Apparatus and method for automatic thread joining and cleaning in a spinning machine

摘要

In a textile spinning machine, apparatus for automatically joining a thread and cleaning the machine comprising a tube mechanism, a mechanism for routing a flow of air through the tube mechanism and controlling the rate of air flow through the tube mechanism; a mechanism for sequentially moving the tube mechanism to one or more selected thread joining positions relative to the machine including at least a position such that a thread end may be received and held within the tube mechanism via air suction flow through the tube mechanism; a mechanism for sequentially moving the tube mechanism to one or more selected thread waste positions relative to the machine such that the selected thread waste positions on the machine may be cleaned via controlled air flow through the tube mechanism; and wherein the mechanism for routing and controlling the air flow includes a mechanism for selectively adjusting the rate of air flow through the tube mechanism to a rate selected according to the selected position to which the tube mechanism is moved by the mechanism for moving.