Spinning machine fiber bundle concentrator
The spinning machine fiber bundle concentrator addresses clogging and yarn quality issues by varying the step difference between suction hole and slit edges, preventing fiber entrapment and maintaining yarn quality through a tailored guide member and suction pipe configuration.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORP
- Filing Date
- 2023-01-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-26
AI Technical Summary
Fiber bundles can get caught in the gap between the suction pipe and guide member, leading to clogging of suction holes and slits, which deteriorates yarn quality, and existing solutions either fail to address this effectively or worsen yarn quality by creating step differences.
A spinning machine fiber bundle concentrator with a suction pipe and guide member design where the step difference between the hole edge and slit edge is wider upstream of the intersection to prevent clogging, and narrower downstream to maintain yarn quality, with the guide member having suction slits that overlap with suction holes.
This design effectively suppresses clogging of suction holes and slits while minimizing yarn quality deterioration by strategically varying the step difference based on the region of fiber movement.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a fiber bundle converging device for a spinning machine.
Background Art
[0002] The fiber converging device of a spinning machine converges the fiber bundle drafted by a drafting device. The fiber bundle converging device of a spinning machine includes a suction pipe, a ventilation apron, and a guide member. The suction pipe is provided on the downstream side of the drafting device in the moving direction of the fiber bundle. The suction pipe has suction holes extending so as to be inclined with respect to a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the suction pipe. The ventilation apron is wound around the suction pipe. The ventilation apron conveys the fiber bundle. The guide member is attached to the suction pipe corresponding to the winding position of the ventilation apron with respect to the suction pipe. The guide member guides the movement of the ventilation apron. The guide member has a suction slit extending so as to overlap with the suction holes.
[0003] In such a fiber converging device of a spinning machine, fibers may get caught in the gap between the suction pipe and the guide member at the portion where the suction holes and the suction slit overlap. When more fibers adhere to the caught fibers, the caught fibers grow like a snowman. Then, when the grown fibers block the suction holes and the suction slit, clogging occurs in the suction holes and the suction slit. The clogging of the suction holes and the suction slit leads to a deterioration in the quality of the yarn.
[0004] In Patent Document 1, by making the hole width of the suction holes different from the slit width of the suction slit, a step is provided between the hole edge portion which is the edge of the suction holes and the slit edge portion which is the edge of the suction slit. In this case, the gap between the suction pipe and the guide member is separated from the passing path of the fiber bundle by the amount of the step, so it is less likely for fibers to get caught in the gap. As a result, clogging of the suction holes and the suction slit is suppressed.
[0005] It is known that the downstream region in the direction of fiber bundle movement within suction holes and slits is susceptible to affecting yarn quality. Therefore, if a step difference is created between the hole edge and the slit edge in the downstream region in the direction of fiber bundle movement within suction holes and slits, the quality of the yarn may deteriorate. Accordingly, in the downstream region in the direction of fiber bundle movement within suction holes and slits, the hole width of the suction holes and the slit width of the suction slits are made the same to prevent a step difference between the hole edge and the slit edge. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]
[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-125394 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0007] It is believed that the greater the difference in height between the hole edge and the slit edge, the more effectively clogging of the suction hole and slit is suppressed. However, it has been found that if the difference in height is too large, the quality of the thread deteriorates, even if no difference in height occurs between the hole edge and the slit edge in the downstream region of the suction hole and slit.
[0008] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 states that it is not necessary to provide a step downstream from the center of the suction hole and suction slit in the direction of fiber bundle movement. However, it does not suggest the relationship between the range of the step and the quality of the yarn. [Means for solving the problem]
[0009] A spinning machine fiber bundle concentrator for solving the above problems comprises a suction pipe provided downstream of a draft device in the direction of fiber bundle movement, and a guide member attached to the suction pipe corresponding to the winding position of a breathable apron wound around the suction pipe, and guiding the movement of the breathable apron, wherein the suction pipe has suction holes extending so as to be inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of the suction pipe, and the guide member has suction slits extending so as to overlap with the suction holes, wherein the width of the step difference between the hole edge and the slit edge, which is the edge of the suction slit, upstream of the intersection point in the direction of fiber bundle movement, is greater than the width of the step difference between the hole edge and the slit edge, which is the edge of the suction slit, downstream of the intersection point, with respect to the intersection point of a straight line passing through the upstream endpoint of the suction hole and perpendicular to the direction of extension of the suction pipe.
[0010] Upstream of the intersection in the direction of fiber bundle movement, the fiber bundles pass at positions away from the hole edges and slit edges, whereas downstream of the intersection, the fiber bundles converge by moving along the hole edges and slit edges. For this reason, the region downstream of the intersection in the direction of fiber bundle movement is more susceptible to the convergence of fiber bundles and, consequently, the quality of the yarn, than the region upstream of the intersection. Furthermore, it is known that clogging of suction holes and suction slits is more likely to occur in the region upstream of the intersection in the direction of fiber bundle movement.
[0011] According to the above configuration, the width of the step difference between the hole edge and the slit edge upstream of the intersection in the direction of fiber bundle movement is greater than the width of the step difference between the hole edge and the slit edge downstream of the intersection. In this way, clogging can be suppressed by making the step difference wider upstream of the intersection, which is a region where clogging is likely to occur but which does not significantly affect the quality of the yarn, than downstream. On the other hand, by making the step difference narrower downstream of the intersection, which is a region where the quality of the yarn is more likely to be affected, the deterioration of the yarn quality can be suppressed. Therefore, clogging of the suction holes and slits can be suppressed while suppressing the deterioration of the yarn quality.
[0012] In the fiber bundle converging device of the spinning machine described above, the width of the step difference between the hole edge and the slit edge downstream of the intersection in the direction of movement of the fiber bundle may be zero. With the above configuration, the deterioration of yarn quality can be further suppressed compared to the case where a step difference between the hole edge and the slit edge is also provided downstream of the intersection in the direction of fiber bundle movement.
[0013] In the fiber bundle bundling device of the spinning machine described above, the hole edge includes a first hole edge that intersects the straight line and a second hole edge located on the opposite side from the first hole edge, and the width of the step difference between the first hole edge and the slit edge upstream of the intersection in the direction of movement of the fiber bundle may be smaller than the width of the step difference between the second hole edge and the slit edge upstream of the intersection in the direction of movement of the fiber bundle.
