EP4357498A2

EP4357498A2 - Hollow guide shaft, pneumatic spinning device, spinning machine, and hollow guide shaft set

Info

Publication number: EP4357498A2
Application number: EP23199978.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Akihiro Morita
Original assignee: Murata Machinery Ltd
Current assignee: Murata Machinery Ltd
Priority date: 2022-09-28
Filing date: 2023-09-27
Publication date: 2024-04-24
Also published as: CN117779267A; JP2024049072A

Abstract

The hollow guide shaft has a shaft portion having a fiber introduction hole into which fibers are introduced and a fiber passage that is continuous with the fiber introduction hole and extends along an axial direction. Where A is an inner diameter of the fiber passage and B is a diameter of an introduction opening serving as an opening end of the fiber introduction hole, 1.12 ≤ B/A ≤ 1.3 is established.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

One aspect of the present invention relates to a hollow guide shaft, a pneumatic spinning device, a spinning machine, and a hollow guide shaft set.

BACKGROUND

A pneumatic spinning device is known that generates yarn by twisting fibers with a swirling air flow. Such a pneumatic spinning device includes a hollow guide shaft including a shaft portion having a fiber introduction hole into which fibers are introduced and a fiber passage that is continuous with the fiber introduction hole and extends along an axial direction (for example, refer to Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. H4-13063 ). A downstream end of fibers introduced into the fiber introduction hole is wound into preceding fibers sequentially to become a core (core fibers) of yarn to be generated, and an upstream end of the fibers is swung by the swirling air flow to be sequentially wound around the core fiber (wound fibers). Part of a single fiber becomes the core fiber and a different part becomes the wound fiber.

SUMMARY

Regarding the hollow guide shaft described above, while various types of yarn are required to be generated, yarn with hairiness (specifically, a total length of the hairiness) decreased below a specified value is desired to be generated in some cases.
An aspect of the present invention is to provide a hollow guide shaft, a pneumatic spinning device, a spinning machine, and a hollow guide shaft set capable of generating yarn with hairiness decreased below a specified value.
As a result of diligent study by the present inventor, the following findings were obtained concerning behavior between core fibers and wound fibers that are wound around the core fibers when fibers are introduced into the fiber introduction hole in the hollow guide shaft. Specifically, it was found that where A is an inner diameter of the fiber passage and B is a diameter of an introduction opening serving as an opening end of the fiber introduction hole, as B/A becomes smaller, a winding start position, where the wound fibers that are to be introduced into the fiber introduction hole start winding around the core fibers (hereinafter simply referred to as "winding start position"), can come near (can be brought closer to) the core fibers, winding force with which the wound fibers wind around the core fibers can be increased, and tightness of the yarn to be generated can be increased while reducing the hairiness. In this case, findings were obtained that, especially when B/A is 1.3 or lower, the hairiness can be reduced below a required specified value. One aspect of the present invention is made based on the findings described above.

