Claims:I/We claim:

1. A bobbin preparing device (4, 4A) comprising:
a conveying path (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, L) on which a conveying tray (9) on which a supply bobbin (11A) is mounted is conveyed;
a different type bobbin detecting sensor (56) that detects a different type bobbin, which is a supply bobbin in which a yarn is wound onto a winding tube (12) of a different color than that of the supply bobbin (11A) that is currently being processed, by detecting the color of the winding tube (12) of the supply bobbin (11A) that is being conveyed on the conveying path (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, L), and
a control section (7) that provides control such that the different type bobbin is conveyed to a different type bobbin extracting position (P1) on the conveying path (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, L) when the different type bobbin is detected by the different type bobbin detecting sensor (56).

2. The bobbin preparing device (4, 4A) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the bobbin preparing device (4A) includes a notification section (58) capable of outputting a notification, and
the control section (7) controls the notification section (58) to output the notification when the different type bobbin is detected by the different type bobbin detecting sensor (56), and controls the conveying path (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, L) to convey the different type bobbin to the different type bobbin extracting position (P1) after receiving a reset signal.

3. The bobbin preparing device (4, 4A) as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, comprising an end finding unit (50) for preparing the supply bobbin (11A) in which a yarn is wound onto the winding tube (12) into the supply bobbin (11A) to be fed to an automatic winder (3), wherein
the conveying path (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, L) includes a circular path (L) that includes a passage that passes through a position of the end finding unit (50), and
the different type bobbin extracting position (P1) is arranged on a part of the circular path (L).

4. The bobbin preparing device (4, 4A) as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the different type bobbin extracting position (P1) is a retaining path (P1) for retaining an end-finding failed bobbin on which an end finding processing performed in the end finding unit (50) has failed.

5. The bobbin preparing device (4A) as claimed in Claim 3, comprising a bobbin extracting device (8) provided on the circular path (L) that extracts the different type bobbin from the conveying tray (9), and the different type bobbin extracting position (P1) is a position at which the different type bobbin is extracted by the bobbin extracting device (8).

6. A yarn winding system (1, 1A) comprising:
the bobbin preparing device (4, 4A) as claimed in Claim 4;
an automatic winder (3) that forms a package (P) by winding a yarn from a supply bobbin (11A) that is prepared in the bobbin preparing device (4, 4A), wherein
the conveying path (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, L) includes
a first conveying part (61) that is a conveying path of a finished yarn supply bobbin (11B);
a plurality of second conveying parts (62) that branches out from the first conveying part (61); and
a third conveying part (63) that is a conveying path of a used bobbin (13) provided at a downstream side of the plurality of the second conveying parts (62), wherein
the first conveying part (61) includes a fourth conveying part (64) that feeds the supply bobbin (11A) to the end finding unit (50),
the yarn winding system (1, 1A) includes
a fifth conveying part (65) that branches out from the downstream side of the end finding unit (50) in the fourth conveying part (64) and then converges at a downstream portion of the third conveying part (63); and
a sixth conveying part (66) that connects the fourth conveying part (64) and the downstream portion of the third conveying part (63), wherein
the fifth conveying part (65) bypasses the fourth conveying part (64) and the third conveying part (63), includes a first retaining position (P1) at which the end-finding failed bobbin is retained, and the first retaining position (P1) also serves as a retaining path, and
the fourth conveying part (64), the fifth conveying part (65), and the sixth conveying part (66) are included in the bobbin preparing device (4, 4A).

7. A yarn winding system (1, 1A) comprising:
the bobbin preparing device (4, 4A) as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 5, and
an automatic winder (3) that forms a package (P) by winding a yarn from a supply bobbin (11A) prepared in the bobbin preparing device (4, 4A).

8. A bobbin preparing method comprising:
a conveying step in which a conveying tray (9) on which a supply bobbin (11A) is placed is conveyed along a conveying path (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, L);
a detecting step in which the supply bobbin (11A) in which a yarn is wound onto a winding tube (12) of a different color than that of the supply bobbin that is currently being processed is detected as a different type bobbin by detecting the color of the winding tube (12) of the supply bobbin (11A) that is conveyed along the conveying path (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, L), and
a conveying step in which, when the different type bobbin is detected, the different type bobbin is conveyed to a different type bobbin extracting position (P1) on the conveying path (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, L).
, Description:BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device, a system, and a method for preparing bobbins.

2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a technology in which occurrence of mixed yarn is prevented by using a winding tube of a color according to a yarn count is known in the art. The mixed yarn refers to incorrect winding of different types of yarn due to the mixing of supply bobbins having different spinning conditions (yarn count and the like) in a winding unit.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H2-249871 discloses a color sensor that detects the color of the winding tube of the supply bobbin when it passes through a bobbin circular delivery path of a winding section, a judging section that outputs a signal when the color detected by the color sensor is different from the color of a yarn type that are handled in the winding section, and a section to stop an operation of the circular delivery path in the winding section based on the emitted signal.