[0014] Upstream of the intersection point in the direction of fiber bundle movement, the fiber bundle passes closer to the first hole edge than to the second hole edge. Therefore, the step difference between the first hole edge and the slit edge has a greater impact on yarn quality than the step difference between the second hole edge and the slit edge. Accordingly, by making the width of the step difference between the first hole edge and the slit edge smaller than the width of the step difference between the second hole edge and the slit edge, the deterioration of yarn quality can be further suppressed. [Effects of the Invention]
[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress clogging of the suction holes and suction slits while suppressing a deterioration in the quality of the yarn. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0016] [Figure 1] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing a spinning machine. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the suction pipe and guide member in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a partial front view showing the suction pipe in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a front view showing the guide member in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Partial front view showing the suction pipe and guide member in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 showing the suction pipe and guide member in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5 showing the suction pipe and guide member in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] Partial front view showing the suction pipe and guide member in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 showing the suction pipe and guide member in the second embodiment. [Figure 10] Front view showing the suction pipe and guide member in the third embodiment. [Figure 11] Partial front view showing the suction pipe and guide member in the modified example. [Figure 12] Cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 11 showing the suction pipe and guide member in the modified example.
Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0017] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which a fiber bundle converging device of a spinning machine is embodied will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. In the following, the "fiber bundle converging device of a spinning machine" will be simply referred to as the "fiber bundle converging device".
[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the spinning machine 100 includes a drafting device 110 and a fiber bundle converging device 10. The drafting device 110 drafts the fiber bundle F. The fiber bundle converging device 10 is provided on the downstream side of the drafting device 110 in the moving direction X of the fiber bundle F. The fiber bundle converging device 10 pre-converges the drafted fiber bundle F before twisting.
[0019] The drafting device 110 is equipped with a final delivery roller pair 111. The final delivery roller pair 111 is the pair of rollers located furthest downstream in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F among the roller pairs of the drafting device 110. The final delivery roller pair 111 has a front bottom roller 112 and a front top roller 113. The front top roller 113 is supported by a support member 114.
[0020] <Fiber bundle focusing device> The fiber bundle focusing device 10 comprises a rotating shaft 11, a pair of nip rollers 12, a suction pipe 13, a guide section 14, a ventilated apron 15, and a guide member 16.
[0021] The rotating shaft 11 is positioned to extend parallel to the front bottom roller 112. The rotating shaft 11 is provided with a gear section (not shown). An intermediate gear 17 meshes with the gear section of the rotating shaft 11. The intermediate gear 17 meshes with a gear section 112a provided on the front bottom roller 112. The rotational force of the front bottom roller 112 is transmitted to the rotating shaft 11 via the intermediate gear 17, causing the rotating shaft 11 to rotate.
[0022] The nip roller pair 12 includes a bottom nip roller 21 and a top nip roller 22. The bottom nip roller 21 is mounted on the rotating shaft 11. When the rotating shaft 11 rotates, the bottom nip roller 21 rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 11. A ventilated apron 15 is wrapped around the bottom nip roller 21. The top nip roller 22 is supported by a weighting arm (not shown) via a support member 114. The bottom nip roller 21 and the top nip roller 22 rotate at approximately the same speed as the final feed roller pair 111.
[0023] The fiber bundle F, fed out from the final delivery roller pair 111 of the drafting device 110, passes between the bottom nip roller 21 and the top nip roller 22 together with the ventilation apron 15. The top nip roller 22 is pressed by the bottom nip roller 21 via the ventilation apron 15. As a result, the fiber bundle F and the ventilation apron 15 are nipped by the nip roller pair 12. The position where the ventilation apron 15 and the fiber bundle F are nipped by the nip roller pair 12 is called the nip position P.
[0024] <Suction pipe> The suction pipe 13 is cylindrical. The suction pipe 13 is formed, for example, by extrusion molding of aluminum. The suction pipe 13 is positioned downstream of the final delivery roller pair 111 and upstream of the nip position P in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The direction in which the suction pipe 13 extends coincides with the axial direction of the rotation axis 11. The suction pipe 13 is connected to a suction source (not shown).
[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the suction pipe 13 has a first pipe component 31, a second pipe component 32, and a third pipe component 33. The first pipe component 31 is curved so as to bulge outward. The second pipe component 32 is continuous with the upstream end of the first pipe component 31 in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The second pipe component 32 is curved so as to be concave inward. The third pipe component 33 is continuous with the downstream end of the first pipe component 31 in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The third pipe component 33 is curved so as to be concave inward.
[0026] The suction pipe 13 has a plurality of suction sections 34. The plurality of suction sections 34 are spaced apart in the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. In this embodiment, each suction section 34 is composed of a pair of suction holes 35. Each suction hole 35 penetrates the first pipe component 31. The pair of suction holes 35 are spaced apart in the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. Hereinafter, when it is necessary to distinguish between the pair of suction holes 35, one suction hole 35 will be referred to as the first suction hole 35a and the other suction hole 35 as the second suction hole 35b.
[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the suction holes 35 extend inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. Specifically, the first suction hole 35a extends inclined to the left side of the paper with respect to a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. The second suction hole 35b extends inclined to the right side of the paper with respect to a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. The pair of suction holes 35 are arranged so that they move closer to each other as the fiber bundle F moves from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction of movement X.
[0028] The rim portion 50 of the suction hole 35 has a first rim portion 51, a second rim portion 52, a third rim portion 53, and a fourth rim portion 54. The first hole edge 51 and the second hole edge 52 extend parallel to each other. The first hole edge 51 and the second hole edge 52 extend linearly along the extending direction of the suction hole 35. The second hole edge 52 is located on the opposite side of the first hole edge 51. The distance between the first hole edge 51 and the second hole edge 52 is defined as the hole width W35 of the suction hole 35. The hole width W35 of the suction hole 35 is constant in the extending direction of the suction hole 35.
[0029] The pair of suction holes 35 are arranged such that the first hole edge 51 is located on the outside and the second hole edge 52 is located on the inside. Therefore, the distance between the pair of first hole edges 51 is wider than the distance between the pair of second hole edges 52.
[0030] The third hole edge 53 connects the upstream end of the first hole edge 51 and the upstream end of the second hole edge 52 in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The third hole edge 53 extends in an arc shape. The fourth hole edge 54 connects the downstream end of the first hole edge 51 and the downstream end of the second hole edge 52 in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The fourth hole edge 54 extends in a straight line.
