AIR-JET SPINNING DEVICE AND SPINNING MACHINE INCLUDING THE SAME
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an air-jet spinning device, and relates more particularly to the air-jet spinning device carrying out air-jet spinning by a plurality of nozzles arranged along a fiber travelling direction.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] An air-jet spinning device, in which a first nozzle and a second nozzle are serially arranged along a fiber travelling direction, is conventionally known. Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose such kind of air-jet spinning device. [0003]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-161171
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H05-86510
[0004] In the above-described air-jet spinning device, there are cases in which fiber dusts such as a block of fibers are stuck in a tip of each nozzle, and a normal spinning operation cannot be performed. In such cases, it is necessary to remove the fiber dusts . The first nozzle is arranged close to a draft roller so as to efficiently suck a fiber bundle which is transported from the draft roller. Therefore, a space which can be reserved for an operation for removing the fiber dusts is limited. Accordingly, the operation for removing a tiny block like the fiber dusts in a narrow space requires an extreme effort, and there was room for improvement of maintenance performance.
[0005] Further, a similar problem as the above description is also pointed out in the second nozzle. In particular, the second nozzle is arranged close to the first nozzle so as to introduce the fiber bundle transported from the first nozzle into the second nozzle. Accordingly, since a tip end of the second nozzle is formed to be hidden by the first nozzle and a supporting member which
supports the first nozzle, it was extremely difficult to remove the fiber dusts stuck in the tip of the second nozzle. In addition, sucking action caused by whirling airflow generated inside the first nozzle and the second nozzle acts upon a tip end of each of the nozzles, making it more difficult to remove the fiber dusts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an air-jet spinning device in which sufficient space for performing maintenance can be reserved and fiber dusts or the like which is stuck in a nozzle can be efficiently removed. [0007] Problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above. Next, means for solving the problems and effects thereof will be described.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an air-jet spinning device includes a first nozzle, a first supporting member, a second nozzle, and a second supporting member. The first supporting member supports the first nozzle. The second nozzle is arranged downstream of the first nozzle in a fiber travelling direction. The second supporting member supports the second nozzle, and can expose the second nozzle to outside by moving in a direction away from the first supporting member. [0009] Accordingly, since the second supporting member which supports the second nozzle moves away from the first supporting member, sufficient space for performing maintenance of the second nozzle can be easily reserved. Therefore, the fiber dusts or the like which cause a nozzle clogging can be efficiently removed. [0010] In the above-described air-jet spinning device, it is preferable that a passage, in which fibers that have passed through the first nozzle arrive to the second nozzle, is arranged to be shut from outside when a spinning operation is performed. Accordingly, efficiency of suction is improved, and an amount of fly waste accumulated on the second nozzle or the like can be effectively reduced.
[0011] In the above-described air-jet spinning device, it is preferable that a fiber travelling direction in the second nozzle during the spinning operation is arranged to slant with respect to a fiber travelling direction in the first nozzle. Accordingly, it becomes possible to respond flexibly to a structure of a device on which the air-jet spinning device is mounted.
[0012] In the above-described air-jet spinning device, it is preferable that the fist supporting member is arranged capable of moving in a direction away from a draft roller arranged upstream of the first nozzle in the fiber travelling direction. Accordingly, sufficient space for performing maintenance of the first nozzle can be reserved, and efficiency of maintenance of the air-jet spinning device can be more improved.
[0013] It is preferable that the above-described air-jet spinning device includes a restricting member which restricts movement of the first supporting member at a prescribed position where the first supporting member has moved in the direction away from the draft roller. The first supporting member is connected to the second supporting member via a mechanical element. When the second supporting member moves in the direction away from the draft roller, the first supporting member and the second supporting member move integrally until the movement of the first supporting member is restricted by the restricting member. Accordingly, only by moving the second supporting member, the first supporting member can be moved away from the draft roller and the second supporting member can be moved away from the first supporting member. [0014] It is preferable that the above-described air-jet spinning device includes a first nozzle cleaning device arranged capable of injecting compressed air to the first nozzle. Accordingly, the fiber dusts or the like, which may cause clogging, can be blown off and removed by the compressed air injected by the first nozzle cleaning device.
[0015] It is preferable that in the above-described air-jet spinning device, a first nozzle air injection section for generating whirling airflow is formed in the first nozzle. A solenoid valve
is arranged in a supply channel for supplying compressed air to the first nozzle air injection section. When the first nozzle cleaning device is operated, supply of the compressed air is stopped by controlling the solenoid valve.
[0016] Accordingly, the spinning operation can be performed under a state in which the whirling airflow is generated in the first nozzle. Meanwhile, when a cleaning operation is performed, supplying of the compressed air to the first nozzle is stopped, and the cleaning device can effectively remove the fiber dusts or the like without being influenced by the whirling airflow. [0017] It is preferable that the above-described air-jet spinning device includes a second nozzle cleaning device arranged capable of injecting compressed air to the second nozzle. Accordingly, by injecting the compressed air by the second nozzle cleaning device under a state in which the second nozzle is exposed, the fiber dusts or the like which may cause the nozzle clogging can be blown off from the second nozzle to outside and can be efficiently removed.
