Bonding device for bonding threads and method for manufacturing a bonding device - Patents.com

Abstract

The present invention relates to a splicing device (1) for splicing yarns. The splicing device (1) comprises a valve block housing (2) having a valve block housing casing (3) and one or more line elements (4), in particular tubular elements, for conveying a fluid, in particular compressed air. The valve block housing casing (3) comprises the interior of the valve block housing (2). The one or more line elements (4) are arranged in series within the valve block housing (2). A fluid supply connector (40) via the one or more line elements (4) is connected to an actuator element connector for an actuator element (13). The valve block housing (2) is manufactured integrally with the line elements (4).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a joining device for joining threads and to a method for manufacturing the joining device. [Background technology]

[0002] Splicing devices are known from the prior art. They are usually used to connect threads, yarns or similar materials. In the case of compressed air splicing devices, compressed air is applied to the yarns, in particular to the ends of the yarns, causing the ends to entangle, so that the filaments of the yarns are separated, captured and twisted together. The yarns can thereby be easily spliced.

[0003] A joining device assembled from a number of different components such as a housing, a line and a joining chamber is known from US 2017 / 0088391 A1.

[0004] A splicing device is known from US 4 751 813, which comprises a housing drilled with two holes. Lines are inserted into the holes.

[0005] Furthermore, a joining device is known from US 3,477,217 A, which has a housing perforated with a number of holes, the outlet openings of which are sealed and which act as air ducts. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The drawback of the prior art is that the joining devices are large and complex in structure. Furthermore, the joining devices are heavy and the assembly of different individual components can create connections that are prone to slight leaks. Furthermore, the manufacturing process is complicated.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to eliminate these and other drawbacks of the prior art, in particular to provide a joining device of compact and simple construction which is substantially free of pressure losses due to leaky connections, and which is furthermore simple and quick to manufacture. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] These objects are achieved according to the invention by a joining device and a method for manufacturing a joining device according to the independent claims.

[0009] According to the invention, the joining device for joining threads comprises a valve block for regulating the flow of a fluid and one or more line elements, in particular tubular elements, for conveying a fluid, in particular compressed air. The line elements may be tubes or pipes of any type and thus may be hollow bodies. The walls of these hollow bodies may have an at least partially hollow cylindrical shape.

[0010] The valve block includes a valve block housing having a valve block housing casing, the valve block housing casing including an interior of the valve block housing, and one or more line elements arranged in series within the interior of the valve block housing.

[0011] In the context of the present invention, continuous means that all openings and element walls are located inside the valve block housing. This means that the ports of the line elements are inside the valve block housing and do not need to be blocked or closed in any other way to seal them from the outside of the valve block housing casing. The line elements open onto the housing casing only if an opening is required by the function of the joining device. Line elements that do not open onto the housing are referred to herein as internal line elements. Line elements that have at least one opening and open onto the valve block housing casing are referred to herein as external line elements. The openings of the line elements may open into other line elements, into actuator elements, or into other elements such as nozzles or valves. The openings of the line elements may open into functional elements, such as flaps or similar elements that close the openings, so that the element can be opened or the opening can be reduced. Two line elements, such as an external line element and an internal line element, may be connected to each other. The line elements may have different sizes, in particular different diameters. However, the line elements are designed such that they ensure fluid flow within the valve block housing.

[0012] A fluid supply connector via one or more line elements is connected to an actuator element connector for an actuator element for applying, for example, compressed air to the yarn.

[0013] The actuator element may include a blade, a flap, a clamping element, or an air supply opening.

[0014] According to the invention, the valve block housing is manufactured to be integral with one or more line elements, which does not exclude that further elements, such as valves, may be inserted into the valve block housing.

[0015] Such a joining device is easy to handle, lightweight and gap-free. All types of filaments, threads, cables or similar materials can be connected by means of such a joining device. The materials are preferably made of artificial fibers (plastic materials such as PE, PP, etc.). However, the materials can also be made of natural fibers (cotton, wool, bast, etc.) or mixed fibers. The term "thread" in this context is used for all these types of joinable materials.

[0016] The line elements are further preferably designed for conveying compressed air. However, said line elements may also be designed to convey other types of fluids. Fluid in this context further refers to gases and liquids.

