WO2017217942A1

WO2017217942A1 - Distributing mechanism for the suction pipes of cotton feeding units

Info

Publication number: WO2017217942A1
Application number: PCT/TR2016/000080
Authority: WO
Inventors: Engin KALE; İsmail Faruk KUYUMCU
Original assignee: Yi̇ği̇tler Teksti̇l Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.Ş.
Priority date: 2016-06-14
Filing date: 2016-06-14
Publication date: 2017-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 2018-12-14

Abstract

A distributing mechanism (20) enabling the cotton pile (1) to be lifted through the cotton suction pipe (10) and to be dispersed at the inlet (11) of the suction pipe thereby performing the suction process in an efficient and quick manner in cotton feeding units designed for conveying the cotton piles that are in the form of raw or processed cotton from one location to another, consists of the motor (21) that drives the distributing mechanism (20); the belt (23) that transfers the rotary motion of the motor shaft (22) to the transmission shaft (24); the extension belt (26) that transfers the rotary motion of the transmission shaft (24) to the distributing mechanism (27); the distributing edges (28) positioned on the distributing shaft (27) and enabling the distribution of the cotton piles (1) that have hardened due to the rotation of the distributing shaft (27); the brackets (29) that give resistance to the distributing edges (28) during the distribution of hardened cotton pile (1); the erection platform (210) that enables the distributing mechanism (20) to be mounted on the suction pipe (10); the hinges (223) that enable the distributing mechanism (20) to be positioned according to the shape and density of the cotton pile (1); the extension box (230) that enables the joint operation of the transmission shaft (24), extension belt (26) and distributing shaft (27) and the bearings (231) located on the extension box (230).

Description

DESCRIPTION

DISTRIBUTING MECHANISM FOR THE SUCTION PIPES OF COTTON FEEDING

UNITS This invention relates to a distributing mechanism in cotton feeding units that are designed for conveying the cotton piles (bale, pressed or hardened etc.), which are in the form of raw or processed cotton, from one location to another, wherein the cotton pile to be elevated (or sucked) through the cotton suction pipe is distributed (or loosened) at the inlet of the suction pipe, thereby performing the suction process in an efficient and quick manner. Various and different kinds of mechanisms are utilized in cotton processing, harvesting and ginning facilities for conveying the cotton in bulk (bale, pressed, hardened etc.) from one location (warehouse, harvesting area etc.) to another (processing and manufacturing site etc.). In addition to the conveying process, such mechanisms can also separate foreign substances from the raw cotton. Various methods are employed for taking (lifting) a specific part of cotton from a cotton pile (bale, pressed, hardened pile etc.) in commercially available mechanisms that perform conveying and separating processes independently. One of the methods already used in the area is to utilize the suction pipe for taking the cotton from the pile.

In the state-of-the-art, the patent document with publication No. WO2015072935 and titled "Cotton Feeding Unit" relates to conveying the cotton and separating it from foreign substances. The mechanism specified in the said patent document utilizes the suction pipe for taking (lifting) cotton from the pile. The suction pipe draws the cotton parts from the pile by lifting them through air suction flow. However, the cotton piles stored and stocked in warehouses, harvested land and similar sites may be pressed and hardened due to various factors such as humidity, long-waiting periods, weight and density of cotton pile. In that case, it may be difficult to lift the cotton parts from the hardened cotton pile via the suction pipe only. Taking the cotton parts out of hardened cotton piles requires to increase suction rate to very high levels. The increase of suction rate is not even sufficient for some conditions. Moreover, if the increase of the suction rate is to high it decreases the efficiency of the cotton conveying mechanism and also shortens the life-span of mechanism. The increase of the air suction rate by maximizing the power also increases the consumption rates that result in the decrease in efficiency and productivity. Also, running the machine with maximum power constantly can cause wear and tear of the components of the mechanism and so shorten its life-span.

