Description:BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bobbin preparing device.

2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a bobbin preparing device that conveys supply bobbins supplied from a supply bobbin feeding device and the like to a winding device is known in the art. The bobbin preparing device performs various processes (preparations) with respect to the supply bobbin so that a yarn present on the supply bobbin can be appropriately wound in the winding device. In some cases, a backwind yarn is wound on a surface of a yarn layer of the supply bobbin supplied from the supply bobbin feeding device. The bobbin preparing device performs a process in which the backwind yarn is cut or peeled off. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. H3-138265, H9-77369, and 2000-313566 disclose such bobbin preparing devices.
The bobbin preparing devices disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. H3-138265, H9-77369, and 2000-313566 include a hooking member that hooks the backwind yarn and cuts or peels off the same. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H3-138265 discloses a structure in which the hooking member (search cutter) is pivoted by using a driving force of a cylinder to bring the hooking member near or take it away from the supply bobbin (cup). Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H9-77369 discloses a structure in which the hooking member (blade member) is moved in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction by using a cylinder.
Similar to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H3-138265, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-313566 discloses a structure in which the hooking member is operated by using the driving force of the cylinder. Moreover, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-313566 discloses a structure in which, in case the hooking member (detector gauge) cannot separate from the backwind yarn because it got stuck therewith (hooked state), the hooked state is released by rotating the supply bobbin (cup) in a rewinding direction.
In the patent documents explained above, the hooking member is moved by using the cylinder. Consequently, to precisely control the movement of the hooking member, a complicated mechanism that combines a large number of mechanical elements is necessary. Moreover, it takes time and efforts to adjust the amount of movement of the hooking member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and it is an object of the present invention to provide a bobbin preparing device capable of precisely controlling a movement of a hooking member with a simple configuration and easily adjusting an amount of movement.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a bobbin preparing device having below configuration is provided. The bobbin preparing device performs preparation for winding yarn in a winding device on a supply bobbin. The bobbin preparing device includes a hooking member, a first motor, a first moving mechanism, a second motor, a second moving mechanism, and a control device. The hooking member hooks and cuts or peels off a backwind yarn that is wound around a surface of the supply bobbin. The first motor generates a first driving force that moves the hooking member in a horizontal direction. The first moving mechanism uses the first driving force generated by the first motor to move the hooking member in the horizontal direction to bring the hooking member near or away from the supply bobbin. The second motor generates a second driving force that moves the hooking member in a vertical direction. The second moving mechanism uses the second driving force generated by the second motor to move the hooking member in the vertical direction. The control device controls a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the first motor, and a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the second motor.
The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a supply bobbin feeding-type winder that includes a bobbin preparing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a yarn end pulling device shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a first moving mechanism of the yarn end pulling device.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration that performs controls of the yarn end pulling device.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process procedures performed by the yarn end pulling device.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a backwind yarn has been hooked on a hooking member.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the backwind yarn is being cut.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the hooking member is pressed and a locked state thereof is being released.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the supply bobbin is rotated in an unwinding direction, and the locked state is being released by moving the hooking member downward and away from the supply bobbin at the same time.
FIG. 10 is a side view of the yarn end pulling device included in a bobbin preparing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a bobbin preparing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a supply bobbin feeding-type winder 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the supply bobbin feeding-type winder 1 includes a supply bobbin feeding device 2, a bobbin preparing device 3, and an automatic winder (winding device) 4. Each of the supply bobbin feeding device 2, the bobbin preparing device 3, and the automatic winder 4 includes a conveying path to convey a tray 6 on which a supply bobbin 5 can be set. In the following explanation, an upstream and a downstream of a transport direction of the conveying path are simply referred to as an “upstream” and a “downstream”.
The supply bobbin feeding device 2 winds a yarn (spun yarn), which has been generated by spinning, sequentially from a lower end side of a core tube 5a to an upper end thereof to form a yarn layer 5b. Subsequently, the supply bobbin feeding device 2 winds the yarn helically around a surface of the yarn layer 5b from the upper end side toward the lower end side. In the following explanation, the helically wound yarn is referred to as a backwind yarn 5c. Subsequently, the supply bobbin feeding device 2 forms a not-shown bottom bunch in a lower part of the core tube 5a by performing a straight winding of the yarn. The bobbin preparing device 3 performs preparation so that winding of the yarn present on the supply bobbin 5 conveyed from the supply bobbin feeding device 2 can be performed in the automatic winder 4. The automatic winder 4 produces a package by unwinding the yarn that has been wound around the supply bobbin 5.
The bobbin preparing device 3 includes a preparation path 11, a supplying path 12, an accumulating path 13, and a returning path 14 as the conveying paths for conveying the tray 6. Each conveying path conveys the tray 6 by using a not-shown conveyor mechanism.
The preparation path 11 is a path for conveying the supply bobbin 5 supplied from the supply bobbin feeding device 2. The preparation of the supply bobbin 5 explained above is performed on the preparation path 11. A bunch unwinding device 21, a yarn end pulling device 22, and a yarn end preparing device 23 are arranged on the preparation path 11.
The bunch unwinding device 21 sucks the bottom bunch yarn of the supply bobbin 5 and cuts the same. The yarn end pulling device 22 performs a process to cut the backwind yarn 5c of the supply bobbin 5, or a process to peel off the backwind yarn 5c from the yarn layer 5b thereby forming a yarn end. The yarn end preparing device 23 sucks the yarn end formed by the yarn end pulling device 22 and inserts the same inside the core tube 5a. The process of inserting the yarn end inside the core tube 5a is referred to as end finding.
