WO2008043371A1 - Thread feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a thread feeder (3) that is optimised both in terms of the thread course and in terms of maintenance. Said feeder has a minimum number of thread guide elements and an optimum arrangement of the latter. This permits threads to be guided with the least possible friction, even thin or sensitive threads and affords the best possible access to the drive belt, when the latter needs to be changed.

Description

Yarn feeder

The invention relates to a yarn feeding device for textile machines, in particular for knitting machines, such as flat bed knitting machines, circular knitting machines or others.

Knitting machines, in particular circular knitting machines, usually have a plurality of yarn feeding devices which serve to supply the individual knitting points in the desired speed and amount of yarn in a controlled manner. Such yarn feeding devices sit on a machine nenring, which is arranged horizontally above the circular knitting machine. From this stand the individual yarn feeding devices in the radial direction.

A yarn feeding device can be found, for example, in EP 0 333 482 A1. This yarn feeding device has a carrier which is provided at one end with a clamp for attachment to the machine ring. The carrier is forked. Between an upper and a lower leg, a distance is fixed. In the upper and in the lower leg, a ball bearing is arranged in each case. A vertically arranged shaft extends through both ball bearings. At the lower end of the shaft, a yarn feed wheel is attached. Between the two legs and above the same shaft carries a plurality of pulleys, which mesh with all around running, driving all the yarn feeding drive belts. Alternatively, the pulleys can be coupled to the shaft through a clutch. Access to the clutch is limited by thread guiding means and their carriers.

To thread guide an inlet eye is provided, which is supported by a rising steeply from the lower leg plate. From the inlet eye of the thread runs to a knotter and a thread brake, which are arranged on the lower leg. From there, the thread runs over the yarn feed wheel to the knitting machine.

The drive belt lying on the pulleys Müs ^¬ sen from time to time be changed because they wear out. However, they can not simply be placed on top of the pulleys from above because there are other internals in the area to prevent this. Therefore Often many corresponding drive belts are deposited on the ground during delivery and installation of knitting machines, after which the knitting machine is placed in the area bounded by the belt, for example by means of a forklift from above. The drive belts then lie around the foot of the machine until they are needed. They are then lifted from below and placed on the corresponding pulleys in replacement of the worn drive belt. However, in the case of yarn feeding devices according to the type illustrated in EP 0 333 482 A1, this is still tedious work because access to the pulleys is made more difficult.

From DE 25 31 378 Al a yarn feeding device for knitting machines is known, which has a forked holder with an upper and a lower leg. Between the legs a tube is firmly held on the outside of several pulleys are rotatably mounted. These contain magnetic body. Below the lower leg of a yarn feed wheel is arranged, which is rotatably connected to a concentrically extending into the tube rod. The pole carries a magnet. By axial Verstel ^¬ ment of the rod, the magnet can be brought into different rotatable coupling with different pulleys.

At the upper leg of the holder, a brake module is arranged, which has a thread brake and a Fadeneinlaufose and a Fadenauslauföse. From there, the thread runs down to a deflection hook in the vicinity of the yarn feed wheel and from there to the yarn feed wheel.

This arrangement allows a relatively simple belt change under the above-mentioned aspects. however The thread runs over many deflection points before it reaches the yarn feed wheel. Incidentally, the structure is relatively complicated and involves the difficulty of producing a rotationally fixed coupling between the rod and the pulleys through the magnetic circuit through the tube connecting the legs.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved yarn feeding device.

The yarn feeding device according to the invention has a bifurcated carrier with an upper and a lower leg, through which extends a vertically oriented rotatably mounted shaft in use. For storage of the shaft serve a first, arranged on the upper leg and a second arranged on the lower leg bearing. As a bearing rolling bearings, such as ball bearings are preferably provided. On the shaft sit one or more pulleys, which are connectable by clutches, preferably mechanical toothed couplings with the shaft. The couplings are switchable, i. on or disengageable. This purpose, a handle, for example in the form of an axially displaceably mounted on the shaft gripping disc. The clutch is preferably provided with a latching device which holds the clutch in engaged or disengaged position. To actuate the detent force of the clutch must be overcome manually. This is particularly easy in the yarn feeding device according to the invention, because the access to the intermediate space in which the handle is arranged, in particular from the front side of the yarn feeding device is completely free. The end face is the side facing radially outward with respect to the machine ring. In addition, the positions of the various couplings of the yarn feeding

- A - rate on the machine ring easily seen from a distance.