The patent document titled "Cotton Feeding Unit" with publication number WO2015072935 discloses the "pneumatic piston arms" positioned at the inlet of the suction pipe with a view to softening the hardened cotton pile and making it suitable for the suction process. The said "pneumatic piston arms" move only vertically (up and down). "Pneumatic piston arms" enter the hardened cotton pile while moving downwards; and the arms lift some cotton to the inlet of the suction pipe. Therefore, the cotton parts taken from the cotton pile can be sucked via the suction pipe. However, this method can be defined as slow and limited in a specific area due to the operation style of pneumatic arms (sequential and vertical movement). Also, the cotton pile cannot be distributed properly during the upwards movement of the pneumatic arms. In that case, it is required to apply a suction rate above a certain level so as to draw chunks, separated from the cotton pile, by means of the suction pipe. In the state-of-art, there is a patent document in the literature titled "MODULE DISPERSER" with the publication number US5542790 which aims to disperse the cotton pile completely and drawing it through the suction pipe. The said patent document discloses the "prongs" on a horizontal shaft mounted at the inner part of the inlet of the suction pipe. The horizontal shaft with the prongs is rotated by a hydraulic motor. It enables the rotating prongs to disperse the cotton at the inlet area of the suction pipe. However, the position of the prongs that are specially positioned at the inner side of the inlet of the suction pipe and at the center line may bring about some disadvantages. Positioning of the prongs at the inner side of the inlet of the suction pipe limits the dimension of the prongs. In this case, the prongs may not able to produce sufficient power to disperse the hardened cotton piles. Positioning of the prongs at the inner side of the inlet of the suction pipe requires the suction pipe to be inserted into the cotton pile during the conveyance of cotton. This may result in drawing the cotton parts, which are not fully separated, into the suction pipe. Positioning of the prongs on a single line limits the area of influence on the cotton pile. The prongs only impact on the cotton pile positioned under the suction pipe. For this reason, the mechanism disclosed in the patent document No. US5542790 may remain incapable with regards to effectiveness and speed. The said mechanism disclosed in patent No. US5542790 aims to disperse in a wide area within the cotton pile and then collect the dispersed cotton parts towards the inlet of the suction pipe. The invention, which relates to a distributing mechanism enabling the cotton pile to be lifted (or sucked) through the cotton suction pipe and to be dispersed (or loosened) at the inlet of the suction pipe thereby performing the suction process in an efficient and quick manner in cotton feeding units designed for conveying the cotton piles (bale, pressed or hardened etc.) that are in the form of raw or processed cotton from one location to another, overcomes the technical difficulties mentioned above.

The distributing mechanism for the suction pipes of cotton feeding units are generally designed to be effective on a wide area on the hardened cotton piles, distributing the cotton piles in an efficient and quick manner and collecting (directing) the distributed cotton parts towards the inlet of the suction pipe.

The distributing mechanism comprises of at least one motor, a transmission shaft driven by the said motor, a belt or chain that connects the motor shaft with transmission shaft, a distributing shaft positioned at a certain distance to transmission shaft and equipped with distributing edges for dispersing the hardened cotton pile, shaft wheels and gears mounted on at least one edge of the distributing shaft and transmission shaft, an extension belt or chain positioned between the said shaft wheels or gears and transferring the rotary motion of transmission shaft to distributing shaft.

The rotary motion of the motor shaft generated by the motor is transferred to the transmission shaft via a belt or chain. The motor and transmission shaft are positioned on the upper part of the suction inlet. The distributing shaft, which is equipped with distributing edges, is positioned on the lower part of the suction inlet. The rotary motion of the transmission shaft is transferred to the distributing shaft via extension belts and chains. Extension belts are positioned between the shaft wheels and gears mounted at the edge parts of the transmission shaft and distributing shaft. The motion that is transferred from the transmission shaft via extension belts also provides the rotation of the distributing shaft. Therefore, the distributing edges mounted perpendicularly to the axis of rotation distributes the cotton pile. The distributing shaft rotates from the outside to the inside (towards the inlet or suction pipe). Therefore, the distributed cotton parts are directed towards the inlet of the suction pipe.

The aforementioned mechanism is combined with bearing and supporting elements: The said distributing mechanism is mounted on the lateral surface of the suction pipe. The distributing mechanism is mounted on the suction pipe via an erection platform. The erection platform is positioned at the transmission shaft side of the distributing mechanism. The erection platform enables the distributing mechanism to be positioned properly on the inlet of the suction pipe. For example, the taper suction inlet mounted at the end of the cylindrical suction pipe is a bit wider than the suction pipe. In this case, it is suitable for mounting the distributing mechanism on the suction pipe with an erection platform in order for the distributing shaft to extend the underside of the suction inlet.