A downstream end of the preparation path 11 branches out into the supplying path 12 and the accumulating path 13. A switching device 24 is provided at a location at which the preparation path 11 branches out into the supplying path 12 and the accumulating path 13. The switching device 24 can switch conveying states between a state in which the tray 6 is conveyed to the supplying path 12 and a state in which the tray 6 is conveyed to the accumulating path 13.
The supplying path 12 is a path for conveying to the automatic winder 4 the supply bobbin 5 on which a process is performed successfully by the bunch unwinding device 21, the yarn end pulling device 22, and the yarn end preparing device 23. The yarn present on the supply bobbin 5 conveyed to the automatic winder 4 is unwound after the supply bobbin 5 reaches the automatic winder 4. The supply bobbin 5 from which the yarn is completely unwound (that is, the core tube 5a) is again conveyed toward the bobbin preparing device 3. The supply bobbin 5 that has reached the bobbin preparing device 3 is conveyed along the returning path 14.
The accumulating path 13 is a path on which the supply bobbin 5 on which a process performed by the bunch unwinding device 21, the yarn end pulling device 22, and the yarn end preparing device 23 has failed is temporarily accumulated. The supply bobbin 5 accumulated on the accumulating path 13 is discharged by the bobbin preparing device 3 at an appropriate timing. A downstream side of the accumulating path 13 is connected to the returning path 14. When a predetermined number of the supply bobbins 5 are accumulated on the accumulating path 13, those supply bobbins 5 are conveyed to a bobbin removing device 25 along the returning path 14 thereby discharging the bobbins. Alternatively, the operator can be notified that the predetermined number of the supply bobbins 5 have accumulated, and the operator can manually remove and discharge the supply bobbins 5.
The bobbin removing device 25 and a bobbin setting device 26 are provided on the returning path 14. The bobbin removing device 25 removes from the tray 6 the core tube 5a of the supply bobbin 5 from which the yarn is completely unwound in the automatic winder 4 and collects the bobbin. The tray 6 from which the supply bobbin 5 has been removed by the bobbin removing device 25 is conveyed to the bobbin setting device 26. The bobbin setting device 26 sets in the tray 6 a new supply bobbin 5 on which the yarn has been wound by the supply bobbin feeding device 2. The tray 6 on which the new supply bobbin 5 has been set by the bobbin setting device 26 is then conveyed along the preparation path 11.
Configuration of the yarn end pulling device 22 will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. In the following explanation, a side that is near the supply bobbin 5 when viewed from the yarn end pulling device 22 is referred to as "front", and a side that is away from the supply bobbin 5 is referred to as "rear".
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the yarn end pulling device 22 includes a hooking member 30. The hooking member 30 is an L-shaped thin plate, and a blade is formed at a tip end thereof. The yarn end pulling device 22 hooks the backwind yarn 5c with the hooking member 30 and cuts the same, or peels off the backwind yarn 5c from the yarn layer 5b. The hooking member 30 can have a shape other than the L-shape. Moreover, the blade may not be formed at the tip end of the hooking member 30. Even when the blade is not formed on the hooking member 30, the backwind yarn 5c can be peeled off from the yarn layer 5b.
The yarn end pulling device 22 includes a first motor 31 and a first moving mechanism 40 as a configuration for moving the hooking member 30 in a horizontal direction.
Moving the hooking member 30 in the horizontal direction means moving the hooking member 30 near or away from the supply bobbin 5 in a plan view. The horizontal direction refers to any direction that is perpendicular to a vertical direction. In the present description, in addition to a direction that exactly matches the direction of the gravitational acceleration, the vertical direction also includes a direction that substantially matches the direction of the gravitational acceleration. Accordingly, even if there is an error of several degrees with respect to the direction of the gravitational acceleration, that direction is included in the vertical direction.
The first motor 31 is, for example, a stepping motor. Accordingly, the first motor 31 rotates an output shaft thereof at a rotation angle, a rotation direction, and a rotational speed according to a received pulse signal. Accordingly, the first motor 31 generates a first driving force, which is a driving force by which the hooking member 30 moves in the horizontal direction.
As shown in FIG. 4, the first motor 31 is electrically connected to a first motor control section 32. The first motor control section 32 generates a pulse signal according to a command received from a control device (releasing control section) 100, and sends the pulse signal to the first motor 31.
The control device 100 includes an arithmetic device such as CPU and like, a storage device such as SSD, HDD, or a flash memory and the like, and a communication device. The control device 100 controls various parts of the bobbin preparing device 3 by executing a computer program in the arithmetic device.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first moving mechanism 40 includes a base plate 41, a front arm 42, a coil spring 43, a rear arm 44, a regulating arm 45, a movable plate 46, and a mounting member 47.
The base plate 41 is a plate-shaped member for supporting or mounting components that constitute the first moving mechanism 40. The front arm 42 is a member that swings forward and backward. One end (upper end) of the front arm 42 is rotatably attached to the base plate 41. The other end (lower end) of the front arm 42 is rotatably attached to the movable plate 46. The coil spring 43 is arranged between the base plate 41 and the front arm 42, and biases the front arm 42 toward the front side. Alternatively, instead of the front arm 42, the coil spring 43 can bias the movable plate 46 toward the front side.
