Description:BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001]
The present invention relates to an automatic winder having a plurality of winding units.
[0002]
In an automatic winder described in Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2019-131365), a tray to which a yarn supplying bobbin is attached is sent out from a bobbin processing apparatus. The tray with which the yarn supplying bobbin is attached is transported along a supply passage and is supplied to each of winding units. The trays to which the yarn supplying bobbins where winding is completed at the winding units are attached are discharged to a collecting passage. The automatic winder recited in Patent Literature 1 is provided with a return passage by which a tray transported to a downstream end portion of the supply passage is returned to an upstream end portion of the supply passage, and a tray stopper is provided at a downstream end portion of the return passage. The tray stopper switches the return passage between an arrangement in which trays transported on the return passage are returned to the upstream end portion of the supply passage and an arrangement in which the trays are not returned to the upstream end portion of the supply passage, so that the trays are fed from the return passage to the supply passage at a speed corresponding to a difference between the speed of discharge of the trays from the winding units to the collecting passage and the speed of the feeding of the trays from the bobbin processing apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003]
The disclosure of Patent Literature 1 makes it possible to feed an appropriate number of trays from the bobbin processing apparatus and the return passage to the supply passage. On the other hand, in the automatic winder of Patent Literature 1, after the number of the stored trays in each winding unit reaches the maximum, the trays are supplied to winding units downstream of that winding unit. On this account, for example, there is a case where a particular winding unit does not store any tray whereas a winding unit upstream of the particular winding unit stores trays that are fewer than the maximum stored number. In this case, while trays are further supplied to the upstream winding unit even though yarn winding is still possible at that winding unit, yarn winding is impossible at the particular winding unit. This leads to a decrease in efficiency of winding of yarns by the automatic winder.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic winder that is capable of properly supplying yarn supplying bobbins to winding units.
[0005]
An automatic winder of the present invention comprises: winding units; a supply passage which extends across the winding units and on which at least one tray is conveyed to the winding units, each of the at least one tray supporting a yarn supplying bobbin in a state of standing on the tray; introduction passages which are individually provided in the winding units and are connected to the supply passage to introduce the at least one tray into the winding units; an opening/closing mechanism which is provided on each of the introduction passages and is switchable between an open state in which introduction of the at least one tray from the supply passage to the introduction passage is allowed and a closed state in which the introduction of the at least one tray from the supply passage to the introduction passage is blocked; and a controller, the controller switching the opening/closing mechanism between the open state and the closed state in accordance with the number of the trays on each of the introduction passages.
[0006]
According to this arrangement of the present invention, by switching each opening/closing mechanism between the open state and the closed state in accordance with the number of the trays on each of the introduction passages, it is possible to suitably supply the trays to the winding units by, for example, preferentially introducing the trays to an introduction passage where no tray is provided and an introduction passage where the number of trays is small.
[0007]
In the automatic winder of the present invention, the controller obtains tray quantity information regarding the number of the trays on each of the introduction passages, based on the tray quantity information of each of the introduction passages, the controller sets a threshold which is shared between the introduction passages and based on which whether the opening/closing mechanism is set in the open state or the closed state is determined, and the opening/closing mechanism on each of the introduction passages is switched between the open state and the closed state based on the relationship between the number of the trays on the each of the introduction passages indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold.
[0008]
According to this arrangement of the present invention, the threshold which is shared between the introduction passages is set based on plural sets of tray quantity information of the introduction passages. The opening/closing mechanism on each introduction passage is switched between the open state and the closed state based on the relationship between the number of trays indicated by the tray quantity information for that introduction passage and the threshold. With this arrangement, switching between the open state and the closed state of each opening/closing mechanism can be easily performed according to the number of trays on each of the introduction passages.
[0009]
In the automatic winder of the present invention, the controller sets the threshold so that the opening/closing mechanism provided on an introduction passage on which the number of the trays is the smallest is in the open state and the opening/closing mechanism on each of the introduction passages on which the number of the trays is larger than the smallest number is in the closed state.
[0010]
According to this arrangement of the present invention, it is possible to preferentially introduce the trays to an introduction passage having the smallest number of trays.
[0011]
In the automatic winder of the present invention, among the introduction passages on each of which the opening/closing mechanism set in the open state based on the relationship between the number of the trays indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold is provided, the controller regards an introduction passage that is connected to the most downstream part of the supply passage as a first introduction passage, and when there is a second introduction passage that is an introduction passage connected to a downstream part of the supply passage as compared to the first introduction passage, the controller sets the opening/closing mechanism provided on the second introduction passage in the open state.
[0012]
When the opening/closing mechanism on the first introduction passage is switched to the open state after a tray passes through the junction between the supply passage and the first introduction passage, the tray cannot be introduced into any introduction passage if the second introduction passage is in the closed state. According to the arrangement of the present invention, because the opening/closing mechanism provided on the second introduction passage is set in the open state, the tray can be supplied to the second introduction passage in the case described above. This makes it possible to efficiently introduce the trays into the introduction passages.
[0013]
In the automatic winder of the present invention, among the introduction passages on each of which the opening/closing mechanism set in the open state based on the relationship between the number of the trays indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold is provided, the controller regards an introduction passage that is connected to the most downstream part of the supply passage as a first introduction passage, and when there is a second introduction passage that is an introduction passage connected to a downstream part of the supply passage as compared to the first introduction passage, the controller switches the opening/closing mechanism provided on the second introduction passage between the open state and the closed state based on whether a predetermined condition that is different from the relationship between the number of the trays on the second introduction passage indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold is satisfied.
[0014]
When the opening/closing mechanism on the first introduction passage is switched to the open state after a tray passes through the junction between the supply passage and the first introduction passage, the tray cannot be introduced into any introduction passage if the second introduction passage is in the closed state. According to the arrangement of the present invention, the opening/closing mechanism on the second introduction passage is switched between the open state and the closed state based on whether the tray quantity information for the second introduction passage satisfies the predetermined condition. On this account, the trays are efficiently introduced into the introduction passages in the case described above.
[0015]
In the automatic winder of the present invention, the controller sets, in the open state, the opening/closing mechanism on the second introduction passage on which the number of the trays indicated by the tray quantity information is larger by one than the number of the trays on the first introduction passage indicated by the tray quantity information.
[0016]
According to the arrangement of the present invention, because the opening/closing mechanism provided on the second introduction passage on which the number of the trays is larger than that on the first introduction passage by one is set in the open state, the tray can be supplied to the second introduction passage on which the number of the trays is larger than that on the first introduction passage by one, in the case described above. This makes it possible to efficiently introduce the trays into the second introduction passage having the second smallest number of trays behind the first introduction passage.
[0017]
In the automatic winder of the present invention, the controller sets, in the closed state, the opening/closing mechanism on an introduction passage on which the maximum allowed number of the trays are provided.
[0018]
This arrangement of the present invention makes it possible to prevent the trays from being introduced into the introduction passage where the number of the trays has already been the maximum.
[0019]
In the automatic winder of the present invention, the controller sets, in the closed state, the opening/closing mechanism on an introduction passage provided for a winding unit that is not in operation among the winding units, regardless of the number of trays provided on that introduction passage.
[0020]
According to this arrangement of the present invention, no tray is supplied to the introduction passage provided for the winding unit that is not in operation. This makes it possible to preferentially supply the trays to the winding unit that is in operation.
[0021]
In the automatic winder of the present invention, each of the winding units includes a unit stop detection unit that is configured to detect occurrence of unit stop, and the controller sets, in the closed state, the opening/closing mechanism on an introduction passage of a winding unit where the unit stop occurs among the winding units.
[0022]
According to this arrangement of the present invention, no tray is supplied to the introduction passage provided for the winding unit where the unit stop occurs. This makes it possible to preferentially supply the trays to the winding unit where unit stop has not occurred. The winding unit where the unit stop occurs indicates a winding unit where winding of a yarn has been stopped due to, for example, maintenance or the occurrence of a malfunction that interrupts the continuation of automatic driving.
[0023]
In the automatic winder of the present invention, the opening/closing mechanism includes a plate-shaped rotation member which is rotatable about a shaft extending in an up-down direction and has a notch formed at least part of the rotation member in a circumferential direction, the opening/closing mechanism is in the open state when the rotation member is at a position where the notch overlaps the introduction passage in the up-down direction and is connected to the supply passage, and the opening/closing mechanism is in the closed state when the rotation member is at a position where the notch does not overlap the introduction passage in the up-down direction or is not connected to the supply passage.
[0024]
According to this arrangement of the present invention, switching between the open state and the closed state is performed by rotating the rotation member having the notch at a part in the circumferential direction.
[0025]
According to the present invention, it is possible to suitably supply the trays to the winding units.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an automatic winder of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2(a) is a plan view of a tray stopper in a state in which feeding of trays has been stopped, whereas FIG. 2(b) is a plan view of the tray stopper in a state in which trays are being fed.
FIG. 3(a) is a plan view of an individual passage and its surroundings in a state in which introduction of trays from a supply passage to an introduction passage is blocked, whereas FIG. 3(b) is a plan view of the individual passage and its surroundings in a state in which introduction of trays from the supply passage to the introduction passage is allowed.
FIG. 4(a) is a plan view of the individual passage and its surroundings when trays introduced from the supply passage to the introduction passage are guided by a first guide, whereas FIG. 4(b) is a plan view of the individual passage and its surroundings when the introduced trays are guided by a second guide.
FIG. 5(a) is a plan view of the individual passage and its surroundings when trays are fed to a discharge passage against the biasing force of a pressing unit, whereas FIG. 5(b) is a plan view of the individual passage and its surroundings when the trays are transported on the discharge passage.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an electric configuration of the automatic winder.
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for explaining communication of signals between a main controller and each unit controller.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process of switching between an open state and a closed state of an opening/closing mechanism in each individual control.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process of feeding trays by the main controller.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process of switching between an open state and a closed state of an opening/closing mechanism in each individual control in a modification 1.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an automatic winder of a modification 2.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an automatic winder of a modification 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027]
The following will describe a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is noted that the definitions of the directions shown in the drawings will be suitably used hereinbelow.
[0028]

