TECHNICAL FIELD
FP 17 -0513-00IN-MRT
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a spinning machine and a
5 spinning method.
BACKGROUND
[0002] As a conventional spinning machine, a spinning machine
disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-97391,
for example, is known. The spinning machine described in Japanese
10 Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-97391 includes: a plurality of
spinning units each including an air-jet spinning device configured to
twist a fiber bundle with air; an air pumping device configured to
compress and deliver air; an air pipe configured to guide the air
compressed and delivered by the air pumping device; a feeding device
15 configured to feed an additive into the air pipe at upstream of a branch
where the air flowing through the air pipe branches off toward the air-jet
spinning device; and a control device configured to adjust the amount of
the additive to be fed by the feeding device.
SUMMARY
20 [0003] In the spinning machine described above, when an instruction to
start spinning operations of the spinning units is input, spinning
operations are sequentially started from a spinning unit for which
preparation (e.g., yam joining operation performed by a yarn joining
carrier) has been completed. Thus, in the spinning machine, it takes
25 time until spinning operations have been started in all spinning units
that are planned to be operated. The feeding device feeds an additive
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of an amount that is set for a planned operating number of spinning
units (air-jet spinning devices). Thus, in this conventional spinning
machine, in a period after the input ofthe start instruction and when the
number of spinning units that have started spinning operations is small,
5 an excessive amount of additive may be fed to air-jet spinning devices
of spinning units that had started spinning operations in an early stage.
If an excessive amount of additive is fed to a fiber bundle, the state of
twist changes, for example, which may change the quality of yam.
[0004] It is an object of one aspect of the present disclosure to provide a
10 spinning machine and a spinning method that enable an additive to be
stably fed.
[0005] A spinning machine according to one aspect of the present
disclosure includes: a plurality of spinning units each including an
air-jet spinning device configured to perform spinning operation of
15 twisting a fiber bundle with air to generate yam and a winding device
configured to wind the yam around a bobbin to form a package; an air
pipe configured to allow the air to flow therethrough and connected to
upstream sides of a plurality of feeding pipes through which the air is
supplied to the respective air-jet spinning devices of the spinning units;
20 a feeding device configured to feed an additive to the air pipe; and a
control device configured to control operation of the feeding device.
When an operating number that is the n~mber of air-jet spinning devices
being operating among the air-jet spinning devices is smaller than a
predetermined number, the control device controls the feeding device
25 such that the additive is fed by intermittent control, so as to increase the
amount of the additive to be fed as the operating number increases or
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reduce the amount of the additive to be fed as the operating number
decreases. When the operating number is equal to or greater than the
predetermined number, the control device controls the feeding device
such that a certain amount of the additive is continuously fed.
5 [0006] In the spinning machine according to one aspect of the present
disclosure, the control device increases or reduces the amount of the
additive to be fed depending on the operating number of the air-jet
spinning devices when the operating number is smaller than the
predetermined number, and causes a certain amount of the additive to be
1 0 fed when the operating number is equal to or greater than the
predetennined number. Thus, in the spinning machine, the additive of
an amount according to the operating number of air-jet spinning devices
that are actually operating (spinning) is fed into the air pipe, whereby
the amounts of the additive to be fed to the respective air-jet spinning
15 devices can be made uniform. Thus, in the spinning machine, the
additive can be prevented from being excessively fed to the air-jet
spinning devices of the spinning units. Consequently, in the spinning
machine, the additive can be stably fed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
20 [0007] FIG. 1 is a front view of a spinning machine according to one
embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a side view of a spinning unit of the spinning machine
in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating configuration of an air
25 distributing device and a feeding device ofthe spinning machine;
FIG 4A is a graph illustrating a relation between the number of
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units and the total amount to be fed, and FIG. 4B is a graph representing
the number of units and the amount to be fed per unit; and
FIG. SA is a graph illustrating a relation between the number of
units and the total amount to be fed, and FIG. 5B is a graph representing
5 the number of units and the amount to be fed per unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] One embodiment will now be described in detail with reference
to the attached drawings. In the description of the drawings, like or
equivalent elements are designated by like numerals, and duplicate
10 description is omitted.
[0009] As depicted in FIG. 1, a spinning machine 1 includes a plurality
of spinning units 2, a yam joining carrier 3, a doffing carrier (not
depicted), a first end frame 4, and a second end frame 5. The spiuning
units 2 are aligned in a row. Each spinning unit 2 generates yarn Y and
15 winds the yam Y into a package P. When yam Y is cut or the yam Y is
broken for some reason in a certain spinning unit 2, the yam joining
carrier 3 performs yam joining operation in the spinning unit 2. When
a package P has been fully wound in a certain spinning unit 2, the
doffing carrier doffs the package P, and supplies a new bobbin B to the
20 spinning unit 2. The first end frame 4 accommodates, for example, a
collection device configured to collect fiber waste, yam waste, and the
like generated in the spinning units 2.
[0010] The second end frame 5 accommodates, for example, an air
supply unit configured to adjust air pressure of compressed air (air)
25 supplied to the respective sections in the spinning machine 1 and supply
the air to the respective sections and a drive motor configured to supply
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power to the respective sections in the spinning units 2. The second
end frame 5 includes a machine control device 100, a display screen 102,
and input keys 104. The machine control device 100 centrally
manages and controls the respective sections of the spinning machine 1.
5 The display screen 102 can display, for example, information on settings
and/or the states of the spinning units 2. An operator can make the
settings ofthe spinning units 2 by performing appropriate operations
with the input keys 104.
[0011] As depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, each spinning unit 2 includes,
10 in the order from the upstream side in a direction in which the yam Y
travels, a draft device 6, an air-jet spinning device 7, a yam monitoring
device 8, a tension sensor 9, a yam storage device 11, a waxing device
12, and a winding device 13. A unit controller 10 is provided for every
predetermined number of spinning units 2, and controls operations of
15 the spinning units 2.
[00 12] The draft device 6 drafts a sliver (fiber bundle) S. The draft
device 6 includes, in the order from the upstream side in a direction in
which a sliver S travels, a back roller pair 14, a third roller pair 15, a
middle roller pair 16, and a front roller pair 17. Each pair of the roller
20 pairs 14, 15, 16, and 17 have a bottom roller and a top roller. The
bottom roller is driven and rotated by a drive motor provided in the
second end frame 5 or a drive motor provided in each spinning unit 2.
Around the top roller of the middle roller pair 16, an apron belt 18b is
provided. Around the bottom roller of the middle roller pair 16, an
25 apron belt 18a is provided.
