EP0402731B1 - Automatic winder with a closed loop pin and cup transport-system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an automatic winding machine with a closed bobbin and tube transport system according to the preamble of the first claim.

Modern spinning machines have a high output of spinning cops, which also places higher demands on the processing capacity of the downstream winding machines. It is also necessary to feed the unwound sleeves in sufficient quantities to the spinning machine. In order to ensure a high degree of automation, closed transport circuits in the area of the winding machine and, if necessary, a direct coupling with the spinning machines are widespread. Well-known pallets have been used here for over 20 years, on which the cops or sleeves are placed and transported together with them.

Not all bobbins are completely unwound in the winding units of the winding machine when the thread end can no longer be exposed within the winding unit. A differentiation must then be made as to whether the remaining thread remnant can still be reused or whether it is still sensible to feed it to the winding unit after the thread start has been laid out in a preparation device. If not If necessary, these sleeves must be cleaned before they are returned to the spinning machine.

From DE-OS 32 35 442 it is known to guide tubes with a small amount of remaining thread into a collection point. There the sleeves are removed from the plates, fed to a coil stripper, serviced and then put back on the plate. They will later be returned to the coil circuit. The arrangement of such collection points means that the pallets circulating in the circuit and thus cops and sleeves are reduced, which can lead to malfunctions in connection with the spinning machine.

DE-PS 33 36 958 describes a cop and sleeve transport system, on the sleeve return path of which a sleeve removal device and a sleeve delivery device are arranged in succession. In this process, tubes with a small amount of residual thread are removed from the pallets and fed to a tube cleaning device. The empty pallet is then transported on the return path to the tube delivery device, which must have a corresponding magazine in order to have a stock of tubes ready. This delivery device only operates when an empty pallet arrives. The pallets must be stopped both on the tube removal device and on the tube delivery device.

A jam of the pallets on the main return path, as well as when removing the pallets from the main return path and feeding them to a collection point, can lead to a considerable reduction in the number of pallets, for example, also circulating in a direct winding machine circuit. These pallets cannot be fed to a delivery device arranged at the head end of the winding machine, which results in an undersupply of the winding machine with spinning cops.

It is an object of the invention to propose an automatic winding machine by which an adequate supply of the spinning machines with empty tubes is ensured.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. By branching off the pallets with the sleeves to be cleaned from the return path, which is part of a main transport loop within which the vast majority of the pallets circulate, into a secondary transport path, the subsequent pallets are not hindered. It is not necessary to form a sleeve magazine, which is always sufficiently loaded so that it can supply the empty pallet that is available on the return belt.

The main transport loop includes a feed path of the spinning cops to the winding machine, branch lines through the winding units and a return path on which mostly empty cores are transported. At the head end of the winding machine or in the area of the spinning machines, the empty tubes can be released from the pallets to the spinning machine and freshly spun cops can be picked up on these pallets. As a rule, preparation devices can also be arranged on the main transport loop. In any case, there is a closed pallet cycle. That is also why it is particularly important to recycle the pallets as quickly as possible.

The invention is advantageously further developed by the features of claims 2 to 16.

A number of advantageous routes can be derived from the arrangement of the sleeve cleaning device on a secondary transport path. By returning the secondary transport path upstream to the return path, the front can be Use the sensor located on the branch to check the successful cleaning of the sleeve. In the event that the case cleaning cannot be carried out successfully, a storage section is provided, which can also be used for unpreparable heads. This storage section is then operated by hand.

Fig. 1

eine vereinfachte Darstellung eines Teiles eines Kops-und Hülsentransportsystemes einer automatischen Spulmaschine mit erfindungsgemäßer Anordnung einer Hülsenputzeinrichtung und in

Fig. 2

eine Variante der Vorrichtung.

The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. The associated drawing shows in

Fig. 1

a simplified representation of a part of a cop and sleeve transport system of an automatic winding machine with an inventive arrangement of a sleeve cleaning device and in

Fig. 2

a variant of the device.

Pallets 1 with empty tubes 2, tubes 2 'with a small thread residue and tubes 2' 'with a thread residue that can still be processed arrive on a tube return path 17. The sleeves 2 ″ can also be cops 3, the thread end of which could not be detected either in a thread end preparation device located on the feed path or in the winding unit. The reference symbol 2 ″ is also used below for these cops 3.

In a known manner and not shown in the drawing, the return path 17 initially leads past the exit side of branch webs which lead through the winding units of the winding machine.

