Fiber bundle concentrating apparatus

Abstract

To provide a fiber bundle collecting device capable of improving workability of attaching / detaching a counter shaft to / from a holding part.SOLUTION: In the fiber bundle concentrating device, the couplings 70 are arranged one by one between the holding parts 502b adjacent to each other in the axial direction, and the counter shafts 30 adjacent to each other in the axial direction are connected by the couplings 70 between the holding parts 502b adjacent to each other in the axial direction. A length L of the counter shaft 30 is equal to or less than a length P1 between a facing side 502b of the holding part side 502c adjacent in the axial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A fiber bundle concentrating device of a spinning machine pre-concentrates fiber bundles drafted by a drafting device before twisting. This concentrating improves yarn quality, such as reduced fuzz and increased yarn strength. The fiber bundle concentrating device is supported on a roller stand of the spinning machine. As disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, such a fiber bundle concentrating device includes a rotating shaft that rotates a delivery bottom roller that conveys the fiber bundle, a condensing unit that concentrates the drafted fiber bundle, and multiple countershafts that drive the rotating shaft. A passive gear that receives drive from the countershaft is attached to the rotating shaft, and a driving gear that meshes with the passive gear is attached to the countershaft. The multiple countershafts are connected by couplings corresponding to the multiple condensing units. In addition, the countershafts are generally rotatably supported via bearings by a holding portion of the roller stand. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-108077 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a fiber bundle collecting device, when maintenance or replacement of any or all of the multiple countershafts becomes necessary, the countershafts are detached from and attached to the holding unit. However, the fiber bundle collecting device of Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the ease of detaching and attaching the countershafts to the holding unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A fiber bundle collecting device that solves the above-mentioned problems includes a delivery bottom roller that conveys a fiber bundle, a suction section that applies a suction effect to the fiber bundle, a ventilation apron that rotates along the suction section, and a delivery top roller that rotates together with the delivery bottom roller that comes into contact with the delivery bottom roller via the ventilation apron, and collects the drafted fiber bundle; a countershaft that rotates the delivery bottom roller, the countershafts being aligned in the axial direction of the countershaft; a coupling that connects adjacent countershafts in the axial direction and rotates integrally with the countershaft; and a plurality of holding sections that rotatably support the countershafts via bearings, wherein one coupling is disposed between each of the holding sections that are adjacent in the axial direction, and the countershafts that are adjacent in the axial direction are connected by the coupling between the holding sections that are adjacent in the axial direction, and the dimension of the countershaft in the axial direction is equal to or less than the distance between facing surfaces of adjacent holding sections in the axial direction.

[0006] With this, the axial dimension of the countershaft is equal to or less than the distance between the opposing holding parts in the axial direction, so the countershaft can be removed from or inserted between the opposing holding parts. Therefore, when attaching or detaching the countershaft to or from the holding parts, it is not necessary to adjust the distance between the holding parts in the axial direction of the countershaft, which improves the workability of removing and attaching the countershaft to or from the holding parts.

[0007] The fiber bundle collecting device preferably has support plates that are integrated on both sides of the holding unit in the axial direction, through which the counter shaft passes, and that support the delivery bottom roller and the suction unit, and wherein, when the dimension of the counter shaft in the axial direction is L, the dimension of the holding unit in the axial direction is T, the distance between the holding units adjacent in the axial direction is P, and the dimension of the support plate in the axial direction is S, the relationship L>PT-2S holds.

[0008] According to this, the axial dimension of the countershaft is smaller than the distance between the opposing holding parts in the axial direction, so the countershaft can be easily removed from or inserted between the opposing holding parts. Also, the axial dimension of the countershaft is longer than the distance between the opposing support plates in the axial direction. This allows the countershaft to be supported by the axially opposing support plates. Then, the countershaft can be inserted into the bearings of the holding parts while the countershaft is supported by the support plates. As a result, the countershaft can be easily attached to the holding parts.

[0009] In the fiber bundle collecting device, the counter shafts adjacent in the axial direction are connected by the coupling with a gap between their ends opposing in the axial direction, and when the gap between the ends opposing in the axial direction is defined as (T+α) obtained by adding a width α to the axial dimension T of the holding part, it is preferable that L≦P−(T+α) be satisfied.

[0010] This allows the axial dimension of the countershaft to be shorter than the distance between the opposing holding parts in the axial direction by a margin of the width α, allowing for ample space when removing the countershaft from between the opposing holding parts in the axial direction and inserting it between the opposing holding parts. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The present invention can improve the workability of removing and attaching the countershaft to the holding portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a spinning machine. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the roller stand and the support plate. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a fiber bundle concentrating device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view showing the holding portion and the counter shaft. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a coupling and a countershaft. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the countershaft inserted between the holding parts. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the second small diameter portion is attached to the second holding portion. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the countershaft being removed. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a support plate according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An embodiment of the fiber bundle concentrating device will be described below. Note that in Fig. 4 to Fig. 8, the drawings are shown schematically to make them easier to see. <Spinning machine> 1, the spinning machine 10 has a draft device 11, a fiber bundle concentrating device 20, a plurality of roller stands 50, a support plate 51 integrated with the roller stands 50, an out-end head 101, and a gear-end head 102. The direction in which the out-end head 101 and the gear-end head 102 face each other is defined as the longitudinal direction X of the spinning machine 10. The direction perpendicular to the vertical direction Z and the longitudinal direction X is defined as the left-right direction Y.