[0017] It is particularly preferred that the valve block housing and line elements are manufactured from a plastic material such as an acrylate or polymer (PLA, PS, PP, nylon, etc.), however, synthetic resins such as epoxy resins, ceramic / glass, metals such as copper, iron, steel, or combinations of different materials may also be used.

[0018] The valve block housing is preferably surrounded by an outer housing. The valve block housing may include an opening for securing the outer housing. The outer housing may be releasably connected to the valve block housing. The outer housing stabilizes and protects the interior. The outer housing may be ergonomically adapted to the hand, thereby facilitating user operation. The outer housing may be manufactured by injection molding. The valve block housing preferably has at least one connection interface for securing the joining head. It is particularly preferred that the valve block housing be fixedly or releasably connected to the joining head. The joining head as part of the valve block housing allows for a simple and compact construction of the joining device. The joining device includes at least one nozzle for applying a fluid flow to the yarn. The one or more nozzles are arranged on and / or within the joining chamber. The fluid flow can be precisely applied by the nozzle. Flexible arrangement of the one or more nozzles allows for precise alignment and therefore a reliable and stable joining.

[0019] The line elements may include at least one external line element having at least one port on the valve block housing casing, and / or may include one internal line element without a port on the valve block housing casing.

[0020] The connection between the fluid supply connector and the actuator connector is possible in a simple and efficient manner by means of the external line element. Simple ventilation of the line element or extraction of any waste material present, such as fibres or dust, is likewise possible in this way. The guidance of the fluid through the internal line element is efficient due to the low pressure loss.

[0021] The junction device may include at least one control element, in particular a valve, for controlling the fluid flow rate. The at least one control element is connected to other control, regulating, or actuator elements via line elements. The control element regulates whether or not the fluid can flow and / or where the fluid can flow. The junction device may in particular include three control elements. This makes it easier to control the fluid flow. The control element in particular may be inserted or be insertable into the valve block housing. This allows for simple and quick repairs or maintenance.

[0022] The joining device, in particular the valve block housing, can include at least one support element for supporting at least one line element and / or one control element, which allows for a simple and compact construction of the joining device. The support element or elements can be connected or connectable to the outer casing or the valve block housing casing of the joining device, and in particular can be manufactured to be integral with the outer casing or the valve block housing casing, which makes the assembly stable and compact.

[0023] One or more of the outer line elements and / or inner line elements may include one or more elbow portions.

[0024] Since the line elements are manufactured with at least one elbow, a compact design of the lines and therefore a reliable utilization of the interior of the valve block housing and a compact design of the line network are possible. The outer line element and / or the inner line element are manufactured integrally with one or more elbows.

[0025] At least one line element may be arranged so as to be at least partially parallel to another line element, which leads to a line network with a simple and compact structure.

[0026] The fluid supply connector may include a compressed air supply element, particularly a compressed air cartridge, and / or a connector to a compressed air line. The filaments can be easily spliced ​​using compressed air. Using the compressed air cartridge, the splicing device can be easily transported and used independently of any provided infrastructure. The compressed air supply element may be connected or connectable to the valve block housing. The compressed air supply element is preferably connected to a line element. It is particularly preferred that the compressed air element be connected to the control element and actuator element connector via a line element, particularly so that the actuator element can be activated. The splicing device may include an adhesive dispenser to add the adhesive to the compressed air. The adhesive may include water, chemicals, particles, or other suitable agents. In addition to or instead of the compressed air supply element, the splicing device may have other splicing elements, such as a heating element. The heating element may be heated by electric current or in any other suitable manner. The line element may be designed to carry a fluid for cooling the splicing device.

[0027] The actuator element may be located within or on the mating chamber. The splicing chamber may be arranged on or in the splicing head. The splicing head may comprise a cutting element, in particular a blade, for cutting the yarn. The yarn can be easily handled by such a cutting element. The splicing head may comprise a clamping element, in particular a clamping element that can be opened. The clamping element ensures in a simple manner that the yarn remains in the splicing chamber.

[0028] The junction chamber may be integrally connected with at least one line element. When the junction chamber and the line element are integrally connected, the pressure loss is small.

