SPINNING MACHINE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a spinning machine, and in

particular, to a spinning machine such as a fine spinning machine

adapted to apply twists to a fiber bundle to produce a spun yarn

and wind the produced spun yarn to form a package.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional spinning machine includes a plurality of spinning units, a plurality of unit frames for collectively supporting each of the plurality of spinning units, and a service unit for yarn joining operation capable of moving along the plurality of spinning units (see e.g., Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-77577). Each spinning unit applies twists to a fiber bundle to produce a spun yarn, and winds the produced spun yarn to form a package. The plurality of spinning units are arranged in line in a first direction. The unit frame includes a plurality of suction ducts for sucking and transporting yarn wastes generated at a spinning section, yarn waste generated by the service unit, and yarn waste generated during the yarn joining operation. The suction ducts are arranged along the first direction of the plurality of unit frames. A suction duct for the service unit is arranged at a position located at the back side of the service unit. The spinning machine may also include another service unit such as a doffing cart other than the service unit for yarn j oining operation. In the conventional spinning machine, when carrying out a maintenance on the service unit, the maintenance operation is normally carried out from a rear side of the service unit. Since the suction duct is arranged at on the rear side of the service unit, when carrying out the maintenance, the service unit is conventionally removed from a side of the spinning machine.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the conventional spinning machine, the service unit is removed from the side of the spinning machine when carrying out maintenance on the service unit. In this case, if a plurality of service units are arranged on the unit frame, the service unit that is not a maintenance target may also be required to be removed. In such a case, the maintenance cannot be performed while the spinning machine is operating, which may significantly lower operation efficiency of the spinning machine. An object of the present invention is to improve the operation efficiency of the spinning machine.
A plurality of embodiments will be described below as means for solving the problems. Such embodiments may be arbitrarily combined as necessary.
A spinning machine includes a plurality of spinning units arranged along a first direction, each spinning unit including a spinning section adapted to apply twists to a fiber bundle and produce a spun yarn, and a winding section adapted to wind the spun yarn produced by the spinning section and form a package, at least one service unit arranged capable of travelling along the first direction, the service unit including a first surface facing a yarn path formed by the spinning section and the winding section, and a second surface arranged opposite to the first surface, and at least one unit frame including a supporting section adapted to support the spinning unit, a travelling space of the service unit, and an opening section leading to the second surface of the service unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an overall configuration of a spinning machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the spinning machine; FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the spinning machine;
FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the spinning machine;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a spinning machine under a state in which a suction duct is closed according to a first alternative embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the spinning machine under a state in which the suction duct is opened according to the first alternative embodiment; and
FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view illustrating a suction duct of a spinning machine according to a second alternative embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A fine spinning machine (spinning machine) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Herein, "upstream" and "downstream" respectively refer to upstream and downstream in a travelling direction of a yarn at the time of spinning.
A fine spinning machine 1 serving as a spinning machine illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of spinning units 2 arranged in a line. The fine spinning machine 1 includes a yarn joining cart (service unit) 3, a doffing cart 4, a blower box 80, a motor box 5, a unit frame 6, and a bar-like member 16. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the fine spinning machine 1 further includes a first suction duct 17, a second suction duct 18, and a third suction duct 19.
The plurality of spinning units 2 are arranged in line in a first direction, which is a left and right direction in FIG. 1, on the unit frame 6. Each spinning unit 2 forms a package 45 around which a spun yarn 10 of a predetermined length is wound. For example, eight spinning units 2 can be attached to one unit frame 6. The number of spinning units 2 that can be attached to one unit frame 6 is not particularly limited. Furthermore, one fine spinning machine 1 includes one or a plurality of unit frames 6.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, each spinning unit 2 includes a draft section 7, a spinning section 9, a yarn slack eliminating section
12, and a winding section 13 as the main components in this order from the upstream to the downstream. The draft section 7 is arranged in proximity to an upper end of the unit frame 6 of the fine spinning machine 1. The draft section 7 drafts a sliver 15 to obtain a fiber bundle 8. The spinning section 9 uses whirling airflow to apply twists to the fiber bundle 8 fed from the draft section 7 and performs pneumatic spinning. The spun yarn 10 fed from the spinning section 9 passes through a yarn clearer 52, and is fed to the yarn slack eliminating section 12, and wound by the winding section 13, thereby
forming the package 45. A yarn path LP (FIG. 2) is thus formed vertically from the spinning section 9 to the winding section 13 of each spinning unit 2. The yarn clearer 52 detects thickness abnormality of the spun yarn 10 and/or presence or absence of foreign materials contained in the spun yarn 10.
The yarn slack eliminating section 12 has a function of applying a predetermined tension to the spun yarn 10 and retrieving the spun yarn 10 from the spinning section 9, and a function of accumulating the spun yarn 10 fed from the spinning section 9 at the time of yarn joining by the yarn joining cart 3 and eliminating slackening of the spun yarn 10. The yarn slack eliminating section 12 also has a buffer function of preventing a fluctuation of tension on the winding section 13 side from being transmitted to the spinning section 9 side.
The winding section 13 includes a cradle arm 71 supported in a freely oscillating manner about a supporting shaft 70, and a winding drum 72 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The cradle arm 71 rotatably supports a bobbin 4 8 to wind the spun yarn 10. The winding drum 72 is arranged at a front side of the unit frame 6, and rotatably drives the bobbin 48 or the package 45 at a predetermined winding speed by making contact with an outer peripheral surface thereof.
The yarn joining cart 3 can travel along the first direction on a first travelling rail 81 arranged on the unit frame 6. After disconnection of a yarn, the yarn joining cart 3 travels to a position of the spinning unit 2 in which yarn joining is necessary
and joins an upper yarn from the spinning section 9 and a lower yarn from the winding section 13. Only one yarn joining cart 3 is illustrated in FIG. 1, but a plurality of yarn joining carts 3 are arranged in the entire fine spinning machine 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, each yarn joining cart 3 includes a cart section 41, a yarn joining device 43 (one example of yarn joining section) provided in the cart section 41, a suction pipe 44, a suction mouth 46, and a suction air supply pipe 47 (FIG. 2).
The cart section 41 includes a front surface (first surface) 41a facing the yarn path LP, a rear surface (second surface) 41b arranged opposite to the front surface 41a, an upper surface (third surface) 41c and a lower surface (third surface) 41d that respectively connect an upper portion and a lower portion of the front surface 41a and the rear surface 41b. The projection area in the depth direction (left and right direction in FIG. 2) of the front surface 41a and the rear surface 41b is the same. The projection area in a vertical direction of the upper surface 41c and the lower surface 41d is also the same.
The cart section 41 has two travelling wheels 41e arranged with an interval in the travelling direction at both ends in the first direction. A pair of guide rollers 41f are respectively arranged on an upper portion and a lower portion of the cart section
41. The upper guide roller 41f is guided by a guide rail 41g. The yarn joining device 43 joins the upper yarn and the lower yarn. The suction pipe 44 swings around a horizontal axis to catch an upper yarn end at the spinning section 9. The suction mouth 46 moves vertically to capture a lower yarn end at the winding section 13.
The suction air supply pipe 47 opens and closes a shutter 95 arranged at a position corresponding to each spinning unit 2 of a sub-suction duct 17b, to be described later, of the first suction duct 17. The suction air is thus supplied from the sub-suction duct 17b to the yarn joining device 43, the suction pipe 44, and the suction mouth 46.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the doffing cart