[0014] 2, the spinning machine 10 has a draft device 11 and a fiber bundle bundling device 20 on both sides in the left-right direction Y. Since the draft device 11 and the fiber bundle bundling device 20 have the same configuration on both sides in the left-right direction Y, only the draft device 11 and the fiber bundle bundling device 20 on one side will be described.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, the gear end head 102 incorporates a front bottom roller driving unit 103 and a counter shaft driving unit 104. Both the front bottom roller driving unit 103 and the counter shaft driving unit 104 are motors. The front bottom roller driving unit 103 rotates a rotation shaft 112a of a front bottom roller 112 of the draft device 11, which will be described later. The counter shaft driving unit 104 rotates a counter shaft 30 of the fiber bundle collecting device 20, which will be described later. The axial direction of the counter shaft 30 coincides with the longitudinal direction X. In other words, the central axis of the counter shaft 30 extends in the longitudinal direction X.

[0016] The roller stands 50 are arranged between the out-end head 101 and the gear-end head 102 in the longitudinal direction X, and are arranged at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction X. The position of each roller stand 50 in the longitudinal direction X is adjustable.

[0017] 1 and 2, the roller stand 50 has a base portion 501 disposed in the center of the spinning machine 10 in the left-right direction Y, and extension portions 502 extending to the right and left from the base portion 501. A pair of support plates 51 is fixed to each of the extension portions 502.

[0018] Each roller stand 50 rotatably supports multiple rotating bodies on each extension portion 502. Fig. 2 shows the front bottom roller 112 as a rotating body and the extension portion 502 that rotatably supports the countershaft 30. The extension portion 502 has a support portion 502a that supports the rotation shaft 112a of the front bottom roller 112. The support portion 502a is recessed in an arc shape from the upper edge of the extension portion 502.

[0019] The extension portion 502 has a holding portion 502b that holds the 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.

[0020] The support plate 51 is integrated with both sides (both side surfaces in the longitudinal direction X) of the holding portion 502b in the axial direction of the countershaft 30. The support plate 51 is formed with a shaft recess 51a through which the countershaft 30 passes, and a support recess 51b for supporting a part of the fiber bundle collecting device 20. The shaft recess 51a is recessed from the upper end edge of the support plate 51. The shaft recess 51a is also arranged in a position aligned with the bearing 52 held by the holding portion 502b in the longitudinal direction X. The countershaft 30 inserted into the bearing 52 passes through the shaft recess 51a. Therefore, the holding portion 502b rotatably supports the countershafts 30 one by one via the bearings 52.

[0021] Furthermore, support recess 51b is located closer to the tip of support plate 51 (opposite the center in the left-right direction Y) than shaft recess 51a, and is recessed from the upper edge of support plate 51. A pair of support plates 51 integrated with holding portion 502b supports end cap 21a of condensation unit 21 at support recess 51b.

[0022] Of the support plates 51 integrated on both sides of the holding portion 502b, a positioning jig 65 is fixed to the support plate 51 closest to the coupling 70, which will be described later. The positioning jig 65 has an attachment piece 65a for attaching to the support plate 51 and a positioning piece 65b extending from the attachment piece 65a in the longitudinal direction X.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, of the plurality of front bottom rollers 112, the front bottom roller 112 closest to the positioning jig 65 in the longitudinal direction X is the closest roller 112b, and the front bottom roller 112 adjacent to the closest roller 112b is the adjacent roller 112c.

[0024] The tip end surface of the positioning piece 65b in the longitudinal direction X is located slightly closer to the adjacent roller 112c than the closest roller 112b. The coupling 70, which will be described later, is brought into contact with the tip end surface of the positioning piece 65b, thereby positioning the coupling 70 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0025] <Draft device> 1 and 3, the draft device 11 has a back roller pair and a middle roller pair (not shown), and a front roller pair 111. The front roller pair 111 is disposed downstream of the back roller pair and the middle roller pair in the delivery direction of the fiber bundle F. The delivery direction of the fiber bundle F is a direction from the base portion 501 of the roller stand 50 toward the tip of the extending portion 502.