As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic winder 1 includes winding units 11 aligned in a left-right direction, a bobbin processing apparatus 12 arranged at a left end portion, a control box 13 arranged at a right end portion, and a tray conveying device 14 provided in a region where the winding units 11 are arranged (i.e., a region between the bobbin processing apparatus 12 and the control box 13).
[0029]

The winding unit 11 is configured to unwind a yarn from a yarn supplying bobbin S supported in a state of standing on a tray T supplied from a later-described supply passage 31 and to wind the unwound yarn, so as to form an unillustrated package. The winding unit 11 includes a unit stop sensor 21 (see FIG. 6). The unit stop sensor 21 is configured to detect the occurrence of unit stop in the winding unit 11. The unit stop indicates that winding of a yarn has been stopped due to, for example, maintenance or the occurrence of a malfunction that interrupts the continuation of automatic driving.
[0030]

The bobbin processing apparatus 12 supplies a tray T, which supports a yarn supplying bobbin S, to the tray conveying device 14, and collects a tray T which supports an empty bobbin E returned from the tray conveying device 14. The bobbin processing apparatus 12 performs processes such as pullout from a yarn supplying bobbin S and removal of a remaining yarn from an empty bobbin E. While the present embodiment assumes that a yarn supplying bobbin S is supplied from an unillustrated spinning machine to the bobbin processing apparatus 12, a yarn supplying bobbin S spun at the spinning machine may be supplied to the bobbin processing apparatus 12 by an operator.
[0031]

The control box 13 has an operating panel 16. The operating panel 16 is provided on a front surface of the control box 13, allowing the operator to input a winding condition, etc. In addition, the operating panel 16 displays operation states and abnormalities of the winding units 11.
[0032]