4 is arranged capable of travelling along the first direction on a front surface side of the spinning unit 2. After the package 45 is fully wound at the spinning unit 2, the doffing cart 4 travels to the relevant spinning unit 2 on the second travelling rail 82 and stops thereat. As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the doffing cart 4 includes a cart casing 85. The cart casing 85 accommodates a suction pipe 88, an empty bobbin supplying member 89, and a cradle operating arm 90.
The cart casing 85 has two travelling wheels 85a arranged on both ends in the first direction. The travelling wheels 85a are arranged on a lower surface of the cart casing 85 and at the side located away from the spinning unit 2. Therefore, the doffing cart 4 is guided on the second travelling rail 82 on the side located away from the spinning unit 2. A height of the cart casing 85 is lower thana height of the spinning unit 2 . Specifically, the height of the cart casing 85 is slightly lower than a position of the yarn slack eliminating section 12 of the spinning unit 2.
The cart casing 85 is formed to cover from above a package placing section 21, to be described later, arranged on the unit frame 6. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the doffing cart 4 is arranged at an outermost side of the fine spinning machine
1. The cart casing 85 has a passage recess section 85b recessed to a C-shaped cross-section through which the bar-like member 16 can pass. The passage recess section 85b is formed on the surface facing the spinning unit 2, and has a size enabling a supporting member 96 supporting the bar-like member 16 to also pass through in addition to the bar-like member 16. As illustrated in an enlarged manner in portion A of FIG. 2, the passage recess section 85b is provided with a fall preventing guide roller 85c guided by the bar-like member 16. Two guide rollers 85c are arranged to sandwich the bar-like member 16 from left and right in the side view of the spinning unit 2.
The suction pipe 88 is provided capable of stretching and oscillating. The suction pipe 88 moves to the spinning section 9
and sucks and catches the upper yarn end of the spun yarn 10 fed from the spinning section 9. The suction pipe 88 oscillates while retrieving from the spinning section 9 to guide the caught spun yarn 10 to the bobbin 48 set in the winding section 13. A range GL of a guiding operation of the suction pipe 88 is a range illustrated with a chain double dashed line in FIG. 2. The empty bobbin supplying member 8 9 is provided in the cart casing 85 in a freely swinging manner to supply the empty bobbin 48 to the winding section 13. The cradle operating arm 90 is attached in a freely oscillating manner to the cart casing 85, and operates the cradle arm 71 of the winding section 13 to remove the package 45.
The first suction duct 17, the second suction duct 18, and the third suction duct 19 are connected to the blower box 80. The blower box 80 includes a blower (not illustrated) for generating suction air flow in the first suction duct 17, the second suction duct 18, and the third suction duct 19.
The unit frame 6 is a frame-shaped member for attaching eight spinning units 2, for example. The unit frame 6 includes a main frame 20 for attaching the spinning units 2, the package placing section 21 arranged on a front surface side of the main frame 20, a step 22, and a tiptoe accommodating section 23.
The main frame 20 is a member formed by assembling a steel material. As illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, an inclined supporting section 20a for supporting the draft section 7 and the spinning section 9 of the spinning unit 2 is formed at an upper portion of the front side of the main frame 20.' An inclination angle a of the supporting section 20a is in an angular range of greater than or equal to 50 degrees and smaller than or equal to 70 degrees. The draft section 7 and the spinning section 9 are thus arranged in an upright manner than the conventional fine spinning machine. As a result, a distance from an operation passage to the draft section 7 and the spinning section 9 becomes shorter, and maintenance can be more easily carried out on the draft section 7 and the spinning section 9.
A travelling space 20c through which the yarn joining cart 3 travels is formed in a recessed manner in a central part at the front side of the main frame 20. A first travelling rail 81 for the yarn joining cart 3 is attached along the first direction at a lower portion of the travelling space 20c.
As illustrated with a chain double dashed line in FIG. 4, an opening section 20b is formed in the rear side of the main frame
20. The opening section 20b is formed leading to the rear surface 41b of the yarn joining cart 3, and has a size in which the yarn joining cart 3 can be removed from the rear side of the main frame
20. Specifically, the opening section 20b is larger than the rear surface 41b of the cart section 41 of the yarn joining cart 3. More specifically, the opening section 20b is larger than the projection area in a depth direction of the front surface 41a and the rear surface 41b. The opening section 20b is also larger than the upper surface 41c or the lower surface 41d of the yarn joining cart 3.
A pair of a rib member 20d and a beam member 20e for reinforcement is arranged on both sides of the opening section 20b in the first direction. The rib member 20d couples the upper portion and a lower portion of the main frame 20, and the length of the rib member 20d from the end in the first direction is longer at the lower portion than at the upper portion. The beam member 20e is made of steel plate, for example, and is diagonally arranged from the upper portion of the main frame 20 towards the end in the first direction of the lower portion. The opening section 20b is formed between the pairs of the rib member 20d and the beam member 20e. The rib member 20d and the beam member 20e are arranged to prevent the strength of the main frame 20 from lowering as a result of formation of the opening section 20b.
A unit power box 31 is arranged at the side of the opening section 20b on the rear side of the main frame 20. A unit power duct 32 is arranged above the opening section 20b. The unit power box 31 and the unit power duct 32 are conventionally arranged behind the yarn joining cart 3.