[0026] The front roller pair 111 includes a 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 front bottom roller 112 is formed by expanding the diameter of a rotation shaft 112a at multiple locations in the axial direction. Therefore, the front bottom roller 112 rotates integrally with the rotation shaft 112a. The rotation shaft 112a, and therefore the front bottom roller 112, is rotated by the front bottom roller driving unit 103. The rotation shaft 112a of the front bottom roller 112 is rotatably supported by support units 502a of multiple roller stands 50. In other words, the roller stands 50 rotatably support the rotation shaft 112a, which rotates integrally with the front bottom roller 112. The front top roller 113 is rotatably supported by a support arm (not shown).

[0027] The draft device 11 drafts the fiber bundle F by utilizing the difference in peripheral speed between the front roller pair 111 and the unillustrated middle and back roller pairs. The fiber bundle F drafted by the draft device 11 is sent from the front roller pair 111 toward the fiber bundle collecting device 20.

[0028] <Fiber bundle concentrating device> 1, the fiber bundle collecting device 20 is disposed between the out-end head 101 and the gear end head 102 in the longitudinal direction X. The fiber bundle collecting device 20 has a plurality of condensing units 21, a plurality of counter shafts 30, a plurality of couplings 70, and a plurality of holding portions 502b.

[0029] <Condensation Unit> The condensing unit 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 front roller pair 111 while sucking it.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, one condensing unit 21 has a plurality of delivery bottom rollers 23, one suction section 24, the same number of ventilation aprons 25 as the number of delivery bottom rollers 23, the same number of guide sections 29 as the number of delivery bottom rollers 23, a plurality of delivery top rollers 26 as the number of delivery bottom rollers 23, and a pair of end caps 21a.

[0031] The plurality of delivery bottom rollers 23 are provided on the circumferential surface of a delivery rotation shaft 23a that rotates integrally with the plurality of delivery bottom rollers 23. The plurality of 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 rotation shaft that rotates the delivery bottom rollers 23.

[0032] The delivery rotation shaft 23a has a driven gear 23b on its circumferential surface. The driven gear 23b rotates integrally with the delivery rotation shaft 23a and, ultimately, the delivery bottom roller 23. The delivery bottom roller 23, together with the delivery top roller 26, nips the fiber bundle F and the ventilation apron 25, and conveys the gathered fiber bundle F while delivering it in the delivery direction.

[0033] The suction section 24 has a pipe shape that is long in the longitudinal direction X. As shown in Fig. 3, the suction section 24 has a plurality of suction holes 24a. The plurality of suction holes 24a are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction X. The suction section 24 applies a suction effect to the fiber bundle F delivered in the delivery direction by the front roller pair 111, and focuses the fiber bundle F while sucking it.

[0034] The ventilation aprons 25 are formed of an endless woven fabric that ensures breathability. Each ventilation aprons 25 is wrapped around the delivery bottom roller 23, the portion of the suction section 24 where the suction holes 24a are formed, and the guide section 29. The suction section 24 applies a suction effect to the conveyed fiber bundle F via the ventilation aprons 25. The ventilation aprons 25 are rotated along the suction section 24, the delivery bottom roller 23, and the guide section 29.

[0035] The delivery top roller 26 is a rubber roller. Each delivery bottom roller 23 is disposed in a position facing the delivery top roller 26. The ventilation apron 25 passes between the delivery top roller 26 and the delivery bottom roller 23. Each delivery bottom roller 23 rotates together with the delivery bottom roller 23 that it comes into contact with via the ventilation apron 25.

[0036] The end caps 21a are located at both axial ends of the delivery rotation shaft 23a and the suction part 24. The end caps 21a rotatably support the delivery rotation shaft 23a and also support the suction part 24.

[0037] 1, one condensing unit 21 is supported by support plates 51 facing each other in the longitudinal direction X, between roller stands 50 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X. Specifically, one condensing unit 21 is supported by a pair of support plates 51 with the end caps 21a inserted into the support recesses 51b. Therefore, the support plates 51 have the countershaft 30 passing therethrough and support the delivery bottom roller 23 and the suction unit 24.

[0038] <Countershaft details> 4, the countershafts 30 are aligned in the axial direction of the countershafts 30. The countershafts 30 are aligned in the longitudinal direction X so as to be positioned on the same straight line. Each countershaft 30 rotates the delivery bottom roller 23 via a power transmission device 40, which will be described later.

[0039] The countershaft 30 has a long large diameter portion 301, a first small diameter portion 302 extending from a first axial end of the large diameter portion 301, and a second small diameter portion 303 extending from a second axial 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 located coaxially. The large diameter portion 301 has the same diameter in the axial direction, and the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 also have the same diameter in the axial direction. The axial dimension of the large diameter portion 301 is larger than the axial dimension of the first small diameter portion 302 and the axial dimension of the second small diameter portion 303. The axial dimension of the first small diameter portion 302 is smaller than the axial dimension of the second small diameter portion 303. The diameter of the first small diameter portion 302 and the diameter of the second small diameter portion 303 are the same.

[0040] Each countershaft 30 has its second small diameter portion 303 inserted into a holding portion 502b, and is rotatably supported by the holding portion 502b. Therefore, the roller stand 50 including each holding portion 502b rotatably supports the countershaft 30 via the bearings 52.

