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Title:
A TRANSMISSION JOINT FOR A FEED MEMBER AND FEED MEMBER FOR A FIBRE MATERIAL IN LABORATORY SPINNING LINE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2017/153877
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Transmission joint for a feed member for a fibre material in a laboratory spinning line, comprising a shaft (29) extending along a rotation axis (C) between a first end (29a), coupled to an actuator (23), and a second end (29b) connectable to a feed roller (9) of advancement of fibre material and a containment body (26) extending around the shaft (29), rotatably associated to it, and provided with at least a junction portion (26a) provided with an outer surface having a plurality of coupling areas (27) angularly spaced from each other around the rotation axis (C).

Inventors:
ROVELLINI MARCO (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2017/051254
Publication Date:
September 14, 2017
Filing Date:
March 03, 2017
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
M A E S P A (IT)
International Classes:
F16C13/02; B65H51/04; D01D10/04; F16C35/04
Domestic Patent References:
WO2007073060A12007-06-28
Foreign References:
GB1130374A1968-10-16
FR1557385A1969-02-14
EP2226534A12010-09-08
US5763859A1998-06-09
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
ZERMANI, Umberto (IT)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1 . A transmission joint for a feed member for a fibre material in a laboratory spinning line, comprising:

- a shaft (29) extending along a respective axis of rotation (C) between a first end (29a), couplable to an actuator (23), and a second end (29b) couplable to a roller (9) for feeding a fibre material;

- a containment body (26) extending about said shaft (29), rotatably associated to it, and provided with at least one junction portion (26a) provided with an outer surface having a plurality of coupling zones (27) spaced angularly between each other around said axis of rotation (C).

2. A transmission joint according to claim 1 , characterized in that said junction portion (26a) of the containment body (26) has the shape of a polygonal ring having a plurality of faces (30) and extending around the axis of rotation (C), wherein each ring face (30) is externally provided with at least one of said coupling zones (27).

3. A transmission joint according to claim 2, characterized in that said coupling areas (27) each comprise a plurality of holes (27a) couplable, by means of respective fastening screws, to a further transmission joint (24) or to a frame of a spinning line.

4. A transmission joint according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said containment body (26) comprises:

at least one inner casing (31 ) rotatably coupled to said shaft (29) and coaxial with it ();

at least an outer casing (32) arranged around said inner casing (31 ) and defining at least in part said junction portion (26a);

connecting means (33) interposed between said inner casing (31 ) and said outer casing (32), and configured to allow a variation of the inclination of the inner casing (31 ) with respect to the outer casing (32); adjustment means (34) associated to the connecting means (33) and to said inner (31 ) and outer casing (32), and configured to adjust the magnitude of said variation of the inclination.

5. Transmission joint according to claim 4, characterized in that said connecting means (33) comprise at least one pin () transverse to said axis of rotation (C) and interposed between said inner casing (31 ) and said outer casing (32) to allow a rotation of the inner casing (31 ) with respect to the outer casing (32), in order to modify the inclination of the axis of rotation (C).

6. Transmission joint according to claim 4, characterized in that said connecting means (33) comprise a double-hinged junction element (35) to allow the variation of inclination or orientation of the inner casing (31 ) with respect to the outer casing (32) around two axes.

7. A transmission joint according to claim 6, characterized in that said double-hinged junction element (35) is provided with a first pin (35a), an intermediate body (35b), and a second pin (35c), in which:

the first pin (35a) is transverse to the axis of rotation (C) and is interposed between the outer casing (32) and said intermediate body (25b);

the second pin (35c) is transverse to the axis of rotation (C), orthogonal to the first pin (35a) and interposed between the intermediate body (35b) and the inner casing (31 ).

8. A transmission joint according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that said adjustment means (34) comprise a plurality of adjustment elements (37), which can be selectively moved to vary and/or fix the inclination of the inner casing (31 ) with respect to the outer casing (32).