[0013] The air-jet spinning device 7 generates yam Y by twisting a fiber
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bundle F drafted by the draft device 6 using swirling airflow. More
specifically (although not depicted), the air-jet spinning device 7
includes a spinning chamber, a fiber guiding portion, a swirling-airflow
generating nozzle, and a hollow guide shaft member. The fiber
5 guiding portion guides a fiber bundle F supplied from the draft device 6
on the upstream side into the spinning chamber. The swirling-airflow
generating nozzle is disposed around a path through which the fiber
bundle F travels. The swirling-airflow generating nozzle injects air,
thereby generating swirling airflow in the spinning chamber. By this
10 swirling airflow, the respective fiber ends of a plurality of fibers
constituting the fiber bundle F are reversed and swirled. The hollow
guide shaft member guides yam Y from the inside ofthe spinning
chamber to the outside of the air-jet spinning device 7.
[0014] The yam monitoring device 8 monitors information on the
15 travelling yam Y between the air-jet spinning device 7 and the yam
storage device 11 to detect the presence or absence of a yam defect on
the basis of the monitored information. When a yam defect is detected,
the yam monitoring device 8 transmits a yam defect detection signal to
the unit controller 10. The yam monitoring device 8 detects, as a yam
20 defect, thickness abnormality of the yam Y and/or foreign matter
contained in the yam Y, for example. While the yam Y is being
detected, the yam monitoring device 8 outputs a yam travelling signal
indicating that the yam Y is travelling between the air-jet spinning
device 7 and the yam storage device 11. The yam monitoring device 8
25 also detects yam breakage, for example.
[0015] The tension sensor 9 measures the tension of the travelling yam
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Y between the air-jet spinning device 7 and the yam storage device 11,
and transmits a tension measurement signal to the unit controller 10.
When the unit controller 10 determines a presence of abnormality based
on a result of detection by the yam monitoring device 8 and/or the
5 tension sensor 9, the yam Y is cut in the spinning unit 2. Specifically,
supply of air to the air-jet spinning device 7 is stopped and generation of
yam Y is interrupted, whereby the yam Y is cut. Alternatively, the
yam Y may be cut by a cutter provided separately.
[0016] The waxing device 12 applies wax to yam Ybetween the yam
10 storage device 11 and the winding device 13.
[0017] The yam storage device 11 eliminates slack in yam Ybetween
the air-jet spinning device 7 and the winding device 13. The yam
storage device 11 has a function of stably pulling out yam Y from the
air-jet spinning device 7, a function of retaining yam Y fed from the
15 air-jet spinning device 7 during, for example, the yam joining operation
performed by the yam joining carrier 3 to prevent the yarn Y from
slackening, and a function of preventing variations in tension of yam Y
on the downstream side of the yarn storage device 11 from being
propagated to the air-jet spinning device 7.
20 [00 18] The winding device 13 winds the yam Y around a bobbin B to
form a package P. The winding device 13 includes a cradle arm 21, a
winding drum 22, and a traverse guide 23. The cradle ann 21 rotatably
supports the bobbin B. The cradle arm 21 is swingably supported by a
support shaft 24, and makes the surface of the bobbin B or the surface
25 of the package P to contact with the surface of the winding drum 22
with an appropriate pressure. A drive motor (not depicted) provided in
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the second end frame 5 simultaneously drives the winding drums 22 of
the spinning units 2. Accordingly, in each spinning unit 2, a bobbin B
or a package P is rotated in the winding direction. The traverse guide
23 of each spinning unit 2 is provided on a shaft 25 that is shared among
5 the spinning units 2. The drive motor of the second end frame 5 drives
the shaft 25 so as to reciprocate in the rotation axis direction ofthe
winding drum 22, and thus the traverse guide 23 traverses yam Y with
respect to the rotating bobbin B or the package P at a predetermined
width.
10 [00 19] When the yam Y is cut or the yam Y is broken for some reason
in a certain spinning unit 2, the yam joining carrier 3 travels to the
spinning unit 2 to perform yam joining operation. The yam joining
carrier 3 includes a yam joining device 26, a suction pipe 27, and a
suction mouth 28. The suction pipe 27 is swingably supported by a
15 support shaft 31, and catches the yam Y from the air-jet spinning device
7 to guide the yam Y to the yam joining device 26. The suction mouth
28 is swingably supported by a support shaft 32, and catches the yam Y
from the winding device 13 to guide the yam Y to the yam joining
device 26. The yam joining device 26 joins the guided yams Y to each
20 other. The yam joining device 26 is, for example, a splicer using
compressed air, a piecer using a seed yam, or a knotter configured to
mechanically join the yams Y.
[0020] When performing the yam joining operation, the yam joining
carrier 3 rotates a package P in the direction opposite to the winding
25 direction (reversely rotates the package P). In this case, the cradle arm
21 is moved by an air cylinder (not depicted) such that the package P
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separates from the winding drum 22, and the package P is reversely
rotated by a reverse rotation roller (not depicted) provided to the yarn
joining carrier 3.
[0021] As depicted in FIG. 3, the spinning machine 1 further includes
5 an air distributing device 60 and a feeding device 70. The air
distributing device 60 includes a first air pipe (air pipe) 62, first
distribution pipes (feeding pipes) 63, a second air pipe 64, and second
distribution pipes 65.
[0022] In a factory where the spinning machine 1 is installed, an air
10 pumping device 61 is provided. The air pumping device 61 is, for
example, an electric compressor configured to compress and deliver air
by activating an electric motor. The pressure of the air compressed
and delivered by the air pumping device 61 is adjusted by a regulator
61a.
15 [0023] The first air pipe 62 guides misted air (additive-containing air).
The misted air is air that has been compressed and delivered by the air
pumping device 61 and has been supplied to the spinning machine 1
through an air supply pipe 67, and into which an additive has been
added. The first air pipe 62 extends along the direction in which the
20 spinning units 2 are aligned, in parallel or substantially parallel
therewith. The first air pipe 62 is positioned above the air-jet spinning
devices 7. The first air pipe 62 may be provided so as to be positioned
below the air-jet spinning devices 7, or may be provided at the same
height as that of the air-jet spinning devices 7.
25 [0024] The first distribution pipes 63 guide the misted air flowing
through the first air pipe 62 to the respective air-jet spinning devices 7.
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One end of each first distribution pipe 63 is connected to the
corresponding air-jet spinning device 7. Specifically, one end of each
first distribution pipe 63 is connected to a shuttle valve (not depicted)
connected to the swirling-airflow generating nozzle of the
5 corresponding air-jet spinning device 7. The other end (on the
upstream side in the flowing direction of the misted air) of each first
distribution pipe 63 is connected to an intermediate portion of the first
air pipe 62. The flow rate of the misted air guided by each first
distribution pipe 63 to the corresponding air-jet spinning device 7 is
10 adjusted by an open/close valve 63a provided to the first distribution
pipe 63. The unit controller 10 controls operation of the open/close
valve 63a. In each air-jet spinning device 7 to which the misted air is
supplied, mist spinning operation (additive spinning operation) using
the misted air is performed.
