a first convex portion and a second convex portion. The first convex portion is relatively movable along the first guide recess. The second convex portion is relatively movable along the second guide recess. During the process in which the restricting portion moves relatively between the first position and the second position, the first guide portion moves along the longitudinal direction and the second guide portion rotates around the center of the arc.

[0018] By combining translation and rotation in this way, it is possible to reduce the space required for the relative movement of the restricting portion between the first position and the second position.

[0019] The above draft device is preferably configured as follows. That is, the regulating portion is configured of an elastically deformable member separate from the guide portion. The regulating portion has a first contact portion, a second contact portion, and a connecting portion. The first contact portion contacts the guide portion from one side in a third direction that is a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The second contact portion contacts the guide portion from the side opposite to the first contact portion in the third direction. The connecting portion connects the first contact portion and the second contact portion. In an elastically deformed state, the regulating portion clamps the guide portion between the first contact portion and the second contact portion.

[0020] This allows the restriction portion to be attached to the guide portion with a simple configuration by utilizing the restoring force that accompanies elastic deformation of the restriction portion.

[0021] The draft device is preferably configured as follows: a holding protrusion is provided on at least one of the guide portion and the restricting portion, and a holding recess is provided on the other, and when the restricting portion is in the first position, the holding protrusion is inserted into the holding recess.

[0022] With this configuration, when the restricting portion is in the first position, the elastic force of the restricting portion always acts in a direction that prevents the holding protrusion from slipping out of the holding recess. Therefore, the restricting portion can be prevented from moving unexpectedly from the first position to the second position. Furthermore, when moving the restricting portion relatively from the second position to the first position, the worker can clearly determine that the movement is complete by the feeling transmitted to the hand when the holding protrusion enters the holding recess.

[0023] The above-described draft device is preferably configured as follows: At least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion has a curved surface formed on an end portion facing the apron belt, and when the restricting portion is in the first position, the curved surface prevents the apron belt from slipping out in the first direction from between the restricting portion and the protruding portion.

[0024] As a result, the curved surface formed so as not to be sharp comes into contact with the apron belt and traverses the apron belt, thereby preventing damage to the apron belt.

[0025] The above-described draft device is preferably configured as follows: That is, at least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion has a tapered portion formed at an end portion facing the apron belt, the tapered portion increasing the distance from the guide portion as the end portion approaches the first direction. When the regulating portion is in contact with the apron belt at the first position, the tapered portion is spaced apart from the apron belt.

[0026] This allows the restricting portion to be easily attached to the guide portion using the tapered portion when manufacturing the draft device. Since the tapered portion does not come into contact with the apron belt during traversing, damage to the apron belt can be prevented.

[0027] The above-described draft device is preferably configured as follows. That is, one of the restricting portion and the guide portion is formed with a first guide recess and a second guide recess. The first guide recess includes a portion parallel to the second direction. The second guide recess includes a portion parallel to the second direction. The other of the restricting portion and the guide portion includes a first convex portion and a second convex portion. The first convex portion is relatively movable along the first guide recess. The second convex portion is relatively movable along the second guide recess. When the restricting portion at the first position is viewed along the second direction, at least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion is formed with a bent portion that is convex toward the guide portion. When the restricting portion at the first position is viewed along the second direction, the position where the bent portion contacts the guide portion is located between the center of the first convex portion and the center of the second convex portion in the first direction.

[0028] This makes it difficult for the force that the restricting portion applies to the guide portion for clamping to be transmitted unevenly, thereby stabilizing the mounting state of the restricting portion.

[0029] The above-described draft device is preferably configured as follows: That is, when viewed along the first direction, the first contact portion and the second contact portion have different relative protrusion distances, which are distances by which the first contact portion and the second contact portion relatively protrude in the second direction from an intersection with the running path of the apron belt. When the regulating portion is in the first position, the first contact portion or the second contact portion having the larger relative protrusion distance prevents the apron belt from slipping out in the first direction from between the regulating portion and the protrusion.

[0030] As a result, the contact portion on the side with the larger effective restriction length moves the apron belt, thereby realizing stable traversal of the apron belt. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a spinning machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2]FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing the draft device. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view seen from the rear side showing the configuration of the guide unit in detail. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view seen from the rear side, showing the state in which the spring clip has been moved to the retracted position. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a perspective view showing the operation of attaching the spring clip to the guide portion. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the positional relationship between the spring clip and the bottom apron belt. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the guide portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Next, a spinning machine 1 equipped with a draft device 5 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The spinning machine 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes a plurality of spinning units 2 arranged side by side, a frame 3, and a yarn splicing cart 30.

[0033] 2, each spinning unit 2 includes, from upstream to downstream, a fiber bundle guide 4, a draft device 5, an air spinning device 6, a yarn monitoring device 7, a yarn storage device (draw-out device) 8, and a winding device 9. Each device included in the spinning unit 2 is supported by a frame 3. In this specification, "upstream" and "downstream" refer to upstream and downstream in the running direction of the fiber bundle and yarn during spinning.

[0034] The fiber bundle guide 4 guides the fiber bundle 10 supplied from a sliver case (not shown). The fiber bundle 10 guided by the fiber bundle guide 4 is supplied to a draft device 5.

[0035] The draft device 5 drafts the fiber bundle 10. The draft device 5 includes a draft bottom roller group 5a and a draft top roller group 5b as members for drafting. The draft bottom roller group 5a includes a plurality of draft bottom rollers. The draft bottom rollers are driven to rotate by a motor (not shown). The draft top roller group 5b includes a plurality of draft top rollers. The draft bottom rollers and the draft top rollers are arranged to face each other. The fiber bundle 10 can be stretched by sandwiching and transporting the fiber bundle 10 between the draft bottom rollers and the draft top rollers. The draft device 5 will be described in detail later.

[0036] The air spinning device 6 generates a swirling air current inside and can perform air spinning. The air spinning device 6 uses the swirling air current to twist the fiber bundle 10 supplied from the draft device 5 and spins it to produce yarn 15. Note that instead of the air spinning device 6, a device that performs ring spinning may be used.

[0037] The yarn 15 generated by the air spinning device 6 passes through the yarn monitoring device 7. The yarn monitoring device 7 monitors the thickness of the traveling yarn 15 using an optical sensor (not shown). When the yarn monitoring device 7 detects a yarn defect in the yarn 15 (for example, a location where the yarn 15 has an abnormality in thickness, etc.), it transmits a yarn defect detection signal to the unit control unit 26. When the unit control unit 26 receives the yarn defect detection signal, it cuts the yarn 15. The unit control unit 26 may stop the air spinning device 6 to cut the yarn 15, or may drive a cutter to cut the yarn 15. Note that the yarn monitoring device 7 is not limited to an optical sensor, and may also monitor the thickness of the yarn 15 using, for example, a capacitance sensor. Furthermore, foreign matter contained in the yarn 15 and / or abnormalities in the tension of the yarn 15 may be monitored as yarn defects.