9. Transmission joint according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that said adjustment elements (37) comprise at least a pair of first elements (37a) operatively interposed between said outer casing (32) and said intermediate body (35b), and a pair of second elements (37b) operatively interposed between said intermediate body (35b) and said inner casing (31 ).

10. A transmission joint according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one stop element (38) operatively interposed between said outer casing (32) and said inner casing (31 ), and selectively switchable between an active configuration, in which it constrains the inner casing (31 ) and the outer casing (32) so as to be coaxial, and a rest configuration, in which it disengages the inner casing (31 ) from the outer casing (32).

1 1 . A transmission joint according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that it comprises hydraulic sealing means (39) interposed between said shaft (29) and said inner casing (31 ).

12. Feed member (8) for a fibre material in a laboratory spinning line, comprising:

- an actuator (23);

- a roller (9) coupled to said actuator (23) to rotate about a respective axis of rotation (C);

characterized in that it comprises a transmission joint (24) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first end (29a) of said shaft (29) is constrained to said actuator (23) and the second end (29b) of said shaft (29) is constrained to said roller (9).

13. Feed member according to claim 1 1 , characterized in that said actuator (23) comprises an electric motor equipped with a stator (23a) and a rotor (23b), in which:

the stator (23a) is constrained to the inner casing (31 ) of the containment body (26) of the transmission joint (24) and

5 the rotor (23b) is constrained to the first end (29a) of said shaft (29).

14. Feed member according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that it comprises a drip guard member (40) arranged close to a connection area between said roller (9) and said shaft (29).

o

15. Feed member according to claim 14, characterized in that said drip guard member (40) is defined by a ring (40a) having a diameter smaller than the roller (9) and arranged around said shaft (29).

Description:
A TRANSMISSION JOINT FOR A FEED MEMBER AND FEED MEMBER FOR A FIBRE MATERIAL IN A LABORATORY SPINNING LINE

The present invention relates to a transmission joint for a feed member and feed member for a fibre material in a laboratory spinning line.

Therefore, the present invention finds particular application in the field of chemical fibres, in particular in the realization of pilot or laboratory lines. The spinning of chemical fibres (synthetic or artificial) is a process that has the aim to produce more or less thick threads or filaments of polymeric material from a "raw" material solution, contained at the liquid/solid state into storage tanks.

The polymeric material can then be extruded in air or in a coagulant solution through a perforated plate and, as it solidifies, pulled by a system of pulleys/rollers which realize the filament also through a succession of treatments such as washing, ironing and drying steps.

Therefore, the design of the spinning line requires the definition of a sequence of individual operations downstream of the extrusion that may vary as a function of the starting material, the type of filament to be obtained or other process parameters; for this reason, it is not always easy to determine beforehand the final structure of the line.

Therefore, at the level of pilot plants/laboratory lines the problem of flexibility is highly felt, as during the stages of line study and testing, it is necessary to make changes to the layout of the line by changing the position of the individual elements and of whole stations in order to obtain the optimal solution which, subsequently, will then be implemented at industrial level and on a larger scale.

To meet this need of the operators, modular lines wherein each module is freely movable as a carrier are currently known.

For example, washing modules with a tank and rollers fastened to it, or transport/ironing modules, each provided with a particular and dedicated roller group (trio, pentet or the like) or even winding modules in which winding rollers are specially positioned and secured, are used.

Therefore, at the time of line testing and design, the operators are used to physically move each module to place it in the correct position with respect to the previous and subsequent ones, possibly by constraining them to one another once the correct position is identified.

Note that if, during the tests, the need emerges to change the line layout, for example by introducing a tank of different dimensions or by varying the number of rollers inside each feed unit, or even by staggering two adjacent stations to allow fibre winding, the operator must use a different module, especially designed.

In fact, taking for example the spinning module, this will be specifically equipped with a tank with a default size in which one or more return rollers are housed, typically placed in default standard positions.

The same reasoning can be carried out also in terms of feed units, wherein a module charging a pentet (five rollers in cascade, ed.) is typically different and separate from those charging a trio or a single roller. Clearly, these system "restraints" introduce concrete difficulties to make changes to the lines and thus in the iterative optimization of the same, especially considering that the modules subsequent to extrusion (washing, ironing, drying etc.) are the most subject to "fine-tuning" changes and adjustments.