The tray conveying device 14 conveys trays T between the bobbin processing apparatus 12 and the winding units 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the tray conveying device 14 has a supply passage 31, a feeding passage 32, a collecting passage 33, and multiple individual passages 34. The conveyance of trays T on each passage is carried out by a conveyor device 39 (see FIG. 6) consisting of a belt conveyor and the like provided in each passage. It is noted that arrows in FIG. 1 indicate a conveyance direction of the trays T. (The same applies to other drawings.)
[0033]
The supply passage 31 is located rearward of the winding units 11 and extends in a left-right direction across the winding units 11. On the supply passage 31, the trays T are transported from the right side to the left side. The tray conveying device 14 has a first tray sensor 29 which is configured to detect a tray T having reached a downstream end portion (left end portion) of the supply passage 31.
[0034]
The feeding passage 32 is located rearward of the supply passage 31 and extends along the left-right direction. Both end portions of the feeding passage 32 are connected to both end portions of the supply passage 31, respectively. The left end portion of the feeding passage 32 is connected to the bobbin processing apparatus 12. In the feeding passage 32, trays T supplied from the bobbin processing apparatus 12 and trays T returned from the supply passage 31 are conveyed from left to right.
[0035]
At the downstream end portion (right end portion) of the feeding passage 32, a first tray stopper 35 is provided to feed the trays T toward the supply passage 31. On the immediately upstream side (left side) of the tray stopper 35 on the feeding passage 32, a second tray sensor 27 is provided to detect the trays T on the feeding passage 32.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b), the tray stopper 35 includes an arm 41, a first roller 42, and a second roller 43. The arm 41 is connected to an arm driving source 38 (see FIG. 6), and is swingable about a shaft 41a extending in the up-down direction. For example, a solenoid valve is employed as the arm driving source 38. The arm 41 has a first portion 41b and a second portion 41c that extend in two directions, respectively. The first portion 41b is on the downstream side (right side) of the feeding passage 32 as compared to the second portion 41c.
[0037]
The first roller 42 is provided at a leading end portion of the first portion 41b of the arm 41. The first roller 42 is supported by the first portion 41b of the arm 41 to be rotatable about a first shaft 42a extending in the up-down direction. The second roller 43 is provided at a leading end portion of the second portion 41c of the arm 41. The second roller 43 is supported by the second portion 41c of the arm 41 to be rotatable about a second shaft 43a extending in the up-down direction.
[0038]
When not feeding the trays T, the tray stopper 35 takes a posture shown in FIG. 2(a). In this state, the second roller 42 is able to make contact with trays T on the feeding passage 32, while the second roller 43 is not able to make contact with the trays T on the feeding passage 32. With this arrangement, the trays T having been conveyed on the feeding passage 32 are not conveyed any further as they make contact with the first roller 42. While the tray stopper 35 is in the state shown in FIG. 2(a), the trays T conveyed on the feeding passage 32 are stopped by the tray stopper 35 and stored on the feeding passage 32.
[0039]
When feeding the trays T, the tray stopper 35 performs a feeding operation in such a way that the arm 41 is swung about the first shaft 41a in a clockwise direction when viewed from above to establish the state shown in FIG. 2(b) and then the state shown in FIG. 2(a) is established again by swinging the arm 41 in the opposite direction. When the tray stopper 35 is in the state shown in FIG. 2(b), the first roller 42 no longer makes contact with the tray T on the feeding passage 32 and the second roller 43 becomes able to make contact with the tray T on the feeding passage 32. As a result, the trays T having been stopped by the first roller 42 are fed towards the supply passage 31. The trays T to be subsequently fed are stopped by the second roller 43. As the arm 41 is swung in the opposite direction and the state shown in FIG. 2(a) is established again, the trays T having been stopped by the second roller 43 are stopped by the first roller 42.
[0040]
The tray conveying device 14 has a third tray sensor 28 configured to detect trays T fed from the bobbin processing apparatus 12. At a junction with the supply passage 31 on the left side of the feeding passage 32, a bridge breaker 36 is provided. The bridge breaker 36 is designed to prevent the occurrence of a so-called bridge, which is congestion of the trays T conveyed from the supply passage 31 to the feeding passage 32 and the trays T supplied from the bobbin processing apparatus 12 to the feeding passage 32, at the junction between the feeding passage 32 and the supply passage 31. To be more specific, when the third tray sensor 28 detects a tray T, the bridge breaker 36 is activated and the conveyance of trays T from the bobbin processing apparatus 12 is prioritized. When the state of the detection of a tray T by the third tray sensor 28 continues, the bridge breaker 36 determines that a bridge has occurred due to the congestion of the trays T hitting with one another, and the bridge breaker 36 is repeatedly activated to resolve the bridge of the trays T.
[0041]
The collecting passage 33 is located forward of the winding units 11 and extends in the left-right direction across the winding units 11. A left end portion of the collecting passage 33 is connected to the bobbin processing apparatus 12. In the collecting passage 33, a tray T that supports an empty bobbin E from which a yarn has been unwound by the winding unit 11 is conveyed from right to left and finally returned to the bobbin processing apparatus 12.
[0042]
The individual passages 34 are individually provided for the respective winding units 11. The individual passages 34 are located between the supply passage 31 and the collecting passage 33 in the front-rear direction and are aligned in the left-right direction. Each individual passage 34 extends in the front-rear direction and has curves. A rear end portion is connected to the supply passage 31 whereas a front end portion is connected to the collecting passage 33.
[0043]
Each individual passage 34 is composed of an introduction passage 34a and a discharge passage 34b. In the individual passage 34, the introduction passage 34a corresponds to a portion at the winding position and a portion rearward of that portion. The introduction passage 34a is connected to the supply passage 31. The discharge passage 34b is a portion of the individual passage 34, which is forward of the winding position. The discharge passage 34b is connected to the collecting passage 33. The winding position refers to a position on the individual passage 34 where a tray T supported by a yarn supplying bobbin S is located, when the winding unit 11 unwinds a yarn from that yarn supplying bobbin S. On each introduction passage 34a, three trays T including the tray T at the winding position can be provided at the maximum. It is noted that the maximum number of trays T on each introduction passage 34a is not limited to this.
[0044]
Furthermore, as shown in FIGs. 3(a) and 3(b), each individual passage 34 has a first guide 51 (an opening/closing mechanism and a rotation member of the present invention), a second guide 52, an in-unit tray sensor 53, and a tray pressing unit 54.
[0045]
The first guide 51 is provided in the vicinity of a junction between the supply passage 31 and the introduction passage 34a. The first guide 51 is a circular plate-shaped member. The first guide 51 is attached to be rotatable about a first rotational shaft 51a provided at the center of the first guide 51 and extends in the up-down direction. The first guide 51 has a notch 51b at a part in the circumferential direction. The first guide 51 is provided below a cover member forming the supply passage 31, the feeding passage 32, the collecting passage 33, and the individual passage 34. While the first guide 51 is circular in shape in the present embodiment, it may be oval in shape. The circular first guide 51 may have an arc-shaped portion where the outer edge is not aligned with the circular contour. Furthermore, the number of notches 51b in the circumferential direction of the first guide 51 may not be one but more than one (e.g., three).
[0046]
The first guide 51 is rotationally driven by a first motor 56 (see FIG. 6). The first motor 56 is a motor that can control the rotational phase perform forward and reverse rotations. The first motor 56 is, for example, a stepping motor.
[0047]
The second guide 52 is positioned downstream of the first guide 51 on the introduction passage 34a. The second guide 52 is a long and narrow rod-shaped plate, with each end portion being a guide piece 52b. The second guide 52 is attached to be rotatable about a second rotational shaft 52a provided at the center of the second guide 52 and extends in the up-down direction. The second guide 52 is provided below the cover member forming the supply passage 31, the feeding passage 32, the collecting passage 33, and the individual passage 34.
[0048]
The second guide 52 is rotationally driven by a second motor 57 (see FIG. 6). The second motor 57 can control the rotational phase. The second motor 57 is, for example, a stepping motor. The first motor 56 and the second motor 57 are different motors, and hence they can operate individually.
[0049]
The first guide 51 and the second guide 52 have different positions in the up-down direction (rotational axis direction). Therefore, even if the first guide 51 and the second guide 52 overlap each other when viewed in the up-down direction, they do not interfere with each other. The first guide 51 and the second guide 52 press the tray T at portions that are different in the up-down direction. On this account, it is easy to cause the first guide 51 and the second guide 52 to simultaneously press the tray T. While in the present embodiment the second guide 52 is provided below the first guide 51, the second guide 52 may be provided above the first guide 51.
[0050]
The in-unit tray sensor 53 is configured to detect the entry of a tray T into the introduction passage 34a. The tray pressing unit 54 is a member for aligning a tray T with the winding position. The tray pressing unit 54 includes a swing shaft 54a extending in the up-down direction, a main body 54b, a rail 54c, and a contact portion 54d. The main body 54b is swingable along the rail 54c about the swing shaft 54a. The main body 54b is biased towards the upstream side of the individual passage 34 by an unillustrated biasing member. The contact portion 54d is attached to a leading end portion of the main body 54b and makes contact with the tray T. The contact portion 54d is, for example, made of resin. The contact portion 54d presses the tray T toward the upstream side (rear side) to hold the tray T by utilizing the biasing force of the biasing member.
[0051]