[0038] The yarn 15 that has passed through the yarn monitoring device 7 is wound onto a bobbin 17 by the winding device 9. The winding device 9 winds the yarn 15 to form a package 18. The winding device 9 includes a cradle arm 19, a winding drum 20, and a traverse device 21.

[0039] Cradle arm 19 rotatably supports bobbin 17 for winding yarn 15. Winding drum 20 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of bobbin 17 or the outer circumferential surface of package 18 and is driven to rotate, thereby rotating bobbin 17 (or package 18). Traverse device 21 includes traverse guide 22. Traverse guide 22 engages with yarn 15 and is driven in the winding width direction of bobbin 17. This allows yarn 15 to be traversed as it is wound onto bobbin 17.

[0040] The spinning unit 2 having the above configuration can produce a yarn 15 from the fiber bundle 10 and wind it onto a bobbin 17.

[0041] In the spinning machine 1 of this embodiment, a yarn pooling device 8 is disposed between the yarn monitoring device 7 and the winding device 9. As shown in FIG. 2 , the yarn pooling device 8 includes a yarn pooling roller 23 and an electric motor 25 that drives and rotates the yarn pooling roller 23.

[0042] The electric motor 25 drives and rotates the yarn pooling roller 23, causing the yarn pooling device 8 to pull out the yarn 15 from the air spinning device 6. The yarn pooling roller 23 can temporarily store the pulled-out yarn 15 by winding it around its outer circumferential surface. By temporarily storing the yarn 15 in this way, the yarn pooling device 8 functions as a kind of buffer. This eliminates problems (such as slack in the yarn 15) that may occur when the spinning speed of the air spinning device 6 and the winding speed of the winding device 9 do not match for some reason.

[0043] Each spinning unit 2 includes a unit control unit 26. The unit control unit 26 controls each component included in the spinning unit 2. One unit control unit 26 may be configured to control a predetermined number of spinning units 2, two or more.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the yarn splicing cart 30 includes a yarn splicing device 31, a suction pipe 32, and a suction mouth 33.

[0045] The yarn joining device 31 is a device for joining yarn ends together. The configuration of the yarn joining device 31 is not particularly limited, and for example, an air splicer that twists yarn ends together using a swirling air current can be used. The yarn joining device 31 may also be a knotter that mechanically ties yarn ends together. The suction pipe 32 sucks in and captures the yarn end delivered from the air spinning device 6, and guides it to the yarn joining device 31. The suction mouth 33 sucks in and captures the yarn end from the package 18 supported by the winding device 9, and guides it to the yarn joining device 31.

[0046] The yarn joining device 31 joins the yarn ends guided by the suction pipe 32 and the suction mouth 33. As a result, the cut yarn 15 becomes continuous again between the air spinning device 6 and the winding device 9.

[0047] Next, the draft device 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0048] 3, the draft device 5 includes a base member 50. The base member 50 is, for example, a frame-shaped or block-shaped member. The base member 50 is fixed to the frame 3 by appropriate means.

[0049] A draft bottom roller group 5a and an air spinning device 6 are attached to the base member 50. The base member 50 supports the draft bottom roller group 5a and the air spinning device 6. As shown in FIG. 3, the draft bottom roller group 5a is composed of a front bottom roller (first roller) 51, a middle bottom roller (second roller) 52, a third bottom roller (third roller) 53, and a back bottom roller (fourth roller) 54, which are arranged in this order from downstream to upstream in the fiber running direction. A tenser bar (belt guide member) 56 is disposed downstream of the middle bottom roller 52 in the fiber running direction. A bottom apron belt (apron belt) 57 is wound around the middle bottom roller 52 and the tenser bar 56. In the draft device 5, the fiber bundle 10 is drafted in the fiber running direction, and therefore the draft direction is parallel to the fiber running direction.

[0050] The central axes of the draft rollers constituting the draft bottom roller group 5a are all parallel to one another. Hereinafter, the direction parallel to the axial direction of each draft roller of the draft bottom roller group 5a may be referred to as the roller axial direction.

[0051] The draft device 5 includes a plurality of motors (not shown). Each motor can rotate and drive the front bottom roller 51, the middle bottom roller 52, the third bottom roller 53, and the back bottom roller 54, respectively.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 3, the draft device 5 includes a draft cradle 70. The draft top roller group 5b is attached to the draft cradle 70, and the draft cradle 70 supports the draft top roller group 5b. The draft cradle 70 is openable and closable with respect to the base member 50. Closing the draft cradle 70 brings the draft top roller group 5b into contact with or close to the draft bottom roller group 5a. As shown in FIG. 3, the draft top roller group 5b is composed of a front top roller 71, a middle top roller 72, a third top roller 73, and a back top roller 74, arranged in this order from downstream to upstream in the fiber running direction. In addition, a top apron belt (nip apron belt) 77 is wound around the middle top roller 72.

[0053] 4, the draft device 5 includes a first support portion 61, a second support portion 62, a third support portion 63, and a fourth support portion 64. Each of the first support portion 61, the second support portion 62, the third support portion 63, and the fourth support portion 64 is integrally formed with the base member 50, or is directly or indirectly attached to the base member 50.

[0054] The first support part 61 and the second support part 62 are positioned offset to one side in the roller axial direction with respect to the travel path of the fiber bundle 10 in the draft device 5. The first support part 61 supports the front bottom roller 51 in a cantilever manner. The second support part 62 supports the middle bottom roller 52 in a cantilever manner.

[0055] The third support portion 63 supports the third bottom roller 53 at both ends. The fourth support portion 64 supports the back bottom roller 54 at both ends.

[0056] A support arm 58 is fixed to the second support part 62. The support arm 58 extends in the roller axial direction so as to protrude from the second support part 62, and a tension bar 56 is fixed to one end of the support arm 58. The tension bar 56 is disposed between the front bottom roller 51 and the middle bottom roller 52. The second support part 62 supports the tension bar 56 in a cantilever manner via the support arm 58.

[0057] The middle bottom roller 52 and the tension bar 56 each have a free end on the side farthest from the second support portion 62. Therefore, by pulling the bottom apron belt 57 away from the second support portion 62 in the axial direction of the middle bottom roller 52, the bottom apron belt 57 can be removed from the middle bottom roller 52 and the tension bar 56. Hereinafter, the side closer to the free end of the middle bottom roller 52 in the roller axial direction may be simply referred to as the free end side S1, and the side opposite the free end may be referred to as the support side S2.