The rear arm 44 is arranged behind the front arm 42. The rear arm 44 swings forward and backward while maintaining a state of being parallel to the front arm 42. One end (upper end) of the rear arm 44 is rotatably attached to the base plate 41. The other end (lower end) of the rear arm 44 is rotatably attached to the movable plate 46.
The regulating arm 45 is arranged near the rear arm 44. In the state shown FIG. 2 (in other words, when viewed in a rotation shaft direction of the rear arm 44 and the like), the rear arm 44 and the regulating arm 45 are arranged so as to overlap. The regulating arm 45 is coupled to an output shaft of the first motor 31. With such a configuration, the regulating arm 45 can be swung forward and backward by rotating the output shaft of the first motor 31.
A first contact portion 44a is formed on the front surface of the rear arm 44. On the other hand, a second contact portion 45a is formed on a rear surface of the regulating arm 45. The first contact portion 44a and the second contact portion 45a are formed at locations at which the first contact portion 44a and the second contact portion 45a can come in contact with each other. However, the first contact portion 44a and the second contact portion 45a may not affixed, and can be separated.
The movable plate 46 is capable of moving forward and backward based on the driving force from the front arm 42 or the rear arm 44. A trajectory of the movable plate 46 is not straight but arc-shaped. Because a posture of the movable plate 46 does not change even when the movable plate 46 moves in the arc-shaped trajectory, a posture of the hooking member 30 does not change. In the present description, as long as a longitudinal direction (horizontal direction) is included in the components of the moving direction, it is referred to as moving in the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction). The hooking member 30 is mounted on a front end of the movable plate 46 via the mounting member 47.
As explained above, the coil spring 43 biases the front arm 42 (that is, the movable plate 46) to move forward. Accordingly, the movable plate 46 is moved forward till the first contact portion 44a comes in contact with the second contact portion 45a. After the first contact portion 44a comes in contact with the second contact portion 45a, the movable plate 46 cannot move forward by a holding force of the first motor 31. In such a state, when the first motor 31 is operated and the regulating arm 45 is swung forward, the movable plate 46 moves forward by a biasing force of the coil spring 43 till the first contact portion 44a comes in contact with the second contact portion 45a. In other words, the hooking member 30 is indirectly moved forward by the first driving force of the first motor 31.
On the other hand, when the first motor 31 is operated whereby the regulating arm 45 is swung backward, the movable plate 46 moves backward because the second contact portion 45a presses the first contact portion 44a backward. In other words, the hooking member 30 moves backward by the first driving force of the first motor 31. Accordingly, the hooking member 30 can be moved in the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction) by the first driving force of the first motor 31.
By causing the hooking member 30 come near the supply bobbin 5, the backwind yarn 5c can be hooked by the hooking member 30 and the backwind yarn 5c can be cut or peeled off. In the following description, a position of the hooking member 30 (position indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2) when cutting or peeling off the backwind yarn 5c is referred to as an operation position, and a position of the hooking member 30 (position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2) when the hooking member 30 is separated from the supply bobbin 5 and is waiting until the next supply bobbin 5 is supplied is referred to as a waiting position.
The yarn end pulling device 22 includes a first sensor stay 51, a first magnetic sensor 52, and a first magnet 53 as a configuration for detecting that the hooking member 30 is in the waiting position.
The first sensor stay 51 is mounted on the base plate 41. The first magnetic sensor 52 is mounted on the first sensor stay 51. Upon receiving a magnetic force that is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the first magnetic sensor 52 sends a detection signal that indicates the same to the control device 100. In the state shown in FIG. 2 (that is, when viewed in the direction of a rotation shaft of the rear arm 44 and the like), the first magnetic sensor 52 is arranged at a position at which it overlaps with the rear arm 44 when the hooking member 30 is in the waiting position.
The first magnet 53 is mounted on the rear arm 44. The first magnet 53 is arranged on a surface on the base plate 41 side (that is, the surface on the first magnetic sensor 52 side). The first magnet 53 moves integrally with the rear arm 44.
When the hooking member 30 is in the waiting position, the first magnetic sensor 52 detects the magnetic force of the first magnet 53, and sends a detection signal to the control device 100. Because the first magnetic sensor 52 is not much affected by the magnetic force of the first magnet 53 when the hooking member 30 is away from the waiting position, the detection signal is not sent to the control device 100. As explained above, the first magnetic sensor 52 detects whether the hooking member 30 is in the waiting position.
The yarn end pulling device 22 includes a second motor 61 and a second moving mechanism 70 as a configuration for moving the hooking member 30 in a vertical direction.
Similar to the first motor 31, the second motor 61 is a stepping motor. Accordingly, the second motor 61 rotates an output shaft thereof at a rotation angle, a rotation direction, and a rotational speed according to a pulse signal received from a second motor control section 62. Accordingly, the second motor 61 generates a second driving force, which is a driving force by which the hooking member 30 moves in the vertical direction.
The second moving mechanism 70 includes a driving pulley 71, a driven pulley 72, a belt 73, a belt affixing portion 74, and a guide rail 75.
The driving pulley 71 is attached to the output shaft of the second motor 61. The driving pulley 71 is rotated by the second driving force. The driven pulley 72 is arranged so as to be vertically aligned with the driving pulley 71. The belt 73 is wound around the driving pulley 71 and the driven pulley 72 in a loop shape. When the driving pulley 71 rotates, the belt 73 also rotates.
