DESCRIPTION
[Title of Invention] SPINNJNG MACHINE
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a technology of a spinning machine.
[Background Art]
[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a spinning machine that drafts a fiber
bundle and twists the drafted fiber bundle, thereby manufacturing spun yarns (for example,
see Patent Document 1). In the spinning machine, there are provided a plurality of draft
roller pairs that draft the fiber bundle and a spinning unit that twists the drafted fiber bundle.
[0003] The draft roller pair is constituted by a bottom roller that is rotated via a power
mechanism and a top roller that is driven to rotate in a state of contact with the bottom roller.
Since the top roller is an elastic roller formed of rubber and the like, there is a problem in that
the surface of the top roller wears out. In particular, when a position of the fiber bundle held
by the draft roller pairs is constant, abrasion of a portion in contact with the fiber bundle may
swiftly progress. Accordingly, there has been demand that life of the draft roller pairs be
extended by changing the holding position of the fiber bundle held by the draft roller pairs.
[0004] In the above-described spinning machine, the spinning unit is arranged in vicinity
of downstream of the draft roller pairs. This is because the spinning unit twists the fiber
bundle before the fiber bundle fed by the draft roller pairs is entangled. Accordingly, a gap
between the draft roller pairs and the spinning unit cannot be avoided from becoming narrow,
which causes a level of maintainability to be low. For this reason, a structure has been
demanded wherein the spinning unit can be moved away from the draft roller pairs at the time
of maintenance, and the maintenance is easily performed.
[Citation List]
[Patent Literature]
[0005] [PTL 11 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
201 1-99192.
[Summary of Invention]
[Technical Problem]
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a spinning machine that achieves
extension of life of draft roller pairs by changing a holding position of a fiber bundle held by
the draft roller pairs and in which maintenance can be easily performed by moving a spinning
unit away from the draft roller pairs at the time of the maintenance.
[Solution to Problem]
[0007] The spinning machine of the first aspect of the present invention includes draft
roller pairs configured to draft a fiber bundle, a spinning unit configured to spin a spun yarn
by twisting the fiber bundle drafted by the draft roller pairs, a holding unit configured to hold
the spinning unit, a movable base unit to which the holding unit is mounted, a driving unit
configured to move the movable base unit in parallel with respect to a rotating shaft direction
of the draft roller pairs, and a supporting shaft configured to support the movable base unit in
a freely movable manner and support the holding unit such that the spinning unit can be
disposed close to or away from the draft roller pairs.
[0008] The second aspect of the present invention relates to the spinning machine
according to the first aspect of the present invention. The supporting shaft is formed in an
axial shape, and the holding unit is supported to be swingable with the supporting shaft as
center.
[0009] The third aspect of the present invention relates to the spinning machine according
to the second aspect of the present invention. The holding unit includes a first contacting
portion configured to limit a swinging angle in a direction towards the draft roller pairs and a
second contacting portion configured to limit a swinging angle in a direction to be away from
the draft roller pairs.
[0010] The fourth aspect of the present invention relates to the spinning machine
according to the second or third aspect of the present invention. The holding unit is urged
towards one of swinging directions by a first urging member.
[0011] The fifth aspect of the present invention relates to the spinning machine according
to any one of the first to fourth aspect of the present invention. The movable base unit is
urged by a second urging member in one of moving directions.
[0012] The sixth aspect of the present invention relates to the spinning machine according
to any one of the first to fifth aspect of present inventions. The spinning machine includes
two supporting shafts. The driving unit constitutes a point of action at which the movable
base unit is moved between the two supporting shafts.
[0013] The seventh aspect of the present invention relates to the spinning machine
according to any one of the first to sixth aspect of present inventions. The spinning machine
includes a pair of frames configured to rotatably support the draft roller pairs. The
supporting shaft constitutes a beam member that couples the pair of frames.
[0014] The eighth aspect of the present invention relates to the spinning machine
according to any one of the first to seventh aspect of present inventions. The spinning unit
spins the spun yarn by twisting the fiber bundle with swirling airflow.
[0015] The ninth aspect of the present invention relates to the spinning machine
according to any one of the first to eighth aspect of present inventions. The spinning
machine includes at least three draft roller pairs along a feeding direction of the fiber bundle.
[0016] The tenth aspect of the present invention relates to the spinning machine
according to any one of the first to ninth aspect of present inventions. The spinning machine
includes a winding unit configured to wind the spun yarn.
[Advantageous Effects of Invention]
[0017] According to the spinning machine of the first aspect of the present invention,
since the movable base unit, to which the holding unit that holds the spinning unit is mounted,
is moved in parallel with respect to the rotating shaft direction of the draft roller pairs, the
holding position of the fiber bundle held by the draft roller pairs can be changed.