[0031] The upstream end point 350 of the suction hole 35 is defined as the point located at the uppermost part of the movement direction X of the fiber bundle F at the third hole edge 53. A straight line L is defined as a straight line that passes through the upstream end point 350 of the suction hole 35 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the suction pipe 13. Straight line L intersects with the first hole edge 51. The intersection point of straight line L and the first hole edge 51 is defined as intersection point Q.
[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the breathable apron 15 is an endless, band-shaped belt. The breathable apron 15 is made of, for example, a woven fabric with moderate breathability. The breathable apron 15 is wrapped around the suction pipe 13, the guide section 14, and the bottom nip roller 21. The breathable apron 15 is wrapped around the suction pipe 13 in a manner corresponding to the position where the suction section 34 is provided on the suction pipe 13. Therefore, multiple breathable aprons 15 are wrapped around the suction pipe 13. The multiple breathable aprons 15 are spaced apart in the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. The breathable apron 15 conveys the fiber bundle F by rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the bottom nip roller 21.
[0033] <Guidance component> As shown in Figure 2, multiple guide members 16 are attached to the suction pipe 13. The multiple guide members 16 are arranged at intervals along the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. In Figure 2, one guide member 16 is shown attached to the suction pipe 13, and one guide member 16 is shown not attached to the suction pipe 13.
[0034] The guide member 16 is attached to the suction pipe 13 in a position corresponding to where the suction section 34 is located on the suction pipe 13. As described above, the ventilation apron 15 is also wrapped around the suction pipe 13 in a position corresponding to where the suction section 34 is located on the suction pipe 13. Therefore, the guide member 16 is attached to the suction pipe 13 in a position corresponding to where the ventilation apron 15 is wrapped around the suction pipe 13. The guide member 16 is located between the suction pipe 13 and the ventilation apron 15. The guide member 16 guides the movement of the ventilation apron 15.
[0035] The guide member 16 has a guide portion 60, a first bent portion 61, and a second bent portion 62. The guide member 16 is formed, for example, by bending a thin sheet of metal. The guide portion 60 is curved to conform to the shape of the first pipe component 31 of the suction pipe 13. The guide portion 60 has a first surface 60a and a second surface 60b. The first surface 60a faces the outer circumferential surface 13a of the suction pipe 13. A gap S (see Figures 6 and 7) is provided between the first surface 60a of the guide portion 60 and the outer circumferential surface 13a of the suction pipe 13. The second surface 60b is the surface opposite to the first surface 60a. The ventilation apron 15 slides against the second surface 60b of the guide portion 60.
[0036] The first bent portion 61 is continuous with the upstream end of the guide portion 60 in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The first bent portion 61 is bent to conform to the shape of the connection portion between the first pipe component 31 and the second pipe component 32 of the suction pipe 13. The second bent portion 62 is continuous with the downstream end of the guide portion 60 in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The second bent portion 62 is bent to conform to the shape of the connection portion between the first pipe component 31 and the third pipe component 33 of the suction pipe 13.
[0037] The guide member 16 has a pair of suction slits 64. Each suction slit 64 penetrates the first pipe component 31. The pair of suction slits 64 are spaced apart in the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. If it is necessary to distinguish between the pair of suction slits 64, one suction slit 64 is designated as the first suction slit 64a and the other suction slit 64 as the second suction slit 64b.
[0038] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the suction slits 64 extend so as to be inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. Specifically, the first suction slit 64a extends so as to be inclined to the left side of the paper with respect to a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. The second suction slit 64b extends so as to be inclined to the right side of the paper with respect to a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. The pair of suction slits 64 are arranged so as to move closer to each other from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F.
[0039] The inclination angle of the first suction slit 64a with respect to the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13 is the same as the inclination angle of the first suction hole 35a with respect to the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. The inclination angle of the second suction slit 64b with respect to the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13 is the same as the inclination angle of the second suction hole 35b with respect to the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13.
[0040] The slit edge 70, which is the edge of the suction slit 64, has a first slit edge 71, a second slit edge 72, a third slit edge 73, and a fourth slit edge 74. The first slit edge 71 and the second slit edge 72 extend in the direction of extension of the suction slit 64. The second slit edge 72 is located on the opposite side of the first slit edge 71. The pair of suction slits 64 are arranged such that the first slit edge 71 is located on the outside and the second slit edge 72 is located on the inside.
[0041] The first slit edge 71 has an upstream portion 71a, a downstream portion 71b, and a connecting portion 71c. The upstream portion 71a, the downstream portion 71b, and the connecting portion 71c each extend in a straight line. The upstream portion 71a extends along the extending direction of the suction slit 64. The downstream portion 71b is located downstream of the upstream portion 71a in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The downstream portion 71b extends parallel to the upstream portion 71a. The downstream portion 71b extends along the extending direction of the suction slit 64. The connecting portion 71c connects the downstream end of the upstream portion 71a and the upstream end of the downstream portion 71b. The connecting portion 71c extends at an inclination with respect to the upstream portion 71a and the downstream portion 71b.
[0042] The second slit edge 72 has an upstream portion 72a, a downstream portion 72b, and a connecting portion 72c. The upstream portion 72a, the downstream portion 72b, and the connecting portion 72c each extend in a straight line. The upstream portion 72a extends along the extending direction of the suction slit 64. The downstream portion 72b is located downstream of the upstream portion 72a in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The downstream portion 72b extends parallel to the upstream portion 72a. The downstream portion 72b extends along the extending direction of the suction slit 64. The connecting portion 72c connects the downstream end of the upstream portion 72a and the upstream end of the downstream portion 72b. The connecting portion 72c extends at an inclination with respect to the upstream portion 72a and the downstream portion 72b.
[0043] The upstream portion 71a of the first slit edge 71 and the upstream portion 72a of the second slit edge 72 face each other. The upstream portion 71a of the first slit edge 71 and the upstream portion 72a of the second slit edge 72 extend parallel to each other. The distance between the upstream portion 71a of the first slit edge 71 and the upstream portion 72a of the second slit edge 72 is defined as the first slit width W641 of the suction slit 64. The first slit width W641 is different from the hole width W35 of the suction hole 35. In this embodiment, the first slit width W641 is larger than the hole width W35 of the suction hole 35.