The belt affixing portion 74 is affixed to the base plate 41. As shown in FIG. 3, the belt affixing portion 74 affixes the belt 73 by sandwiching belt 73. Accordingly, the hooking member 30 and the first moving mechanism 40 move in the vertical direction as the belt 73 rotates. The guide rail 75 is a member that guides the first moving mechanism 40 such that the first moving mechanism 40 does not to swing in the horizontal direction when moving in the vertical direction.
The yarn end pulling device 22 includes a second sensor stay 56, a second magnetic sensor 57, and a second magnet 58 as a configuration for detecting that the hooking member 30 is in an upper end position.
The second sensor stay 56 is arranged above the first moving mechanism 40. The second sensor stay 56 is affixed such that the position thereof does not change even when the belt 73 moves in the vertical direction. The second magnetic sensor 57 is mounted on the second sensor stay 56. Upon receiving a magnetic force that is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the second magnetic sensor 57 sends a detection signal that indicates the same to the control device 100. The second magnet 58 is affixed to the base plate 41.
With such a configuration, when the base plate 41 rises thereby causing the second magnet 58 come near the second magnetic sensor 57, the second magnetic sensor 57 sends the detection signal to the control device 100. Accordingly, excessive upward movement of the base plate 41 can be suppressed.
The yarn end pulling device 22 includes a bobbin rotating device 80 that rotates the supply bobbin 5 when the yarn end is being drawn. The bobbin rotating device 80 includes a driving roller 81 and a third motor 82.
The driving roller 81 is configured so as to contact the tray 6 that has stopped in front of the yarn end pulling device 22. The third motor 82 is a stepping motor. Accordingly, the third motor 82 rotates an output shaft thereof at a rotation angle, a rotation direction, and a rotational speed according to a pulse signal received from a third motor control section 83.
The driving roller 81 is rotated by a rotational driving force generated by the third motor 82. With such a configuration, the tray 6 and the supply bobbin 5 can be rotated. A rotation center of the rotation of the tray 6 and a rotation center of the supply bobbin 5 are the same as an axial position of the tray 6 and an axial position of the supply bobbin 5.
Next, a process procedure performed by the control device 100 by controlling the yarn end pulling device 22 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9.
First, the control device 100 judges whether the supply bobbin 5 has reached the yarn end pulling device 22 (Step S101). For example, an optical sensor that detects the supply bobbin 5 or the tray 6 is arranged near the yarn end pulling device 22, and the control device 100 makes such a judgment based on a detection result of the optical sensor. Alternatively, instead of the optical sensor, a contact sensor can be used.
When the supply bobbin 5 has reached the yarn end pulling device 22, the control device 100 sends a command to the third motor control section 83 to rotate the supply bobbin 5 in a winding direction (Step S102). The winding direction is a direction in which the yarn is wound around the supply bobbin 5.
Next, the control device 100 sends to the first motor control section 32 a command to effect movement of the hooking member 30 to the operation position (Step S103). The first motor control section 32 generates a pulse signal and causes the first motor 31 to rotate based on the command and a preset value. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6, the hooking member 30 moves from the waiting position to the operation position.
By moving the hooking member 30 near the rotating supply bobbin 5, the backwind yarn 5c that is helically wound around the surface of the yarn layer 5b is hooked on the hooking member 30. In other words, the backwind yarn 5c can be hooked and caught.
Moreover, the supply bobbins 5 of various shapes are supplied to the bobbin preparing device 3. For example, when the type of the supply bobbin 5 generated by the supply bobbin feeding device 2 is changed, the shape of the supply bobbin 5 supplied to the bobbin preparing device 3 is switched. Because the hooking member 30 catches the backwind yarn 5c on the surface of the supply bobbin 5, an optimum operation position of the hooking member 30 varies depending on the shape of the supply bobbin 5. For example, if the operation position of the hooking member 30 is set mechanically, it is necessary to adjust the operation position according to the shape of the supply bobbin 5, and takes time.
With regard to this, in the present embodiment, an appropriate set value (that is, a pulse signal required for moving the hooking member 30 from the waiting position to the operation position) is stored beforehand according to the shape of the supply bobbin 5. Accordingly, even when the shape of the supply bobbin 5 is switched, the hooking member 30 can be moved to an appropriate operation position simply by switching a setting of the control device 100 according to the current shape.
Next, the control device 100 sends to the second motor control section 62 a command to effect movement of the hooking member 30 downward (Step S104). The second motor control section 62 generates a pulse signal and causes the second motor 61 to rotate based on the command and a preset value. Accordingly, the hooking member 30 moves downward as shown in FIG. 7. Consequently, the backwind yarn 5c is cut. Note that, when the blade is not formed on the hooking member 30, the backwind yarn 5c is peeled off from the yarn layer 5b.
Next, the control device 100 sends to the first motor control section 32 a command to effect movement of the hooking member 30 to the waiting position (Step S105). The first motor control section 32 generates a pulse signal and causes the first motor 31 to rotate based on the command and a preset value. Accordingly, the hooking member 30 moves from the operation position to the waiting position.
However, if the hooking member 30 fails to cut the backwind yarn 5c, or while the hooking member 30 is peeling off the backwind yarn 5c the backwind yarn 5c cannot be hooked by the hooking member 30, even when the first motor 31 is operated so as to return the hooking member 30 to the waiting position, there is a case in which the hooking member 30 cannot be returned to the waiting position (hereinafter, “locked state”).