15 [0025] The second air pipe 64 guides dry air (air) that has been
compressed and delivered by the air pumping device 61 and does not
contain the additive. The second air pipe 64 extends along the
direction in which the spinning units 2 are aligned, in parallel or
substantially parallel therewith. The second air pipe 64 is positioned
20 above the air-jet spinning devices 7. The second air pipe 64 may be
provided so as to be positioned below the air-jet spinning devices 7, or
may be provided at the same height as that of the air-jet spinning
devices 7.
[0026] The second distribution pipes 65 guide dry air flowing through
25 the second air pipe 64 to the respective air-jet spinning devices 7. One
end of each second distribution pipe 65 is connected to the
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corresponding air-jet spinning device 7. Specifically, one end of each
second distribution pipe 65 is connected to the shuttle valve connected
to the swirling-airflow generating nozzle of the corresponding air-jet
spinning device 7. In other words, the first distribution pipe 63 and the
5 second distribution pipe 65 are connected to the same shuttle valve.
The other end of each second distribution pipe 65 is connected to an
intermediate portion of the second air pipe 64. The flow rate of the dry
air guided by each second distribution pipe 65 to the corresponding
air-jet spinning device 7 is adjusted by an open/close valve 65a provided
10 to the second distribution pipe 65. The unit controller 10 controls
operation of the open/close valve 65a. In each air-jet spinning device 7
to which dry air is supplied, dry spinning operation using the dry air is
performed.
[0027] In the spinning machine 1, the operator can select which of the
15 mist spinning operation and the dry spinning operation is to be
performed, by operating the input keys 104, for example. During a
period until one spinning unit 2 has completed winding of one package
P, a fiber bundle F is spun by the mist spinning operation or the dry
spinning operation that has been selected, and the resulting yam Y
20 generated thereby is wound.
[0028] As depicted in FIG. 3, the feeding device 70 includes a
branching pipe 71, a pressure adjusting device 72, a storage tank 73, an
additive feeding pipe 74, and an adjusting valve 75.
[0029] The branching pipe 71 causes air flowing through the first air
25 pipe 62 to branch off to be guided to the storage tank 73. One end of
the branching pipe 71 is connected to the storage tank 73. The other
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end of the branching pipe 71 is connected to an intermediate portion of
the first air pipe 62.
[0030] The pressure adjusting device 72 compresses air guided to the
storage tank 73 to adjust the pressure inside the storage tank 73. The
5 pressure adjusting device 72 is, for example, a booster valve configured
to compress air by driving a sliding piston. Alternately, the pressure
adjusting device 72 may be an electric compressor configured to
compress air by activating an electric motor. The pressure adjusting
device 72 is connected to the machine control device 100 via an electric
10 line. The machine control device 100 controls the pressure adjusting
device 72 by transmitting a control signal to the pressure adjusting
device 72.
[0031] The storage tank 73 is a container configured to store an additive.
In the present embodiment, the additive is a lubricant, for example.
15 The additive is not limited to the lubricant, and various additives
(agents) that can add at least one of, for example, antibacterial,
odor-eliminating, deodorizing, unwinding (waxing) functions to the
yam Y and/or an additive (agent) that can prevent or solve deposition of
oil in the air-jet spinning devices 7 may be used. Alternatively, the
20 additive may be water. The storage tank 73 includes a storage amount
detection section 73a configured to detect the amount of the additive
stored therein.
[0032] The additive feeding pipe 74 guides the additive stored in the
storage tank 73 to the first air pipe 62. One end of the additive feeding
25 pipe 74 is connected to the storage tank 73. The other end ofthe
additive feeding pipe 74 is connected to an intermediate portion of the
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first air pipe 62 on the upstream side of portions where the air flowing
through the first air pipe 62 branches off toward the respective air-jet
spinning devices 7.
[0033] The adjusting valve 75 is provided in the branching pipe 71.
5 The amount of the additive to be fed into the first air pipe 62 through
the additive feeding pipe 74 is adjusted by the adjusting valve 75. The
machine control device 100 controls operation of the adjusting valve 75.
[0034] The feeding device 70 feeds (sprays) the additive stored in the
storage tank 73 to the first air pipe 62. The feeding device 70 adjusts
10 the amount of the additive to be fed using the pressure adjusting device
72. The feeding device 70 is controlled by the machine control device
100. For example, the machine control device 100 may control the
feeding device 70 to control the amount of the additive to be fed
depending on the raw material ofthe sliver S. In the present
15 embodiment, the amount to be fed is the amount of the additive to be
fed from the feeding device 70.
[0035] The air distributing device 60 supplies misted air to the air-jet
spinning devices 7 using only the first air pipe 62 by opening a valve 66
disposed in an upstream portion of the first air pipe 62 and closing a
20 valve 69 disposed in an upstream portion of the second air pipe 64.
The air distributing device 60 supplies dry air to the air-jet spinning
devices 7 using only the second air pipe 64 by closing the valve 66 and
opening the valve 69. If the air distributing device 60 is configured to
be able to switch which of the air is to be supplied, the positions where
25 the respective valves are provided and/or the number thereof are not
limited to those in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.
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[0036] A sliverS to be spun by the spinning machine 1 may contain at
least one of natural fiber, regenerated fiber, semi-synthetic fiber, and
synthetic fiber (e.g., polyester fiber, polyamide fiber, and
polyacrylonitrile fiber). Examples of the natural fiber include seed
5 hair fiber and bast fiber, and specifically include cotton and flax, etc.
Examples of the regenerated fiber include regenerated cellulose fiber,
and specifically include rayon, special rayon (polynosic, HWM rayon),
· and cupra, etc. Examples of the semi-synthetic fiber include cellulose
fiber, and specifically include acetate and triacetate, etc. Examples of
10 the synthetic fiber specifically include polyester, nylon, acryl, and
acrylic fiber, etc.
[0037] Next, a spinning method using the spinning machine 1 will be
described. In the following description, a method of generating the
yam Y by using the misted air after start-up of the machine or after lot
15 change in the spinning machine 1 is described as one example. The
term "lot" herein means a setting of spinning conditions, and the
expression "after lot change" can be rephrased as "after changing the
type of yam to be produced".
[0038] First, using the input keys 104, the operator sets spinning units 2
20 to be operated (in which the spinning operation is to be performed)
(inputs the number of spinning units 2 or unit numbers thereof). Using
the input keys 104, the operator inputs the type of raw material of a
sliverS. Depending on the type of the raw material ofthe sliverS, the
machine control device 100 controls the amount of the additive to be fed
25 by the feeding device 70.