Accordingly, the life of the draft roller pairs (more particularly, top rollers orland bottom
rollers constituting the draft roller pairs) can be extended. Moreover, since the holding unit
can be adjacently disposed to or located away from the draft roller pairs, the spinning unit
held by the holding unit can be moved away from the draft roller pairs when performing
maintenance. Consequently, the maintainability of the spinning machine can be improved.
Furthermore, the supporting shaft includes functions of a move guide of the movable base
unit and a supporting guide of the spinning unit, thereby simplifying the entire configuration
of the spinning machine.
[0018] According to the spinning machine of the second aspect of the present invention,
since the holding unit is swingable with the supporting shaft as center, the spinning unit held
by the holding unit can easily be moved away from the draft roller pairs when performing
maintenance. Consequently, the maintainability of the spinning machine can be improved.
Furthermore, since swinging movement of the holding unit is realized by the supporting shaft
used for moving the holding unit, the entire configuration of the spinning machine can be
simplified.
[0019] According to the spinning machine of the third aspect of the present invention,
since the first contacting portion and the second contacting portion limit the swinging angle of
the holding unit, the spinning unit held by the holding unit can be prevented from interfering
with other members. Consequently, the maintainability of the spinning machine can be
improved.
[0020] According to the spinning machine of the fourth aspect of the present invention,
since the first urging member urges the holding unit in one of the swinging directions, the
relative positional relation of the draft roller pairs and the spinning unit can be determined.
Accordingly, spinning performance of the spinning unit held by the holding unit can be
stabilized.
[0021] According to the spinning machine of the fifth aspect of the present invention,
since the second urging member urges the movable base unit in one of the moving directions,
wobbling of the movable base unit can be prevented. Accordingly, this can prevent the
wobbling of the holding unit that moves with the movable base unit. Consequently, the
spinning performance of the spinning unit held by the holding unit can be stabilized, and
reduction in quality of the spun yarn can be prevented.
[0022] According to the spinning machine of the sixth aspect of the present invention,
since the driving unit constitutes a point of action at which the movable base unit is moved
between the two supporting shafts, the movable base unit can be moved smoothly.
Accordingly, the holding unit that moves with the movable base unit can also be moved
smoothly. Consequently, the spinning performance of the spinning unit held by the holding
unit can be stabilized, and the reduction in quality of the spun yarn can be prevented.
[0023] According to the spinning machine of the seventh aspect of the present invention,
since the supporting shaft constitutes a beam member that couples the frames, the
highly-rigid and light-weighted frames can be obtained at low-cost. Accordingly, the
wobbling of the draft roller pairs supported by the frames can be prevented. Consequently,
the drafting performance of the draft roller pairs can be stabilized, and the reduction in quality
of the spun yarn can be prevented.
[0024] According to the spinning machine of the eighth aspect of the present invention,
since the spinning unit twists the fiber bundle with the swirling airflow, a high spinning speed
can be realized. When the spinning speed becomes high, drafting speed of the draft roller
pairs also becomes high speed. The progress of abrasion of the draft roller pairs per unit
time also becomes fast. Accordingly, if the holding position of the fiber bundle held by the
draft roller pairs is changed, there is a particular advantage of extension of the life of the
draft roller pairs (more particularly, the top rollers orland bottom rollers constituting the draft
roller pairs). Moreover, since the fiber bundle is twisted by the swirling airflow, fallen fibers
may be accumulated between the draft roller pairs and the spinning unit. Since the spinning
unit is held by the holding unit to be adjacently disposed to or moved away from the draft
roller pairs, the maintainability of the spinning machine is favorable. Accordingly, the
operation efficiency of the spinning machine can be improved.
[0025] According to the spinning machine of the ninth aspect of the present invention,
even in a case where at least the three draft roller pairs are provided and a moving space is
limited, the maintainability can be improved.
[0026] According to the spinning machine of the tenth aspect of the present invention,
production capacity of the packages of the spinning machine can be improved.
[Description of Drawings]
[0027] [FIG 11 FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating the entire configuration of a spinning
machine.
[FIG 21 FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a configuration of a draft unit.
[FIG 31 FIG. 3 is a drawing of the draft unit viewed from a direction of an arrow X.
[FIG 41 FIG. 4 is a drawing of the draft unit viewed from a direction of an arrow Y.
[FIG 51 FIG. 5 is a drawing of the draft unit viewed from a direction of an arrow 2.
[FIG 61 FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating movement of a movable base unit and a holding
unit.
