Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic winder that winds yarn to form a package.

BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventionally, an automatic winder that forms a yarn package is known. The automatic winder includes a winding unit that winds yarn supplied from a yarn feeding bobbin to form a package, and a pick finding device that pulls out a yarn end from the yarn feeding bobbin to prepare for winding. The pick finding device includes an upper sucking unit, which sucks the yarn end on an upper part of the yarn feeding bobbin to pull out the yarn end on the upper part of the yarn feeding bobbin, and a lower sucking unit, which sucks the yarn end pulled out by the upper sucking unit, at a lower part of the yarn feeding bobbin, to suck the same to an upper opening of the yarn feeding bobbin, i.e., an opening at an upper end of a bobbin tube of the yarn feeding bobbin (see, for example, JP2006-298601A).

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM
[0003] The automatic winder described above includes a chamber connected to the pick finding device, and a suction source that sucks the chamber to supply the pick finding device with a yarn suction force. In the conventional pick finding device, the upper sucking unit and the lower sucking unit share one pipe connected to the chamber. In addition, this pipe is connected to other devices. Therefore, particularly in the upper sucking unit, sufficient yarn suction force is not generated, and a success rate of sucking (pick finding) the yarn end from the upper part of the yarn feeding bobbin is low.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to improve the yarn suction force of the upper sucking unit that pulls out the yarn end from the yarn feeding bobbin.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION
[0005] As means for solving the problem, a plurality of embodiments are described below. These embodiments can be arbitrarily combined as necessary.
An automatic winder according to an aspect of the present invention includes a winding unit, a pick finding device, a chamber, and a suction source. The winding unit winds yarn fed from a yarn feeding bobbin to form a package. The pick finding device pulls out a yarn end of a yarn feeding bobbin. The chamber is connected to the pick finding device. The suction source sucks the chamber.
[0006] The pick finding device includes an upper sucking unit, a lower sucking unit, an upper connecting pipe, and a lower connecting pipe. The upper sucking unit sucks and pulls out a yarn end at an upper part of the yarn feeding bobbin. The lower sucking unit sucks the yarn end pulled out by the upper sucking unit, at a lower part of the yarn feeding bobbin to suck the same to an upper opening of the yarn feeding bobbin. The upper connecting pipe connects the chamber and the upper sucking unit. The lower connecting pipe connects the chamber and the lower sucking unit. In addition, the upper connecting pipe has no branches generating a suction force except at the upper sucking unit.
[0007] In the pick finding device of the automatic winder described above, the pipe that connects the upper sucking unit to the chamber (the upper connecting pipe) and the pipe that connects the lower sucking unit to the chamber (the lower connecting pipe) are disposed independently and separately from each other. In addition, the upper connecting pipe has no branches and does not allow other devices to generate a suction force. With this structure, the pipe connected to the upper sucking unit (the upper connecting pipe) does not generate any gas inflow from a device other than the upper sucking unit. Since the pipe connected to the upper sucking unit does not generate any gas inflow except from the upper sucking unit, the yarn suction force of the upper sucking unit can be improved. As a result, a success rate of pulling out the yarn end from the yarn feeding bobbin can be improved.
[0008] In the automatic winder described above, the upper connecting pipe may have at least one bending part. In this case, the bending angle of the bending part may be smaller than 90 degrees. Thus, resistance of the gas flow in the upper connecting pipe can be small, and hence the suction force by the upper connecting pipe can be improved. As the suction force by the upper connecting pipe is improved, the yarn suction force of the upper sucking unit can be improved.
[0009] In the automatic winder described above, the bending angle of the bending part may be 60 degrees or less. Thus, the suction force by the upper connecting pipe can be further improved.
[0010] In the automatic winder described above, the chamber may include a first chamber connected to the winding unit. In addition, the suction source may include a first suction source that sucks the first chamber. In this case, the upper connecting pipe and the lower connecting pipe may be connected to the first chamber. Thus, the winding unit and the pick finding device can share the chamber and the suction source.
[0011] In the automatic winder described above, the chamber may include the first chamber connected to the winding unit and a second chamber that is independent from the first chamber. In addition, the suction source may include a second suction source that sucks the second chamber. In this case, the upper connecting pipe and the lower connecting pipe may be connected to the second chamber. Thus, the chambers and the suction sources may be independent between the winding unit and the pick finding device.
