Double Gripper Doffer Device for Spinning Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Doffer devices for spinning machines face inefficiencies due to the need for lengthy movements, limited space constraints, and stability issues, leading to increased spinning time and potential operator difficulties during malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A doffer device with a rotating mechanism allowing adjacent gripping units to rotate with a time offset, enabling efficient bobbin removal and tube placement without impeding each other, even in limited spaces, and incorporating indicators for easy operator positioning and overload protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional doffer device with a single gripping element per spinning station is used, then the device structure is simple, but the doffering process is time-consuming due to lengthy beam movements between spinning stations and conveyor belts
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device is divided into two independent gripping elements (first gripping element for empty cores, second gripping element for full bobbins) that can operate simultaneously or sequentially, eliminating the need for the beam to travel back and forth between conveyor belt and spinning station
Solution Approach 2:
The first gripping element grasps the empty core in advance at the conveyor belt location before the beam moves to the spinning station, so that when the beam arrives at the spinning station, the empty core is already positioned and ready for immediate placement, eliminating waiting time
2Productivity
If a rotary table with gripping devices is used to avoid beam travels during standstills, then the doffering speed is improved, but the device requires more space along the longitudinal axis than is available between two spinning stations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a rotary table that extends along the longitudinal axis, the invention uses two gripping elements arranged in different spatial positions (one for conveyor belt operations, one for spinning station operations) that can function independently, achieving rapid doffering without requiring additional longitudinal space
Solution Approach 2:
Both gripping elements are integrated into the same doffer device structure, sharing common support and control mechanisms, allowing rapid doffering operations without requiring separate rotary tables or additional longitudinal space
3Productivity
If a double gripper system with two gripping elements is implemented, then the doffering process is accelerated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both gripping elements are designed with similar structural characteristics and control mechanisms, allowing them to perform different functions (grasping empty cores and full bobbins) while maintaining design consistency, which reduces the actual complexity increase despite the dual-function capability
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a doffer device (1, 6, 8, 120) for a spinning machine having a plurality of spinning stations, for removing full packages from spindles and for placing empty tubes on the spindles, having at least one beam (5), having a plurality of gripping devices (10, 11, 12), respectively assigned to a spinning station, which each have a main body (80, 83) and a rotatable gripping unit (20, 21, 22), wherein the gripping unit (20, 21, 22) is rotatable between a gripping position and a placing position and comprises a package gripper (40, 41, 42) for gripping the full package and a tube gripper (30, 31, 32) for gripping the empty tube, and having a rotation installation (2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 50-55, 60-66, 121) for rotating the gripping units (20, 21, 22). The rotation installation (2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 50-55, 60-66, 121) comprises rotation means (50-55, 60-66) and a drive means (2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 121), wherein each gripping device (10, 11, 12) is assigned one of the rotation means (50-55, 60-66) and the drive means (2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 121) is assigned to several gripping devices (10, 11, 12), and the rotation installation (2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 50-55, 60-66, 121) can rotate two adjacent gripping units (20, 21, 22) in a temporally offset manner with respect to one another. The invention also relates to a method for removing full packages from spindles and for placing empty tubes on the spindles by way of a doffer device (1, 6, 8, 120) and a gripping device (10, 11, 12).