In the conventional technology discussed above, operation of the circular delivery path is stopped, a warming lamp and the like is lit, and the name of the winding section in which mixed yarn is detected is displayed. An operator then finds the winding tube of the detected different color mixed in the circular delivery path, and removes the same by extracting it from the tray. However, during an actual operation, sometimes it is difficult to extract the bobbin having the winding tube of a different color (different type bobbin) from a position at which mixed yarn is detected. In such a case, the operator had to manually move the bobbin to a position from which it is easier to extract the bobbin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a device, a system, and a method preparing bobbins capable of facilitating the processing of a different type bobbin.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a bobbin preparing device includes a conveying path on which a conveying tray on which a supply bobbin is mounted is conveyed; a different type bobbin detecting sensor that detects a different type bobbin, which is a supply bobbin in which a yarn is wound onto a winding tube of a different color than that of the supply bobbin that is currently being processed, by detecting the color of the winding tube of the supply bobbin that is being conveyed on the conveying path; and a control section that provides control such that the different type bobbin is conveyed to a different type bobbin extracting position on the conveying path when the different type bobbin is detected by the different type bobbin detecting sensor.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a yarn winding system includes the above bobbin preparing device, and an automatic winder that forms a package by winding a yarn from a supply bobbin prepared in the bobbin preparing device.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a bobbin preparing method includes a conveying step in which a conveying tray on which a supply bobbin is placed is conveyed along a conveying path; a detecting step in which the supply bobbin in which a yarn is wound onto a winding tube of a different color than that of the supply bobbin that is currently being processed is detected as a different type bobbin by detecting the color of the winding tube of the supply bobbin that is conveyed along the conveying path, and a conveying step in which, when the different type bobbin is detected, the different type bobbin is conveyed to a different type bobbin extracting position on the conveying path.
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 DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a yarn winding system that includes a bobbin preparing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an automatic winder included in the yarn winding system shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a winder unit included in the automatic winder shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a conveying tray that is conveyed in the automatic winder shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a winding tube mounted on the conveying tray.
FIG. 4C is a perspective view of a supply bobbin mounted on the conveying tray.
FIG. 4D is a perspective view of a finished yarn supply bobbin mounted on the conveying tray.
FIG. 5 is a side view of an end finding unit of the bobbin preparing device shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the bobbin preparing device.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed in a control section of the bobbin preparing device shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a yarn winding system that includes a bobbin preparing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a different type bobbin extracting device included in the bobbin preparing device shown in FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed in a control section of the bobbin preparing device shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A yarn winding system 1 according to one embodiment will be explained with reference to the drawings. Identical elements are indicated by the same reference symbols in the drawings and redundant explanation thereof is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 1, the yarn winding system 1 includes a spinning frame 2, an automatic winder 3, and a bobbin preparing device 4. The spinning frame 2 generates a yarn from a roved yarn that is generated by a roving frame, and winds the yarn to form a supply bobbin 11A (see FIG. 4C).
In the automatic winder 3, a stock bunch 15, which is a top bunch for a stock is formed in an upper part 12b of a winding tube 12 (hereinafter referred to as the winding tube upper part 12b). In the automatic winder 3, a yarn Y is pulled from a finished yarn supply bobbin 11B (see FIG. 4D) in which a yarn end Y1 is arranged on an inner part 12c of the winding tube 12 (hereinafter, "winding tube inner part 12c"), and wound to form a package P. In other words, the automatic winder 3 winds the yarn Y from the finished yarn supply bobbin 11B that is prepared in the bobbin preparing device 4 and fed to the automatic winder 3 to form the package P. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic winder 3 includes an end frame 20, a plurality (for example, 24) of winder units (yarn winding machine) 30, and a doffing cart 45. The end frame 20 includes a display panel 21 that includes a display section and the like, an operation panel 22 that includes input keys and the like, and a machine control section 23 that controls an operation of the automatic winder 3. The display panel 21 displays the operating status and the like of each winder unit 30. An operator sets operating conditions of each winder unit 30 and the like by using the operation panel 22.
The machine control section 23 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The machine control section 23 executes various control processing in the automatic winder 3 and the bobbin preparing device 4. Such various control processing are performed, for example, by loading onto the RAM a computer program stored in the ROM and executing the computer program with the CPU.