(1) A hollow guide shaft according to an aspect of the present invention is a hollow guide shaft including a shaft portion having a fiber introduction hole into which fibers are introduced and a fiber passage that is continuous with the fiber introduction hole and extends along an axial direction, in which, where A is an inner diameter of the fiber passage and B is a diameter of an introduction opening serving as an opening end of the fiber introduction hole, 1.12 ≤ B/A ≤ 1.3 is established.
With such a hollow guide shaft, since B/A is 1.3 or less, it is possible to generate yarn with hairiness decreased below a specified value (for example, a value corresponding to a threshold determined from required quality, etc., in a case where the yarn is generated at a general spinning speed). If B/A is too small, fibers are caught by the opening end of the fiber introduction opening and are not easily introduced into the fiber introduction hole, and the possibility of difficulty in generating yarn increases, and thus, by establishing B/A to be 1.12 or more, the fibers can be reliably guided into the fiber introduction hole. Thus, it is possible to reliably generate the yarn with hairiness decreased below a specified value.
(2) In the hollow guide shaft described in (1), 1.15 ≤ B/A ≤ 1.25 may be established. In this case, the winding force can be further increased, the hairiness of the yarn to be generated can be further reduced, and the fibers can be further securely introduced into the fiber introduction hole, to generate yarn more reliably.
(3) In the hollow guide shaft described in (1) or (2) above, an inner surface of the fiber introduction hole may have a curved surface that widens toward an opening side, and where R is a radius of curvature of the curved surface, 0.025 mm ≤ R ≤ 0.15 mm may be established. In this case, as the fibers are introduced into the fiber introduction hole, the fibers are easily guided along the inner surface of the fiber introduction hole, and thus resistance applied to the fibers can be increased and the winding force can be increased. In this manner, it is possible to further decrease the hairiness of the yarn to be generated.
(4) In the hollow guide shaft described in (3), 0.05 mm ≤ R ≤ 0.15 mm may be established. In this case, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the yarn to be generated. In particular, when the radius of curvature R of the curved surface is 0.05 mm or more, fibers can be introduced more smoothly into the fiber introduction hole without being caught by the opening end of the fiber introduction hole, so that yarn with less hairiness can be stably generated continuously. When the radius of curvature of the curved surface is less than 0.05 mm, the possibility becomes higher that the fibers are caught by the opening end of the fiber introduction hole and yarn breakage occurs. When the radius of curvature R of the curved surface is 0.15 mm or less, as described above, the fibers are efficiently made to be guided along the inner surface of the fiber introduction hole, so that the yarn with less hairiness can be stably generated continuously.
(5) In the hollow guide shaft described in any one of (1) to (4) above, an inner surface of the fiber introduction hole may have a flat surface that widens toward an opening side. In this case, the inner surface of the fiber introduction hole can be easily machined and the fiber introduction hole can be formed with high precision.
(6) In the hollow guide shaft described in any one of (1) to (5) above, 0.8 mm ≤ A ≤ 1.1 mm may be established. In this case, it is possible to wind the wound fibers around the core fibers with high winding force. In particular, if the inner diameter A of the fiber passage is 0.8 mm or more, it is large enough for a general diameter of fibers (yarn) introduced through the fiber introduction hole, so that the fibers can move smoothly through the fiber passage. If the inner diameter A of the fiber passage is 1.1 mm or less, traveling of the fibers introduced through the fiber introduction hole does not become unstable in the fiber passage, and the fibers can be smoothly discharged from the hollow guide shaft while the fibers are guided in the radial direction by the fiber passage. If the inner diameter A of the fiber passage is larger than 1.1 mm, the yarn wobbles in the fiber passage and spinning is not stable.
(7) In the hollow guide shaft described in any one of (1) through (6) above, where D is an outer diameter of the shaft portion, 2.0 mm ≤ D ≤ 4.0 mm may be established. In this case, high-speed spinning can be stably performed. If the outer diameter D of the shaft portion is smaller than 2.0 mm, it is difficult to stably form the hollow guide shaft of any of the above (1) to (6). When the outer diameter D of the shaft portion is 4.0 mm or less, a swirling diameter of the fibers swirled near the fiber introduction hole does not become too large, and thus the fibers can be swirled stably at a desired speed without the fiber rotation speed being excessively decreased.
(8) In the hollow guide shaft described in any one of (1) to (7) above, the shaft portion may be formed of metal. In this case, a shape of the hollow guide shaft can be achieved with high precision.
(9) The pneumatic spinning device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a fiber guide configured to guide fibers, a nozzle block having a plurality of nozzles through which air to be injected passes, and the hollow guide shaft described above. Since this pneumatic spinning device includes the hollow guide shaft described above, the above-described action effect is exerted, that is, yarn with hairiness decreased below a specified value can be generated.
(10) The spinning machine according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a drafting device configured to draft fibers; the pneumatic spinning device described above configured to twist the fibers supplied from the drafting device to generate yarn; and a winding device configured to wind the yarn generated by the pneumatic spinning device. Since this spinning machine includes the above-described pneumatic spinning device, the above-described action effect is exerted, that is, the yarn with hairiness decreased below a specified value can be generated.
As a result of diligent study by the present inventor, the following findings were obtained concerning behavior between core fibers and wound fibers when fibers are introduced into the fiber introduction hole in the hollow guide shaft. In other words, it is assumed that the structure of the inner surface of the fiber introduction hole can control the winding start position of the wound fibers and the winding force with which the wound fibers are wound around the core fibers. Therefore, findings were obtained that the structure of the inner surface of the fiber introduction hole can control the tightness of the yarn to be generated and adjust the hairiness of the yarn to be generated. One aspect of the present invention is made based on the findings described above.
(11) A hollow guide shaft according to an aspect of the present invention is a hollow guide shaft including a shaft portion having a fiber introduction hole into which fibers are introduced and a fiber passage that is continuous with the fiber introduction hole and extends along an axial direction, in which an inner surface of the fiber introduction hole has a winding position control structure that controls the winding start position at which wound fibers start winding around core fibers. In such a hollow guide shaft, the winding start position can be controlled by the winding position control structure to adjust hairiness of yarn to be generated. In this manner, it is possible to generate the yarn with hairiness decreased below a specified value.
As a result of diligent study by the present inventor, the following findings were obtained concerning behavior between core fibers and wound fibers when fibers are introduced into the fiber introduction hole in the hollow guide shaft. Specifically, findings were obtained that, if the inner surface of the fiber introduction hole is a curved surface or a flat surface that widens toward the opening side, the winding start position can differ, the winding force with which the wound fibers wind around the core fibers can differ, and the tightness and the amount of hairiness of yarn to be generated can differ according to the radius of curvature of the curved surface or the angle of inclination of the flat surface. One aspect of the present invention is made based on the findings described above.
(12) A hollow guide shaft set according to an aspect of the invention includes: a first hollow guide shaft including a shaft portion having a first fiber introduction hole into which fibers are introduced and a first fiber passage that is continuous with the first fiber introduction hole and extends along an axial direction; and a second hollow guide shaft including a shaft portion having a second fiber introduction hole into which fibers are introduced and a second fiber passage that is continuous with the second fiber introduction hole and extends along the axial direction. The first hollow guide shaft and the second hollow guide shaft are configured to be attachable to the same holding member, an inner surface of the first fiber introduction hole and an inner surface of the second fiber introduction hole have a curved surface or a flat surface that widen toward an opening side, and a radius of curvature of the curved surface of the first fiber introduction hole differs from a radius of curvature of the curved surface of the second fiber introduction hole, or an angle of inclination of the flat surface of the first fiber introduction hole with respect to the axial direction differs from an angle of inclination of the flat surface of the second fiber introduction hole with respect to the axial direction. According to an embodiment, where A is an inner diameter of the fiber passage of the first hollow guide shaft and B is a diameter of an introduction opening serving as an opening end of the fiber introduction hole of the first hollow guide shaft, 1.12 ≤ B/A ≤ 1.3 may be established.

A condition of hairiness of yarn to be generated in a case where the first hollow guide shaft is used differs from that in a case where the second hollow guide shaft is used. Therefore, the hairiness of the yarn to be generated can be adjusted by selecting to use the first hollow guide shaft or the second hollow guide shaft as appropriate. As a result, it is possible to reliably generate the yarn with hairiness decreased below a specified value.
According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a hollow guide shaft, a pneumatic spinning device, a spinning machine, and a hollow guide shaft set that are capable of generating yarn with hairiness decreased below a specified value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a spinning machine according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a spinning unit in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating a pneumatic spinning device in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a hollow guide shaft in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the hollow guide shaft in FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7A is a sectional view illustrating an example of wound fibers to be wound around core fibers. FIG. 7B is a sectional view illustrating another example of wound fibers to be wound around core fibers.
FIG. 8 is a graph indicating a relationship between a fiber passage and an introduction opening, and hairiness.
FIG. 9A is a front view illustrating the hollow guide shaft included in a hollow guide shaft set according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9B is another front view illustrating another hollow guide shaft included in the hollow guide shaft set according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating the hollow guide shaft in FIG. 9B.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of part of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment will be explained hereinafter with reference to the drawings. In each of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted with the same reference numerals, and an overlapping explanation thereof is omitted.