Of particular importance, it is the difficulty met by the operator in the determination and implementation of the pitch in the multi-loop configurations of the line, usually constrained by the presence of rollers pivoted fixedly at the module frame.

The object of the present invention is therefore to make available a transmission joint for a feed member and feed member for a fibre material in a laboratory spinning line able to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a transmission joint for a feed member and feed member for a fibre material in a laboratory spinning line which is highly versatile and is easy to connect modularly.

Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a transmission joint for a feed member for a fibre material in a laboratory spinning line which is compact and cost-efficient to manufacture.

Again, an object of the present invention is to provide for a feed member and feed member for a fibre material in a laboratory spinning line which is highly versatile and has a plurality of operating configurations.

Said objects are achieved by a transmission joint having the features of one or more of the following claims from 1 to 1 1 and by a feed member for a fibre material in a laboratory spinning line having the features of one or more of the following claims from 12 to 15.

In particular, the transmission joint according to the invention comprises a shaft extending along its rotation axis between a first end, which can be coupled to an actuator, and a second end which can be coupled to a feed roller of advancement for a fibre material and a containment body extending around said shaft, rotatably associated to it, and provided with at least a junction portion provided with an outer surface having a plurality of coupling areas angularly spaced from each other around the rotation axis.

Advantageously, in this way, the transmission joint is able both to put the actuator in connection with the feed roller, and to allow the connection of the roller in a plurality of different positions, as many as the coupling areas.

Moreover, since the transmission joint is preferably interposed between the actuator and the roller, it defines advantageously a point of discharge of the masses able to balance loads.

Preferably, moreover, the containment body comprises: - at least one inner casing rotatably coupled to said shaft and coaxial with it,

- at least an outer casing arranged around said inner casing and defining at least in part said junction portion,

- connecting means interposed between said inner casing and said outer casing, and configured to allow a variation of the inclination of the inner casing with respect to the outer casing, and adjustment means associated to the connecting means and to said inner and outer casing, and configured to adjust the magnitude of said variation of the inclination.

Advantageously, in this way, the inner casing, and therefore the shaft, has a variable inclination released from the outer casing, and therefore from the coupling areas with the line frame.

This therefore allows the operator to change the orientation of the rollers without the need to vary anything but the relative position between the two casings.

Moreover, the possibility to vary the orientation of the shaft rotation of the roller allows to increase the washing efficiency, if the roller is immersed, or to increase the grip on the fibre rollers in case of tensioning for a subsequent ironing (following multiple winding, out of the pair of rollers). Preferably, the connection means comprise a double-hinged junction element to allow the variation the inclination of the inner casing with respect to the inner casing about two axes, thus allowing to change shaft orientation regardless of the angular position (in the plane of rotation) of the joint and feed member.

In the preferred embodiment, the double-hinged junction element is provided with a first pin, an intermediate body and a second pin, wherein the first pin is transverse to the rotation axis and interposed between the outer casing and said intermediate body and the second pin is transverse to the rotation axis, orthogonal to the first pin and interposed between the intermediate body and the inner casing. These and other features and the corresponding advantages will become more apparent from the following exemplary, and therefore non-limiting description, of a preferred, and therefore not exclusive, embodiment of a transmission joint for a feed member and feed member for a fibre material in a laboratory spinning line as shown in the following drawing tables, wherein:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a feed member for fibre material comprising a plurality of feed members according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a feed member for fibre material according to the present invention;

- Figure 3 shows a side view of the feed member of Figure 2;

- Figures 4, 5, 6 show sectional views of the feed member according to lines IV-IV, V-V and VI-VI of Figure 3.

With reference to the accompanying figures, number 8 is referred to a feed member for fibre material according to the present invention.

Preferably, the feed member 8 may be mainly applied in a spinning line for chemical fibres, wherein the expression "chemical fibre" means any fibre, either synthetic or artificial, such as cellulosic, polyolefin, aramid, polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl, polyacrylic fibres, etc.