The winder units 30 are arranged in one direction as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Each winder unit 30 unwinds the yarn Y from the finished yarn supply bobbin 11B shown in FIG. 4D to form the package P. As shown in FIG. 3, the winder unit 30 includes a winding device 31, a tension applying device 32, a yarn monitoring device 33, an upper-yarn capturing device 34, a lower-yarn capturing device (capturing section) 35, a yarn joining device 36, and a unit controller 40 (see FIG. 2).
The winding device 31 includes a cradle 31a and a winding drum 31b. The cradle 31a supports the package P. The winding drum 31b rotates the package P while traversing the yarn Y. As a result, the yarn Y unwound from the finished yarn supply bobbin 11B set in a predetermined position is wound onto the package P. The tension applying device 32 applies a predetermined tension to the yarn Y running between the finished yarn supply bobbin 11B and the package P.
The yarn monitoring device 33 monitors the running yarn Y to detect a yarn defect (abnormal thickness of the yarn Y, contamination of the yarn Y with a foreign substance, or the like). When the yarn defect is detected, the yarn Y is cut by a dedicated cutter. In the event that the yarn Y is cut, the upper-yarn capturing device 34 captures the yarn end of the yarn Y on the package P side and guides the same to the yarn joining device 36. In the event that the yarn Y is cut or the like, the lower-yarn capturing device 35 captures the yarn end of the yarn Y on the finished yarn supply bobbin 11B side and guides the same to the yarn joining device 36. The yarn joining device 36 joins the yarn ends guided by the upper-yarn capturing device 34 and the lower-yarn capturing device 35.
The unit controller 40 shown in FIG. 2 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The unit controller 40 performs various control processing in the winder unit 30. Such various control processing are performed, for example, by loading a computer program stored in the ROM onto the RAM and executing the computer program with the CPU.
The doffing cart 45 is movable along the direction (one direction) in which the winder units 30 have been arranged. The doffing cart 45 performs a package removal operation in which a fully wound package P formed by the winder unit 30 is removed. The doffing cart 45 also performs a yarn hooking operation in which, after mounting a winding tube for winding the yarn Y, the yarn Y of the finished yarn supply bobbin 11B is sandwiched between the winding tube and the cradle 31a (i.e., placing the yarn of the supply bobbin on the winding tube).
The bobbin preparing device 4 conveys the supply bobbins 11A (see FIG. 4C), the finished yarn supply bobbins 11B (see FIG. 4D), and used bobbins 13 (see FIG. 4B) in a state in which these bobbins are mounted in a respective conveying tray 9. The supply bobbin 11A is supplied from the spinning frame 2 of an upstream process and in which the yarn Y has been wound around the winding tube 12. The used bobbin 13 is the finished yarn supply bobbin 11B from which some of or all the yarn Y wound thereon has been pulled and unwound by the winder unit 30. FIG. 4B shows the used bobbin 13 in a state in which all the yarn Y has been pulled and unwound from the finished yarn supply bobbin 11B.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the conveying tray 9 has a disc-shaped base member 91, a protruding member 92 protruding upward from the base member 91, and a pin 93 protruding further upward from the protruding member 92. The supply bobbin 11A, the finished yarn supply bobbin 11B, and the used bobbin 13 are mounted on the conveying tray 9 in such a manner that the pin 93 is inserted in a lower end 12a of the winding tube 12 and one end of the winding tube 12 faces upward. In other words, the conveying tray 9 supports the supply bobbin 11A, the finished yarn supply bobbin 11B, and the used bobbin 13 in an upright posture with the axial direction of the bobbins aligned in a vertical direction.
As shown in FIG. 1, a bobbin conveying device 5 conveys various kinds of bobbins explained above by conveying the conveying trays 9 on which the bobbins have been set. The bobbin conveying device 5 includes a first conveying part 61 that is a conveying path of the finished yarn supply bobbin 11B, a plurality of second conveying parts 62 that branch out from the first conveying part 61, and a third conveying part 63 that is a conveying path of the used bobbin 13 that is arranged at the downstream side of the plurality of the second conveying parts 62. The first conveying part 61 includes a fourth conveying part 64 that is included in the bobbin preparing device 4. The fourth conveying part 64 feeds the supply bobbin 11A to a later-explained end finding unit 50.
The bobbin conveying device 5 further includes a fifth conveying part 65 that branches out from the downstream side of the end finding unit 50 in the fourth conveying part 64 and converges at a downstream side of the third conveying part 63, and a sixth conveying part 66 that connects the fourth conveying part 64 (first conveying part 61) and the downstream portion of the third conveying part 63. The fourth conveying part 64, the fifth conveying part 65, and the sixth conveying part 66 are included in the bobbin preparing device 4, and these conveying parts form a circular path (conveying path) L for conveying various kinds of bobbins in the bobbin preparing device 4. The fifth conveying part 65 bypasses the first conveying part 61 (fourth conveying part 64) and the third conveying part 63 without passing through the automatic winder 3. The fifth conveying part 65 is thus a bypass line.