[0058] Next, the apron traverse device 84 provided in the draft device 5 will be described.

[0059] The apron traverse device 84 can traverse the bottom apron belt 57 at a predetermined stroke. The apron traverse device 84 is disposed on the base member 50. The apron traverse device 84 includes an arm member (guide unit) 85 and a motor (drive unit) 86.

[0060] The arm member 85 is a plate-like member that is elongated in the roller axial direction. The arm member 85 is made of an appropriate material such as metal. A long, narrow gap is formed in the roller axial direction between the first support part 61 and the second support part 62. The arm member 85 is inserted into this gap with its thickness direction facing the fiber running direction. The arm member 85 is supported by the second support part 62 so as to be slidable in the roller axial direction.

[0061] Two fulcrum members 87 are arranged side by side on the second support portion 62. The two fulcrum members 87 form a slide guide portion that guides the traverse direction of the bottom apron belt 57. Hereinafter, the traverse direction of the bottom apron belt 57 may be referred to as the apron traverse direction (first direction) D1. The apron traverse direction D1 substantially coincides with the roller axial direction. The direction in which the two fulcrum members 87 are arranged coincides with the roller axial direction. Two elongated holes 88 are formed in the arm member 85 corresponding to the two fulcrum members 87. Each elongated hole 88 is formed to be elongated in the roller axial direction. The fulcrum member 87 can guide the movement direction of the arm member 85 so that it is along the roller axial direction.

[0062] The arm member 85 is disposed so that one end in the longitudinal direction thereof protrudes in the roller axial direction from between the first support portion 61 and the second support portion 62. This protruding portion is located below the tension bar 56. An action portion 89 is formed in the protruding portion of the arm member 85. The action portion 89 is a recessed portion that is open at the top. The width of the recessed portion corresponds to the width of the bottom apron belt 57. The bottom apron belt 57, which is wound around the middle bottom roller 52 and the tension bar 56, passes through the recessed portion.

[0063] By reciprocating the arm member 85 in the roller axial direction, the bottom apron belt 57 can be reciprocated in the roller axial direction via the action portion 89. This allows the bottom apron belt 57 to be moved periodically relative to the fiber bundle path. As a result, localized wear of the bottom apron belt 57 can be reduced, thereby reducing the frequency of maintenance work such as replacing the bottom apron belt 57.

[0064] The motor 86 is disposed on the opposite side of the fiber bundle traveling path across the second support part 62. The motor 86 is configured as, for example, a stepping motor, but is not limited to this.

[0065] The output shaft of the motor 86 is disposed approximately parallel to the fiber running direction. An eccentric cam (rotating cam) 90 is fixed to the output shaft of the motor 86. A vertically elongated cam hole 92 is formed in the arm member 85, into which the eccentric cam 90 can be inserted. When the motor 86 is driven, the eccentric cam 90 rotates. This rotational motion is converted into reciprocating motion of the arm member 85 in the roller axis direction via the cam hole 92. By driving the motor 86 in this configuration, the bottom apron belt 57 can be traversed in the apron traverse direction D1 via the arm member 85.

[0066] Next, the configuration of the action portion 89 will be described in detail.

[0067] The arm member 85 includes a protrusion 35 and a spring clip (restriction portion) 40. The protrusion 35 and the spring clip 40 are arranged side by side in the roller axial direction. The spring clip 40 is arranged closer to the free end side S1 than the protrusion 35. The protrusion 35 and the spring clip 40 are arranged so as to sandwich the running path of the bottom apron belt 57. Both the protrusion 35 and the spring clip 40 protrude upward (second direction) D2 from the arm member 85. The upward direction D2 can also be described as a direction intersecting (preferably perpendicular to) the running path of the bottom apron belt 57 when viewed along the apron traverse direction D1. A relative recess formed between the protrusion 35 and the spring clip 40 corresponds to the action portion 89.

[0068] The protrusions 35 and the spring clips 40 can each come into contact with the widthwise ends of the circulating bottom apron belt 57. In both the protrusions 35 and the spring clips 40, it is preferable that the portions that come into contact with the bottom apron belt 57 are substantially perpendicular to the widthwise direction of the bottom apron belt 57.

[0069] The protrusion 35 is formed integrally with the arm member 85, as shown in FIG.

[0070] The spring clip 40 is a separate component from the arm member 85. The spring clip 40 is made of a thin, elastic, plate-like metal member. The spring clip 40 is attached by sandwiching the plate-like arm member 85 from both sides, and is fixed in place by utilizing its elasticity. The attachment position of the spring clip 40 relative to the arm member 85 can be changed.

[0071] The spring clip 40 has a configuration in which a first contact portion 40a, a second contact portion 40b, and a connecting portion 40c are integrally formed. The first contact portion 40a and the second contact portion 40b are both formed in a generally rectangular plate shape. The connecting portion 40c is formed in an arcuate surface and connects the first contact portion 40a and the second contact portion 40b. The first contact portion 40a and the second contact portion 40b are arranged opposite each other. The distance between the first contact portion 40a and the second contact portion 40b can be increased mainly by elastic deformation of the connecting portion 40c.

[0072] When the spring clip 40 is attached to the arm member 85, the first contact portion 40a and the second contact portion 40b are positioned on opposite sides of the arm member 85. The first contact portion 40a contacts one surface of the plate-shaped arm member 85 in the thickness direction, and the second contact portion 40b contacts the other surface of the arm member 85 in the thickness direction. The connecting portion 40c is positioned so as to bypass the longitudinal end of the arm member 85.

[0073] As described above, the spring clip 40 is disposed to the side of the running path of the bottom apron belt 57. The connecting portion 40c is disposed on the side farther from the running path of the bottom apron belt 57. The first contact portion 40a has a larger dimension in the width direction of the bottom apron belt 57 than the second contact portion 40b. As such, the first contact portion 40a is closer to the running path of the bottom apron belt 57 than the second contact portion 40b, and therefore only the first contact portion 40a can come into contact with the bottom apron belt 57.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 5, a curved surface 43 is formed on the side of the rectangular first contact portion 40a that faces the bottom apron belt 57. The curved surface 43 is formed by rounding the end of the first contact portion 40a into a thin cylinder. This prevents the edge of the thin plate-shaped spring clip 40 from coming into contact with and damaging the bottom apron belt 57.

[0075] The arm member 85 includes a first guide protrusion (first convex portion) 36 and a second guide protrusion (second convex portion) 37. The first guide protrusion 36 and the second guide protrusion 37 are arranged in a portion of the arm member 85 where the spring clip 40 is attached. The first guide protrusion 36 and the second guide protrusion 37 each protrude in the thickness direction of the arm member 85, which is formed in a plate shape. The first guide protrusion 36 and the second guide protrusion 37 are both formed in a short cylindrical shape.