At the lower end of the shaft, a yarn feed wheel is rotatably arranged, which is wrapped by the thread once or several times, preferably in a smaller winding, with ten to fifteen turns. The yarn delivery wheel is preferably set up for positive delivery, for which purpose it has an inlet bevel, a storage area and an outlet slope. It can be formed in one or more parts. Preferably, it is a deep-drawn sheet metal part with profiled yarn storage area. Preferably, it is connected by means of a hand-operated screw with the shaft. The screw, in turn, is preferably identical to another screw which is disposed on the clamp of the carrier to fix it to the machine ring of the knitting machine.

In the yarn feeding device according to the invention, a yarn inlet guide device, for example in the form of a thread inlet eye or in the form of a thread guide tube, is arranged on the upper limb of the carrier, while the thread brake is preferably arranged on the lower limb. Thus, the Fadeneinleitpunkt for the yarn feeding device on the one hand high, that is arranged or fixed to the upper leg, while the yarn brake is still sitting as usual close to the yarn feed wheel. The thread brake is used to provide thread with a uniform thread tension for the yarn feed wheel. The number of required Fadenumlenkstellen and thread guide elements can be minimized. Between the yarn brake and the yarn inlet guide device there is a free gap in the invention, which is penetrated by the yarn. This space can be used, when the thread is removed, to To replace worn to drive the pulleys worn drive belt. Dismantling measures on the yarn feeding device are not necessary. In particular, a yarn guide tube provided on the yarn feeding device can not be removed when changing the belt.

It has proven to be advantageous to arrange the knotter in the immediate vicinity of the inlet guide on the upper leg. In this way it is ensured that the thread runs almost without contact through the slot or gap of the knot catcher. In a preferred embodiment, the free thread running area, is changed by the drive belt in case of need, formed between the knotter and the thread brake.

In a preferred embodiment, the Fadeneinlaufleitelement and the Knotenfänger form a structural unit, which is preferably releasably attached to the upper leg of the carrier. For attachment in particular releasable connection means are suitable, which can be connected and disconnected without tools. Particularly suitable locking connections, which are arranged between the assembly and the upper leg of the carrier. The knot catcher can also be individually removable.

The thread brake preferably forms a structural unit, which is preferably releasably attached to the lower leg of the carrier. In this way, a low thread friction is achieved even with fine threads and at high conveying speed, coupled with precise thread guidance and good service options, in particular with regard to the change of the drive belt. Preferably, the yarn feeler (Einlaufabsteller and Auslaufabsteller) completely below the Gerätebzw. Carrier body arranged. The yarn feelers thus do not project laterally under the carrier body. They also do not stand off to the side. By eliminating laterally projecting to the Abstellern belonging bracket the deposition of river is difficult. In addition, the devices are very narrow. If they are mounted close to each other on a machine ring, good access to the equipment is nevertheless granted. During maintenance and cleaning work, there are no disturbing wires or other parts standing sideways out of the devices.

Further details of advantageous embodiments are the subject of drawing, description or claims. In addition, the drawing illustrates and supplements the description.

In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated. Show it:

FIG. 1 shows a circular knitting machine in an extremely schematic side view,

FIG. 2 shows a yarn feeding device of the knitting machine according to FIG. 1 in a schematic side view,

FIG. 3 shows the yarn delivery device according to FIG. 2 when changing the drive belt,

Figure 4 shows a modified embodiment of the yarn feeding device according to the invention and 5 shows a section of the yarn feeding device in plan view.

FIG. 1 illustrates a circular knitting machine 1 in an extremely schematic manner. It has at the top a machine ring 2, which serves as a carrier for mutually identical yarn feeding devices 3. The yarn feeding devices 3 are radially from the machine ring. Each yarn feeding device 3 serves to deliver a yarn 4 at a controlled speed to the circular knitting machine 1.

Figure 2 illustrates such a yarn feeding device 3 by way of example for all held on the machine ring 2 yarn feeding devices. The yarn feeding device 3 has a carrier 5, which is formed forked. Starting from a clamp 6, at least two legs extend, i. an upper leg 7 and a lower leg 8 defining a gap between them.