The first conveying part 61 (including the fourth conveying part 64), the second conveying part 62, and the third conveying part 63 are made from a conveyor for conveying the conveying tray 9 along the conveying path, a conveyor driving device, a routing plate, and the like. The fifth conveying part 65 and the sixth conveying part 66 are made from a round belt for conveying the conveying tray 9 along these conveying paths, a belt driving device, a pulley, a routing plate, and the like.
The third conveying part 63 and the fifth conveying part 65 are arranged near a work passage in which the operator can walk. A first retaining position P1, which is a retaining location for an end-finding failed bobbin, is provided on the fifth conveying part 65. The end-finding failed bobbin refers to a bobbin that fails to become an appropriately finished yarn supply bobbin 11B in the end finding unit 50. In other words, the first retaining position P1 is a retaining path for retaining the end-finding failed bobbin that failed in an end finding processing in the end finding unit 50. A second retaining position P2 (retaining path) that is a retaining location of the used bobbin 13 (bobbin without yarn) that is discharged from the automatic winder 3 is provided on the third conveying part 63. The operator can hold by hand the various kinds of bobbins positioned at the first retaining position P1 and the second retaining position P2.
A configuration relating to the end finding processing of the supply bobbin 11A that is arranged along the circular path L will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the bobbin preparing device 4 includes the end finding unit 50 for preparing from the supply bobbin 11A the finished yarn supply bobbin 11B that is fed to the automatic winder 3.
The end finding unit 50 is arranged so as to face the conveying path of the fourth conveying part 64. The end finding unit 50 includes a rotary cutter 51, a yarn peeling device 52, and an end finding device 53. The rotary cutter 51, the yarn peeling device 52, and the end finding device 53 are arranged sequentially from the upstream side along the conveying path of the fourth conveying part 64. The circular path L explained above passes through the position of the end finding unit 50.
The rotary cutter 51 includes a motor and a rotary blade, and cuts a bunch winding part of the supply bobbin 11A to form the yarn end Y1. The yarn peeling device 52 includes, for example, a motor, a contact piece 52a (see FIG. 5), a link structure, and the like. A flange portion provided on a tip end of the contact piece 52a can be brought near a peripheral surface of the supply bobbin 11A such that the yarn end Y1 on the peripheral surface of the supply bobbin 11A can be stimulated to float. The yarn peeling device 52 further includes a searcher device that peels off the yarn end Y1 explained above from a yarn layer surface of the supply bobbin 11A. The searcher device inserts a yarn peeling blade between the peripheral surface of the supply bobbin 11A and the yarn end Y1 on that peripheral surface, and peels off the yarn end Y1 from the yarn layer surface of the supply bobbin 11A. The end finding device 53 unwinds a part of the yarn end Y1, forms the stock bunch 15 on the winding tube upper part 12b, and forms the finished yarn supply bobbin 11B in which the yarn end Y1 is arranged on the winding tube inner part 12c.
The bobbin preparing device 4 includes a different type bobbin detecting sensor 56 that detects a different type bobbin by detecting the color of the supply bobbin 11A conveyed by the bobbin conveying device 5 along the fourth conveying part 64, and a bobbin position sensor 57 that detects whether the supply bobbin 11A has reached a detection position at which the different type bobbin detecting sensor 56 detects the supply bobbin 11A. Furthermore, in FIG. 6, the bobbin conveying device 5 is included in the bobbin preparing device 4 and conveys the finished yarn supply bobbin 11B and the used bobbin 13 in the bobbin preparing device 4 and the automatic winder 3. The bobbin preparing device 4 only includes portions relating to the fourth conveying part 64, the fifth conveying part 65, and the sixth conveying part 66 included in the bobbin conveying device 5.
The bobbin position sensor 57 includes, for example, a first position sensor 57A and a second position sensor 57B that are arranged side-by-side in a conveying direction of the fourth conveying part 64. The first position sensor 57A and the second position sensor 57B each include a light projection section and a light receiving section. Each of the first position sensor 57A and the second position sensor 57B detects the arrival of the supply bobbin 11A (see the supply bobbin 11A indicated by a virtual line shown in FIG. 5) by detecting a front part and a rear part of the supply bobbin 11A in the conveying direction.