However, the feed member 8 may also find other applications, provided the necessary presence of a motorized roller/cylinder which can be movably anchored to a frame.

The feed member 8 comprises an actuator 23 (preferably a motor reducer), a transmission joint 24 and a roller 9.

More preferably, the actuator 23, the transmission joint 24 and the roller 9 are mutually aligned in succession along a rotation axis "C" of the roller 9 (i.e. transversely to a feed direction "A" of the fibre).

The feed member 8 also comprises at least a junction body 25 connected to the transmission coupling 24 or the actuator 23 and removably attachable to a further feed member 8 or to a frame, for example of a spinning line. To this end, note that the transmission joint 24 comprises at least one containment body 26 extending around said rotation axis "C" and provided with at least one junction portion 26a provided with an outer surface having a plurality of coupling areas 27 angularly spaced from each other around said rotation axis "C".

Such containment body 26 of the transmission joint 24 thus defines the junction body 25.

Note that there is a plurality of coupling areas 27, angularly spaced around the rotation axis "C", allowing to connect the feed member 8 in more points and more components, allowing the operator to "build" the feed unit "G" according to their needs.

Preferably, the coupling areas 27 each comprise a plurality of holes 27a (threaded or not) couplable, by means of respective fastening screws, to a further transmission joint 24 or to a frame of a spinning line.

The feed members of a "G" unit are thus placed side by side and spaced apart, and a further feed member 8 is positioned above them, interposed between the two (with reference to the feed direction "A") and connected to both by means of the coupling areas 27 of the respective containment bodies 26.

Advantageously, therefore, the presence of coupling areas 27 angularly spaced around the rotation axis "C" allows the connection of a feed member both inferiorly to a frame and superiorly to a further feed member 8, thus obtaining, for example, a trio of rollers.

Following the same principle, the operator may in any case turn the trio into a pentet or a septet.

Moreover, taking advantage of a free coupling area (for example upper) of the upper feed member 8, it is possible to connect to it also a further "special" component, such as a presser element 28.

Such presser element 28 comprises a support body 28a fixed to the containment body 26 of the feed member 8, a tilting arm 28b preloaded pivoted to the support body 28a and a roller 28c pivoted to a free end of the arm 28b and opposed (as well as counter-rotating) to the roller 9 of the feed member.

Advantageously, this presser element 28 is useful in wringing the fibre after washing or to assist the drawing-in of the line.

Entering the details of construction of the feed member 8, it is also possible to appreciate the remarkable innovation introduced by the transmission joint 24.

This component, in fact, can be used in any station/module of a spinning line, regardless of the presence of a tank or other elements, for which reason it is a further object of the present invention and falls within its scope of protection.

Such transmission joint 24 preferably comprises a shaft 29 extending along the rotation axis "C" of the roller 9 between a first end 29a and a second end 29b.

The first end 29a can be coupled (i.e. is coupled) to the actuator 23, while the second end 29b can be coupled to (i.e. is coupled) to the feed roller 9 of the fibre material.

The containment body 26 develops around the shaft 29 and is rotatably associated to it; therefore, the shaft can rotate about its own axis with respect to the containment body.

Preferably, the junction portion 26a of the containment body 26 has the shape of a polygonal ring having a plurality of faces 30 which extend around the rotation axis "C".

Each of said faces 30 is externally provided with at least a coupling area 27, i.e. preferably a plurality of holes 27a (threaded or not).

Preferably, the containment body 26 comprises at least an inner casing 31 and at least an outer casing 32.

The inner casing 31 is rotatably coupled with the shaft 29 and coaxial with it.

The outer casing 32 is arranged around the inner casing 31 and defines

(at least in part) the junction portion 26a of the containment body 26. Preferably, therefore, the outer casing 32 has the shape of a polygonal ring; more preferably, it has a quadrilateral conformation, even more preferably squared.