[FIG 71 (7A) is a drawing illustrating a position of the holding unit at a time of spinning.
(FIG. 7B) is a drawing illustrating the position of a holding unit 26 at a time of maintenance.
[FIG 81 (8A) is a drawing illustrating the position of the holding unit at a time of
spinning. (8B) is a drawing illustrating the position of the holding unit 26 at a time of
maintenance.
[FIG 91 FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a configuration of an air spinning device.
[Description of Embodiments]
[0028] First, the entire configuration of a spinning machine 100 will briefly be described.
[0029] The spinning machine 100 is a spinning machine that manufactures a spun yarn Y
from a fiber bundle F and forms a package P. The spinning machine 100 includes a sliver
supply unit 1, a draft unit 2, a spinning unit 3, a defect detecting unit 4, a tension stabilizing
unit 5, and a winding unit 6, which are arranged in this order along a feeding direction of the
fiber bundle F and the spun yarn Y. The spinning machine 100 is connected to a control unit
7 that enables transmission of a control signal to each unit (see FIG. 2).
[0030] The sliver supply unit 1 supplies the fiber bundle F (sliver), which serves as a raw
material of the spun yarn Y, to the draft unit 2. The sliver supply unit 1 includes a sliver case
11 and a sliver guide (not illustrated). The fiber bundle F stored in the sliver case 11 is
guided by the sliver guide and introduced to the draft unit 2.
[0031] The draft unit 2 drafts the fiber bundle F and equalizes the thickness of the fiber
bundle F. The draft unit 2 includes four sets of draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24, which
are a back roller pair 21, a third roller pair 22, a middle roller pair 23, and a front roller pair
23, arranged in this order along the feeding direction of the fiber bundle F. Since the draft
roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24 feed the held fiber bundle F by rotation, the fiber bundle F can
be drafted by the difference in the feeding speeds of the adjacent draft roller pairs.
[0032] The spinning unit 3 twists the drafted fiber bundle F, thereby manufacturing the
spun yarn Y. The spinning unit 3 is arranged at downstream of the front roller pair 24 of the
draft unit 2. The spinning unit 3 can manufacture the spun yarn Y from the fiber bundle F
that has been appropriately drafted. The spinning unit 3 is detachably held by a holding unit
26 that can be divided (see an arrow R in FIG. 2). The detailed configuration of the spinning
unit 3 will be described later.
(100331 The defect detecting unit 4 detects a defective portion of the manufactured spun
yarn Y. More specifically, the defect detecting unit 4 irradiates the spun yarn Y with a
light-emitting diode (not illustrated) as a light source and detects a reflection light amount
from the spun yarn Y. The defect detecting unit 4 is connected to the control unit 7 via an
analyzer (not illustrated). Accordingly, the control unit 7 can determine presence or absence
of a defective portion based on a detection signal from the defect detecting unit 4. The
defective portion that can be detected by the defect detecting unit 4 includes foreign matters
such as polypropylene and the like contained in the spun yarn Y, in addition to irregularity in
the thickness of the spun yarn Y. Besides an optical sensor according to the present
embodiment, the defect detecting unit 4 may adapt an electrostatic capacitance type sensor.
[0034] The tension stabilizing unit 5 appropriately maintains and stabilizes tension
applied to the spun yarn Y. The tension stabilizing unit 5 includes an unwinding member 5 1
and a roller 52. When the tension applied to the spurn yarn Y is low, the unwinding member
5 1 rotates with the roller 52 and winds the spun yam Y around the roller 52. When the
tension applied to the spurn yarn Y is high, the unwinding member 5 1 independently rotates
with respect to the roller 52 and unwinds the spun yarn Y wound around the roller 52.
[0035] The winding unit 6 winds the spun yarn Y and forms the package P. The winding
unit 6 includes a driving roller 61 and a cradle (not illustrated). The driving roller 61 rotates
a bobbin B held by the cradle. Accordingly, the winding unit 6 can wind the spun yarn Y,
thereby forming the package P. Since the winding unit 6 traverses the spun yarn Y by a
not-illustrated traverse device, unevenness of the spun yarn Y on the package P is prevented.
[0036] As long as the draft unit 2 and the spinning unit 3 are provided, any configuration
may be applied irrespective of details. The sliver supply unit 1, the defect detecting unit 4,
the tension stabilizing unit 5, the winding unit 6, and/or other conijguration, and positional
relationship are not limited.
[0037] Next, the configuration of the draft unit 2 will be described in detail referring to
FIGS 2 to 5. FIG. 2 does not show a frame 20 that supports the draft roller pairs 21, 22, 23,
and 24.