When the hooking member 30 is in the locked state, the yarn end pulling device 22 cannot continue the process as is. Therefore, the control device 100 performs a control for releasing the locked state of the hooking member 30.
First, the control device 100 judges whether the hooking member 30 is in the locked state (Step S106). In the present embodiment, the control device 100 judges whether the hooking member 30 is in the locked state based on the detection result of the first magnetic sensor 52. When the hooking member 30 is not in the locked state, after the control device 100 performs a control to move the hooking member 30 to the waiting position, the first magnetic sensor 52 detects the first magnet 53 after a predetermined time period is elapsed. However, when the hooking member 30 is in the locked state, the first magnetic sensor 52 does not detect the first magnet 53 even after the predetermined time period has elapsed. Therefore, the control device 100 judges whether the hooking member 30 is in the locked state based on whether the first magnetic sensor 52 has detected the first magnet 53 after the predetermined time period is elapsed.
When the control device 100 judges that the hooking member 30 is not in the locked state, the process performed at Step S101 is performed again to form a yarn end in a new supply bobbin 5. Upon judging that the hooking member 30 is in the locked state, the control device 100 sends to the first motor control section 32 a command to effect movement of the hooking member 30 further near to the supply bobbin 5 (Step S107). When the first motor control section 32 rotates the first motor 31 based on the command, the hooking member 30 is pressed against the supply bobbin 5 as shown in FIG. 8.
As explained above, the second contact portion 45a of the regulating arm 45 and the first contact portion 44a of the rear arm 44 are not affixed. Therefore, the hooking member 30 is pressed against the supply bobbin 5 by the biasing force of the coil spring 43. Accordingly, compared to the scenario in which the hooking member 30 is pressed against the supply bobbin 5 by directly using the first driving force of the first motor 31, the force at which the hooking member 30 is pressed against the supply bobbin 5 can be weakened. As a result, deterioration of a quality of the supply bobbin 5 can be suppressed. Moreover, because a tension of the backwind yarn 5c can be weakened by pressing the hooking member 30 against the supply bobbin 5, the backwind yarn 5c can be easily removed from the hooking member 30.
Next, the control device 100 sends to the second motor control section 62 a command to effect movement of the hooking member 30 downward (Step S108). When the second motor control section 62 rotates the second motor 61 based on the command, the hooking member 30 is moved downward. At the same time, the control device 100 sends a command to the third motor control section 83 to rotate the supply bobbin 5 in an unwinding direction (Step S109). The unwinding direction is a direction in which the yarn is unwound from the supply bobbin 5. Accordingly, the backwind yarn 5c can be removed from the hooking member 30 (FIG. 9). Because the process in which the yarn end pulling device 22 pulls the supply bobbin 5 has failed, the supply bobbin 5 is conveyed to the accumulating path 13.
Next, the control device 100 sends to the first motor control section 32 a command to effect movement of the hooking member 30 to the waiting position (Step S110). When the first motor control section 32 rotates the first motor 31 based on the command, the hooking member 30 returns to the waiting position. Subsequently, the control device 100 again performs the process performed at Step S101, and forms a yarn end in a new supply bobbin 5. By performing the process explained above, when the hooking member 30 is locked, the locked state can be released automatically and operation of the yarn end pulling device 22 can be continued.
The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is exemplary, and as shown below, a part of processes can be omitted, the contents of a part of processes can be changed, or new processes can be added.
For example, at least one of Steps S107, S108, and S109 can be omitted. By omitting such processes, the time required to release the locked state can be shortened. A sequence in which processes performed at Steps S107, S108, S109, and S110 can be different, or two or more processes can be performed simultaneously. For example, the processes performed at Steps S108 and S110 can be performed simultaneously to move the hooking member 30 diagonally backward.
In the present embodiment, judgment of whether the locked state of the hooking member 30 is released is not performed again; however, such a judgment can be performed again. In other words, the control device 100 can perform the process performed at Step S106 again after performing the process performed at Step S110. Accordingly, after confirming that the locked state of the hooking member 30 is released, a yarn end of a new supply bobbin 5 can be formed. The control device 100 can perform a process in which an operator is called when a number of times the process of releasing the locked state of the hooking member 30 has failed exceeds a threshold value. Accordingly, the process in which the locked state of the hooking member 30 is released can be prevented from being repeated.
Next, a second embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 10. In the following explanation, structural elements having the same or similar configuration as those explained in the embodiment explained above are indicated by the same reference numerals and explanation thereof may be omitted.
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment on a point that a distance sensor 91 is provided in the second embodiment. The distance sensor 91 is, for example, a laser sensor, and detects the distance to an object that is in front thereof based on the time taken from the transmission of the laser beam to the reception thereof. The distance sensor 91 is affixed to the base plate 41 via a mounting plate 90. Therefore, even when the hooking member 30 moves forward and backward, the distance sensor 91 does not move forward and backward.
The distance sensor 91 is provided facing forward, and detects the distance to the supply bobbin 5 that is positioned in front of the distance sensor 91. The distance sensor 91 sends a detection result to the control device 100. The control device 100 corrects the operation position of the hooking member 30 based on the detection result received from the distance sensor 91.