The different type bobbin detecting sensor 56 detects, as a different type bobbin, a supply bobbin that is of different type than the supply bobbin 11A that is currently being processed. The different type bobbin detecting sensor 56 includes a color sensor 56a. The color sensor 56a is affixed to a bracket 56b, for example, in a predetermined posture, and is capable of sensing the color of the winding tube 12 when a detection light is projected on the winding tube upper part 12b of the supply bobbin 11A (indicated by a virtual line shown in FIG. 5). The different type bobbin detecting sensor 56 can distinguish the color of the winding tube that is currently being processed. The phrase "the winding tube that is being currently processed" refers to a supply bobbin on which the yarn Y is wound and is to be fed to the automatic winder 3. The different type bobbin detecting sensor 56 determines whether the sensed color is the color of the winding tube based on the yarn Y (spinning conditions) to be fed to the automatic winder 3. The different type bobbin detecting sensor 56 outputs to a control section 7 a signal that indicates the determination result.
As shown in FIG. 6, the bobbin preparing device 4 includes the control section 7 that controls the bobbin conveying device 5. The control section 7 includes CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. The control section 7 performs various kinds of control processing in the bobbin preparing device 4. Such various kinds of control processing are performed, for example, by loading a computer program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing the computer program by using the CPU.
The bobbin preparing device 4 includes a notification section 58 that notifies that the different type bobbin is detected, and an operation panel 59 that is operated by the operator. The notification section 58 includes, for example, a display section, a speaker, and the like. As long as the notification section 58 is a means that is capable of transmitting a warning (alarm) to the operator (a visual notification or an auditory notification), the notification section 58 can be any kind of equipment or device. The operation panel 59 allows manual operations relating to the operations of the bobbin preparing device 4 performed by the operator. The operation panel 59 includes, for example, a reset button 59a. When the reset button 59a is pressed while the warning has been issued, or the bobbin conveying device 5 is stopped, the bobbin conveying device 5 is restarted (re-operated). When the reset button 59a is pressed (input) by the operator, a reset signal is output, or transmitted, to the control section 7. The notification section 58 and the operation panel 59 can be provided in, for example, an operation panel provided on the side surface of the bobbin preparing device 4.
Next, processing (bobbin preparing method) performed via the control section 7 of the bobbin preparing device 4 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 7. The control section 7 controls the bobbin conveying device 5 to convey various kinds of bobbins including the supply bobbin 11A (conveying step). As shown in FIG. 7, when the bobbin position sensor 57 detects the arrival of the supply bobbin 11A (Step S01), the control section 7 acquires a signal from the different type bobbin detecting sensor 56 (Step S02).
The control section 7 determines whether the supply bobbin 11A is a different type bobbin (Step S03). For example, the control section 7 (or the different type bobbin detecting sensor 56) maintains a table of the color of the winding tube and the corresponding type of the yarn Y (spinning conditions) to be fed to the automatic winder 3. The control section 7 (or the different type bobbin detecting sensor 56) compares the actual color sensed by the different type bobbin detecting sensor 56 with the data in the table and determines whether the bobbin is a different type bobbin. When the actual color of the winding tube of the supply bobbin 11A has a match in the data in the table, the control section 7 determines that the supply bobbin 11A is not a different type bobbin (Step S03: NO). In other words, by detecting the color of the supply bobbin 11A conveyed along the conveying path of the fourth conveying part 64, the control section 7 detects whether the supply bobbin 11A is of the same type (an appropriate bobbin to be fed to the automatic winder 3) as that of the supply bobbin 11A that is currently being processed. The control section 7 controls the end finding unit 50 to perform an end finding operation on the supply bobbin 11A (Step S04). Accordingly, the finished yarn supply bobbin 11B is formed. The supply bobbin 11A for which the end finding operation is successful is transported to the automatic winder 3 (Step S05). Furthermore, when the end finding operation fails, the control section 7 controls the bobbin conveying device 5 to convey the corresponding supply bobbin 11A to the fifth conveying part 65, and retain thereof at the first retaining position P1.
When the end finding operation is successful, the control section 7 controls the bobbin conveying device 5 to convey the finished yarn supply bobbin 11B to the second conveying part 62. Subsequently, winding of the yarn Y from the finished yarn supply bobbin 11B is performed in the winder units 30 of the automatic winder 3. The control section 7 controls the bobbin conveying device 5 to return the used bobbin 13 for which winding of the yarn Y is completed via the third conveying part 63, and retain the bobbin at the second retaining position P2.
At Step S03, when the actual color of the supply bobbin 11A does not match with the color in the data in the table, the control section 7 determines that the supply bobbin 11A is the different type bobbin (Step S03: YES; different type bobbin detecting step). In other words, by detecting the color of the supply bobbin 11A conveyed along the conveying path of the fourth conveying part 64, the control section 7 detects the supply bobbin 11A, as the different type bobbin, which is a bobbin of a different type than that of the supply bobbin 11A that is currently being processed. The control section 7 controls the notification section 58 to activate the alarm (Step S06) and stop the bobbin conveying device 5 (Step S07). An audio message stating "Mixed yarn has occurred" and the like can be generated via a speaker and the like that is arranged facing the work passage through which the operator walks, or simply, a buzzer can sound and a message stating "Mixed yarn has occurred. Check." can be displayed on a display section that is visible to the operator.
