WO2009040839A1

WO2009040839A1 - Spinning frame with a belt driving system for moving spindles

Info

Publication number: WO2009040839A1
Application number: PCT/IT2007/000681
Authority: WO
Inventors: Santino Cossandi; Giuseppe Moretti
Original assignee: Marzoli SpA
Current assignee: Marzoli SpA
Priority date: 2007-09-28
Filing date: 2007-09-28
Publication date: 2009-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 2010-03-28
Also published as: WO2009040734A1; DE602008005166D1; CN101802279A; EP2191049A1; CN101802279B; ATE499468T1; BRPI0817193A2; EP2191049B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a spinning frame with tangential movement system of the spindles. The system provides spindle groups mechanically connected to one another for balancing the action of the motors on the respective spindles.

Description

DESCRIPTION "Spinning frame with a belt driving system for moving spindles"

[0001] The object of the present invention is a spinning frame for obtaining thread reels from rove reels. [0002] As is known, a spinning frame is capable of processing rove reels for obtaining thread reels therefrom, after carrying out a drawing and twisting on the rove.

[0003] To this end, the spinning frame consists of a portal, whereon the rove reels hang, which extends along a longitudinal axis. [0004] Downstream of the rove reels there is arranged a drawing device, consisting of a set of cylinders having longitudinal extension, whereinbetween the rove passes to be drawn.

[0005] Downstream of the drawing device, on a base, there are arranged the spindles, in a row along the longitudinal axis, rotating about their vertical axis, whereon the drawn and twisted thread is wound.

[0006] In order to increase the spinning frame productivity, this usually exhibits two opposite banks, each provided with a row of spindles.

[0007] The spindles are moved in rotation about the vertical axis by a belt moving device, wherein the belt is moved by an electrical motor and engages spindles of the two banks.

[0008] There are several solutions of moving devices for a spinning frame.

[0009] For example, some solutions are illustrated in documents EP 0400260, by the same Applicant, and US 5,590,514, US 4,944,144, WO 2007/039260 and DE

2125597. [0010] However, such solutions exhibit some disadvantages. [001 1] For example, some solutions exhibit disadvantages relating to the performance of maintenance or repair operations.

[0012] In fact, the belt of the moving device is often subject to breakage, so replacement thereof is required. [0013] The broken belt is easily extracted from the spinning frame, whereas the new belt which makes a single closed annular piece, cannot be mounted or can be mounted with great difficulty and waste of time only, since the presence of the other gears of the spinning frame is an obstacle to the possibility of inserting the belt on the base so as to engage the spindles of the two banks. [0014] As an alternative, it is possible to mount a new open belt, to close once it has been positioned; however, also in that case there is a considerable waste of time and less reliability of the new belt, which is not in a single piece but exhibits two edges attached to each other.

[0015] On the other hand, other solutions exhibit the disadvantage of not being effective for driving a large number of spindles due to the difference in tension that generates in the belt between the stretched branch, pulled by the motor, and the released branch.

[0016] Others yet exhibit the disadvantage of providing belts on surfaces having different heights, thus engaging the spindles in different zones. This implies the provision of different spindles or inclined spindles, with considerable structural and functional complications.

[0017] The object of the present invention is to provide a spinning frame with a belt driven system for spindles which should overcome the disadvantages mentioned with reference to the prior art while meeting the above requirements. [0018] Such object is achieved by a spinning frame according to the following claim 1. The dependent claims describe embodiment variations.

[0019] The features and advantages of the spinning frame according to the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description, made by way of an indicative and non-limiting example with reference to the annexed figures, wherein: [0020] - figure 1 shows a perspective view of a portion of a spinning frame according to the present invention;

[0021] - figure 2 shows a perspective view of a further portion of the spinning frame of figure 1 ;

[0022] - figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of the spinning frame of figures 1 and 2;

[0023] - figures 3a and 3b show enlargements of portions of figure 3;

[0024] - figures 4, 4a and 4b respectively show a schematic plan view and relative enlargements of the spinning frame according to the present invention, in accordance with a further embodiment variation; [0025] - figures 5, 5a and 5b respectively show a schematic plan view and relative enlargements of the spinning frame according to the present invention, in accordance with an even further embodiment variation; and

[0026] - figure 6 shows a schematic plan view of a portion of the spinning frame according to the present invention, in accordance with a further embodiment variation.

[0027] A spinning frame according to the present invention mainly extends along a longitudinal axis X and comprises a support portal for hanging rove reels intended for processing. The portal extends in the top zone of the spinning frame, at a higher height from the support surface T of the machine. [0028] Moreover, the spinning frame comprises a rove drawing device, arranged at an intermediate height, consisting of a set of coupled cylinders, arranged longitudinally and suitable for rotating about their own axis. Passing between the cylinders of a pair, the rove undergoes a drawing, depending on the different speeds of rotation of the coupled cylinders. [0029] Arranged in the bottom zone of the machine the spinning frame further comprises a plurality of spindles, arranged in a row along the longitudinal axis X, with vertical axis Z, suitable for rotating about said vertical axis.