[0018] It is preferable that in the above-described air-jet spinning device, a second nozzle air injection section for generating whirling airflow is formed in the second nozzle. A solenoid valve is arranged in a supply channel for supplying the compressed air to the second nozzle air injection section. When the second nozzle cleaning device is operated, supply of the compressed air is stopped by controlling the solenoid valve. [0019] Accordingly, the spinning operation can be performed under a state in which the whirling airflow is generated in the second nozzle. Meanwhile, when the cleaning operation is performed, supplying of the compressed air to the second nozzle is stopped, and the second nozzle cleaning device can effectively remove the fiber dusts or the like without being influenced by the whirling airflow.
[0020] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a spinning machine including the above-described air-jet spinning device is provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0021]
Fig. 1 is a front view illustrating an overall structure of a spinning machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a side view illustrating a state of a draft device and a spinning device.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view illustrating a structure of the spinning device.
Fig. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a portion of an electrical structure of the spinning device.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view illustrating a state of the spinning device when a first block is moved away from a front roller and a front bottom roller.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged side view illustrating a state of the spinning device when a second block is moved away from the first block.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0022] Embodiments of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 illustrates a spinning machine 1 as a textile machine including a plurality of spinning units (yarn processing units) 2 arranged next to one another.
[0023] As illustrated in Fig. 1, each spinning unit 2 includes a draft device 7, a spinning device 9, a yarn accumulating device 11, and a winding device 12 as main components.
[0024] The draft device 7 is arranged close to an upper end of a frame 6 of the main body of the spinning machine 1 and drafts a sliver 13 in a elongated shape to produce a fiber bundle 8. The spinning device 9 spins the fiber bundle 8 fed from the draft device 7. A spun yarn 10 produced in the spinning device 9 passes through a clearer 52 which detects a yarn defect, and then is fed to the yarn accumulating device 11. After passing through the yarn accumulating device 11, the spun yarn 10 is wound by the winding
device 12 into a package 45.
[0025] The spinning machine 1 includes a blower box 101 and a motor box 102. The spinning machine 1 includes a yarn splicing cart 3 that can travel in a direction in which the spinning units 2 are arranged next to one another. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the yarn splicing cart 3 of the present embodiment includes a splicer
(a yarn splicing device) 43, a suction pipe 44, and a suction mouth 46. When a yarn breakage or a yarn cut occurs in one spinning unit 2, the yarn splicing cart 3 travels on a rail 47 fixed to the frame 6 to such a spinning unit 2, and stops in front of such a spinning unit 2. The yarn splicing cart 3 catches a yarn end on a spinning device 9 side with the suction pipe 44, and catches a yarn end on the winding device 12 side with the suction mouth 46. Then, the yarn splicing cart 3 swings each of the suction pipe 44 and the suction mouth 4 6 to guide the caught yarn end on the spinning device 9 side and the caught yarn end on the winding device 12 side to the splicer 43. The yarn end on the spinning device 9 side and the yarn end on the winding device 12 side guided to the splicer 43 are spliced by the splicer 43. Accordingly, the yarn end on the spinning device 9 side and the yarn end on the winding device 12 side are connected, and a winding operation can be restarted.
[0026] Further, the spinning machine 1 includes a doffing cart
(not illustrated in the drawings) for doffing a fully-wound package. The doffing cart is arranged capable of traveling independently from a yarn splicing cart.
[0027] Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of the draft device 7, the spinning device 9, and the yarn accumulating device 11. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the draft device 7 includes a plurality of draft rollers for drafting the sliver 13 into the fiber bundle 8. The draft rollers include a top roller and a bottom roller arranged to face one another.
[0028] The top roller includes four draft rollers which are a back roller 14, a third roller 15, a middle roller 16 provided with a top apron belt 17, and a front roller 18. Meanwhile, the bottom roller includes four draft rollers which are a back bottom
roller 24, a third bottom roller 25, a middle bottom roller (an apron belt roller) 26 provided with a bottom apron belt 27, and a front bottom roller 28. Each of the bottom rollers 24, 25, 26, and 28 are arranged so as to face the top rollers 14, 15, 16, and 18. [0029] A suction collector 60 is arranged below the draft device 7 of the present embodiment. The suction collector 60 is formed in a cup shape in which an upper side is opened, and a suction opening is formed at an opened end of the suction collector 60. The suction opening on the suction collector 60 faces an outer peripheral surface of a lower portion of the front bottom roller 28. The suction collector 60 is connected to a negative pressure source (not illustrated in the drawings), and can generate suction airflow in the vicinity of the suction opening. In addition, a pad body (not illustrated in the drawings) is pressed against the front bottom roller 28, and scrapes off fiber dusts adhered on the front bottom roller 28 which is driven and rotated. A portion of the scraped-off fiber dusts is sucked and removed by the suction collector 60.
[0030] In the above-described structure, the sliver 13 fed to the draft device 7 is drafted into the fiber bundle 8 by the draft roller and then fed to the spinning device (an air-jet spinning device) 9. The spinning device 9 performs an air-jet spinning operation on the fiber bundle 8 fed from the draft device 7. The fiber bundle 8 on which the air-jet spinning operation has been performed is spun into the spun yarn 10 and fed to the yarn accumulating device 11. Details of the spinning device 9 will be described later.
