DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of textile spinning preparatory machines. Particularly, the invention relates to the drive arrangement for textile combing machines. More particularly, the invention deals with an improved drive arrangement for the combing machines comprising an increased number of combing heads.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The combing machine in textile spinning industry produces a thin sheet composed of fibers, called "fleece", by removing short fibers from a group of fibers called "lap" in the manufacturing process of cotton yarn. The average length of cotton fiber depends on its kind or its place of origin. Additionally, even in the same kind of cotton, its average fiber length is not constant and often varies. To produce high-grade cotton yarn with superior tenacity and appearance, it is necessary to remove short cotton fibers including foreign matters and neps, which is the main function of the combing machine.
Generally, a textile combing machine comprises a plurality of combing heads. Each combing head comprises a combing cylinder (circular comb), a top comb, a pair of detaching rollers and a nipper apparatus. The nipper apparatus rocks back and forth while nipping sheet-like fibers, so-called "lap", supplied thereto. The combing cylinder (circular comb) which is also known as half-lap, has a series of saw toothed wires embedded on its peripheral surface. As the nipper apparatus moves backward, the saw toothed wires of the “circular comb” combs the forward end of the lap. This action is called "combing". This combing action removes short fibers from the lap, producing a thin sheet-like fiber product, so-called "fleece". The fleece is transferred forward as the nipper apparatus moves forward towards the pair of detaching rollers. In order to perform detaching and piecing process, the detaching rollers carry out a so called “pilgrim step motion”.
While the nipper action advances the combed fleece towards detaching rollers, the fleece combed in the present combing cycle overlaps the fleece combed in the preceding combing cycle. The detaching rollers are rotated in the normal direction to pull off the combed fleece combed in the present combing cycle from the nipper. Then combing of the rear end of the fleece with a top comb takes place. The detaching rollers are rotated in the normal direction immediately after the rotation in the reverse direction. This requires a very special drive so as to generate such a pilgrim step motion for the detaching rollers. Here, the detaching time of the new fiber bundle as well as the detaching speed of the detaching rollers is to be precisely matched to the nipper movement and circular comb movement in order to obtain a desired piecing and a qualitatively uniform fibre fleece. The fleece from the combing heads are doubled, drafted in the drafting arrangement of the combing machine and finally converted as sliver and deposited in sliver cans. For driving the combing machine comprising the above described parts, various types of drive arrangements are known in the art.
In the existing drive arrangement of combing machine, especially with higher number of combing heads, all the components throughout the machine length are driven from one end of the machine using lengthy shafts. At higher speeds, the oscillating or non uniform rotational shafts like Nipper shaft, Detaching roller shaft and comb drive shafts experiences more torque which results in torsional twist in those shafts. This twist affects the machine function by introducing inconsistencies in web formation.
To eliminate the above drawback, one solution was attempted in Japanese patent publication JPS60215818 in which all the drive components are centrally located between equal number of combing heads. The nipper shaft, comb shaft and detaching roller shaft are driven from the centrally located drive unit. The combing machine is provided with two sets of sliver storage units (sliver-can) for each side from the centre. The disadvantage with the system is that, the unbalanced reaction forces of these mechanisms acts on the centrally located drive unit which results in higher vibration. Further, two separate sliver storage units are provided which is further expensive and not operator friendly.
Another solution was attempted as disclosed in Indian patent publication 1163/MUM/2006 in which the entire drive unit was disposed at the centre between equal number of combing heads. The drives are taken to the respective combing heads on both sides similar to JPS60215818. But single sliver storage unit is provided at the endstock side and the nipper, detaching roller and comb drive mechanisms are arranged in single drive unit at the centre. Though the twist is reduced in this arrangement, the drive load remains same and all the reaction forces are acting in the same frames which will result in more vibration, which is disadvantageous.