The distributing mechanism is mounted on the erection platform by means of hinged plates. One of the hinged plates (fixed plate) is mounted rigidly on the erection platform. The fixed and moving plate are mounted on each other with free-running hinges. Therefore, the distributing mechanism can perform an outward opening movement from the suction pipe at the axis of the free-running hinges. Thanks to the free-running hinges, the distributing mechanism can be positioned according to the shape and density of the cotton pile located below the mechanism. This system enables the distribution of the cotton parts and the direction of the distributed parts towards the suction inlet in an efficient and quick manner. For example, when the suction pipe encounters a crest of hardened cotton pile, the distributing mechanisms contacts the sidewalls of the said crest. In this case, the distributing mechanism performs an opening movement towards the sidewalls of the crest thanks to the free-running hinges. The said crest of the cotton pile can be dispersed from the sidewalls by means of the rotation of the distributing edges. As mentioned before, the distributing shaft and then the distributing edges rotate towards the suction inlet. When the crest of the cotton pile is dispersed from the side parts, the distributing mechanism moves towards the suction pipe due to the effect of the rotary motion. Therefore, it may be possible to disperse and distribute cotton piles from the outside to the inside and direct them towards the suction pipe.

There are extension boxes between the said transmission shaft and the distributing shaft. The extension belts that transfer motion from the transmission shaft to the distributing shaft are mounted on the said extension boxes. The said extension boxes engage with the edge parts (equipped with shaft wheels) of the transmission shaft and the distributing shaft. The areas where the edges of the transmission shaft and the distributing shaft are located on the extension boxes are equipped with bearings. They enable the rotation of the transmission shaft and the distributing shaft smoothly and without any obstruction. For example, the transmission shaft, distributing shaft and extension boxes form a four-sided frame within the distributing mechanism having two extension boxes. The extension boxes are mounted on the said moving plate. Therefore, it enables the distributing shaft and distributing mechanism, which drives the distributing shaft, to perform the opening and closing movement also, the motor that drives the mechanism is fixed into the structure with a motor plate positioned on the said moving plate.

Bearing elements can be comprised of; - Extension boxes, the moving plate onto which the extension boxes are mounted, the fixed plate to which the moving plates are mounted with hinges and the erection platform onto which the fixed plate is mounted; or

- Extension boxes, the moving plate onto which the extension boxes are mounted, and the erection platform onto which the moving plate is mounted with hinges; or

- Extension boxes, the erection platform onto which the extension boxes are mounted with hinges;

and similar combinations.

This invention is described and exemplified in more details with the following figures attached hereto. These figures are as follows:

Figure 1 shows the general view of the suction pipe mounted onto two distributing mechanisms.

Figure 2 shows the detailed view of the distributing mechanism mounted on the suction pipe.

Figure 3 shows the detailed view of the distributing mechanism mounted on the suction pipe. Figure 4 shows the general view of the distributing mechanisms that are extended at the axis of the hinge.

Figure 5 shows the general view of the distributing mechanisms that are extended at the axis of the hinge.

Figure 6 shows the operation of the distributing mechanisms on the cotton piles. Figure 7 shows the operation of the distributing mechanisms extended at the axis of the hinge.

Figure 8 shows the individual views of the suction pipe, erection platform, hinged plates and distributing mechanism. Figure 9 is the detailed view of the distributing mechanism. Figure 10 is the detailed view of the distributing mechanism.