[0012] In the automatic winder described above, a plurality of pick finding devices may be disposed. In this case, the upper connecting pipe of one pick finding device may be disposed independently from the upper connecting pipe of the other pick finding device. Thus, in each of the plurality of pick finding devices, the yarn suction force of the upper sucking unit can be improved.
[0013] In the automatic winder described above, the lower connecting pipe may be shared by the plurality of pick finding devices. Thus, the number of pipes can be reduced.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
[0014] The yarn suction force of the upper sucking unit that pulls out the yarn end from the yarn feeding bobbin can be improved, and hence the success rate in pulling out the yarn end from the yarn feeding bobbin can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0015] Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of an automatic winder according to a first embodiment.
Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a pick finding device.
Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating pipes from a chamber to a bobbin processing device.
Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of the automatic winder according to a second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0016] 1. First Embodiment
(1) Automatic Winder
With reference to Fig. 1, an automatic winder 100 is described. Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of the automatic winder 100. The automatic winder 100 includes a winding unit 1, a bobbin processing device 3, a bobbin supply device 5, a chamber 7, and a suction source 9.
[0017] The winding unit 1 is disposed on one end side of the bobbin processing device 3. The winding unit 1 is a device that rewinds yarn wound on a yarn feeding bobbin B, on a take-up pipe, to form a yarn package as a product. For instance, the winding unit 1 is a device that rotates the take-up pipe and winds the yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin B on the take-up pipe, while traversing the yarn by a traverse arm, to form the package, or a device that rotates the take-up pipe and winds the yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin B on the take-up pipe, while traversing the yarn by a drum with a traversing groove, to form the package.
[0018] The automatic winder 100 includes a plurality of the winding units 1. The automatic winder 100 may include any number of the winding units 1.
[0019] As illustrated in Fig. 1, on a base 11 disposed under the winding units 1, there are formed a supply path 13 that conveys the yarn feeding bobbin B from the bobbin processing device 3 to the winding units 1, and a collection path 15 that conveys an empty bobbin EB discharged from each of the winding units 1 to the bobbin processing device 3. The supply path 13 and the collection path 15 are constituted of a belt conveyor or the like, for example.
[0020] Note that conveyance of the bobbin (the yarn feeding bobbin B, the empty bobbin EB) in the base 11 and the bobbin processing device 3 is performed by conveying a tray Tr to which the bobbin is inserted, with the belt conveyor or the like provided to a conveyance path.
[0021] The bobbin processing device 3 is a device that pulls out the empty bobbin EB without yarn from the tray Tr conveyed along the collection path 15 of the winding unit 1, and attaches the yarn feeding bobbin B with yarn to the tray Tr, to supply the yarn feeding bobbin B to the supply path 13 of the winding unit 1.
[0022] The bobbin supply device 5 is a device that is disposed on the other end of the bobbin processing device 3 (an end opposite to the end on which the winding units 1 are disposed), and supplies the yarn feeding bobbin B to the bobbin processing device 3.
[0023] The chamber 7 is a hollow member extending in an arrangement direction of the plurality of winding units 1 on a backside of the plurality of winding units 1. The suction source 9 is connected to the chamber 7 at an end of the chamber 7. The suction source 9 sucks the inside of the chamber 7 to be a negative pressure. The suction source 9 is a blower, for example.
[0024] A first side face 71 of the chamber 7 is connected to the winding unit 1. In addition, a second side face 73 on the other end of the chamber 7 (an end opposite to the end connected to the suction source 9) is connected to a first bunch unwinding device 35a, a first pick finding device 39a, a second bunch unwinding device 35b, and a second pick finding device 39b of the bobbin processing device 3. The winding unit 1, the first bunch unwinding device 35a, the first pick finding device 39a, the second bunch unwinding device 35b, and the second pick finding device 39b are supplied with a yarn suction force from the suction source 9 via the chamber 7.
[0025] (2) Bobbin Processing Device
Hereinafter, the bobbin processing device 3 is described in detail. The bobbin processing device 3 has a tray conveyance line 30. As means for conveying the yarn feeding bobbin B and the empty bobbin EB, the tray conveyance line 30 conveys each of them in a state placed on the tray Tr. The tray conveyance line 30 is connected to the supply path 13 and the collection path 15 of the winding unit 1.
[0026] The tray Tr with the yarn feeding bobbin B is supplied to the winding unit 1 via the tray conveyance line 30 of the bobbin processing device 3 and the supply path 13 of the winding unit 1. On the other hand, the tray Tr with the empty bobbin EB is returned to the bobbin processing device 3 from the winding unit 1 via the collection path 15 of the winding unit 1 and the tray conveyance line 30 of the bobbin processing device 3.