In order to overcome the above disadvantages, the forthcoming invention disclosure provides an improved drive arrangement for combing machines.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide an improved combing machine drive arrangement which results in lesser vibration.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a drive arrangement which reduces the torsional twist with increase in number of combing heads.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved combing machine drive arrangement which aids in increased production rate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, the drive arrangement of textile combing machine is entirely modified to suit for increased number of combing heads. The driving mechanism of nipper, circular comb and detaching rollers are split and placed in different zones. The detaching roller drive mechanism is the most power consuming and expensive mechanism compared to nipper and circular comb drive mechanisms. As an embodiment of this invention, the detaching roller drive mechanism (2) is placed at the middle of the machine frame such that it drives the detaching rollers (7a & 7b) on each side. The lesser power consuming nipper drive mechanism (3a & 3b) and circular comb drive mechanism (4a & 4b) are placed at both the ends of the machine frame. The main motor (1) is placed at the headstock end of the machine frame. The drive to the detaching rollers (7a & 7b) are taken from main motor (1) through a carrier shaft (5). A differential gear unit (2) placed at the middle of the machine frame receives the drive from said carrier shaft (5) and drives the detaching rollers (7a & 7b) on each side from centre. The drive for both side detaching rollers (7a & 7b) are taken from the single output shaft of the differential gear linkage unit (2). In this case, the distance between the detaching roller drive point and each ends is shortened. Thereby, the torsional twist becomes lesser. The vibration is reduced as the reaction forces are shared between the drive units. The circular comb drive mechanism (4a) and nipper drive mechanism (3a) for one half of the combing machine are driven by the main motor (1) at the headstock end. Another carrier shaft (6) is extended from main motor (1) to other end of the machine for driving other half of the circular comb drive mechanism (4b) and nipper drive mechanism (3b). Thus, the circular comb and nipper shaft drives are provided at both the ends of the machine frame.
According to the present invention, the drive mechanism of a textile combing machine comprises: a machine frame; a main motor (1) placed at one end of the machine frame; a plurality of nipper drive mechanisms (3a, 3b) and a plurality of circular comb drive mechanisms (4a, 4b) placed at both ends of the machine frame driven by said main motor (1); wherein a carrier shaft (5) driven by main motor (1) drives the detaching rollers (7a, 7b) through a differential gear unit (2).
According to the present invention, the differential gear unit (2) and linkage mechanism is placed in substantially middle of said frame for driving said detaching rollers (7a, 7b) placed on both sides from the middle of the frame.
According to the present invention, said differential gear unit (2) and linkage mechanism is placed in between any two combing heads of the machine frame.
According to the present invention, drive for the said detaching rollers (7a, 7b ) on both sides from the middle is taken from the single output shaft of the differential gear unit (2).
According to the present invention, the differential gear unit (2) comprises, a gear (11) rigidly mounted on the carrier shaft (5) which drives a gear (12) through an idler gear; the said mechanism's input link (12a) is rigidly connected to said gear (12); the rotary motion from input link (12a) is transformed to complex oscillatory motion of an output link (12b); a gear (12c) rigidly connected to said gear (12) on same axis of rotation; said gear (12c) drives the Differential's arm gear (15) through an idler gear; the input Sun gear (13) with which the output link (12b) of the linkage mechanism is coupled has a tubular opening throughout its length; the Planetary gear arrangement i.e. double gears (14, 16) is pivotaly mounted on the arm gear (15); the said input Sun gear (13) positively drives the front planet gear (14); the said planet gear (16) and arm gear (15) drives the output sun gear (17). Each ends of the said output sun gear's (17) protruding shafts has output gears (18a & 18b) respectively rigidly mounted on them. The said output gears (18a, 18b) drives the gears (19a, 19a', 19b, 19b'), thereby the front detaching roller shafts (7a, 7b) and back detaching roller shafts (7a', 7b') are respectively driven.
According to the present invention, the circular comb drive mechanism (4a) and the nipper drive mechanism (3a) for one half of the combing machine are driven at the headstock end by the main motor (1) through suitable linkage mechanism.