[0044] The downstream portion 71b of the first slit edge 71 and the downstream portion 72b of the second slit edge 72 face each other. The downstream portion 71b of the first slit edge 71 and the downstream portion 72b of the second slit edge 72 extend parallel to each other. The distance between the downstream portion 71b of the first slit edge 71 and the downstream portion 72b of the second slit edge 72 is defined as the second slit width W642 of the suction slit 64. The second slit width W642 is smaller than the first slit width W641. In this embodiment, the second slit width W642 is the same as the hole width W35 of the suction hole 35. Note that "the second slit width W642 is the same as the hole width W35" also includes cases where the second slit width W642 differs from the hole width W35 within the manufacturing tolerance range of the suction hole 35 and the suction slit 64.
[0045] The connection portion 71c of the first slit edge 71 and the connection portion 72c of the second slit edge 72 face each other. The distance between the connection portion 71c of the first slit edge 71 and the connection portion 72c of the second slit edge 72 gradually narrows as the fiber bundle F moves from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction of movement X. The distance between the connection portion 71c of the first slit edge 71 and the connection portion 72c of the second slit edge 72 is greater than the hole width W35 of the suction hole 35.
[0046] The third slit edge 73 connects the upstream end of the first slit edge 71 and the upstream end of the second slit edge 72 in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The third slit edge 73 extends in an arc shape. In this embodiment, the radius of the virtual circle constituting the third slit edge 73 is larger than the radius of the virtual circle constituting the third hole edge 53. The fourth slit edge 74 connects the downstream end of the first slit edge 71 and the downstream end of the second slit edge 72 in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The fourth slit edge 74 extends in a straight line.
[0047] <Relationship between suction port and suction slit> As shown in Figure 5, the pair of suction slits 64 extend along the pair of suction holes 35. Specifically, the first suction slit 64a extends along the first suction hole 35a, and the second suction slit 64b extends along the second suction hole 35b. The suction slits 64 overlap with the suction holes 35.
[0048] The connection between the downstream portion 71b and the connecting portion 71c of the first slit edge 71 coincides with the intersection Q. The upstream portion 71a and connecting portion 71c of the first slit edge 71, the upstream portion 72a and connecting portion 72c of the second slit edge 72, and the third slit edge 73 are located upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The downstream portion 71b of the first slit edge 71, the downstream portion 72b of the second slit edge 72, and the fourth slit edge 74 are located downstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F.
[0049] Upstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the shape of the hole edge 50 and the shape of the slit edge 70 are different. As described above, the first slit width W641 of the suction slit 64 is larger than the hole width W35 of the suction hole 35. Therefore, the upstream portion 71a and the connecting portion 71c of the first slit edge 71 are located outside the first hole edge 51. The upstream portion 72a and the connecting portion 72c of the second slit edge 72 are located outside the second hole edge 52. Also, the radius of the virtual circle constituting the third slit edge 73 is larger than the radius of the virtual circle constituting the third hole edge 53. Therefore, the third slit edge 73 is located outside the third hole edge 53. In other words, upstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the slit edge 70 is located slightly outside the hole edge 50.
[0050] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, upstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, a step 80 is formed between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70. In this embodiment, the step 80 is formed by the portion of the outer circumferential surface 13a of the suction pipe 13 that is exposed by the suction slit 64. As a result, upstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the gap S is separated from the hole edge 50 by the amount of the step 80.
[0051] The step difference 80 between the first hole edge 51 and the upstream portion 71a of the first slit edge 71 is defined as the first step portion 80a. The step difference 80 between the second hole edge 52 and the upstream portion 72a of the second slit edge 72 is defined as the second step portion 80b. The width W80a of the first step portion 80a and the width W80b of the second step portion 80b in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction hole 35 and the suction slit 64 are, respectively, the width of the step difference 80 between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 upstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. In this embodiment, the width W80a of the first step portion 80a and the width W80b of the second step portion 80b are the same.
[0052] On the other hand, in this embodiment, downstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the shape of the hole edge 50 and the shape of the slit edge 70 are the same. As described above, the second slit width W642 of the suction slit 64 is the same as the hole width W35 of the suction hole 35.
[0053] As shown in Figure 7, the first hole edge 51 and the downstream portion 71b of the first slit edge 71 are aligned in a direction in which the first pipe component 31 of the suction pipe 13 and the guide portion 60 of the guide member 16 overlap, with a gap S between them. The second hole edge 52 and the downstream portion 72b of the second slit edge 72 are aligned in a direction in which the first pipe component 31 of the suction pipe 13 and the guide portion 60 of the guide member 16 overlap, with a gap S between them. Therefore, downstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the width of the step difference between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 is zero. In other words, there is no step difference between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70.
[0054] Thus, with the intersection Q as the boundary, the widths W80a and W80b of the step difference 80 between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F are greater than the width of the step difference between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 downstream of the intersection Q.
[0055] <Operation of the fiber bundle focusing device> After being fed out from the final delivery roller pair 111, the fiber bundles F are conveyed by the ventilated apron 15. In this embodiment, two fiber bundles F are conveyed per ventilated apron 15. At this time, the fiber bundles F receive suction force from a suction source connected to the suction pipe 13 via the suction holes 35 of the suction pipe 13, the suction slits 64 of the guide member 16, and the ventilated apron 15. As a result, the fiber bundles F are pressed against the surface of the ventilated apron 15. In addition, the fiber bundles F are gathered together along the suction holes 35 and the suction slits 64.
[0056] More specifically, the fiber bundle F is positioned such that it passes the upstream end 350 of the suction hole 35 in the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. Upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the fiber bundle F moves along the straight line L. That is, upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the fiber bundle F passes between the first hole edge 51 and the first slit edge 71 and the second hole edge 52 and the second slit edge 72. More specifically, the fiber bundle F passes closer to the first hole edge 51 and the first slit edge 71 than to the second hole edge 52 and the second slit edge 72. Downstream of the intersection Q, the fiber bundle F is focused by moving along the first hole edge 51 and the first slit edge 71. Therefore, the first hole edge 51 and the first slit edge 71 are guide edges that guide the focusing of the fiber bundle F. By concentrating the fiber bundles F in this way, the generation of fluff and shedding of fibers are suppressed.