[0027] The tray conveyance line 30 includes a guideway and a belt conveyor disposed below the guideway. The tray Tr is guided by the guideway and is placed on the belt conveyor to be conveyed. This structure is the same for the supply path 13 and the collection path 15 described above. Positioning of the tray Tr traveling along the tray conveyance line 30 with respect to each device is performed by a stopper. Therefore, driving of the belt conveyor of the tray conveyance line 30 is basically not stopped.
[0028] The tray conveyance line 30 includes a main conveyance line 30a and a return conveyance line 30b. The main conveyance line 30a is a path that conveys the empty bobbin EB discharged from the winding unit 1, replaces the empty bobbin EB with the yarn feeding bobbin B on the way, and conveys the same to the winding unit 1. The main conveyance line 30a is formed in a U-shape. Here, a starting end of the main conveyance line 30a is connected to a trailing end of the collection path 15, while a trailing end of the main conveyance line 30a is connected to a starting end of the supply path 13.
[0029] For instance, the return conveyance line 30b is a path for reprocessing the yarn feeding bobbin B that has failed in the pick finding process. The return conveyance line 30b is a bypassing path that connects the trailing end and the starting end of the main conveyance line 30a.
[0030] The bobbin processing device 3 includes a bobbin extraction device 31 and a yarn feeding bobbin supply device 33, which are disposed along the main conveyance line 30a.
[0031] The bobbin extraction device 31 is a device that pulls out the empty bobbin EB from the tray Tr o collect the same. The yarn feeding bobbin supply device 33 is a device that attaches the yarn feeding bobbin B in a substantially erected state to the tray Tr. The yarn feeding bobbin supply device 33 is supplied with the yarn feeding bobbin B from the bobbin supply device 5.
[0032] The yarn feeding bobbin supply device 33 includes a bobbin input device, a parts feeder, a bobbin distribution device, and a pair of bobbin chutes. The yarn feeding bobbin supply device 33 can supply the yarn feeding bobbin B to the tray Tr at two positions, using the bobbin distribution device and the pair of bobbin chutes. Each bobbin chute allows the bobbin to drop to be inserted into the tray Tr. For instance, the bobbin chute is constituted of each divided piece obtained by dividing a cylindrical member such as a square pipe or a corn-like cylinder into two in an axis direction.
[0033] Along the main conveyance line 30a, the first bunch unwinding device 35a, a first yarn end processing device 37a, and the first pick finding device 39a are disposed on a conveying direction downstream side of the yarn feeding bobbin supply device 33. Along the return conveyance line 30b, the second bunch unwinding device 35b, a second yarn end processing device 37b, and the second pick finding device 39b are disposed. In other words, a plurality of (e.g., two) sets of the bunch unwinding devices, the yarn end processing devices, and the pick finding devices are disposed in the bobbin processing device 3.
[0034] Each of the first bunch unwinding device 35a and the second bunch unwinding device 35b sucks and cuts bottom bunch yarn wound on a lower part of the yarn feeding bobbin B. Each of the first bunch unwinding device 35a and the second bunch unwinding device 35b unwinds the bottom bunch yarn by rotating the tray Tr on which the yarn feeding bobbin B is placed, sucks the unwound bottom bunch yarn into a housing, and cuts the bottom bunch yarn sucked into the housing with a rotary cutter.
[0035] Each of the first yarn end processing device 37a and the second yarn end processing device 37b is a device that tears off backwind yarn wound on a yarn layer surface of the yarn feeding bobbin B, i.e., removes its tail yarn. Each of the first pick finding device 39a and the second pick finding device 39b is a device that separates and pulls out a yarn end from a surface of the yarn feeding bobbin B, and inserts the pulled out yarn end into a bobbin tube from a top of the bobbin tube.
[0036] A flow of the tray Tr in the bobbin processing device 3 described above is described below. When an empty tray Tr reaches the position just below the bobbin chute of the yarn feeding bobbin supply device 33, the yarn feeding bobbin B is placed on the empty tray Tr in a substantially erected state.