According to the present invention, the circular comb drive mechanism (4b) and the nipper drive mechanism (3b) for other half of the combing machine are driven at the endstock end by the main motor (1) through a carrier shaft (6).

According to the present invention, a single carrier shaft extends from the headstock side to the endstock side for driving circular comb drive mechanism (4b), nipper drive mechanism (3b) and the detaching roller drive unit (2) placed at the middle.

According to the present invention, the nipper drive mechanism (3a) is driven by the main motor (1) through suitable linkage, gears and shafts.

According to the present invention, the bottom nipper drive mechanism (8a) is driven by said nipper drive mechanism (3a) for one half of the combing machine upto the middle of the machine frame.

According to the present invention, the comb drive mechanism (4a) is driven by the main motor (1) through linkage mechanism.

According to the present invention, the said comb drive mechanism (4a) drives the circular comb shaft (10) for one half of the combing machine upto the middle of the machine frame from headstock side.

According to the present invention, the nipper drive mechanism (3b) and the comb drive mechanism (4b) are placed at the endstock side for driving the nipper shaft and comb shaft at other half of the machine frame.

According to the present invention, the said second nipper drive mechanism (3b) and second comb drive mechanism (4b) receives the drive from the main motor (1) by means of an additional carrier shaft (6) through linkage/gear mechanisms.

According to the present invention, the said carrier shaft (6) extends from headstock side to endstock side throughout the length of the combing machine.

According to the present invention, the bottom nipper drive mechanism (8b) is driven by second nipper drive mechanism (3b) for this another half of the machine frame.

According to the present invention, the top nipper drive shaft (9) receives the drive from at least a bottom nipper drive shaft (8a, 8b) through linkage/gear mechanisms.