[0031] The yarn accumulating device 11 has a function to draw the spun yarn 10 from the spinning device 9 by applying prescribed tension to the spun yarn 10; a function to prevent a yarn slackening by accumulating the spun yarn 10, which is fed from the spinning device 9 while a yarn splicing operation or the like is performed by the yarn splicing cart 3; and a function to adjust tension such that change in tension on the winding device 12 side is prevented from propagating to the spinning device 9 side. As illustrated in
Fig. 2, the yarn accumulating device 11 includes a yarn accumulating roller 21, a yarn hooking member 22, and an electric motor 23 as main components.
[0032] The yarn hooking member 22 is formed capable of being engaged with (hooking) the spun yarn 10. The yarn hooking member 22 is supported relatively rotatable with respect to the yarn accumulating roller 21, and generates torque which resists the yarn hooking member 22 to rotate relatively with respect to the yarn accumulating roller 21 by an appropriate urging means. The yarn hooking member 22 rotates accompanying rotation of the yarn accumulating roller 21 by such a resistance torque. Accordingly, the yarn hooking member 22 and the yarn accumulating roller 21 can rotate integrally. Meanwhile, when force that surpasses the resistance torque is added to the yarn hooking member 22, the yarn hooking member 22 can rotate relatively with respect to the yarn accumulating roller 21.
[0033] The yarn accumulating roller 21 can accumulate the spun yarn 10 by winding the spun yarn 10 around an outer peripheral surface thereof. The yarn accumulating roller 21 is driven and rotated by the electric motor 23. When the yarn hooking member 22 engaged with a yarn and the yarn accumulating roller 21 rotate integrally, the spun yarn 10 is swung around by the yarn hooking member 22, and is guided to and wound around the outer peripheral surface of the yarn accumulating roller 21. The spun yarn 10 wound around the yarn accumulating roller 21 is fed to a leading end of the yarn accumulating roller 21 by a new spun yarn 10 which is sequentially wound around a base end of the yarn accumulating roller 21. The spun yarn 10 is then drawn from the leading end of the yarn accumulating roller 21, passes through the yarn hooking member 22, and then is fed to the winding device 12.
[0034] Next, a description will be made on a tension adjusting function of the yarn accumulating device 11. Under a state in which the spun yarn 10 is wound around the yarn accumulating roller 21, when force is applied to pull the spun yarn 10 engaged with the yarn hooking member 22 towards a downstream side, force to attempt to
rotate the yarn hooking member 22 is added to the yarn hooking member 22 so as to unwind the spun yarn 10 from the leading end of the yarn accumulating roller 21. Accordingly, if yarn tension at downstream of the yarn accumulating device 11 (yarn tension between the yarn accumulating device 11 and the winding device 12) is strong enough to surpass the resistance torque, the yarn hooking member 22 rotates independently from the yarn accumulating roller 21, and the spun yarn 10 is gradually unwound from the leading end of the yarn accumulating roller 21 via the yarn hooking member 22.
[0035] Meanwhile, when the yarn tension at downstream of the yarn accumulating device 11 is not strong enough to surpass the resistance torque, the yarn hooking member 22 and the yarn accumulating roller 21 rotate integrally. In such a case, the yarn hooking member 22 prevents the spun yarn 10 from being unwound from the leading end of the rotating yarn accumulating roller 21.
[0036] As described above, by unwinding the spun yarn 10 from the yarn accumulating roller 21 when the downstream yarn tension increases, and by stopping the spun yarn 10 from being unwound from the yarn accumulating roller 21 when the yarn tension decreases
(when the yarn is likely to slacken) , the yarn accumulating device 11 can eliminate the yarn slackening and apply appropriate tension to the spun yarn 10.
[0037] Next, by referring to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, a description will be made on a structure of the spinning device 9. Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view illustrating the structure of the spinning device 9. Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a portion of an electrical structure of the spinning device 9.
[0038] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the spinning device 9 of the present embodiment includes two divided blocks which are a first block 91 and a second block 92 . The first block 91 is arranged closer to the draft device 7 than the second block 92 (when looking in a travelling direction of the fiber bundle 8, upstream of the second block 92) . Further, the spinning device 9 of the present embodiment is mounted on the frame 6 of the spinning machine 1 per each unit, and is removable per each unit. In the followings, a description
will be made on each section of the spinning device 9. [0039] First, a description will be made on the first block 91. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the first block 91 is formed in an arm shape, and functions as a housing supporting a first nozzle 91 which will be described later. The first block 91 is mounted on the frame 6 in a manner in which the first block 91 can be swung around a swing shaft 99.
[0040] A first shower nozzle 72 and the first nozzle 71 are arranged at a tip end (leading end portion) of the first block 91. As illustrated in Fig. 3, during a spinning operation, a position of the first block 91 is fixed so that a tip end of the first nozzle 71 faces a nip point between the front roller 18 and the front bottom roller 28. A stopper 41 is arranged above the first block 91. By making the stopper 41 into contact with the first block 91 during the spinning operation, the position of the first block 91 is determined.