LO0381 The draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24 are respectively constituted by bottom
rollers 2 1 A, 22A, 23A, and 24A and top rollers 2 1 B, 22B, 23B, and 24B. Apron bands 23C
and 23C made of synthetic rubber are wound around the bottom roller 23A and the top roller
23B constituting the middle roller pair 23.
[0039] The bottom rollers 21A, 22A, 23A, and 24A are rotated by a not-illustrated power
mechanism in a travel direction of the fiber bundle F. The top rollers 21B, 22B, 23B, and
24B are driven to rotate while making contact with the bottom rollers 21A, 22A, 23A, and
24A. The respective draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24 are set such that the rotational
speeds are sequentially increased along the feeding direction of the fiber bundle F.
[0040] As the fiber bundle F held by the draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24 passes
through the respective draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24, the feeding speed is increased, and
the fiber bundle F is drafted between the adjacent draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24. Thus,
the draft unit 2 can gradually narrow the width (thickness) of the fiber bundle F and achieve
uniformity.
[0041] In the draft unit 2, two supporting shafts 25 1 and 252 are provided in parallel with
respect to the rotating shafts of the draft roller pairs 21,22,23 and 24. The movable base
unit 25 is supported in a state where the supporting shafts 25 1 and 252 are inserted through
sliding holes provided at both end portions of the movable base unit 25. The holding unit 26
is supported by the supporting shaft 25 1 in a state where the holding unit 26 is embedded in a
recessed portion 25C of the movable base unit 25.
[0042] More specifically, the rectangular recessed portion 25C is provided at the end
portion of the movable base unit 25, the end portion of which is located downstream in a
drafting direction (see FIGs. 3 and 4). The holding unit 26 is supported inside the recessed
portion 25C in a state where the supporting shaft 25 1 is inserted through the sliding hole
provided through the holding unit 26. That is, the holding unit 26 is supported by one
supporting shaft 25 1 which supports the movable base unit 25. Accordingly, the supporting
shafts 25 1 and 252 include functions of a move guide of the movable base unit 25 and a
supporting guide of the holding unit 26, thereby simplifying the configuration of the draft unit
100431 A driving unit 27 is arranged below the movable base unit 25 (the opposite side
with respect to the side where the draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24 are arranged). The
driving unit 27 according to the present embodiment includes a stepping motor 271, a cam
272, and a cam follower 273. The stepping motor 271 rotates the cam 272, thereby driving
the cam follower 273, which is mounted on the movable base unit 25. Since the movable
base unit 25 is urged by springs 253 mounted on the supporting shafts 25 1 and 252, the
movable base unit 25 can follow the shape of the cam 272.
[0044] Accordingly, the movable base unit 25 can move in parallel with respect to the
rotating shaft direction of the draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24 (see an arrow T in FIGs. 3
and 4). Also the holding unit 26 embedded in the recessed portion 25C of the movable base
unit 25 moves with the movable base unit 25. That is, the spinning unit 3 held by the
holding unit 26 is easily movable with the movable base unit 25.
[0045] As described above, the driving unit 27 according to the present embodiment
adopts the configuration wherein a cam mechanism converts a rotational movement into a
linear movement. However, the driving unit 27 may convert the rotational movement into
the linear movement by a spiral shaft and a nut. Moreover, the driving unit 27 may convert
the rotational movement into the linear movement by a rack gear and a pinion gear. The
driving unit 27 in the present embodiment includes a stepping motor, but the present invention
is not limited to the present embodiment, and for example, the driving unit 27 may include a
servo motor
[0046] The draft unit 2 includes a first guiding unit 28 upstream of the back roller pair 21.
The first guiding unit 28 guides the fiber bundle F supplied from the sliver supply unit 1 to the
back roller pair 21. The first guiding unit 28 is mounted on the movable base unit 25 via a
bracket that supports the first guiding unit 28.
[0047] The draft unit 2 includes a second guiding unit 29 between the third roller pair 22
and the middle roller pair 23. The second guiding unit 29 guides the fiber bundle F fed from
the third roller pair 22 to the middle roller pair 23. The second guiding unit 29 is mounted
on the movable base unit 25 via a bracket that that supports the second guiding unit 29.
[0048] Accordingly, the first guiding unit 28 and the second guiding unit 29 that are
mounted on the movable base unit 25 can be moved integrally with the movable base unit
25 in parallel with respect to the rotating shaft direction of the draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and
24 (see the arrow T in FIGS. 3 and 4). That is, the first guiding unit 28 and the second
guiding unit 29 can be moved in parallel with respect to the rotating shaft direction of the
draft roller pairs 21,22, 23, and 24 in a state where their positions are kept constant with
respect to the spinning unit 3.