[0037] After that, the tray Tr is conveyed to the first bunch unwinding device 35a on the downstream side along the main conveyance line 30a. In the first bunch unwinding device 35a, the bottom bunch yarn formed on the yarn feeding bobbin B is removed. The yarn feeding bobbin B after removing the bottom bunch yarn is conveyed to the first yarn end processing device 37a along the main conveyance line 30a. In the first yarn end processing device 37a, the backwind yarn winding around the yarn layer surface of the yarn feeding bobbin B is cut off, so that a tip side winding part is formed. The yarn feeding bobbin B after cutting off the backwind yarn is conveyed to the first pick finding device 39a along the main conveyance line 30a. In the first pick finding device 39a, the tip side winding part is sucked upward and is inserted into the bobbin tube of the yarn feeding bobbin B.
[0038] The yarn feeding bobbin B whose yarn end is pulled out is further conveyed to the downstream side along the main conveyance line 30a, and is supplied to the supply path 13. The yarn feeding bobbin B is conveyed along the supply path 13 and is supplied to any one of the winding units 1. In the winding unit 1, the yarn is unwound from the yarn feeding bobbin B, and the unwound yarn is wound as a package. The tray Tr with the empty bobbin EB after unwinding the yarn entirely is discharged from the winding unit 1, and is conveyed along the collection path 15 to return to the main conveyance line 30a of the bobbin processing device 3 again. The empty bobbin EB returned to the main conveyance line 30a is conveyed to the bobbin extraction device 31. In the bobbin extraction device 31, the empty bobbin EB placed on the tray Tr is pulled out.
[0039] (3) Pick Finding Device
Hereinafter, with reference to Figs. 2 and 3, the first pick finding device 39a and the second pick finding device 39b described above are described in detail. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a structure of the pick finding device. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating pipes from the chamber 7 to the bobbin processing device 3. Each of the first pick finding device 39a and the second pick finding device 39b is a device that pulls out the yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin B to feed the same to the winding unit 1. The first pick finding device 39a includes a first upper sucking unit 391a and a first lower sucking unit 392a. The second pick finding device 39b includes a second upper sucking unit 391b and a second lower sucking unit 392b.
[0040] Each of the first upper sucking unit 391a and the second upper sucking unit 391b is disposed at a position corresponding to the upper part of the yarn feeding bobbin B that is stopped by the first pick finding device 39a or the second pick finding device 39b, and sucks and pulls out a yarn end of the yarn feeding bobbin B at the upper part of the yarn feeding bobbin B. The first upper sucking unit 391a is equipped with a first cutter 393a. The second upper sucking unit 391b is equipped with a second cutter 393b. Each of the first cutter 393a and the second cutter 393b cuts the yarn sucked by the first upper sucking unit 391a or the second upper sucking unit 391b. The first cutter 393a and the second cutter 393b each have a movable blade that can move. The movable blade moves to a position for closing the inside of the first upper sucking unit 391a or the second upper sucking unit 391b, to cut the yarn sucked by the first upper sucking unit 391a or the second upper sucking unit 391b, while preventing suction by the first upper sucking unit 391a or the second upper sucking unit 391b.
[0041] The first upper sucking unit 391a is connected to the second side face 73 of the chamber 7 via a first upper connecting pipe 394a. The second upper sucking unit 391b is connected to the second side face 73 of the chamber 7 via a second upper connecting pipe 394b. Thus, the first upper sucking unit 391a is supplied with the yarn suction force from the suction source 9 via the first upper connecting pipe 394a and the chamber 7. The second upper sucking unit 391b is supplied with the yarn suction force from the suction source 9 via the second upper connecting pipe 394b and the chamber 7.
[0042] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the upper connecting pipe connected to the upper sucking unit of one of the plurality of pick finding devices is disposed independently from the upper connecting pipe connected to the upper sucking unit of the other pick finding device. Specifically, in the example illustrated in Fig. 3, the first upper sucking unit 391a of the first pick finding device 39a is connected to the first upper connecting pipe 394a. On the other hand, the second upper sucking unit 391b of the second pick finding device 39b is connected to the second upper connecting pipe 394b that is independent from the first upper connecting pipe 394a.
[0043] Thus, the plurality of upper sucking units do not share one upper connecting pipe, i.e., the first upper sucking unit 391a and the second upper sucking unit 391b do not share one upper connecting pipe, and hence the first upper sucking unit 391a and the second upper sucking unit 391b can each use exclusively the suction force generated by the first upper connecting pipe 394a or the second upper connecting pipe 394b, and can each generate a large suction force for the yarn end.
