DESC:F O R M 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
The Patent Rule, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)

“A METHOD OF DETECTING SLIVER IN A TEXTILE FIBER PROCESSING MACHINE”
BY
LAKSHMI MACHINE WORKS LIMITED
AN INDIAN COMPANY
PERIANAICKENPALAYAM, COIMBATORE – 641020,
TAMILNADU, INDIA

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of detecting the cotton or synthetic fiber strand in a textile fiber processing machine, such as draw frame, comber, lap forming machine or roving frame machine. Particularly the invention relates to a method of detecting the state viz. dynamic and/or stationary and/or the presence and/or the absence of fiber sliver.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The spinning preparatory machines like draw frame, combing, lap former and roving frame machines are provided with creel in which slivers are passed through from a sliver can into the machine for further processing. When feeding a certain number of fiber slivers to a textile-processing machine via a creel, it is necessary to monitor the feeding of the individual slivers. Such a conveyance of sliver feed has to proceed in a strictly prescribed, disturbance-free manner and must therefore be carefully monitored. For this purpose, optical systems, such as one-way optical sensors or optical proximity switches are being used. Said optical sensors merely shows the presence of the sliver independently of whether the sliver is present or absent. Such a monitoring device is known in US6081972 wherein, the sliver monitor and the other guide element are secured on a supporting element in common with the feed apparatus and the securing structure is being comprised of a support bracket. One leg of which carries the sliver monitor and parallel thereto a carrier bar is placed which bears the other guide element. These known arrangements have the disadvantage that they are unable to distinguish whether the sliver to be sensed is moved or whether it is idle, to indicate the delivery material production is in progress or not. It is a particular disadvantage that a non-conveyance of the sliver can also not be detected when the sliver is present but is at a standstill.
Another known system comprises electro-optical transmitter and receiver elements situated at the measuring unit. This measuring unit transfers the optical information by means of optical wave guides from the detection unit to the transmitter and receiver elements. Here the motion of the sliver is detected by comparing the generated signal pattern emitted by the receiver with a previously inputted pattern. Hence the fiber processing machine is controlled as a function of the measured signals. Then the measuring unit transfers separate signals for “object is present” and “object is in motion” to the machine control system. Here each sensor has two outputs and each output gets connected with PLC input. In the said system, for monitoring the objects presence and dynamic state, two number of PLC input is required. Moreover, the measured state (presence / dynamic status) of the sliver is sent to the machine control (PLC) through plurality of output, where the outputs are transmitted though wire harness. Since there are plurality of (at least 24) sensing stations are used in the creel as shown in figure 1, each sensor requires 2 cables or outputs (one output for signaling sliver presence or absence and other output for signaling the dynamic or stationary sliver status), for example 24 sensors requires 48 output harness or cables. Using of such arrangement in the sliver creel is more expensive which are currently available in the machines.
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
These objectives are provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This objective are not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
An important object of the invention aims at providing a compact solution for the shortcomings of the above-mentioned methods.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method for detecting sliver in a textile fiber processing machine.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for detecting the fiber strand in a textile fiber processing machine which requires less input modules.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cost economical apparatus for detecting the fiber strand in a textile fiber processing machine.
These objectives are achieved by the system according to the invention, which is a novel method of detecting sliver in a textile fiber processing machine, comprising the steps of sensing said sliver by a sensing apparatus and sending output signals to input module of a programmable logic controller (PLC), wherein each said sensor produces one output for determining the sliver presence, and mobility thereof. Further, processing signals for determining the presence and mobility of the sliver according to sensor output, wherein when the sensor output is high, and the signal is continuous, said sliver is detected to be present and moving; when the sensor output is high and the signal is intermittent, said sliver is detected to be present and stationary; and when the sensor output is low, said sliver is detected to be not present.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, in spinning preparatory machines like draw frame, combing, lap former and roving frame machine creel provided with a sensing apparatus to detect the presence, absence and movement of the object (fibre sliver) in a simple construction and cost-effective manner. Photoelectric sensors used in the present invention, comprises only one output and a single PLC input for monitoring both the presence and dynamic state of the object (sliver). The machine creel comprises plurality of sensing apparatus for each sliver take off station, wherein the sensors sends the output signal to input module of the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). Since each sensor has only one output for detecting the presence, absence and movement of fibre sliver, the number of input module to PLC is minimized which provides complication free arrangement between the creel and machine control unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates perspective view of the lap forming machine creel and sensor connecting layout as per known art;
Figure 2 illustrates top view of the lap forming machine creel according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 represents perspective view of lap forming machine creel and sensor connecting layout according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 4 shows the signal output representation of the sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, and features.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
Figure 2 illustrates top view of the lap forming machine creel, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, a lap forming machine 100 according to the invention provided with machine creel 102 comprises plurality of sensing apparatus 104 for each sliver draw-off station, wherein said sensing apparatus 104 is an optical or photo electric sensors / switches composed of a transmitter and a receiver through which fiber strand or sliver passes through wherein the said sensor operates as a photoelectric trigger either increasing or decreasing electrical output for determining the presence, absence and dynamic state of the fibre sliver.