the package 45 wound with the spun yarn 10 to the package placing section 21. The package guiding section 28 has a slope surface 28a slanted downwards from the winding section 13 towards the package placing section 21.
The step 22 is arranged at the side surface 21a (left side surface in FIG. 2) on the second side of the package placing section
21. The step 22 is used as a stepstool when the operator performs maintenance of the spinning unit 2. The step 22 is formed by a flat surface. A second travelling rail 82, on which the doffing cart 4 travels, is arranged on an upper surface of the step 22. The second travelling rail 82 is a metal plate-shaped member having a minimal thickness. A cableveyor 26 for passing wirings and a pneumatic piping hose for supplying power, carrying out communication of various types of signals, and supplying compressed air to the doffing cart 4 is arranged inside the step 22. An outer side located away from the spinning unit 2 of the step 22 is the operation passage.
As illustrated in an enlarged manner in portion B of FIG. 2, the tiptoe accommodating section 23 has a space capable of accommodating a tiptoe portion of a shoe of the operator. The tiptoe accommodating section 23 is formed to vertically overlap below the package placing section 21. The space of the tiptoe accommodating section 23 is formed projecting towards the first side at the side surface 21a of the second side of the package placing section 21. By providing such a tiptoe accommodating section 23, the operator on the step 22 can further approach the spinning unit 2. Workability thus can be improved when the operator carries out a maintenance operation or the like.
The bar-like member 16 has a function as a handrail and a function as a guiding section of the doffing cart 4. For example, the bar-like member 16 is a pipe member made of stainless steel, and is arranged at a position located away from the spinning unit
2. Thus, when carrying out a maintenance operation or the like on the spinning unit 2, the operator can carry out the maintenance operation with the hand placed on the bar-like member 16 or leaning
the body against the bar-like member 16. The operator thus can carry out the maintenance operation in a stable position even when carrying out the operation while facing the spinning unit 2. As illustrated in portion A of FIG. 2, the guide roller 85c of the doffing cart 4 makes contact with an outer peripheral surface of the bar-like member 16 from both left and right sides. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the bar-like member 16 is arranged along the first direction. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the bar-like member 16 is arranged at the side located away from the spinning unit 2 than a range GL of the guiding operation of the suction pipe 88 of the doffing cart 4. The bar-like member 16 is arranged between the yarn path LP and the step 22. Accordingly, the doffing cart 4 is guided by the second travelling rail 82 and the bar-like member
16. Position accuracy of the doffing cart 4 with respect to the spinning unit 2 becomes higher by guiding an upper portion of the doffing cart 4 with the bar-like member 16 and guiding the lower portion of the doffing cart 4 with the second travelling rail 82. The doffing cart 4 thus can accurately perform a doffing operation from a doffing position.
The bar-like member 16 is supported by a plurality of supporting members 96 arranged with an interval in the first direction. The supporting members 96 fix a lower surface of the bar-like member 16. Therefore, the supporting members 96 are not arranged on an upper surface and left and right surfaces of the bar-like member 16. Accordingly, the guide rollers 85c can be arranged.
The supporting member 96 is arranged for every four spinning units 2, for example. The supporting member 96 is fixed to the front surface of the main frame 20. The supporting member 96 is a thick plate-shaped member, and interiorly includes a suction passage (not illustrated) connected to the second suction duct 18. A suction cap 96a serving as a suction portion is attached to a distal end of the suction passage in a manner that the suction cap 96a can be swung between an opened position and a closed position. If the
suction cap 96a is swung to the opened position, the suction passage is opened and the yarn dust or the like can be sucked. Accordingly, waste such as yarn dust collected by the operator during the maintenance operation or the like can be discarded.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, a stop operation section 29 is arranged along the bar-like member 16 below the bar-like member 16. A through-hole 96b, through which the stop operation section 29 can pass, is formed at a lower portion of a distal end of the supporting member 96. The stop operation section 29 is a rope shaped member of which one end is connected to an emergency stop button 30. The stop operation section 29 is configured such that when the stop operation section 29 is pulled in a direction away from the supporting member 96, an emergency stop operation is carried out similarly as when the emergency stop button 30 is pushed. The operator thus can promptly perform the emergency stop operation at any position at the front of the fine spinning machine 1. Furthermore, since the stop operation section 29 is arranged below the bar-like member 16, the operator is less likely to operate the stop operation section 29 by mistake.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, the first suction duct 17 collects the yarn waste that generates when the yarn joining cart 3 performs the yarn joining operation and transports the yarn waste to the blower box 80. The second suction duct 18 collects the yarn waste that generates before and after the yarn joining operation and transports the yarn waste to the blower box 80. The third suction duct 19 collects dust and floating fibers that generate during drafting by the draft section 7 as well as dust and yarn waste that generate during spinning by the spinning section 9, and transports the same to the blower box 80.
The first suction duct and the second suction duct of the conventional spinning machine are located at the back side of the yarn joining cart, and thus operation cannot be performed to the rear surface of the yarn joining cart 3. In the present embodiment, the first suction duct 17 is arranged in the main frame 20 so as
to be located below the yarn joining cart 3 in a vertical position. The second suction duct 18 is arranged in the main frame 20 so as to be located above the yarn joining cart 3. The third suction duct 19 is arranged in the main frame 20 so as to be located behind the draft section 7 and the spinning section 9.
The second suction duct 18 and the third suction duct 19 are continuously arranged on each main frame 2 0 of the fine spinning machine 1, respectively. The first suction duct 17 includes a main suction duct 17a, a sub-suction duct 17b, and a coupling duct 17c, which are continuously arranged on the main frame 20. The sub-suction duct 17b is arranged with both ends closed on each main frame 20. The coupling duct 17c couples the main suction duct 17a and the sub-suction duct 17b. The main suction duct 17a is arranged below the yarn joining cart 3, and is arranged along the first direction of a plurality of sets of spinning units 2 with a plurality of spinning units 2 as one set. The sub-suction duct 17b is arranged below the second suction duct 18, that is, arranged above the yarn joining cart 3. The shutter 95 that opens and closes according to the travelling of the yarn joining cart 3 is arranged at a position that corresponds to the spinning unit 2 and is located on a lower surface of the sub-suction duct 17b.
The second suction duct 18 and the main suction duct 17a respectively have a circular cross-section. The second suction duct 18 and the main suction duct 17a are fixed to the main frame 20, but are not directly connected to the main frame 20. Therefore, the second suction duct 18 and the main suction duct 17a do not function as structural members of the main frame 20. The third suction duct 19 has a deformed pentagonal cross-section formed by cutting off one corner of a rectangular cross-section. The third suction duct 19 is coupled to the main frame 20, and functions as a structural member of the main frame 20. Therefore, the third suction duct 19 is also used to enhance the strength of the main frame 20.
In the fine spinning machine 1 configured as above, when