[0029] The bonding device may include at least one switching element, in particular a switch, for activating a valve to initiate the bonding process.

[0030] The fluid throughput can be switched on or off by a switching element, which can preferably be connected or connectable to a control element and is designed in particular for mechanically activating the control element, preferably a mechanical switching element, in particular a mechanical switch.

[0031] This allows the user to easily operate the device. In particular, the joining device has only purely mechanical and / or pneumatic and / or hydraulic elements, i.e., no electrical or electronic components are required. This allows for a simple structure of the joining device. The switching element may be rotatable, tiltable, depressible, or pullable.

[0032] The joining device may comprise at least one adjusting element for adjusting the fluid flow rate, in particular for adjusting the fluid flow rate by a user.

[0033] The regulating element preferably comprises a timer switch element, in particular a valve. The timer switch element is preferably a valve with an air chamber for switching the fluid throughput on and / or off. The fluid throughput from the compressed air supply element is particularly preferably connected to the actuator element, in particular on an air supply opening which opens onto the joining chamber.

[0034] During the bonding process, different valves can be activated sequentially, such that one or more actuator elements, e.g., flaps and blades, are activated first, followed by further actuator elements, such as air supply openings in the bonding chamber. The duration of this controlled sequence can be varied by an adjusting element, in that the fluid flow rate increases or decreases. The fluid throughput can be automatically switched on by a timer switch element once the bonding chamber is sealed and / or switched off once a specific time has elapsed. Thus, for example, it can be ensured that a compressed air cartridge empties at a slower rate. Such adjusting elements allow bonding processes of different durations to be performed for fine yarns containing different fibers. For example, brittle fibers require gentler bonding than other, more stable fibers. The adjusting elements can be adjusted in a stepless and / or incremental manner. Stepless adjustment allows for precise adaptation to the flow. In the case of incremental adjustment, the required settings can be easily set for a known yarn. The adjusting elements can include rotary elements, which allow adjustment in a simple and fast manner. The adjustment element may be or be connectable to the joint device releasably or fixedly.

[0035] The joining device may include a display element for displaying items of status information, in particular the strength of the flow through the adjustment element.

[0036] Such display elements may display increments of the adjustment element, thereby simplifying operation of the joining device.

[0037] At least one line element may be manufactured integral with the compressed air supply element and / or the joining chamber and / or the nozzle.

[0038] This allows for a compact and dense construction of the joining device. The joining device, in particular the valve block of the joining device, can be at least partially manufactured by additive manufacturing methods, which may be fused layer processes, in particular fused deposition modeling (FDM), selective laser sintering (SLS), or multi-jet fusion (MJP), which allows for simple and efficient production of complex structures.

[0039] The object is further achieved by a method for manufacturing a joining device, in which a valve block housing is manufactured integrally with at least one line element, in particular by additive manufacturing methods.

[0040] This allows a compact joining device to be produced quickly and simply. The line elements can be arranged in a continuous manner inside the valve block housing. The line elements can be manufactured to be at least partially curved or have an elbow portion. In production, at least one external line element can be manufactured to be integral with at least one internal line element and / or one nozzle and / or one joining chamber.

[0041] This allows for simple manufacturing and the joining device is particularly gap-free, since there are no connections between the individual components of the device that would have to be sealed. Control and / or adjustment elements and / or other elements, such as screws, can be inserted into the joining device. These inserted elements can be fixedly or releasably connected to the valve block housing. The valve block housing can be inserted into an external housing. The external housing can be injection molded. The joining head can be fixedly or releasably connected to the valve block housing. The joining chamber can be fixedly or releasably connected to a line element.

[0042] Preferred embodiments of the joining device are explained below in an exemplary manner by means of the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a joining device. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of the joining device with half of the outer housing omitted. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a valve block of the joining device. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of the valve block with the housing casing omitted. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a bonding head. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 shows a pneumatic diagram of the valve block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] 1 shows an overall view of the joining device 1. The joining device 1 comprises an outer housing A, a joining head S and a compressed air supply connector 40 for connecting the joining device 1 to a compressed air line. The joining head S comprises one joining chamber 27 and three actuator elements 5 (see FIG. 5), namely a flap 21, a blade 22 and an air supply opening 17 (see FIG. 5). As can be seen, on one side of the outer housing A, a switching element 14 configured as a switch and a rotary switch 60 are arranged.