[0057] Then, the fiber bundle F passes through the nip position P of the nip roller pair 12 and is twisted. In this embodiment, the two fiber bundles F are twisted together to form a single thread. [Operation of the First Embodiment] Upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the fiber bundle F passes at a position away from the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70, whereas downstream of the intersection Q, the fiber bundle F converges by moving along the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70. For this reason, the region downstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F is more susceptible to the convergence of the fiber bundle F and, consequently, the quality of the yarn, than the region upstream of the intersection Q. Furthermore, it is known that clogging of the suction hole 35 and suction slit 64 is more likely to occur in the region upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F.
[0058] In this embodiment, the widths W80a and W80b of the step difference 80 between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F are greater than the width of the step difference between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 downstream of the intersection Q. In this way, clogging can be suppressed by making the widths W80a and W80b of the step difference 80 larger upstream of the intersection Q, which is a region where clogging is likely to occur but which does not significantly affect the quality of the yarn, than on the downstream side. Specifically, upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the gap S between the suction pipe 13 and the guide member 16 is further from the hole edge 50 than on the downstream side of the intersection Q, so fibers are less likely to get caught in the gap S. On the other hand, downstream of the intersection Q, which is a region where the quality of the yarn is easily affected, the deterioration of the yarn quality can be suppressed by making the width of the step smaller than on the upstream side. Therefore, clogging of the suction hole 35 and suction slit 64 can be suppressed while suppressing the deterioration of the yarn quality.
[0059] [Effects of the First Embodiment] The effects of this embodiment will now be explained. (1-1) The suction pipe 13 has a suction hole 35 that extends inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. The guide member 16 has a suction slit 64 that extends so as to overlap with the suction hole 35. With the intersection Q of the straight line L, which passes through the upstream endpoint 350 of the suction hole 35 and is perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13, and the hole edge 50 of the suction hole 35 as the boundary, the widths W80a and W80b of the step difference 80 between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F are greater than the width of the step difference between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 downstream of the intersection Q.
[0060] Thus, in the area upstream of intersection Q, where clogging of the suction holes 35 and suction slits 64 is likely to occur and which does not significantly affect the quality of the yarn, clogging of the suction holes 35 and suction slits 64 can be suppressed by making the widths W80a and W80b of the step 80 larger than on the downstream side. On the other hand, in the area downstream of intersection Q, which is a region that significantly affects the quality of the yarn, the deterioration of the yarn quality can be suppressed by making the width of the step smaller than on the upstream side. Therefore, clogging of the suction holes 35 and suction slits 64 can be suppressed while suppressing the deterioration of the yarn quality.
[0061] (1-2) Downstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the hole width W35 of the suction hole 35 and the second slit width W642 of the suction slit 64 are the same. Therefore, downstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the width of the step difference between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 is zero. In other words, downstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, there is no step difference between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70. As a result, the deterioration of yarn quality can be suppressed more effectively compared to the case where there is a step difference between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 downstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F.
[0062] [Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the spinning machine's fiber bundle converging device will be described below with reference to Figures 8 and 9. In the second embodiment, only the shape of the suction holes 35 and suction slits 64 differs from that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same configuration as in the first embodiment will not be described.
[0063] As shown in Figure 8, the suction slit 64 of the second embodiment has the shape of the suction hole 35 of the first embodiment. The first slit edge 71 and the second slit edge 72 extend parallel to each other. The first slit edge 71 and the second slit edge 72 extend linearly along the extending direction of the suction slit 64. The second slit edge 72 is located on the opposite side of the first slit edge 71. The distance between the first slit edge 71 and the second slit edge 72 is defined as the slit width W64 of the suction slit 64. The slit width W64 of the suction slit 64 is constant in the extending direction of the suction slit 64. The third slit edge 73 connects the upstream end of the first slit edge 71 and the upstream end of the second slit edge 72 in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The third slit edge 73 extends in an arc shape.
[0064] The suction hole 35 in the second embodiment has the shape of the suction slit 64 in the first embodiment. The first hole edge 51 has an upstream portion 51a, a downstream portion 51b, and a connecting portion 51c. The upstream portion 51a, the downstream portion 51b, and the connecting portion 51c each extend in a straight line. The upstream portion 51a extends along the extending direction of the suction hole 35. The downstream portion 51b is located downstream of the upstream portion 51a in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The downstream portion 51b extends parallel to the upstream portion 51a. The downstream portion 51b extends along the extending direction of the suction hole 35. The connecting portion 51c connects the downstream end of the upstream portion 51a and the upstream end of the downstream portion 51b. The connecting portion 51c extends inclined with respect to the upstream portion 51a and the downstream portion 51b.
[0065] The second hole edge 52 has an upstream portion 52a, a downstream portion 52b, and a connecting portion 52c. The upstream portion 52a, the downstream portion 52b, and the connecting portion 52c each extend in a straight line. The upstream portion 52a extends along the extending direction of the suction hole 35. The downstream portion 52b is located downstream of the upstream portion 52a in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The downstream portion 52b extends parallel to the upstream portion 52a. The downstream portion 52b extends along the extending direction of the suction hole 35. The connecting portion 52c connects the downstream end of the upstream portion 52a and the upstream end of the downstream portion 52b. The connecting portion 52c extends at an inclination with respect to the upstream portion 52a and the downstream portion 52b.
[0066] The upstream portion 51a of the first hole edge 51 and the upstream portion 52a of the second hole edge 52 face each other. The upstream portion 51a of the first hole edge 51 and the upstream portion 52a of the second hole edge 52 extend parallel to each other. The distance between the upstream portion 51a of the first hole edge 51 and the upstream portion 52a of the second hole edge 52 is defined as the first hole width W351 of the suction hole 35. The first hole width W351 is different from the slit width W64 of the suction slit 64. In this embodiment, the first hole width W351 is larger than the slit width W64 of the suction slit 64.
[0067] The downstream portion 51b of the first hole edge 51 and the downstream portion 52b of the second hole edge 52 face each other. The downstream portion 51b of the first hole edge 51 and the downstream portion 52b of the second hole edge 52 extend parallel to each other. The distance between the downstream portion 51b of the first hole edge 51 and the downstream portion 52b of the second hole edge 52 is defined as the second hole width W352 of the suction hole 35. The second hole width W352 is smaller than the first hole width W351. In this embodiment, the second hole width W352 is the same as the slit width W64 of the suction slit 64. Note that "the second hole width W352 is the same as the slit width W64" also includes cases where the second hole width W352 differs from the slit width W64 within the manufacturing tolerance range of the suction hole 35 and the suction slit 64.
