Integrated Bobbin Tube Exchange Device for Spinning Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for transporting and exchanging bobbins and tubes between roving and spinning frames are inefficient, particularly with increasing spindle numbers, as they require manual or partially automated processes that do not adequately reduce overall execution times for collection, exchange, and cleaning steps.

Innovation Solution

An integrated device with a transport system comprising a frame side transport device and a spinning frame side transport device, managed by a PLC or microprocessor, that collects, cleans, and exchanges bobbins and tubes, utilizing radial and vertical translation, rotation, and suction cleaning mechanisms to optimize the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual or partially automated systems are used for transporting and exchanging bobbins and tubes, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and execution time increase due to manual operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexecution time for collection, exchange and cleaning stepsVSAvoidcomplexity of transport and exchange system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the transport device, exchange mechanism, and cleaning device into a single integrated apparatus. The transport device carries both bobbins and empty tubes, while the exchange mechanism simultaneously performs doffing of bobbins and loading of empty tubes. The cleaning device is integrated to clean tubes during the same operational cycle, combining multiple functions into one unified system that reduces overall execution time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Empty tubes are pre-loaded onto the transport device while bobbins are being processed at the spinning frame. The transport device moves empty tubes into position before the bobbins are fully exhausted, allowing the exchange to occur seamlessly without waiting for bobbin completion. This preliminary positioning of empty tubes significantly reduces exchange time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the number of spindles in roving frames and spinning frames is increased, then productivity increases, but the execution time for collection, exchange and cleaning steps becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of spindlesVSAvoidexecution time for collection, exchange and cleaning steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated apparatus enables continuous operation where the transport device continuously moves bobbins to the spinning frame and empty tubes to the roving frame simultaneously. The exchange mechanism performs doffing and loading in continuous motion without stopping the spinning frame, and the cleaning device operates continuously on tubes returning to the roving frame. This continuous action eliminates idle time between operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The exchange mechanism employs dynamic, movable components including arms that can extend and retract, and a carriage that moves along the spinning frame to access different spindles. The cleaning device uses movable cleaning elements that can reach multiple tubes simultaneously. These dynamic components allow the system to adapt to increased spindle counts without proportionally increasing execution time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of time

If separate devices are used for transport, exchange and cleaning, then device complexity is reduced, but overall execution time increases due to sequential operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall execution timeVSAvoidintegration of transport, exchange and cleaning functions
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the transport device, exchange mechanism, and cleaning device into a single integrated apparatus. The transport device carries both bobbins and empty tubes, while the exchange mechanism simultaneously performs doffing of bobbins and loading of empty tubes. The cleaning device is integrated to clean tubes during the same operational cycle, combining multiple functions into one unified system that reduces overall execution time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated apparatus serves multiple functions through a single system: the transport device transports both full bobbins to the spinning frame and empty tubes to the roving frame; the exchange mechanism performs both doffing and loading operations; and the cleaning device cleans tubes that are being returned to the roving frame. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sequential operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Extent of automation

If automated systems are implemented for bobbin and tube management, then labor requirements are reduced, but system complexity and initial investment increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of bobbin and tube managementVSAvoidcomplexity of integrated device
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated apparatus is designed to perform operations autonomously without continuous human intervention. The transport device automatically moves bobbins and empty tubes between frames, the exchange mechanism automatically performs doffing and loading sequences, and the cleaning device automatically cleans tubes returning to the roving frame. The system serves itself by maintaining continuous operation and self-regulating the flow of materials through the integrated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Significantly reduces the overall execution times for collection, exchange, and cleaning steps, enhancing automation and efficiency in the spinning line operations.

Implementation Method 1

a suction device adapted to operate simultaneously on a pair of dirty tubes to remove from these the residual roving, thus obtaining empty tubes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3385414B1Apparatus and method for transporting bobbins and tubes between roving frame and spinning frame of a spinning line
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 MARZOLI MASCH TEXTILE SRL
  • EP3385414B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3385414B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3385414B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus of a spinning line comprises a rail (22) of a roving frame (6), a secondary transport device (26) associable to at least one spinning frame (8), and an integrated device (50) to locally carry out the collection of several tubes (12,14) originating from the spinning frame, of several bobbins (10) originating from the roving frame (6), the exchange of the bobbins (10) with the tubes (12,14) and the release of the bobbins (10) to the spinning frame and of the tubes (12,14) to the roving frame (6). Rail moving means are further provided for, adapted to advance the rail (22) with a variable stroke (C1,C2) between the step of collecting the bobbins (10) from the rail and the step of releasing the tubes (12,14) to the rail.