[0049] The draft unit 2 enables the spinning unit 3, the first guiding unit 28, and the
second guiding unit 29 to be moved in parallel with respect to the rotating shaft direction of
the draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24. Accordingly, the draft unit 2 can change the holding
position where the fiber bundle F is held by the draft roller pairs 21, 22,23, and 24.
Consequently, the life of the top rollers 21B, 22B, 23B, and 24B can be extended. In the
present embodiment, since the apron bands 23C and 23C are wound around the middle roller
pair 23, the life of the apron bands 23C can be extended.
[0050] The first guiding unit 28 according to the present embodiment is mounted on the
movable base unit 25, and the first guiding unit 28 moves integrally with the movable base
unit 25. However, the first guiding unit 28 may be mounted on the later-described frame 20
and the like and not moved.
[0051] As a case where the first guiding unit 28 is configured not to be moved, there is a
case where the fiber bundle F is thick. That is, the case is such that the width (thickness) of
the fiber bundle F held by the back roller pair 21 is large and there is no extra space with
respect to the width dimension of the back roller pair 2 1. If the first guiding unit 28 is
moved in such a state, the fibers constituting the fiber bundle F fall off from the back roller
pair 21. Accordingly, when the fiber bundle F is thick, the first guiding unit 28 is preferably
provided not to be moved.
[0052] In the draft unit 2, a detecting unit 30 is mounted in the vicinity of the movable
base unit 25. The detecting unit 30 is a magnetic sensor (Hall IC) that can detect magnetic
force of a magnet M mounted on the movable base unit 25. More specifically, the detecting
unit 30 converts an output voltage in accordance with change in magnetic flux density,
thereby detecting the position of the magnet M based on the value of the output voltage. The
detecting unit 30 is connected to the control unit 7 via a not-illustrated analyzer. The control
unit 7 can obtain the position of the magnet M, that is, the position of the movable base unit
25 based on a detection signal from the detecting unit 30. The mounting position of the
magnet M and the like are not limited.
[0053] A vertical axis of FIG. 6 represents an elapsed time t. A horizontal axis of FIG. 6
represents displacement L of the movable base unit 25 and the holding unit 26. The
displacement L of the movable base unit 25 and the holding unit 26 is the distance the
movable base unit 25 and the holding unit 26 have moved from an origin position 0.
[0054] As is illustrated in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the control unit 7 controls
the driving unit 27, thereby successively reciprocating the movable base unit 25.
Accordingly, the holding unit 26 embedded in the recessed portion 25C of the movable base
unit 25 is also successively reciprocated. Since the object is to extend the life of the top
rollers 2 1 B, 22B, and 24B by changing the holding position of the fiber bundle F held by the
draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24, the control mode of the driving unit 27 is not limited.
[0055] The origin position 0 in the present embodiment is provided at the central portion
in the rotating shaft direction of the draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24. The origin position
0 may not necessarily be provided at the central portion in the rotating shaft direction of the
draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24, and for example, may be set at an end portion in the
rotating shaft direction. The origin position 0 is not limited to a specific position.
[0056] The holding unit 26 can be swung with the supporting shaft 25 1 as a center (see an
arrow S in FIG. 2). Accordingly, the holding unit 26 can be adjacently disposed to or moved
away from the front roller pair 24. The spinning unit 3 held by the holding unit 26 is
adjacently disposed to or moved away from the front roller pair 24.
[0057] In the draft unit 2, the holding unit 26 can be swung with the supporting shaft 251
as a center. Accordingly, the draft unit 2 can make the spinning unit 3 held by the holding
unit 26 to be moved away from the front roller pair 24 when performing maintenance.
Accordingly, the maintainability of the spinning machine 100 can be improved. Furthermore,
since the swinging movement of the holding unit 26 is realized by the supporting shaft 25 1
used for moving the holding unit 26, the configuration of the draft unit 2 can be simplified.
FIGs. 7A and 7B do not illustrate the frame 20 that supports the draft roller pairs 21,22, 23,
and 24. As is illustrated in FIG. 7A, a gap D-close between the spinning unit 3 and the front
roller pair 24 at the time of spinning is narrowly set. Accordingly, the spinning unit 3 can
twist the fiber bundle F before the fiber bundle F fed by the front roller pair 24 is entangled.
As is illustrated in FIG. 7B, a gap D-open between the spinning unit 3 and the front roller pair
24 at the time of maintenance can be obtained widely by swinging the holding unit 26. In
the present embodiment, when the holding unit 26 is swung, an opening portion 266 of a
suction duct appears. Accordingly, waste yarn and the like can be discarded via the suction
duct.