The control device 100 compares the detection result of the distance sensor 91 and a reference value (actual distance from the supply bobbin 5 of a standard shape to the distance sensor 91). Because the surface of the supply bobbin 5 is close to the yarn end pulling device 22 when the detection result of the distance sensor 91 is smaller than the reference value, the control device 100 corrects the operation position of the hooking member 30 to a rear side. On the contrary, the surface of the supply bobbin 5 is away from the yarn end pulling device 22 when the detection result of the distance sensor 91 is larger than the reference value, the control device 100 corrects the operation position of the hooking member 30 to a front side.
The distance sensor 91 can be provided on the movable plate 46. In such a configuration, the detection result of the distance sensor 91 can be used for judging whether the hooking member 30 is in the locked state (Step S106). In other words, when the hooking member 30 is not in the locked state, the detection result of the distance sensor 91 gradually increases as the hooking member 30 moves toward the waiting position. On the other hand, when the hooking member 30 is in the locked state, the detection result of the distance sensor 91 does not change significantly even when a control in which the hooking member 30 is moved toward the waiting position is performed. Accordingly, the control device 100 can judge whether the hooking member 30 is in the locked state based on the detection result of the distance sensor 91.
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11.
The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment on a point that a load detector 92 is provided in the third embodiment. The load detector 92 detects a load factor of the first motor 31 and sends the same to the control device 100. The load factor is the ratio of a generated torque to a rated torque.
A detection result of the load detector 92 can be used for judging whether the hooking member 30 is in the locked state (Step S106). After sending the command to effect movement of the hooking member 30 to the waiting position at Step S105, the control device 100 judges whether the load factor detected by the load detector 92 is greater than or equal to a threshold value. When the load factor detected by the load detector 92 is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the control device 100 judges that the hooking member 30 is in the locked state.
As explained above, the bobbin preparing device 3 according to the above embodiments includes the hooking member 30, the first motor 31, the first motor control section 32, the first moving mechanism 40, the second motor 61, the second motor control section 62, and the second moving mechanism 70. The hooking member 30 hooks the backwind yarn 5c that is wound onto the surface of the yarn layer 5b of the supply bobbin 5 and cuts or peels off that backwind yarn 5c. The first motor 31 generates the first driving force that moves the hooking member 30 in the horizontal direction. The first motor control section 32 controls the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the first motor 31. The first moving mechanism 40 uses the first driving force generated by the first motor 31 to move the hooking member 30 in the horizontal direction to bring the hooking member 30 near or away from the supply bobbin 5. The second motor 61 generates the second driving force that moves the hooking member 30 in the vertical direction. The second motor control section 62 controls the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the second motor 61. The second moving mechanism 70 uses the second driving force generated by the second motor 61 to move the hooking member 30 in the vertical direction.
Accordingly, by controlling the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the first motor 31 and / or the second motor 61, the movement of the hooking member 30 can be controlled precisely with a simple configuration. Moreover, movement amount of the hooking member 30 can be adjusted simply by changing the set value.
The bobbin preparing device 3 according to the above embodiments includes the control device 100 that performs a releasing control in which the locked state of the hooking member 30 in which the hooking member 30 on which the backwind yarn 5c is hooked cannot separate from the supply bobbin 5 is released.
Accordingly, even when the hooking member 30 is in the locked state, the locked state can be released without calling the operator.
In the releasing control performed in the bobbin preparing device 3 according to the above embodiments, the control device 100 sends the command to the second motor control section 62 to move the hooking member 30 downward.
With this process, because the hooking member 30 can be removed from the backwind yarn 5c, there is a possibility that the locked state can be released.
In the releasing control performed in the bobbin preparing device 3 of the above embodiments, the control device 100 sends a command to the first motor control section 32 before the hooking member 30 is moved downward, and presses the hooking member 30 to the supply bobbin 5 side.
Because the tension of the backwind yarn 5c hooked on the hooking member 30 can be weakened with such a configuration, the locked state can be released more reliably.
The bobbin preparing device 3 according to the above embodiments includes the bobbin rotating device 80 that rotates the supply bobbin 5 around an axial direction. In the releasing control, the control device 100 sends a command to the bobbin rotating device 80 to rotate the supply bobbin 5 in a direction that is opposite of the direction in which the supply bobbin 5 is rotated when the backwind yarn 5c is cut or peeled off.
Accordingly, because the backwind yarn 5c hooked on the hooking member 30 moves in a direction of being removed from thereon, there is a possibility that the locked state of the hooking member 30 is released.
In the releasing control performed in the bobbin preparing device 3 of the above embodiments, the control device 100 sends a command to the second motor control section 62 to move the hooking member 30 downward, and sends a command to the bobbin rotating device 80 to rotate the supply bobbin 5 in the direction that is opposite to that in which the supply bobbin 5 is rotated when the backwind yarn 5c is cut or peeled off.
Accordingly, because the backwind yarn 5c hooked on the hooking member 30 is moving upward while the hooking member 30 moves downward, the locked state can be released more reliably.
The bobbin preparing device 3 according to the above embodiments includes the detecting section (the first magnetic sensor 52, the distance sensor 91, the load detector 92) that detects the position or movement of the hooking member 30 by the first moving mechanism 40.
Accordingly, a control can be performed on the hooking member 30 based on the position of the hooking member 30.
In the bobbin preparing device 3 according to the above embodiments, the hooking member 30 is capable of moving between the operation position at which the backwind yarn 5c of the supply bobbin 5 is cut or peeled off and the waiting position at which hooking member 30 waits till a next supply bobbin 5 is supplied after the backwind yarn 5c is cut or peeled off. The first magnetic sensor 52, the distance sensor 91, or the load detector 92 detects whether the hooking member 30 is in the waiting position.