First Embodiment

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a spinning machine 1 includes a plurality of spinning units 2, a yarn joining cart 3, a doffing cart (not illustrated), a first end frame 4, and a second end frame 5. The plurality of spinning units 2 are arranged in a row. Each spinning unit 2 generates yarn Y and winds the yarn Y into a package P. When the yarn Y is cut or the yarn Y is broken for some reason in one spinning unit 2, the yarn joining cart 3 performs a yarn joining operation in the spinning unit 2. When a package P is fully wound in one spinning unit 2, the doffing cart doffs the package P and supplies a new bobbin B to the spinning unit 2.
The first end frame 4 accommodates a collecting device configured to collect fiber wastes, yarn wastes, and the like generated in the spinning units 2, and other components. The second end frame 5 accommodates, for example, an air supplier that adjusts the air pressure of compressed air (air) to be supplied to the spinning machine 1 and supplies the air to each part of the spinning machine 1, and a drive motor for supplying power to each part of the spinning units 2. The second end frame 5 is provided with a machine control device 41, a display screen 42, and input keys 43. The machine control device 41 centrally manages and controls each part of the spinning machine 1. The display screen 42 can display, for example, information on the settings and the state of the spinning units 2. The setting work for the spinning units 2 is performed by an operator's proper operation using the input keys 43.
As illustrated in FIGs. 1 and 2, each of the spinning units 2 includes a drafting device 6, a pneumatic spinning device 7, a yarn monitoring device 8, a tension sensor 9, a yarn storage device 11, a waxing device 12, and a winding device 13, in this order from the upstream side in the traveling direction of the yarn Y. A unit controller 10 is provided for a predetermined number of spinning units 2, and controls operations of the spinning units 2.
The drafting device 6 drafts sliver (fiber bundle) S. The drafting device 6 has a pair of back rollers 14, a pair of third rollers 15, a pair of middle rollers 16, and a pair of front rollers 17, in order from the upstream side in the traveling direction of the sliver S. Each pair of rollers 14, 15, 16, and 17 has a bottom roller and a top roller. The bottom roller is driven in rotation by the drive motor provided in the second end frame 5 or the drive motor provided in each of the spinning units 2. The bottom roller of the pair of middle rollers 16 is provided with an apron belt 18a. The top roller of the pair of middle rollers 16 is provided with an apron belt 18b.
The pneumatic spinning device 7 twists the fiber bundle (fibers) F drafted by the drafting device 6 with a swirling flow of air to generate the yarn Y. The yarn monitoring device 8 monitors information about the traveling yarn Y between the pneumatic spinning device 7 and the yarn storage device 11, and detects the presence of yarn defect on the basis of the monitored information. When any yarn defect is detected, the yarn monitoring device 8 transmits a yarn defect detection signal to the unit controller 10. The yarn monitoring device 8 detects, for example, thickness abnormality of the yarn Y and a foreign matter or the like contained in the yarn Y as a yarn defect.
The tension sensor 9 measures tension of the traveling yarn Y between the pneumatic spinning device 7 and the yarn storage device 11 in the path between the pneumatic spinning device 7 and the winding device 13, and transmits a tension measurement signal to the unit controller 10. When the unit controller 10 detects that there is an abnormality on the basis of the detection result of the yarn monitoring device 8 and the tension sensor 9, the yarn Y is cut in the spinning unit 2. Specifically, the air supply to the pneumatic spinning device 7 is stopped and generation of the yarn Y is suspended, whereby the yarn Y is cut. Alternatively, the yarn Y may be cut by a cutter separately provided.
The waxing device 12 applies wax to the yarn Y between the yarn storage device 11 and the winding device 13. The yarn storage device 11 removes slack of the yarn Y between the pneumatic spinning device 7 and the winding device 13. The yarn storage device 11 has the function of stably drawing out the yarn Y from the pneumatic spinning device 7, the function of storing the yarn Y delivered from the pneumatic spinning device 7 in the yarn joining operation by the yarn joining cart 3 to prevent slacking of the yarn Y, and the function of preventing variation in tension of the yarn Y downstream from the yarn storage device 11 from propagating to the pneumatic spinning device 7.
The winding device 13 winds the generated yarn Y around a bobbin B to form the package P. The winding device 13 has a cradle arm 21, a winding drum 22, and a traverse guide 23. The cradle arm 21 rotatably supports the bobbin B. The cradle arm 21 is swingably supported with a support shaft 24 to bring the surface of the bobbin B or the surface of the package P into contact with the surface of the winding drum 22 with proper pressure. A drive motor (not illustrated) in the second end frame 5 drives the winding drums 22 of the plurality of spinning units 2 simultaneously. In this manner, in each of the spinning units 2, the bobbin B or the package P is rotated in a winding direction. The traverse guide 23 of each of the spinning units 2 is provided on a shaft 25 shared by the plurality of spinning units 2. When the drive motor of the second end frame 5 drives the shaft 25 in a rotating shaft direction of the winding drum 22 in a reciprocating manner, the traverse guide 23 traverses the yarn Y in a predetermined width relative to the bobbin B or the package P that is rotating.
When the yarn Y is cut or the yarn Y is broken for some reason in one spinning unit 2, the yarn joining cart 3 travels to the spinning unit 2 to perform a yarn joining operation. The yarn joining cart 3 includes a yarn joining device 26, a suction pipe 27, and a suction mouth 28. The suction pipe 27 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 31, and catches the yarn Y from the pneumatic spinning device 7 and guides the yarn Y to the yarn joining device 26. The suction mouth 28 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 32, and catches the yarn Y from the winding device 13 and guides the yarn Y to the yarn joining device 26. The yarn joining device 26 joins the guided yarns Y. The yarn joining device 26 is a splicer using compressed air, a piecer using seed yarn, or a knotter mechanically joining the yarn Y, or other devices.