Description of the references:

NO PART NAME

1 Cotton pile

2 Cotton parts

10 Suction pipe

11 Suction inlet

20 Distributing mechanism

21 Motor

22 Motor shaft

23 Belt

24 Transmission shaft

25 Shaft wheel

26 Extension belt

27 Distributing shaft

28 Distributing edge

29 Bracket

210 Erection platform

220 Hinged plates

221 Fixed plate

222 Moving plate 223 Hinge

230 Extension box

231 Bearing

240 Motor plate

250 Belt box

300 Rotating direction of distributing edge

400 Opening direction of hinge

The invention, which relates to a distributing mechanism (20) enabling the cotton pile (1) to be lifted (or sucked) through the cotton suction pipe (10) and to be dispersed (or loosened) at the inlet (11) of the suction pipe thereby performing the suction process in an efficient and quick manner in cotton feeding units designed for conveying the cotton piles (hardened) that are in the form of raw or processed cotton from one location to another, consists of the motor (21) that drives the distributing mechanism (20); the belt (23) that transfers the rotary motion of the motor shaft (22) to the transmission shaft (24); the extension belt (26) that transfers the rotary motion of the transmission shaft (24) to the distributing mechanism (27); the distributing edges (28) positioned on the distributing shaft (27) and enabling the distribution of cotton piles (1) that have hardened due to the rotation of distributing shaft (27); the brackets (29) that give resistance to the distributing edges (28) during the distribution of the hardened cotton pile (1); the erection platform (210) that enables the distributing mechanism (20) to be mounted onto the suction pipe (10); the hinges (223) that enable the distributing mechanism (20) to be positioned according to the shape and density of the cotton pile (1); the extension box (230) that enables the joint operation of the transmission shaft (24), the extension belt (26) and distributing shaft (27) and the bearings (231) located on the extension box (230). The mechanical part of the distributing mechanism (20) consists of;

- at least one motor (21),

- The transmission shaft (24) positioned close to the motor (21),

- The belt (23) or chain that transfers the rotary motion of the motor shaft (22) to the transmission shaft (24);

- The motor (21) that is mounted on the upper part of the suction inlet (11) and the distributing shaft (27) positioned at a certain distance from the transmission shaft (24) and at the end or on the lower part of the suction inlet (11),

- The extension belt (26) or extension chain that transfers the rotary motion of the transmission shaft (24) to the distributing shaft (27)

- Shaft wheels (25) or gears that enable the extension belt (26) to retain the transmission shaft (24) and the distributing shaft (27)

- Distributing edges (28) that are positioned on the distribution shaft (27) perpendicularly or horizontally and that enable the cotton piles (1) to be distributed by the rotary motion of the distributing shaft (27),

- Brackets (29) that are positioned at the reverse side of the rotating direction (300) of the distributing edges where the distributing edges (28) combine with the distributing shaft (27), and that give strength to the distributing edges (28)

The bearing part of the distributing mechanism (20) consists of; - The erection platform (210), that connects the distributing mechanism (20) to the suction pipe (10),

- Hinged plates (220) that enable the distributing mechanism (20) to perform the outward opening and closing movement from the suction pipe (10),

- The fixed plate (221) that enables the rigid connection of the hinged plates (220) to the erection platform (210),

- The moving plate (222) that is connected to the fixed plate (221) with the hinges (223),

- The hinges (223) that enable the distributing mechanism (20) to perform the opening and closing movement according to the shape and density of the cotton pile (1), - The extension box (230) that enables the connection of the transmission shaft (24), which is positioned on the upper part of the suction inlet (11), and distributing shaft (27), which is positioned on the lower part of the suction pipe (11), - The bearings (231) that enable the rotation of the transmission shaft (24) and the distributing shaft (27) despite the erection of the extension box (230),

- The motor plate (240) that is mounted onto the moving plate (222) and that enables the motor (21) to be fixed to the distributing mechanism (20),

- The belt box (250) that protects the belt (23) positioned between the motor shaft (22) and the transmission shaft (24)

The use of the invention can be exemplified as follows:

The distributing mechanism (20) can be applied to all kinds of suction pipes (10) and suction inlets (11) in cotton feeding units designed for conveying raw or processed cotton from one location to another.

At least one distributing mechanism (20) is mounted on the suction pipe (10) by means of the erection platform (210). The erection platform (210) is fixed to the outer surface of the suction pipe (10) by using the present techniques. The distributing mechanism (20) is fixed to the erection platform (210) by using the present techniques. For the distributing mechanism (20) attached to the suction pipe (10), the motor (21) and the transmission shaft (24) are positioned on the upper part of the suction inlet (11) and the distributing shaft (27) is positioned on the lower part of the suction inlet (11). The motor (21) drives the distributing mechanism (20) as necessary. The said movement (rotary motion) is transferred to the distributing shaft (27) via the belt (23), transmission shaft (24) and extension belt (26). Thanks to the distributing edges (28) located on the distributing shaft (27), the cotton pile (1) is distributed and then the distributed cotton parts (2) are directed towards the suction inlet (11).