[0076] The first contact portion 40a of the spring clip 40 is formed with a first guide recess 41 and a second guide recess 42. Each of the first guide recess 41 and the second guide recess 42 is configured as a groove that penetrates the first contact portion 40a in the thickness direction. The first guide protrusion 36 is inserted into the first guide recess 41, and the second guide protrusion 37 is inserted into the second guide recess 42.

[0077] The first guide recess 41 is formed in a vertically elongated linear shape. The second guide recess 42 includes a vertically elongated linear first guide portion 42a and an arc-shaped elongated second guide portion 42b.

[0078] The longitudinal direction of the first guide portion 42a is disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first guide recess 41. The second guide portion 42b is formed in an arc shape with the upper end of the first guide recess 41 as its center.

[0079] When the spinning machine 1 performs spinning, the spring clip 40 is in the restricting position (first position) P1 shown in Figure 5. At this time, the first guide protrusion 36 is located at the lower end of the first guide recess 41, and the second guide protrusion 37 is located at the lower end of the first guide portion 42a of the second guide recess 42. The spring clip 40 in the restricting position P1, like the protrusion 35, moves integrally with the arm member 85, which moves back and forth in the apron traverse direction D1. This allows the bottom apron belt 57 to traverse.

[0080] In the apron traverse direction D1, the dimension of the first guide recess 41 is substantially equal to the dimension of the first guide protrusion 36, and the dimension of the first guide portion 42a is substantially equal to the dimension of the second guide protrusion 37. Therefore, when the spring clip 40 presses the bottom apron belt 57 toward the support side S2, the spring clip 40 does not unexpectedly move relatively toward the free end side S1 due to the reaction force.

[0081] The first contact portion 40a is formed with a small retaining protrusion 44 that protrudes toward the second contact portion 40b. The arm member 85 is formed with a retaining recess 38. The position of the retaining protrusion 44 corresponds to the position of the retaining recess 38 when the spring clip 40 is in the restricted position P1. When the spring clip 40 is in the restricted position P1, the elastic force generated in the spring clip 40 causes the retaining protrusion 44 to fit into the retaining recess 38. This prevents the spring clip 40 from unintentionally moving from the restricted position P1.

[0082] When the bottom apron belt 57 needs to be replaced, the operator first stops the spinning machine 1 and opens the draft cradle 70 of the draft device 5. Next, the operator grasps the upper part of the spring clip 40 with his / her fingers and pulls it down as shown by the arrow O1 in FIG. 5. This allows the spring clip 40 to move downward in parallel with the arm member 85. At this time, the first guide recess 41 and the first guide portion 42a of the second guide recess 42 guide the movement direction of the spring clip 40.

[0083] After the spring clip 40 is pulled down, the first guide protrusion 36 is located at the upper end of the first guide recess 41, and the second guide protrusion 37 is located at the upper end of the first guide portion 42a of the second guide recess 42 (in other words, the connection portion between the first guide portion 42a and the second guide portion 42b).

[0084] Next, while grasping the upper portion of the spring clip 40 with his / her fingers, the worker pulls it toward the free end side S1 as indicated by the arrow O2. This causes the spring clip 40 to rotate around the first guide protrusion 36 at the upper end of the first guide recess 41, and the upper portion of the spring clip 40 retracts away from the travel path of the bottom apron belt 57. At this time, the second guide portion 42b of the second guide recess 42 guides the rotation of the spring clip 40. Hereinafter, the axial direction of the first guide protrusion 36 may be referred to as the rotation axis direction (third direction) D3. The rotation axis direction D3 is perpendicular to both the apron traverse direction D1 and the upward direction D2. The rotation axis direction D3 substantially coincides with the thickness direction of the plate-shaped arm member 85.

[0085] By rotating the spring clip 40 around the lower portion (first guide protrusion 36), the effective upward protrusion length of the spring clip 40 can be further reduced. In this way, movement to the retracted position (second position) P2 shown in Figure 6 is achieved. The movement of the spring clip 40 with respect to the arm member 85 can also be described as the relative movement of the spring clip 40 with respect to the protrusion 35.

[0086] In this embodiment, multiple draft devices 5 are arranged at a predetermined pitch. It is also assumed that many components will be arranged around the bottom apron belt 57. Therefore, it is highly likely that a large space will not be secured around the spring clip 40. In this regard, in this embodiment, the relative movement of the spring clip 40 between the restricting position P1 and the retracted position P2 is achieved by a combination of translation and rotation. This makes it possible to switch between the restricting position P1 for traversing the bottom apron belt 57 and the retracted position P2 suitable for maintenance of the bottom apron belt 57 while minimizing the space required for movement of the spring clip 40.

[0087] An inclined protrusion 39 is integrally formed on the upper edge of the arm member 85 at the portion where the spring clip 40 is attached. When the spring clip 40 moves to the retracted position P2, the inclined protrusion 39 is substantially exposed, as shown in Fig. 6. The inclined protrusion 39 is formed with an inclination such that the amount of protrusion in the upward direction D2 gradually increases with increasing distance from the running path of the bottom apron belt 57.

[0088] When the spring clip 40 is in the retracted position P2, the curved surface 43 of the spring clip 40 (in other words, the end of the spring clip 40 that contacts the bottom apron belt 57 to traverse the bottom apron belt 57) is located below the contour of the upper edge of the inclined protrusion 39. When the bottom apron belt 57 is pulled toward the free end side S1 as shown by the arrow O3 in FIG. 6, the bottom apron belt 57 is deformed upwardly by the action of the inclined protrusion 39, becoming concave as it approaches the spring clip 40. This allows the bottom apron belt 57 to easily pass above the spring clip 40. This results in a smooth removal of the bottom apron belt 57. Furthermore, the inclined protrusion 39 prevents the top end of the spring clip 40 from coming into contact with the bottom apron belt 57 when removing the bottom apron belt 57 and when attaching a new bottom apron belt 57. This prevents damage to the bottom apron belt 57.