[0044] In addition, each of the first upper connecting pipe 394a and the second upper connecting pipe 394b is configured not to generate a suction force at any position other than the first upper sucking unit 391a or the second upper sucking unit 391b. Specifically, each of the first upper connecting pipe 394a and the second upper connecting pipe 394b has no branch pipes that suck other positions. Thus, since each of the first upper connecting pipe 394a and the second upper connecting pipe 394b does not share one suction pipe with other devices, the first upper sucking unit 391a and the second upper sucking unit 391b can each use exclusively the suction force generated by the first upper connecting pipe 394a or the second upper connecting pipe 394b, and can each generate a large suction force for the yarn end.
[0045] Each of the first upper connecting pipe 394a and the second upper connecting pipe 394b has at least one bending part 395a to 395d. Specifically, the first upper connecting pipe 394a has two bending parts 395a and 395b. The second upper connecting pipe 394b has two bending parts 395c and 395d.
[0046] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the at least one bending part 395a to 395d has a bending angle θ of 90 degrees or less, i.e., it is gently bent. The bending angle θ of the bending part 395a to 395d that is gently bent is preferably 60 degrees or less, and more preferably 40 to 60 degrees, and still more preferably 45 degrees.
[0047] Since the bending part 395a to 395d has the bending angle θ as described above, a resistance against the gas flow that generates the suction force in the first upper connecting pipe 394a or the second upper connecting pipe 394b can be small, and hence the suction force by the first upper connecting pipe 394a or the second upper connecting pipe 394b can be improved. As the suction force by the first upper connecting pipe 394a or the second upper connecting pipe 394b is improved, the yarn suction force of the first upper sucking unit 391a or the second upper sucking unit 391b connected thereto can be improved.
[0048] As described above, the first upper connecting pipe 394a and the second upper connecting pipe 394b are disposed independently from each other for the first upper sucking unit 391a and the second upper sucking unit 391b, respectively, without any branch generating a suction force except at the first upper sucking unit 391a or the second upper sucking unit 391b, and the bending part 395a to 395d is gently bent. By synergistic effect of the above, each of the first upper connecting pipe 394a and the second upper connecting pipe 394b can generate a very large suction force. As a result, the yarn suction forces of the first upper sucking unit 391a connected to the first upper connecting pipe 394a, and the second upper sucking unit 391b connected to the second upper connecting pipe 394b can be very large, and the success rate of pulling out the yarn end from the yarn feeding bobbin B can be largely improved.
[0049] The first lower sucking unit 392a is disposed to face the first upper sucking unit 391a at a lower part of the tray conveyance line 30. The second lower sucking unit 392b is disposed to face the second upper sucking unit 391b at a lower part of the return conveyance line 30b. When the yarn feeding bobbin B reaches the position of the first pick finding device 39a, the first lower sucking unit 392a sucks the yarn end pulled out by the first upper sucking unit 391a, at the lower part of the yarn feeding bobbin B, and sucks the same to the inside of the opening of the upper part of the yarn feeding bobbin B (a top opening of the bobbin tube). When the yarn feeding bobbin B reaches the position of the second pick finding device 39b, the second lower sucking unit 392b sucks the yarn end pulled out by the second upper sucking unit 391b, at the lower part of the yarn feeding bobbin B, and sucks the same to the inside of the opening of the upper part of the yarn feeding bobbin B.
[0050] Specifically, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the yarn feeding bobbin B is at the position of the first pick finding device 39a, the tray Tr loaded with the yarn feeding bobbin B is just above the first lower sucking unit 392a. Thus, the suction force of the first lower sucking unit 392a allows the opening of the upper part of the yarn feeding bobbin B to generate a suction force, via an air passage penetrating the center part of the tray Tr. The first upper sucking unit 391a sucks the yarn end, and the first cutter 393a cuts the yarn end while stopping suction of the first upper sucking unit 391a. Then, the yarn end that has been sucked by the first upper sucking unit 391a drops and is sucked into the opening of the upper part of the yarn feeding bobbin B, by the suction force generated at the opening of the upper part of the yarn feeding bobbin B by the first lower sucking unit 392a.