[0058] As is illustrated in FIGs. 8A and 8B, the holding unit 26 may be adjacently
disposed to or moved away from the front roller pair 24 by an air cylinder 265. In the
present embodinlent, an operator manually swings the holding unit 26. However, when
performing maintenance, the holding unit 26 may be automatically swung by the air cylinder
265.
[0059] Next, a configuration for limiting the swinging angle of holding unit 26 will be
described.
[0060] As is illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the holding unit 26 according to the present
embodiment includes a first contacting portion 26 1 and a second contacting portion 262 that
limit the swinging angle of the holding unit 26. The first contacting portion 261 makes
contact with a positioning pin 263 when the holding unit 26 is swung in the direction towards
the front roller pair 24 (see FIG. 7A). The second contacting portion 262 makes contact with
the positioning pin 263 when the holding unit 26 is swung in the direction away from the
front roller pair 24 (see FIG. 7B).
[0061] Accordingly, the first contacting portion 261 can limit the swinging angle of the
holding unit 26 such that the spinning unit 3 held by the holding unit 26 and a member (the
front roller pair 24) arranged upstream of the holding unit 26 are prevented from being
disposed too close to one another. The second contacting portion 262 can limit the swinging
angle of the holding unit 26 such that the spinning unit 3 held by the holding unit 26 and a
member (for example, a delivery roller) arranged downstream of the holding unit 26 are
prevented from being disposed too close to one another.
[0062] Since the first contacting portion 261 and the second contacting portion 262 limit
the swinging angle of the holding unit 26, the draft unit 2 can prevent the spinning unit 3 held
by the holding unit 26 from interfering with other members. Accordingly, the
maintainability of the spinning machine 100 can be improved even more. The first
contacting portion 261 can determine a distance between a holding point (nip point) N of the
front roller pair 24 and the spinning unit 3.
[0063] Next, a configuration for preventing the reduction in quality of the spun yarn Y
will be described.
[0064] As is illustrated in FIGs. 7A and 7B, the holding unit 26 according to the present
embodiment is urged in one of the swinging directions by the spring 264, which is a first
urging member. The spring 264 is a tension spring and urges the holding unit 26 in the
direction towards the front roller pair 24. Since the object is to prevent the holding unit 26
from wobbling by urging the holding unit 26 in one of the swinging directions, the urging
direction and the like are not limited.
[0065] Since the spring 264 urges the holding unit 26 in one of the swinging directions,
the draft unit 2 can determine the relative positional relation of the front roller pair 24 and the
spinning unit 3. Accordingly, the spinning performance of the spinning unit 3 held by the
holding unit 26 can be stabilized.
[0066] As is illustrated in FIGs. 3 to 5, the movable base unit 25 is urged by the springs
253, which are the second urging member, in one of the moving directions. The springs 253
are compression springs and urge the cam follower 273 mounted on the movable base unit 25
in the direction in which the cam follower 273 is pressed against the cam 272. Since the
object is to prevent wobbling of the movable base unit 25 by urging the moveable base unit 25
in one of the moving directions, the urging direction and the like are not limited.
[0067] Since the springs 253 urge the movable base unit 25 in one of the moving
directions, the draft unit 2 can prevent the wobbling of the movable base unit 25.
Accordingly, the wobbling of the holding unit 26 that moves with the movable base unit 25
can also be prevented. Consequently, the spinning performance of the spinning unit 3 held
by the holding unit 26 can be stabilized, and the reduction in quality of the spun yarn Y can be
prevented.
[0068] Furthermore, as is illustrated in FIGs. 2 and 4, the driving unit 27 constitutes a
point of action at which the movable base unit 25 is moved between the two supporting shafts
25 1 and 252. In the present embodiment, the point of action at which the movable base unit
25 is moved is set to be located at an intermediate point of the two supporting shafts 25 1 and
252. Since the object is to reduce rotational moment acted upon the moveable base unit 25
by setting the point of action at which the movable base unit 25 is moved to be located
between the two supporting shafts 25 1 and 252, the position of the driving unit 27 is not
strictly limited.
[0069] Since the driving unit 27 constitutes the point of action at which the movable base
unit 25 is moved between the two supporting shafts 25 1 and 252, the movable base unit 25
can be moved smoothly in the draft unit 2. Accordingly, the holding unit 26 that moves with
the movable base unit 25 can also be moved smoothly. Consequently, the spinning
performance of the spinning unit 3 held by the holding unit 26 can be stabilized, and the
reduction in quality of the spun yarn Y can be prevented.
