Patent GB-971372-A (GB)
Title: Automatic spool changing in winding machines
IPC: B65H67/04
Filed: 1960-10-21
Abstract: 971, 372. Spool changing in drum winders. W. REINERS. Oct. 21, 1960 [ Feb. 5, 1960], No. 36189/60. Heading D1D. An automatic multi-station drum winding machine comprises means to remove a package when it reaches a required diameter, means to insert an empty spool, means to engage the thread running to the removed package and locate it in a required starting position and means to ensure that rotation of the wound package has substantially stopped before the package is removed. General. Thread F (Fig. 1) from a package A is wound upon a spool 21 rotated by a thread traverse drum 22. The spool frame has pivoted thereon a rod 102 having a collar 103 attached thereto. When the package reaches a required size a segment 105 is rotated anticlockwise by a lever 104 urged against collar 103 by a spring 104b such that a three armed lever 106, urged to rotate anticlockwise is released and allowed to rotate from the position shown in dash-dot line to that shown in full line. This movement initiates the spool changing operation. Interrupting spool drive. During normal winding a lever 45, 47 is rocked by an oscillating lever 19 and a motion is transmitted via a lever 31 (on which lever 45, 47 is mounted), a rod 41, a crank 26 and an arm 24 to an intermediate roller 25 by which drive is intermittently transmitted from a constantly rotating roller 16 to the traverse drum 22. Upon rotation of lever 106, a nose 109 on the arm 107 thereof engages the arm 45, which thus holds the intermediate roller 25 in the position shown and suspends drive to the spool ready for spool changing. Initiating spool changing. All spool changing operations are derived from four cams 145a, 145b, 145c, 145d (Figs. 2-5) mounted on a constantly rotating shaft 146 and drivable therefrom via a slipping clutch. During normal winding the cams are held stationary but upon the package attaining the required size the subsequent movement of lever 106 closes, by means of a rod 143, electrical contacts 103 associated with a time delay relay 302 and a solenoid 303 such that motion is transmitted with delay to pivot a lever 189. A nose 144 on this lever normally engages a notch 139 in cam 145a (Fig. 2) to prevent rotation of the cams but upon pivoting of lever 189 all the cams are allowed to rotate. The delay in releasing the cams is provided so that the full spool may come to rest before doffing commences. Alternative electronic, hydraulic and pneumatic time delay mechanisms are also described. In place of or in addition to the time delay mechanism movement of the lever 106 may cause the drum 22 to be braked mechanically or electromagnetically to bring the spool more quickly to rest. Removal of full spool. A lever 168, pivoted at 167 has a follower 174 (Fig. 5) urged against the cam 145 d by a spring 175 so that upon rotation of the cam a forked lever 169 pivoted on lever 168 and normally held against a stop 171 by a spring 170 is moved under the ends of the sleeve 191 of the full spool. A spool clamping member 163 is rotated by the lever 169 and a projection 104 therein is engaged by a pawl 159 so that the full spool may be withdrawn with lever 169 as it is retracted. The full spool is thus placed on a receiving plate 180. Thread positioning during spool changing. A further arm 176 on lever 168 allows a thread guide 182 to be moved, under the influence of a spring 179, to the far side of the spool and then forces it back to its near side position bringing with it the thread F<SP>1</SP> to hold it in readiness to be wound on to a new spool body. Inserting an empty spool body. When the full spool has been removed the spool frame 20 is shifted to its lowest position T by the action of a lever 148 following the cam 145b (Fig. 3), the motion being transmitted to the spool frame via a rod 149. A magazine for empty spool bodies S carried by an arm 154 is lowered as a result of the motion of a lever 152 following the cam 145c (Fig. 4) the motion being transmitted through a rod 153. When lowered the lowest spool body in the magazine is aligned with the clamping member on frame 20 while an adjustable screw 158 releases pawl 159 and allows lever 163 to rotate under the influence of a spring 166 and so clamp the spool body, at the same time clamping the thread F<SP>1</SP>. Further rotation of cam 145c causes the magazine to be retracted, the clamped spool lifting the spring urged flap 156 to leave the magazine. Finally a bolt 188 on the cam 145a rotates lever 189 so that nose 144 engages notch 139 to arrest the cams.