[0041] In addition, a stopper (a restricting member) 42, which restricts swinging movement of the first block 91 in a direction away from the draft roller 7, is arranged below the first block 91. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the stopper 42 is not made into contact with the first block 91 during the spinning operation. Meanwhile, when the first block 91 swings just a prescribed angle from a position where the first block 91 is located during the spinning operation, the first block 91 makes contact with the stopper 42 and the first block 91 is prevented from swinging further.
[0042] As described above, the first block 91 is sandwiched between the stopper 41 arranged above the first block 91 and the stopper 42 arranged below the first block 91. Accordingly, a swing stroke of the first block 91 is defined by the stopper 41 and the stopper 42. In addition, a position where the stopper 42 of the present embodiment is located is set away from the second block 92 such that the stopper 42 makes contact with only the first block 91.
[0043] The fiber bundle 8 which is fed from the draft device 7 is passed through the first nozzle 71, and the first nozzle 71
applies whirling airflow on the fiber bundle 8. A first nozzle fiber passing passage (a first nozzle fiber travelling passage) 7 5 through which the fiber bundle 8 passes is formed in the first nozzle 71. A plurality of first nozzle air injection holes (first nozzle air injection sections) 30 are formed in the first nozzle 71. An output end of the first nozzle air injection holes 30 are opened to the first nozzle fiber passing passage 75. Each of the first nozzle air injection holes 30 is an elongate slit formed around the first nozzle fiber passing passage 75. Each of the first nozzle air injection holes 30 is formed in a tangential direction of the first nozzle fiber passing passage 75. A longitudinal direction of each of the first nozzle air injection holes 30 is arranged to slant slightly with respect to a downstream side in the yarn traveling direction.
[0044] Further, a fiber passing chamber 61 is formed in the first block 91. The fiber passing chamber 61 is formed as a connecting portion where fibers from the first nozzle 71 are to be sucked into a second nozzle 81 pass thorough during the spinning operation. As illustrated in Fig. 3, during the spinning operation, the fiber passing chamber 61 is covered by the second nozzle 81 and shut from outside (the connecting portion is hermetically sealed) . [0045] Furthermore, a first block suction passage 62 connected with the fiber passing chamber 61 is formed in the first block 91. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the first block suction passage 62 is connected to the negative pressure source (not illustrated in the drawings) via a flexible tube 63, a pipe (not illustrated in the drawings), and the like, which are connected to the first block 91. Accordingly, compressed airflow injected by the first nozzle 71 can be discharged, and fiber dusts accumulated in the fiber passing chamber 61 can be sucked and removed. The first block suction passage 62 branches into the suction collector 60 and functions as a passage for applying suction force in the suction collector 60. The fiber dusts sucked from the fiber passing chamber 61 and the fiber dusts sucked by the suction collector 60 are collected via the tube 63, the pipe, and the like into a fluff collecting box (not
illustrated in the drawings).
[0046] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the first nozzle 71 is connected to a spinning nozzle compressed air source (a spinning nozzle compressed air supplying device) 94 via a solenoid valve 95 or the like. The first nozzle 71 injects compressed air, which has been supplied from the spinning nozzle compressed air source 94, from the first nozzle air injection holes 30 to the first nozzle fiber passing passage 75. Accordingly, the first nozzle 71 can generate whirling airflow in the first nozzle fiber passing passage 75.
[0047] The first shower nozzle 72 (a first nozzle cleaning device) is used for removing fiber dusts, dusts, or the like adhered on the tip end of the first nozzle 71. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the first shower nozzle 72 is fixed to the tip end of the first block
91. A direction of an injection opening of the first shower nozzle
72 is set such that compressed air can be injected to the tip end
of the first nozzle 71.
[0048] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the first shower nozzle 72 is connected to a cleaning compressed air source (a cleaning compressed air supplying device) 96 via a solenoid valve 97 or the like. The first shower nozzle 72 injects compressed air (cleaning compressed air), which has been supplied from the cleaning compressed air source 96, to the tip end of the first nozzle 71. Accordingly, the first shower nozzle 72 can blow off the fiber dusts, the dusts, or the like adhered on the tip end of the first nozzle 71.
[0049] Next, a description will be made on the second block
92. The second block 92 is formed in an arm shape as illustrated
in Fig. 3, and functions as a housing supporting the second nozzle
81 which will be described later. The second block 92 is mounted
on the frame 6 via the swing shaft 99 in a manner that a swing center
of the second block 92 is provided concentrically with a swing center
of the first block 91. The second nozzle 81 and a second shower
nozzle 82 are arranged at a tip end of the second block 92.
[0050] As described above, in the first block 91, the fiber
passing chamber 61 is formed as a storage space which can store a portion of the second block 92. The second block 92 performs the spinning operation under a state in which the portion of the second block 92 including the second nozzle 81 is stored in the first block 91. Accordingly, the second nozzle 81 is hidden within the first block 91 during the spinning operation.