[0089] The worker removes the bottom apron belt 57 by pulling it out toward the free end side S1, and then attaches a new bottom apron belt 57 from the free end side S1 to the middle bottom roller 52 and tensioner bar 56. After that, the worker moves the spring clip 40 from the retracted position P2 to the restricting position P1. This procedure is performed by reversing the above steps, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0090] In this embodiment, when the spring clip 40 is in the restricted position P1 in FIG. 5, the spring clip 40 protrudes a sufficient distance upward D2, similar to the protrusion 35. Therefore, the bottom apron belt 57 can be prevented from accidentally slipping off toward the free end side S1. This means that the spring clip 40 can reliably push the bottom apron belt 57 toward the support side S2 to traverse it. On the other hand, when the spring clip 40 moves to the retracted position P2 in FIG. 6, the upper portion of the spring clip 40 moves away from the bottom apron belt 57 toward the free end side S1, and the protruding distance of the spring clip 40 in the upward direction D2 also becomes smaller. Therefore, the spring clip 40 is less likely to interfere when the bottom apron belt 57 is pulled off toward the free end side S1 for removal, resulting in excellent maintenance workability.

[0091] The spring clip 40 can be moved between the restricting position P1 and the retracted position P2 simply by the operator gripping the spring clip 40 with their fingers and applying force, which eliminates the need for tools and provides excellent workability.

[0092] Instead of moving the spring clip 40 to the retracted position P2 in FIG. 6 , the spring clip 40 can be physically removed from the arm member 85, thereby moving the spring clip 40 relative to the protrusion 35. However, this configuration can complicate the removal / attachment of the spring clip 40 and also poses the risk of the worker losing the removed spring clip 40. In this regard, in this embodiment, the spring clip 40 is moved to the retracted position P2 while remaining attached to the arm member 85. In other words, once the spring clip 40 is attached to the arm member 85, it is difficult to remove it without using a tool. This simplifies maintenance work and prevents the spring clip 40 from being lost.

[0093] The spring clip 40 is made of an elastic material, and is fixed by sandwiching the arm member 85 between the first contact portion 40a and the second contact portion 40b while being elastically deformed. Therefore, the elastic force of the spring clip 40 itself acts to prevent the first guide protrusion 36 and the second guide protrusion 37 from coming out of the first guide recess 41 and the second guide recess 42. This makes it possible to prevent the spring clip 40 from accidentally coming out of the arm member 85 with a simple configuration.

[0094] The elastic force of the spring clip 40 is also used to prevent the retaining protrusion 44 from coming out of the retaining recess 38 when the spring clip 40 is in the restricted position P1. When the spring clip 40 is moved from the retracted position P2 to the restricted position P1, the retaining protrusion 44 eventually enters the retaining recess 38 due to the action of the elastic force. Therefore, the operator can confirm that the movement of the spring clip 40 to the restricted position P1 has been completed by the click feeling transmitted to his / her finger.

[0095] Next, the bent portion 45 and the tapered portion 46 provided on the second contact portion 40b will be described.

[0096] 7 shows an enlarged plan view of the spring clip 40 in the restricting position P1. FIG. 7 can be considered to be a view of the spring clip 40 viewed from a line of sight parallel to the upward direction D2. As shown in FIG. 7, the connecting portion 40c is formed into a 180° arc shape, and the diameter of its inner peripheral surface is larger than the thickness of the arm member 85. The second contact portion 40b is provided in an inclined shape so that the distance between the second contact portion 40b and the first contact portion 40a narrows as the distance from the connection point with the connecting portion 40c increases.

[0097] As shown in Fig. 7, the second contact portion 40b is formed with a V-shaped bent portion 45. As shown in Fig. 8, the second contact portion 40b is bent at this bent portion 45 to form a linear crease.

[0098] A tapered portion 46 is formed in the second contact portion 40b on the opposite side of the bent portion 45 from the connecting portion 40c. This tapered portion 46 is inclined so that the distance between the tapered portion 46 and the first contact portion 40a increases as the tapered portion 46 approaches the end portion facing the bottom apron belt 57. Specifically, the distance between the tapered portion 46 and the first contact portion 40a gradually increases as the tapered portion 46 approaches the running path of the bottom apron belt 57 in the apron traverse direction D1.

[0099] Consider a cross section of the spring clip 40 at the restricting position P1 cut by a virtual plane parallel to both the apron traverse direction D1 and the fiber running direction. If the tapered portion 46 increases its distance from the arm member 85 as it approaches the running path of the bottom apron belt 57 in the apron traverse direction D1 on this cross section, it can be said that "the tapered portion 46 increases its distance from the arm member 85 as it approaches the end of the tapered portion 46 facing the bottom apron belt 57 in the apron traverse direction D1." Therefore, when viewed along the fiber running direction, the orientation of the open portion of the tapered portion 46 may not coincide with the apron traverse direction D1 but may be inclined. Furthermore, when viewed along the fiber running direction, the end of the tapered portion 46 facing the bottom apron belt 57 may not be perpendicular to the apron traverse direction D1.

[0100] When the spring clip 40 is not elastically deformed, the gap between the bent portion 45 and the first contact portion 40a is smaller than the thickness of the arm member 85. This gap may be zero. By attaching the spring clip 40 to the arm member 85, the gap between the bent portion 45 and the first contact portion 40a is widened. This causes the spring clip 40 to elastically deform.

[0101] As described above, the second contact portion 40b is provided with the tapered portion 46. As a result, when the spring clip 40 is attached to the arm member 85 as shown in Fig. 8, the tapered portion 46 guides the second contact portion 40b and the first contact portion 40a to widen the gap therebetween, thereby improving the ease of assembly.

[0102] When the spring clip 40 is attached to the arm member 85, the bent portion 45 protrudes toward the arm member 85. Therefore, the second contact portion 40b is in substantially linear contact with the arm member 85 only at the bent portion 45. On the other hand, the first contact portion 40a does not have any portion that protrudes toward the arm member 85, except for the retaining protrusion 44. Therefore, when the spring clip 40 is in the restricting position P1, the retaining protrusion 44 is inserted into the retaining recess 38, and the first contact portion 40a is in planar contact with the arm member 85 over a wide area.

[0103] In this embodiment, the first guide recess 41, the second guide recess 42, and the retaining protrusion 44 are arranged on the first contact portion 40a that comes into planar contact with the arm member 85. Correspondingly, the first guide protrusion 36 and the second guide protrusion 37 are arranged on the surface of the arm member 85 that comes into planar contact with the first contact portion 40a. This makes it possible to stably maintain the attachment state of the spring clip 40 to the arm member 85 throughout the entire process of movement of the spring clip 40 between the restricting position P1 and the retracted position P2, without increasing the protrusion amounts of the first guide protrusion 36 and the second guide protrusion 37.

[0104] The first guide protrusion 36 and the second guide protrusion 37 are disposed at different positions in the apron traverse direction D1. As shown in Fig. 7, when the spring clip 40 is in the restricted position P1, the position CP1 at which the bent portion 45 contacts the arm member 85 is located between the center of the first guide protrusion 36 and the center of the second guide protrusion 37 in the apron traverse direction D1. This prevents the elastic force of the spring clip 40 from being unevenly transmitted, thereby stably maintaining the first contact portion 40a in good surface contact with the arm member 85. In other words, it is possible to prevent the first guide protrusion 36 from slipping out of the first guide recess 41 and the second guide protrusion 37 from slipping out of the second guide recess 42.