Now, the following will explain the switching between allowance and prohibition of introduction of trays T from the supply passage 31 to the introduction passage 34a and the conveyance of the trays T introduced from the supply passage 31 to the introduction passage 34a.
[0052]
The first guide 51 is switchable between a closed state shown in FIG. 3(a) and an open state shown in FIG. 3(b) by rotating about the first rotation shaft 51a.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 3(a), when the first guide 51 is in the closed state, the junction between the introduction passage 34a and the supply passage 31 is closed by a portion of the first guide 51 where the notch 51b is not formed. As a result, the introduction of the trays T from the supply passage 31 to the introduction passage 34a is blocked, and the trays T are guided along the outer edge of the first guide 51 and transported toward the downstream side on the supply passage 31.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 3(b), when the first guide 51 is in the open state, the notch 51b of the first guide 51 overlaps the junction between the introduction passage 34a and the supply passage 31 in the up-down direction, with the result that the notch 51b is connected to the supply passage 31. This allows the introduction of a tray T from the supply passage 31 to the introduction passage 34a. The tray T introduced from the supply passage 31 to the introduction passage 34a fits inside the notch 51b.
[0055]
The first guide 51 guides the tray T fitting inside the notch 51b. To be more specific, as shown in FIG. 4(a), when a tray T fits inside the notch 51b, a wall portion of the notch 51b presses the tray T as the first guide 51 rotates. This causes the tray T to be guided and moved toward the downstream side (front side) on the introduction passage 34a.
[0056]
The second guide 52 guides the tray T having been conveyed with the guidance of the first guide 51, by using the guide piece 52b. To be more specific, as shown in FIG. 4(b), as the second guide 52 rotates clockwise, the guide piece 52b of the second guide 52 presses the tray T. This causes the tray T to be guided and moved toward the downstream side (front side) on the individual passage 34 (introduction passage 34a).
[0057]
After the second guide 52 starts to guide the tray T, if introduction of another tray T from the supply passage 31 to the introduction passage 34a is not desired, the first guide 51 is rotated to, for example, a position shown in FIG. 3(a) to establish the closed state. On the other hand, if introduction of another tray T from the supply passage 31 to the introduction passage 34a is desired, the first guide 51 is rotated to a position shown in FIG. 3(b) to establish the open state.
[0058]
The tray pressing unit 54 holds the tray T having been guided by the second guide 52, by pressing the tray T toward the upstream side (rear side) by the contact portion 54d. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the tray T is sandwiched between the second guide 52 and the tray pressing unit 54, and hence the tray T is held at the winding position. In this state, the winding unit 11 unwinds a yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin S supported by the tray T at the winding position.
[0059]
After the unwinding of the yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin S supported by the tray T at the winding position is completed and an empty bobbin E is supported by the same tray T, the second guide 52 is rotated clockwise. At this stage, as the second guide 52 is rotated by a force exceeding the biasing force of the biasing member biasing the tray pressing unit 54, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the guide piece 52b conveys the tray T while pushing the tray pressing unit 54 away. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the tray T is discharged to the discharge passage 34b. The tray T discharged to the discharge passage 34b is conveyed to the collecting passage 33.
[0060]

Now, an electric structure of the automatic winder 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the automatic winder 1 includes a main controller 61 and unit controllers 62. In the present embodiment, a combination of the main controller 61 and the unit controllers 62 is equivalent to a controller of the present invention.
[0061]
The main controller 61 is provided in a control box 13. The main controller 61 controls members such as the conveyor device 39, the arm driving source 38, the operating panel 16, the tray stopper 35, and the bridge breaker 36. The main controller 61 receives signals from the tray sensors 27, 28, and 29. The main controller 61 is connected in a communicable manner with the unit controllers 62, and performs communication of signals with the unit controllers 62.
[0062]
The unit controllers 62 are provided for the respective winding units 11 and control the operations of the corresponding winding units 11. Furthermore, the unit controller 62 controls members such as the first motor 56 and the second motor 57. The unit controller 62 receives signals from the unit stop sensor 21 and the in-unit tray sensor 53.
[0063]

In the present embodiment, switching between the open state and the closed state of the first guide 51 provided on each introduction passage 34a is performed according to the number of trays T on the introduction passages 34a. The following will describe control for this switching.
[0064]
In the present embodiment, for the above-described switching, communication of signals between the main controller 61 and each unit controller 62 is performed as shown in FIG. 7. To be more specific, each unit controller 62 sends, to the main controller 61, tray quantity information indicating the number of trays T on the corresponding introduction passage 34a (S101).
[0065]
In this connection, in the present embodiment, as three trays T can be provided on each introduction passage 34a at the maximum, each unit controller 62 stores three types of flags in accordance with the number of trays T on the introduction passage 34a. The three flags are a flag indicating that there is one tray T on the introduction passage 34a, a flag indicating that there are two trays T on in introduction passage 34a, and a flag indicating that there are three trays T on the introduction passage 34a. When there is no tray T on the introduction passage 34a, all of the three types of flags are turned off. When there is at least one tray T on the introduction passage 34a, one of the three flags corresponding to the number of trays T on the introduction passage 34a is turned on, whereas the remaining two flags are turned off. In the present embodiment, for example, each unit controller 62 switches the on and off of the three flags based on the detection of a tray T by the in-unit tray sensor 53 and the discharge of a tray T to the discharge passage 34b by the second guide 52. However, in the winding unit 11 where the occurrence of unit stop is detected by the unit stop sensor 21, regardless of the number of trays T on the introduction passage 34a, a flag indicating that there are three trays T on the introduction passage 34a (i.e., indicating that the number of trays T is the maximum) is turned on, whereas the other flags are turned off. In S101, each unit controller 62 transmits the information of the on and off the three types of flags to the main controller 61, as the tray quantity information.
[0066]
The main controller 61 sets a common threshold Na for the introduction passages 34a based on the above-described information of the on and off of the flags received from the unit controllers 62 (S102), and sends the information of the threshold Na to the unit controllers 62 (S103). In the present embodiment, in S102, the main controller 61 sets the number of trays T on an introduction passage 34a, which has the fewest trays T among the introduction passages 34a, as the threshold Na.
[0067]
Each unit controller 62 transmits, to the main controller 61, information of the open/close state indicating whether the corresponding first guide 51 is in the open state or the closed state (S104). The main controller 61 transmits, to each unit controller 62, information indicating whether the corresponding introduction passage 34a is regarded as a later-described second introduction passage, based on the number of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information regarding the winding units 11 received in S101, the threshold Na set in S102, and the information of the open/close state of the first guides 51 received in S104 (S105).
[0068]
The main controller 61 and the unit controllers 62 repeatedly perform the steps S101 to S105 at, for example, constant intervals.
[0069]
In the present embodiment, each unit controller 62 switches the corresponding first guide 51 between the open state and the closed state by performing the process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8.
[0070]
The following will detail the flowchart shown in FIG. 8. To begin with, the unit controller 62 determines whether the corresponding winding unit 11 has been stopped in operation (S201). When the winding unit 11 has been stopped in operation, for example, the power source of the winding unit 11 has been turned off. When the corresponding winding unit 11 has been stopped in operation (YES in S201), the unit controller 62 sets the corresponding first guide 51 in the closed state (S205) and the process goes back to S201. To set the first guide 51 in the closed state indicates either to switch the first guide 51 from the open state to the closed state by controlling the first motor 56 to rotate the first guide 51, when the first guide 51 is in the open state, or to maintain the first guide 51 to be in the closed state when the first guide 51 is in the closed state.
[0071]
When the corresponding winding unit 11 has not been stopped (NO in S201), the unit controller 62 determines whether the flag indicating that the maximum number of (three in the present embodiment) trays T are provided on the introduction passage 34a is turned on (S202). In the present embodiment, when the maximum number of trays T are provided on the introduction passage 34a and unit stop has occurred in the winding unit 11, the flag indicating that the maximum number of trays T are provided on the introduction passage 34a is turned on. When the flag indicating that three trays T are provided on the introduction passage 34a is turned on (YES in S202), the unit controller 62 sets the corresponding first guide 51 in the closed state (S205) and the process goes back to S201.
[0072]
When the flag indicating that three trays T are provided on the introduction passage 34a is turned off (NO in S202), the unit controller 62 determines whether or not the number N of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information is equal to or less than a threshold Na received in S103 described above (S203). If the number N of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information is equal to or less than the threshold Na (YES in S203), the unit controller 62 sets the corresponding first guide 51 in the open state (S206), and the process returns to S201. To set the first guide 51 in the open state indicates either to switch the first guide 51 from the closed state to the open state by controlling the first motor 56 to rotate the first guide 51, when the first guide 51 is in the closed state, or to maintain the first guide 51 to be in the open state when the first guide 51 is in the open state.
[0073]
When the number N of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information is more than the threshold Na (NO in S203), the unit controller 62 determines whether the introduction passage 34a is regarded as the second introduction passage, based on the information received in the above-described S106 (S204). In this connection, among the introduction passages 34a on each of which the first guide 51 set in the open state based on the relationship between the number N of the trays T indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold Na is provided, the introduction passage 34a that is connected to the most downstream part of the supply passage 31 is deemed as a first introduction passage. The second introduction passage is the introduction passage 34a that is connected to the supply passage 31 at a part on the downstream side of the first introduction passage.
[0074]
When the introduction passage 34a is not regarded as the second introduction passage (NO in S204), the unit controller 62 sets the corresponding first guide 51 in the closed state (S205) and the process goes back to S201. When the introduction passage 34a is regarded as the second introduction passage (YES in S204), the unit controller 62 sets the corresponding first guide 51 in the open state (S206) and the process goes back to S201.
[0075]