When the operator notices such a notification, the operator checks the supply bobbin 11A that has been stopped near the end finding unit 50. Upon confirming that the supply bobbin 11A that is stopped at the different type bobbin detecting sensor 56 is the different type bobbin (supply bobbin in which a yarn is wound on a winding tube that is of a different color that is not appropriate), the operator presses (operates) the reset button 59a. Upon receiving the reset signal (Step S08), the control section 7 conveys the detected different type bobbin to the first retaining position (retaining path, a different type bobbin extracting position) P1 (Step S09; a conveying step). The different type bobbin is retained at the first retaining position P1. It is possible that other supply bobbins 11A for which the end finding is failed are retained at the first retaining position P1; however, the operator finds the different type bobbin and extracts the same. Because the first retaining position P1 is an easily accessible position from the work passage on which the operator is present, the different type bobbin can be extracted very easily.
Furthermore, even if the supply bobbin 11A is mixed up because of some kind of human factor, presence of a different type bobbin is detected at the first retaining position P1 by the different type bobbin detecting sensor 56 arranged near the end finding unit 50, and conveyed to the circular path L when needed. Accordingly, it is unlikely that an inappropriate supply bobbin 11A is fed to the automatic winder 3. The configuration explained above can be equally advantageous at the second retaining position P2 when the supply bobbin 11A is mixed up because of a human factor. Thus, in the bobbin preparing device 4, the different type bobbin is detected on the circular path L and then it is conveyed to a position from which the operator can easily extract it, thus improving the safety.
According to the bobbin preparing device 4, the yarn winding system 1, and the bobbin preparing method of the present embodiment, the control section 7 performs a control via which the different type bobbin is conveyed to the first retaining position P1. Accordingly, even if the position of the different type bobbin when it is detected as the different type bobbin is a difficult position for the operator to extract the bobbin, the different type bobbin is moved from that position to the first retaining position P1, thereby facilitating the extraction of the different type bobbin. Consequently, processing of the different type bobbin is facilitated.
When the different type bobbin is detected by the different type bobbin detecting sensor 56, the notification section 58 is controlled to notify that the different type bobbin is detected. When the control section 7 receives the reset signal, the control section 7 conveys the corresponding different type bobbin to the first retaining position P1. By pressing the reset button 59a, the operator can extract the different type bobbin safely and easily.
The first retaining position P1 is set on the circular path L. Because the detected different type bobbin is conveyed on the circular path L, mistaken feeding of such bobbin to the automatic winder 3 can be prevented. Even when the different type bobbin cannot be extracted after being retained at the first retaining position P1 in an unlikely event, the different type bobbin again passes through the different type bobbin detecting sensor 56, and is again returned to the first retaining position P1.
The first retaining position P1 for the end-finding failed bobbin is the same position at which the different type bobbin is conveyed. Accordingly, the workability by the operator can be improved. A storage area for storing the different type bobbin (bobbin of different color) need not be provided separately on the circular path L, making it advantageous from the perspective of cost and device design.
The different type bobbin extracted by the operator is then added to a group of supply bobbins on which the same yarn as that of the extracted different type bobbin is wound. Moreover, when such group of supply bobbins on which the same yarn as that of the extracted different type bobbin is wound does not exist, the yarn wound onto the extracted different type bobbin is removed and the winding tube 12 is separated. The yarn wound onto the winding tube 12 is removed by a residual yarn removing device. As the residual yarn removing device, an offline-type residual yarn extracting device that is arranged on a stand (cart) that is separate from the bobbin preparing device 4 is used. The offline-type residual yarn removing device can easily remove the yarn wound onto the different type bobbin by supplying force via an air pipe or an electric wiring. Specifically, when performing a residual yarn processing, the residual yarn removing device lowers an extracting head to the height of a lower end portion of the different type bobbin when the operator operates a button, and secures the different type bobbin by pressing the tip end portion thereof from above. Subsequently, the residual yarn removing device operates a cylinder of a bobbin holding device to protrude a holding claw inward and hold a lower end portion of the winding tube 12 of the different type bobbin with the holding claw. The residual yarn removing device can remove the yarn wound on the different type bobbin from the winding tube 12 by raising the extracting head for a short distance while the tip end portion of the different type bobbin is being held by a fixed member. After releasing the hold of the holding claw, the residual yarn removing device lowers the removing head to the height of the lower end portion of the different type bobbin again, holds the lower end portion of the different type bobbin with the holding claw again, and sufficiently raises the removing head at this time. Furthermore, after raising the removing head to the height of an upper end portion of the different type bobbin, the residual yarn removing device raises the fixed member in conjunction with the removing head. Accordingly, the yarn that has come off when the removing head was raised the first time can be pulled out from the winding tube 12 by placing the yarn on the holding claw that is protruding inward.