[0105] In this embodiment, the first contact portion 40a of the spring clip 40 is disposed on one side in the thickness direction of the arm member 85, and the second contact portion 40b is disposed on the opposite side. Both the first contact portion 40a and the second contact portion 40b face the running path of the bottom apron belt 57 in the apron traverse direction D1. When viewed along the apron traverse direction D1 as shown in FIG. 9, both the end of the first contact portion 40a and the end of the second contact portion 40b intersect with the running path of the bottom apron belt 57.

[0106] The running path of the bottom apron belt 57 is inclined with respect to the direction in which the first contact portion 40a and the second contact portion 40b face each other (in other words, the thickness direction of the arm member 85). Therefore, a relative protrusion distance L1, which is the distance by which the first contact portion 40a relatively protrudes in the upward direction D2 from the intersection with the running path of the bottom apron belt 57, and a relative protrusion distance L2, which is the distance by which the second contact portion 40b relatively protrudes in the upward direction D2 from the intersection with the running path of the bottom apron belt 57, are different from each other. The relative protrusion distance L1 of the first contact portion 40a is greater than the relative protrusion distance L2 of the second contact portion 40b.

[0107] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, the curved surface 43 for contacting and pushing the bottom apron belt 57 is formed on the first contact portion 40a, and the tapered portion 46 is formed on the second contact portion 40b. It is also possible to push the bottom apron belt 57 from the second contact portion 40b side, but with this configuration, if the tension of the bottom apron belt 57 is not large, the bottom apron belt 57 may ride up onto the spring clip 40. In this regard, in this embodiment, the bottom apron belt 57 is pushed from the first contact portion 40a side, so that the end of the bottom apron belt 57 can be prevented from passing through the curved surface 43 and riding up onto the spring clip 40. In this way, the first contact portion 40a on the side with the longer effective restriction length is configured to contact and move the bottom apron belt 57, so that the bottom apron belt 57 can traverse stably.

[0108] 7 shows a state in which the curved surface 43 contacts and moves the bottom apron belt 57. The tapered portion 46 is located on the free end side S1 of the curved surface 43, and is therefore spaced apart from the bottom apron belt 57. In this way, the tapered portion 46 does not contact the bottom apron belt 57, and therefore damage to the bottom apron belt 57 can be prevented.

[0109] As described above, the draft device 5 of this embodiment drafts the fiber bundle 10. The draft device 5 includes a bottom apron belt 57, an arm member 85, and a motor 86. The bottom apron belt 57 travels in a circular motion while contacting the fiber bundle 10. The arm member 85 guides the bottom apron belt 57 to traverse. The motor 86 drives the arm member 85 in the apron traverse direction D1. The arm member 85 has a protrusion 35 and a spring clip 40. The protrusion 35 protrudes in an upward direction D2 different from the apron traverse direction D1, and moves the bottom apron belt 57 along the apron traverse direction D1. The spring clip 40 moves the bottom apron belt 57 in the apron traverse direction D1 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the protrusion 35 moves the bottom apron belt 57. The spring clip 40 is movable relative to the protrusion 35 between a restricting position P1 and a retracted position P2. When the spring clip 40 is in the restricting position P1, the bottom apron belt 57 is prevented from slipping out from between the spring clip 40 and the protrusion 35 in the apron traverse direction D1. When the spring clip 40 is in the retracted position P2, the bottom apron belt 57 is allowed to slip out from between the spring clip 40 and the protrusion 35 in the apron traverse direction D1. When the spring clip 40 is in the restricting position P1, the spring clip 40 is positioned on the opposite side of the protrusion 35 across the bottom apron belt 57 in the apron traverse direction D1.

[0110] This allows the bottom apron belt 57 to traverse using the protrusion 35 and the spring clip 40 at the regulating position P1, thereby suppressing localized wear of the bottom apron belt 57. During maintenance, the bottom apron belt 57 can be easily attached to and detached from the arm member 85 by relatively moving the spring clip 40 to the retracted position P2.

[0111] In the draft device 5 of this embodiment, the spring clip 40 is capable of moving relatively between the restricting position P1 and the retracted position P2 while remaining attached to the arm member 85.

[0112] This eliminates the need to completely remove the spring clip 40 from the arm member 85, further simplifying the maintenance work for the bottom apron belt 57. In addition, it is possible to prevent the spring clip 40 from being lost.

[0113] In the draft device 5 of this embodiment, the spring clip 40 is provided rotatably about an axis of the rotation axis direction D3. The rotation axis direction D3 is a direction perpendicular to the apron traverse direction D1 and the upward direction D2. The spring clip 40 rotates during the process of relative movement between the restricting position P1 and the retracted position P2.

[0114] This allows the spring clip 40 to move relatively between the restricting position P1 and the retracted position P2 with a simple operation.

[0115] In the draft device 5 of this embodiment, the spring clip 40 is attached to the arm member 85 so as to be movable parallel to the upward direction D2. During the process of the spring clip 40 moving relatively between the restricting position P1 and the retracted position P2, the spring clip 40 moves parallel to the upward direction D2.

[0116] This allows the spring clip 40 to move relatively between the restricting position P1 and the retracted position P2 with a simple operation.

[0117] In the draft device 5 of this embodiment, the spring clip 40 is formed with a first guide recess 41 and a second guide recess 42. The first guide recess 41 includes a portion parallel to the upward direction D2. The second guide recess 42 includes a first guide portion 42a parallel to the upward direction D2 and a second guide portion 42b having a substantially arc-shaped configuration. The arm member 85 includes a first guide protrusion 36 and a second guide protrusion 37. The first guide protrusion 36 is relatively movable along the first guide recess 41. The second guide protrusion 37 is relatively movable along the second guide recess 42. During the process of the spring clip 40 moving relatively between the restricting position P1 and the retracted position P2, the first guide portion 42a moves along the longitudinal direction and the second guide portion 42b rotates around the center of the arc.

[0118] By combining translation and rotation in this manner, the space required for the relative movement of the spring clip 40 between the restricting position P1 and the retracted position P2 can be reduced.

[0119] In the draft device 5 of this embodiment, the spring clip 40 is composed of an elastically deformable member separate from the arm member 85. The spring clip 40 has a first contact portion 40a, a second contact portion 40b, and a connecting portion 40c. The first contact portion 40a contacts the arm member 85 from one side in the rotation axis direction D3. The rotation axis direction D3 is perpendicular to the apron traverse direction D1 and the upward direction D2. The second contact portion 40b contacts the arm member 85 from the side opposite the first contact portion 40a in the rotation axis direction D3. The connecting portion 40c connects the first contact portion 40a and the second contact portion 40b. In an elastically deformed state, the spring clip 40 clamps the arm member 85 between the first contact portion 40a and the second contact portion 40b.

