Cleaning device for a textile machine and suction duct attachment

Abstract: A guide member arranged on the end of a suction duct so that fly waste generated during winding can be effectively recovered. On the end of a suction duct (3A,3B) of a cleaning device (1), a fly waste suction hole (3a) and a guide member (3b) attached as a complete unit to the end of the surface of the suction duct (3) comprising the fly waste suction hole (3a) are arranged. The guide member (3b) is attached so that it follows along the surface of the floor (F). The fly waste suction hole (3a) of the present embodiment is circular and the guide member (3b) forms a circular board arranged concentric with the fly waste suction hole (3a).

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a cleaning device for a textile machine according to the preamble of claim 1. BACKGROUND ART A device of this type is known from US-A-4,572,745 without disclosing details of the suction duct and the blowing nozzle. Conventionally, a cleaning device for a textile machine having a suction duct (Figure 9,10) for sucking fly waste from the floor and a blowing nozzle that blows air and blows the fly waste settled on the floor towards that suction duct are arranged. In conventional device, the shape of a fly waste suction opening (8a) of a suction duct (8) is formed into a wide rectangular shape. Further, the aforementioned blowing nozzle blows air from directly above the floor or at an angle and blows the fly waste settled on the floor to the suction nozzle. PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION However, when fly waste is sucked by the suction duct (8) having the opening (8a) as described above, the flow of air that sucks the fly waste is only generated directly below or to the side of that opening (8a). As a result, suction of fly waste settled on the floor (F) over a wide area is difficult. Also, on the suction duct (8) having the opening (8a) as described above, if the distance between the opening (8a) and the floor (F) is greater than around 50mm, the air current between the opening (8a) and the floor (F) necessary for suction of fly waste is unobtainable. Conversely, in the case of blowing of the fly waste settled on the floor by the blowing nozzle, if the air is blown from directly above or at an angle to the floor, part of the fly waste is blown out of reach of the suction duct thus meaning all of the fly waste on the floor between the blowing nozzle and suction duct can not be sucked. Further, by blowing air from directly above or from an angle, problems such as fly waste flying up from the floor could arise. Summary of the Invention In order to solve the afore mentioned problems it is an object of the present invention to propose a cleaning device for a textile machine having an enhanced suction effect. This object is accomplished by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1. A cleaning device formed in accordance with the invention has several advantages. An air current is caused between the guide member and the floor in a direction that draws fly waste on the floor towards the area directly below the suction opening. This effect may be enhanced by bending the tip of the blowing nozzle parallel to the surface of the floor. Furthermore a stopper member may be attached to the guide member to prevent contact between the guide member and the floor. Due to this, when the suction duct carries out collection of fly waste on the floor, there is no suction of the guide member lower surface onto the floor by the flow of air generated towards the suction opening from the floor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side view showing a summary of the layout of an embodiment of the cleaning device of the present invention and a winder comprising a plurality of winding units. Figure 2 is an expanded sectional view of an embodiment of the end part of the suction duct of the cleaning device of the present invention. Figure 3 is a diagram descibing one example of measurement results of the diameter of the guide member when dust such as fly waste on the floor is collected by the suction duct of Figure 2, and the area of floor over which dust such as fly waste can be sucked. Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the suction opening of Figure 2. Figure 5 is an expanded sectional view of the end part of the blowing duct of a first embodiment of the cleaning device of the present invention. Figure 6 is an expanded sectional view of the end part of the blowing duct of a second embodiment of the cleaning device of the present invention. Figure 7 is an expanded sectional view of the end part of the blowing duct of a third embodiment of the cleaning device of the present invention. Figure 8 is a side view of the air blowing opening of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a side view of the end part of the a suction duct of a conventional cleaning device. Figure 10 is a bottom plan view of the opening of the suction duct of Figure 9. Figure 11 is a side view showing a summary of the layout of another embodiment of the cleaning device of the present invention and the winder comprising a plurality of winding units. Figure 12 is an expanded sectional view of another embodiment of the end part of the suction duct of the cleaning device of the present invention. Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of the end part of the suction duct of Figure 12. Figure 14 is a plan view of a bracket of Figure 13. Figure 15 is a side view showing another embodiment of the bracket forming the suction opening. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Below, based on the drawings, the present invention will be described. Figure 1 is a side view showing a summary of the layout of an embodiment of the cleaning device of the present invention and the winder comprising a plurality of winding units. A rail (2) is positioned above the winder comprising a plurality of winding units U and the cleaning device (1) moves along the rail (2). Cleaning device (1) comprises a suction duct (3), blowing duct (4) and cleaning device main body (1a). Cleaning device main body (1a) is arranged with drive wheels (1b) that are driven by a motor (not shown in the drawing) and moves the cleaning device main body (1a) along the rail (2), an air supply part (not shown in the drawing) that generates a flow of air in a direction towards the suction duct (3) that collects the dust such as fly waste and from the blowing duct (4) that blows air and a collection part (not shown in the drawing) that temporarily stores the dust or the like that is sucked in by the suction duct (3). Further, One cleaning device (1) is provided with two suction ducts (3A,3B) and two blowing ducts (4A,4B). The suction duct (3A) and the blowing duct (4A) are placed one side of the winding unit (U) the opposite blowing duct (4B) and the suction duct (3B) respectively. Thus one of each suction duct (3A,3B) and each blowing duct (4A,4B) are attached to both sides of the cleaning device main body (1a) in the movement direction. Figure 2 is an expanded sectional view of an embodiment of the end part of the suction duct of the cleaning device of the present invention. An attachment (3e) for a suction duct comprising a suction opening (3a) and a guide member (3b) attached to the end of the surface of the suction duct (3) forming the suction opening (3a) is arranged on the end of the suction duct (3). The guide member (3b) is attached so that it is parallel with the surface of the floor (F) . In the present embodiment, the suction opening (3a) is round and the guide member (3b) is a round board arranged concentrically about the suction opening (3a). The suction duct attachment (3e) is detachable from the suction duct (3). A rib (3c) is a member attached to the guide member (3b) and the surface of suction duct (3) for strengthening the guide member (3b) arranged as described above. This rib (3c) expands as a tapered shape from the upper part to the lower part and is so arranged that the operator does not tread upon the guide member (3b). Further, a tapered part (3d) is arranged on the surface of the wall of the suction duct (3) in the vicinity of the suction opening (3a) so that dust or the like is efficiently sucked. It should be stated that the space between the floor (F) and the guide member (3b) should be from about 20mm to 50mm. When the air supply part (not shown in the drawing) operates and suction of dust such as fly waste begins, an air current is caused between the guide member (3b) and the floor (F) in a direction that draws the dust such as fly waste on the floor (F) towards the area directly below the suction opening (3b). Then the dust pushed towards the area directly below the suction opening (3a) is sucked into the suction duct (3) by the air current flowing in the direction along the surface of the wall of the tapered part (3d) and the suction duct (3) (direction (A2) in Figure 2). Figure 3 is a diagram descibing one example of measurement results of the diameter of the guide member when dust such as fly waste on the floor surface is drawn by the suction duct of Figure 2, and the area of floor surface over which dust such as fly waste can be sucked. Furthermore, as an object for comparison, the range of floor surface area over which dust is sucked when suction of dust on the floor surface by a conventional suction duct as shown in Figure 9 and 10 is attached. It should be noted that the "Floor Surface Distance" in Figure 3 means the distance between the floor surface (F) and the opening (8a) of a conventional suction duct (8), or the distance between the floor surface (F) and the guide member (3b) attached to the suction duct (3) of the present invention. "Suction range" means the range over which dust on the floor surface such as fly waste or the like is sucked by a conventional suction duct (8) or the suction duct (3) of the present invention. Furthermore, "Flow Speed" means the flow speed measured at the part of the floor surface opposite the outer edge part of the opening (8a) of a conventional suction duct (8), or the flow speed measured at the part of the floor surface (F) opposite the outer edge part of the guide member (3b) attached to the suction duct (3) of the present invention. When suction of dust such as fly waste on the floor surface (F) is carried out by the conventional suction duct (8) as shown in Figures 9 snd 10, it is clear that suction by the suction duct (8) of dust such as fly waste on the floor surface (F) directly below the opening (8a) or in the vicinity is possible if the "Floor Distance" is 25mm. However, if the "Floor Surface Distance" increases to as much as 50mm, the value of the "Flow Speed" decreases drastically and this results in non-suction of dust such as fly waste on the floor (F). Compared to the conventional