Twisting machine capable of independently controlling twisting speed and winding speed and method of same

Abstract

The invention relates to a twisting machine capable of independently controlling the twisting speed of a thread or plurality of threads and the winding speed of the twisted threads i.e. the twisting density in a certain length and the method of the same. Thus, a twisting machined is provided comprising: a spindle ( 1 ) extending in an axial direction from a first end to a second end thereof; drive means for rotatably driving the spindle ( 1 ); a rotor coaxially mounted to the spindle adjacent the second end thereof; winding means for winding thread onto a bobbin; a stationary carrier supported over the rotor on the opposite side thereof from the spindle, the carrier supporting the bobbin thereon; and thread guide means spaced in the axial direction from the carrier, wherein in use, thread extends from the spindle via the radially outer edge of the rotor to the thread guide means, characterized in that the machine comprises means for independently moving the spindle and the winding means.

1 . A twisting machine comprising:
 a spindle to which a thread or a plurality of threads is/are introduced in use and from which the thread or the plurality of threads is/are taken out in use, the spindle being driven by a spindle driving motor;   a rotor being associated with the spindle and being in contact with the thread or plurality of threads taken out of the spindle while rotating in use;   a winding drum for winding the thread or the plurality of threads, which advance from the rotor and are conveyed via a thread guide, onto a bobbin in use;   and a stationary carrier carrying the bobbin, characterized in that the machine comprises means for independently moving the spindle and winding drum.   
     
     
         2 . A machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a first power transmission means is coaxially mounted to the spindle, said first power transmission means being moved independently from the spindle. 
     
     
         3 . A machine according to  claim 2 , characterized in that a primary planetary element is provided, said primary planetary element performing planetary rotation around the spindle axis by the motion provided by the first power transmission means. 
     
     
         4 . A machine according to  claim 3 , characterized in that a spindle element engaged to the primary planetary element is provided for transmitting the motion of the primary planetary element. 
     
     
         5 . A machine according to  claim 4 , characterized in that a secondary planetary element is engaged to the spindle element, said secondary planetary element performing planetary rotation around the spindle axis. 
     
     
         6 . A machine according to  claim 5 , characterized in that a second power transmission means is coaxially mounted to the spindle, said second power transmission means being moved independently from the spindle and wherein said secondary planetary element transmits its motion to said second power transmission means. 
     
     
         7 . A machine according to  claim 6 , characterized in that a driving pulley is provided for driving the winding drum, said driving pulley being associated with the second power transmission means. 
     
     
         8 . A machine according to  claim 7 , characterized in that a winding bobbin pulley is provided to the winding means for transmitting the motion of the driving pulley to the winding means, and in that a driving belt is provided to the driving pulley and to the winding bobbin pulley. 
     
     
         9 . A machine according to  claim 6 , characterized in that a yarn feeder pulley is provided for driving a yarn feeder spindle associated with the second power transmission means. 
     
     
         10 . A machine according to  claim 9 , characterized in that a yarn feeder spindle pulley is mounted to the yarn feeder spindle for transmitting the motion of the yarn feeder pulley to the yarn feeder spindle having a yarn feeder roller, and in that a driving belt is provided to the yarn feeder pulley and to the yarn feeder spindle pulley. 
     
     
         11 . A machine according to  claim 10 , characterized in that a waxing element is provided for waxing a thread passed through the yarn feeder roller. 
     
     
         12 . A machine according to  claim 11 , characterized in that a waxing driving belt is provided between the waxing element and the yarn feeder spindle for driving the waxing element by the yarn feeder spindle. 
     
     
         13 . A machine according to  claim 2 , characterized in that a driving motor is provided for driving the first power transmission means said driving motor being independently operated from the spindle driving motor. 
     
     
         14 . A machine according to  claim 13 , characterized in that a first collar is mounted to the first power transmission means. 
     
     
         15 . A machine according to  claim 14 , characterized in that a planetary pulley mechanism is fixed to the first collar and said planetary pulley mechanism is driven by the driving motor. 
     
     
         16 . A machine according to  claim 9 , characterized in that a second collar is mounted to the second power transmission means. 
     
     
         17 . A machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a bearing housing is provided for bearing the spindle element to the rotor and to a rotor lower piece mounted to the underside of the rotor. 
     
     
         18 . A machine according to  claim 17 , characterized in that bearings are provided inside the bearing housing for mounting the spindle element and in that lids are provided on the bearing housing for preventing lubricant leakage therefrom. 
     