On the upper leg 7 is a bearing, preferably a ball bearing 9, arranged with a vertical axis of rotation 10. On the lower leg 8, a bearing, preferably a ball bearing 11, is arranged, whose axis of rotation is concentric with the axis of rotation 10. The ball bearings 9, 11 support a vertically arranged shaft 12, on which one or more pulleys 13, 14 sit. The pulleys 13, 14 are alternatively rotatably coupled with the shaft 12. Serves an axially displaceably arranged clutch 15. The clutch can be switched by means of a handle, which is formed for example by a gripping disc 15a. This is axially adjustable. In order to remain in a once set position, locking means are provided. Moves the operator to switch the clutch, the gripping disc 15a by hand, he must overcome the locking force of the locking means. The shaft 12 extends through the lower leg 8 down through and passes through a housing 16 which is attached to the leg 8 and serves for receiving e- lektrischer or electronic components. It consists of the same material as the holder 5 or, as it is preferred, of another material, for example translucent or transparent plastic. The lower end of the shaft 12 projecting out of the housing 16 carries a yarn delivery wheel 17. It is preferably detachable from the shaft, for example by means of a hand-operated screw 18. This in turn is preferably identical to a fastening screw 19, which is arranged on the clamp 6 as a clamping screw.

The yarn feed wheel 17 is in the present embodiment, a Blechtiefziehteil with steep conical inlet region 20 with circular cross-section. In addition, it has a polygonal bounded, downwardly barely tapered storage area 21 and a conically steep expiration edge 22. Over this the thread 4 brushes when he walks to the circular knitting machine 1. If necessary, however, the sequence conditions can also be set otherwise. In particular, the thread 4 can also run radially.

To determine the flow conditions, the yarn feeding device 3 has at least one preferably two yarn discharge eyelets 23, 24 which are held on an arm 25 which extends from the leg 8 downwards. The arm 25 may also carry a module 26 from which a pivotally mounted lever 27 extends downwardly. The module 26 can form a thread outlet sensor with the lever 27, which monitors whether thread 4 is present or not. This is done for example by electronic detection of the position of the lever 27th

The yarn feeding device 3 may also have a yarn inlet sensor 28 which is designed as a pivotally mounted lever which carries a yarn guide eyelet 29 at its free end. Thus, the Fadenleitöse 29 is the only thread guide between a supported by the lower leg 8 yarn brake 30 and the yarn feed wheel 17. The yarn brake 30 is preferably disposed on the end face of the terminal 6 opposite end of the leg 8. It consists, for example, of a ceramic pin 31 and two, e.g. by magnetic forces on each other to biased brake rings 32nd

The upper leg 7 carries at its end remote from the terminal 6 a Fadeneinlaufleitelement 34, for example in the form of a Fadenleitöse 35. In addition, the upper leg 7 carries at its end remote from the terminal 6 end a node catcher 36. The latter is formed for example by a slotted plate , through the slot of the thread 4 is preferably free of deflection and in the ideal case without contact. The knot catcher 36 is preferably arranged directly below the thread inlet element 34. The knotter 36 and the Fadeneinlaufleitelement 34 may be independently connected to the leg 7 releasably. For connection locking means 46, 47 serve as shown in FIG 5. But you can also form a building ^¬ unit 33 which is detachably connected to the leg 7. In addition, the Fadeneinlaufleitelement 36, which is lös ^¬ bar connected to the leg 7, carry the Knot catcher, which is releasably connected to the Fadeneinlaufleitelement 36. As connecting devices, in each case serve to be operated without latching devices.

Between the knotter 36 and the thread brake 30, a gap is provided or formed in which no Fadenleitelemente are arranged. The clearance is greater in the vertical direction than the axial extent of one of the pulleys 13, 14. More particularly, it is greater than the vertical height of a drive belt 37 meshing with the pulley 13 or 14. As seen in Fig. 2, the pulley 14 has one between an upper edge 38 and a lower edge 39 defined support surface 40, in the axial direction, ie in Figure 2 vertically measured width matches the width of the drive belt 37. The width of the support surface 40 is also less than the distance of the knotter 36 from the thread brake 30th

The yarn feeding device 1 described so far is used according to FIG. 1 on knitting machines, in particular circular knitting machines 1. To drive the drive belt 37 is used, which wears out over time. For replacement are on the circular knitting machine 1 already more drive belt 41, 42, 43, which have been deposited on occasion at the bottom of the circular knitting machine 1. If one of them is to be placed on the yarn feeding devices 3, the procedure according to FIG. 3 is followed. First, the thread 4, if still present, for example, interrupted between the knotter 36 and the thread brake 30. This is carried out in accordance with all yarn feeding devices 3. Thereafter, the drive belt 37 is removed, for example, by being cut open and peeled off. Thereafter, the drive belt 41 is raised and, as illustrated in Figure 3, through the gap between the knotter 36 and the yarn brake 30 on the Pulley 13 or 14 placed. Thereafter, the loose ends of the thread 4 are reconnected and the knitting process can be restarted or continued.

In the yarn feeding device 1 can run on both pulleys 13, 14 drive belt. If the operator wishes to change the scarf clutch 15, e.g. from the drive through the pulley 13 to drive through the pulley 14, the operator must adjust the gripping disc 15a axially. This is because of the free access to the gripping disc 15a from the outside (in Fig. 2 from the right) very easy.