[0051] When the yarn feeding bobbin B is at the position of the second pick finding device 39b, the tray Tr loaded with the yarn feeding bobbin B is just above the second lower sucking unit 392b. Thus, the suction force of the second lower sucking unit 392b allows the opening of the upper part of the yarn feeding bobbin B to generate a suction force, via an air passage penetrating the center part of the tray Tr. The second upper sucking unit 391b sucks the yarn end, and the second cutter 393b cuts the yarn end while stopping suction of the second upper sucking unit 391b. Then, the yarn end that has been sucked by the second upper sucking unit 391b drops and is sucked into the opening of the upper part of the yarn feeding bobbin B, by the suction force generated at the opening of the upper part of the yarn feeding bobbin B by the second lower sucking unit 392b.
[0052] The first lower sucking unit 392a is connected to the second side face 73 of the chamber 7 via a lower connecting pipe 396. Thus, the first lower sucking unit 392a is supplied with the yarn suction force from the suction source 9 via the lower connecting pipe 396 and the chamber 7.
[0053] As described above, the first upper sucking unit 391a does not share the first upper connecting pipe 394a with the other upper sucking unit (the second upper sucking unit 391b) or other devices. The second upper sucking unit 391b does not share the second upper connecting pipe 394b with the other upper sucking unit (the first upper sucking unit 391a) or other devices. In contrast, the first lower sucking unit 392a can share the lower connecting pipe 396 with the other lower sucking unit (the second lower sucking unit 392b). In other words, the lower connecting pipe 396 is shared by the plurality of pick finding devices (the first pick finding device 39a and the second pick finding device 39b).
[0054] Specifically, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the first lower sucking unit 392a of the first pick finding device 39a is connected to the trailing end 396a of the lower connecting pipe 396, and the second lower sucking unit 392b of the second pick finding device 39b is connected to a branch part 396b of the lower connecting pipe 396. It is preferred that the first upper sucking unit 391a and the second upper sucking unit 391b each have a large suction force for sucking the yarn end from the yarn feeding bobbin B. In contrast, the first lower sucking unit 392a and the second lower sucking unit 392b are not necessarily required to have a large suction force. Therefore, a plurality of lower sucking units can share one lower connecting pipe 396. In this way, as the plurality of lower sucking unit share one lower connecting pipe, the number of pipes disposed in the automatic winder 100 can be reduced.
[0055] Note that as illustrated in Fig. 3, the first bunch unwinding device 35a and the second bunch unwinding device 35b are connected to the second side face 73 of the chamber 7 via a connecting pipe 41. Thus, the first bunch unwinding device 35a and the second bunch unwinding device 35b are each supplied with the yarn suction force from the suction source 9 via the connecting pipe 41 and the chamber 7. Thus, the plurality of bunch unwinding devices are connected to one connecting pipe 41, to share the same. Thus, as the first bunch unwinding device 35a and the second bunch unwinding device 35b do not necessarily need a large suction force, the plurality of bunch unwinding devices can share one connecting pipe 41. Thus, as the plurality of bunch unwinding device share one connecting pipe 41, the number of pipes disposed in the automatic winder 100 can be reduced.
[0056] As illustrated in Fig. 3, in the first pick finding device 39a, the first upper connecting pipe 394a, which connects the first upper sucking unit 391a and the chamber 7, and the lower connecting pipe 396, which connects the first lower sucking unit 392a and the chamber 7, are disposed independently and separately from each other. In the second pick finding device 39b, the second upper connecting pipe 394b, which connects the second upper sucking unit 391b and the chamber 7, and the lower connecting pipe 396, which connects the second lower sucking unit 392b and the chamber 7, are disposed independently and separately from each other.
[0057] In addition, each of the first upper connecting pipe 394a and the second upper connecting pipe 394b has no branches, and does not allow other devices to generate a suction force. With this structure, an inflow of gas from a device or the like other than the upper sucking unit is not generated in the first upper connecting pipe 394a connected to the first upper sucking unit 391a, or in the second upper connecting pipe 394b connected to the second upper sucking unit 391b. As an inflow of gas from other than the upper sucking unit is not generated in the pipe connected to the upper sucking unit, the yarn suction force of the upper sucking unit can be improved. As a result, the success rate in pulling out the yarn end from the yarn feeding bobbin B can be improved.
[0058] 2. Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment described above, the chamber 7 and the suction source 9 that generates the yarn suction force are shared between the winding unit 1 and the bobbin processing device 3. However, without limiting to this, the chamber and the suction source for the winding unit 1 may be independent from the suction source and the chamber for the bobbin processing device 3.