When the motor (21) starts, the rotary motion of the motor shaft (22) is transferred to the transmission shaft (24) by means of the belt (23). The said belt (24) operates in a belt box (250). The inlet and outlet parts of the motor shaft (22) and the transmission shaft (24) that connects with the belt box (250) are equipped with bearings (231).

The rotary motion of the transmission shaft (24) is transferred to the distributing shaft (27), which is positioned on the lower part of the suction inlet (11), through the extension belt (26). The extension belt (26) is tightened between the shaft wheels (25) mounted on the transmission shaft (24) and the distributing shaft (27). The said extension belt (26) operates in an extension box (230). The inlet and outlet parts of the transmission shaft (24) and the distributing shaft (27) that connect with the extension box (230) are equipped with bearings (231).

The distributing shaft (27) is equipped with distributing edges (28) which are positioned perpendicularly and/or at a certain angle to the shaft axis. The distributing edges (28) disperse the hardened cotton pile (1) through the rotation of the distributing shaft (27). The distributing edges (28) that are positioned horizontally or perpendicularly to the rotation axis disperse the cotton pile (1) via a continuous pulse action.

The rotating direction of the distributing edge (300) is towards the inside of the suction inlet (11). Therefore, the distributing edges (28) direct the distributed cotton piles (2) towards the suction inlet (11). Therefore, it may be possible to convey the cotton piles via the suction pipe (10) in an efficient and quick manner.

There is at least one moving part among the rigid connections on which the distributing mechanism (20) is mounted on the suction pipe (10). The hinges (223) are used for the said moving connection. Free-running hinges (223) are preferable for the said moving connection. The free-running hinge (223) means that the hinges (223) can be moved by external effects without any control equipment. The external effect that drives the hinges (223) of the distributing mechanism (20) in the cotton feeding units is the shape and density of the cotton pile (1).

While conveying the cotton, the suction pipe (10) is kept and moved over the cotton pile (1). At the same time, the distributing edges (28) disperse the cotton pile (1) continuously and direct the dispersed cotton piles (2) towards the suction inlet (11) according to the direction of rotation. The shape and density of the cotton pile (1) can push the distributing edges (28) out of the axis of the suction pipe (10). In this case, the distributing mechanism (20) is able to move a bit outwards from the suction pipe (10) thanks to the free-running hinge (223) connection. Therefore, the distributing edges (28) can be positioned in the best and proper way according to the shape and density (1) of the cotton pile. For example, when the distributing mechanism (20) encounters a crest of cotton pile (1), it moves towards the sidewalls of the crest by means of the hinges (223). Therefore, the cotton pile (1), which is dispersed gradually from the top part of the crest according to the present technique, may be dispersed swiftly starting from the sidewalls to the center of the crest. When the distributing edges (28) disperse the crest of the cotton pile (1) from the sidewalls, the distributing mechanism (20) moves towards the suction pipe (10) by means of the hinges (223). As long as there is no resistance, the hinges (223) and the direction of rotation keep the distributing mechanism (223) in parallel with the suction pipe (10).

The hinges (223) are generally positioned between two plates. The said plates are called the hinged plates (220). There are two types of hinged plates (220) one is the fixed plate (221) and the other is the moving plate (222). The fixed plate (221) is mounted directly on the suction pipe (10) and mounted rigidly on the suction pipe (10) via the erection platform (210). There is at least one hinge (223) between the fixed plate (221) and the moving plate (222). The motor plate (240) that bears the motor (21) and extension boxes (230) is mounted rigidly to the moving plate (222). Therefore, the parts of the distributing mechanism (20) that include the motor (21), belt (23), belt box (250), transmission shaft (24), extension belt (26), distributing shaft (28) and other relevant components are positioned on the moveable part having the hinges (223). As a variation, extension boxes (230) can be connected to the fixed plate (221) with the hinges (223).

