SPINNING MACHINE

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates to a technology of a spinning machine.

[Background Art]

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.

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.

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]

[PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-99192.

[Summary of Invention]

[Technical Problem]

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]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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]

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 or/and 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 or/and 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.

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.

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]

• [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating the entire configuration of a spinning machine.
• [FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a configuration of a draft unit.
• [FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a drawing of the draft unit viewed from a direction of an arrow X.
• [FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a drawing of the draft unit viewed from a direction of an arrow Y.
• [FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a drawing of the draft unit viewed from a direction of an arrow Z.
• [FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating movement of a movable base unit and a holding unit.
• [FIG. 7] (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. 8] (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. 9] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a configuration of an air spinning device.

[Description of Embodiments]

First, the entire configuration of a spinning machine 100 will briefly be described.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 51 and a roller 52. When the tension applied to the spurn yarn Y is low, the unwinding member 51 rotates with the roller 52 and winds the spun yarn Y around the roller 52. When the tension applied to the spurn yarn Y is high, the unwinding member 51 independently rotates with respect to the roller 52 and unwinds the spun yarn Y wound around the roller 52.

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.

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 configuration, and positional relationship are not limited.

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.

The draft roller pairs 21, 22, 23, and 24 are respectively constituted by bottom rollers 21A, 22A, 23A, and 24A and top rollers 21B, 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.

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.

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.

In the draft unit 2, two supporting shafts 251 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 251 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 251 in a state where the holding unit 26 is embedded in a recessed portion 25C of the movable base unit 25.

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 251 is inserted through the sliding hole provided through the holding unit 26. That is, the holding unit 26 is supported by one supporting shaft 251 which supports the movable base unit 25. Accordingly, the supporting shafts 251 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 2.

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 251 and 252, the movable base unit 25 can follow the shape of the cam 272.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 21. 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.

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.

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 O.

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 21B, 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.

The origin position O 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 O 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 O is not limited to a specific position.

The holding unit 26 can be swung with the supporting shaft 251 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.

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 251 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.

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 embodiment, 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.

Next, a configuration for limiting the swinging angle of holding unit 26 will be described.

As is illustrated in FIGs. 7A and 7B, the holding unit 26 according to the present embodiment includes a first contacting portion 261 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).

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.

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.

Next, a configuration for preventing the reduction in quality of the spun yarn Y will be described.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 251 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 251 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 251 and 252, the position of the driving unit 27 is not strictly limited.

Since the driving unit 27 constitutes the point of action at which the movable base unit 25 is moved between the two supporting shafts 251 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.

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 251 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 21, 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.

Next, another characteristic feature of the spinning machine 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

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 31 and a spindle 32 and a space SC2 formed between the spindle 32 and a nozzle block 33.

In the space SC1, 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.

As is illustrated in FIG. 9, a needle is provided in the fiber guide 31 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 31 may be omitted.

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 21, 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.

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. 1993-86510, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-161171).

Furthermore, as described above, the spinning machine 100 includes the winding unit 6 that winds the spun yarn 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.

As is described above, the spinning machine 100 of the present embodiment 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 21 A, 22A, and 24A are respectively formed of materials to be worn away, the life of each draft roller can be extended.

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.

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 yarn 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 251 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.

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.

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.

The spinning machine 100 includes two supporting shafts 251 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 251 and 252.

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 251 and 252 constitute a beam member that couples the pair of frames 20.

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]

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]

100

spinning machine

1

sliver supply unit

2

draft unit

20

frame

21

back roller pair (draft roller pair)

21A

bottom roller

21B

top roller

22

third roller pair (draft roller pair)

22A

bottom roller

22B

top roller

23

middle roller pair (draft roller pair)

23A

bottom roller

23B

top roller

24

front roller pair (draft roller pair)

24A

bottom roller

24B

top roller

25

movable base unit

251

supporting shaft

252

supporting shaft

253

spring (second urging member)

26

holding unit

261

first contacting portion

262

second contacting portion

263

positioning pin

264

spring (first urging member)

27

driving unit

28

first guiding unit

29

second guiding unit

3

spinning unit

4

defect detecting unit

5

tension stabilizing unit

6

winding unit

7

control unit

F

fiber bundle (sliver)

Y

spun yarn