     
         19 . A machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said planetary means, said spindle element are capable of rotating about the spindle axis and about their own axes. 
     
     
         20 . A machine according to  claim 6 , characterized in that said first power transmission means, said second power transmission means, said primary planetary element and said secondary planetary element are selected from the group consisting of gear, pulley, pulley gear, magnetic gear and chain gear. 
     
     
         21 . A machine according to  claim 2 , characterized in that motion transmission from the first power transmission means to the primary planetary element is performed by the means selected from the group consisting of trigger belt, chain, gear and magnetic means. 
     
     
         22 . A machine according to  claim 5 , characterized in that motion transmission from the secondary planetary element to the second power transmission means is performed by the means selected from the group consisting of trigger belt, chain, gear and magnetic means. 
     
     
         23 . A machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that: a first power transmission means is provided to the spindle, said first power transmission means being driven independently from the motion of the spindle; in that at least one planetary element is substantially perpendicularly provided to the spindle axis, the planetary element being driven by the first power transmission means for rotating; and in that a second power transmission means is provided to the spindle and said second power transmission means being driven by the planetary element. 
     
     
         24 . A machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that in use, one or more threads are fed through the thread guide head to be covered by the thread or threads advancing from the rotor. 
     
     
         25 . A machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a sensor device is provided for terminating winding of the threads onto the bobbin when the thickness of the bobbin increases to a predetermined level. 
     
     
         26 . A machine according to  claim 25 , characterized in that the sensor device comprises a signal supplier and a signal receiver so that in use when the thickness of the bobbin increases to a predetermined value, the signal between the supplier and the receiver is interrupted and the winding is terminated. 
     
     
         27 . A machine according to  claim 25 , characterized in that the sensor device comprises a switch capable of contacting with an end of a bobbin arm fixing the bobbin to the carrier; a radio signal generator driven by the switch; and a receiver so that in use when the thickness of the bobbin increases to a predetermined level, the bobbin arm drives the switch for generating a radio signal to be received by the receiver for terminating winding. 
     
     
         28 . A machine according to  claim 25 , characterized in that the sensor device comprises a reflector mounted to the end of the bobbin arm; a beam supplier-receiver for supplying the beam to and receiving the beam from the reflector so that when the thickness of the bobbin increases to a predetermined level, the bobbin arm and the reflector rotate and the reflected beam is received by the beam supplier-receiver for terminating winding. 
     
     
         29 . A machine according to  claim 14 , characterized in that a first stationary element is mounted to the first collar and said first stationary element is immovably mounted to a fixing platform fixed to the body of the machine. 
     
     
         30 . A machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a secondary planetary spindle for performing planetary rotation around the spindle axis is provided, said secondary planetary spindle being associated with the rotor and being rotatable by the motion of the rotor. 
     
     
         31 . A machine according to  claim 30 , characterized in that a tertiary planetary element is provided at an end of the secondary planetary spindle, said tertiary planetary element performing planetary rotation around the spindle axis. 
     
     
         32 . A machine according to  claim 31 , characterized in that a quaternary planetary element is provided at the other end of the secondary planetary spindle. 
     
     
         33 . A machine according to  claim 16 , characterized in that a second stationary element is coaxially mounted to the second collar. 
     
     
         34 . A machine according to  claim 32 , characterized in that the quaternary planetary element performs planetary rotation around the spindle axis. 
     
     
         35 . A machine according to  claim 32 , characterized in that the tertiary planetary element and the quaternary planetary element are rotatable about the secondary planetary spindle and rotatable about the spindle axis. 
     
     
         36 . A machine according to  claim 33 , characterized in that said stationary carrier is fixed to the second stationary element. 
     
     
         37 . A machine according to  claim 33 , characterized in that the first stationary element, the second stationary element, the tertiary planetary element and the quaternary planetary element are selected from the group consisting of gear, pulley, magnetic gear and chain gear. 
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A twisting machine comprising:
 a spindle to which a thread or a plurality of threads is/are introduced in use and from which the thread or the plurality of threads is/are taken out in use, the spindle being driven by a spindle driving motor;   a rotor being associated with the spindle and being in contact with the thread or plurality of threads taken out of the spindle while rotating in use;   a winding drum for winding the thread or the plurality of threads which advance from the rotor and are conveyed via a thread guide, onto a bobbin in use; and   a stationary carrier carrying the bobbin, characterized by comprising a first power transmission means coaxially mounted to the spindle axis and being moved in use independently from the motion of the spindle;   a primary planetary element being drivable by the motion of the first power transmission means and performing planetary rotation about the spindle axis in use;   a spindle element engaged with the primary planetary element for transmitting the motion thereof; a secondary planetary element engaged to the spindle element, said secondary planetary element performing planetary rotation about the spindle axis in use;   an upper power transmission means coaxially mounted to the spindle axis and being drivable by the secondary planetary element.   
     