Accordingly, for example, even if the control in which the hooking member 30 is returned to the waiting position is performed, when the first magnetic sensor 52, the distance sensor 91, or the load detector 92 does not detect that the hooking member 30 is in the waiting position, it can be estimated that the hooking member 30 is in the locked state.
In the bobbin preparing device 3 according to the second embodiment, the detecting section is a distance sensor 91 that detects the distance till the supply bobbin 5.
Accordingly, the hooking member 30 can be moved to an appropriate position based on the shape of the supply bobbin 5. Alternatively, if a configuration in which the distance sensor 91 moves integrally with the hooking member 30 is adapted, it can be judged whether the hooking member 30 is in the locked state based on the detection result of the distance sensor 91.
In the bobbin preparing device 3 according to the third embodiment, the detecting section is the load detector 92 that detects the load of the first motor 31.
Accordingly, for example, when the load of the first motor 31 is significantly increased when the control to return the hooking member 30 to the waiting position is performed, it can be estimated that the hooking member 30 is in the locked state.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained above. The configuration explained above can, however, be modified as explained below.
In the above embodiments, the first motor 31, the second motor 61, and the third motor 82 are stepping motors; however, these motors can be other types of motors (for example, servo motors) as long as the rotation direction and the rotation amount can be controlled.
In the above embodiments, the control device 100 of the bobbin preparing device 3 performs the process shown in FIG. 5; however, a configuration can be such that another control device (for example, a control device provided in the yarn end pulling device 22) performs the process.
The first moving mechanism 40 according to the above embodiments moves the hooking member 30 in the arc-shaped trajectory; however, the hooking member 30 can be moved along a linear trajectory. Moreover, instead of the configuration in which the hooking member 30 is moved by using an arm, a configuration in which the hooking member 30 is moved by using a ball screw and the like can be used. Similarly, instead of the configuration in which the belt and the pulley are used, the second moving mechanism 70 can be configured to move the base plate 41 (hooking member 30) by using a ball screw and the like.
In the above embodiments, the hooking member 30 is moved near the supply bobbin 5 by the biasing force of the coil spring 43; however, the hooking member 30 can be moved near the supply bobbin 5 by directly using the first driving force of the first motor 31.
In the above embodiments, the supply bobbin feeding-type winder 1 that is a supply bobbin feeding-type winder 1 that includes the supply bobbin feeding device 2, the bobbin preparing device 3, and the automatic winder (winding device) 4 is cited as an example; however, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The supply bobbin feeding-type winder 1 can be a spinning winder system in which a spinning frame is provided instead of the supply bobbin feeding device 2.
In the above embodiments, the automatic winder is cited as an example of the winding device; however, the winding device can be other than the automatic winder as long as the device is capable of winding the yarn.
An object of the present invention is as mentioned above, and the means to achieve the object and the advantageous effect thereof will be explained below.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a bobbin preparing device having below configuration is provided. The bobbin preparing device performs preparation for winding yarn in a winding device on a supply bobbin. The bobbin preparing device includes a hooking member, a first motor, a first moving mechanism, a second motor, a second moving mechanism, and a control device. The hooking member hooks and cuts or peels off a backwind yarn that is wound around a surface of the supply bobbin. The first motor generates a first driving force that moves the hooking member in a horizontal direction. The first moving mechanism uses the first driving force generated by the first motor to move the hooking member in the horizontal direction to bring the hooking member near or away from the supply bobbin. The second motor generates a second driving force that moves the hooking member in a vertical direction. The second moving mechanism uses the second driving force generated by the second motor to move the hooking member in the vertical direction. The control device controls a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the first motor, and a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the second motor.
Accordingly, by controlling the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the first motor and / or the second motor, the movement of the hooking member can be controlled precisely with a simple configuration. Moreover, movement amount of the hooking member can be adjusted simply by changing a set value.
In the above bobbin preparing device, when the hooking member on which the backwind yarn has been hooked is in a locked state in which the hooking member cannot separate from the supply bobbin, it is preferable that the control device performs a releasing control by which the locked state is released.
Accordingly, even when the hooking member is in the locked state, the locked state can be released without calling the operator.
In the above bobbin preparing device, when performing the releasing control, it is preferable that the control device performs the releasing control by moving the hooking member downward.
With this process, because the hooking member can be removed from the backwind yarn, there is a possibility that the locked state can be released.
In the above bobbin preparing device, in the releasing control, before moving the hooking member downward, it is preferable that the control device presses the hooking member toward the supply bobbin side.
Because the tension of the backwind yarn hooked on the hooking member can be weakened with such a configuration, the locked state can be released more reliably.
It is preferable that the above bobbin preparing device has below configuration. The bobbin preparing device includes a bobbin rotating device that rotates the supply bobbin around a shaft direction of the supply bobbin. When performing the releasing control, the control device sends a command to the bobbin rotating device to rotate the supply bobbin in a direction opposite to that in which the supply bobbin is rotated when cutting or peeling off the backwind yarn.
Accordingly, because the backwind yarn hooked on the hooking member moves in a direction of being removed from thereon, there is a possibility that the locked state is released.
In the above bobbin preparing device, when performing the releasing control, it is preferable that the control device presses the hooking member toward the supply bobbin side before rotating the supply bobbin in the opposite direction.
Because the tension of the backwind yarn hooked on the hooking member can be weakened with such a configuration, the locked state can be released more reliably.