[0120] This allows the spring clip 40 to be attached to the arm member 85 with a simple configuration by utilizing the restoring force that accompanies elastic deformation of the spring clip 40.

[0121] In the draft device 5 of this embodiment, a holding protrusion 44 is provided on at least one of the arm member 85 and the spring clip 40, and a holding recess 38 is provided on the other. When the spring clip 40 is in the restricted position P1, the holding protrusion 44 is inserted into the holding recess 38.

[0122] With this configuration, when the spring clip 40 is in the restricted position P1, the elastic force of the spring clip 40 always acts in a direction that prevents the holding protrusion 44 from coming out of the holding recess 38. Therefore, the spring clip 40 can be prevented from unexpectedly moving from the restricted position P1 to the retracted position P2. Furthermore, when the spring clip 40 is moved relatively from the retracted position P2 to the restricted position P1, the worker can clearly tell that the movement has been completed by the feeling transmitted to his / her hand when the holding protrusion 44 enters the holding recess 38.

[0123] In this embodiment, a curved surface 43 is formed at the end of the first contact portion 40a that faces the bottom apron belt 57. When the spring clip 40 is in the restricting position P1, the curved surface 43 comes into contact with the bottom apron belt 57 and moves the bottom apron belt 57.

[0124] As a result, the curved surface 43, which is formed so as not to be sharp, comes into contact with the bottom apron belt 57 and traverses the bottom apron belt 57. Therefore, damage to the bottom apron belt 57 can be prevented.

[0125] In this embodiment, the second contact portion 40b is formed with a tapered portion 46 that increases the distance between the second contact portion 40b and the arm member 85 as it approaches the end portion facing the bottom apron belt 57. When the spring clip 40 in the restricting position P1 is in contact with the bottom apron belt 57, the tapered portion 46 is spaced apart from the bottom apron belt 57.

[0126] This allows the spring clip 40 to be easily attached to the arm member 85 by utilizing the tapered portion 46 when manufacturing the draft device 5. Since the tapered portion 46 does not come into contact with the bottom apron belt 57 during traversal, damage to the bottom apron belt 57 can be prevented.

[0127] In the draft device 5 of this embodiment, the spring clip 40 is formed with a first guide recess 41 and a second guide recess 42. The first guide recess 41 includes a portion parallel to the upward direction D2. The second guide recess 42 includes a portion parallel to the upward direction D2. The arm member 85 includes a first guide protrusion 36 and a second guide protrusion 37. The first guide protrusion 36 is relatively movable along the first guide recess 41. The second guide protrusion 37 is relatively movable along the second guide recess 42. When the spring clip 40 in the restricting position P1 is viewed in the upward direction D2, at least one of the first contact portion 40a and the second contact portion 40b has a bent portion 45 that is convex toward the arm member 85. When the spring clip 40 in the restricting position P1 is viewed along the upward direction D2, the position CP1 where the bending portion 45 contacts the arm member 85 is located between the center of the first guide protrusion 36 and the center of the second guide protrusion 37 in the apron traverse direction D1.

[0128] This prevents the force that spring clip 40 applies to arm member 85 for clamping from being transmitted unevenly, making it possible to stabilize the attachment state of spring clip 40 to arm member 85.

[0129] In the draft device 5 of this embodiment, when viewed along the apron traverse direction D1, the first contact portion 40a and the second contact portion 40b have different relative protrusion distances L1, L2, which are distances by which the first contact portion 40a and the second contact portion 40b relatively protrude in the upward direction D2 from the intersection with the running path of the bottom apron belt 57. Of the first contact portion 40a and the second contact portion 40b, the first contact portion 40a, which has the larger relative protrusion distance, comes into contact with the bottom apron belt 57 and moves the bottom apron belt 57.

[0130] As a result, the bottom apron belt 57 is moved using the first contact portion 40a on the side with the larger effective restriction length, so that stable traversal of the bottom apron belt 57 can be achieved.

[0131] Next, a modified example will be described. In the description of this modified example, the same or similar components as those in the above-described embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0132] The draft device 5 may also be configured to include an arm member 85x shown in FIG. 10 instead of the spring clip 40 described above. The restricting member 40x is rotatably attached to the arm member 85x via a hinge 95. The arm member 85x and the restricting member 40x are plate-shaped members made of, for example, metal. Unlike the spring clip 40 described above, the restricting member 40x does not have any particular spring properties.

[0133] The restricting member 40x can move between a restricting position P1 shown by a solid line in Fig. 10 and a retracted position P2 shown by a chain line by rotating about the hinge shaft. In the modified example of Fig. 10, the hinge shaft is arranged parallel to the apron traverse direction D1, but is not limited to this. The rotation angle range of the restricting member 40x is approximately 180° in the example of Fig. 10, but is not limited to this and can be, for example, 90°.

[0134] 10, when the arm member 85x traverses the bottom apron belt 57, the regulating member 40x is fixed in place from the regulating position P1 by an appropriate method, such as, but not limited to, a pin, a screw, a clip, or a magnet.

[0135] The restricting member 40x may be configured to be detachable from the arm member 85x instead of connecting the restricting member 40x to the arm member 85x via the hinge 95. Possible methods for detachably attaching the restricting member 40x to the arm member 85x include, but are not limited to, screws, magnets, and the like.

[0136] The preferred embodiment and modifications of the present invention have been described above, but the above configurations can be modified, for example, as follows. Each modification may be made alone, or multiple modifications may be made in any combination.

[0137] The shapes of the first guide recess 41 and the second guide recess 42 can be modified as appropriate. For example, the spring clip 40 can be configured to move from the restricting position P1 to the retracted position P2 only by translation, or to move from the restricting position P1 to the retracted position P2 only by rotation about the first guide protrusion 36. The longitudinal direction of the first guide recess 41 (the longitudinal direction of the first guide portion 42a of the second guide recess 42) may be inclined with respect to the upward direction D2. At least one of the first guide recess 41 and the second guide recess 42 may be formed as a non-through groove.

[0138] Alternatively, the first guide recess 41 and the second guide recess 42 may be formed on the arm member 85 side, and the first guide protrusion 36 and the second guide protrusion 37 may be formed on the spring clip 40 side.

[0139] It is also possible to modify the configuration so that the holding protrusion 44 is formed on the arm member 85 and the holding recess 38 is formed on the spring clip 40. The holding protrusion 44 and the bent portion 45 may be omitted.