Figure 3 shows top view of the lap forming machine 100 creel layout according to present invention where the plurality of sensors 104 are provided. For each said sensor 104, there is only one output is used for sending the sliver presence, absence and movement signals, and therefore fewer outputs are used on the sides of creel. The corresponding input signals to programmable logic controller (PLC) 112 routed through first harness line 106A. The remaining outputs of other side of the creel, is routed through second harness line 106B. Said first harness line 106A transfers the corresponding sensor signals 108A to the input module 110 whereas the second harness line 106B transfers the corresponding sensor signals 108B to the said input module 110. The signal from the module 110 is sent to PLC 112 through communication bus for further processing and controlling.
A method of detecting sliver in a textile fiber processing machine 100, the method comprising the steps of sensing said sliver by a sensing apparatus 104 and sending output signals to input module 110 of a programmable logic controller (PLC) 112, wherein each said sensor 104 produces one output for determining the sliver presence, and mobility thereof. Further, processing signals for determining the presence and mobility of the sliver according to sensor output. When the sensor output is high, and the signal is continuous, said sliver is detected to be present and moving, whereas if the sensor output is high, and the signal is intermittent, said sliver is detected to be present and stationary and when the sensor output is low, said sliver is detected to be not present.
Figure 4 shows the signal output representation of the sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure shows the high output signal wherein the voltage with respect to time is intermittent (represented as A) which indicates the presence of sliver but stationary. The said output signal according to the invention is 5Hz square pulse signal. The constant continuous high signal output (represented as B) indicates the presence of sliver and its movement, which denotes machine is in operation and the production is in progress. The said high output signal according to the invention is 24V DC signal. When the output signal is low or there is no voltage (0V) representation with respect to time (represented as C), indicates the absence of sliver at the machine creel.During operation, at the indication of (A) and (C) the machine commands to a halt position by the PLC and notify the machine operator through suitable signal.
Advantageously by the invention, the input modules for handling all creel sensor output of the whole machine is reduced which results noteworthy cost saving. Moreover, the number of outputs required for each sensor is minimized which also simplifies the harness layout and construction of the machine creel. The sensor can be mounted in spinning preparatory machines as well as in carding machines.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction herein disclosed, and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention.
Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims. ,CLAIMS:I/we claim,
1. A method of detecting sliver in a textile fiber processing machine, the method comprising the steps of:
sensing said sliver by a sensing apparatus and sending output signals to input module of a programmable logic controller (PLC), wherein each said sensor produces one output for determining the sliver presence, and mobility thereof; and
processing signals for determining the presence and mobility of the sliver according to sensor output, wherein when the sensor output is high, and the signal is continuous, said sliver is detected to be present and moving; when the sensor output is high and the signal is intermittent, said sliver is detected to be present and stationary; and when the sensor output is low, said sliver is detected to be not present.
2. The method of detecting sliver as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor operates as a photoelectric trigger either increasing or decreasing the electrical output.
3. The method of detecting sliver as claimed in any of the above claim, wherein said sensor is photo electric sensor.
4. The method of detecting sliver as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sliver is of the cotton or synthetic fiber strand.
5. The method of detecting sliver as claimed in claim 1, wherein said high output with continuous signal refers to 24V DC.
6. The method of detecting sliver as claimed in claim 1, wherein said high output with intermittent signal refers to 5Hz square pulse.
7. The method of detecting sliver as claimed in claim 1, wherein said low output refers to no output (0V) signal.