[0041] The first small diameter portion 302 of each countershaft 30 is spaced away from the holding portion 502b adjacent to it in the longitudinal direction X toward the out-end head 101 side. The first small diameter portion 302 of each countershaft 30 is connected to that first small diameter portion 302 by a coupling 70 together with a second small diameter portion 303 of another countershaft 30 that passes through the holding portion 502b adjacent to it on the gear end head 102 side. Therefore, in the fiber bundle collecting device 20, one coupling 70 is disposed between each of the holding portions 502b adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the countershafts 30, and the countershafts 30 adjacent to each other in the axial direction are connected by the coupling 70 between the holding portions 502b adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the countershafts 30.

[0042] <Coupling> As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the coupling 70 has a first connecting member 72, a second connecting member 73, and a bolt 80. The axial direction of the coupling 70 is the axial direction of the first connecting member 72 and the second connecting member 73, and the radial direction of the coupling 70 is the radial direction of the first connecting member 72 and the second connecting member 73. The first connecting member 72 and the second connecting member 73 are semi-cylindrical. The first connecting member 72 and the second connecting member 73 each have an accommodating recess 74. The accommodating recess 74 is a recess for accommodating the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303. The first connecting member 72 and the second connecting member 73 each have mating surfaces 75 that radially sandwich the accommodating recess 74.

[0043] Insertion holes 72b are formed in the first connecting member 72. The insertion holes 72b open to the outer surface and mating surface 75 of the first connecting member 72. The insertion holes 72b are aligned in a row in the axial direction of the first connecting member 72 along the accommodating recess 74. The insertion holes 72b are arranged on both sides of the accommodating recess 74 so as to sandwich the accommodating recess 74 in the radial direction.

[0044] The second connecting member 73 has a female thread 77 formed thereon. The female thread 77 communicates between the outer surface of the second connecting member 73 and the mating surface 75. The female threads 77 are aligned in a row in the axial direction of the second connecting member 73 along the accommodating recess 74. The female threads 77 are arranged on both sides of the accommodating recess 74 so as to sandwich the accommodating recess 74 in the radial direction. The second connecting member 73 has a positioning pin 78 protruding from the inner surface that defines the accommodating recess 74.

[0045] The bolt 80 is inserted into the insertion hole 72b of the first connecting member 72 and is screwed into the female thread 77 of the second connecting member 73. By screwing the bolt 80 into the female thread 77, the first connecting member 72 and the second connecting member 73 are tightened so that they approach each other. By tightening with this bolt 80, the coupling 70 is formed.

[0046] The first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 are sandwiched between the accommodating recess 74 of the first connecting member 72 and the accommodating recess 74 of the second connecting member 73. This connects the countershafts 30 to each other. Therefore, the coupling 70 connects the countershafts 30 adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the countershafts 30 and rotates integrally with the countershafts 30. Note that the first small diameter portion 302 comes into contact with the positioning pin 78, thereby restricting movement of the first small diameter portion 302 toward the second small diameter portion 303 in the axial direction of the coupling 70.

[0047] A required dimension N for each of the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 to be sandwiched by the coupling 70 is specified in order to ensure the connection strength of the coupling 70. When both the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 are simultaneously sandwiched by the coupling 70 by the required dimension N, the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 are connected to each other.

[0048] The axial dimension of the coupling 70 is such that, when the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 are sandwiched together with the required dimension N secured, a desired gap d is formed between the ends of the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303. Therefore, the countershafts 30 adjacent to each other in the axial direction are connected by the coupling 70 with the gap d between the ends facing each other in the axial direction.

[0049] An upper limit and a lower limit are set for the axial dimension of the coupling 70. The coupling strength provided by the coupling 70 is preferably increased as the axial dimension of the coupling 70 increases, because the area sandwiching the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 increases. However, in order to avoid interference between the fiber bundle F delivered from the front roller pair 111 and the coupling 70, the axial dimension of the coupling 70 is set smaller than the dimension between the adjacent front bottom rollers 112 in the longitudinal direction X, specifically, the dimension between the closest roller 112b and the adjacent roller 112c. For this reason, the upper limit of the axial dimension of the coupling 70 is set to be equal to or smaller than the dimension between the adjacent front bottom rollers 112 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0050] On the other hand, as the axial dimension of the coupling 70 becomes smaller, the gap d formed between the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 becomes smaller when the required dimension N of the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 is ensured. The presence of this gap d allows the countershafts 30 to move in the longitudinal direction X between adjacent countershafts 30 when the connection by the coupling 70 is released. Therefore, as the gap d formed between the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 becomes smaller, movement of the countershafts 30 becomes more difficult, which is undesirable.