It is preferable that the above bobbin preparing device has below configuration. The bobbin preparing device includes a bobbin rotating device that rotates the supply bobbin around a shaft direction of the supply bobbin. When performing the releasing control, the control device moves the hooking member downward, and further sends a command to the bobbin rotating device to rotate the supply bobbin in a direction that is opposite to that in which the supply bobbin is rotated when cutting or peeling off the backwind yarn.
Accordingly, because the backwind yarn hooked on the hooking member is moving upward while the hooking member moves downward, the locked state can be released more reliably.
It is preferable that the above bobbin preparing device includes a detecting section that detects a position or movement of the hooking member caused by the first moving mechanism.
Accordingly, a control can be performed on the hooking member based on the position of the hooking member.
It is preferable that the above bobbin preparing device has below configuration. The hooking member is capable of moving between an operation position in which the backwind yarn of the supply bobbin is cut or peeled off, and a waiting position in which the hooking member waits till a new supply bobbin is supplied after the backwind yarn is cut or peeled off. The detecting section detects whether the hooking member is in the waiting position.
Accordingly, for example, even if the control in which the hooking member is returned to the waiting position is performed, when the detecting section does not detect that the hooking member is in the waiting position, it can be estimated that the hooking member is in the locked state.
In the above bobbin preparing device, it is preferable that the detecting section is a distance sensor that detects a position of the supply bobbin.
Accordingly, the hooking member can be moved to an appropriate position based on the shape of the supply bobbin. Alternatively, if a configuration in which the distance sensor moves integrally with the hooking member is adapted, it can be judged whether the hooking member is in the locked state based on the detection result of the distance sensor.
In the above bobbin preparing device, it is preferable that the detecting section is a load detector that detects a load of the first motor.
Accordingly, for example, when the load of the first motor is significantly increased when the control to return the hooking member to the waiting position is performed, it can be estimated that the hooking member is in the locked state.
In the above explanation, the meaning of "a plurality of" also includes "a predetermined number of".
Although the invention has been explained with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the scope of the claims.
, Claims:We claim:

1. A bobbin preparing device (3) that performs preparation for winding yarn in a winding device (4) on a supply bobbin (5) comprising:
a hooking member (30) that hooks and cuts or peels off a backwind yarn (5c) that is wound around a surface of the supply bobbin (5);
a first motor (31) that generates a first driving force that moves the hooking member (30) in a horizontal direction;
a first moving mechanism (40) that uses the first driving force generated by the first motor (31) to move the hooking member (30) in the horizontal direction to bring the hooking member (30) near or away from the supply bobbin (5);
a second motor (61) that generates a second driving force that moves the hooking member (30) in a vertical direction;
a second moving mechanism (70) that uses the second driving force generated by the second motor (61) to move the hooking member (30) in the vertical direction; and
a control device (100) that controls a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the first motor (31), and a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the second motor (61).

2. The bobbin preparing device (3) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein when the hooking member (30) on which the backwind yarn (5c) has been hooked is in a locked state in which the hooking member (30) cannot separate from the supply bobbin (5), the control device (100) performs a releasing control by which the locked state is released.

3. The bobbin preparing device (3) as claimed in Claim 2, wherein, when performing the releasing control, the control device (100) performs the releasing control by moving the hooking member (30) downward.

4. The bobbin preparing device (3) as claimed in Claim 3, wherein, in the releasing control, before moving the hooking member (30) downward, the control device (100) presses the hooking member (30) toward the supply bobbin (5) side.

5. The bobbin preparing device (3) as claimed in Claim 2, comprising a bobbin rotating device (80) that rotates the supply bobbin (5) around a shaft direction of the supply bobbin (5), wherein
when performing the releasing control, the control device (100) sends a command to the bobbin rotating device (80) to rotate the supply bobbin (5) in a direction opposite to that in which the supply bobbin (5) is rotated when cutting or peeling off the backwind yarn (5c).

6. The bobbin preparing device (3) as claimed in Claim 5, wherein, when performing the releasing control, the control device (100) presses the hooking member (30) toward the supply bobbin (5) side before rotating the supply bobbin (5) in the opposite direction.

7. The bobbin preparing device (3) as claimed in Claim 2, comprising:
a bobbin rotating device (80) that rotates the supply bobbin (5) around a shaft direction of the supply bobbin (5), wherein
when performing the releasing control, the control device (100) moves the hooking member (30) downward, and further sends a command to the bobbin rotating device (80) to rotate the supply bobbin (5) in a direction that is opposite to that in which the supply bobbin (5) is rotated when cutting or peeling off the backwind yarn (5c).

8. The bobbin preparing device (3) as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 7, comprising a detecting section that detects a position or movement of the hooking member (30) caused by the first moving mechanism (40).

9. The bobbin preparing device (3) as claimed in Claim 8, wherein
the hooking member (30) is capable of moving between an operation position in which the backwind yarn (5c) of the supply bobbin (5) is cut or peeled off, and a waiting position in which the hooking member (30) waits till a new supply bobbin (5) is supplied after the backwind yarn (5c) is cut or peeled off, and
the detecting section detects whether the hooking member (30) is in the waiting position.
10. The bobbin preparing device (3) as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the detecting section is a distance sensor (91) that detects a position of the supply bobbin (5).

11. The bobbin preparing device (3) as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the detecting section is a load detector (92) that detects a load of the first motor (31).