FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the combing machine used in preparatory process of the textile spinning mills. More particularly, this invention relates to the top comb of the said combing machine. The invention is more focused to ensure the top comb locking arrangement in the combing machine in order to eliminate the practical disadvantages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In textile field, the combing machine serves for fibre preparation in yarn spinning process. It is normally installed in the yarn production line between the carding and the draw frame machines. The main purpose of the combing machine is to strip out the short fibers from the card sliver produced by the carding machine, to improve the staple of the raw-fiber material. Further the combing operation improves the parallel orientation of the individual fibers in the fiber fleece delivered from the card as a card sliver. An auxiliary effect attained by the combing operation is the cleaning of the fiber fleece of nets and husks.

In order to obtain the above-described improvements in the fiber fleece(1) (Ref. Figure-1) a circular comb(2) rotating about an axis passes through said fiber tuft of the fiber fleece(1) fed from a feed roller(3) and held by set of nippers(4, 5); then the combed fiber tuft is merged with an previously combed fleece; and is pulled by engagement of a top comb(6) in the fiber tuft with simultaneous pulling of the combed fleece from the feed roller(3) and from the uncombed fleece. In this process the desired improvement of the parallelism of the individual fibers of the fiber fleece as well as the staple improvements by stripping out short fibers are effected by the interaction of the circular comb(2) and the top comb(6). Normally the top comb(6) is being fitted in the top comb holder(7) which is operatively connected to the machine.

In aforesaid case the top comb(6) is manually locked to the top comb holder(7) with the aid of spring plate(9). Figure-1a represents the improper locking position of the spring plate(9) with respect to top comb holder(7). But this improper locking or operator's mistake to lock the top comb leads the said top comb(6) to fall down while machine is running. This in-turn leads to heavy damage of circular comb(2), nippers(4, 5) and detaching rollers(8). Moreover it results in replacement of parts and stoppage of machine for long time which incurs high cost and loss of production. In existing slow speed machines the probability of occurrence is low when the top comb is improperly locked. But while increasing the speed of the machine the top comb falling occurrence is more when not locked properly. Though the spring plate(9) is locked properly with respect to top comb holder(7) as shown in Figure-1b, there is no indication to the operator whether the proper locking is done or not.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The principle object of the invention is to provide a top comb locking arrangement that provides foolproof locking function which stops the machine in case of improper locking.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a top comb locking arrangement that can be used for high speed combing machines.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a top comb arrangement to avoid the unnecessary damage of running components due to top comb falling and in-turn overcome the machine stoppage as well as productivity loss.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, the top comb locking arrangement for a combing machine comprises a plurality of serially arranged top comb holders, each having a provision for fixing the top comb; at least a spring plate is provided at the top comb carrier where the adjacent top comb holders are supported. The spring plate is being mounted to the carrier by means of a holding member; at least a sensing device is provided to detect the position of the said spring plate(9). The circuit is meant as "open" when the said spring plate is not sensed by the sensing device. And the circuit is meant as close" when the said spring plate is sensed by the sensing device.

Whenever the circuit is in "open" state, the signal is being read by the machine controller and which wont allow the machine to start and run. If the circuit is in "close" state, the signal is being read by the machine controller and allows the machine to start and run.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure-1 is the general view of the existing combing machine which shows the main functional components according to the prior art.

Figure-1 a shows the improperly locked top comb holder according to the prior art.

Figure-1 b shows the properly locked top comb holder by means of spring plate according to the prior art.

Figure-2 illustrates the schematic view of the top comb holder according to the present invention whereas the Figure-2a represents the side view of the top comb holder.

Figure-3 shows the top comb locking arrangement according to the invention where serial adjacent top comb holders are exhibited with magnified view of locking area.

Figure-4 is the top comb locking arrangement with "open" circuit according to the invention.

Figure-5 is the top comb locking arrangement when the circuit is "close" according to the invention.

Figure-6 to 8a illustrates the top comb locking arrangement according to further embodiments the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Top comb locking arrangement for the combing machine according to the invention comprises a top comb holder(7) wherein at least a sensing device is provided to sense the locking or open position of the arrangement. Herein the first embodiment, said sensing device is a electrical conducting element(10) as shown in Figure-2. Said electrical conducting element(10) is being fixed to the top comb holder(7) by means of a fixing screw(11). Figure-2a shows the side view of the top comb holder(7) and electrical conducting element(10) arrangement. The electrical conducting element(10) used in the arrangement is made up of a metal that conducts electrical signal, may be of copper/iron/aluminum or their alloys. Said electrical conducting elemental0) can be fitted at each end of the top comb holder(7) or may be combined as a common single piece for nearby successive top comb holders.

The Figure-3 of the drawings shows the top comb locking arrangement according to the invention where serial adjacent top comb holders(7) are arranged. In a combing machine, these serially arranged top comb holders(7) are supported by means of plurality of top comb carriers(12) where each such carriers can hold an end of successive top comb holders. A magnified view of the Figure-3 shows the locking arrangement area. Here at least a spring plate(9) is provided at the top comb carrier(12) where the adjacent top comb holders (7) are supported.

The spring plate(9) is also an element that conducts electrical signal through it which is made of copper/iron/aluminum or their alloys. Said spring plate(9) is being mounted to the carrier(12) by means of a holding member(13). The spring holding member(13) is also made of copper/iron/aluminum or their alloys in order to conduct electrical signal. A signal receiver (14) which is connected to the said spring plate(9) or to the holding member(13), is provided at one end of the top comb holder (7). The electrical signal is made available to the machine controller through signal receiver(14), if all the top combs are in locked position. The choice of selection for connecting the signal receiver (14) can be the spring plate(9) or spring holding member(13) depending on the requirement. Since the spring plate(9) and spring holding member(13) are coupled together, the spring holding member(13) may preferable option for connecting with the signal receiver (14). The input received by the signal receiver (14) is then transferable to the machine controller which is not shown.