In the present embodiment, the tray stopper 35 is controlled in accordance with conditions such as the open state and the closed state of the first guides 51, and a tray T is fed from the feeding passage 32 to the supply passage 31. In the present embodiment, to achieve this feeding of the tray T, the main controller 61 performs a process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9.
[0076]
The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 will be detailed. To begin with, the main controller 61 sets a feeding number M1 (S301). To be more specific, for example, the main controller 61 sets the feeding number M1 at a number identical with the number of first guides 51 in the open state. Alternatively, for example, the main controller 61 sets the feeding number M1 at a number larger than the number of first guides 51 in the open state. In this case, the user may be allowed to change, through the operating panel 16, to what extent the feeding number M1 is larger than the number of the first guides 51 in the open state.
[0077]
Subsequently, the main controller 61 starts the feeding of the trays T from the feeding passage 32 to the supply passage 31 by controlling the tray stopper 35 (S302). When the feeding of M1 trays T has not been completed (NO in S303) and none of the first guides 51 in the closed state has been switched from the closed state to the open state (NO in S304), the main controller 61 continues the feeding of the trays T from the feeding passage 32 to the supply passage 31 by controlling the tray stopper 35.
[0078]
When any of the first guides 51 is switched from the closed state to the open state (YES in S304) before the completion of the feeding of M1 trays T (NO in S303), the main controller 61 corrects the feeding number M1 (S305) and goes back to S303. To be more specific, the main controller 61 increases the feeding number M1 by the number of the first guides 51 that have been switched from the closed state to the open state. The case where any of the first guides 51 is switched from the closed state to the open state before the completion of the feeding of M1 trays T (NO in S303) is, for example, a case where, before the completion of the feeding of M1 trays T, unwinding of a yarn from a yarn supplying bobbin S is completed at a winding unit 11, a tray T is discharged to the discharge passage 34b, and the number N of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information for an introduction passage 34a corresponding to that winding unit 11 becomes equal to or less than the threshold Na.
[0079]
When the feeding of M1 trays T is completed (YES in S303), the main controller 61 sets a feeding number M2 (S306). To be more specific, the main controller 61 increases the feeding number M2 as the total number of trays T on the introduction passages 34a decreases (i.e., the number of trays T that can be introduced to the introduction passages 34a increases).
[0080]
Until the feeding of M2 trays T is completed (NO in S307), the main controller 61 continues the feeding of the trays T from the feeding passage 32 to the supply passage 31 by controlling the tray stopper 35.
[0081]
When the feeding of M2 trays is completed (YES in S307), the main controller 61 stops the feeding of the trays T from the feeding passage 32 to the supply passage 31 by controlling the tray stopper 35 (S308). Then the main controller 61 waits for a change of the threshold Na (NO in S309), and when the threshold Na is changed (YES in S309), the main controller 61 waits for the elapse of a delay time (NO in S310). When the delay time elapses (YES in S310), the process goes back to S301 and the feeding number M1 is set in accordance with the number of first guides 51 in the open state after the change of the threshold Na.
[0082]