[0039] When an instruction to start spinning operations of the spinning
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units 2 is input with the input keys 104, based on an instruction from the
machine control device 100, the air distributing device 60 opens the
valve 66 and closes the valve 69, thereby supplying air into the first air
pipe 62. Based on an instruction from the machine control device 100,
5 the feeding device 70 adjusts opening and closing of the adjusting valve
75, and sprays the additive stored in the storage tank 73 into the first air
pipe 62. At this time, based on an instruction from the machine
control device 100, the pressure adjusting device 72 adjusts the pressure
inside the storage tank 73 to be a constant value (high pressure). The
10 unit controller 10 opens the open/close valves 63a provided to the first
distribution pipes 63 provided to the spinning units 2 in which the
spinning operations are to be performed. Accordingly, the misted air is
supplied to all air-jet spinning devices 7 in which the spinning
operations are to be performed.
15 [0040] The machine control device 100 instructs the unit controller 10
to start the spinning operations. The unit controller 10 causes the
spinning units 2 to start the mist spinning operations. Specifically, the
unit controller 10 causes the draft devices 6, the yam storage devices 11,
and the winding devices 13 to start operations. Start timings of the
20 mist spinning operations of the spinning units 2 are different amongst
the spinning units 2. Thus, in the spinning machine 1, when the
machine control device 100 instructs the unit controller 10 to start the
spinning operations, spinning operations are sequentially started from a
spinning unit 2 in which preparation (e.g., yam joining operation
25 performed by the yam joining carrier 3) has been completed. When
the mist spinning operation is started, the sliver S is drafted by the
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corresponding draft device 6, and the drafted fiber bundle F is delivered
to the corresponding air-jet spinning device 7. The yarn Y generated by
the air-jet spinning device 7 is stored in the corresponding yarn storage
device 11, and is wound into a package P by the corresponding winding
5 device 13.
[0041] The control of the adjusting valve 75 performed by the machine
control device 100 will be described in detail. When the operating
number of air-jet spinning devices 7 that are actually operating
(spinning) is smaller than a predetermined number, the machine control
10 device 100 controls the adjusting valve 75 such that the additive is fed
by intermittent control. Specifically, the machine control device 100
increases the amount ofthe additive to be fed as the operating number
increases, or reduces the amount ofthe additive to be fed as the
operating number decreases. More specifically, the machine control
15 device 100 changes a duty ratio in the intermittent control depending on
the operating number, so as to increase the amount of the additive to be
fed in accordance with the operating number until the operating number
reaches the predetermined number or more, or reduce the amount of the
additive to be fed in accordance with the operating number until the
20 operating number decreases to zero. When the operating number is
equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the machine control
device 100 controls the adjusting valve 75 such that the additive is
continuously fed, and causes a certain amount (the same amount) of the
additive to be fed. The predetermined number is, for example, 70% of
25 the total number of the air-jet spinning devices 7 installed. The
predetermined number may be determined in consideration of durability
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of the feeding device 70, for example.
[0042] After instructing the unit controller 10 to start the spinning
operations, the machine control device 100 acquires the operating
number of the air-jet spinning devices 7. After the air-jet spinning
5 devices 7 have started the spinning operations, the unit controller I 0
outputs yam travelling signals output from the corresponding yam
monitoring devices 8 to the machine control device 100. Based on the
yarn travelling signals, the machine control device 100 acquires the
operating number of the air-jet spinning devices 7 in the spinning
1 0 machine 1. While the yam travelling signals are being output from the
yarn monitoring devices 8, the machine control device 100 determines
that the air-jet spinning devices 7 of the spinning units 2 are operating.
[0043] When the operating number ofthe air-jet spinning devices 7 is
acquired, the machine control device 100 determines whether the
15 operating number is smaller than the predetermined number. When the
machine control device 100 determines that the operating number is
smaller than the predetermined number, the machine control device 100
performs intermittent control of the adjusting valve 75. The
intermittent control is control of alternately opening and closing the
20 adjusting valve 75. Specifically, by the intermittent control, a period
during which the adjusting valve 75 is opened such that the additive is
fed into the first air pipe 62 (hereinafter called "ON period") and a
period during which the adjusting valve 75 is closed such that the
additive is not fed into the first air pipe 62 (hereinafter called "OFF
25 period") are periodically repeated. Thus, the additive is intermittently
fed into the first air pipe 62. The machine control device 100 adjusts
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the ON period and the OFF period in the adjusting valve 75, thereby
adjusting (changing) the amount of the additive to be fed into the first
air pipe 62.
[0044] When the operating number of the air-jet spinning devices 7 is
5 smaller than the predetermined number, the machine control device 100
changes the duty ratio between the ON period and the OFF period in the
intermittent control depending on the operating number, so as to
increase or reduce the amount of the additive to be fed depending on the
operating number. In the present embodiment, the machine control
10 device 100 linearly increases or reduces the amount of the additive to be
fed depending on the operating number. Specifically, the machine
control device 100 sets the amount of the additive to be fed (ON period)
on the basis ofthe following relation:
(ON period I intermittent cycle period)= (the operating number I the
15 planned operating number of air-jet spinning devices).
The intermittent cycle period is a period of one cycle consisting
of one ON period and one OFF period. The intermittent cycle period
is appropriately set. The planned operating number is the number of
air-jet spinning devices 7 in which the mist spinning operations are to be
20 performed( the number of air-jet spinning devices planned to be
operated), and is a number that is set by the operator's operation or is
automatically set. The maximum planned operating number is the
total number of the air-jet spinning devices 7 installed. The machine
control device 100 calculates an ON period on the basis ofthe relation
25 described above, and controls the adjusting valve 75 on the basis of the
ON period.
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[0045] When a determination is made that the operating number is
equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the machine control
device 100 controls the adjusting valve 75 such that the additive is
continuously fed. The machine control device 100 causes the first air
5 pipe 62 to feed a certain amount of the additive. Specifically, the
machine control device 100 sets the amount of the additive to be fed on
the basis of the planned operating number of the air-jet spinning devices
7 and the optimum amount ofthe additive for one air-jet spinning
device 7. More specifically, the machine control device 100 controls
10 the adjusting valve 75 such that the additive is fed in the amount of
which equals to the product of (the planned operating number ofthe
air-jet spinning devices 7) x (the optimum amount). The optimum
amount is appropriately set depending on the type of sliver S, for
example.
15 [0046] After the operating number reached the predetermined number
or more, when the operations of the air-jet spinning devices 7
temporarily stop and accordingly the operating number becomes smaller
than the predetermined number, the machine control device 100
continues control of the adjusting valve 75 such that the additive is
20 continuously fed. If yam breakage, yam cut, or doffing, for example,
has occurred in a spinning unit 2, operation of the corresponding air-jet
spinning device 7 is temporarily interrupted. After the operating
number reached the predetermined number or more, if a signal is input
indicating that yarn breakage, yam cut, or doffing, for example, has
25 occurred in a spinning unit 2, the machine control device 100 maintains
a state in which the adjusting valve 75 is open. In other words, if the
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operating number becomes smaller than the predetermined number due
to such temporary stoppage of operation of an air-jet spinning device 7,
the machine control device 100 does not carry out the intermittent
control.