suction duct (8), in the case where the diameter D (Refer to Figure 4) of the guide member (3b) of the suction duct (3) of the present invention is 325mm or 425mm, there is little difference in the "Suction Range" even if the "Floor Surface Distance" is 50mm compared to a "Floor Surface Distance" of 25mm. Furthermore, with respect to the "Flow Speed" , there is little difference. However, in the case where the diameter (D) of the guide member is 525mm and the "Floor Surface Distance" is 50mm, the "Suction Range" is drastically reduced compared to when the "Floor Surface Distance" is 25mm. As a reason for this reduction in "Suction Range", the suction opening (3a) and the area around the edge part of the guide member (3b) are too far apart thus it is thought that the "Flow Speed" necessary for suction of dust on the floor (F) such as fly waste is unobtainable. Figure 5 is an expanded sectional view of the tip part of the blowing duct of a first embodiment of the cleaning device of the present invention. A detachable blowing nozzle (5) is attached to the end of blowing duct (4). A blowing nozzle (5) is bent with respect to the blowing duct (4) and the tip (5a) of the blowing nozzle (5) is approximately parallel to the surface of the floor (F). In the present embodiment, the air blowing opening (5b) is a wide rectangle parallel with the surface of the floor (F). It should be noted that the space between the surface of the floor (F) and the lower surface of the tip (5a) of the blowing nozzle (5) is about 20mm. When the air supply part (not shown in the drawing) operates and air blowing from the blowing nozzle (5) starts, air is blown from the air blowing opening (5b) along the surface of the floor (F) (Direction (B) in Figure 5). As a result of the blowing of this air, the dust such as fly waste on the floor (F) between the suction duct (3) and the blowing duct (4) is pushed towards the area on the floor around the suction duct (3). Afterwards, as described above, the suction duct (3) sucks up dust such as the fly waste. Figure 6 is an expanded sectional view of the tip part of the blowing duct of a second embodiment of the cleaning device of the present invention. In Figure 6, a tip (6a) of the blowing nozzle (6) attached to the end of the blowing duct (4) is formed as a hollow cylinder. Similar to the blowing nozzle (5) shown in Figure 5, the tip (6a) of the blowing nozzle (6) is approximately parallel to the surface of the floor (F). Figure 7 is an expanded sectional view of the tip part of the blowing duct of a third embodiment of the cleaning device of the present invention and Figure 8 is a side view of the air blowing opening of Figure 7. Similar to the above case, a blowing nozzle (7) is attached to the tip of the blowing duct (4) of Figure 7. The blowing nozzle (7) comprises a first tip part (7a) and a second tip part (7b). The first tip part (7a) is formed as a hollow cylinder similar to the case in Figure 6. The second tip part (7b) is a wide rectangle parallel to the surface of the floor (F) similar to Figure 5. As shown in Figure 1, when the suction duct (3) and the blowing duct (4) are positioned opposite each other with the winding unit (U) inbetween, the air blown from the blowing nozzle (5) enters the space between the surface of the floor (F) and the lower surface of the frame of the winding unit (U). Then, the dust such as fly waste on the floor between the suction duct (4) and the winding unit (U) as well as the dust trapped on the floor (F) below the winding unit (U) frame is pushed towards the suction duct (3). Similar to the case described above, the suction duct (3) sucks up the dust. Further, while the collection of dust by the suction duct (3) and the blowing duct (4) is being carried out, dust on the floor (F) surrounding the winder is removed by moving the cleaning device (1) along the rail (2). Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 11 is a side view showing a summary of the layout of an embodiment of the cleaning device of the present invention and the winder comprising a plurality of winding units (U). A rail (102) is positioned above the winder comprising a plurality of winding units (U) and the cleaning device (101) moves along the rail (102). Cleaning device (101) comprises a suction duct (103), a blowing duct (104) and a cleaning device main body (101a). The cleaning device main body (101a) is arranged with drive wheels (106) that are driven by a motor (not shown in the drawing) and moves the cleaning device main body (101a) along the rail (102), an air supply part (not shown in the drawing) that generates a flow of air in the direction towards the suction duct (103) that collects the dust such as fly waste and from the blowing duct (104) that blows air and a collection part (not shown in the drawing) that temporarily stores the dust or the like that is sucked in by the suction duct (103). Further, One cleaning device (101) is provided with two suction ducts (103A,103B) and two blowing ducts (104A,104B). The suction duct (103A) and the blowing duct (104A) are placed one side of the winding unit (U) opposite the blowing duct (104B) and the suction duct (103B) respectively. Thus one of each suction duct (103A,103B) and each blowing duct (104A,104B) are attached to both sides of the cleaning device main body (101a) in the movement direction. Figure 12 is an expanded sectional view of another embodiment of the end part