Referring to FIGs. 3 and 4, a configuration of the pneumatic spinning device 7 will be described in detail. Hereinafter the upstream side in the traveling direction of the fiber bundle F and the yarn Y is simply referred to as "upstream side", and the downstream side in the traveling direction of the fiber bundle F and the yarn Y is simply referred to as "downstream side". The axial direction of the hollow guide shaft 80 is simply referred to as "axial direction".
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the pneumatic spinning device 7 includes a fiber guide 50, a nozzle block 60, and a hollow guide shaft unit 70. The fiber guide 50, the nozzle block 60, and the hollow guide shaft unit 70 are aligned on a line L along the axial direction from the upstream side toward the downstream side in a direction along the line L.
The fiber guide 50 guides the fiber bundle F supplied from the drafting device 6. The fiber guide 50 has a guide hole 51 that guides the fiber bundle F. The fiber guide 50 is provided with a needle 52 disposed along the line L. A tip 52a of the needle 52 is located downstream than the fiber guide 50. The pneumatic spinning device 7 twists the fiber bundle F, guided from the fiber guide 50, by the swirling air flow in a space 64 formed between the nozzle block 60 and the hollow guide shaft unit 70. The fiber guide 50 is disposed at an upstream side end of the nozzle block 60.
The nozzle block 60 has the space 64 into which the fiber bundle F is introduced and a plurality of nozzles 65 through which air to be injected into the space 64 passes through to generate the swirling air flow. In the space 64, fibers of the introduced fiber bundle F are swirled by the swirling air flow. The plurality of nozzles 65 are arranged at equal angular intervals around the space 64.
The hollow guide shaft unit 70 has the hollow guide shaft 80, a guide pipe 71, a support member 72, and a fixing member (holding member) 73. As illustrated in FIGs. 3, 4, and 5, the hollow guide shaft 80 has a first shaft portion (shaft portion) 81, a second shaft portion 82, and a third shaft portion 83. The first shaft portion 81, the second shaft portion 82, and the third shaft portion 83 are aligned from the upstream side toward the downstream side and are integrally formed. A downstream side end of the third shaft portion 83 is provided with a flange 83a. The hollow guide shaft 80 is formed of metal, such as stainless steel. The hollow guide shaft 80 may be formed of ceramic. The hollow guide shaft 80 is also referred to as spindle.
The first shaft portion 81 has a fiber introduction hole 86 into which the fiber bundle F from the fiber guide 50 is introduced, a fiber passage 85 that is continuous with the fiber introduction hole 86 and extends along the axial direction, and a fiber passage 87 that is continuous with the downstream end of the fiber passage 85 and extends along the axial direction. The fiber passage 87 leads to the inside of the second shaft portion 82 and the third shaft portion 83, which are hollow. The outer shape of the first shaft portion 81 is a truncated cone spreading from the upstream side toward the downstream side. The outer shape of the second shaft portion 82 is a truncated cone spreading from the upstream side toward the downstream side, and spreads at a greater angle than the first shaft portion 81 does. At least an end area of the upstream side of the first shaft portion 81 is disposed in the nozzle block 60.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the guide pipe 71 is provided with a passage 74 configured to guide the fiber bundle F to the outside of the pneumatic spinning device 7. The passage 74 is open to the upstream side and the downstream side on the line L. An inner diameter of a downstream side portion of the passage 74 is larger than an inner diameter of an upstream side portion of the passage 74. The end area of the upstream side of the guide pipe 71 is provided with a plurality of nozzles 75 through which air to be injected into the passage 74 passes. The plurality of nozzles 75 are provided, for example, at equal angular intervals around line L.
The support member 72 is provided with a housing hole 76 opening to the upstream side and a yarn guiding channel 77 opening to the upstream side and the downstream side. The upstream side end of the yarn guiding channel 77 is connected to the downstream side end of the housing hole 76. An inner diameter of the yarn guiding channel 77 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the downstream side portion of the passage 74 in the guide pipe 71 and smaller than the inner diameter of the housing hole 76. An air supply pipe 78 that is continuous to the housing hole 76 is attached to the support member 72. An upstream side end of the support member 72 has a male thread 72a.
A fixing member 73 is a cap-shaped nut provided with a flange 73a. In the hollow guide shaft unit 70, the guide pipe 71 is disposed in the housing hole 76 of the support member 72, and the hollow guide shaft 80 is disposed at the upstream side end of the support member 72 to cover the upstream side end of the guide pipe 71. Accordingly, the fiber passage 87 of the hollow guide shaft 80 is connected to the passage 74 of the guide pipe 71, and the passage 74 of the guide pipe 71 is connected to the yarn guiding channel 77 of the support member 72. In this state, the fixing member 73 is screwed onto the male thread 72a of the support member 72 while being engaged with the flange 83a of the hollow guide shaft 80.
In the pneumatic spinning device 7 configured as described above, at the start of spinning operation, air is injected into the nozzle block 60 from the plurality of nozzles 65 and air is injected into the passage 74 from the plurality of nozzles 75. In this manner, the fiber bundle F introduced from the drafting device 6 into the space 64 through the guide hole 51 is led to the downstream side through the passage 74 and the yarn guiding channel 77. Thereafter, injection of air from the plurality of nozzles 65 into the space 64 continues, and the injection of air from the plurality of nozzles 75 into the passage 74 is stopped, and the spinning operation proceeds to normal spinning operation. The swirling air flow generated in the space 64 allows fibers constituting the fiber bundle F to swirl. A downstream end of fibers of the fiber bundle F introduced into the fiber introduction hole 86 is wound into preceding fibers sequentially to become the core (core fibers) of the yarn Y to be generated, and the upstream end of the fibers is swung by the swirling air flow to be sequentially wound around the core fibers (wound fibers). Part of a single fiber becomes the core fiber and a different part becomes the wound fiber. The yarn Y generated by twisting the fiber bundle F is led to the downstream side through the passage 74 and the yarn guiding channel 77.
Next, key parts of the hollow guide shaft 80 of the present embodiment will be described.