In the present embodiment, switching between the open state and the closed state of each first guide 51 is performed according to the number of trays T on each of the introduction passages 34a. On this account, it is possible to suitably supply the trays T to the winding units 11 by, for example, preferentially introducing the trays T to an introduction passage 34a where no tray T is provided and an introduction passage 34a where the number of trays T is small.
[0083]
In the present embodiment, the threshold Na which is shared between the introduction passages 34a is set based on plural sets of tray quantity information of the introduction passages 34a. The first guide 51 on each introduction passage 34a is switched between the open state and the closed state based on the relationship between the number of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information for that introduction passage 34a and the threshold Na. With this arrangement, switching between the open state and the closed state of each first guide 51 can be easily performed according to the number of trays T on each of the introduction passages 34a.
[0084]
In the present embodiment, the threshold Na is set at the number of trays T on an introduction passage 34a with the fewest number of trays T among the introduction passages 34a. On this account, it is possible to preferentially introduce the trays T to an introduction passage 34a having the smallest number of trays T.
[0085]
In the present embodiment, the first guide 51 on the first introduction passage may be switched to the open state after a tray T passes through the junction between the supply passage 31 and the first introduction passage. In this case, if the second introduction passage is in the closed state, the tray T is not introduced into any of the introduction passages 34a and returned to the feeding passage 32. In this regard, as described above, the first introduction passage is the introduction passage 34a that is connected to the most downstream part of the supply passage 31, among the introduction passages 34a on each of which the first guide 51 set in the open state based on the relationship between the number N of the trays T indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold Na is provided. Furthermore, as described above, the second introduction passage is the introduction passage 34a that is connected to the supply passage 31 at a part on the downstream side of the first introduction passage.
[0086]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, regardless of the number N of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information for the second introduction passage, the first guide 51 provided on the second introduction passage is switched to the open state. This makes it possible to introduce the trays T into the second introduction passage even if the trays T are not introduced into the first introduction passage as described above, with the result that the trays T are efficiently introduced into the introduction passages 34a.
[0087]
In the present embodiment, the first guide 51 provided on the introduction passage 34a on which the maximum allowed number of trays T can be provided is switched to the closed state. This prevents the trays T from being introduced into the introduction passage 34a where the number of the trays T has already been the maximum.
[0088]
Even if a tray T is supplied to a winding unit 11 that has been stopped, no yarn is unwound from a yarn supplying bobbin S supported by this tray T. On this account, trays T are preferably supplied not to a winding unit 11 that has been stopped but to a winding unit 11 that is in operation. Under this circumstance, in the present embodiment, a first guide 51 corresponding to a winding unit 11 that has been stopped is set in the closed state regardless of the relationship between the number N of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold Na. This makes it possible to preferentially supply the trays T to the winding unit 11 that is in operation.
[0089]
Furthermore, even if a tray T is supplied to a winding unit 11 where unit stop has occurred, no yarn is unwound from a yarn supplying bobbin S supported by this tray T. On this account, trays T are preferably supplied not to a winding unit 11 where unit stop has occurred but to a winding unit 11 where unit stop has not occurred. Under this circumstance, in the present embodiment, a first guide 51 corresponding to a winding unit 11 where unit stop has occurred is set in the closed state regardless of the relationship between the number N of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold Na. This makes it possible to preferentially supply the trays T to the winding unit 11 where unit stop has not occurred.
[0090]
In the present embodiment, switching between the open state and the closed state is performed by rotating the first guide 51 having the notch 51b at a part in the circumferential direction.
[0091]
(Modifications)
A preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
[0092]
In the embodiment above, the first guide 51 corresponding to the winding unit 11 where unit stop has occurred is set in the closed state regardless of the relationship between the number N of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold Na. The disclosure, however, is not limited to this arrangement. The first guide 51 corresponding to the winding unit 11 where unit stop has occurred may also be switched between the open state and the closed state based on the relationship between the number N of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold Na.
[0093]
In the embodiment above, the first guide 51 corresponding to the winding unit 11 that has been stopped is set in the closed state regardless of the relationship between the number N of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold Na. The disclosure, however, is not limited to this arrangement. The first guide 51 corresponding to the winding unit 11 that has been stopped may also be switched between the open state and the closed state based on the relationship between the number N of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold Na.
[0094]
In the embodiment above, when the maximum number of trays T are provided on an introduction passage 34a, the first guide 51 provided on that introduction passage 34a is switched to the closed state. Due to this, a tray conveyed on the supply passage 31 is guided to the outer circumferential surface of the first guide 51, passes through the junction with the introduction passage 34a, and is conveyed to the downstream of the supply passage 31. As a result, no more tray T is introduced into the introduction passage 34a. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, when the maximum number of trays T are provided on an introduction passage 34a, an edge of the most upstream tray T on the introduction passage 34a may be positioned at the junction between the introduction passage 34a and the supply passage 31. In this case, as a tray T conveyed on the supply passage 31 is guided to the edge of the tray T at the junction between the introduction passage 34a and the supply passage 31, the conveyed tray T passes through the junction with the introduction passage 34a and is conveyed to the downstream of the supply passage 31. Therefore, in this case, even if the maximum allowed number of trays T are provided on the introduction passage 34a, the first guide 51 provided on that introduction passage 34a may be switched to the open state.
[0095]
While in the embodiment above the first guides 51 corresponding to the second introduction passages are all in the open state, the disclosure is not limited to this arrangement. For example, the first guide 51 corresponding to the second introduction passage may be set in the closed state based on the relationship between the number N of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold Na.
[0096]
Alternatively, the first guide 51 corresponding to the second introduction passage may be switched between the open state and the closed state based on a condition that is not the relationship between the number N of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold Na. For example, according to a modification 1, each unit controller 62 switches the corresponding first guide 51 between the open state and closed state by performing the process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 10. The flowchart in FIG. 10 is identical with the flowchart in FIG. 8 except a process after it is determined that the introduction passage 34a is regarded as the second introduction passage in S204.
[0097]
In the modification 1, when the introduction passage 34a is regarded as the second introduction passage (YES in S204), it is determined whether the number N of the trays T indicated by the tray quantity information for that introduction passage 34a is larger than the threshold Na by one (S401). In other words, it is determined whether the number of trays T on the introduction passage 34a is larger than the number of trays T on the first introduction passage by one.
[0098]
If the number N of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information for the introduction passage 34a is larger than the threshold Na by one (YES in S401), the unit controller 62 sets the corresponding first guide 51 in the open state (S206), and the process returns to S201. If the number N of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information for the introduction passage 34a is larger than the threshold Na by two or more (NO in S401), the unit controller 62 sets the corresponding first guide 51 in the closed state (S205), and the process returns to S201.
[0099]
As described in the embodiment above, if all second introduction passages are in the closed state, the tray T which is not introduced into the first introduction passage is not introduced into any of the introduction passages 34a and returned to the feeding passage 32. On this account, in the modification 1, the first guide 51 on the second introduction passage is switched between the open state and the closed state based on whether the tray quantity information for the second introduction passage satisfies a predetermined condition. This makes it possible to efficiently introduce the trays T into the introduction passages 34a.
[0100]
In the modification 1, at this stage, the first guide 51 provided on the second introduction passage on which the number of trays T is larger than that on the first introduction passage by one is set in the open state. In other words, the first guide 51 provided on the second introduction passage is switched between the open state and the closed state based on whether the number of trays T on the second introduction passage is larger than the number of trays T on the first introduction passage by one. With this arrangement, in the case described above, trays T are supplied to a second introduction passage on which the number of trays T is larger than that on the first introduction passage by one, and trays T are not supplied to a second introduction passage on which the number of trays T is larger than that on the first introduction passage by two or more. As a result, it is possible to efficiently introduce the trays T into the second introduction passage on which the number of trays T is small.
[0101]
While in the modification 1 the first guide 51 corresponding to the second introduction passage is switched between the open state and the closed state based on whether the number of trays T on the second introduction passage is larger than the number of trays T on the first introduction passage by one, the first guide 51 corresponding to the second introduction passage may be switched between the open state and the closed state based on whether a predetermined condition different from the above is satisfied.
[0102]
In the above-described embodiment, the threshold Na is set at a value with which the first guide 51 provided on the introduction passage 34a having the fewest number of trays T is in the open state whereas the other first guides 51 are in the closed state. The disclosure, however, is not limited to this arrangement.
[0103]
For example, where there are a small number of introduction passages 34a on each of which the number of trays T is the smallest, the threshold Na may be set at the number of trays T on an introduction passage 34a having the second smallest number of trays T. In this case, in accordance with the relationship between the number of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information for each introduction passage 34a and the threshold Na, the first guide 51 on the introduction passage 34a having the smallest number of trays T and the first guide 51 on the introduction passage 34a having the second smallest number of trays T are set in the open state whereas the other first guides 51 are set in the closed state.
[0104]
The threshold Na may not be set exclusively based on the number of trays T on the introduction passages 34a. For example, the threshold Na may be set based on the number of trays T on the introduction passages 34a and the remaining yarn amount on the yarn supplying bobbin S supported by the tray T at the winding position on each of the introduction passages 34a. In this case, for example, a sensor for detecting the remaining yarn amount on the yarn supplying bobbin S supported by the tray T located at the winding position may be provided in each winding unit 11, and the information of the remaining yarn amount may be sent from this sensor to the main controller 61.
[0105]
While in the embodiment above the tray quantity information is information of whether the three types of flags are on or off, the disclosure is not limited to this arrangement. For example, each unit controller 62 stores the value of a parameter indicating the number of trays T on the introduction passage 34a, and the tray quantity information may be information about the stored value of the parameter. In this case, this parameter may be defined as a parameter whose value increases as the number of trays T on the introduction passage 34a increases, the first guide 51 provided on the introduction passage 34a where a parameter value is equal to or smaller than the threshold Na may be set in the open state, and the first guide 51 provided on the introduction passage 34a with a parameter value larger than the threshold Na may be set in the closed state. Alternatively, for example, the parameter may be defined as a parameter whose value decreases as the number of trays T on the introduction passage 34a increases, the first guide 51 provided on the introduction passage 34a where a parameter value is equal to or larger than the threshold Na may be set in the open state, and the first guide 51 provided on the introduction passage 34a with a parameter value smaller than the threshold Na may be set in the closed state.