[0030] In particular, the spinning frame comprises a first bank 1a comprising a first row 2a of spindles 4a, and a second bank 1b comprising a second row 2b of spindles 4b, the first bank 1a being spaced from the second bank 1b along a cross axis T perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

[0031] A working region is thus defined between said banks 1a, 1b.

[0032] The spinning frame comprises at least one electrical motor 6 and a moving belt 8 that forms a closed path lying on a belt plane. [0033] The belt 8 is operatively engaged with motor 6 and with a predetermined number of spindles for moving them in rotation. Motor 6, belt 8 and the spindles engaged therewith form a spindle group.

[0034] For example, the belt is flat and engages the spindles tangentially, that is, in a direction tangential to the axis of rotation thereof. [0035] The spindles, according to a preferred embodiment, are engaged externally to the belt path (figures 3, 4 and 5), that is, they are arranged tangentially to belt 8, externally to the path formed thereby.

[0036] According to an embodiment variation, the spindles are engaged internally to the belt path (figure 6), that is, they are arranged tangentially to belt 8, internally to the path formed thereby. [0037] The spinning frame further exhibits structural obstacles, arranged in the working zone, defining obstacle sections on the belt plane.

[0038] For example, the drawing device, and in particular the cylinders thereof, are supported at the predetermined height by primary columns 10, which rest on the ground surface or on the base structure of the spinning frame, between banks 1a,

1b, and form structural obstacles; the section of said primary columns with the belt plane defines obstacle sections.

[0039] According to a further example, the portal for the rove reels is supported at the higher height by secondary columns that rest on the ground surface or on the base structure of the spinning frame, between banks 1a, 1b, and form structural obstacles; the section of said secondary columns with the belt plane defines further obstacle sections.

[0040] For the spinning frame, said obstacle sections are external to the path of the moving belt 8, so as to facilitate the replacement thereof. [0041] In other words, the belt path defines a closed area and the obstacle sections are external to such closed area, so that the belt is not arranged around the structural obstacles.

[0042] In particular, the spinning frame comprises a pair of deviating pulleys 12, for deviating the belt path starting from the motor. [0043] The belt path therefore comprises an active portion 8a, engaged with the spindles, a deviation portion 8b, engaged with motor 6 and comprised between said deviating pulleys 12, and return portions 8c, between the active portion 8a and the deviating portion 8b.

[0044] The active portion 8a and the return portions 8c extend peripherally to the work zone, that is, so as not to cross it, thus leaving the obstacle sections outside the belt path.

[0045] Moreover, the return portions 8c extend parallel to the active portion 8a, that is, they bend thereon, following the pattern thereof, up to reaching the deviating pulleys 12. [0046] According to an embodiment variation, the active portion 8a of the belt path engages spindles 4a of a single bank 1a. This occurs when the spindle group is in central position in the bank.

[0047] According to a further embodiment variation, the active portion 8a engages spindles 4a, 4b of two banks 1a, 1b (figure 2). [0048] Preferably, the spinning frame comprises spindle groups wherein the spindles are of a single bank and spindle groups wherein the spindles are of two different banks (figure 3).

[0049] According to an embodiment variation, the spinning frame comprises a connection belt 13 and only comprises spindle groups wherein the spindles are of a single bank (figure 4); in said embodiment, a group of a bank is mechanically engaged with a group of the other bank by the connection belt 13.

[0050] According to an even further embodiment variation, the spinning frame comprises spindle groups wherein the spindles are of a single bank and the spindle groups of a bank are disconnected from the spindle groups of the other bank (figure 5).

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment, motor 6 can be positioned along the cross axis T, for stretching the moving belt.

[0052] For example, the spinning frame comprises a motor plate 22, whereto motor

6 is integral, said plate being shifting along the cross axis T and fixable in a desired position for stretching the moving belt 8. [0053] According to a further embodiment, the spinning frame comprises a further electrical motor 14 and a further moving belt 16, operatively engaged with the further motor 14 and with a predetermined number of further spindles for moving them in rotation. The further motor 14, the further belt 16 and the further spindles form a further spindle group.

[0054] The further moving belt 16 is preferably arranged on the same plane as the moving belt 8.

[0055] The spindle group and the further spindle group are mechanically connected for balancing the action of motors 6, 14 on the respective spindles. [0056] For example, the spinning frame comprises a balancing pulley 18, engaged with the further belt 16 of the further spindle group, and a balancing belt 20, engaged with motor 6 and with the balancing pulley 18, for mechanically connecting the spindle group to the further spindle group. [0057] Advantageously, the mechanical connection between different spindle groups, each having the respective motor, allows regularizing the rotation speed of all of the spinning frame spindles, since transfers of driving torque occur automatically between the connected groups, according to the instant needs of the spinning frame. [0058] Preferably, the balancing pulley 18 can be positioned along the cross axis T₁ for stretching the further moving belt 16 or the balancing belt 20.