[0059] As illustrated in Fig. 4, an automatic winder 100' of a second embodiment includes a first chamber 7a, a second chamber 7b, a first suction source 9a, and a second suction source 9b. The first chamber 7a is connected to the first suction source 9a, and is connected to the winding unit 1. Thus, the winding unit 1 is supplied with the yarn suction force from the first suction source 9a via the first chamber 7a. Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of the automatic winder 100' of the second embodiment.
[0060] The second chamber 7b is connected to the first upper connecting pipe 394a, the second upper connecting pipe 394b, the lower connecting pipe 396, and the connecting pipe 41 of the bobbin processing device 3. The second suction source 9b is disposed inside the second chamber 7b, and sucks the second chamber 7b. Thus, the bobbin processing device 3 is supplied with the yarn suction force from the second suction source 9b via the second chamber 7b.
[0061] 3. Other Embodiments
Although the embodiments of the present invention are described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can be variously modified within the scope of the invention without deviating from the spirit thereof. In particular, the plurality of embodiments and variations described in this specification can be arbitrarily combined as necessary.
(A) The first bunch unwinding device 35a and/or the second bunch unwinding device 35b may be connected to the lower connecting pipe 396 instead of the connecting pipe 41. In other words, the lower connecting pipe 396 may be shared by the (plurality of) lower sucking units and the bunch unwinding device.
[0062] (B) A plurality of the pick finding devices are disposed in the bobbin processing device 3 in the first embodiment described above, but without limiting to this, the technique described above can be applied also to a case where one pick finding device is disposed in the bobbin processing device 3.
[0063] (C) It is preferred to reduce the number of the bending parts 395a to 395d as much as possible, particularly for the first upper connecting pipe 394a and the second upper connecting pipe 394b. The first upper connecting pipe 394a and/or the second upper connecting pipe 394b may be a straight pipe without a bending part.
[0064] 4. Features of Embodiments
The embodiments described above can also be described as below.
(1) An automatic winder (e.g., the automatic winder 100, 100') includes a winding unit (e.g., the winding unit 1), a pick finding device (e.g., the first pick finding device 39a, the second pick finding device 39b), a chamber (e.g., the chamber 7, the first chamber 7a, the second chamber 7b), and a suction source (e.g., the suction source 9, the first suction source 9a, the second suction source 9b). The winding unit winds yarn fed from a yarn feeding bobbin (e.g., the yarn feeding bobbin B) to form a package. The pick finding device pulls out a yarn end of the yarn feeding bobbin. The chamber is connected to the pick finding device. The suction source sucks the chamber.
[0065] The pick finding device includes an upper sucking unit (e.g., the first upper sucking unit 391a, the second upper sucking unit 391b), a lower sucking unit (e.g., the first lower sucking unit 392a, the second lower sucking unit 392b), an upper connecting pipe (e.g., the first upper connecting pipe 394a, the second upper connecting pipe 394b), and a lower connecting pipe (e.g., the lower connecting pipe 396). The upper sucking unit sucks and pulls out the yarn end at an upper part of the yarn feeding bobbin. The lower sucking unit sucks the yarn end pulled out by the upper sucking unit, at a lower part of the yarn feeding bobbin, to suck the same to an upper opening of the yarn feeding bobbin. The upper connecting pipe connects the chamber and the upper sucking unit. The lower connecting pipe connects the chamber and the lower sucking unit. In addition, the upper connecting pipe has no branches generating a suction force except at the upper sucking unit.
[0066] In the pick finding device of the automatic winder described above, the pipe connecting the upper sucking unit and the chamber (the upper connecting pipe) and the pipe connecting the lower sucking unit and the chamber (the lower connecting pipe) are disposed independently and separately from each other. In addition, the upper connecting pipe has no branches and does not allow other devices to generate a suction force. With this structure, the pipe connected to the upper sucking unit (the upper connecting pipe) does not generate an inflow of gas from a device or the like other than the upper sucking unit. As an inflow of gas from other than the upper sucking unit is not generated in the pipe connected to the upper sucking unit, the yarn suction force of the upper sucking unit can be improved. As a result, a success rate of pulling out the yarn end from the yarn feeding bobbin can be improved.
[0067] (2) In the automatic winder according to (1), the upper connecting pipe may have at least one bending part (e.g., the bending part 395a to 395d). In this case, the bending angle of the bending part (e.g., bending angle θ) may be smaller than 90 degrees. Thus, resistance of the gas flow in the upper connecting pipe can be small, and the suction force by the upper connecting pipe can be improved. As the suction force by the upper connecting pipe is improved, the yarn suction force of the upper sucking unit can be improved.
