Roving Machine Spinning Station Vortex Chamber Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air-jet spinning machines are not suitable for producing roving due to differences in strength and draftability compared to yarn, requiring specific dimensions and geometry of the spinning position to achieve high-quality roving production.

Innovation Solution

The spinning station features a turbulence chamber with a truncated cone-shaped transition section after the inlet opening, where spinnerets direct air flow between the yarn-forming element and the chamber wall, generating a protective twist by expanding the chamber cross-section and optimizing air flow angles and diameters for uniform twist distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional air-jet spinning machines are used for roving production, then the basic spinning function is achieved, but the roving quality (strength and draftability) is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroving qualityVSAvoidsuitability for downstream processing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The vortex chamber is divided into distinct functional zones: a transition section with varying cross-section for initial fiber alignment, a working section with constant cross-section for uniform twist application, and a discharge section. Each zone has optimized dimensions and air flow characteristics to perform its specific function, ensuring overall roving quality while maintaining process adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes specific parameters including the cross-sectional dimensions of the vortex chamber (width and height), the angle of the transition section (15-45 degrees), the number and arrangement of spinnerets, and air pressure (0.2-0.6 MPa). These parameter changes enable the machine to produce high-quality roving suitable for downstream spinning processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the protective twist is made strong to prevent fiber breaking during winding, then fiber integrity is improved, but the roving draftability for further processing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroving strengthVSAvoiddraftability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The air vortex system dynamically adjusts twist distribution along the roving length through controlled air flow. The system applies stronger twist where needed for strength while maintaining lighter twist in regions requiring draftability, creating an optimized balance between these conflicting requirements through dynamic air pressure and flow rate control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The continuous air vortex flow ensures uniform protective twist application along the entire roving length as it passes through the vortex chamber. This continuous action prevents weak points that would require excessive local twisting, thereby maintaining both overall strength and draftability without interruption in the twisting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If the spinnerets are directed to impinge air flow on fibers for protective twist, then twist generation is improved, but uniform twist distribution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetwist generation efficiencyVSAvoidtwist uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple spinnerets are distributed around the periphery of the vortex chamber, each directing air flow at specific angles toward the fiber bundle. This segmentation of the air delivery system ensures that twist is applied uniformly from all directions, preventing localized over-twisting or under-twisting and achieving homogeneous twist distribution throughout the roving cross-section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air flow from spinnerets is directed not only axially but also radially inward at optimized angles (15-45 degrees relative to the fiber travel direction). This multi-dimensional air flow approach ensures comprehensive fiber engagement and uniform twist distribution across the entire fiber bundle cross-section, transforming a one-dimensional twisting problem into a three-dimensional solution.

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

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

This configuration enables the production of high-quality roving with enhanced strength and draftability, allowing for effective winding and further processing in downstream spinning machines.

Implementation Method 1

the spinnerets can be introduced into the vortex chamber via the air in a predetermined direction of rotation in order to impart a rotation in the said direction of rotation to the fiber composite supplied

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow rotation: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

guide a fiber bundle through a vortex chamber in which an air vortex is generated. This ultimately causes a portion of the outer fibers to be wrapped around the central fiber strand as so-called wrapping fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir vortex: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentEP2895647B1Spinning station of a roving machine
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 MASCHINENFABRIK RIETER AG
  • EP2895647B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2895647B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2895647B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a spinning station of a roving machine for producing a roving (2) from a sliver (3), wherein the spinning station (1) has a vortex chamber (4) having an infeed opening (5) for the sliver (3) and a yarn-forming element (6) extending at least partially into the vortex chamber (4), wherein the spinning station (1) has spinning nozzles (7) directed into the vortex chamber (4), said spinning nozzles (7) opening into the vortex chamber (4) in the region of a wall (8) surrounding the vortex chamber (4) and air being introducible into the vortex chamber (4) in a predefined direction of rotation via said spinning nozzles (7), in order to impart a rotation in said direction of rotation on the sliver (3) fed in a direction of transport (T) in the region of an inlet opening (9) of the yarn-forming element (6), and wherein the yarn-forming element (6) has an offtake channel (10) adjoining the inlet opening (9), it being possible to take off the yarn from the vortex chamber (4) via said offtake channel (10). According to the invention, it is proposed that the wall (8) of the vortex chamber (4), following the infeed opening (5), has a transition section (11), the form of which corresponds to the lateral surface of a truncated cone and the diameter of which increases in said direction of transport (T), wherein the spinning nozzles (7) open into the vortex chamber (4) in the region of the transition section (11) and each have a direction of flow which is oriented in the direction of an outer surface (12) of the wall (8) surrounding the vortex chamber (4).