The presented yarn feeding device may have further significant features. For example, in the housing 16, if it is designed to be optically transparent, one or more signaling devices, such as LEDs, be arranged to signal a response of the thread inlet sensor or the thread outlet sensor. In addition, the shaft 12 can continue above the upper leg 7 upwards. It can be arranged there further pulleys. Alternatively, the upper leg 17 may carry a motor for driving the shaft 12. Furthermore, as FIG. 4 shows, the yarn inlet guide element 34 may be designed in the form of a guide tube 44. This is also connected to the assembly 33, for example by a spring clip 45. It does not have to be disassembled to change the belt. It can rather remain on the upper leg. In addition, it is ensured by the non-detachable rigid connection of the legs 7, 8 with each other that the thread ^{guide tube ¬ is} precisely held, so that the thread is guided reliably and precisely to the yarn brake. The yarn feeding device 3 according to the invention is a yarn feeding device which is optimized with regard to the course of the yarn as well as with regard to operation and maintenance. It has a minimized number of thread guide elements and an optimized arrangement of the same. On the one hand, the lowest-friction possible guidance of threads, even of thin or delicate threads allowed and on the other hand best accessibility to the drive belt allowed when this is to change.

Reference sign list

1 circular knitting machine

2 machine ring

3 yarn feeding device

4 threads

5 carriers

6 clamp

7 upper leg

8 lower thigh

9 upper ball bearing

10 axis of rotation

11 lower ball bearing

12 wave

13 upper pulley

14 lower pulley

15 clutch, 15a handle

16 housing

17 thread delivery wheel

18 screw

19 fixing screw

20 inlet area

21 memory area

22 outflow edge

23 first thread outlet eyelet

24 second thread outlet eyelet

25 arm

26 module

27 lever

28 thread inlet sensor

29 thread eyelet

30 thread brake

31 ceramic pencil brake rings

unit

Fadeneinlaufleitelernent

lappet

strainer

Transmission belt upper edge lower edge

Auflägefläche

belts

belts

belts

guide tube

spring clip

latching means

latching means

Claims

Claims: 1. yarn feeding device (3) for textile machines, in particular for knitting machines, with a carrier (5) which has at least: a clamp (6) for fastening the yarn feeding device (3) to the textile machine (1), an upper leg (7) and a lower leg (8), wherein a gap is formed between the upper and lower legs (7, 8), a shaft (12) extending vertically through the gap and the legs (7, 8) in use and being rotatably mounted thereon, at least one pulley (14) disposed on the shaft (12) within the space and having a belt support surface (40) for a drive belt (37), with a clutch (15) which is adapted to the at least one pulley (14) selectively rotatably coupled to the shaft (12) or to solve the rotational connection, and for engaging and disengaging a handle (15a), which is disposed adjacent to the pulley (14) in the space, a yarn feed wheel (17) disposed at a lower end of the shaft (12) in use for being driven by the shaft (12), with a thread inlet guide device (34), which is arranged on the upper leg (7), wherein below the Fadeneinlaufleiteinrichtung (34) free access to the pulley (14) and the handle (15a) of the clutch (15) is present. 2. Yarn feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that below the Fadeneinlaufleiteinrichtung (34) a node catcher (36) is arranged. 3. Yarn feeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that the knotter (36) and the Fadeneinlaufleiteinrichtung (34) with the leg (7) are each detachably connected. ^" 4. Yarn feeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that the knotter (36) and the Fadeneinlaufleiteinrichtung (34) are connected by tool-operated connection means with the leg (7). 5. Yarn feeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that the free distance between the node catcher (36) and the thread brake (30) is greater than the axial width of the thread support surface (40). 6. Yarn feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the Fadeneinlaufleiteinrichtung (34) is a Fadeneinlauföse (35). 7. Yarn feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the thread inlet guide device (34) is a thread guide tube (44). 8. Yarn feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that between the Fadeneinlaufleiteinrichtung (34) and the yarn feed wheel (17) only the knotter (36), the yarn brake (30) and the yarn inlet sensor (28) touch the thread. 9. Yarn feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that thread (4) enters the thread brake (30) unguided. 10. Yarn feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that on the lower leg (8) a yarn brake (30) is arranged. 11. Yarn feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle (15a) on the shaft (12) axially displaceably arranged disc. 12. Yarn feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that yarn inlet sensor (28) and / or the thread outlet sensor (25, 26, 27) completely below the support (5).