[0059] For example, the spinning frame comprises a pulley plate 24, whereto pulley 18 is integral, said plate being shifting along the cross axis T and fixable in a desired position for stretching the moving belt 16 or the balancing belt 20. [0060] According to a further embodiment variation, the balancing belt 20 is engaged with motor 6 and with the further motor 14. [0061] lnnovatively, the spinning frame according to the present invention allows overcoming the disadvantages of known solutions and meeting the requirements of the field.

[0062] In particular, the spinning frame according to the present invention allows easily and quickly replacing the broken or worn belt with an entire belt, since the entire belt is arranged so as to not enclose the sections of the structural obstacles.

[0063] Moreover, the rotation speed of the spindles is regularized by the mechanical engagement between the different spindle groups.

[0064] Such advantageous aspect also affects the manufacturing inexpensiveness of the spinning frame, as it prevents the use of expensive electronic systems for the speed synchronisation.

[0065] Moreover, the spindles are all structurally identical to each other, since they are engaged with the belt at the same points.

[0066] In other words, it is not necessary to envisage spindles with bearings arranged in different zones, so that the force exerted by the belt is always in axis with the bearings.

[0067] Advantageously, moreover, it is possible to reabsorb the permanent elongations of the belts, varying the position of the motor or of the balancing pulley.

[0068] According to a further advantageous aspect, even though the number of spindles is generally very high, if compared to the number of spindles of the prior art devices, the belt is subject to low tensions, if compared with said known devices, and also exhibits smaller dimensions, since the driving torque required is divided among multiple motors.

[0069] It is clear that a man skilled in the art can make changes and adjustments to the spinning frame described above in order to overcome specific and incidental disadvantages, all falling within the scope of protection defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. Spinning frame, having prevailing extension along a longitudinal axis (X), comprising:

- a first bank (1a) comprising a first row (2a) of spindles (4a), arranged in a sequence along the longitudinal axis and a second bank (1b) comprising a second row (2b) of spindles (4b) arranged in a sequence along the longitudinal axis, the first bank being spaced from the second bank along a cross axis (T) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), a working region being thus defined between said banks; - an electrical motor (6) and a moving belt (8) that forms a closed path lying on a belt plane, said belt being operatively moved by the motor and engaged with a predetermined number of spindles for moving them in rotation, said motor, said belt and said spindle thus forming a spindle group;

- structural obstacles (10), arranged in the working zone, defining obstacle sections on the belt plane, wherein said obstacle sections are external to the belt path;

- a further electrical motor (14) and a further moving belt (16) operatively moved by the further motor and engaged with a predetermined number of further spindles for moving them in rotation, said further motor, said further belt and said further spindles thus forming a further spindle group, wherein the further moving belt is arranged on the same plane as the moving belt,

- the spindle group and the further spindle group being mechanically connected for balancing the action of the motors on the respective spindles.

2. Spinning frame according to claim 1 , comprising

- a balancing pulley (18), engaged with the further belt of the further spindle group; - a balancing pulley (20), engaged with the motor and with the balancing pulley for mechanically connecting the spindle group with the further spindle group.

3. Spinning frame according to claim 1 , comprising

- a balancing pulley (20), engaged with the motor (6) and with the further motor (14) for mechanically connecting the spindle group with the further spindle group.

4. Spinning frame according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the balancing pulley (18) can be positioned along the cross axis (T) and fixable in a desired position.

5. Spinning frame according to any one of the previous claims, comprising a pair of deviating pulleys (12) wherein the belt path comprises an active portion (8a), engaged with the spindles, a deviation portion (8b), engaged with the motor and comprised between said deviating pulleys, and return portions (8c), between the active portion and the deviating portion.

6. Spinning frame according to claim 5, wherein said active portion and said return portions extend peripherally to the working zone.

7. Spinning frame according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said return portions extend parallel to said active portion.

8. Spinning frame according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein said active portion engages spindles of a single bank only.

9. Spinning frame according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein said active portion engages spindles of the two banks.

10. Spinning frame according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the spindles are arranged externally to the belt path.

11. Spinning frame according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the spindles are arranged internally to the belt path.

12. Spinning frame according to any one of claims 2 to 11 , comprising a pulley plate (24), whereto the pulley (18) is integral, said plate being shifting along the cross axis (T) and fixable in a desired position.

13. Spinning frame according to any one of the previous claims, comprising

- a rove drawing device, upstream of said spindles; wherein said structural obstacles comprise at least one primary column for supporting the drawing device.

14. Spinning frame according to any one of the previous claims, comprising

- a support portal for hanging rove reels along the longitudinal axis; wherein said structural obstacles comprise at least one secondary column (10) for supporting the portal.

15. Spinning frame according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said motor can be positioned along said cross axis (T), for stretching the moving belt.

16. Spinning frame according to claim 15, comprising a motor plate whereto the motor (6) is integral, said plate being shifting along the cross axis (T).