[0068] The connection portion 51c of the first hole edge 51 and the connection portion 52c of the second hole edge 52 face each other. The distance between the connection portion 51c of the first hole edge 51 and the connection portion 52c of the second hole edge 52 gradually narrows as the fiber bundle F moves from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction of movement X. The distance between the connection portion 51c of the first hole edge 51 and the connection portion 52c of the second hole edge 52 is greater than the slit width W64 of the suction slit 64.
[0069] The third hole edge 53 connects the upstream end of the first hole edge 51 and the upstream end of the second hole edge 52 in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The third hole edge 53 extends in an arc shape. In this embodiment, the radius of the virtual circle constituting the third hole edge 53 is larger than the radius of the virtual circle constituting the third slit edge 73.
[0070] The upstream end 350 of the suction hole 35 is defined as the point located at the uppermost point of the movement direction X of the fiber bundle F at the third hole edge 53. A straight line L is defined as a straight line that passes through the upstream end 350 of the suction hole 35 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. Straight line L intersects with the first hole edge 51. More specifically, straight line L intersects with the connection point between the downstream portion 51b and the connecting portion 51c at the first hole edge 51. The intersection point Q is defined as the intersection of straight line L and the first hole edge 51.
[0071] <Relationship between suction port and suction slit> The first slit edge 71 coincides with the intersection Q. The first slit edge 71 and the second slit edge 72 each have a portion located upstream of the intersection Q and a portion located downstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The third slit edge 73 is located upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F.
[0072] Upstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the shape of the hole edge 50 and the shape of the slit edge 70 are different. As described above, the first hole width W351 of the suction hole 35 is larger than the slit width W64 of the suction slit 64. Therefore, the upstream part 51a and the connecting part 51c of the first hole edge 51 are located outside the first slit edge 71. The upstream part 52a and the connecting part 52c of the second hole edge 52 are located outside the second slit edge 72. Also, the radius of the virtual circle constituting the third hole edge 53 is larger than the radius of the virtual circle constituting the third slit edge 73. Therefore, the third hole edge 53 is located outside the third slit edge 73. In other words, upstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the hole edge 50 is located slightly outside the slit edge 70.
[0073] As shown in Figure 9, upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, a step 80 is formed between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70. In this embodiment, the step 80 is formed by the portion of the first surface 60a of the guide member 16 that is exposed by the suction hole 35. As a result, upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the gap S is separated from the slit edge 70 by the amount of the step 80.
[0074] In other words, in the first embodiment, a step 80 was formed upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, by the suction slit 64 being slightly larger than the suction hole 35. In contrast, in the present embodiment, a step 80 is formed upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, by the suction hole 35 being slightly larger than the suction slit 64.
[0075] The step difference 80 between the upstream portion 51a of the first hole edge 51 and the first slit edge 71 is defined as the first step portion 80a. The step difference 80 between the upstream portion 52a of the second hole edge 52 and the second slit edge 72 is defined as the second step portion 80b. The width W80a of the first step portion 80a and the width W80b of the second step portion 80b in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction hole 35 and the suction slit 64 are, respectively, the width of the step difference 80 between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 upstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. In this embodiment, the width W80a of the first step portion 80a and the width W80b of the second step portion 80b are the same.
[0076] Similar to the first embodiment, downstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the shape of the hole edge 50 and the shape of the slit edge 70 are the same. As described above, the second hole width W352 of the suction hole 35 is the same as the slit width W64 of the suction slit 64. Therefore, the downstream portion 51b of the first hole edge 51 and the first slit edge 71 are aligned in a direction in which the first pipe component 31 of the suction pipe 13 and the guide portion 60 of the guide member 16 overlap, with a gap S between them. The downstream portion 52b of the second hole edge 52 and the second slit edge 72 are aligned in a direction in which the first pipe component 31 of the suction pipe 13 and the guide portion 60 of the guide member 16 overlap, with a gap S between them. Therefore, downstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the width of the step difference between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 is zero. In other words, there is no step difference between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70.
[0077] Thus, in this second embodiment as well, with the intersection Q as the boundary, the widths W80a and W80b of the step difference 80 between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F are greater than the width of the step difference between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 downstream of the intersection Q.
[0078] In the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment (1-1) and (1-2) can be obtained. [Third Embodiment] A third embodiment of the spinning machine's fiber bundle converging device will be described below with reference to Figure 10. In this third embodiment, only the number and shape of the suction holes 35 and suction slits 64 differ from those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same configuration as in the first embodiment will not be described.
[0079] As shown in Figure 10, the suction section 34 of the suction pipe 13 is composed of a single suction hole 35. The guide member 16 also has a single suction slit 64. In this embodiment, the fiber bundle F is conveyed downstream by a traverse device (not shown) while being swung in the direction of extension of the suction pipe 13.
[0080] The suction hole 35 extends so as to be inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. In this embodiment, the suction hole 35 extends so as to be inclined to the right side of the paper with respect to a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13.
[0081] The first hole edge 51 has an upstream portion 51a, a downstream portion 51b, and a connecting portion 51c. The upstream portion 51a and the downstream portion 51b extend in a straight line. The downstream portion 51b is located downstream of the upstream portion 51a in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The inclination angle of the upstream portion 51a with respect to the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13 is greater than the inclination angle of the downstream portion 51b with respect to the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. The connecting portion 51c smoothly connects the downstream end of the upstream portion 51a and the upstream end of the downstream portion 51b.
[0082] The second hole edge 52 is located on the opposite side from the first hole edge 51. The second hole edge 52 has an upstream portion 52a, a downstream portion 52b, and a connecting portion 52c. The upstream portion 52a of the first hole edge 51 has a first linear portion 521 and a second linear portion 522 that extend in a straight line. The first linear portion 521 extends in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. The first linear portion 521 is located upstream 51a of the first hole edge 511, relative to the downstream portion 51b, in the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. The second linear portion 522 extends downstream from the downstream end of the first linear portion 521 in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The second linear portion 522 extends parallel to the upstream portion 51a of the first hole edge 51.