Next, a bobbin preparing device 4A and a yarn winding system 1A according to another embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. A bobbin preparing device 4A shown in FIG. 8 differs from the bobbin preparing device 4 of the previous embodiment on a point that a bobbin extracting device 8 that extracts the winding tube 12 from the conveying tray 9 is arranged on the sixth conveying part 66.
As shown in FIG. 9, the bobbin extracting device 8 extracts and collects a different type bobbin from the conveying tray 9 on which the different type bobbin was mounted. The bobbin extracting device 8 includes a frame 70, pulleys 72 and 74, a belt 76, a driving section 80, a clamping section 82, a first pressing section 84, and a second pressing section 86.
The frame 70 includes a base portion 70a and a main body 70b. The base portion 70a and the main body 70b are made from, for example, a metal. The base portion 70a is affixed to a not-shown base. The main body 70b is a long member. The main body 70b is connected to the base portion 70a. The main body 70b is arranged such that longitudinal direction thereof is along an up-down direction. The pulley 72 is rotatably provided on the frame 70. The pulley 72 is rotatable around a rotation shaft 71. The rotation shaft 71 is rotatably supported by a bracket 73 that is provided on the base portion 70a of the frame 70.
A plurality (five in the present embodiment) of support pulleys 88 is provided on the main body 70b of the frame 70. The support pulleys 88 support the belt 76. The support pulleys 88 are arranged at a predetermined interval in an extending direction of the belt 76 (longitudinal direction of the main body 70b). Each support pulley 88 is connected to the rotation shaft 89 that is rotatably supported on the main body 70b. Accordingly, the support pulley 88 is freely rotatable around the main body 70b. In the bobbin extracting device 8, upon detecting that the conveying tray 9 has reached the bobbin extracting device 8 by a not-shown sensor, the clamping section 82 is driven by the driving section 80 to hold the different type bobbin. Then, the different type bobbin is conveyed upwards as the belt 76 moves, and the bobbin is discharged to a collection box and the like at a predetermined position.
The processing (bobbin preparing method) performed in the bobbin preparing device 4A differs from the processing performed in the bobbin preparing device 4 shown in FIG. 7. Specifically, instead of the conveying step at which the different type bobbin is conveyed to the first retaining position P1 (Step S09), the different type bobbin is extracted by the bobbin extracting device 8 (Step S10).
According to the bobbin preparing device 4A, the yarn winding system 1A, and the bobbin preparing method, the same effects and advantages as those of the previous embodiment can be obtained, and processing of the different type bobbins can be facilitated. Furthermore, because the different type bobbin can be extracted automatically by the bobbin extracting device 8, the different type bobbin (the supply bobbin in which the yarn is wound onto a winding tube of a different color) can be removed easily.
Embodiments of the present invention are explained above; however, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments explained above. For example, in the embodiments explained above, the supply bobbin 11A is conveyed from the spinning frame 2 to the bobbin preparing device 4, and the used bobbin 13 is returned to the spinning frame 2; however, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. A bobbin feeding device that is arranged facing the sixth conveying part 66 can be provided, and the supply bobbin 11A that is formed in the previous step can be supplied to the conveying path of the bobbin conveying device 5 via the bobbin feeding device. When the bobbin extracting device is provided in the sixth conveying part 66, a distinguishing device that distinguishes whether the yarn Y is wound around the winding tube 12, that is, whether the winding tube 12 mounted on the conveying tray 9 is the used bobbin 13, can be arranged on an upstream side of the bobbin extracting device.
In the embodiments explained above, the detected different type bobbin is conveyed to the first retaining position P1 inside the circular path L or a position at which the different type bobbin is extracted by the bobbin extracting device 8. The different type bobbin extracting position can be set outside the first retaining position P1. The different type bobbin extracting position at which the detected different type bobbin is conveyed can be set outside the circular path L. For example, a path on which the operator extracts a bobbin and a position for extracting a different type bobbin can be provided separately from the circular path L.
Moreover, in the flow of processing shown in FIG. 10, Steps S06, S07, and S08 can be omitted, and all the different type bobbins can be automatically conveyed to the bobbin extracting device 8. To realize this step, the control section 7 can write information relating to the detection of the different type bobbin to a RF tag 9B (see FIG. 4) of the conveying tray 9.