Advantageously, in this way, it is possible to make the feed member versatile and easily placeable, having coupling areas at 90° one from the other, without extremely complicating the structure.

Moreover, the containment body 26 further has connection means 33 operatively (and physically) interposed between the inner casing 31 and the outer casing 32.

These connecting means 33 are configured to allow a variation of the inclination or orientation of the inner casing 31 with respect to the outer casing 32.

The expression "variation of the inclination" in this text means defining the possible staggering of the two casings 31 , 32 causing him to lose the coaxial ity.

In other words, the connecting means 33 are configured to allow a relative rotation between the two housings around an axis transverse to the rotation axis "C".

Advantageously, this application is particularly useful in multi-loop configurations, wherein at least one of the two winding rollers is tilted relative to each other in order, for example, to vary at will the pitch between the loops.

Therefore, preferably the connecting means 33 comprise at least one pin 33a transverse to the rotation axis "C" and interposed between the shell 31 and the outer casing 32.

Advantageously, in this way, it is possible to change the inclination of the rollers 9 of a same "G" group or of successive groups without acting neither on tanks nor on the module frame.

In this respect, the transmission joint 24 further comprises adjustment means 34 associated with the connecting means 33 and the casings 31 , 32 and configured to adjust the magnitude of said variation of the inclination.

In this way, once the desired angle is established, the operator can act on the adjustment means to define their position.

In the preferred embodiment, the connecting means 33 comprise a double-hinged junction element 35 to allow the variation of inclination inside the casing 31 with respect to the outer casing 32 around two axes "D, E" (both transverse to the rotation axis "C").

Preferably, the inner casing 31 is inclined with respect to the outer casing of ±10° around each axis.

Advantageously, in this way, the operator has the possibility to adapt the orientation of the rotation axis "C" of the roller both towards/away from the immediately preceding roller and along the orthogonal plane, thus having maximum agility in deciding the layout of station.

Indeed, the operator may decide to maintain a first feed member at "zero inclination", by acting solely on the next, or (although it is a residual case) to act on both the feed members, by calibrating the inclinations of joints 24 accordingly.

More precisely, the double-hinged junction element 35 is provided with a first pin 35a, an intermediate body 35b, and a second pin 35c.

The first pin 35a develops along an axis "D" transverse to the rotation axis "A" and is interposed between the outer casing 32 and said intermediate body 35b.

The second pin 35c develops along an axis "E" transverse to the rotation axis "C" and orthogonal to the first pin 35a and interposed between the intermediate body 35b and the inner casing 31 .

The adjustment means 35 comprise a plurality of adjustment elements 37, which can be selectively moved to vary and/or fix the inclination of the inner casing 31 with respect to the outer casing 32.

More precisely, the adjustment elements 37 comprise at least a pair of first elements 37a (or first screws) operatively interposed between said outer casing 32 and said intermediate body 35b, and a pair of second elements 37b (or second screws) operatively interposed between said intermediate body 35b and said inner casing 31 .

In the illustrated embodiment, the line joining the first elements 37a is orthogonal to the first pin 35a, while the line joining the second elements is orthogonal to the second pin 35c.

Preferably, moreover, the intermediate body 35b is defined by a ring 36 disposed around the inner casing 31 and is pivoted both to the outer casing 32 via the first pin 35 and to the inner casing 31 via the second pin 35c.

Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment, the inner casing 31 has a shoulder 31 a (or radial protrusion) facing the ring 36 along the rotation axis "C".

Preferably, the first elements 37a are slidably inserted (via the threaded coupling) each in a seat formed in the outer casing 32 and facing the ring 36 defining the intermediate body 35 to abut on it.

Similarly, the second elements 37b are slidably inserted (via the threaded coupling) each in a seat formed in the ring 36 and facing the inner shoulder 31 of the casing 31 a to abut on it.

Advantageously, in this way, by means of simple screws (or the like) the operator can accurately modulate the tilting of the shaft 29 (coaxial to the inner casing 31 ).