[0070] As is illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, the draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24 are
rotatably supported by a pair of frames 20. The pair of frames 20 is coupled with the
supporting shafts 25 1 and 252. The supporting shafts 251 and 252 constitute a beam
member that couples the pair of frames 20. Accordingly, the frames 20 can obtain high
rigidity. Consequently, the wobbling of the draft roller pairs 2 1,22,23, and 24 supported by
the frames 20 can be prevented. As a result, the drafting performance of the draft roller pairs
21,22,23, and 24 can be stabilized, and the reduction in quality of the spun yarn Y can be
prevented.
[0071] Next, another characteristic feature of the spinning machine 100 according to the
present embodiment will be described.
[0072] The spinning unit 3 constituting the spinning machine 100 is an air spinning
device 3 that twists the fiber bundle F with swirling airflow. The air spinning device 3 forms
the swirling airflow in a spinning chamber SC and twists the fiber bundle F by the swirling
airflow. The spinning chamber SC is divided into a space SC1 formed between a fiber guide
3 1 and a spindle 32 and a space SC2 formed between the spindle 32 and a nozzle block 33.
[0073] In the space SCl, a rear end portion of the fibers constituting the fiber bundle F is
inverted by the swirling airflow (see a chain double-dashed line in FIG. 9). In the space SC2,
the rear end portion of each fiber that is inverted is rotated by the swirling airflow (see the
chain double-dashed line in FIG. 9). The rotated rear end portion of the fibers is sequentially
wound around the fibers at the central portion. Thus, the air spinning device 3 can spin the
fiber bundle F into the spun yarn Y.
[0074] As is illustrated in FIG. 9, a needle is provided in the fiber guide 3 1 in the air
spinning device 3 according to the present embodiment. The needle is provided in order to
guide the fiber bundle F to the spindle 32 and prevent the twist of fibers from propagating to
the upstream. However, the needle of the fiber guide 3 1 may be omitted.
[0075] Since the spinning unit 3 twists the fiber bundle F with the swirling airflow, the
spinning machine 100 can achieve high spinning speed. When the spinning speed becomes
high, the drafting speed of the draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24 also becomes high speed.
The progress of abrasion of the draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24 per unit time also becomes
fast. Accordingly, if the holding position of the fiber bundle F held by the draft roller pairs
21,22,23, and 24 is changed, there is a particular advantage of extension of the life of the
draft roller pairs 21,22, 23, and 24. Since the fiber bundle F is twisted by the swirling
airflow, fallen fibers may accumulate between the draft roller pairs 21,22, 23, and 24 and the
spinning unit 3. Since the spinning unit 3 is held by the holding unit to be adjacently
disposed to or moved away from the draft roller pairs 2 1,22,23, and 24, the maintainability
of the spinning unit 3 is favorable. Accordingly, the operation efficiency of the spinning unit
3 can be improved.
[0076] As long as the fiber bundle F is twisted by the swirling airflow, any configuration
may be applied irrespective of details. For example, two swirling airflows flowing in
different directions from each other may be formed, and the fiber bundle F may be twisted by
these swirling airflows (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication
No. 1993-865 10, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2006-161171).
[0077] Furthermore, as described above, the spinning machine 100 includes the winding
unit 6 that winds the spun yam Y and forms the package P (see FIG. 1). Since the spinning
machine 100 can extend the life of the top rollers 21B, 22B, and 24B, the packages P can
successively be manufactured over a long period of time. Moreover, maintenance can be
easily performed in a space between the front roller pair 24 and the spinning unit 3. That is,
the spinning machine 100 can improve the production capacity of the packages P.
[0078] As is described above, the spinning machine 100 of the present embodinlent can
extend the life of the top rollers 21B, 22B, and 24B formed of rubber and the like. Moreover,
when the bottom rollers 21A, 22A, and 24A are formed of rubber and the like, the life of
bottom rollers 21A, 22A, and 24A can be extended. Even when the top rollers 21B, 22B,
and 24B and the bottom rollers 21A, 22A, and 24A are respectively formed of materials to be
worn away, the life of each draft roller can be extended.
[0079] In the present embodiment, one set of spinning machine 100 is provided.
However, a plurality of spinning machines 100 may be aligned side by side, thereby
constituting a textile machine. In this case, in adjacent spinning machines 100, the movable
base units 25 may be moved in the same direction or may be moved in different directions.
When the movable base units 25 are moved in different directions, the vibration caused by the
movements of the movable base units 25 in the same direction can be restrained.