As illustrated in FIGs. 5 and 6, in the hollow guide shaft 80 according to the present embodiment, the first shaft portion 81 has the fiber introduction hole 86 and the fiber passage 85. The fiber introduction hole 86 is a space that penetrates from the outside of the hollow guide shaft 80 to the fiber passage 85. The fiber introduction hole 86 is a hole in which a shape of a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction is circular. The circle may be an oval. The opening end (upstream side end or edge) of the fiber introduction hole 86 constitutes an introduction opening 89 of the fiber bundle F. The introduction opening 89 is a boundary between the inside and the outside of the hollow guide shaft 80. An inner surface 86x of the fiber introduction hole 86 is a curved surface that widens toward the opening side.
The fiber passage 85 is a space continuous from the fiber introduction hole 86 toward the downstream side. Level difference is not formed at the boundary between an inner surface 85x of the fiber passage 85 and the inner surface 86x of the fiber introduction hole 86. The fiber passage 85 is a hole in which a shape of a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction is circular. The circle may be an oval. The inner surface 85x of the fiber passage 85 is a surface along the axial direction.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, where A is the inner diameter of the fiber passage 85 and B is a diameter of the introduction opening 89 of the fiber introduction hole 86, 1.12 ≤ B/A ≤ 1.3 is established. More specifically, 1.15 ≤ B/A ≤ 1.25 is established. In the present embodiment, B/A is 1.21. The diameter of the introduction opening 89 can also be said to be a distance between vertices of the hollow guide shaft 80 when the vertices are connected by a straight line in a side view of the hollow guide shaft 80. The inner diameter of the fiber passage 85 is the diameter of the fiber passage 85. The inner diameter of the fiber passage 85 may be an average value, a minimum value, or a maximum value of the inner diameters at a plurality of positions in the fiber passage 85. The diameter of the introduction opening 89 is a diameter of the introduction opening 89.
The inner diameter A of fiber passage 85 is 0.8 mm ≤ A ≤ 1.1 mm.
Where R is the radius of curvature of the inner surface 86x that is a curved surface, 0.025 mm ≤ R ≤ 0.15 mm is established. More specifically, 0.05 mm ≤ R ≤ 0.15 mm is established. In the present embodiment, R is 0.1 mm ± 0.02 mm.
Where D is the outer diameter of the first shaft portion 81 (refer to FIG. 5), 2.0 mm ≤ D ≤ 4.0 mm is established. In the present embodiment, D is 2.8 mm. The outer diameter of the first shaft portion 81 is a distance, viewed from the side of the hollow guide shaft 80 (direction perpendicular to the axial direction), between intersection points da and db of a straight line passing through the upstream side end of the first shaft portion 81 and perpendicular to the axial direction (dashed line extending in the right-left direction in FIG. 5) and extension lines of periphery of the first shaft portion 81 (dashed lines respectively extending in diagonally upward and downward directions in FIG. 5). The inner diameter of the fiber passage 85, the diameter of the introduction opening 89, the radius of curvature of the inner surface 86x, and the outer diameter of the first shaft portion 81 can be measured by nondestructive testing equipment or the like, and can be measured by, for example, a 3D shape measuring machine VR-5000 (Keyence Corporation).
The following findings are obtained regarding the behavior of the core fibers and the wound fibers that wind around the core fibers when the fibers of the fiber bundle F are introduced into the fiber introduction hole 86 in the hollow guide shaft 80. FIG. 7A is an enlarged sectional view of the upstream side portion of the hollow guide shaft 80 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7B is an enlarged sectional view of an upstream side portion of a hollow guide shaft 180 according to the comparative example. The hollow guide shaft 180 according to the comparative example differs from the hollow guide shaft 80 in that a fiber introduction hole 186 is formed in place of the fiber introduction hole 86. The radius of curvature of an inner surface 186x of the fiber introduction hole 186 is larger than the radius of curvature of the inner surface 86x of the fiber introduction hole 86. The B/A of the hollow guide shaft 180 is larger than the B/A of the hollow guide shaft 80, for example, 1.63.
FIG. 8 is a graph indicating a relationship between a fiber passage and an introduction opening, and hairiness. In FIG. 8, the vertical axis is Hairiness, which corresponds to hairiness, and the horizontal axis is B/A. Hairiness is a total length of hairiness in the generated yarn Y for a length of 1 cm. Hairiness can be measured, for example, with a yarn evenness tester UT-6 (Uster Technologies K.K.). Data in FIG. 8 is data in a case where the yarn Y is generated at a typical spinning speed (for example, 540 m/min).
As illustrated in FIGs. 7A and 7B, as B/A becomes smaller, a winding start position where wound fibers Fb, out of the fiber bundle F that is to be introduced into the fiber introduction hole 86, start winding around core fibers Fa (hereinafter also simply referred to as "winding start position") can come near (can be brought closer to) the core fibers Fa. As a result, winding force with which the wound fibers Fb are wound around the core fibers Fa can be increased, and tightness of the yarn Y to be generated can be increased while reducing the hairiness, as illustrated in FIG. 8.
As R that is the radius of curvature of the inner surface 86x becomes smaller, a bent angle of the wound fibers Fb becomes an acute angle, and the wound fibers Fb are wound around the core fibers Fa with high tension being applied to the wound fibers Fb, resulting in improvement in tightening force of the yarn Y. As R that is the radius of curvature of the inner surface 86x becomes smaller, an area where the wound fibers Fb make contact with the inner surface 86x becomes smaller, frictional resistance of the first shaft portion 81 with respect to the wound fibers Fb decreases, and swirling force of the swirling air flow on the wound fibers Fb increases, resulting in improvement in the tightening force of the yarn Y.
In particular, when B/A is 1.3 or less, the hairiness can be reduced below a required specified value α. The specified value α is, for example, a value corresponding to an upper threshold determined from required quality of the yarn Y and other factors. In the present embodiment, the yarn Y having tightness larger than a certain value, in other words, the yarn Y having a hard texture, is desired, and the specified value α corresponding to the desire is defined. In other words, the hollow guide shaft 80 has a structure for generating the yarn Y with less hairiness, that is, the yarn Y with a hard texture.