According to the present invention, the said second comb drive mechanism (4b) drives the circular comb shaft (10) for this another half of the combing machine upto the middle from endstock side.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates the schematic view with linkage mechanisms of the drive arrangement for the detaching rollers, nippers and circular comb of the combing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates the schematic view with linkage mechanisms of the detaching roller drive arrangement with differential gear unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to Figure 1, the combing machine drive arrangement according to the present invention is shown in detail. The combing machine according to the invention consists of at least 6 to 16 combing heads. Only 4 combing heads are shown in the figure for illustration purpose. The main motor (1) is placed at the headstock side. The detaching roller drive unit (2) which consists of linkage mechanism and differential gear is placed at the middle of the machine frame in between headstock and endstock. The detaching roller drive unit (2) is placed in between main motor (1) and sliver-can storage unit (not shown) according to an embodiment. The main motor (1) provides drive to the detaching roller drive unit (2) comprising differential gear through a carrier shaft (5). The said carrier shaft (5) extends from the main motor (1) upto the middle of the machine frame. The said differential gear unit (2) receives drive from said carrier shaft (5) through suitable gears and linkage mechanisms. From the centre of the machine frame, the said differential gear unit (2) drives the detaching rollers (7a & 7b) at both the sides of the middle section as shown in the figure. The detaching rollers (7a) at one half of the machine frame are driven by an output shaft from the differential gear unit (2). The detaching rollers (7b) at the other half of the machine frame are driven by the same output shaft at the other side. Thereby, the drive for both side detaching rollers (7a & 7b) are taken from single output shaft of the differential gear linkage unit (2). The distance between the detaching roller drive point and the machine end is shortened on both the sides. It results in lesser torsional twist and lesser vibration as the reaction forces are shared between the drive units. The power consumption is also lowered since only one detaching roller drive mechanism is employed. Thereby the detaching roller drive is designed efficiently and better optimisation is achieved between inertial forces and power.
Referring to Figure 2, the detaching roller drive arrangement is explained in detail as follows. The differential gear unit (2) has gear trains, linkage mechanisms and a differential arrangement which is an epicyclic gear train comprising of Sun, Planet and Arm Gears to drive the detaching rollers (7a, 7a’, 7b, 7b’).
The gear (11) is rigidly mounted on the carrier shaft (5) which drives a gear (12) through an idler gear. The said mechanism's input link (12a) is rigidly connected to said gear (12). Through a series of links, the rotary motion from input link (12a) is transformed to complex oscillatory motion of an output link (12b). This forms the first input to the Differential unit. A gear (12c) is rigidly connected to said gear (12) on the same axis of rotation. The said gear (12c) drives the Differential's arm gear (15) through an idler gear. This forms the second input to the Differential unit.
The input Sun gear (13) with which the output link (12b) of the linkage mechanism is coupled has a tubular opening throughout its length. The Planetary gear arrangement i.e. double gear having two different operating pitch circle diameter gears (14, 16) is pivotaly mounted on the arm gear (15) at a distance equivalent to that of the half of the sum of the operating pitch circle diameter of the above said input sun gear (13) and front planet gear (14). The said input Sun gear (13) positively drives the front planet gear (14) of the planetary gear arrangement. The combined non uniform circular motion from the back planet gear (16) and uniform motion from the arm gear (15) drives the output sun gear (17) to give a required non-uniform motion.
The output sun gear (17) is a gear with protruding shafts on the both the sides along its axis. The output sun gear (17) may be a single shaft with rigidly mounted gear or an integrated shaft with gear. One side of the protruding shaft of the output sun gear (17) has the same rotational axis as that of both the input sun gear (13) and the arm gear (15) and extends longer than the length of the tubular input sun gear (13).
Each ends of the said output sun gear's (17) protruding shafts has output gear (18a & 18b) respectively rigidly mounted on them. The said each output gears (18a, 18b) drives the gears (19a, 19a', 19b, 19b') as shown in the figure 2, thereby the front detaching roller shafts (7a, 7b) and back detaching roller shafts (7a', 7b') are respectively driven.
According to another feature of the invention, the nipper shafts and circular comb shafts are provisioned with split drive mechanism. The first nipper drive mechanism (3a) and first comb drive mechanism (4a) for one half of the combing machine are placed at the headstock side. The nipper drive mechanism (3a) is driven by the main motor (1) through suitable linkage, gears and shafts as shown in figure 1. The said nipper drive mechanism (3a) drives the bottom nipper drive shaft (8a) for one half of the combing machine upto the middle of the machine frame. The comb drive mechanism (4a) is also driven by the main motor (1) through suitable linkage mechanism. The said comb drive mechanism (4a) drives the circular comb shaft (10) for one half of the combing machine upto the middle of the machine frame from headstock side.
Similarly, another nipper drive mechanism (3b) and another comb drive mechanism (4b) are placed at the endstock side for driving the nipper shaft and comb shaft at other half of the machine frame. The said second nipper drive mechanism (3b) and second comb drive mechanism (4b) receives the drive from the main motor (1) by means of an additional carrier shaft (6) through linkage/gear mechanisms. The said carrier shaft (6) extends from headstock side to endstock side throughout the length of the combing machine. The second nipper drive mechanism (3b) drives the bottom nipper drive shaft (8b) for this another half of the machine frame. The top nipper drive shaft (9) receives the drive from bottom nipper drive shafts (8a & 8b) through linkage mechanisms in known manner. The said second comb drive mechanism (4b) drives the circular comb shaft (10) for this another half of the combing machine upto the middle from endstock side.
According to one more aspect of the present invention (not shown), two carrier shafts (5, 6) shown in Figure 1 are combined into single carrier shaft. The said single carrier shaft extends from headstock side to endstock side throughout the length of the combing machine which drives both drive units at ends comprising nipper drive mechanism, comb drive mechanism and also drives the detaching roller drive mechanism in the middle through differential gear unit.
According to one more aspect of the present invention (not shown), the drive units at the ends comprising nipper drive mechanism and comb drive mechanism are used to drive the lap rollers, take-off rollers and calender rollers similarly from both the ends in a split drive manner.
Thus, the combing machine drive systems are split and placed at different places according to the present invention. The more power consuming detaching roller drive mechanism (2) is placed at the middle of the machine frame. The lesser power consuming nipper drive (3) and comb drive (4) mechanisms are split and placed at both the ends of the machine frame. All the above drive shafts receives the drive from main motor drive unit (1) placed at the headstock end or the other end of the machine frame.
Advantageously, the above described combing machine drive mechanism has lesser torsional effect and lesser vibration compared to the existing combing machines. This invention is more particularly advantageous for the combing machines with increased number of combing heads. Advantageously, the combing machine drive system according to the present invention consumes lesser power and less expensive when compared to the existing combing machine drive systems with increased number of combing heads.
In view of the present disclosure which describes the present invention, all changes, modifications and variations within the meaning and range of equivalency are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A drive mechanism of a textile combing machine comprising:
a machine frame;
a main motor (1) placed at one end of the machine frame;
a plurality of nipper drive mechanisms (3a, 3b) and a plurality of circular comb drive mechanisms (4a, 4b) placed at both ends of the machine frame driven by said main motor (1);
wherein a carrier shaft (5) driven by main motor (1) drives the detaching rollers (7a, 7b) through a differential gear unit (2).

2. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said differential gear unit (2) and linkage mechanism is placed in substantially middle of said frame for driving said detaching rollers (7a, 7b) placed on both sides from the middle of the frame.
3. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said differential gear unit (2) and linkage mechanism is placed in between any two combing heads of the machine frame.
4. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, drive for the said detaching rollers (7a, 7b ) on both sides from the middle is taken from the single output shaft of the differential gear unit (2).
5. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the differential gear unit (2) comprises,
a gear (11) rigidly mounted on the carrier shaft (5) which drives a gear (12) through an idler gear; the said mechanism's input link (12a) is rigidly connected to said gear (12); the rotary motion from input link (12a) is transformed to complex oscillatory motion of an output link (12b); a gear (12c) rigidly connected to said gear (12) on same axis of rotation; said gear (12c) drives the Differential's arm gear (15) through an idler gear; the input Sun gear (13) with which the output link (12b) of the linkage mechanism is coupled has a tubular opening throughout its length; the Planetary gear arrangement i.e. double gears (14, 16) is pivotaly mounted on the arm gear (15); the said input Sun gear (13) positively drives the front planet gear (14); the said planet gear (16) and arm gear (15) drives the output sun gear (17).
6. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein, each ends of the said output sun gear's (17) protruding shafts has output gears (18a & 18b) respectively rigidly mounted on them.
7. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in preceding claims wherein, the said output gears (18a, 18b) drives the gears (19a, 19a', 19b, 19b'), thereby the front detaching roller shafts (7a, 7b) and back detaching roller shafts (7a', 7b') are respectively driven.
8. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the circular comb drive mechanism (4a) and the nipper drive mechanism (3a) for one half of the combing machine are driven at the headstock end by the main motor (1) through suitable linkage mechanism.

9. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the circular comb drive mechanism (4b) and the nipper drive mechanism (3b) for other half of the combing machine are driven at the endstock end by the main motor (1) through a carrier shaft (6).
10. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in the preceding claims wherein, a single carrier shaft extends from the headstock side to the endstock side for driving circular comb drive mechanism (4b), nipper drive mechanism (3b) and the detaching roller drive unit (2) placed at the middle.

11. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in the preceding claims wherein, the nipper drive mechanism (3a) is driven by the main motor (1) through suitable linkage, gears and shafts.

12. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in the preceding claims wherein, the bottom nipper drive mechanism (8a) is driven by said nipper drive mechanism (3a) for one half of the combing machine upto the middle of the machine frame.

13. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in the preceding claims wherein, the comb drive mechanism (4a) is driven by the main motor (1) through linkage mechanism.

14. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in the preceding claims wherein, the said comb drive mechanism (4a) drives the circular comb shaft (10) for one half of the combing machine upto the middle of the machine frame from headstock side.

15. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in the preceding claims wherein, the nipper drive mechanism (3b) and the comb drive mechanism (4b) are placed at the endstock side for driving the nipper shaft and comb shaft at other half of the machine frame.

16. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in the preceding claims wherein, the said second nipper drive mechanism (3b) and second comb drive mechanism (4b) receives the drive from the main motor (1) by means of an additional carrier shaft (6) through linkage/gear mechanisms.

17. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in the preceding claims wherein, the said carrier shaft (6) extends from headstock side to endstock side throughout the length of the combing machine.

18. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in the preceding claims wherein, the bottom nipper drive mechanism (8b) is driven by second nipper drive mechanism (3b) for this another half of the machine frame.

19. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in the preceding claims wherein, the top nipper drive shaft (9) receives the drive from at least a bottom nipper drive shaft (8a, 8b) through linkage/gear mechanisms.

20. The drive mechanism of a textile combing machine as claimed in the preceding claims wherein, the said second comb drive mechanism (4b) drives the circular comb shaft (10) for this another half of the combing machine upto the middle from endstock side.