[0045] In the splicing process, the yarns to be spliced ​​are first placed in the splicing chamber 27 (see FIG. 5). The splicing process is then started by pressing the switch 14. Compressed air is admitted into the splicing device 1 via the compressed air supply connector 40. The compressed air activates the actuator element 5, which closes the flap 21 and activates the blade 22, thus cutting the yarns (see FIGS. 5, 6). Compressed air is then supplied, with a time delay, to the splicing chamber 27 (see FIG. 5) and the yarns are spliced. The process is automatically terminated (see FIG. 6 for further details).

[0046] The outer housing A is made up of two half-parts X and Y connected to each other by screws 41. The outer housing A has substantially the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with two opposite ends C and D. The joining head S is located on end C and the compressed air supply connector 40 is located on end D. End C does not have any outer housing wall and is therefore open towards the joining head S. An opening O in the valve block housing that borders the connector 40 (FIG. 2) is located at the opposite end D. A further opening F for an element such as a screw or an element for operating the joining device 1 (switch 14 or rotary switch 60) is located in the outer housing A.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows the joining device 1 of FIG. 1. Here, half Y of the outer housing A has been omitted. A valve block V is arranged inside the outer housing A. The valve block V includes a dedicated valve block housing 2 into which three control elements 5 and one adjusting element 15 are inserted. The control elements 5 include a switch-on valve 19, a switch-over valve 20, and a blower valve 24. The adjusting element 15 includes a display element 16 (see FIG. 3), a rotary switch 60, and a timer switch valve 26 (see FIGS. 3 and 6). The display element 16 displays the six steps of the adjusting element 15 that can be switched. The switch 14 is connected to the switch-on valve 19. The switch 14 and rotary switch 60 of the valve block V protrude farther so that they can be activated through an opening F in the outer housing A. A joining head S is screwed to the valve block V.

[0048] The outer housing A has support posts T. The support posts T are arranged so that the valve block V can be placed within the outer housing A at an end C of the outer housing.

[0049] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the valve block V of Figure 2. The valve block V includes a valve block housing 2 having a valve block housing casing 3, the exterior 6 of which can be seen here.

[0050] The switch 14 and the rotary switch of the adjusting element 15 are arranged so that a user can activate them from the same side of the joining device 1 (see Figures 1 and 2). The joining process can be started by pressing the switch 14. The valve block housing 2 of the valve block V is substantially rectangular and has two opposite ends E and G. End E is inclined. The joining head S is located on this end E (see Figures 1 and 2). The compressed air supply connector 40 is located on the other, non-inclined end G (see Figure 1). The adjusting element 15 is located on this end G.

[0051] Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the valve block V of Figure 3, with part of the valve block housing casing 3 omitted. Here, the inside 7 of the valve block housing casing 3 can be seen. The inside 7 of the valve block housing casing 3 borders the inside of the valve block V. In this interior, the switch-on valve 19, the switch-over valve 20, the blow-off valve 24, the switching element 14, and the timer switch valve 15 are inserted. The switch-on valve 19, the switch-over valve 20, and the blow-off valve 24 are substantially cylindrical, with their cylindrical axes arranged parallel. All these valves are provided with covers 50.

[0052] The control element 5, the adjusting element 15, the actuator element 13 (see FIG. 5), and the compressed air supply element 12 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) are connected to one another by a line system that opens onto the outside 6 of the valve block housing 2 (see FIG. 6: pneumatic diagram). The line system is composed of different line elements 4, including outer line elements and inner line elements (8 and 9). The line elements 4 are of different sizes, lengths, and, in some instances, different diameters. In some instances, the line elements 4 have elbow portions 11. The valve block housing casing 3, the line elements 4, and the ends are manufactured integrally by additive methods, specifically 3D printing. The valve block V further includes two air chambers 23 and 25. The blow air chamber 23 is connected to the blow valve 24 via the line element 4, and the blow air chamber 24 is connected to the timer switch valve 26 via the line element 4. The actuator elements 13 may be activated in a time-offset manner and the duration of the bonding process may be determined by the blown air chambers 23 and 25 (see FIG. 6).