As in the foregoing, with the hollow guide shaft 80, since B/A is 1.3 or less, it is possible to generate the yarn Y with hairiness decreased below the specified value α. If B/A is too small, the fiber bundle F will be caught by the opening end of the fiber introduction hole 86, and is not easily introduced into the fiber introduction hole 86, and the possibility of difficulty in generating yarn Y increases, and thus, the B/A is set to 1.12 or more, to reliably introduce the fiber bundle F into the fiber introduction hole 86. Thus, it is possible to reliably generate the yarn Y with hairiness decreased below the specified value α. It is possible to generate the yarn Y with a smaller yarn diameter.
In the hollow guide shaft 80, 1.15 ≤ B/A ≤ 1.25 is established. In this case, the winding force can be further increased, the hairiness of the yarn Y to be generated can be further reduced, and the fiber bundle F can be more securely introduced into the fiber introduction hole 86 to generate the yarn Y more reliably.
In the hollow guide shaft 80, the inner surface 86x of the fiber introduction hole 86 has a curved surface that widens toward the opening side. Where R is the radius of curvature of the inner surface 86x, 0.025 mm ≤ R ≤ 0.15 mm is established. In this case, as the fiber bundle F is introduced into the fiber introduction hole 86, the fibers (wound fibers Fb) of the fiber bundle F is easily guided along the inner surface 86x, and thus resistance applied to the fiber bundle Fb can be increased and the winding force can be increased. In this manner, it is possible to further reduce the hairiness of the yarn Y to be generated.
In the hollow guide shaft 80, 0.05 mm ≤ A ≤ 0.15 mm is established. In this case, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the yarn Y while reducing the hairiness of the yarn Y to be generated. In particular, if the radius of curvature R of the curved surface (inner surface 86x) is 0.05 mm or more, fibers can be introduced more smoothly into the fiber introduction hole 86 without being caught by the opening end of the fiber introduction hole 86, so that yarn Y with less hairiness can be stably generated continuously. If the radius of curvature of the curved surface is less than 0.05 mm, the fibers will be caught by the opening end of the fiber introduction hole 86, and a possibility of yarn breakage increases. When the radius of curvature R of the curved surface is 0.15 mm or less, as described above, the fibers are efficiently made to be guided along the inner surface 86x of the fiber introduction hole 86, so that the yarn Y with less hairiness can be stably generated continuously. In particular, the hollow guide shaft 80 of the present embodiment is effective for fine count yarn Y.
In the hollow guide shaft 80, 0.8 mm ≤ A ≤ 1.1 mm is established. In this case, the wound fibers Fb can be wound around the core fibers Fa with high winding force. In particular, if the inner diameter A of the fiber passage 85 is 0.8 mm or more, it is large enough for a general diameter of fibers (yarn Y) introduced through the fiber introduction holes 86, so that the fibers can move smoothly through the fiber passage 85. If the inner diameter A of the fiber passage 85 is 1.1 mm or less, traveling of the fibers introduced through the fiber introduction hole 86 does not become unstable in the fiber passage 85, and the fibers can be smoothly discharged from the hollow guide shaft 80 while the fibers are guided in the radial direction by the fiber passage 85. If the inner diameter A of the fiber passage 85 is larger than 1.1 mm, the yarn wobbles in the fiber passage 85 and spinning is not stable.
In the hollow guide shaft 80, where D is the outer diameter of the first shaft portion 81, 2.0 mm ≤ D ≤ 4.0 mm is established. In this case, high-speed spinning can be stably performed. If the outer diameter D of the first shaft portion 81 is smaller than 2.0 mm, it is difficult to stably form the hollow guide shaft 80. When the outer diameter D of the first shaft portion 81 is 4.0 mm or less, a swirling diameter of the fibers swirled near the fiber introduction hole 86 does not become too large, and thus the fibers can be swirled stably at a desired speed without the fiber rotation speed being excessively decreased.
In the hollow guide shaft 80, the first shaft portion 81 is formed of metal. In this case, a shape of the hollow guide shaft 80 can be achieved with high precision.
The pneumatic spinning device 7 has the fiber guide 50, the nozzle block 60, and the hollow guide shaft 80. Since the pneumatic spinning device 7 includes the hollow guide shaft 80, the above-described action effect is exerted, that is, the yarn Y with hairiness decreased below the specified value α can be generated.
The spinning machine 1 includes the drafting device 6, the pneumatic spinning device 7, and the winding device 13. Since the spinning machine 1 includes the pneumatic spinning device 7, the above-described action effect is exerted, that is, the yarn Y with hairiness decreased below the specified value α can be generated.
The following findings are obtained regarding the behavior of the core fibers Fa and the wound fibers Fb when the fibers of the fiber bundle F are introduced into the fiber introduction hole 86 in the hollow guide shaft 80. In other words, as illustrated in FIGs. 7A and 7B, the structure of the inner surface 86x of the fiber introduction hole 86 can control the winding start position of the wound fibers Fb and can control the winding force with which the wound fibers Fb are wound around the core fibers Fa. Therefore, the tightness of the yarn Y to be generated can be controlled and the hairiness of the yarn Y to be generated can be adjusted. In the present embodiment, the inner surface 86x of the fiber introduction hole 86 has a curved surface that widens toward the opening side, and this curved surface constitutes a winding position control structure that controls the winding start position of the wound fibers Fb. In this manner, by configuring the winding position control structure as appropriate, for example, it is possible to adjust the hairiness of the yarn Y as appropriate and reliably generate the yarn Y with hairiness decreased below the specified value α.
Note that in the hollow guide shaft 80 according to the present embodiment, the surface shape of the inner surface 86x of the fiber introduction hole 86 is not particularly limited and may have a flat surface that widens toward the opening side (what is called a chamfered surface). In this case, the inner surface 86x of the fiber introduction hole 86 can be easily machined and the fiber introduction hole 86 can be formed with high precision. An inclining angle of the inner surface 86x as a flat surface is not particularly limited and may be any angle. For example, the inclining angle may be inclined by 45° or 60° with respect to the plane along the axial direction.