The pallets 1 then pass further downstream a sensor 4 which detects whether there is still a thread residue on the sleeve 2 'or 2''. This can be a known photo sensor which is arranged at a height at which the winding residue is normally located.

This sensor 4 is connected to a switch 5 via a line 4 '. If this sensor 4 has detected a winding residue, it controls the switch 5 so that it is pivoted into the return path 17. As a result, the pallet 1 with the sleeve 2 'is directed onto the conveyor belt 6. This conveyor belt 6 is driven by a motor 8 via a drive roller 6 'and deflected by a deflection roller 6' '. On this conveyor belt 6, the pallet 1 is conveyed past a further sensor 21 to a switch 9, which deflects it onto a further conveyor belt 10 if the winding residue monitored by the sensor 21 on the sleeve 2 'is so small that further processing is ineffective . The conveyor belt 10 is constantly driven by a motor 11 via a drive roller 10 'and deflected by a deflection roller 10' '. It leads through a sleeve cleaning device 18.

Such sleeve cleaning devices are generally known. In the present case, for example, a sleeve cleaning device could be used, as described in DE-AS 24 18 492. In this case, the pallet 1 with the sleeve 2 'could be stopped in the sleeve cleaning device 18 and the sleeve could additionally be positioned exactly by means of a holder which is placed on the sleeve from above. The turns remaining on the sleeve can be separated by a circular knife, which is held at a corresponding distance from the sleeve by means of a sensor. The separated thread material can be removed from the sleeve by a blowing nozzle. A corresponding suction device would then have to be provided. The sleeve remains on the pallet during the cleaning process. After leaving the sleeve cleaning device 18, the pallet 1 with the now cleaned sleeve 2 reaches the conveyor belt 12 by means of a guide edge 10 ‴. The conveyor belt 12 is driven by a motor 13 via a drive roller 12 'and deflected by a deflection roller 12''. This conveyor belt 12 conveys the pallet 1 with the sleeve 2 directly back onto the return path 17. It then passes the sensor 4 again, through which it then passes check whether the sleeve has been completely cleaned. If the sleeve still contains thread remnants, the switch 5 is switched again and the sleeve is again fed to the sleeve cleaning device 18.

If the sensor 21 determines that a predetermined dimension for the winding remainder of a sleeve 2 ″ has been exceeded, the switch 9 is opened via a control line 21 ′. As a result, the pallet 1 with the sleeve 2 ″ is passed on directly to a conveyor belt 19. It is of course advantageous if the conveyor belts 6 and 19 are formed by a single conveyor belt. The conveyor belt 19, of which the deflecting roller 19 ″, but not the drive of which is shown, leads again, possibly via a special thread end preparation device, to the feed path for cops that come directly from the spinning machine and reach the preparation devices that prepare the thread start or from the special thread end preparation device directly to the winding units.

Within the scope of the invention it is also possible to arrange a sensor 22 in the sleeve cleaning device 18 or following it, which checks the complete cleaning of the sleeve. If this sensor 22 still detects remaining threads, it drives a switch 20 via a line 22 ′, which in this case replaces the leading edge 10 ‴.

If the switch 20 is opened by the sensor 22, the pallet 1 with an incompletely cleaned sleeve 2 'is guided into a storage section 14. The rest of the wrapping can then be removed by hand.

It is possible that the special thread end preparation device cannot prepare individual cops. These cops may not be fed to the winder, but can reach the storage section 14 via a conveyor belt 15. The conveyor belt 15, which is driven by a motor 16 via a drive roller 15 ', accordingly carries pallets 1 with sleeves 2''which have to be prepared by hand.

Since both sleeves 2 'which are not sufficiently cleaned by the sleeve cleaning device and sleeves 2' 'which cannot be prepared with a large amount of winding are the exception, the accumulation section 14 is filled only gradually. It is therefore sufficient if the operator operates this storage section during a tour and returns the pallets with cops 3 or sleeves 2 to the transport routes intended for them.

However, since it must be taken into account that, even in extreme exceptional cases, the storage section 14 is filled before the operator takes note of it, appropriate safety measures must be taken to avoid a traffic jam. For this purpose, a further sensor 31 is arranged at the beginning of the storage section 14, which is also connected to the central control unit 27 via a line 31 ′. If this sensor 31 detects a standing pallet, which indicates the backlog, a suitable signal is first sent out via the central control unit 27 in order to call the operator. If the traffic jam then remains for a predefinable time, which the sensor 31 detects, the central control unit 27 blocks the switch 20 in the position shown in FIG. 2 via the line 20 '. This means that no further pallets 1 are inserted into the storage section 14. In addition, the central control unit 27 can control the special thread end preparation device (not shown) or the route assigned to it in such a way that non-preparable sleeves 2 ″ with a large amount of winding residue instead of the accumulation section 14 of the winding machine or in the area of the winding machine arranged further preparation devices are supplied. This control can then take place either with switches or, for example, with conveyor belts that can be reversed in their direction.