[0068] (3) In the automatic winder according to (2), the bending angle of the bending part may be 60 degrees or less. Thus, the suction force by the upper connecting pipe can be further improved.
[0069] (4) In the automatic winder according to any one of (1) to (3), the chamber may include a first chamber (e.g., the chamber 7) connected to the winding unit. In addition, the suction source may include a first suction source (e.g., the suction source 9) configured to suck the first chamber. In this case, the upper connecting pipe and the lower connecting pipe may be connected to the first chamber. Thus, the winding unit and the pick finding device can share the chamber and the suction source.
[0070] (5) In the automatic winder according to any one of (1) to (3), the chamber may include a first chamber (e.g., the first chamber 7a) connected to the winding unit and a second chamber (e.g., the second chamber 7b) that is independent from the first chamber. In addition, the suction source may include a second suction source (e.g., the second suction source 9b) configured to suck the second chamber. In this case, the upper connecting pipe and the lower connecting pipe may be connected to the second chamber. Thus, the chambers and the suction sources can be independent between the winding unit and the pick finding device.
[0071] (6) In the automatic winder according to any one of (1) to (5), a plurality of the pick finding devices may be disposed. In this case, the upper connecting pipe of one pick finding device may be disposed independently of the upper connecting pipe of the other pick finding device. Thus, in each of the plurality of pick finding devices, the yarn suction force of the upper sucking unit can be improved.
[0072] (7) In the automatic winder according to any one of (1) to (6), the lower connecting pipe may be shared by the plurality of pick finding devices. Thus, the number of pipes can be reduced.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0073] The present invention can be widely applied to automatic winders that wind yarn to form a package.
, Claims:We claim:

1. An automatic winder (100, 100') comprising:
a winding unit (1) configured to wind yarn fed from a yarn feeding bobbin (B) to form a package;
a pick finding device (39a, 39b) configured to pull out a yarn end of the yarn feeding bobbin (B);
a chamber (7, 7a, 7b) connected to the pick finding device (39a, 39b); and
a suction source (9, 9a, 9b) configured to suck the chamber (7, 7a, 7b),
wherein the pick finding device (39a, 39b) includes:
an upper sucking unit (391a, 391b) configured to suck and pull out the yarn end at an upper part of the yarn feeding bobbin (B),
a lower sucking unit (392a, 392b) configured to suck the yarn end pulled out by the upper sucking unit (391a, 391b), at a lower part of the yarn feeding bobbin (B) to suck the same to an upper opening of the yarn feeding bobbin (B),
an upper connecting pipe (394a, 394b) that connects the chamber (7, 7a, 7b) and the upper sucking unit (391a, 391b), and
a lower connecting pipe (396) that connects the chamber (7, 7a, 7b) and the lower sucking unit (392a, 392b),
wherein the upper connecting pipe (394a, 394b) has no branches generating a suction force except at the upper sucking unit (391a, 391b).

2. The automatic winder (100, 100') as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the upper connecting pipe (394a, 394b) has at least one bending part (395a to 395d), and
the bending part (395a to 395d) has a bending angle (θ) smaller than 90 degrees.

3. The automatic winder (100, 100') as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bending part (395a to 395d) has a bending angle (θ) of 60 degrees or less.

4. The automatic winder (100, 100') as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the chamber (7, 7a, 7b) includes a first chamber (7) connected to the winding unit (1),
the suction source (9, 9a, 9b) includes a first suction source (9) configured to suck the first chamber (7), and
the upper connecting pipe (394a, 394b) and the lower connecting pipe (396) are connected to the first chamber (7).

5. The automatic winder (100, 100') as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the chamber (7, 7a, 7b) includes a first chamber (7a) connected to the winding unit (1) and a second chamber (7b) independent from the first chamber (7a),
the suction source (9, 9a, 9b) includes a second suction source (9b) configured to suck the second chamber (7b), and
the upper connecting pipe (394a, 394b) and the lower connecting pipe (396) are connected to the second chamber (7b).

6. The automatic winder (100, 100') as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
a plurality of the pick finding devices (39a, 39b) are disposed, and
the upper connecting pipe (394a, 394b) of one pick finding device (39a, 39b) is disposed independently from the upper connecting pipe (394a, 394b) of the other pick finding device (39a, 39b).
7. The automatic winder (100, 100') as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lower connecting pipe (396) is shared by the plurality of pick finding devices (39a, 39b).