[0106]
In the above-described embodiment, plural sets of tray quantity information are obtained for the respective introduction passages 34a, a single threshold Na is set based on these sets of tray quantity information, and based on the relationship between the number N of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information for each introduction passage 34a and the threshold Na, the first guide 51 on each introduction passage 34a is switched between the open state and the closed state. The disclosure, however, is not limited to this arrangement. The switching between the open state and the closed state of each first guide 51 may be performed according to the number of trays T on each of the introduction passages 34a, based on a standard that is different from the relationship between the number N of trays T indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold Na. For example, the main controller 61 may send information about the winding unit 11 in which the number of trays T on the introduction passage 34a is the smallest to plural unit controllers 62, based on the above-described sets of tray quantity information. Based on this information, the unit controllers 62 may switch the first guide 51 between the open state and the closed state so that the trays T are preferentially supplied to the winding unit 11 in which the number of trays T on the introduction passage 34a is the smallest.
[0107]
In the above embodiment, the plate-shaped first guide 51 having the notch 51b constitutes the opening/closing mechanism which is able to perform switching between the open state in which introduction of the trays T from the supply passage 31 to the introduction passage 34a is allowed and the closed state in which the introduction of the trays T from the supply passage 31 to the introduction passage 34a is blocked. In this regard, the opening/closing mechanism may be arranged differently.
[0108]
The structure of the passages on which the trays T are conveyed in the automatic winder is not limited to the structure described in the embodiment above.
[0109]
For example, in a modification 2, as shown in FIG. 11, an automatic winder 100 includes a merging passage 101, a fourth tray sensor 102, a fifth tray sensor 103, and a tray stopper 104, in addition to the structure of the automatic winder 1 of the embodiment above.
[0110]
The merging passage 101 extends in the left-right direction, and its right end portion is connected to a part of the feeding passage 32, which is to the right of the junction between the feeding passage 32 and the left end portion of the supply passage 31. The left end portion of the merging passage 101 is connected to the bobbin processing apparatus 12. According to the modification 2, a tray T is supplied from the bobbin processing apparatus 12 to the feeding passage 32 and the merging passage 101. The tray T having been supplied from the bobbin processing apparatus 12 to the merging passage 101 is sent to the feeding passage 32.
[0111]
The fourth tray sensor 102 is provided between (i) the junction between the feeding passage 32 and the merging passage 101 and (ii) the bridge breaker 36, and is configured to detect trays T conveyed on the feeding passage 32. The fifth tray sensor 103 is provided on the merging passage 101 and in the vicinity of the feeding passage 32, and is configured to detect trays T sent from the bobbin processing apparatus 12 to the merging passage 101.
[0112]
The tray stopper 104 is provided between (i) the junction between the feeding passage 32 and the merging passage 101 and (ii) the fourth tray sensor 102. The tray stopper 104 has the same structure as the tray stopper 35 and is configured to feed trays T sent from the bobbin processing apparatus 12 and the supply passage 31 rightward. To be more specific, when the fourth tray sensor 102 detects a tray T whereas the fifth tray sensor 103 does not detect a tray T, the tray stopper 104 immediately feed the trays T. On the other hand, when the fourth tray sensor 102 detects a tray T and the fifth tray sensor 103 also detects a tray T, the tray stopper 104 feed the trays T when a predetermined time elapses after a tray T becomes no longer detected by the fifth tray sensor 103.
[0113]
In a modification 3, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, an automatic winder 110 includes plural winding units 11 and plural individual passages 34 in the same manner as in the automatic winder 1 of the embodiment above. The automatic winder 110 includes a first supply passage 111a, a second supply passage 111b, a first feeding passage 112a, a second feeding passage 112b, a first collecting passage 113a, a second collecting passage 113b, and a merging passage 114.
[0114]
The first supply passage 111a extends in the left-right direction across approximately a half of the individual passages 34 on the right side among the individual passages 34, and the rear end portions of these individual passages 34 (introduction passages 34a) are connected to the first supply passage 111a. The second supply passage 111b is provided to the left of the first supply passage 111a and extends in the left-right direction across approximately a half of the individual passages 34 on the left side among the individual passages 34, and the rear end portions of these individual passages 34 (introduction passages 34a) are connected to the second supply passage 111b.
[0115]
The first feeding passage 112a is located rearward of the first supply passage 111a and extends in the left-right direction, and end portions in the left-right direction of the first feeding passage 112a are connected to end portions of the first supply passage 111a, respectively. With this arrangement, a tray T having reached the left end portion of the first supply passage 111a is sent to the first feeding passage 112a.
[0116]
The merging passage 114 is located rearward of the first feeding passage 112a and extends along the left-right direction. A right end portion of the merging passage 114 is connected to a right end portion of the first feeding passage 112a. Furthermore, the merging passage 114 extends leftward to reach a position rearward of the second supply passage 111b, and a left end portion of the merging passage 114 is connected to the bobbin processing apparatus 12. With this arrangement, a tray T is sent from the bobbin processing apparatus 12 to the merging passage 114, and this tray T passes through the right end portion of the first feeding passage 112a and is sent to the first supply passage 111a.
[0117]
In addition to the above, the automatic winder 110 includes a first tray sensor 121 that is configured to detect a tray T that has been conveyed to the vicinity of the right end portion of the first feeding passage 112a. In addition, the automatic winder 110 includes a first tray stopper 122. The first tray stopper 122 is provided at a part of the first feeding passage 112a, which is to the left of the junction between the merging passage 114 and the first feeding passage 112a. The first tray stopper 122 has a similar structure to the tray stopper 35, and feeds a tray T having been conveyed to the vicinity of the right end portion of the first feeding passage 112a towards the right end portion of the first supply passage 111a. In addition, the automatic winder 110 includes a second tray sensor 123 configured to detect a tray T which has been sent from the bobbin processing apparatus 12 to the vicinity of the right end portion of the merging passage 114.
[0118]
In the modification 3, in the same manner as in the embodiment above, the feeding numbers M1 and M2 are set and trays T are fed from the first feeding passage 112a toward the first supply passage 111a by means of the first tray stopper 122. However, in the modification 3, the feeding number M1 is set based on the number of first guides 51 in the open state among the first guides 51 provided on the above-described approximately half of the introduction passages 34a on the right side, which are connected to the first supply passage 111a. Furthermore, the feeding number M2 is set based on the total number of trays T on the above-described approximately half of the introduction passages 34a on the right side, which are connected to the first supply passage 111a.
[0119]
In addition, in the modification 3, when the second tray sensor 123 detects a tray T before the feeding of M1 trays T is completed, the feeding number M1 is decreased by the number of detected trays T. In addition, in the modification 3, when the second tray sensor 123 detects a tray T before the feeding of M2 trays T is completed, the feeding number M2 is decreased by the number of detected trays T. The first tray stopper 122 feeds a tray T at a timing at which the second tray sensor 123 does not detect a tray T.
[0120]
The second feeding passage 112b is located between the second supply passage 111b and the merging passage 114 in the front-rear direction, extends in the left-right direction, and has end portions in the left-right direction, which are connected to the end portions of the second supply passage 111b, respectively. The tray T having reached the left end portion of the second supply passage 111b is sent to the second feeding passage 112b. The left end portion of the second feeding passage 112b is connected to the bobbin processing apparatus 12. The tray T is therefore sent from the bobbin processing apparatus 12 to the second feeding passage 112b.
[0121]
In addition, the automatic winder 110 includes a third tray sensor 124 configured to detect a tray T which has been sent from the bobbin processing apparatus 12 to the second feeding passage 112b. Furthermore, the automatic winder 110 includes a fourth tray sensor 125 that is configured to detect a tray T that has been conveyed to the left end portion of the second supply passage 111b. At the junction between the left end portion of the second feeding passage 112b and the second supply passage 111b, a bridge breaker 126 is provided. The bridge breaker 126 is identical with the bridge breaker 36.
[0122]
In addition to the above, the automatic winder 110 includes a fifth tray sensor 127 that is configured to detect a tray T that has been conveyed to the vicinity of the right end portion of the second feeding passage 112b. In addition to the above, the automatic winder 110 includes a second tray stopper 128 that is configured to feed a tray T that has been conveyed to the vicinity of the right end portion of the second feeding passage 112b toward the right end portion of the second supply passage 111b.
[0123]
The second tray stopper 128 has the same structure as the tray stopper 35. In the modification 3, in the same manner as in the embodiment above, the feeding numbers M1 and M2 are set and trays T are fed from the second feeding passage 112b toward the second supply passage 111b by means of the second tray stopper 128. However, in the modification 3, the feeding number M1 is set based on the number of first guides 51 in the open state among the first guides 51 provided on the above-described approximately half of the introduction passages 34a on the left side, which are connected to the second supply passage 111b. Furthermore, the feeding number M2 is set based on the total number of trays T on the above-described approximately half of the introduction passages 34a on the left side, which are connected to the second supply passage 111b.
[0124]
The first collecting passage 113a is located forward of the above-described approximately half of the individual passages 34 on the right side, extends in the left-right direction across these individual passages 34, and front end portions of these individual passages 34 (discharge passages 34b) are connected to the first collecting passage 113a. The second collecting passage 113b is located forward of the above-described approximately half of the individual passages 34 on the left side, extends in the left-right direction across these individual passages 34, and front end portions of these individual passages 34 (discharge passages 34b) are connected to the second collecting passage 113b. The left end portion of the second collecting passage 113b is connected to the bobbin processing apparatus 12. The first collecting passage 113a passes through a position forward of the second collecting passage 113b and extends leftward, and the left end portion of the first collecting passage 113a is connected to the bobbin processing apparatus 12. As a result, trays T sent from the individual passages 34 to the collecting passages 113a and 113b are returned to the bobbin processing apparatus 12.
[0125]
In the embodiment above, the automatic winder 1 includes the unit controllers 62 that are provided for the respective winding units 11 and are configured to control members such as the winding units 11, the first motors 56, and the second motors, in addition to the main controller 61 configured to perform control such as feeding of the trays T by means of the tray stopper 35. The disclosure, however, is not limited to this arrangement. For example, the automatic winder may include only a main controller, and the main controller may perform the feeding of the trays T by means of the tray stopper 35 and the control of the winding units 11, the first motors 56, and the second motors 57.
[0126]
The control of the feeding of the trays T from the feeding passage to the supply passage is not limited to the control described in the embodiment above. For example, in the above-described embodiment, after the feeding of M1 trays T is completed, the setting of the feeding number M2 and the feeding of M2 trays T may not be performed, and the feeding of the trays T by the tray stopper may be stopped. Alternatively, for example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, even if one of the first guides 51 in the closed state is switched to the open state during the feeding of M1 trays T, the feeding number M1 may not be corrected. Alternatively, for example, in the above-described embodiment, after the completion of the feeding of M2 trays T, when the threshold Na is changed, the process may go back to S301 without waiting for the elapse of the delay time.
[0127]
Furthermore, the number of trays T to be fed may not correspond to the number of the first guides 51 in the open state. For example, the tray stopper may feed trays T at predetermined intervals, irrespective of the number of the first guides 51 in the open state. Alternatively, for example, no tray stopper may be provided, and trays T having reached a part of the feeding passage, which is immediately upstream of the supply passage, may be directly fed toward the supply passage.
, Claims:We claim:

1. An automatic winder comprising:
winding units;
a supply passage which extends across the winding units and on which at least one tray is conveyed, each of the at least one tray supporting a yarn supplying bobbin in a state of standing on the tray;
introduction passages which are individually provided in the winding units and are connected to the supply passage to introduce the at least one tray into the winding units;
an opening/closing mechanism which is provided on each of the introduction passages and is switchable between an open state in which introduction of the at least one tray from the supply passage to the introduction passage is allowed and a closed state in which the introduction of the at least one tray from the supply passage to the introduction passage is blocked; and
a controller, the controller switching the opening/closing mechanism between the open state and the closed state in accordance with the number of the trays on each of the introduction passages.

2. The automatic winder as claimed in claim 1, wherein,
the controller obtains tray quantity information regarding the number of the trays on each of the introduction passages,
based on the tray quantity information of each of the introduction passages, the controller sets a threshold which is shared between the introduction passages and based on which whether the opening/closing mechanism is set in the open state or the closed state is determined, and
the opening/closing mechanism on each of the introduction passages is switched between the open state and the closed state based on the relationship between the number of the trays on the each of the introduction passages indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold.

3. The automatic winder as claimed in claim 2, wherein,
the controller sets the threshold so that the opening/closing mechanism provided on an introduction passage on which the number of the trays is the smallest is in the open state and the opening/closing mechanism on each of the introduction passages on which the number of the trays is larger than the smallest number is in the closed state.

4. The automatic winder as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein,
among the introduction passages on each of which the opening/closing mechanism set in the open state based on the relationship between the number of the trays indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold is provided, the controller regards an introduction passage that is connected to the most downstream part of the supply passage as a first introduction passage, and
when there is a second introduction passage that is an introduction passage connected to a downstream part of the supply passage as compared to the first introduction passage, the controller sets the opening/closing mechanism provided on the second introduction passage in the open state.

5. The automatic winder as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein,
among the introduction passages on each of which the opening/closing mechanism set in the open state based on the relationship between the number of the trays indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold is provided, the controller regards an introduction passage that is connected to the most downstream part of the supply passage as a first introduction passage, and
when there is a second introduction passage that is an introduction passage connected to a downstream part of the supply passage as compared to the first introduction passage, the controller switches the opening/closing mechanism provided on the second introduction passage between the open state and the closed state based on whether a predetermined condition that is different from the relationship between the number of the trays on the second introduction passage indicated by the tray quantity information and the threshold is satisfied.

6. The automatic winder as claimed in claim 5, wherein,
the controller sets, in the open state, the opening/closing mechanism on the second introduction passage on which the number of the trays indicated by the tray quantity information is larger by one than the number of the trays on the first introduction passage indicated by the tray quantity information.

7. The automatic winder as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, wherein,
the controller sets, in the closed state, the opening/closing mechanism on an introduction passage on which the maximum allowed number of the trays are provided.

8. The automatic winder as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, wherein,
the controller sets, in the closed state, the opening/closing mechanism on an introduction passage of a winding unit that is not in operation among the winding units.

9. The automatic winder as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, wherein,
each of the winding units includes a unit stop detection unit that is configured to detect occurrence of unit stop, and
the controller sets, in the closed state, the opening/closing mechanism on an introduction passage of a winding unit where the unit stop occurs among the winding units.

10. The automatic winder as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, wherein,
the opening/closing mechanism includes a plate-shaped rotation member which is rotatable about a shaft extending in an up-down direction and has a notch formed at least part of the rotation member in a circumferential direction,
the opening/closing mechanism is in the open state when the rotation member is at a position where the notch overlaps the introduction passage in the up-down direction and is connected to the supply passage, and
the opening/closing mechanism is in the closed state when the rotation member is at a position where the notch does not overlap the introduction passage in the up-down direction or is not connected to the supply passage.