[0051] As illustrated in Fig. 4, a pneumatic cylinder 80 (not illustrated in Fig. 3) is connected to the second block 92. By driving the pneumatic cylinder 80, the second block 92 can be moved from the position where the second block 92 is located during the spinning operation.
[0052] The second block 92 is connected to the first block 91 via a mechanical element. In the present embodiment, the swing center of the first block 91 is provided concentrically with the swing center of the second block 92, and the first block 91 is connected to the second block 92 via an urging mechanism such as a torsion spring (corresponding to the above-described mechanical element and not illustrated in the drawings). As described above, since the first block 91 is connected to the second block 92, the first block 91 can be moved integrally with the second block 92 by operating the pneumatic cylinder 80.
[0053] The second nozzle 81 is used for applying whirling airflow on the fiber bundle 8 which has passed through the first nozzle fiber passing passage 75. As illustrated in Fig. 3, a yarn passage in the second nozzle 81 of the present embodiment is arranged to slant with respect to the first nozzle 71.
[0054] In the same manner as the first nozzle 71, a second nozzle fiber passing passage (a second nozzle fiber travelling passage) 85 through which the fiber bundle 8 passes is formed in the second nozzle 81. During the spinning operation, a longitudinal direction of the second nozzle fiber passing passage 85 is slanted with respect to a longitudinal direction of the first nozzle fiber passing passage 75. Accordingly, the fiber bundle 8 supplied to the spinning device 9 travels in the spinning device 9 while being bent.
[0055] A plurality of second nozzle air injection holes (second nozzle air injection sections) 31 are formed in the second nozzle 81. An output end of each of the second nozzle air injection holes 31 is opened to the second nozzle fiber passing passage 85. Each of the second nozzle air injection holes 31 is an elongate slit formed around the second nozzle fiber passing passage 85. A direction of an opening of each of the second nozzle air injection holes 31 is set such that the direction of the whirling airflow generated in the second nozzle fiber passing passage 85 is in an opposite direction from a direction in which the whirling airflow is generated in the first nozzle fiber passing passage 75 of the first nozzle 71.
[0056] In the same manner as the first nozzle 71, the second nozzle 81 is connected to the spinning nozzle compressed air source 94 via the solenoid valve 95 or the like (refer to Fig. 4). By injecting the compressed air, which has been supplied from the spinning nozzle compressed air source 94, to the second nozzle fiber passing passage 85, whirling airflow can be generated in the second nozzle fiber passing passage 85 in the opposite direction from the direction in which the whirling airflow is generated in the first nozzle fiber passing passage 75. That is, a direction of ballooning of the fiber bundle 8 in the first nozzle fiber passing passage 75 of the first nozzle 71 becomes opposite from a direction of ballooning of the fiber bundle 8 in the second nozzle fiber passing passage 85.
[0057] The second shower nozzle 82 (a second nozzle cleaning device) is used for removing fiber dusts, dusts, or the like adhered on a tip end of the second nozzle 81. A direction of an injection opening of the second shower nozzle 82 is set such that compressed air can be injected to the tip end of the second nozzle 81. As illustrated in Fig. 4, in the same manner as the first shower nozzle 72, the second shower nozzle 82 is connected to the cleaning compressed air source 96 via the solenoid valve 97 or the like.
[0058] The spinning machine 1 of the present embodiment includes a unit controller (a control section) 32 for controlling
the spinning unit 2 per each spinning unit 2. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the unit controller 32 is electrically connected to the solenoid valve 95 and the solenoid valve 97. The unit controller 32 can control to open and close the solenoid valve 95 and the solenoid valve 97. The unit controller 32 is also electrically connected to a solenoid valve (not illustrated in the drawings) for expanding and contracting the pneumatic cylinder 80, and can control to open and close such a solenoid valve.
[0059] When receiving an operation signal from the unit controller 32 (when a current is applied), the solenoid valve 95 closes passages. During a normal state (when a current is not applied), the solenoid valve 95 opens the passages so that compressed air is supplied to the first nozzle air injection hole 30 and the second nozzle air injection hole 31. Meanwhile, when receiving an operation signal from the unit controller 32 (when a current is applied), the solenoid valve 97 opens the passages. During the normal state (when a current is not applied) , the solenoid valve 97 closes the passages. Further, structures of the solenoid valve 95 and the solenoid valve 97 can be appropriately changed depending on circumstances, and are not limited to the structure of the present embodiment as long as the unit controller 32 can control to open and close the passages.
[0060] In the above-described structure, the spinning device 9 spins the fiber bundle 8 fed from the draft device 7. More specifically, the whirling airflow in the first nozzle 71 generates suction airflow in the vicinity of an inlet of the first nozzle fiber passing passage 75. By such suction action, the fiber bundle 8 is sucked into the first nozzle fiber passing passage 75. The fiber bundle 8 sucked into the first nozzle fiber passing passage 75 is introduced into the second nozzle fiber passing passage 85 located downstream of the first nozzle fiber passing passage 75, and a false twist is applied to the fiber bundle 8 by the whirling airflow generated in the second nozzle fiber passing passage 85. Such a false twist propagates to a converging point of the fibers that have passed through the nip point between the front roller 18 and the
front bottom roller 28.
