Rotatable Gripping Device for Ring Spinning Machine Doffing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing doffer devices for spinning machines are inefficient due to time-consuming movements and require excessive space, leading to lost spinning time and stability issues.

Innovation Solution

A method and device with a rotatable gripping system attached to a beam, allowing for horizontal or vertical movement of gripping devices to efficiently remove full bobbins and place empty tubes on spindles without extending the machine's width, utilizing cylindrical or conical grippers and indicators for precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a conventional doffer device with multiple gripping devices is used, then each spinning station has its own gripping device for removing bobbins and placing spools, but the beam must move long distances during standstills resulting in time loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespinning efficiencyVSAvoiddoffing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the gripping device rotatable rather than fixed. The rotatable gripping device can quickly reposition between spinning stations without requiring long beam travels, thereby reducing doffing time while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The empty spool is grasped in advance before the doffing operation begins. This preliminary action allows the gripping device to already hold the replacement spool when it arrives at the spinning station, eliminating waiting time and improving overall doffing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If a doffer device with rotating discs and gripping elements is used, then the doffing speed is improved, but the space requirement along the longitudinal axis increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoffing speedVSAvoidlongitudinal space requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a longitudinal arrangement (rotating discs along the axis) to a transverse arrangement (rotatable gripping device mounted on a beam). This dimensional change allows the doffing mechanism to operate in a different spatial plane, reducing the longitudinal space requirement while maintaining doffing speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable gripping device provides dynamic repositioning capability that achieves fast doffing without requiring the extended longitudinal space of fixed rotating disc systems. The rotation occurs in a compact configuration that fits within the available machine width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the doffer tilts sideways to perform doffing operations, then the gripping elements can access the spindles, but the machine width increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoffing capabilityVSAvoidmachine width
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a rotatable gripping device that can dynamically adjust its position and orientation. Instead of permanently tilting the entire doffer structure sideways, the gripping device rotates to the required angle only when needed, maintaining a compact machine width while preserving full doffing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3366821B1Method for doffing for a ring spinning machine and a corresponding ring spinning machine
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 RIETER CZ AS
  • EP3366821B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1f
  • EP3366821B1 patent drawingFigure 1g~1j
  • EP3366821B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2f

AI summary

A method for removing full bobbins (7) from spindles (8) of a ring spinning machine (1) and placing empty cores (5) onto the spindles (8) using a doffer (1) is disclosed. The doffer comprises a beam (2) and a rotatable gripping device (3) attached to the beam (2), with a core gripper (41) and a bobbin gripper (42). The doffer (1) is arranged next to the ring spinning machine (1). According to the invention, the beam is raised vertically, and the gripping device is extended from the beam over the full bobbin (7). The invention also relates to a doffer with corresponding drives.