     
         40 . A machine according to the  claim 39 , characterized by comprising:
 a first stationary element mounted coaxially to a first collar, said first collar being mounted coaxially to the spindle axis, and said first stationary element being fixed to a fixing platform fixed to the machine body;   a secondary spindle element associated with the rotor and performing planetary rotation about the spindle axis by the motion of the rotor in use;   a tertiary planetary element mounted to an end of the secondary spindle element, said tertiary planetary element performing planetary rotation about the spindle axis;   a quaternary planetary element mounted to the other end of the secondary spindle element; and a second stationary element the carrier being fixed thereto and being mounted coaxially to a second collar mounted coaxially to the spindle.   
     
     
         41 . A machine according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the twisted thread passed through the waxing element is directed to the winding drum through an opening  47  grooved on an upper table  56  without employing any other directing means. 
     
     
         42 . A method for twisting threads comprising:
 introducing a thread or plurality of threads into a spindle having an aperture extending along the axis thereof, said spindle being driven by a motor;   taking out the twisted thread or the plurality of threads from the spindle and advancing the threads from the outer surface of a rotor; and   further advancing the twisted threads to a winding drum for winding the twisted threads onto a bobbin, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of:   transmitting the movement of a secondary motor to a primary power transmission means rotatable independently from the spindle, said primary power transmission means being arranged coaxially with the spindle,   transmitting the movement provided by the primary power transmission means to a secondary power transmission means capable of performing planetary movement with respect to the spindle axis,   transmitting the movement provided by the secondary power transmission means to a tertiary power transmission means rotatable independently from the spindle and said tertiary power transmission means being arranged the spindle.   
     
     
         43 . A twisting machine comprising:
 a spindle extending in an axial direction from a first end to a second end thereof; drive means for rotatably driving the spindle;   a rotor mounted to the spindle adjacent the second end thereof; winding means for winding thread onto a bobbin;   a stationary carrier supported over the rotor on the opposite side thereof from the spindle, the carrier supporting the bobbin thereon; and   thread guide means spaced in the axial direction from the carrier, wherein in use, thread extends from the spindle via the radially outer edge of the rotor to the thread guide means, characterized in that the machine comprises means for independently moving the spindle and the winding means.   
     
     
         44 . A twisting machine as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the means for independently moving the spindle and the winding means comprise:
 a first gear mounted coaxially with the spindle to be located externally of the extent of the thread in use, said first gear being driven by further drive means independently operated from the spindle driving means;   a second gear mounted coaxially with the spindle, said second gear being axially spaced from the first gear to be located internally of the extent of the thread in use; and   a further gear mechanism for transferring the drive from the first gear to the second gear in use.   
     
     
         45 . A twisting machine as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the further gear mechanism comprises:
 a primary planetary element for being driven by the first gear to perform planetary motion about the spindle axis;   a spindle element extending in the axial direction from the primary planetary element; and   a secondary planetary element attached to the spindle element and axially spaced from the primary planetary element, wherein the secondary planetary element is driven by the primary planetary element and the spindle element to perform planetary motion about the spindle axis and so drives the second gear in use.   
     
     
         46 . A twisting machine as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the further gear mechanism comprises: a planetary element extending substantially perpendicular to the first and second gears and engaging therewith. 
     
     
         47 . A method of twisting a plurality of threads using the apparatus as claimed in  claim 42 , the method comprising:
 supplying a plurality of threads to the first end of the spindle such that the threads are twisted by the spindle in use; and   winding the twisted threads on the bobbin.   
     
     
         48 . A method of covering a thread using the apparatus as claimed in  claim 42 , the method comprising:
 supplying a thread to the first end of the spindle;   supplying one or more threads directly to the thread guide means such that the thread from the spindle is wrapped around the threads supplied directly to the guide means in use; and   winding the covered threads on the bobbin.