[0061] In addition, a portion of fibers, which has been separated from the fiber bundle 8 when the fiber bundle 8 has passed through the front roller 18 and the front bottom roller 28, is wound around the twisted fiber bundle 8 by action of the whirling airflow in the first nozzle fiber passing passage 75. Further, the fibers are wound around the twisted fiber bundle 8 in an opposite direction from a direction in which the fiber bundle 8 is twisted. As described above, by providing the direction in which the whirling airflow is generated in the second nozzle 81 to be opposite from the direction in which the whirling airflow is generated in the first nozzle 71, the fibers, which have been wound around the fiber bundle 8 in the first nozzle 71 in the direction opposite from the twisted direction of the fiber bundle 8, are wound around such a fiber bundle 8 while tightening the fiber bundle 8 by the action of the second nozzle 81. Accordingly, fascinated spun yarn 10 having high yarn strength with the fiber bundle 8 as a core yarn is formed. The spun yarn 10, which has been spun from the fiber bundle 8 as described above, passes through the yarn accumulating device 11 and is fed to a winding device 12 side.
[0062] Next, by referring Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, a description will be made on opening movement of the first block 91 and the second block 92 of the spinning device 9, and an automatic cleaning performed by the first shower nozzle 72 and the second shower nozzle 82. Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view illustrating a state of the spinning device 9 when the first block 91 is moved away from the front roller 18 and the front bottom roller 28 . Fig. 6 is an enlarged side view illustrating a state of the spinning device 9 when the second block 92 is moved away from the first block 91. Timing for performing the automatic cleaning can be set at appropriate timing depending on circumstances. For example, the automatic cleaning may be performed at timing at which an operator operates an operating section (not illustrated in the drawings). Alternatively, to the unit controller 32 may control each section at appropriate timing to carry out the automatic cleaning periodically.
[0063] When the automatic cleaning starts, the unit controller 32 transmits an operation signal to the solenoid valve (not illustrated in the drawings) so as to move the second block. 92 away from the draft device 7. The solenoid valve, which has received the operation signal, operates the pneumatic cylinder 80 such that the second block 92 swings downward (in a direction indicated by an arrow in Fig. 5). In addition, since the first block 91 is connected to the second block 92 via the torsion spring (not illustrated in the drawings) as described above, the first block 91 integrally swings downward accompanying the second block 92. [0064] As illustrated in Fig. 5, when the first block 91 swings to a position where the bottom surface of the first block 91 is made into contact with the stopper 42, further downward swinging movement of the first block 91 is restricted by the stopper 42, and the first block 91 stops at such a position (which may be referred to as an opened position in the followings). Meanwhile, since the second block 92 is not made into contact with the stopper 42 as described above, the second block 92 continues to swing downward (in a direction indicated by an arrow in Fig. 6) . As a result, the second block 92 is moved away from the first block 91, and the tip end of the second nozzle 81 is greatly exposed as illustrated in Fig. 6. [0065] When control of the automatic cleaning starts, the unit controller 32 transmits the operation signal to the solenoid valve 95 and stops supplying of the compressed air to the first nozzle 71 and the second nozzle 81. Then, when the second block 92 is moved to a position illustrated in Fig. 6, the unit controller 32 transmits the operation signal to the solenoid valve 97 to supply the compressed air to the first shower nozzle 72 and the second shower nozzle 82. Accordingly, the compressed air is injected from the injection opening of the first shower nozzle 72 to the tip end of the first nozzle 71 in a direction indicated by an arrow in Fig. 6. In the same manner, the compressed air is injected from the injection opening of the second shower nozzle 82 to the tip end of the second nozzle 81 in a direction indicated by an arrow in Fig. 6.
[0066] The fiber dusts or the like adhered on the tip end of the first nozzle 71 or the tip end of the second nozzle 81 are blown off to the outside of the spinning device 9 and are removed by force of the air injected from the first shower nozzle 72 or the second shower nozzle 82. Alternatively, the cleaning operation by the first shower nozzle 72 and the second shower nozzle 82 may be omitted, and the spinning device 9 of the present embodiment may just open and close the first block 91 and the second block 92. [0067] Further, as described above, the spinning device 9 is mounted on the frame 6 of the spinning machine 1 per each unit. The spinning machine 1 of the present embodiment is formed such that in each spinning unit 2, the above-described spinning device 9 may be replaced with a spinning device having a structure different from that of the above-described spinning device 9. For example, as the spinning device having a structure different from that of the spinning device of the above-described embodiment, an air-jet spinning device including a nozzle and a spindle may be used. Accordingly, the frame 6 for mounting the spinning device 9 can be commonly used. Therefore, the spinning device 9 to be used in the spinning machine 1 may be selected depending on a purpose or an intended use, and productivity of the spinning machine 1 may be efficiently improved.