[0083] The downstream portion 52b of the second hole edge 52 extends in a straight line. The downstream portion 52b extends parallel to the downstream portion 51b of the first hole edge 51. The inclination angle of the second straight portion 522 with respect to the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13 is greater than the inclination angle of the downstream portion 52b of the second hole edge 52 with respect to the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The connecting portion 52c of the second hole edge 52 smoothly connects the downstream end of the second straight portion 522 and the upstream end of the downstream portion 52b. The connecting portion 52c of the second hole edge 52 extends parallel to the connecting portion 51c of the first hole edge 51.
[0084] The upstream portion 51a of the first hole edge 51 and the upstream portion 52a of the second hole edge 52 face each other. The downstream portion 51b of the first hole edge 51 and the downstream portion 52b of the second hole edge 52 face each other. The connecting portion 51c of the first hole edge 51 and the connecting portion 52c of the second hole edge 52 face each other. Upstream of the connection portion between the first straight section 521 and the second straight section 522 in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the hole width of the suction hole 35, which is the distance between the first hole edge 51 and the second hole edge 52, increases from the downstream side to the upstream side. Downstream of the connection portion between the first straight section 521 and the second straight section 522 in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the hole width of the suction hole 35 is constant. In the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the hole width downstream of the connection between the first straight section 521 and the second straight section 522 is smaller than the hole width upstream of the connection between the first straight section 521 and the second straight section 522.
[0085] The third hole edge 53 connects the upstream end of the first hole edge 51 and the upstream end of the second hole edge 52. The third hole edge 53 extends linearly along the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. Therefore, even if the position of the fiber bundle F changes in the extending direction of the suction pipe 13 due to the traverse motion, the distance from the nip position of the final delivery roller pair 111 to the suction hole 35 remains constant.
[0086] In the third embodiment, the point on the third hole edge 53 furthest from the first hole edge 51 is defined as the upstream end point 350 of the suction hole 35. A straight line L is defined as a straight line that passes through the upstream end point 350 of the suction hole 35 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. Straight line L extends along the first straight section 521. The range of the traverse motion of the fiber bundle F is set to include straight line L. Straight line L intersects with the first hole edge 51. The intersection point of straight line L and the first hole edge 51 is defined as intersection point Q.
[0087] The first slit edge 71 has an upstream portion 71a, a downstream portion 71b, and a connecting portion 71c. The upstream portion 71a extends in a straight line. The upstream portion 71a extends parallel to the upstream portion 51a of the first hole edge 51. The downstream portion 71b is located downstream of the upstream portion 71a in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The downstream portion 71b extends parallel to the downstream portion 51b and the connecting portion 51c of the first hole edge 51. The connecting portion 71c connects the downstream end of the upstream portion 71a and the upstream end of the downstream portion 71b.
[0088] The second slit edge 72 has an upstream portion 72a, a downstream portion 72b, and a connecting portion 72c. The upstream portion 72a extends in a straight line. The upstream portion 72a extends parallel to the first straight portion 521 of the upstream portion 52a of the second hole edge 52. In other words, the upstream portion 72a extends along a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. The downstream portion 72b is located downstream of the upstream portion 72a in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The downstream portion 72b extends parallel to the downstream portion 52b and the connecting portion 52c of the second hole edge 52. The connecting portion 72c connects the downstream end of the upstream portion 72a and the upstream end of the downstream portion 72b.
[0089] The upstream portion 71a of the first slit edge 71 and the upstream portion 72a of the second slit edge 72 face each other. The downstream portion 71b of the first slit edge 71 and the downstream portion 72b of the second slit edge 72 face each other. The downstream portion 71b of the first slit edge 71 and the downstream portion 72b of the second slit edge 72 extend parallel to each other. The connecting portion 71c of the first slit edge 71 and the connecting portion 72c of the second slit edge 72 face each other.
[0090] In the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, upstream of the connection between the downstream portion 71b of the first slit edge 71 and the connecting portion 71c, the slit width of the suction slit 64, which is the distance between the first slit edge 71 and the second slit edge 72, increases from downstream to upstream. The slit width of the suction slit 64 upstream of the connection between the downstream portion 71b of the first slit edge 71 and the connecting portion 71c in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F is greater than the width of the suction hole 35.
[0091] In the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, downstream of the connection between the downstream portion 71b of the first slit edge 71 and the connecting portion 71c, the slit width of the suction slit 64 is constant. In the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, downstream of the connection between the downstream portion 71b of the first slit edge 71 and the connecting portion 71c is smaller than the slit width upstream of the connection between the downstream portion 71b of the first slit edge 71 and the connecting portion 71c. In this embodiment, the slit width of the suction slit 64 downstream of the connection between the downstream portion 71b of the first slit edge 71 and the connecting portion 71c in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F is the same as the hole width of the suction hole 35 downstream of the connection between the first straight portion 521 and the second straight portion 522 in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. Note that "the slit width is the same as the hole width" also includes cases where the slit width differs from the hole width within the manufacturing tolerance range of the suction hole 35 and the suction slit 64.
[0092] <Relationship between suction port and suction slit> The connection between the downstream portion 71b and the connecting portion 71c of the first slit edge 71 coincides with the intersection Q. The upstream portion 71a and connecting portion 71c of the first slit edge 71, the upstream portion 72a and connecting portion 72c of the second slit edge 72, and the third slit edge 73 are located upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. The downstream portion 71b of the first slit edge 71 and the downstream portion 72b of the second slit edge 72 are located downstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F.
[0093] Upstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the shape of the hole edge 50 and the shape of the slit edge 70 are different. Upstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the slit width of the suction slit 64 is larger than the hole width of the suction hole 35. Therefore, the upstream portion 71a and connecting portion 71c of the first slit edge 71 are located outside the first hole edge 51. The upstream portion 72a and connecting portion 72c of the second slit edge 72 are located outside the second hole edge 52. Also, the third slit edge 73 is located outside the third hole edge 53. In other words, upstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the slit edge 70 is located slightly further out than the hole edge 50.
[0094] Upstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, a step difference 80 is formed between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70. In this embodiment, the step difference 80 is made up of the portion of the outer circumferential surface 13a of the suction pipe 13 that is exposed by the suction slit 64. As a result, upstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the gap S is separated from the hole edge 50 by the amount of the step difference 80.