[0051] Furthermore, in order to insert the countershaft 30 between the holding parts 502b adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X or to remove the countershaft 30 from between the holding parts 502b adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X, the countershaft 30 needs to be pulled out of the holding parts 502b. For this reason, the countershaft 30 needs to be able to move in its axial direction by at least the thickness T of the holding parts 502b.

[0052] Therefore, the axial dimension of the coupling 70 is set to a value that ensures the required dimension N of the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 while also ensuring the desired dimension of the gap d to enable movement of the countershaft 30.

[0053] In this embodiment, the size of the gap d between the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 is a value obtained by adding the width α to the thickness T of the retaining portion 502b. In other words, the gap d between the end of the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 that face each other in the axial direction of the countershaft 30 is set to [T+α].

[0054] For this reason, when the countershaft 30 is connected by the coupling 70, a gap d of [T+α] is secured on both axial sides of the countershaft 30. Therefore, when the coupling 70 is removed, the countershaft 30 can move in the longitudinal direction X by a distance of up to the gap d on each axial side of the countershaft 30.

[0055] 4, the countershaft 30 has a drive gear 31 at an end thereof closer to the second small diameter portion 303 in the axial direction. The drive gear 31 rotates integrally with the countershaft 30. The countershaft 30 rotates to rotate the delivery bottom rollers 23 of each condensing unit 21.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 1, of the multiple countershafts 30, the countershaft 30 closest to the gear end head 102 is connected to a countershaft drive unit 104. When the countershaft 30 closest to the gear end head 102 is rotated by the countershaft drive unit 104, the other countershafts 30 connected by the couplings 70 also rotate. Therefore, the countershaft 30 is driven independently of the front bottom roller 112, which is one of the front roller pair 111.

[0057] <Power transmission device> The power transmission device 40 has a driven gear 23b provided on the circumferential surface of the delivery rotation shaft 23a, a driving gear 31 provided on the circumferential surface of the counter shaft 30, and an intermediate gear 41 meshed with the driven gear 23b and the driving gear 31. The counter shaft 30 and the delivery bottom roller 23 are connected via the power transmission device 40.

[0058] The intermediate gear 41 is fixed to the support plate 51 via a gear bracket 42. The gear bracket 42 is fixed to the support plate 51 closest to the drive gear 31 out of the pair of support plates 51.

[0059] All the counter shafts 30 rotate synchronously by the counter shaft drive unit 104. When the counter shaft 30 rotates, the drive gear 31 rotates together with the counter shaft 30. The rotation of the drive gear 31 is transmitted to the intermediate gear 41, and the intermediate gear 41 rotates. The rotation of the intermediate gear 41 is transmitted to the driven gear 23b. Then, the delivery rotary shaft 23a integrated with the driven gear 23b, and thus the delivery bottom roller 23 also rotates.

[0060] <Counter shaft, roller stand, and support plate> As shown in FIG. 4, the dimension in the axial direction of the counter shaft 30 is defined as the length L. The length L of the counter shaft 30 is the dimension of the counter shaft 30 from the tip of the first small-diameter portion 302 to the tip of the second small-diameter portion 303.

[0061] In the roller stand 50, the dimension in the longitudinal direction X at the holding portion 502b is the thickness T. Also, in the holding portion 502b adjacent in the longitudinal direction X, the arrangement interval between the adjacent holding portions 502b is defined as the pitch P. The pitch P is the distance between the central positions in the longitudinal direction X of the adjacent holding portions 502b. That is, the pitch P is the distance between the adjacent holding portions 502b in the longitudinal direction X. In the support plate 51, the dimension in the longitudinal direction X is defined as the thickness S.

[0062] The length L of the counter shaft 30 is set to a dimension such that the counter shaft 30 can be inserted between a pair of holding portions 502b facing each other in the longitudinal direction X or the counter shaft 30 can be taken out. In the present embodiment, the length L of the counter shaft 30 is shorter than the distance P1 between the facing surfaces 502c of the holding portions 502b adjacent in the axial direction. Therefore, the following formula (1) holds.

[0063] L < P1 = P - T … Formula (1) [P-T] is the distance P1 between the facing surfaces 502c of the holding portions 502b facing each other in the longitudinal direction X. One of the pair of opposing holding portions 502b is defined as the first holding portion 53a, and the other is defined as the 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.

[0064] Also, a support plate 51 fixed to the first holding portion 53a, and the support plate 51 facing the support plate 51 fixed to the second holding portion 53b is defined as the first support plate 54a. Further, a support plate 51 fixed to the second holding portion 53b, and the support plate 51 facing the first support plate 54a of the first holding portion 53a is defined as the second support plate 54b. There is no holding portion 502b intervening between the first support plate 54a and the second support plate 54b.

[0065] Also, the length L of the countershaft 30 is a dimension such that the following formula (2) holds. L > P - T - 2S … Formula (2) [P - T - 2S] is the distance P2 between the facing surfaces 54a1, 54b1 of the first support plate 54a and the second support plate 54b. By the fact that the above formula (2) holds, the countershaft 30 in the temporarily placed state can be supported by the support recess 51b of the first support plate 54a and the support recess 51b of the second support plate 54b.