Deviating from the illustration in the drawing, it can be advantageous to also provide a buffer section on the conveyor belt 10 in front of the sleeve cleaning device 18 in order to avoid a backflow up to the switch 9 when the sleeve cleaning device 18 is under high load. In addition, to monitor this backlog at the beginning of this conveyor belt 10, a further sensor 30 can be provided, which is also connected to the central control unit 27 via a line 30 ′. If this sensor 30 then detects a backflow in front of the sleeve cleaning device 18, the central control unit 27 can open the switch 9 via a line (not shown here), which then clears the way for incoming pallets 1 to the conveyor belt 19 and thus possibly invalidates commands given by the multifunction selector 23 sets when this has recognized a sleeve 2 ', which should normally be fed to the sleeve cleaning device 18. This sleeve 2 'is then fed to the special thread end preparation device, which either has a sensor system which also recognizes that it is a sleeve 2' with a small amount of winding, so that this sleeve 2 'is then fed to the accumulation section 14. Otherwise, it is fed back into the return belt through the winding unit, which it cannot process. Since this is also an absolute exception, especially if the accumulation section in front of the sleeve cleaning device 18 is long enough, the productivity of the winding machine is not impaired. There is also the possibility, depending on the route, to guide this sleeve 2 'with pallet 1 around the winding machine.

In special exceptional cases, for example after a batch change or a demolition batch, sleeves 2 'and sleeves 2' 'can accumulate on the return path 17. Another consequence of this may be that the sleeve cleaning device 18 and the special thread end preparation device (not shown) are overloaded, which can result in a backlog on the conveyor belt 6. However, since the switch 5 remains closed due to the winding residue detected by the sensor 4 or 23, the backlog would continue on the return belt 17, as a result of which the free passage of pallets 1 with sleeves 2 to the cop delivery station would be blocked.

A proximity sensor 32 shown in FIG. 2, which in this case could also be arranged further upstream of the transport direction of the conveyor belt 6, or a further sensor arranged upstream and not shown would detect a backlog on the conveyor belt 6. Via the central control unit, the special thread preparation device mentioned would then additionally allow the arriving sleeves 2 'and 2' 'to pass until the jam is cleared. However, this passage would only remain open until the sensor mentioned again recognizes larger distances between the pallets, thereby signaling the current reduction of the traffic jam.

The let-through pallets 1 with sleeves 2 ′ or 2 ″ are preferably passed around the winding machine, this transport path (not shown) opening into the return path 17.

In order to achieve the highest possible flexibility of the system, the corresponding storage sections in front of the treatment facilities must be dimensioned accordingly.

The control described last ensures the full functionality of the transport system even in extreme cases in which known systems fail.

Within the scope of the invention it is also possible to branch off the pallets 1 with sleeves 2 ″ even before the conveyor belt 12 opens into the return path 17 and to feed them back to the winding machine or thread end preparation devices. The sensor 4 then only has the function of distinguishing between empty tubes 2 and tubes 2 'with a small amount of winding. The switch 9 is then replaced by a leading edge 9 '.

In a variant of the invention, the sensor 4 is replaced by a multifunction sensor 23. This multifunction sensor 23 can distinguish between empty tubes 2, tubes 2 'with a small thread residue and tubes 2' 'with a thread residue that can still be processed. It is connected to switches 5 and 9 via control lines 23 'and 23' '.

If the multifunction sensor 23 detects an empty sleeve 2, it controls the opening of the switch 5, so that this sleeve 2 with the pallet 1 on which it is placed can be transported further along the return path 17, for example to a sleeve removal device. If the multifunction sensor 23 detects a sleeve 2 'with a small amount of thread, it closes both switches 5 and 9 via the control lines 23' and 23 ''. As a result, the pallet 1 with the sleeve 2 'is conveyed via the conveyor belt 6 and the conveyor belt 10 of the sleeve cleaning device 18 fed. It is advantageous if the switch 9 has a delay circuit which only converts the signal of the multifunction sensor 23 after a certain period of time. This time period should be slightly less than the time that a pallet 1 needs from the multifunction sensor 23 to the switch 9.