5 [004 7] In the spinning machine 1, for example, in order to remove an
additive that might be remaining in each air-jet spinning device 7 after
the end ofthe mist spinning operation, dry air may be supplied to the
air-jet spinning device 7. When predetermined keys among the input
keys 104 are operated, based on an instruction from the machine control
10 device 100, the air distributing device 60 closes the valve 66 and opens
the valve 69. The unit controller 10 closes the corresponding
open/close valve 63a and opens the corresponding open/close valve 65a.
Accordingly, supply of the misted air from the first air pipe 62 to the
air-jet spinning device 7 is stopped, and supply of the dry air from the
15 second air pipe 64 to the air-jet spinning device 7 is started. When a
predetermined period of time elapses after the start of the supply of the
dry air to the air-jet spinning device 7, the unit controller 10 closes the
open/close valve 65a. Accordingly, the supply of the dry air from the
second air pipe 64 to the air-jet spinning device 7 is stopped. In the
20 spinning method described above, in the spinning machine 1, control of
continuously supplying the additive is performed for a longer period of
time than the intermittent control.
[0048] As described above, in the spinning machine 1 according to the
present embodiment, when the operating number of air-jet spinning
25 devices 7 that are actually operating is smaller than the predetermined
number, the machine control device 100 changes the duty ratio in the
20
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
intennittent control of the adjusting valve 75 depending on the operating
number, so as to increase or reduce the amount of the additive to be fed
depending on the operating number. When the operating number is
equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the machine control
5 device 100 controls the adjusting valve 75 such that a certain amount of
the additive is fed.
[0049] As depicted in FIG. 4A, when the operating number of the air-jet
spinning devices 7 is smaller than the predetermined number (smaller
than 40 in FIG. 4A), the machine control device 100 controls the feeding
10 device 70 such that the amount of the additive to be fed (total sprayed
amount) linearly increases. When the operating number reaches the
predetermined number or more ( 40 or more), the machine control
device 100 controls the feeding device 70 such that a certain amount of
the additive is fed. Accordingly, as depicted in FIG. 4B, in the
15 spinning machine 1, the additive of an amount according to the
operating number of the air-jet spinning devices 7 is fed into air,
whereby the amounts of the additive to be fed to the respective air-jet
spinning devices 7 can be made uniform. Thus, in the spinning
machine 1, the additive can be prevented from being excessively fed to
20 the air-jet spinning devices 7 of the spinning units 2. Consequently, in
the spinning machine 1, the additive can be stably fed.
[0050] The predetermined number is 40 in one example depicted in FIG.
4A, and a mode has been described as one example in which a certain
amount ofthe additive is fed when the operating number reaches 40 or
25 more. When the predetermined number is set to 40 or more, as
depicted in FIG. SA, the machine control device 100 controls the
21
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
feeding device 70 such that the amount of the additive to be fed linearly
increases until the operating number reaches the predetermined number
or more. In this case, as depicted in FIG. 5B, in the spinning machine
1, the additive of an amount according to the operating number ofthe
5 air-jet spinning devices 7 is fed into the air, whereby the amounts of the
additive to be fed to the respective air-jet spinning devices 7 are made
uniform.
[0051] In the spinning machine 1 according to the present embodiment,
when the operating number reaches the predetermined number or more,
10 the machine control device 100 controls the adjusting valve 75 such that
the additive is continuously fed. In other words, the machine control
device 100 keeps the adjusting valve 75 open. Accordingly, in the
spinning machine 1, opening and closing of the adjusting valve 75 are
not repeated when the operating number reaches the predetermined
15 number or more, and thus, for example, wear of the adjusting valve 75
can be reduced. As a result, the life (usable years) of the adjusting
valve 75, and consequently the life of the feeding device 70 can be
increased.
[0052] In the spinning machine 1 according to the present embodiment,
20 when an instruction to start spinning operation is input after start-up of
the machine or after lot change, the unit controller 10 controls the
adjusting valve 75. After start-up ofthe spinning machine 1 or after
lot change, spinning operations ofthe spinning units 2 are sequentially
started. Thus, in order to reduce variations in the volume of the misted
25 air supplied to the air-jet spinning devices 7, it is particularly effective
to control the amount to be fed depending on the operating number after
22
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
start-up ofthe spinning machine 1 or after lot change.
[0053] In the spinning machine 1 according to the present embodiment,
when the operating number is smaller than the predetermined number,
the machine control device 100 controls the feeding device 70 such that
5 the amount of the additive to be fed linearly increases or decreases
depending on the operating number as depicted in FIG. 4A. By
linearly increasing or reducing the amount to be fed in this manner, the
intermittent control can be easily performed.
[0054] In the spinning machine 1 according to the present embodiment,
10 the feeding device 70 feeds the additive into the first air pipe 62 by
applying pressure to the additive. The pressure adjusting device 72 of
the feeding device 70 keeps the pressure inside the storage tank 73
constant. Thus, the control (adjustment) of the pressure can be
eliminated, whereby the configuration and the control can be simplified.
15 [0055] In the spinning machine 1 according to the present embodiment,
when the operating number is smaller than the predetermined number,
the machine control device 100 sets the amount of the additive to be fed
on the basis of the relation: (ON period I intermittent cycle period)=
(the operating number I the planned operating number of air-jet spinning
20 devices). When the operating number is equal to or greater than the
predetermined number, the machine control device 100 sets the amount
ofthe additive to be fed on the basis of the planned operating nmnber of
the air-jet spinning devices 7 and the optimmn amount of the additive
for one air-jet spinning device 7. By setting the amount of the additive
25 to be fed in this manner, the amounts of the additive to be fed to the
respective air-jet spinning devices 7 can be made uniform.
23
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
[0056] In the spinning machine 1 according to the present embodiment,
only one first air pipe 62 is used to supply the misted air to the air-jet
spinning devices 7. In this configuration, the amount of the additive to
be fed into one first air pipe 62 only needs to be controlled, and thus the
5 amount to be fed can be accurately and simply controlled.
[0057] In the spinning machine 1 according to the present embodiment,
after the operating number reached the predetermined number or more,
when operations ofthe air-jet spinning devices 7 temporarily stop and
accordingly the operating number becomes smaller than the
10 predetermined number, the machine control device 100 continues the
operation in which a certain amount of the additive is continuously fed.