[0066] From the above, the length L of the countershaft 30 is a dimension such that the following formula (3) holds. P - T < L < P - T - 2S … Formula (3) In the present embodiment, the countershaft 30 is set to a dimension such that it can be taken out from between the first holding portion 53a and the second holding portion 53b after being withdrawn from the second holding portion 53b that supports the countershaft 30. Therefore, the following formula (4) holds.

[0067] L ≤ P - (T + α) … Formula (4) As described above, [T+α] is the size of the gap d in the longitudinal direction X between the ends of the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 connected by the coupling 70. Therefore, if the length L of the countershaft 30 is equal to or less than [P-(T+α)], the countershaft 30 can be moved in the longitudinal direction X by the dimension of the gap d of [T+α]. As a result, the countershaft 30 can be removed from the retaining portion 502b and placed between the retaining portions 502b adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X.

[0068] [Countershaft installation] A method for attaching the countershaft 30 while supporting it on the roller stand 50 will be described. It is assumed that the condensation unit 21 has been removed from between the roller stands 50. An inner ring (not shown) of the bearing 52 is integrated with each of the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303.

[0069] 6, the worker places the first small diameter portion 302 of the countershaft 30 in the support recess 51b of the first support plate 54a, and places the second small diameter portion 303 in the support recess 51b of the second support plate 54b. As a result, the first small diameter portion 302 of the countershaft 30 is adjacent in the longitudinal direction X to the bearing 52 held by the first holding portion 53a, and the second small diameter portion 303 is adjacent in the longitudinal direction X to the bearing 52 held by the second holding portion 53b.

[0070] Next, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 7 , the worker moves the countershaft 30 toward the bearing 52 of the second retaining portion 53b. The second small diameter portion 303 is then inserted into the second retaining portion 53b and supported by the bearing 52 held by the second retaining portion 53b. The first small diameter portion 302 moves away from the side surface of the first retaining portion 53a to the right in FIG. 7 . As a result, each countershaft 30 is rotatably supported by the second retaining portion 53b. The worker performs the same procedure as above for each countershaft 30. Note that when focusing on one countershaft 30, the second small diameter portion 303 of that countershaft 30 is supported by the second retaining portion 53b and moves away from the first retaining portion 53a. However, the second small diameter portion 303 of another countershaft 30 is supported by the first retaining portion 53a of the countershaft 30.

[0071] 5, the worker brings the second connecting member 73 of the coupling 70 into contact with the tip surface of the positioning piece 65b. As a result, the second connecting member 73 is positioned closer to the adjacent roller 112c than the closest roller 112b, and is positioned between the closest roller 112b and the adjacent roller 112c.

[0072] Next, the worker accommodates the second small diameter portion 303 of another countershaft 30, which has penetrated the first retaining portion 53a, by the required dimension N into the accommodation recess 74 of the positioned second connecting member 73. Next, the worker moves the countershaft 30 toward the second connecting member 73 until the first small diameter portion 302 of the countershaft 30 supported by the second retaining portion 53b contacts the positioning pin 78 of the second connecting member 73. This results in the first small diameter portion 302 being accommodated in the accommodation recess 74 by the required dimension N. In addition, a gap d of [T + α] is secured between the ends of the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303. The worker then assembles the first connecting member 72 to the second connecting member 73 and integrates the first connecting member 72 and the second connecting member 73 with the bolts 80 to form the coupling 70.

[0073] The worker performs the same operation on the other countershafts 30 to connect the multiple countershafts 30 with the couplings 70. As a result, the multiple countershafts 30 are integrated together with the multiple couplings 70.

[0074] [Removing the countershaft] For example, suppose that the countershaft 30 needs to be replaced due to deterioration of the drive gear 31. The worker unscrews the bolts 80 from the female threads 77 of the couplings 70 connected to both sides of the countershaft 30 to be replaced and to the gear end head 102 side of the countershaft 30 on the gear end head 102 side of the countershaft 30, and disassembles the couplings 70 into a first connecting member 72 and a second connecting member 73. The countershaft 30 to be replaced will be referred to as a replacement countershaft 30A, and the countershaft 30 adjacent to the replacement countershaft 30A on the gear end head 102 side will be referred to as an adjacent countershaft 30B.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 8, the worker moves the adjacent countershaft 30B toward the gear end head 102. This moves the adjacent countershaft 30B toward the gear end head 102 by the gap d of [T + α]. As a result, the second small diameter portion 303 of the adjacent countershaft 30B enters the retaining portion 502b that supported the adjacent countershaft 30B. Next, the worker moves the replacement countershaft 30A toward the gear end head 102. At this time, the replacement countershaft 30A moves toward the gear end head 102 by the gap d of [T + α] that was secured on the gear end head 102 side of the replacement countershaft 30A, in addition to the gap d of [T + α] that the adjacent countershaft 30B has moved. In other words, the replacement countershaft 30A moves toward the gear end head 102 by a distance twice the gap d. As a result, the second small diameter portion 303 of the replacement countershaft 30A comes out of the holding portion 502b that supported it, and is positioned between the holding portions 502b that face each other in the longitudinal direction X. The replacement countershaft 30A is also supported by the support plates 51 of both holding portions 502b. After that, the worker pulls the replacement countershaft 30A out of the support recess 51b, and then removes it from between the opposing holding portions 502b. This completes the removal of the countershaft 30A.