According to Figure-4, the top comb locking arrangement is shown in very precise manner where the top comb holder(7) is provided with spring plate(9), electrical conducting element(10). The whole arrangement is then coupled to the top comb carrier(12). An electrical signal is provided for the said arrangement through the electrical conducting element(10). Since the electrical signal is provided through the spring plate(9), the whole circuit is in "OPEN" state when the spring plate(9) and electrical contact element(10) are not in contact. Hence if the operator fails to properly lock the spring plate (9) the signal receiver (14) gets "OPEN" signal. This also may occur in the case of displacement of top comb holder (7) because of machine vibration in high speed combing machines when spring plate not locked properly. Therefore the said "OPEN" signal is communicated to the machine controller which wont allow the machine to run further to avoid unexpected cause of damages.

Since the top comb holder(7) is commonly made of metal or alloys, it is preferable to have an electrical insulation material or insulation layer between the said spring plate(9) and the top comb holder(7). Even the bottom face of spring plate(9) which contacts the top comb holder(7) may be provided with an electrical insulation layer. As an embodiment, the said top comb holder(7) may be made of polymer material which itself act as an non-conductor of electrical signal.

If the spring plate(9) is properly locked with respect to the top comb holder(7) as shown in Figure-5, the circuit gets "CLOSE". The electrical signal through the spring plate(9) ensures the connectivity and the whole circuit transmits "CLOSE" signal to the signal receiver(14). This "CLOSE" signal is then communicated to the machine controller which allows the machine to start and run. Therefore any one dislocation among all top comb holders(7) can be monitored precisely and immediate stoppage of the machine comes into effect. As a further optional embodiment (not shown) of the invention, all top comb holders(7) of the machine is provided with a provision for interchangeability of top combs.

Top comb locking arrangement for the combing machine according to further embodiment of the invention comprises a sensing device which is a limit switch(15) as shown in Figure-6& 6a wherein the signal receiver is connected to said limit switch(15). The limit switch(15) will be actuated when the spring plate(9) gets locked with top comb and not actuated when the spring plate is not properly locked / in open condition. The electrical signal is made available to the machine controller if all the top combs are in locked position through the limit switches(15). Each spring plate(9) of the combing heads is being monitored for its locking position through the corresponding limit switches(15) and the output signal is taken to the machine controller to start and run the machine.

According to another embodiment of the invention comprises a top comb holder(7) and photo sensor(16) as shown in Figure-7& 7a. The photo sensor(16) is sensed when the spring plate(9) gets locked with top comb and not sensed when the top comb is not properly locked / in open condition. Here the said photo sensor senses the surface of the spring plate to receive the signal wherein the signal receiver is connected to said photo sensor(16). The electrical signal is made available to the machine controller if all the top combs are in locked position through the photo sensors(16). Each spring plate is being monitored for its locking position through the corresponding photo sensors(16) and the output signal is taken to the machine controller to start and run the machine.

Top comb locking arrangement for the combing machine according to yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a top comb holder(7) and proximity switch(17) as shown in Figure-8& 8a wherein the signal receiver is connected to said proximity switch(17). The proximity switch(17) is sensed when the spring plate(9) gets locked with top comb and not sensed when the top comb is not properly locked / in open condition. The electrical signal is made available to the machine controller if all the top combs are in locked position through the proximity switches(17). Each spring plate is being monitored for its locking position through the corresponding proximity switches(17) and the output signal is taken to the machine controller to start and run the machine.

In aforesaid embodiments of the invention, the limit switch(15) works in a contacting type sensing device whereas the photo sensor(16)& proximity switch(17) are work in a non-contacting type sensing device. Hence it is evident hereby a contacting or non-contacting type sensing devices is used for ensuring the top comb locking depending upon the requirement. Thus the present invention acts as an emergency stop motion for the combing machine in case of top comb locking failure. Meanwhile the unnecessary stoppage of the machine because of servicing the damaged functional parts such as circular comb, nippers or detaching rollers due to the effect of top comb falling is greatly avoided. Since this emergency stop motion avoids the aforesaid drawbacks, the high speed combing is greatly achievable in modern combing machines. Though the present invention shown herein are only exemplary, further embodiments are also possible within the boundary of the invention.

We Claim

1. A stop motion arrangement for top comb locking in comber comprises a plurality of serially arranged top comb holders(7) mounted on top comb carriers(12); said top comb holders are provided with top combs(6); further the Top comb carriers(12) are provided with spring plates(9) mounted through holding member(13) for locking the top combs(6) characterized in that at least a sensing device is provided to detect the position of the said spring plate(9).

2. A stop motion arrangement for top comb locking in comber as claimed in claim -1, characterized in that the said sensing device is contact or non-contact type.

3. A stop motion arrangement for top comb locking in comber as claimed in claim -2, characterized in that the contact type sensing device is an electrical conducting elemental 0) or a limit switch(15).

4. A stop motion arrangement for top comb locking in comber as claimed in claim -2, characterized in that the non-contact type sensing device is a photo sensor(16) or a proximity switch(17).

5. A stop motion arrangement for top comb locking in comber as claimed in any of preceding claims, characterized in that the sensing devices are connected to a signal receiver(14).

6. A stop motion arrangement for top comb locking in comber as claimed in claim-5, characterized in that the signal receiver(14) communicates the signal to the machine controller to run or stop the machine