carrying out the maintenance operation on the yarn joining cart 3, the yarn joining cart 3 is stopped at a position facing the opening section 20b of the main frame 20 of the closest unit frame 6. In this state, the yarn joining cart 3 can be removed through the opening section 20b as is. In this case, the yarn joining cart 3 is removed from the rear side of the main frame 20, and hence the spinning operation of the spinning unit 2 is not inhibited. Therefore, after the removal operation is completed, the spinning operation can be continuously carried out even during the maintenance operation. When carrying out the maintenance operation on the spinning unit 2, the operator stands on the step
22. When the operator stands on the step 22, the toe of the shoes can be arranged in the tiptoe accommodating section 23. Since the tiptoe accommodating section 23 is located below the package placing section 21, the operator can approach the spinning unit 2 as much as possible. Therefore, the operation efficiency of the operator can be improved. Furthermore, the bar-like member 16 is arranged along the first direction facing the front side of the spinning unit 2. The operator thus can carry out the maintenance operation while placing the hand on the bar-like member 16 or leaning the body against the bar-like member 16. Accordingly, the operation efficiency of the operator is further improved.
Next, a first alternative embodiment will be described. In the above embodiment, the first suction duct 17 is divided to the main suction duct 17a formed over the entire length of the fine spinning machine 1 and the sub-suction duct 17b arranged on each unit frame 6. The main suction duct 17a and the sub-suction duct 17b are arranged below and above the yarn joining cart 3, and an opening section 20b is formed in the main frame 20. In the following description, only a configuration different from the above embodiment will be described.
As illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in the first alternative embodiment, a first suction duct 117 includes a main suction duct 117a arranged below the yarn joining cart 3, and a pair of left
and right sub-suction ducts 117b arranged behind the yarn joining cart 3. The main suction duct 117a is located closer to a front surface side than the above embodiment. Therefore, the main suction duct 117a is arranged immediately below the yarn joining cart 3. The pair of sub-suction ducts 117b are supported by the main frame 2 0 in a freely swinging manner about a perpendicular axis on both outer sides. The pair of sub-suction ducts 117b respectively have a length corresponding to four spinning units 2 in the first direction, and have both ends closed, for example. The sub-suction ducts 117b thus open and close about the perpendicular axis to a closed state illustrated in FIG. 5 and an opened state illustrated in FIG. 6. When the sub-suction ducts 117b are in the opened state illustrated in FIG. 6, the opening section 20b is formed at the back side of the yarn joining cart 3. The main frame 20 is provided with a pair of swing shafts 117d for supporting swinging of the sub-suction duct 117b. A pair of the coupling ducts
117c is arranged to connect the pair of sub-suction ducts 117b to the main suction duct 117a. The coupling duct 117c use a flexible duct hose, where one end is connected to the main suction duct 117a and the other end is connected to the sub-suction duct 117b.
In the first alternative embodiment, the opening and closing direction of the sub-suction ducts 117b is not limited to the opening and closing about the perpendicular axis. A moving mode of the sub-suction duct is not limited to that of the first alternative embodiment as long as the sub-suction duct can be moved to form the opening section 20b in the main frame 20. For example, the sub-suction duct may carry out the opening and closing operation about a horizontal axis. Alternatively, the sub-suction duct may be arranged to slide vertically.
Next, a second alternative embodiment will be described. In the first alternative embodiment, the sub-suction duct 117b is opened and closed. In the second alternative embodiment, a sub-suction duct 217b is detachably fixed to the main frame 20 with a screw member 217e, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The sub-suction duct
217b is connected to the main suction duct 117a through the coupling