[0095] The step difference 80 between the upstream portion 51a of the first hole edge 51 and the upstream portion 71a of the first slit edge 71 is defined as the first step portion 80a. The step difference 80 between the first straight portion 521 of the upstream portion 52a of the second hole edge 52 and the upstream portion 72a of the second slit edge 72 is defined as the second step portion 80b. The width W80a of the first step portion 80a and the width W80b of the second step portion 80b are, respectively, the width of the step difference 80 between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 upstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. In this embodiment, the width W80a of the first step portion 80a and the width W80b of the second step portion 80b are the same.
[0096] Similar to the first embodiment, downstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the shape of the hole edge 50 and the shape of the slit edge 70 are the same. Downstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the slit width of the suction slit 64 is the same as the hole width of the suction hole 35.
[0097] The first hole edge 51 and the downstream portion 71b of the first slit edge 71 are aligned in a direction in which the first pipe component 31 of the suction pipe 13 and the guide portion 60 of the guide member 16 overlap, with a gap S between them. The second hole edge 52 and the downstream portion 72b of the second slit edge 72 are aligned in a direction in which the first pipe component 31 of the suction pipe 13 and the guide portion 60 of the guide member 16 overlap, with a gap S between them. Therefore, downstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the width of the step difference between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 is zero. In other words, there is no step difference between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70.
[0098] Thus, in this second embodiment as well, with the intersection Q as the boundary, the widths W80a and W80b of the step difference 80 between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F are greater than the width of the step difference between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 downstream of the intersection Q.
[0099] In the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment (1-1) and (1-2) can be obtained. [Example of changes] The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.
[0100] ○ In each of the above embodiments, downstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, no step was provided by making the width of the step difference between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 zero. However, a step difference may be provided between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70. However, the width of the step difference between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 downstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F shall be smaller than the widths W80a and W80b of the step difference 80 between the hole edge 50 and the slit edge 70 upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F.
[0101] ○ In the above embodiments, the width W80a of the first stepped section 80a and the width W80b of the second stepped section 80b were the same, but the width W80a of the first stepped section 80a and the width W80b of the second stepped section 80b do not have to be the same.
[0102] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the width W80a of the first stepped portion 80a may be smaller than the width W80b of the second stepped portion 80b. Upstream of the intersection Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F, the fiber bundle F passes closer to the first hole edge 51 and the first slit edge 71 than to the second hole edge 52 and the second slit edge 72. For this reason, the first stepped portion 80a is more likely to affect the quality of the yarn than the second stepped portion 80b. Therefore, by making the width W80a of the first stepped portion 80a smaller than the width W80b of the second stepped portion 80b, the deterioration of the yarn quality can be further suppressed. Although Figures 11 and 12 show examples of modifications to the first embodiment, the width W80a of the first stepped portion 80a may also be smaller than the width W80b of the second stepped portion 80b in the second and third embodiments.
[0103] ○ In the third embodiment, the suction hole 35 may extend so as to be inclined to the left side of the plane of Figure 10 with respect to a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe 13. ○ The shape of the suction hole 35 may be the same as the shape of the suction slit 64 in the third embodiment, and the shape of the suction slit 64 may be the same as the shape of the suction hole 35 in the third embodiment. In other words, as in the second embodiment, the step 80 may be formed by making the suction hole 35 slightly larger than the suction slit 64 upstream of the intersection point Q in the direction of movement X of the fiber bundle F. In this case, the step 80 is formed by the portion of the first surface 60a of the guide member 16 that is exposed from the suction hole 35. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0104] 10... Fiber bundle focusing device, 13... Suction pipe, 15... Ventilated apron, 16... Guide member, 35... Suction hole, 50... Hole edge, 51... First hole edge, 52... Second hole edge, 64... Suction slit, 70... Slit edge, 80... Step, 100... Spinning machine, 110... Draft device, 350... Upstream endpoint, F... Fiber bundle, L... Straight line, Q... Intersection, X... Direction of fiber bundle movement.
Claims
1. A suction pipe is provided on the downstream side of the draft device in the direction of movement of the fiber bundle, The system includes a guide member attached to the suction pipe corresponding to the position where the ventilated apron is wrapped around the suction pipe, and which guides the movement of the ventilated apron. The suction pipe has a suction hole that extends so as to be inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the suction pipe extends, The guide member is a spinning machine fiber bundle concentrator having a suction slit that extends to overlap with the suction hole, The boundary is the intersection of a straight line passing through the upstream endpoint of the suction hole and perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe, and the edge of the hole which is the edge of the suction hole. The width of the step difference between the hole edge and the slit edge, which is the edge of the suction slit, upstream of the intersection in the direction of movement of the fiber bundle is greater than the width of the step difference between the hole edge and the slit edge downstream of the intersection. The slit edge has an upstream portion, a downstream portion located downstream of the upstream portion, and a connecting portion that connects the downstream end of the upstream portion and the upstream end of the downstream portion. A spinning machine fiber bundle converging device characterized in that the connection portion between the downstream portion and the connecting portion overlaps with the intersection point.
2. The fiber bundle gathering device for a spinning machine according to claim 1, wherein the width of the step difference between the hole edge and the slit edge downstream of the intersection in the direction of movement of the fiber bundle is zero.
3. A suction pipe provided on the downstream side of the draft device in the direction of movement of the fiber bundle, The system includes a guide member attached to the suction pipe corresponding to the position where the ventilated apron is wrapped around the suction pipe, and which guides the movement of the ventilated apron. The suction pipe has a suction hole that extends so as to be inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the suction pipe extends, The guide member is a spinning machine fiber bundle concentrator having a suction slit that extends to overlap with the suction hole, The boundary is the intersection of a straight line passing through the upstream endpoint of the suction hole and perpendicular to the extending direction of the suction pipe, and the edge of the hole which is the edge of the suction hole. The width of the step difference between the hole edge and the slit edge, which is the edge of the suction slit, upstream of the intersection in the direction of movement of the fiber bundle is greater than the width of the step difference between the hole edge and the slit edge downstream of the intersection. The hole edge includes a first hole edge that intersects the straight line and a second hole edge located on the opposite side from the first hole edge. A fiber bundle focusing device characterized in that the width of the step difference between the first hole edge and the slit edge upstream of the intersection in the direction of movement of the fiber bundle is smaller than the width of the step difference between the second hole edge and the slit edge upstream of the intersection in the direction of movement of the fiber bundle.