Method for Maintaining Spinning Units of a Spinning Machine along with a Spinning Machine

Abstract

A method and associated spinning machine for maintaining spinning units of the spinning machine includes a plurality of the spinning units arranged next to one another and at least one maintenance device that is movable along the spinning units to perform maintenance procedures on the spinning units. Prior to maintenance of a spinning unit by the maintenance device, a housing of the spinning unit is opened. Subsequently, the maintenance is performed and then the housing is closed. One or both of the opening and the closing of the housing is carried out autonomously with a sealing device operably configured at the spinning unit.

1 - 15 : (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for maintaining spinning units of a spinning machine, wherein the spinning machine includes a plurality of the spinning units arranged next to one another and at least one maintenance device that is movable along the spinning units to perform maintenance procedures on the spinning units, the method comprising:
 prior to maintenance of a spinning unit by the maintenance device, opening a housing of the spinning unit;   subsequently performing the maintenance of the spinning unit with the maintenance device, and then closing the housing of the spinning unit;   wherein one or both of the opening and the closing of the housing is carried out autonomously with a sealing device operably configured at the spinning unit.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the maintenance comprises one or both of cleaning of a spinning device or a thread draw-off nozzle at the spinning unit. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the housing of the spinning unit is opened before the maintenance device is positioned at the spinning unit to perform the maintenance. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising detecting approach of the maintenance device to the spinning unit, and timing the opening of the housing of the spinning unit with the approach such that the housing is open when the maintenance device arrives at the spinning unit. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising defining a surrounding area of the spinning unit, and detecting when the maintenance device enters the surrounding area. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein in order to carry out preventive maintenance of the spinning unit, the spinning unit is stopped and the opening of the housing of the spinning unit is performed when the maintenance device is detected in the surrounding area of the spinning unit. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein in the event of an interruption of production of the spinning unit, determination is made of whether the maintenance device is located in the surrounding area and, if the maintenance device is located in the surrounding area, the maintenance device is summoned to the spinning unit to perform the maintenance, and only then is production resumed. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein after the housing is closed, the maintenance device continues along a travel path alongside the spinning units. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein after the maintenance of the spinning unit, the maintenance device closes the housing. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the maintenance of the spinning unit is a piecing of the thread carried out by a piecing device configured at the spinning unit. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the sealing device comprises an actuator configured with a cover on the housing to open or close the housing. 
     
     
         27 . A spinning machine, comprising:
 a plurality of spinning units arranged next to one another;   a maintenance device movable alongside of the spinning units for performance of maintenance at the spinning units;   each spinning unit comprising a housing that is closed by a cover during spinning production, wherein the cover is movable to an open position to open the housing for maintenance by the maintenance device;   a sealing device configured at the spinning unit and connected to the cover, the sealing device controllable to do on or both of autonomously move the cover to the open position before maintenance by the maintenance device or to autonomously move the cover to close the housing after maintenance by the maintenance device.   
     
     
         28 . The spinning machine according to  claim 27 , wherein the sealing device is controllable to move the cover and open the housing upon detection of approach of the maintenance device to the spinning unit so that the housing is open when the maintenance device reaches the spinning unit. 
     
     
         29 . The spinning machine according to  claim 27 , wherein the spinning units comprise a piecing device. 
     
     
         30 . The pinning machine according to  claim 27 , wherein the sealing device comprises an actuator.