duct 117c that uses a flexible duct hose. The sub-suction duct 217b

has a length corresponding to eight spinning units 2 in the first direction, and has both ends closed. Other configurations are similar to those in the above embodiment. In the fine spinning machine 1, the opening section 20b can be formed at the back side of the yarn joining cart 3 by detaching the sub-suction duct 217b.
The above embodiment can be represented as follows. The fine spinning machine 1, which is an example of a spinning machine, includes a plurality of spinning units 2, at least one yarn joining cart 3 (one example of service unit) , and at least one unit frame
6. The plurality of spinning units 2 are arranged along the first direction, each spinning unit 2 including the spinning section 9 adapted to apply twists to the fiber bundle 8 and produce a spun yarn 10, and the winding section 13 adapted to wind the spun yarn 10 produced by the spinning section 9 and form the package 45. At least one yarn joining cart 3 is arranged capable of travelling along the first direction, and includes the front surface 41a (one example of first surface) facing the yarn path LP formed by the spinning section 9 and the winding section 13, and the rear surface 41b (one example of second surface) arranged opposite to the front surface 41a. At least one unit frame 6 includes the supporting section 20a adapted to support the spinning unit 2, the travelling space 20c of the yarn joining cart 3, and the opening section 20b leading to the rear surface 41b of the yarn joining cart 3. In the fine spinning machine 1, the yarn joining cart 3 is moved to the position facing the opening section 20b when carrying out maintenance on the yarn joining cart 3. When the yarn joining cart 3 is moved to the opening section 20b, since the opening section 20b leads to the rear surface 41b, the operator can handle a maintenance target on the rear surface 41b of the yarn joining cart
3. Therefore, maintenance can be carried out only on the yarn joining cart 3 even during the operation of the fine spinning machine 1, and the operation efficiency of the fine spinning machine 1 can
be improved.