[0076] [Countershaft installation] With the adjacent countershaft 30B still moved toward the gear end head 102, the worker places the first small diameter portion 302 of the new countershaft 30 in the support recess 51b of the support plate 51 on the gear end head 102 side, and places the second small diameter portion 303 in the support recess 51b of the support plate 51 on the outer end head 101 side. As a result, the new countershaft 30 is inserted between the holding portions 502b facing each other in the longitudinal direction X.

[0077] Next, the worker supports the inserted new countershaft 30 on the holding portion 502b on the out-end head 101 side in the same manner as when assembling the countershaft 30 described above. Next, the worker moves the adjacent countershaft 30B toward the out-end head 101 side. At this time, the adjacent countershaft 30B is moved toward the out-end head 101 side by the gap d. As a result, the new countershaft 30 and the adjacent countershaft 30B are arranged so that they are separated by the gap d of [T + α]. Furthermore, the countershaft 30 on the gear end head 102 side is also arranged so that it is separated by the gap d of [T + α] from the adjacent countershaft 30B.

[0078] Thereafter, the worker couples the countershafts 30 together using the coupling 70. [Effects of the embodiment] According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0079] (1) The length L of the countershaft 30 is shorter than the distance P1 between the opposing faces 502c of the holding parts 502b facing each other in the longitudinal direction X. This makes it possible to remove the countershaft 30 from between the opposing holding parts 502b and insert the countershaft 30 between the opposing holding parts 502b. This eliminates the need to adjust the spacing between adjacent roller stands 50 in the longitudinal direction X when removing or attaching the countershaft 30, making it easier to remove or attach the countershaft 30.

[0080] (2) Equation (2) holds true for the length L of the countershaft 30. Therefore, the countershaft 30 can be temporarily placed and supported in the support recesses 51b of a pair of support plates 51 that face each other in the longitudinal direction X. As a result, the countershaft 30 can be easily supported by the holding portions 502b that face each other in the longitudinal direction X. In particular, when the countershaft 30 is supported in the support recesses 51b, the countershaft 30 is adjacent to the bearings 52 of the holding portions 502b in the longitudinal direction X. Therefore, by moving the countershaft 30 toward the holding portions 502b in the longitudinal direction X, the countershaft 30 can be inserted into the bearings 52. This facilitates the operation of supporting the countershaft 30 by the holding portions 502b.

[0081] (3) Equation (4) holds true for the length L of the countershaft 30. The length L of the countershaft 30 is shorter than the distance P1 between the opposing faces 502c of the holding parts 502b that face each other in the longitudinal direction X, with a margin of error. As a result, the countershaft 30 can be easily removed from between the opposing holding parts 502b and inserted between the opposing holding parts 502b.

[0082] (4) The countershafts 30 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X are connected by a coupling 70. The coupling 70 sandwiches the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 by the required dimension N, and connects the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 with a gap d of [T+α] between them. Therefore, when disconnecting the countershafts 30 from each other, the gap d can be used to move the countershafts 30 in the longitudinal direction X. As a result, the countershafts 30 can be easily disconnected from each other.

[0083] (5) The shorter the length L of the countershaft 30, the easier it is to insert or remove the countershaft 30 between the holding portions 502b adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X. However, if the length L of the countershaft 30 is too short, the axial dimension of the coupling 70 that connects the countershafts 30 together becomes long. As a result, it becomes difficult to manufacture the coupling 70, or even if it can be manufactured, it results in increased manufacturing costs, which is undesirable.

[0084] In contrast, the coupling 70 has a length that allows the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 to be connected while being separated by a gap d of [T+α], while ensuring the required dimension N of the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303. This makes it possible to easily attach and detach the counter shaft 30 to and from the holding portion 502b, while suppressing an increase in the manufacturing cost of the coupling 70.

[0085] (6) The countershaft 30 has a large diameter portion 301 and first and second small diameter portions 302 and 303 that are smaller in diameter than the large diameter portion 301. To prevent twisting of the countershaft 30 during operation of the spinning machine 10, it is preferable that the large diameter portion 301 has a large axial dimension and the first and second small diameter portions 302 and 303 have small axial dimensions. Therefore, the first and second small diameter portions 302 and 303 have a minimum length that ensures the required dimension N. The coupling 70 sandwiches the first and second small diameter portions 302 and 303 with the required dimension N, while the gap d is set small so as not to increase the axial length of the coupling 70. As a result, the fiber bundle collecting device 20 can easily attach and detach the countershaft 30 while preventing twisting of the countershaft 30 and ensuring the strength of the connection between the countershafts 30 by the coupling 70.