If yam breakage, yam cut, or doffing, for example, has occurred in a
spinning unit 2, operation ofthe corresponding air-jet spinning device 7
is temporarily interrupted. Even if the operating number becomes
15 smaller than the predetermined number due to such temporary stoppage,
the operation of causing a certain amount ofthe additive to be
continuously fed is continued, whereby a shortage in the amount of the
additive to be fed to the air-jet spinning devices 7 ofthe other spinning
units 2 due to this temporary decrease in operating number can be
20 avoided.
[0058] In the spinning machine 1 according to the present embodiment,
control of continuously feeding the additive may be performed for a
period longer than that of the intermittent control. The intermittent
control can become a load on the adjusting valve 75 of the feeding
25 device 70. During a period when the spinning machine 1 is operating,
by continuously feeding the additive for a longer period, the load on the
24
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
adjusting valve 75 of the feeding device 70 can be reduced, and thus the
life of the feeding device 70 can be increased.
[0059] Although one embodiment ofthe present invention has been
described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.
5 [0060] In the embodiment, a mode has been described as one example
in which the machine control device 100 linearly increases or reduces
the amount of the additive to be fed depending on the operating number
when the operating number is smaller than the predetermined number.
However, the method of increasing or reducing the amount of the
10 additive to be fed is not limited to this, and the amount may be
increased or reduced stepwise, for example.
[0061] In the embodiment, a mode has been described as one example
in which the machine control device 100 acquires the operating number
ofthe air-jet spinning devices 7 on the basis of yarn travelling signals
15 output from the yam monitoring devices 8. However, each spinning
unit 2 may additionally include a sensor configured to detect travelling
of yarn Y.
[0062] The machine control device 100 may acquire the operating
number of the air-jet spinning devices 7 by another method. For
20 example, the spinning machine 1 may include a flow-rate measuring
device configured to measure the flow rate of the air flowing through
the first air pipe 62. The flow-rate measuring device is provided, for
example, upstream ofthe valve 66 between the air supply pipe 67 and
the first air pipe 62. In this case, based on a measurement result of the
25 flow-rate measuring device, the machine control device 100 acquires the
operating number of the air-jet spinning devices 7. There is an
25
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
interrelation between the flow rate of the air flowing through the first air
pipe 62 and the operating number of the air-jet spinning devices 7.
Thus, the machine control device 100 can acquire the operating number
of the air-jet spinning devices 7 from the measurement result of the
5 flow-rate measuring device.
[0063] In the embodiment, a mode has been described as one example
in which each first distribution pipe 63 and the corresponding second
distribution pipe 65 are connected to the corresponding swirling-airflow
generating nozzle via the same shuttle valve. However, each first
10 distribution pipe 63 and the corresponding second distribution pipe 65
may be independently connected to the corresponding air-jet spinning
device 7. Specifically, for example, the first distribution pipe 63 may
be directly connected to the air-jet spinning device 7 (a swirling-airflow
generating nozzle provided in a nozzle block (e.g., the swirling-airflow
15 generating nozzle that opens to the spinning chamber)), and the second
distribution pipe 65 may be connected to the air-jet spinning device 7 (a
nozzle that is different from the swirling-airflow generating nozzle to
which the first distribution pipe 63 is connected) via a check valve. In
this configuration, paths through which the misted air and the dry air
20 flow are different, and thus the additive remaining from the mist
spinning does not mix into the dry air when dry spinning is performed.
Thus, influence of the additive can be prevented during the dry spinning.
Furthermore, the configuration of the spinning machine 1 can be
simplified. Because the second distribution pipe 65 is connected to the
25 air-jet spinning device 7 via the check valve, the misted air is prevented
from flowing into the second distribution pipe 65.
26
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
[0064] In the embodiment, a mode has been described as one example
in which the pressure adjusting device 72 of the feeding device 70
adjusts the pressure inside the storage tank 73 at a constant value on the
basis of an instruction from the machine control device 100. However,
5 the pressure inside the storage tank 73 may be varied.
[0065] In the embodiment, a mode has been described as one example
in which the pressure adjusting device 72 is a booster valve or an
electric compressor. However, the pressure adjusting device 72 may
be an electronic regulator. By this configuration, the pressure
10 adjusting device 72 can steplessly adjust the pressure inside the storage
tank 73 by compressing air guided to the storage tank 73, for example,
depending on the operating number of the spinning units 2.
Specifically, when receiving signals (e.g., yam travelling signals)
relating to the operating number of the spinning units 2 output from the
15 machine control device 100, the pressure adjusting device 72 adjusts the
pressure inside the storage tank 73 on the basis of the signals.
Accordingly, the misted air of an amount according to the operating
number of the spinning units 2 is supplied into the first air pipe 62. The
pressure adjusting device 72 may adjust the pressure inside storage tank
20 73 according to the type of the sliverS (yam type) and/or the yam count.
[0066] In the embodiment, a mode has been described as one example
in which the misted air is used to generate yam Y after start-up of the
spinning machine 1 or after lot change. In other words, a mode has
been described as one example in which the machine control device 100
25 controls the adjusting valve 75 when an instruction to start spinning
operation is input after start-up ofthe machine or after lot change.
27
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
However, the machine control device 100 may control the adjusting
valve 75 before stoppage of the machine or before lot change (when the
operating number of the spinning units 2 decreases). The period
before stoppage of the machine or before lot change is a period during
5 which operations of the spinning units 2 are sequentially stopped.
Thus, in order to reduce variations in the amount ofthe misted air
supplied to the air-jet spinning devices 7, it is particularly effective to
control the amount to be fed depending on the operating number. As
described above, in the present embodiment, during a period when the
10 operating number of the spinning units 2 changes (when an instruction
to start spinning operations is input after start-up of the machine or after
lot change (when the operating number of the spirming units 2
increases), and/or before stoppage of the machine or before lot change
(when the operating number of the spinning units 2 decreases)), the
15 machine control device 100 controls the adjusting valve 75 (feeding
device).
[0067] In the embodiment, a mode has been described as one example
in which the additive is applied to the fiber bundle F by injecting the
misted air from the swirling-airflow generating nozzle of each air-jet
20 spinning device 7. However, for example, the additive may be applied
to a fiber bundle F (yam Y) by injecting the misted air from a nozzle
formed so as to be open to a yam path in the hollow guide shaft member
of each air-jet spinning device 7. Alternatively, for example, the
additive may be applied to a fiber bundle F by supplying the misted air
25 from a supply port provided between the front roller pair 17 and the
air-jet spinning device 7.
28
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
[0068] In the embodiment, the second air pipe 64 and the second
distribution pipes 65 may be omitted. In this case, when performing
the dry spinning (in a mode in which the additive is not used), the first
air pipe 62 and the first distribution pipes 63 are used to supply the dry
5 arr.