Instead of the aforementioned delay circuit, it is also possible to carry out a complete route monitoring on the secondary transport path 7 in that sensors 24, 25, 26, 32 and 33 are provided in front of all switches 5, 9 and 20 and branches, by means of which the pallets 1 that pass through them be counted. The central control unit 27 then monitors how many pallets 1 are located in the individual route sections. This ensures that the sensor arranged in front of a switch not only detects the passage of any pallet 1, but that the passage of certain pallets 1 with sleeve 2 'or 2' 'is detected, so that the switch circuit assigned to this pallet 1 can be done at the right time.

If the multifunction sensor 23 has recognized a sleeve 2 ″ with a thread residue that can still be processed, it controls the closing of the switch 5 and the opening of the switch 9.

If no sensor is provided in the sleeve cleaning device 18 or following this sleeve cleaning device on the conveyor belt 10, which monitors whether the sleeve 2 'still contains thread remnants, it would be possible, albeit in exceptional cases, for a pallet 1 to rotate several times within the secondary transport path 7 and thus unnecessarily stresses this secondary transport path 7, including the section of the return belt 17 lying between the junction and the branch of the secondary transport path. Therefore, proximity sensors 24 to 26 are arranged before the junction of the secondary transport path 7 on the return path 17 and on the conveyor belt 12 and before the branching of the secondary transport path 7 on the return belt 17. These proximity switches 24 to 26 are connected to a central control unit 27 via lines 24 'to 26'. This central control unit 27 in turn has control lines 28 'and 29' to stoppers 28 and 29, which on Return belt 17 are each arranged in front of the junction and the junction of the secondary transport path 7.

The proximity switches 24 to 26 count the pallets 1 equipped with sleeves 2, 2 'and 2' '. The stoppers 28 and 29 can be used to control how many pallets 1 enter the section of the return belt 17 between the junction and the branch of the secondary transport path 7. It can be monitored when a pallet 1 is conveyed from the secondary transport path 7 to the return path 17. In this case the stopper 28 is closed so that the pallet coming from the conveyor belt 12 is not prevented from entering the return belt 17 by pallets 1 transported along the return belt 17. In this respect, the use of this stopper 28 in connection with the proximity switch 24 also makes sense if, for example, a sensor 22 (FIG. 1) is arranged on the conveyor belt 10 to monitor the successful sleeve cleaning process.

If, as explained at the beginning, there is no such monitoring, then counting the signals from the proximity switches 24 to 26 in the central control unit 27 determines whether a pallet 1 with a sleeve 2 or 2 'is opposite the multifunction sensor 23, which already has the secondary transport path 7 has gone through If this multifunction sensor 23 then detects (sensor 4 from the first example is also possible here) that there is still a thread residue on the sleeve 2 ', this means that the sleeve cleaning process in the sleeve cleaning device 18 was not successful. The central control unit 27 then controls the switch 20 via the line 20 ′, correspondingly with a time delay or by the described counting upon arrival of this pallet 1 in front of the switch 20, which clears the corresponding pallet 1 into the storage section 14. It is possible that the central control unit 27 via a line 18 ' Sleeve cleaning device 18 controls so that it allows the corresponding pallet with sleeve 2 'freely. However, this measure appears to be necessary only if the sleeve cleaning device 18 is used relatively heavily and a second cleaning process would result in an intolerable delay.

When using a central control unit 27, it is obvious to also connect the sensors 4, 21 or the multifunction sensor 23 as well as the switches 5 and 9 to it.

The stop devices 28 and 29 also intercept the thrust, which adds up according to the number of collided pallets 1. In addition, the use of the stopper 29 makes it possible to stop the respective pallet 1 with respect to the sensor 4 or 23, which increases the accuracy of the monitoring, in particular if only very small thread remnants have remained on the sleeve.

Claims (16)