[0068] As described above, the spinning device 9 provided in the spinning machine 1 of the present embodiment includes the first nozzle 71, the first block 91, the second nozzle 81, and the second block 92. The first block 91 supports the first nozzle 71. The second nozzle 81 is arranged downstream of the first nozzle 71 in a fiber travelling direction. The second block 92 supports the second nozzle 81, and can expose the second nozzle 81 to outside by moving in a direction away from the first block 91. [0069] Accordingly, since the second block 92 which supports the second nozzle 81 is moved away from the first block 91, sufficient space for performing maintenance of the second nozzle 81 can be easily reserved. Therefore, the fiber dusts or the like which cause a nozzle clogging can be efficiently removed.
[0070] Further, in the spinning device 9 of the present embodiment, a passage, in which the fibers that have passed through the first nozzle 71 arrive to the second nozzle 81, is arranged to be shut from outside when the spinning operation is performed. Accordingly, efficiency of suction is improved, and an amount of fly waste accumulated on the second nozzle 81 or the like can be effectively reduced.
[0071] Further, in the spinning device 9 of the present embodiment, the second nozzle fiber passing passage 85 in the second nozzle 81 during the spinning operation is arranged to slant with respect to the first nozzle fiber passing passage 75 in the first nozzle 71. Accordingly, it becomes possible to respond flexibly to a structure of the spinning machine 1 on which the spinning device 9 is mounted.
[0072] Further, in the spinning device 9 of the present embodiment, the fist block 91 is arranged capable of moving in a direction away from the front roller 18 and the front bottom roller 28 arranged upstream of the first nozzle 71 in the fiber travelling direction. Accordingly, sufficient space for performing maintenance of the first nozzle 71 can be reserved, and efficiency of maintenance of the air-jet spinning device can be more improved. [0073] Further, the spinning device 9 of the present embodiment includes the stopper 42 which restricts movement of the first block 91 at a prescribed position where the first block 91 has moved in the direction away from the front roller 18 and the front bottom roller 28. The first block 91 is connected to the second block 92 via the mechanical element. When the second block 92 moves in the direction away from the front roller 18 and the front bottom roller 28, the first block 91 and the second block 92 move integrally until the movement of the first block 91 is restricted by the stopper 42. Accordingly, only by moving the second block 92, the first block 91 can be moved away from the front roller 18 and the front bottom roller 28, and the second block 92 can be moved away from the first block 91. [0074] Further, the spinning device 9 of the present embodiment
includes the first shower nozzle 72 arranged capable of injecting the compressed air to the first nozzle 71. Accordingly, the fiber dusts or the like, which may cause clogging of the first nozzle 71, can be blown off and removed by the compressed air injected by the first shower nozzle 72.
[0075] Further, in the spinning device 9 of the present embodiment, the first nozzle air injection hole 30 for generating the whirling airflow is formed in the first nozzle 71. The solenoid valve 95 is arranged in a supply channel for supplying the compressed air to the first nozzle air injection hole 30. When the first shower nozzle 72 is operated, supply of the compressed air is stopped by controlling the solenoid valve 95.
[0076] Accordingly, the spinning operation can be performed under a state in which the whirling airflow is generated in the first nozzle 71. Meanwhile, when the cleaning operation is performed, supplying of the compressed air to the first nozzle 71 is stopped, and the first shower nozzle 72 can effectively remove the fiber dusts or the like without being influenced by the whirling airflow. [0077] The spinning device 9 of the present embodiment includes the second shower nozzle 82 arranged capable of injecting the compressed air to the second nozzle 81. Accordingly, by injecting the compressed air by the second shower nozzle 82 under a state in which the second nozzle 81 is exposed, the fiber dusts or the like which may cause the nozzle clogging can be blown off from the second nozzle 81 to outside and can be efficiently removed. [0078] In the spinning device 9 of the present embodiment, the second nozzle air injection hole 31 for generating the whirling airflow is formed in the second nozzle 81. The solenoid valve 95 is arranged in a supply channel for supplying the compressed air to the second nozzle air injection hole 31. When the second shower nozzle 82 is operated, supply of the compressed air is stopped by controlling the solenoid valve 95. Accordingly, the spinning operation can be performed under a state in which the whirling airflow is generated in the second nozzle 81. Meanwhile, when the cleaning operation is performed, supplying of the compressed air
to the second nozzle 81 is stopped, and the fiber dusts or the like can be effectively removed by the second shower nozzle 82 without being influenced by the whirling airflow.
[0079] Further, the spinning device 9 of the present embodiment includes the spinning nozzle compressed air source 94, the first nozzle shower 91, the second nozzle shower 82, and the cleaning compressed air source 96. The spinning nozzle compressed air source 94 supplies the compressed air to the first nozzle 71 and the second nozzle 81 during the spinning operation. The first nozzle shower 91 can inject the cleaning compressed air to the first nozzle 71. The second nozzle shower 82 can inject the cleaning compressed air to the second nozzle 81. The cleaning compressed air source 96 supplies the cleaning compressed air to the first nozzle shower 91 and the second nozzle shower 82 during the above-described cleaning operation. When the whirling airflow is applied to the fiber bundle by the first nozzle 71 and the second nozzle 81, the unit controller 32 controls the spinning nozzle compressed air source 94 to supply the compressed air by controlling the solenoid valve 95, and controls the cleaning compressed air source 96 to stop supplying the cleaning compressed air by controlling the solenoid valve 97. When the supplying of the compressed air by the spinning nozzle compressed air source 94 is stopped (i.e. when the spinning operation is not performed), the unit controller 32 controls the solenoid valve 97 so that the cleaning compressed air is supplied from the cleaning compressed air source 96 to the first shower nozzle 72 and the second shower nozzle 82.