Second Embodiment

Next, the hollow guide shaft set according to the second embodiment will be described. In the following description, explanations that overlap with the first embodiment above are omitted.
As illustrated in FIGs. 9A and 9B, a hollow guide shaft set 100 includes several types of hollow guide shafts used in the pneumatic spinning device 7 (refer to FIG. 3) of the spinning machine 1. In the present embodiment, the hollow guide shaft set 100 includes the hollow guide shaft (first hollow guide shaft), which may be the hollow guide shaft 80 described above, and a hollow guide shaft (second hollow guide shaft) 180.
As illustrated in FIGs. 10 and 11, the hollow guide shaft 180 differs from the hollow guide shaft 80 (refer to FIG. 5) in that a fiber introduction hole 186 is formed in place of the fiber introduction hole 86 (refer to FIG. 5). The fiber introduction hole 186 is a space that penetrates from the outside of the hollow guide shaft 180 to the fiber passage 85. The fiber introduction hole 186 is a hole in which a shape of a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction is circular. The opening end of the fiber introduction hole 186 constitutes an introduction opening 189 of the fiber bundle F. The introduction opening 189 is a boundary between the inside and the outside of the hollow guide shaft 180. The inner surface 186x of the fiber introduction hole 186 is a curved surface that widens toward the opening side. The radius of curvature of an inner surface 86x of the fiber introduction hole (first fiber introduction hole) 86 differs from the radius of curvature of the inner surface 186x of the fiber introduction hole (second fiber introduction hole) 186. The inner surface 186x of the fiber introduction hole 186 may be flat (chamfered). The inner diameter of the fiber passage (first fiber passage) 85 of the hollow guide shaft 80 is equal to the inner diameter of the fiber passage (second fiber passage) 85 of the hollow guide shaft 180.
The hollow guide shaft 80 and the hollow guide shaft 180 are each configured to be removable (interchangeable) from the pneumatic spinning device 7. The hollow guide shaft 80 and the hollow guide shaft 180 are each configured to be separately attachable to the same fixing member 73 (refer to FIG. 3). In other words, the hollow guide shaft 80 can be attached to the fixing member 73 (refer to FIG. 3), or the hollow guide shaft 180 can be attached to the fixing member 73 (refer to FIG. 3) in place of the hollow guide shaft 80. The hollow guide shaft 80 and the hollow guide shaft 180 cannot be attached to the fixing member 73 at the same time. The hollow guide shaft 80 and the hollow guide shaft 180 are provided to separately cover the upstream end side of the same guide pipe 71. The fiber passage 87 of each of the hollow guide shaft 80 and the hollow guide shaft 180 can be individually connected to the passage 74 of the same guide pipe 71.
The following findings are obtained regarding the behavior of the core fibers Fa and the wound fibers Fb when the fibers of the fiber bundle F are introduced into the fiber introduction holes 86 and 186 in the hollow guide shafts 80 and 180. In other words, if the inner surface 86x or 186x of the fiber introduction hole 86 or 186 is a curved surface or a flat surface that widens toward the opening side, the winding start position of the wound fibers Fb can differ, the winding force with which the wound fibers Fb are wound around the core fibers Fa can differ, and the tightness and the condition of the hairiness of the yarn Y to be generated can differ according to the radius of curvature of the curved surface or the angle of inclination of the flat surface.
Therefore, the amount of hairiness of the yarn Y to be generated in a case where the hollow guide shaft 80 is used differs from that in a case where the hollow guide shaft 180 is used. The hairiness of the yarn Y to be generated can be adjusted by selecting to use the hollow guide shaft 80 and the hollow guide shaft 180 as appropriate. It is possible to generate the yarn Y with hairiness decreased below a specified value.
Note that in the hollow guide shafts 80 and 180 according to the present embodiment, the surface shape of the inner surface 86x or 186x of the fiber introduction hole 86 or 186 is not particularly limited and may have a flat surface that widens toward the opening side. The angles of inclination of the inner surfaces 86x and 186x as flat surfaces with respect to the axial direction may be different from each other.
As in the foregoing, an aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.
In the above-described embodiment, the shape of the introduction opening 89 or 189 is not limited and may be a shape other than a circle. In this case, the diameter of the introduction opening 89 or 189 may be a diameter of an inscribed circle of the introduction opening 89 or 189, a diameter of a circumscribed circle thereof, or an average value of these diameters. The shape of fiber passage 85 is not limited and may be a shape other than a circle. In this case, the inner diameter of the fiber passage 85 may be a diameter of an inscribed circle of the fiber passage 85, a diameter of a circumscribed circle thereof, or an average value of these diameters.
In the above-described embodiment, the inner surface 85x does not have to be parallel to the axial direction, may be inclined, may be concave, and/or may be convex. The radius of curvature of the inner surface 86x or 186x does not have to be constant. In this case, R may be a maximum value, a minimum value, or an average value of the radius of curvature of the inner surface 86x or 186x. In the above-described embodiment, the outer shape of the first shaft portion 81 may be a shape other than a truncated cone.
In the above-described embodiment, the hollow guide shaft unit 70 does not have to have the nozzles 75. Of the hollow guide shaft unit 70, the first shaft portion 81 may be formed separately from the second shaft portion 82 and the third shaft portion 83. In this case, if the hollow guide shaft unit 70 has the nozzles 75, the first shaft portion 81 may be integrally formed with the upstream side end of the guide pipe 71 provided with the nozzles 75, and the second shaft portion 82 and the third shaft portion 83 may be integrally formed with the fixing member 73.
In the above-described embodiment, the pneumatic spinning device 7 may have a configuration in which the needle 52 is not provided, and the downstream side end of the fiber guide 50 may prevent the twists of the fiber bundle F from being transmitted to the upstream side of the pneumatic spinning device 7.
In the above-described embodiment, the fiber guide 50 and the nozzle block 60 may be integrally configured.
In the spinning unit 2 according to the above-described embodiment, the yarn storage device 11 has a function of drawing the yarn Y from the pneumatic spinning device 7. However, the yarn Y may be drawn from the pneumatic spinning device 7 by a delivery roller and a nip roller. When the yarn Y is drawn from the pneumatic spinning device 7 by the delivery roller and the nip roller, a slack tube configured to absorb slack of the yarn Y with suction air flow and/or a mechanical compensator may be provided, instead of the yarn storage device 11, or in addition to the yarn storage device 11.
In the spinning machine 1 according to the above-described embodiment, in the height direction of the machine, the devices are disposed such that the yarn Y supplied from the upper side is wound up on the lower side. However, the devices may be disposed such that the yarn Y supplied from the lower side is wound up on the upper side.
In the spinning machine 1 according to the above-described embodiment, at least one of the bottom rollers of the drafting device 6 and the traverse guide 23 are driven by motive power from the second end frame 5 (that is, in common with a plurality of the spinning units 2). However, each part (such as the drafting device 6, the pneumatic spinning device 7, and the winding device 13) of the spinning unit 2 may be driven independently in each of the spinning units 2. At least one of the devices related to yarn joining (yarn joining device 26, suction pipe 27, suction mouth 28) may be provided in each of the spinning units 2 instead of in the yarn joining cart 3.
In the above-described embodiment, in the traveling direction of the yarn Y, the tension sensor 9 may be disposed upstream of the yarn monitoring device 8. The unit controller 10 may be provided for each of the spinning units 2. In the spinning units 2, the waxing device 12, the tension sensor 9, and the yarn monitoring device 8 may be omitted.
In the above-described embodiment, the spinning machine 1 is illustrated (refer to FIG. 1) such as to wind the package P in a cheese shape, but the spinning machine 1 can wind the package P in a cone shape. In a case of the package P in a cone shape, traversing of the yarn Y causes slack of the yarn Y, but the slack can be absorbed by the yarn storage device 11. In the above-described embodiment, the specified value α does not have to be a fixed value, but may be a value that varies depending on, for example, the raw material of the sliver S and the conditions of the yarn Y to be generated.
The materials and shapes of the components are not limited to the materials and shapes described above, and various materials and shapes can be employed. Each of the above values may include at least some error in design, manufacturing, measurement, or the like.