The yarn joining cart 3 includes the upper surface 41c

(example of third surface) or the lower surface 41d (example of third surface) adapted to connect one of an upper portion and a lower portion of the front surface 41a and the rear surface 41b, and the opening section 20b is larger than the upper surface 41c or the lower surface 41d of the yarn joining cart 3. Thus, the yarn joining cart 3 can be removed from the opening section 20b by laying down the yarn joining cart 3, and the fine spinning machine 1 can be operated after the removal. Thus, time during which the entire fine spinning machine 1 is stopped for the maintenance of one yarn joining cart 3 becomes shorter, and the operation efficiency of the fine spinning machine 1 is further improved. If the service unit is the yarn joining cart 3, the yarn path LP on which the spun yarn 10 travels from the spinning section 9 to the winding section 13 exists at the front surface 41a side. Therefore, if the yarn joining cart 3 is removed from the front surface 41a side, the operations of the spinning section 9 and the winding section 13 cannot be carried out. However, in the fine spinning machine 1, since the yarn joining cart 3 is removed from the rear surface 41b side, the spinning section 9 and the winding section 13 can be used during the removal operation.
The opening section 20b is larger than the second surface of the yarn joining cart 3. The yarn joining cart 3 thus can be removed from the opening section 20b even in an upright position without being laid down, and the fine spinning machine 1 can be operated after the removal. Thus, the time during which the entire fine spinning machine 1 is stopped for the maintenance of one yarn joining cart 3 becomes shorter, and the operation efficiency of the fine spinning machine 1 is further improved. If the service unit is the yarn joining cart 3, the yarn path LP on which the spun yarn 10 travels from the spinning section 9 to the winding section 13 exists on the front surface 41a side. Therefore, if the yarn joining cart 3 is removed from the front surface 41a side, the operations of
the spinning section 9 and the winding section 13 cannot be carried out. However, in the present embodiment, since the yarn joining cart 3 is removed from the rear surface 41b side, the spinning section 9 and the winding section 13 can be used during the removal operation.
The fine spinning machine 1 further includes the first suction duct 17 adapted to supply suction airflow to the yarn joining cart
3. The first suction duct 17 is arranged along the first direction. The first suction duct 17 is arranged above or below the yarn joining cart 3. Accordingly, the opening section 20b can be formed even if the first suction duct 17 is arranged along the travelling direction of the yarn joining cart 3. The opening section 20b is thus easily formed.
The fine spinning machine 1 further includes the sub-suction duct 117b adapted to supply suction airflow to the yarn joining cart 3. The sub-suction duct 117b is arranged along the first direction. The sub-suction duct 117b is arranged movable on the main frame 20 so as to form the opening section 20b. Accordingly, the opening section 20b can easily be formed by moving the sub-suction duct 117b in a direction of approaching to or separating from the main frame 20. Thus, even if the sub-suction duct 117b is arranged on the back side of the yarn joining cart 3, the opening section 20b can be easily formed.
The fine spinning machine 1 further includes the sub-suction duct 217b adapted to supply suction airflow to the yarn joining cart 3. The sub-suction duct 217b is arranged along the first direction. The sub-suction duct 217b is arranged detachable on the main frame 20 so as to form the opening section 20b. Accordingly, the opening section 20b can be easily formed by simply detaching the sub-suction duct 217b. Thus, even if the sub-suction duct 217b is arranged at the back side of the yarn joining cart 3, the opening section 20b can be easily formed.
The fine spinning machine 1 includes a plurality of yarn joining carts 3. By arranging only the yarn joining cart 3 that
requires maintenance in the opening section 20b, the maintenance can be carried out on the relevant yarn joining cart 3. Even if the yarn joining cart 3 is removed, the spinning unit 2 and other yarn joining carts 3 can be used. Thus, even if a plurality of yarn joining carts 3 are provided, the maintenance can be promptly carried out and the operation efficiency can be improved.
The main frame 20 of the unit frame 6 includes the reinforcement beam member 20e arranged around the opening section 20b. Accordingly, the main frame 20 of which strength tends to lower due to the formation of the opening section 2 0b can be reinforced.
The yarn joining cart 3 includes the yarn joining device 43 for joining the yarn end of the spun yarn 10 fed from the spinning section 9 and the yarn end of the spun yarn 10 wound by the winding section 13 after disconnection of the spun yarn 10. Accordingly, the maintenance operation can be easily carried out on the yarn joining cart 3 including the yarn joining device 43. The service unit is the yarn joining cart 3. Since the yarn path LP on which the spun yarn 10 travels from the spinning section 9 to the winding section 13 exists on the front surface 41a side of the yarn joining cart 3, if the yarn joining cart 3 is removed from the front surface 41a side, the operations of the spinning section 9 and the winding section 13 cannot be carried out. However, in the above embodiment, since the yarn joining cart 3 is removed from the rear surface 41b side, the spinning section 9 and the winding section 13 can be used during the removal operation.
Embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications may be made within a scope not deviating from the gist of the invention. In particular, the plurality of embodiments and alternative embodiments described herein may be arbitrarily combined as needed.
In the embodiment and the alternative embodiments described above, the yarn joining cart has been illustrated as the service unit, but the service unit is not limited to the yarn joining cart.
The service unit may be a doffing cart or a different cart for
maintenance.