of the suction duct of the cleaning device of the present invention. An attachment (103f) for a suction duct comprising a suction opening (103a) and a guide member (103b) which may be attached to or removed from the end of the wall of the bracket forming the suction opening 103a are arranged on the end of the suction duct (103). The guide member (103b) is attached level with the floor (F) so an air current is generated from the suction ducts (103A,103B) in the suction direction along the surface of the floor (F) near the suction opening (103b) when the air supply part is operated. In the present embodiment, the suction opening (103a) is round and the guide member (103b) is a round plate arranged concentric with the suction opening (103a). Furthermore, the duct main body of the suction duct (103) comprises an extendable material and can extend in the vertical direction (direction of arrow (C) in Figure 12). The suction duct attachment (103f) is detachable from the suction duct (103). A number of of stopper members (103d) are arranged at a number of places on the bottom surface (103c) of the guide member (103b). The stopper member (103d) is a projecting semi-sphere and is continuous with the bottom surface (103c) of the guide member (103b). Under normal conditions, suction of dust such as fly waste is carried out with there being no contact between the surface of the floor (F) and the tip of the stopper member (103d). When the surface of the floor (F) and guide member (103b) become close and the guide member (103b) is pulled toward the surface of the floor (F), as the tip of the stopper member (103d) contacts the surface of the floor (F) (See Figure 12), a spacing the size of the projection of the stopper member (103d) is maintained between the bottom surface (103c) of the guide member (103b) and the surface of the floor (F). Due to this, even when the surface of the floor (F) and the guide member (103b) become close, the bottom surface (103c) of the guide member (103b) is prevented from contacting the surface of the floor (F) and an air current for collecting fly waste etc on the floor (F) is generated between the surface of the floor (F) and the bottom surface (103c) of the guide member (103b). It should be stated that, normally, when collection of fly waste is carried out, as the spacing between the surface of the floor (F) and the bottom surface (103c) should be from 20mm to 50mm, the amount of projection of the stopper member (103d) can be decided in accordance with this spacing. Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of the end part of the suction duct of Figure 12. A bracket (109) is a hollow cylinder and is divided into a plurality (in the present embodiment: 2) of members (107,107) along the axial direction. Rim stoppers (107a) are arranged on each of the edges of the sides comprising the suction opening (103a). Also, a groove (108a) being a concave connector is arranged on one of the divided surfaces and a ridge (108b) being a convex connection part which connects with the groove (108a) is arranged on the other side (Refer to Figure 14). The groove (108a) and the ridge (108b) are formed along each of the respective dividing surfaces (107b) in the axial direction. A hole (103e) in which the bracket (109) is inserted and a concave stopper (111) which fits with the aforementioned rim stopper (107a) are arranged on the center part of the guide member (103b). The diameter of this hole (103) is the ths same as the diameter of the outer circumference wall of the bracket (109). It should be noted that each of the members (107,107) and guide member (103b) are constructed of synthetic polymer in order to maintain product lightness. In the case where the attachment (103f) of the suction duct (103) comprises the aforementioned members (107,107) and the guide member (103b), the operator assembles the bracket (109) by fitting together the groove (108a) and the ridge (108b) of one member (107) with the ridge (108b) and the groove (108a) of the other member. Then the operator inserts it in the guide member (103b) from the side on which the convex stopper (107a) is not arranged and pushes the guide member (103b) against the bracket (109) until the convex stopper (111) of the guide member (103b) connects with the rim stopper (107a). As the pair of members (107,107) are held by the inner wall of the hole (103e) of the guide member (103b) after the groove (108a) and the ridge (108b) have been fitted together, no gap is generated at the attachment (103f) at the dividing surfaces (107b) of each of the members (107,107). The attachment (103f) assembled as described above is inserted into the end opening of the main body of the suction duct (103) by the end of the bracket (109). Afterwards, the stopper ring (110) is attached to the main body of the suction duct (103) at the inserted part and by tightening the stopper ring (110) , the attachment (103f) is fixed to the main body of the suction duct (103). When the attachment (103f) is fixed to the main body of the suction duct (103) and the aforementioned air supply part is operated, a force is exerted on the bracket (109) in a direction which decreases the diameter of the bracket (109) due to the flow of air from the surface of the floor (F) to the main body of the suction duct (103) via the suction opening. As a result, the contact pressure generated between the grooves (108a) of one member (107) and the ridge (108b) of the other increases thus there is no leakage of air from the connection between the groove (108a) and the ridge (108b). It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the groove (108a) is arranged on one dividing surface (107b) of the member (107) and the ridge (108b) is arranged on the other dividing surface (107b) but the groove (108a) may be arranged on both dividing surfaces (107b) of one member (107) and the ridge (108b) may be arranged on both dividing surfaces (107b) of the other member (107). Further, alternate grooves (108a) and ridges (108b) may be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the dividing surface (107b) of one of the members (107) and ridges (108b) and grooves (108a) corresponding to the aforementioned grooves (108a) and ridges (108b) may be arranged alternately on the other dividing surface (107b) of the member (107) opposite the aforementioned dividing surface (107b) (see Figure 15). Due to the construction of grooves (108a) and ridges (108b) as in Figure 15, there is no slippage between the assembled members (107,107) in the axial direction of the bracket (109). Furthermore, the stopper member may be arranged in a position other than the bottom surface of the guide member, for example projecting from a cylindrical bracket. Accordingly, by the arrangement of a round plate guide member along the surface of the floor in the area of the suction opening of the suction duct of the cleaning device, when the dust such as fly waste on the floor is to be sucked by the suction duct, the dust in the part opposite the guide member and in that vicinity is sucked towards the suction opening by the flow of air generated between the guide member and the surface of the floor, and is then sucked into the suction duct. Due to this, the area over which dust can be sucked by the suction duct is increased and efficient suction of dust can be performed. Further, a blowing nozzle is attached to the end of the blowing duct of the cleaning device. By the arrangement of an air blowing opening on that blowing nozzle that blows air along the surface of the floor, dust settled on the floor between the suction duct and the blowing duct can be pushed towards the suction duct. Due to this, when collection of dust settled on the floor is to be carried out, there is no raising and dispersal of dust into the air. Further still, by the arrangement of a stopper member on the bottom surface of the guide member attached around the suction opening of the suction duct of the cleaning device, when suction of dust is to be performed by the suction duct, even if the gap between the guide member and the surface of the floor becomes small, there is no sealing of the bottom surface of the guide member with the surface of the floor, and dust can be sucked up. Yet further, by the arrangement of a cylindrical bracket and a guide member detachable from that bracket as the end of the suction duct, and the division of the bracket in the axial direction into a plurality of members, when the end part is to be attached to the suction duct main body, it is simple for the operator to transport each member that forms that end part. Furthermore, by the arrangement of convex fitting parts and concave fitting parts on the dividing surface of each member, when the bracket is to be assembled from the members, the operator can easiily carry out the assembly of the bracket as there is little slippage between the members during assembly.

Claims: A cleaning device for a textile machine comprising a suction duct (3) having a suction opening (3a) on its end for sucking fly waste from the floor (F) and a blowing duct (4) having a blowing nozzle (5) at its end that blows the fly waste settled on the floor towards said suction duct characterized by a guide member (3b) attached to the end of the suction duct (3), surrounding the suction opening (3a) and being parallel to the surface of the floor (F). A cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the blowing nozzle (5) attached to the end of the blowing duct (4) is bent with respect to the blowing duct (4) and that the tip (5a) of the blowing nozzle (5) is approximately parallel to the surface of the floor (F). A cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized in that the suction duct (3) has a tapered part (3d) adjacent the suction opening (3a) that is widened downwardly. A cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by a stopper member (103d) attached to the guide member (103b) to prevent contact between the guide member and the floor. A cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lower part of the suction duct (103) is comprised by a cylindrical bracket (109) forming the suction opening (103a) and that the guide member (103d) is disc shaped and has a central opening fitting around the periphery of the bracket (109). A cleaning device according to claim 5, characterized in that the bracket (109) is devided axially into a plurality of members (107). A cleaning device according to claim 6, characterized in that the members (107) have concace and convex grooves (108a, 108b) on the axial edges for fitting the members together during assembly.

Inventors: MATSUI ISAMU, MORIGUCHI TOSHIKI, NAKAO TAKASHI, MATSUI, ISAMU, MORIGUCHI, TOSHIKI, NAKAO, TAKASHI
Applicants: MURATA MACHINERY LTD, MURATA KIKAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1996
Main classification: D01H11
IPC codes: D01H11