Claims

A hollow guide shaft (80) comprising a shaft portion (81) having a fiber introduction hole (86) into which fibers are introduced and a fiber passage (85) that is continuous with the fiber introduction hole (86) and extends along an axial direction, wherein
where A is an inner diameter of the fiber passage (85) and B is a diameter of an introduction opening (89) serving as an opening end of the fiber introduction hole (86), 1.12 ≤ B/A ≤ 1.3 is established.
The hollow guide shaft (80) according to claim 1, wherein 1.15 ≤ B/A ≤ 1.25 is established.
The hollow guide shaft (80) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
an inner surface (86x) of the fiber introduction hole (86) has a curved surface that widens toward an opening side, and

where R is a radius of curvature of the curved surface, 0.025 mm ≤ R ≤ 0.15 mm is established.
The hollow guide shaft (80) according to claim 3, wherein 0.05 mm ≤ R ≤ 0.15 mm is established.
The hollow guide shaft (80) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an inner surface (86x) of the fiber introduction hole (86) has a flat surface that widens toward an opening side.
The hollow guide shaft (80) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an inner surface (86x) of the fiber introduction hole (86) has a winding position control structure that controls a winding start position at which wound fibers (Fb) start winding around core fibers (Fa).
The hollow guide shaft (80) according to any one of claim 1 to 6, wherein 0.8 mm ≤ A ≤ 1.1 mm is established.
The hollow guide shaft (80) according to any one of claim 1 to 7, wherein, where D is an outer diameter of the shaft portion (81), 2.0 mm ≤ D ≤ 4.0 mm is established.
The hollow guide shaft (80) according to any one of claim 1 to 8, wherein the shaft portion (81) is formed of metal.
A pneumatic spinning device (7) comprising:
a fiber guide (50) configured to guide fibers;

a nozzle block (60) having a plurality of nozzles (65) through which air to be injected passes; and

the hollow guide shaft (80) according to any one of claim 1 to 9.
A spinning machine (1) comprising:
a drafting device (6) configured to draft fibers;

the pneumatic spinning device (7) according to claim 10 configured to twist the fibers supplied from the drafting device (6) to generate yarn (Y); and

a winding device (13) configured to wind the yarn (Y) generated by the pneumatic spinning device (7).
A hollow guide shaft set (100) comprising:
a first hollow guide shaft (80) including a shaft portion (81) having a first fiber introduction hole (86) into which fibers are introduced and a first fiber passage (85) that is continuous with the first fiber introduction hole (86) and extends along an axial direction; and

a second hollow guide shaft (180) including a shaft portion (81) having a second fiber introduction hole (186) into which fibers are introduced and a second fiber passage (85) that is continuous with the second fiber introduction hole (186) and extends along the axial direction, wherein

the first hollow guide shaft (80) and the second hollow guide shaft (180) are configured to be attachable to same holding member (73),

an inner surface (86x) of the first fiber introduction hole (86) and an inner surface (186x) of the second fiber introduction hole (186) have a curved surface or a flat surface that widen toward an opening side, and

a radius of curvature (R) of the curved surface of the first fiber introduction hole (86) differs from a radius of curvature (R) of the curved surface of the second fiber introduction hole (186), or an angle of inclination of the flat surface of the first fiber introduction hole (86) with respect to the axial direction differs from an angle of inclination of the flat surface of the second fiber introduction hole (186) with respect to the axial direction.