Note that the preferred embodiment includes a tilting angle measuring scale or a tilting measurement member (not shown) configured to allow the operator to monitor the angle in real time and with accuracy.

Preferably, moreover, the transmission joint 24 comprises at least a stop element 38 operatively interposed between the outer casing 32 and the inner casing 31.

This stop element 38 is selectively switchable between an active configuration, in which it constrains the inner casing 31 and outer casing 32 to the coaxiality, and a rest configuration, in which it releases the inner casing 31 from the outer casing 32.

Preferably, the stop element 38 is defined by a plug 38a inserted into respective openings 38b of the casings 31 , 32 which, in a condition of coaxiality, are facing each other and displaced from the first pin 35a.

Advantageously, in this way, the condition of coaxiality, which is by far the most used, must not be adjusted by the operator by means of the adjustment means 35, but can be quickly obtained by using the stop element (and loosening/disabling the adjustment means 35).

Moreover, in the preferred embodiment, the coupling also includes hydraulic sealing means 39 interposed between the shaft 29 and the inner casing 31 .

Preferably, the sealing means are defined by a gasket disposed around the shaft, preferably in the vicinity of an end of the inner casing 31 .

Advantageously, in this way, the roller 9 may be immersed in the tank without compromising the reliability of the system.

In this respect, it is noted that, preferentially, the feed member 8 comprises a drip guard member 40 placed in proximity of a connection area between the roller 9 and the shaft 29.

Structurally, the drip guard member 40 is defined by a ring 40a having a diameter smaller than the roller 9 and arranged around said shaft 29, in the vicinity of said roller 9.

In the preferred embodiment, the roller 9 also comprises a peripheral collar 41 , of larger diameter than the central portion of the roller 9, which is also placed in proximity of a connection area between the roller 9 and the shaft

29.

The collar 41 thus faces the drip guard member 40.

Preferably, therefore, the roller 9 develops along its rotation axis "C" between a first edge 9a from which the fibre is "loadable", and a second edge 9b, of greater diameter and defining said collar 41 . Preferably, the drip guard member 40 is spaced from said second edge 9b (along said rotation axis "C") in order to create a collection gap of any immersion liquids of the roller, preventing their propagation along the shaft 29.

Advantageously, in this way, the roller 9 can be immersed, which considerably increases the applicability.

It is to be noted that the actuator 23 of the feed member 8 comprises an electric motor and a gear reducer with suitable ratio integrated to it; thus, the actuator 23 is a motor reducer.

This actuator 23 (i.e. motor) includes a stator 23a and a rotor 23b wherein:

- the stator 23a is constrained to the inner casing 31 of the containment body 26 of the transmission joint 24,

- the rotor 23b is bound (preferably through the reducer) to the first end 29a of the shaft 29.

Advantageously, in this way, the whole structure of the feed member 8 (motor, joint and roller) discharges its own weight on the transmission joint 24, and in particular on the containment body 26, which, being in an intermediate position between the actuator 23 and roller 9, allows to optimize the balance.

The invention achieves the intended objects and achieves important advantages.

In fact, the use of a transmission joint which can be externally anchored to a frame or to other feed members allows the operator to combine the feed member in several ways, making it a highly versatile component, able to meet the specific needs of the case.

Furthermore, the possibility to vary the inclination/orientation of the shaft and therefore the rotation axis of the roller, translates into a huge advantage, especially in multi-loop configurations of the spinning lines. In fact, combining the versatility of positioning of the member (thanks to the coupling and the coupling area) with respect to its "tiltability", it is possible to maximize the versatility of application of the feed system, substantially eliminating the rigidities and structural constraints currently present in laboratories.

Again, the presence of adjustment means separate from the "coaxial" stop means allows to obtain quickly and without inaccuracies the "coaxial" reference position, leaving the application of the adjustment means (accurate but slow) exclusively to cases involving a variation of the orientation.

Moreover, the presence of a drip guard member on the shaft and on seal means (together with the presence of the collar) causes the roller to be also immersible (at least partly) in the typical washing tanks of the spinning lines, further expanding the application field of the feed member.