[0069] In each spinning unit 2, yam Y that has been disconnected may
be made continuous by reversely delivering the yam Y from a package P
to the corresponding air-jet spinning device 7 and then restarting
drafting operation of the corresponding draft device 6.
10 [0070] Each air-jet spinning device 7 may include a needle that is
supported by the corresponding fiber guiding portion and a tip of which
is disposed in the corresponding spinning chamber. The needle may
be omitted, and a downstream end portion of the fiber guiding portion
may be configured to prevent a twist of a fiber bundle F from
15 propagating to the upstream of the air-jet spinning device 7. Instead of
the configuration described above, the air-jet spinning device may
include a pair of air-jet nozzles configured to twist a fiber bundle F in
directions opposite to each other. The spinning machine may be an
open-end spinning machine.
20 [0071] In each spinning unit 2, the corresponding yarn storage device
11 has a function of pulling out the yam Y from the corresponding
air-jet spinning device 7. However, the yam Y may be pulled out from
the air-jet spinning device 7 by a delivery roller and a nip roller. When
the yarn Y is pulled out from the air-jet spinning device 7 by a delivery
25 roller and a nip roller, instead of the yam storage device 11, a slack tube
using suction airflow to absorb slack ofthe yarn Y or a mechanical
29
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
compensator, for example, may be provided.
[0072] In the spinning machine 1, the respective devices are disposed
such that yarn Y supplied from the upper side is wound in the lower side
in the height direction. However, the respective devices may be
5 disposed such that yarn supplied from the lower side is wound in the
upper side.
[0073] In the spinning machine 1, at least one of the bottom rollers of
each draft device 6 and the corresponding traverse guide 23 are driven
by power from the second end frame 5 (i.e., driven in common amongst
10 a plurality of spinning units 2). However, the respective devices (e.g.,
the draft device, the air-jet spinning device, the winding device) of each
spinning unit 2 may be driven independently for each spinning unit 2.
[0074] In the travelling direction of yarn Y, the tension sensor 9 may be
provided upstream ofthe yarn monitoring device 8. The unit
15 controller 10 may be provided to each of the spinning units 2. In each
spinning unit 2, the waxing device 12, the tension sensor 9, and the yarn
monitoring device 8 may be omitted.
[0075] In FIG. 1, the spinning machine 1 is illustrated to wind a cheese
(cylindrical) shaped package P, but may wind a cone-shaped package.
20 In the case of a cone-shaped package, slack of the yarn Y is generated
by traversing the yarn Y, but this slack can be absorbed by the yam
storage device 11. The materials and shapes of the respective
components are not limited to those described above, and various types
of materials and shapes may be used. As long as the misted air can be
25 supplied to the respective spinning units 2, the configurations ofthe air
distributing device 60 and the feeding device 70, for example, are not
30
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
limited to the configurations thereof in the embodiment described
above.
[0076] In one embodiment, the control device may linearly increase or
reduce the amount of the additive to be fed depending on the operating
5 number when the operating number is smaller than the predetermined
number. By linearly increasing or reducing the amount to be fed in
this manner, the intermittent control can be easily performed.
[0077] In one embodiment, the feeding device may feed the additive
into the air pipe by applying a certain pressure to the additive. The
10 control (adjustment) of pressure can be eliminated, whereby the
configuration and the control can be simplified.
[0078] In one embodiment, when an instruction to start the spinning
operation is input after start-up ofthe machine or after lot change, the
control device may control the feeding device such that the amount of
15 the additive to be fed increases as the operating number increases. In a
period before stoppage of the machine or before lot change when the
operating number is smaller than the predetennined number, the control
device may control the feeding device such that the amount of the
additive to be fed decreases as the operating number decreases. After
20 start-up of the spinning machine or after lot change, spinning operations
of the spinning units are sequentially started. Before stoppage of the
machine or before lot change, operations of the spinning units are
sequentially stopped. Thus, by controlling the amount of the additive
to be fed depending on the operating number, variations in the amount
25 of the additive to be fed to the air-jet spinning devices of spinning units
that are performing spinning operations can be reduced.
31
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
[0079] In one embodiment, when the operating number is smaller than
the predetermined number, the control device may set the amount of the
additive to be fed based on a relation expressed by (a period when the
additive is to be fed I an intermittent cycle period)= (the operating
5 number I a planned operating number that is the number of air-jet
spinning devices planned to be operated among the air-jet spinning
devices). When the operating number is equal to or greater than the
predetermined number, the control device may set the amount ofthe
additive to be fed based on the planned operating number of the air-jet
10 spinning devices and an optimum amount of the additive that is an
amount optimum for one air-jet spinning device. By setting the
amount of the additive to be fed in this manner, the amounts ofthe
additive to be fed to the respective air-jet spinning devices can be made
uniform.
15 [0080] In one embodiment, the air pipe may be single, and the air pipe
may extend along a direction in which the spinning units are aligned.
In this configuration, the amount of the additive to be fed into one air
pipe only needs to be controlled, and thus the amount to be fed can be
accurately and simply controlled.
20 [0081] In one embodiment, the control device may acquire the
operating number based on a yam travelling signal output from each
spinning unit. Thus, the operating number ofthe air-jet spinning
devices can be accurately acquired.
[0082] In one embodiment, the spinning machine may further include a
25 flow-rate measuring device configured to measure a flow rate of the air
flowing through the air pipe, and the control device may acquire the
32
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
operating number based on a measurement result of the flow-rate
measuring device. The flow rate flowing through the air pipe is low
when the operating number is small, and the flow rate flowing through
the air pipe is high when the operating number is large. Thus, based
5 on the measurement result of the flow-rate measuring device, the
operating number can be accurately acquired.
[0083] In one embodiment, the air containing the additive may be
supplied only to an air-jet spinning device that is operating among the
air-jet spinning devices. In this configuration, because the air
10 containing the additive is not supplied to an air-jet spinning device that
is not operating, the amonnt to be fed based on the operating number
can be accurately controlled.
[0084] In one embodiment, after the operating number reached the
predetermined number or more, when operations of the air-jet spinning
15 devices temporarily stop and the operating number becomes smaller
than the predetermined number, the control device may continue
operation of causing a certain amount of the additive to be continuously
fed. If yam breakage, yam cut, or doffing, for example, has occurred
in a spinning unit, operation of the corresponding air-jet spinning device
20 is temporarily interrupted. Even if the operating number has become
smaller than the predetermined number due to such temporary stoppage,
the operation of causing a certain amount of the additive to be
continuously fed is continued, whereby a shortage in the amount of the
additive to be fed to the air-jet spinning devices of the other spinning
25 units due to this temporary decrease in the operating number can be
avoided.