[0080] While embodiments of the present invention have been described as above, the structure can be modified as below.
[0081] Positions where the first shower nozzle 72 and the second shower nozzle 82 are provided can be appropriately changed depending on circumstances. For example, the second shower nozzle 82 can be also arranged on a lower surface of the first block 91.
[0082] Further, the structure of the spinning machine 1 can be appropriately changed depending on circumstances. For example, in place of the yarn accumulating device 11 provided in the spinning
machine 1 of the above-described embodiment, a yarn feeding device including a pair of rollers may be provided downstream of the spinning device 9.
[0083] Furthermore, a compressed air source and a passage for supplying compressed air from the compressed air source to each section can be appropriately modified depending on circumstances. For example, the spinning nozzle compressed air source 94 and the cleaning compressed air source 96 can be commonly used.

We claim:
1. An air-jet spinning machine comprising:
a first nozzle including a first fiber travelling passage for passing through a fiber bundle, and a first nozzle air injection section for applying whirling airflow on the fiber bundle passing through the first fiber travelling passage;
a first supporting member that supports the first nozzle;
a second nozzle including a second fiber travelling passage for passing through the fiber bundle that has passed through the first fiber travelling passage, and a second nozzle air injection section for applying whirling airflow on the fiber bundle passing through the second fiber travelling passage:
a second supporting member that supports the second nozzle and is arranged capable of moving with respect to the first supporting member; and
a control section that controls a position of the first supporting member and the second supporting member such that when the whirling airflow is applied on the fiber bundle by the first nozzle and the second nozzle, a downstream end of the first fiber travelling passage and an upstream end of the second fiber travelling passage are shut from outside.
2. The air-jet spinning machine according to claim 1,
characterized in that when the whirling airflow is applied on the
fiber bundle by the first nozzle and the second nozzle, the second
fiber travelling passage is arranged to slant with respect to the
first fiber travelling passage.
3. The air-jet spinning machine according to claim 1 or claim
2, characterized by further comprising a draft device that is
arranged upstream of the first nozzle in a fiber travelling
direction and drafts the fiber bundle,
wherein the control section controls the position of the first supporting member such that the first supporting member moves in a direction away from the draft device.
4. The air-jet spinning machine according to claim 3,
characterized by further comprising:
a restricting member that restricts movement of the first supporting member at a prescribed position where the first supporting member has moved in a direction away from the draft device, and
a mechanical element that connects the first supporting member and the second supporting member;
wherein when the second supporting member is moved in the direction away from the draft device by the control section, the first supporting member and the second supporting member move integrally until the movement of the first supporting member is restricted by the restricting member.
5. The air-jet spinning machine according to any one of claim
1 through claim 4, characterized by further comprising a first
nozzle cleaning device that can inject cleaning compressed air to
a tip of the first nozzle.
6. The air-jet spinning machine according to claim 5,
characterized by further comprising a solenoid valve that is
arranged in a supply channel for supplying compressed air to the
first nozzle air injection section,
wherein when injecting the cleaning compressed air to the tip of the first nozzle by the first nozzle cleaning device, the control section controls the solenoid valve to stop supplying the compressed air to the first nozzle air injection section, and controls to move the first supporting member away from the draft device.
7 . The air-jet spinning machine according to any one of claim 1 through claim 6, characterized by further comprising a second nozzle cleaning device that can inject cleaning compressed air to a tip of the second nozzle.
8. The air-jet spinning machine according to claim 7, characterized by further comprising a solenoid valve that is arranged in a supply channel for supplying compressed air to the second nozzle air injection section,
wherein when injecting the cleaning compressed air to the tip
of the second nozzle by the second nozzle cleaning device, the control section controls the solenoid valve to stop supplying the compressed air to the second nozzle air injection section, and controls to move the second supporting member away from the first supporting member.
9. The air-jet spinning machine according to any one of claim
1 though claim 4, characterized by further comprising
a spinning nozzle compressed air supplying device that supplies compressed air to the first nozzle and the second nozzle,
a first nozzle cleaning device that can inject cleaning compressed air to a tip of the first nozzle,
a second nozzle cleaning device that can inject cleaning compressed air to a tip of the second nozzle, and
a cleaning compressed air supplying device that supplies the cleaning compressed air to the first nozzle cleaning device and the second nozzle cleaning device,
wherein when the whirling airflow is applied to the fiber bundle by the first nozzle and the second nozzle, the control section controls the cleaning compressed air supplying device to stop supplying the cleaning compressed air, and when supplying of the compressed air by the spinning nozzle compressed air supplying device is stopped, the control section controls the cleaning compressed air supplying device to supply the cleaning compressed air to at least one of the first nozzle cleaning device and the second nozzle cleaning device.
10. An air-jet spinning machine, substantially as herein
described with reference to accompanying drawings and example.