[0053] Figure 5 shows the welding head of the welding apparatus of Figure 1. The welding head comprises three actuator elements 13, i.e. the welding chamber 27 has an air supply 51, a flap 21 and a blade 22. The air supply 51 comprises an air supply opening 17.

[0054] Figure 6 shows the pneumatic flow chart of the valve block of Figure 3. The following elements are used for the pneumatic process: three control elements 5, namely a switch-on valve 19, a switch-over valve 20 and a blower valve 24; - a timer switch valve 26; two air chambers, namely a blower air chamber 23 and a return air chamber 25; switch 14 of the switch-on valve 19; three actuator elements 13, namely a flap 21, a blade 22 and an air supply opening / nozzle 17; - Line element 4 (see Figure 4) and is used for pneumatic processes.

[0055] The splicing process is initiated by depressing the switching element 14. The switch-on valve 19 is opened, thus opening the compressed air line to the switch-over valve 20. The switch-over valve 20 is switched on. This opens the compressed air line to the two actuator elements 13 (flap 21 and blade 22; both can be seen in FIG. 5 ), activating them. In addition to activating the flap 21 and blade 22, another line element 4 (see FIG. 4 ) connects to the blow air chamber 23 so that it is filled. Once the blow air chamber 23 is filled, the blow valve 24 is activated, blowing compressed air through the air supply opening 17 via the air supply chamber 51 into the splicing chamber 27 (see FIG. 5 ). The yarn is spliced. The compressed air also fills the return air chamber 25. Once the return air chamber 25 is filled, the timer switch valve 26 is switched and the switchover valve 20 is switched back to its initial position, thereby completing the process.

[0056] By means of the blow air chamber 23 and the return air chamber 25, the blowing process is offset in time in relation to the closing of the flap 21 and the activation of the blade 22. The timer switch valve 26 is part of the regulating element 15 (see Figure 4), which allows the duration of the joining process to be set depending on the filling rate of the return air chamber 25.

Claims

1. A joining device (1) for joining threads, comprising a valve block (V) for regulating a flow of a fluid and one or more line elements (4) for conveying a fluid, the valve block (V) comprising a valve block housing (2), the one or more line elements (4) being arranged in series inside the valve block housing (2), a fluid supply connector (40) via the one or more line elements (4) being connected to an actuator element connector for an actuator element (13), the valve block housing (2) being manufactured integrally with the one or more line elements (4).

2. The joining device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the line elements (4) include at least one external line element (8) having at least one port on the valve block housing (2) and / or one internal line element (9) without a port on the valve block housing (2).

3. Junction device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the junction device (1) comprises at least one control element (5) for controlling the fluid flow rate.

4. The joining device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the joining device (1) comprises at least one support element for supporting at least one line element (4) and / or one control element (5).

5. The joining device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the one or more outer line elements (8) and / or the inner line elements (9) comprise one or more elbow portions (11).

6. 6. The joining device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one line element (4) is arranged at least partially parallel to another line element (4).

7. The joining device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid supply connector (40) comprises a compressed air supply element (12).

8. The joining device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator element (13) is arranged in or on a joining chamber (27).

9. 9. The joining device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the joining chamber (27) is integrally connected with at least one line element (4) such that a fluid can be transported through the line element (4) into the joining chamber (27).

10. The bonding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the bonding device (1) comprises at least one switching element (14) for activating a valve for starting the bonding process.

11. Junction device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the junction device (1) comprises at least one regulating element (15) for regulating the fluid flow rate.

12. The joining device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the joining device (1) comprises a display element (16) for displaying items of status information.

13. The joining device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one line element (4) is manufactured integrally with the compressed air supply element (12) and / or the joining chamber (27) and / or the nozzle (17).

14. 14. The joining device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve block (V) of the joining device (1) is at least partly manufactured by an additive method.

15. A manufacturing method for producing a joining device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the valve block housing (2) is manufactured integrally with at least one line element (4) by additive manufacturing methods.

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