The brackets (29) are mounted on the position where the distributing edges (28) connect with the distributing shaft (27). The brackets (29) increase the strength of the distributing edges (28) that pulse continuously on the cotton pile (1). For this reason, the brackets (29) are positioned at the reverse side of the rotating direction of the distributing edge (300).

Claims

1- The distributing mechanism (20) that enables the hardened cotton pile (1), which will be lifted (drawn) by the suction pipe (10), to be dispersed below the suction pipe (11) (at the inlet of the suction pipe) for the cotton feeding (conveying) units designed for conveying the raw or processed cotton from one location to another and consists of;

- At least one transmission shaft (24) that is positioned on the upper part of the suction inlet (11) at the end of the suction pipe (10) and that is driven by one motor (21);

- At least one distributing shaft (27) that is positioned at the end of said suction inlet (11) or on the lower part of the said location;

- The extension belt (26) or extension chain that transfers the rotary motion of the transmission shaft (24) to the distributing shaft (27) and that is positioned between the transmission shaft (24) and the distributing shaft (27).

- Distributing edges (28) that are positioned on the distributing shaft (27) perpendicularly or horizontally to the axis of the distributing shaft (27) and that enable the distribution of the cotton piles (1) through the rotation of the distributing shaft (27) and then the direction of the dispersed/distributed cotton parts (2) towards the suction inlet (1 1);

- The extension box (230) that enables the joint operation of the transmission shaft (24) and distributing shaft (27) mounted at a certain distance from each other

2- The distributing mechanism (20) according to claim 1 , wherein it is equipped with at least one hinged (223) (moving) connection that is positioned between the distributing mechanism (20) and the suction pipe (10) and that enables the distributing mechanism (20) to be positioned properly according to the shape and/or density of the cotton pile (1). 3- The distributing mechanism (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein it is equipped with at least one belt (23) or chain that transfers the rotary motion of the motor shaft (22), driven by the motor (21), to the transmission shaft (24).

4- The distributing mechanism (20) according to claim 3, wherein it is equipped with the belt box (250) that protects the belt (23) or chain that transfers the rotary motion from the motor shaft (22) to the transmission shaft (24). 5- The distributing mechanism (20) according to claims 1-4, wherein it is equipped with bearings (231) that are able to rotate despite the belt box (250) and/or extension box (230), which are connected to the motor shaft (21) and/or transmission shaft (24) and/or distributing shaft (27). 6- The distributing mechanism (20) according to one of the previous claims, wherein it is equipped with the erection platform (210) that enables the distributing mechanism (20) to be mounted on the suction pipe (10).

7- The distributing mechanism (20) according to one of the previous claims, wherein it is equipped with shaft wheels (25) or shaft gears that enable the extension belt (26) to retain the transmission shaft (24) and/or distributing shaft (27).

8- The distributing mechanism (20) according to one of the previous claims, wherein it is equipped with brackets (29) positioned at the junction point of the distributing edges (28) with the distributing shaft (27) and at the reverse side of the rotating direction of the distributing edges (300) and that give strength to the distributing edges (28). 9- The distributing mechanism (20) according to one of the previous claims, wherein it is equipped with;

- Hinged plates (220) that enable the distributing mechanism (20) to perform the outward opening and closing movement from the suction pipe (10);

- The fixed plate (221) that enables the rigid connection of the hinged plates (220) to the erection platform (210) or the suction pipe (10);

- The moving plate (222) that is connected to the fixed plate (221) with hinges (223)

10- The distributing mechanism (20) according to one of the previous claims, wherein it is equipped with the motor plate (240) that enables the motor (21) to be mounted on the moving plate (222). 11- The distributing mechanism (20) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the rotating direction of the distributing edges (300) faces towards the suction inlet (11) to direct the cotton parts (2) to the suction inlet (11). 12- The distributing mechanism (20) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the distributing mechanism (20) can perform the outward opening and closing movement from the axis of the suction pipe (10) in order to be positioned properly according to the shape and/or density of the cotton pile (1). 13- The distributing mechanism (20) according to one of the previous claims, wherein it is equipped with free-running hinges (223) that enable the distributing mechanism (20) to perform the outward opening and closing movement from the suction pipe (10).