1. Automatic winding machine with a closed cop and tube conveying system in which the cops and tubes are placed vertically on pallets with which they are conveyed, characterised in that a tube cleaning device (18) is arranged on an ancillary conveying path (7) for the pallets branching from a return path (17) which is part of a main conveying loop within which the vast majority of the pallets circulates, in that the ancillary conveying path (7) forms a closed conveying loop, in that the conveying loop opens back into the return path (17) upstream and in that between entrance and junction of the ancillary conveying path (7) there is arranged a sensor (4; 23) which detects a yarn residue remaining on a tube (2' 2'') and is connected to control means (5) which then guide the respective pallet (1) into the ancillary conveying path.
2. Automatic winding machine according to claim 1, characterised in that at the outlet or in the tube cleaning device (18) there is arranged a sensor (22) possessing a circuit which, when cleaning of the tube (2') is incomplete, opens a point (20) which clears the path into a retention section (14).
3. Automatic winding machine according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that, at the end of the conveyor belt (6) of the ancillary conveying path (7) branching from the return path (17) there is arranged a further sensor (21) which detects a wound residue which is still processible and possesses a circuit connection to a point (9) which, in the open position, clears the path to a conveyor belt (19) by means of which the tubes (2'') may be supplied to a yarn end preparation device.
4. Automatic winding machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that, between entrance and junction of the ancillary conveying path (7) there is arranged a multifunction sensor (23) which can distinguish between empty tubes (2), tubes (2') with a small yarn residue and tubes (2'') with a still processible yarn residue and which is connected via control lines (23', 23'') to the points (5, 9) arranged at the beginning and at the end of the conveyor belt (6) such that the point (5) arranged at the beginning of the conveyor belt (6) opens and clears the path along the return belt (17) only when an empty tube (2) has been detected and the point (9) arranged at the end of the conveyor belt (6) opens and clears the path to a conveyor belt (19) leading to a yarn end preparation device only when the multifunction sensor (23) has detected a tube (2'') with a still processible yarn residue.
5. Automatic winding machine according to claim 4, characterised in that the second point (9) has a delay circuit by means of which this point is actuated only after a certain time interval after receiving a signal emitted by the sensor (23) via the control line (23'').
6. Automatic winding machine according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that into the retention section (14) there opens a conveyor belt (15) which supplies cops (3 ) which cannot be prepared by a preparation device.
7. Automatic winding machine according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that proximity sensors (24 to 26) are arranged on the return belt (17) before the entrance and the junction of the ancillary conveying section (7) and at the end of the conveyor belt (12) leading to the return belt (17).
8. Automatic winding machine according to claim 7, characterised in that stoppers (28, 29) which are connected to a central control unit (27) are arranged on the return belt (17) before the entrance and before the junction of the ancillary conveying section (7).
9. Automatic winding machine according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that sensors (24, 25, 26, 32, 33) which are connected to the central control unit (27) are arranged before all points (5, 9, 20) of the ancillary conveying path (7) and before its entrance into the return path (17), in that the central control unit (27) possesses a circuit by means of which the pallets (1) detected by the respective sensors are counted and the result is evaluated such that the respective number of pallets in the individual section portions may be monitored and the path of the individual pallets may be followed.
10. Automatic winding machine according to claim 9, characterised in that the circuit possesses a control connection to the points (5, 9, 20) which always sets the points as a function of the count as proposed for the respective pallet (1) arriving at the point.
11. Automatic winding machine according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the central control unit (27) possesses a circuit which, after a signal of the sensor (25) at the entrance of the ancillary conveying path (7) into the return belt (17), indicates the admission of a pallet (1) into the return belt (17), and during the signalling of a yarn residue on the tube (2') associated with this pallet (1) at the sensor (4; 23), opens the point (20) when this pallet (1) passes the sensor (33) arranged before the point (20).
12. Automatic winding machine according to claim 10, characterised in that the tube cleaning device (18) is controllable via a line (18') by means of the central control unit (27) such that it allows free passage for a pallet (1) with tube (2') when it has been detected by the sensors in conjunction with the counting of the pallets (1) that this pallet (1) has performed a complete circuit through the ancillary conveying path (7).
13. Automatic winding machine according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that, on the conveyor belt (10) leading through the tube cleaning device (18) upstream of the tube cleaning device (18) there is provided a retention section at the beginning of which there is arranged a sensor (30) which detects a congestion of pallets (1) before the tube cleaning device (18) and in that, when a full retention section is detected, a circuit is provided which opens the point (9) independently of the state of winding of the delivered tube (2') or (2'').
14. Automatic winding machine according to claim 13, characterised in that a further circuit is provided in the central control unit (27) which, when a congestion of pallets (1) on the conveyor belt (6) is detected, opens a catch so that the pallets (1) conveyed on the conveyor belt (19) are either conveyed through a special yarn end preparation device without processing or are conveyed along on it.
15. Automatic winding machine according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that, at the beginning of the retention section (14) located downstream of the tube cleaning device, there is arranged a sensor (31) which detects when the retention section (14) is full and triggers a corresponding signal.
16. Automatic winding machine according to claim 15, characterised in that, in the central control unit (27), there is provided a circuit which forcibly closes the point (20) after the unchanged presence of a signal of the sensor (31) indicating the full retention section (14).

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