[0140] The spring clip 40 can also be arranged so that the connecting part 40c is on the side (support side S2) closer to the bottom apron belt 57. In this case, the arc surface of the connecting part 40c comes into contact with the bottom apron belt 57, causing the bottom apron belt 57 to move.

[0141] The curved surface 43 can be provided on the second contact portion 40b instead of or in addition to the first contact portion 40a. For example, if the metal plate material constituting the spring clip 40 is thick enough, the process of rolling it into a cylindrical shape to form the curved surface 43 can be omitted.

[0142] The tapered portion 46 may be provided on the first contact portion 40a instead of or in addition to the second contact portion 40b. For example, the tapered portion 46 may be formed on the first contact portion 40a, and the curved surface 43 may be formed at the end of the tapered portion 46. The spring clip 40 may also be configured without the tapered portion 46.

[0143] The bent portion 45 may be provided on the first contact portion 40a instead of or in addition to the second contact portion 40b.

[0144] The protrusion 35, the inclined protrusion 39, etc. may be configured as separate components from the arm member 85. The inclined protrusion 39 may also be omitted.

[0145] Instead of the cam mechanism, the reciprocating motion of the arm member 85 can be realized by, for example, a rack and pinion mechanism.

[0146] The apron traverse device 84 may be used to traverse the top apron belt 77. In this case, the arm member 85 may be disposed above the top apron belt 77, and the protrusion 35 and the spring clip 40 may be configured to protrude downward from the arm member 85. [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] 5 Draft device 10 Fiber bundle 35 Protrusion 36 First guide protrusion (first convex portion) 37 Second guide protrusion (second convex portion) 38 Retaining recess 40 Spring clip (restriction part) 40a First contact part 40b 2nd contact part 40c connection part 41 First guide recess 42 Second guide recess 42a First guide section 42b Second guidance section 43 Curved surface 44 Retaining protrusion 45 Bend 46 Tapered section 57 Bottom Apron Belt (Apron Belt) 85 Arm member (guide part) 86 Motor (drive unit) D1 Apron traverse direction (1st direction) D2 Up direction (second direction) D3 Rotation axis direction (third direction) P1 Regulation position (1st position) P2 Evacuation position (2nd position)

Claims

1. A drafting device for drafting a fiber bundle, an apron belt that circulates while contacting the fiber bundle; a guide portion for guiding the apron belt so as to traverse; a drive unit that drives the guide unit in a first direction; Equipped with The guide unit is a protrusion that protrudes in a second direction different from the first direction and moves the apron belt along the first direction; a restricting portion that moves the apron belt in a direction opposite to a direction in which the protruding portion moves the apron belt in the first direction; and The restriction portion is a first position that prevents the apron belt from slipping out in the first direction from between the restricting portion and the protruding portion; a second position that allows the apron belt to slip out from between the restricting portion and the protruding portion in the first direction; and the protrusion is movable relative to the protrusion between the A draft device characterized in that, when the regulating portion is in the first position, the regulating portion is located on the opposite side of the protruding portion across the apron belt in the first direction.

2. The drafting device according to claim 1, The draft device, wherein the regulating portion is capable of moving relatively between the first position and the second position while remaining attached to the guide portion.

3. The drafting device according to claim 2, the restricting portion is provided rotatably about an axis in a third direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, The draft device, wherein the regulating portion rotates during the relative movement between the first position and the second position.

4. The drafting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the restricting portion is attached to the guide portion so as to be movable parallel to the second direction, A draft device, characterized in that the regulating portion moves parallel to the second direction during the process of the relative movement between the first position and the second position.

5. The drafting device according to claim 3 or 4, a first guide recess and a second guide recess are formed in one of the restricting portion and the guide portion; the first guide recess includes a portion parallel to the second direction, the second guide recess includes a first guide portion parallel to the second direction and a second guide portion having a substantially arcuate shape; The other of the restricting portion and the guiding portion is a first protrusion that is relatively movable along the first guide recess; a second protrusion that is relatively movable along the second guide recess; Equipped with A draft device characterized in that, during the process of the regulating portion moving relatively between the first position and the second position, the regulating portion moves along the longitudinal direction of the first guide portion and rotates around the arc center of the second guide portion.

6. The drafting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the restricting portion is formed of an elastically deformable member separate from the guide portion, The restriction portion is a first contact portion that contacts the guide portion from one side in a third direction that is a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction; a second contact portion that contacts the guide portion from a side opposite to the first contact portion in the third direction; a connecting portion connecting the first contact portion and the second contact portion; and The draft device, wherein the regulating portion, in an elastically deformed state, clamps the guide portion between the first contact portion and the second contact portion.

7. The drafting device according to claim 6, a holding protrusion is provided on at least one of the guide portion and the restricting portion, and a holding recess is provided on the other of the guide portion and the restricting portion; A draft device, characterized in that when the regulating portion is in the first position, the holding protrusion is inserted into the holding recess.

8. The drafting device according to claim 6 or 7, At least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion has a curved surface formed at an end portion facing the apron belt, A draft device characterized in that, when the regulating portion is in the first position, the curved surface prevents the apron belt from slipping out in the first direction from between the regulating portion and the protrusion.

9. The drafting device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, At least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion has a tapered portion formed at an end portion facing the apron belt, the tapered portion increasing the distance between the tapered portion and the guide portion as the tapered portion approaches the first direction, The draft device according to claim 1, wherein when the regulating portion is in contact with the apron belt at the first position, the tapered portion is spaced apart from the apron belt.

10. The drafting device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, a first guide recess and a second guide recess are formed in one of the restricting portion and the guide portion; the first guide recess includes a portion parallel to the second direction, the second guide recess includes a portion parallel to the second direction, The other of the restricting portion and the guiding portion is a first protrusion that is relatively movable along the first guide recess; a second protrusion that is relatively movable along the second guide recess; Equipped with When the restricting portion at the first position is viewed along the second direction, at least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion has a bent portion that is convex toward the guide portion, A draft device characterized in that, when the regulating portion in the first position is viewed along the second direction, the position at which the bent portion contacts the guide portion is located between the center of the first convex portion and the center of the second convex portion in the first direction.

11. The drafting device according to any one of claims 6 to 10, When viewed along the first direction, the first contact portion and the second contact portion have different relative protruding distances, which are distances that the first contact portion and the second contact portion protrude relatively in the second direction from an intersection with a running path of the apron belt, and A draft device characterized in that when the regulating portion is in the first position, the one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion with the larger relative protrusion distance prevents the apron belt from slipping out in the first direction from between the regulating portion and the protrusion.

Images