In the embodiment and the alternative embodiments described above, the yarn path is formed from the upper side to the lower side, but the present invention can also be applied to a spinning machine in which the yarn path is formed from the lower side to the upper side.
In the embodiment and the alternative embodiments described above, the second suction duct is arranged above the yarn joining cart and the first suction duct is arranged below the yarn joining cart, but such an arrangement may be reversed.
In the embodiment and the alternative embodiment described above, the doffing cart is provided, but the doffing cart may not be provided.
In the embodiment and the alternative embodiment described above, the third suction duct also serves as a structural member of the unit frame 6, but at least one of the first suction duct and the second suction duct may serve as the structural member. If the unit frame 6 can maintain a predetermined strength, both the first suction duct and the second suction duct may not serve as the structural member.
In the embodiment and the alternative embodiments described above, the spun yarn 10 is pulled out from the spinning section 9 by the yarn slack eliminating section 12, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention may also be applied to a spinning machine adapted to pull out the spun yarn 10 from the spinning section 9 with the spun yarn 10 nipped by a delivery roller and a nip roller.
The present invention can be widely applied to a spinning machine including the service unit. The spinning machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of spinning units, at least one service unit, and at least one unit frame. The plurality of spinning units are arranged along a first direction, and each spinning unit
includes a spinning section adapted to apply twists to a fiber bundle and produce a spun yarn, and a winding section adapted to wind the spun yarn produced by the spinning section and form a package. At least one service unit is arranged capable of travelling along the first direction, and the service unit includes a first surface facing a yarn path formed by the spinning section and the winding section, and a second surface arranged opposite to the first surface. At least one unit frame includes a supporting section adapted to support the spinning unit, a travelling space of the service unit, and an opening section leading to the second surface of the service unit. In such a spinning machine, the service unit is moved to a position facing the opening section when carrying out maintenance on the service unit. When the service unit is moved to the opening
section, since the opening section leads to the second surface, the operator can handle the maintenance target at the second surface, that is, the rear surface of the service unit. Therefore, maintenance can be carried out only on the service unit even during the operation of the spinning machine, and the operation efficiency of the spinning machine can be improved.
The service unit includes a third surface adapted to connect one of an upper portion and a lower portion of the first surface and the second surface, and the opening section may be larger than the third surface of the service unit. Accordingly, the service unit can be removed from the opening section by laying down the service unit, and the spinning machine can be operated after the removal. Thus, time during which the entire spinning machine is stopped for the maintenance of one service unit becomes shorter, and the operation efficiency of the spinning machine can be further improved. Furthermore, if the service unit is the yarn joining cart, the yarn path on which the spun yarn travels from the spinning section to the winding section exists at the first surface side. Therefore, if the yarn joining cart is removed from the first surface side, the operations of the spinning section and the winding section cannot be carried out. However, in the above spinning machine,
since the service unit is removed from the second surface side, the spinning section and the winding section can be used during the removal operation.
The opening section may be larger than the second surface of the service unit. Accordingly, the service unit can be removed from the opening section even in an upright position without being laid down, and the spinning machine can be operated after the removal. Thus, the time during which the entire spinning machine is stopped for the maintenance of one service unit becomes shorter, and the operation efficiency of the spinning machine can be further improved. Moreover, if the service unit is the yarn joining cart, the yarn path on which the spun yarn travels from the spinning section to the winding section exists on the first surface side. Therefore, if the yarn joining cart is removed from the first surface side, the operations of the spinning section and the winding section cannot be carried out. However, in the above spinning machine, since the service unit is removed from the second surface side, the spinning section and the winding section can be used during the removal operation.
The above spinning machine may further include a suction duct

adapted to supply suction airflow to the service unit. The suction

duct is arranged along the first direction. The suction duct may

be arranged above or below the service unit. Accordingly, the

opening section can be formed even if the suction duct is arranged

along the travelling direction of the service unit. The opening

section is thus easily formed.