[OOSO] The spinning machine 100 includes the draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24
configured to draft the fiber bundle F, the spinning unit 3 configured to spin the spun yam Y
by twisting the fiber bundle F drafted by the draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24, the holding
unit 26 configured to hold the spinning unit 3, the movable base unit 25 to which the holding
unit 26 is mounted, the driving unit 27 configured to move the movable base unit 25 in
parallel with respect to the rotating shaft direction of the draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24,
and the supporting shafts 25 1 and 252 configured to support the movable base unit 25 in an
easily movable manner and support the holding unit 26 such that the spinning unit 3 is
disposed close to or away from the draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24.
[0081] The supporting shafts 251 and 252 are formed in an axial shape. The holding
unit 26 is supported to be swingable with the supporting shaft 251 as the center. The holding
unit 26 includes the first contacting portion 261 configured to limit a swinging angle in a
direction towards the front roller pair 24 and the second contacting portion 262 configured to
limit the swinging angle in a direction away from the front roller pair 24.
[0082] The spinning machine 100 includes the first urging member 264 that urges the
holding unit 26 in one of the swinging directions. The spinning machine 100 further
includes the second urging member 253 that urges the movable base unit 25 in one of the
moving directions.
[0083] The spinning machine 100 includes two supporting shafts 25 1 and 252. The
driving unit 27 constitutes a point of action at which the movable base unit 25 is moved
between the two supporting shafts 25 1 and 252.
[0084] The spinning machine 100 includes a pair of frames 20 configured to rotatably
support the draft roller pairs 21,22,23, and 24. The supporting shafts 25 1 and 252
constitute a beam member that couples the pair of frames 20.
[0085] The spinning unit 3 spins the spun yarn Y by twisting the fiber bundle F with
swirling airflow. The spinning machine 100 includes at least three draft roller pairs 22,23,
and 24 along the feeding direction of the fiber bundle F. The spinning machine 100 includes
the winding unit 6 configured to wind the spun yarn Y into the package P.
[Industrial Applicability]
[0086] The spinning machine of the present invention can achieve the extension of the
life of the draft roller pairs and improve maintainability, which is industrially useful.
[Reference Signs List]
[0087] 100 spinning machine
1 sliver supply unit
2 draft unit
20 frame
21 back roller pair (draft roller pair)
2 1 A bottom roller
21B top roller
22 third roller pair (draft roller pair)
22A bottom roller
22B top roller
middle roller pair (draft roller pair)
bottom roller
top roller
front roller pair (draft roller pair)
bottom roller
top roller
movable base unit
suppotting shaft
supporting shaft
spring (second urging member)
holding unit
first contacting portion
second contacting portion
positioning pin
spring (first urging member)
driving unit
first guiding unit
second guiding unit
spinning unit
defect detecting unit
tension stabilizing unit
winding unit
control unit
fiber bundle (sliver)
spun yarn
WE CLAIM:
1. A spinning machine comprising:
draft roller pairs configured to draft a fiber bundle;
a spinning unit configured to spin a spun yarn by twisting the fiber bundle drafted by the
draft roller pairs;
a holding unit configured to hold the spinning unit;
a movable base unit to which the holding unit is mounted;
a driving unit configured to move the movable base unit in parallel with respect to a
rotating shaft direction of the draft roller pairs; and
a supporting shaft configured to support the movable base unit in a movable manner and
support the holding unit such that the spinning unit is disposed close to or away from the draft
roller pairs.
2. The spinning machine according to claim 1, wherein the supporting shaft is formed in
an axial shape, and the holding unit is supported swingably with the supporting shaft as
center.
3. The spinning machine according to claim 2, wherein the holding unit includes a first
contacting portion configured to limit a swinging angle in a direction towards the draft roller
pairs and a second contacting portion configured to limit a swinging angle in a direction away
from the draft roller pairs.
4. The spinning machine according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a first urging
member that urges the holding unit in one of the swinging directions.
5. The spinning machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a
second urging member that urges the movable base unit in one of the moving directions.
20
6. The spinning machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising two
supporting shafts,
wherein the driving unit constitutes a point of action at which the movable base unit is
moved between the two supporting shafts.
7. The spinning machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a pair of
frames configured to rotatably support the draft roller pairs,
wherein the supporting shaft constitutes a beam member that couples the pair of the
frames.
8. The spinning machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the spinning unit
spins the spun yarn by twisting the fiber bundle with swirling airflow.
9. The spinning machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising at least three
draft roller pairs along a feeding direction of the fiber bundle.
10. The spinning machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a winding
unit configured to wind the spun yarn into a package.