The different type bobbin detecting sensor 56 can be provided at a position away from the end finding unit 50.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a bobbin preparing device includes a conveying path on which a conveying tray on which a supply bobbin is mounted is conveyed; a different type bobbin detecting sensor that detects a different type bobbin, which is a supply bobbin in which a yarn is wound onto a winding tube of a different color than that of the supply bobbin that is currently being processed, by detecting the color of the winding tube of the supply bobbin that is being conveyed on the conveying path; and a control section that provides control such that the different type bobbin is conveyed to a different type bobbin extracting position on the conveying path when the different type bobbin is detected by the different type bobbin detecting sensor.
According to the above bobbin preparing device, the control section performs a control via which the different type bobbin is conveyed to the different type bobbin extracting position. Accordingly, even if the position of the different type bobbin when it is detected as the different type bobbin is a difficult position for the operator to extract the bobbin, the different type bobbin is moved from that position to the different type bobbin extracting position, thereby facilitating the extraction of the bobbin. Consequently, when the different type bobbin is detected, processing of the different type bobbin is facilitated.
The above bobbin preparing device can include a notification section capable of outputting a notification. The control section can control the notification section to output the notification when the different type bobbin is detected by the different type bobbin detecting sensor, and can control the conveying path to convey the different type bobbin to the different type bobbin extracting position after receiving a reset signal. In this case, by pressing a reset button, the operator can extract the bobbin safely and easily.
The above bobbin preparing device can include an end finding unit for preparing the supply bobbin in which a yarn is wound onto the winding tube into the supply bobbin to be fed to an automatic winder. The conveying path can include a circular path that includes a passage that passes through a position of the end finding unit, and the different type bobbin extracting position can be arranged on a part of the circular path. Because the different type bobbin is conveyed on a part of the circular path, mistaken feeding of such bobbin to the automatic winder can be prevented.
The different type bobbin extracting position can be a retaining path for retaining an end-finding failed bobbin on which an end finding processing performed in the end finding unit has failed. Because the retaining path for the end-finding failed bobbin is the same position at which the different type bobbin is conveyed, the workability by the operator can be improved. A storage area for storing the different type bobbin (bobbin of different color) need not be provided separately on the conveying path, making it advantageous from the perspective of cost and device design.
The above bobbin preparing device can include a bobbin extracting device provided on the circular path that extracts the different type bobbin from the conveying tray, and the different type bobbin extracting position can be a position at which the different type bobbin is extracted by the bobbin extracting device. Because the bobbin can be extracted automatically by the bobbin extracting device, the different type bobbin (supply bobbin of different color) can be removed easily.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a yarn winding system includes the above bobbin preparing device and an automatic winder that forms a package by winding a yarn from a supply bobbin that is prepared in the bobbin preparing device. The conveying path includes a first conveying part that is a conveying path of a finished yarn supply bobbin; a plurality of second conveying parts that branches out from the first conveying part; and a third conveying part that is a conveying path of a used bobbin provided at a downstream side of the plurality of the second conveying parts. The first conveying part includes a fourth conveying part that feeds the supply bobbin to the end finding unit. The yarn winding system includes a fifth conveying part that branches out from the downstream side of the end finding unit in the fourth conveying part and then converges at a downstream portion of the third conveying part and a sixth conveying part that connects the fourth conveying part and the downstream portion of the third conveying part. The fifth conveying part bypasses the fourth conveying part and the third conveying part, includes a first retaining position at which the end-finding failed bobbin is retained, and the first retaining position also serves as a retaining path, and the fourth conveying part, the fifth conveying part, and the sixth conveying part are included in the bobbin preparing device.
A storage area for storing the different type bobbin (bobbin of different color) need not be provided separately on the conveying path, making it further advantageous from the perspective of cost and device design.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a yarn winding system includes the above bobbin preparing device, and an automatic winder that forms a package by winding a yarn from a supply bobbin prepared in the bobbin preparing device. According to this yarn winding system, the different type bobbin detected in the bobbin preparing device is securely removed, thereby more securely preventing the different type bobbin from being mixed into the automatic winder.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a bobbin preparing method includes a conveying step in which a conveying tray on which a supply bobbin is placed is conveyed along a conveying path; a detecting step in which the supply bobbin in which a yarn is wound onto a winding tube of a different color than that of the supply bobbin that is currently being processed is detected as a different type bobbin by detecting the color of the winding tube of the supply bobbin that is conveyed along the conveying path, and a conveying step in which, when the different type bobbin is detected, the different type bobbin is conveyed to a different type bobbin extracting position on the conveying path.
According to the above bobbin preparing method, as explained above, processing of the different type bobbins can be facilitated.
According to the present invention, processing of the different type bobbins can be facilitated.
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.