33
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
[0085] In one embodiment, control of continuously feeding the additive
may be performed for a period longer than that of the intermittent
control. The intermittent control can become a load on the feeding
device. During a period when the spinning machine is operating, by
5 continuously feeding the additive for a longer period, the load on the
feeding device can be reduced, and thus the life of the feeding device
can be increased.
[0086] A spinning method according to one aspect of the present
disclosure is a spinning method performed in a spinning machine
10 including: a plurality of spinning units each including an air-jet spinning
device configured to perform spinning operation of twisting a fiber
bundle with air to generate yam and a winding device configured to
wind the yam around a bobbin to form a package; an air pipe configured
to allow the air to flow therethrough and connected to upstream sides of
15 a plurality of feeding pipes through which the air is supplied to the
respective air-jet spinning devices of the spinning units; and a feeding
device configured to feed an additive to the air pipe. The spinning
method includes: when an operating number that is the number of air-jet
spinning devices being operating among the air-jet spinning devices is
20 smaller than a predetermined number, controlling the feeding device
such that the additive is fed by intermittent control, so as to increase the
amount of the additive to be fed as the operating number increases or
reduce the amount of the additive to be fed as the operating number
decreases; and when the operating number is equal to or greater than the
25 predetermined number, controlling the feeding device such that a certain
amount ofthe additive is continuously fed.
34
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
[0087] In the spinning method according to one aspect of the present
disclosure, the amount of the additive to be fed is increased or reduced
depending on the operating number when the operating number of the
air-jet spinning devices is smaller than the predetermined number, and a
5 certain amount ofthe additive is fed when the operating number is equal
to or greater than the predetermined number. Accordingly, the additive
of an amount according to the operating number of air-jet spinning
devices that are actually operating (spinning) is fed into the air pipe,
whereby the amounts of the additive to be fed to the respective air-jet
10 spinning devices can be made uniform. Thus, the additive can be
prevented from being excessively fed to the air-jet spinning devices of
the spinning units. Consequently, the additive can be stably fed.
[0088] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the additive
can be stably fed.

We claim:
1. A spinning machine (1) comprising:
a plurality of spinning units (2) each including an air-jet
spinning device (7) configured to perform spinning operation of
5 twisting a fiber bundle (F) with air to generate yam (Y) and a winding
device (13) configured to wind the yarn (Y) around a bobbin (B) to
form a package (P);
an air pipe (62) configured to allow the air to flow therethrough
and connected to upstream sides of a plurality offeeding pipes (63)
10 through which the air is supplied to the respective air-jet spinning
devices (7) of the spinning units (2);
a feeding device (70) configured to feed an additive to the air
pipe; and
a control device (100) configured to control operation ofthe
15 feeding device (70), wherein
when an operating number that is the number of air-jet spinning
devices (7) being operating among the air-jet spinning devices (7) is
smaller than a predetennined number, the control device (100) controls
the feeding device (70) such that the additive is fed by intermittent
20 control, so as to increase the amount of the additive to be fed as the
operating number increases or reduce the amount of the additive to be
fed as the operating number decreases, and
when the operating number is equal to or greater than the
predetermined number, the control device ( 1 00) controls the feeding
25 device (70) such that a certain amount of the additive is continuously
fed.
36
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
2. The spinning machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the
control device (100) linearly increases or reduces the amount of the
additive to be fed depending on the operating number when the
5 operating number is smaller than the predetennined number.
10
3. The spinning machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the
feeding device (70) feeds the additive into the air pipe (62) by applying
a certain pressure to the additive.
4. The spinning machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein
when an instruction to start the spinning operation is input after
start-up of the machine (1) or after lot change, the control device (100)
15 controls the feeding device (70) such that the amount of the additive to
be fed increases as the operating number increases, and
in a period before stoppage ofthe machine (1) or before lot
change when the operating number is smaller than the predetermined
number, the control device (100) controls the feeding device (70) such
20 that the amount of the additive to be fed decreases as the operating
number decreases.
25
5. The spinning machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
wherein
when the operating number is smaller than the predetermined
number,
37
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
the control device (100) sets the amount of the additive to be fed based
on a relation expressed by (a period when the additive is to be fed I an
intermittent cycle period)= (the operating number I a planned operating
number that is the number of air-jet spinning devices (7) planned to be
5 operated among the air-jet spinning devices (7)), and
when the operating number is equal to or greater than the
predetermined number, the control device (100) sets the amount of the
additive to be fed based on the planned operating number of the air-jet
spinning devices (7) and an optimum amount of the additive that is an
10 amount optimum for one air-jet spinning device (7).
6. The spinning machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein
the air pipe (62) is single, and
15 the air pipe ( 62) extends along a direction in which the spinning
units (2) are aligned.
7. The spinning machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
wherein the control device (100) acquires the operating number based
20 on a yam travelling signal output from each spinning unit (2).
25
8. The spinning machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6
further comprising a flow-rate measuring device configured to measure
a flow rate of the air flowing through the air pipe (62), wherein
the control device (1 00) acquires the operating number based on
a measurement result of the flow-rate measuring device.
38
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
9. The spinning machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
wherein the air containing the additive is supplied only to an air-jet
spinning device (7) that is operating among the air-jet spinning devices
5 (7).
10. The spinning machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
wherein
after the operating number reached the predetermined number or more,
10 when operations of the air-jet spinning devices (7) temporarily stop and
the operating number becomes smaller than the predetermined number,
the control device (1 00) continues operation of causing a certain amount
of the additive to be continuously fed.
15 11. The spinning machine ( 1) according to any one of claims 1 to
10, wherein control of continuously feeding the additive is performed
for a period longer than that of the intermittent control.
12. A spinning method performed in a spinning machine ( 1)
20 including: a plurality of spinning units (2) each including an air-jet
spinning device (7) configured to perform spinning operation of
twisting a fiber bundle (F) with air to generate yam (Y) and a winding
device (13) configured to wind the yam (Y) around a bobbin (B) to
form a package (P); an air pipe (62) configured to allow the air to flow
25 therethrough and connected to upstream sides of a plurality of feeding
pipes (63) through which the air is supplied to the respective air-jet
39
FP17-0513-00IN-MRT
spinning devices (7) of the spinning units (2); and a feeding device (70)
configured to feed an additive to the air pipe (62), the spinning method
compnsmg:
when an operating number that is the number of air-jet spinning
5 devices (7) being operating among the air-jet spinning devices (7) is
smaller than a predetermined number, controlling the feeding device
(70) such that the additive is fed by intermittent control, so as to
increase the amount of the additive to be fed as the operating number
increases or reduce the amount ofthe additive to be fed as the operating
1 0 number decreases; and
15
when the operating number is equal to or greater than the
predetermined number, controlling the feeding device (70) such that a
certain amount of the additive is continuously fed.