[0086] [Example of change] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0087] 9, the support plate 51 may have a shaft hole 51c instead of the shaft recess 51a. In this case, the countershaft 30 cannot be inserted from above the support plate 51. In other words, the countershaft 30 must pass through the support plate 51 in the plate thickness direction.

[0088] The length L of the countershaft 30 needs to be shorter than the distance P2 between the opposing surfaces 54a1 and 54b1 of the first support plate 54a and the second support plate 54b that face each other in the longitudinal direction X. For this reason, the length L of the countershaft 30 is set to the following formula (5) taking into account the thickness S of the two support plates 51.

[0089] L≦P-(T+2S)…Formula (5) The length L of the countershaft 30 may be equal to the distance [PT]. In other words, the following equation (6) may be satisfied.

[0090] L=PT…Equation (6) Even if the length L of the countershaft 30 is equal to the distance [PT], it is possible to insert the countershaft 30 between the first retaining portion 53a and the second retaining portion 53b and to remove the countershaft 30 from between the first retaining portion 53a and the second retaining portion 53b. However, if the length L of the countershaft 30 becomes longer than the distance [PT] due to a manufacturing tolerance of the countershaft 30, it becomes difficult to insert and remove the countershaft 30. For this reason, the countershaft 30 has a manufacturing tolerance set only in the direction that shortens the length L.

[0091] There may be two types of countershafts 30 with different axial dimensions. In this case, the lengths L of the two types of countershafts 30 may satisfy formula (1) or formula (6).

[0092] When the first small diameter portion 302 and the second small diameter portion 303 are sandwiched by the coupling 70, they do not necessarily have to be separated by the gap d. Even if there is no gap d, for example, it is sufficient to shift the position of the roller stand 50 closest to the gear end head 102 in the longitudinal direction X, remove the counter shaft 30 closest to the gear end head 102, and then move the adjacent counter shaft 30B appropriately so that the replacement counter shaft 30A can be removed.

[0093] The countershaft 30 may be formed only by the large diameter portion 301. In this case, the coupling 70 has a larger area for holding the countershafts 30, and therefore can firmly connect the countershafts 30 to each other. Also, the coupling 70 may have an axially stepped installation recess 74 so that it can sandwich both the large diameter portion 301 and each of the small diameter portions 302, 303. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] α...width, d...gap, F...fiber bundle, L...axial dimension of countershaft, P...pitch as the distance between holding portions, S...axial dimension of support plate, T...axial dimension of holding portion, 20...fiber bundle concentrating device, 21...condensing unit, 23...delivery bottom roller, 24...suction portion, 25...ventilation apron, 26...delivery top roller, 30...countershaft, 50...roller stand, 51...support plate, 52...bearing, 53a...first holding portion, 53b...second holding portion, 54a...first support plate, 54b...second support plate, 70...coupling, 502b...holding portion, 502c...opposite side.

Claims

1. a condensing unit that includes a delivery bottom roller that conveys a fiber bundle, a suction section that exerts a suction effect on the fiber bundle, a ventilation apron that rotates along the suction section, and a delivery top roller that rotates together with the delivery bottom roller that comes into contact with the delivery bottom roller via the ventilation apron, and that collects the drafted fiber bundle; A counter shaft that rotates the delivery bottom roller, the counter shaft being arranged in an axial direction of the counter shaft; a coupling that connects the countershafts adjacent to each other in the axial direction and rotates integrally with the countershafts; a plurality of holding portions that rotatably support the countershaft via bearings, A fiber bundle collecting device in which one coupling is disposed between each of the holding portions adjacent to each other in the axial direction, and the counter shafts adjacent to each other in the axial direction are connected by the coupling between the holding portions adjacent to each other in the axial direction, A fiber bundle concentrating device, wherein the dimension of the countershaft in the axial direction is equal to or less than the distance between opposing faces of the holding portions adjacent in the axial direction.

2. a support plate that is integrated with both sides of the holding portion in the axial direction, through which the counter shaft passes, and that supports the delivery bottom roller and the suction portion; The dimension of the countershaft in the axial direction is L, The dimension of the holding portion in the axial direction is T, The distance between the holding portions adjacent in the axial direction is P, When the dimension of the support plate in the axial direction is S, L>P-T-2S The fiber bundle concentrating device according to claim 1, wherein the following holds true:

3. The countershafts adjacent in the axial direction are connected by the coupling with a gap between their axially opposing ends, and the gap between the axially opposing ends is defined as (T+α), which is the axial dimension T of the holding portion plus a width α, L≦P−(T+α) 3. The fiber bundle concentrating device according to claim 2, wherein the following holds true:

Images