The above spinning machine may further include a suction duct adapted to supply suction airflow to the service unit. The suction duct is arranged along the first direction. The suction duct may be provided movable so as to form the opening section. Accordingly, the opening section can be easily formed by moving the suction duct with respect to the unit frame. Therefore, even if the conventional suction duct is arranged at the back side of the service unit, the opening section can be easily formed.
The above spinning machine may further include a suction duct adapted to supply suction airflow to the service unit. The suction duct is arranged along the first direction. The suction duct is arranged detachable with respect to the unit frame so as to form the opening section. Accordingly, the opening section is easily formed by simply detaching the suction duct. Therefore, even if the conventional suction duct is arranged at the back side of the service unit, the opening section can be easily formed.
The above spinning machine may further include a unit power box arranged to a side of the opening section at a rear side of the unit frame. Thus, even if the unit power box is arranged on the unit frame, the unit power box does not inhibit the access to the second surface of the service unit and the maintenance on the service unit can be carried out.
The above spinning machine may include a plurality of service units. Accordingly, by arranging only the relevant service unit that needs maintenance in the opening section, the maintenance may be carried out on the relevant service unit. Moreover, even if the service unit is removed, the spinning unit and other service units can be used. Therefore, even if a plurality of service units are provided, the maintenance can be promptly carried out and the operation efficiency can be improved.
The unit frame may include a reinforcement beam member arranged around the opening section. Accordingly, the unit frame of which strength easily lowers due to formation of the opening section can be reinforced.
The service unit may include a yarn joining section adapted to join a yarn end of spun yarn fed from the spinning section and a yarn end of spun yarn wound by the winding section after disconnection of the spun yarn. Accordingly, the maintenance operation can be easily carried out on the service unit including the yarn joining section. The service unit is a yarn joining cart. Since the yarn path on which the spun yarn travels from the spinning section towards the winding section exists on the first surface
side of the yarn joining cart, if the yarn joining cart is removed

from the first surface side, the operations of the spinning section

and the winding section cannot be carried out. However, in the above

spinning machine, since the service unit is removed from the second

surface side, the spinning section and the winding section can be

used during the removal operation.

According to the present invention, if the service unit is moved to the opening section, the opening section leads to the second surface. Therefore, the operator can handle the maintenance target at the second surface, that is, the rear surface of the service unit. Thus, maintenance can be carried out only on the service unit during the operation of the spinning machine, and the operation efficiency of the spinning machine can be improved.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A spinning machine comprising:

a plurality of spinning units arranged along a first direction, each spinning unit including a spinning section adapted to apply twists to a fiber bundle and produce a spun yarn, and a winding section adapted to wind the spun yarn produced by the spinning section and forms a package,
at least one service unit arranged capable of travelling along the first direction, the service unit including a first surface facing a yarn path formed by the spinning section and the winding section, and a second surface arranged opposite to the first surface, and
at least one unit frame including a supporting section adapted to support the spinning unit, a travelling space of the service unit, and an opening section leading to the second surface of the service unit.
1 The spinning machine according to claim 1, wherein the service unit includes a third surface adapted to connect one of an upper portion and a lower portion of the first surface and the second surface, and the opening section is larger than the third surface of the service unit.
2 The spinning machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the opening section is larger than the second surface of the service unit.
3 The spinning machine according to one of claim 1 through claim 3, further comprising a suction duct arranged along the first direction and adapted to supply suction airflow to the service unit, wherein the suction duct is arranged above or below the service unit.
4 The spinning machine according to one of claim 1 through claim 3, further comprising a suction duct arranged along the first direction and adapted to supply suction airflow to the service unit, wherein the suction duct is arranged movable with respect to the unit frame so as to form the opening section.
5 The spinning machine according to one of claim 1 through claim 3, further comprising a suction duct arranged along the first direction and adapted to supply suction airflow to the service unit, wherein the suction duct is arranged detachable with respect to the unit frame so as to form the opening section.
6 7. The spinning machine according to one of claim 1 through claim 6, further comprising a unit power box arranged to a side of the opening section at a rear side of the unit frame.
7 The spinning machine according to one of claim 1 through claim 7 comprising a plurality of the service units.
8 The spinning machine according to one of claim 1 through claim 8, wherein the unit frame includes a reinforcement beam member arranged around the opening section.
9 The spinning machine according to one of claim 1 through claim 9, further comprising a yarn joining section adapted to join a yarn end of spun yarn fed from the spinning section and a yarn end of spun yarn wound by the winding section after disconnection of the spun yarn.

11. A spinning machine, substantially as herein described with reference to accompanying drawings and example.