BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
5 The present invention relates to a textile machine
such as an automatic winder.
2. Description of the Related Art
In each yarn winding unit configuring an automatic
10 winder, foreign substances attached to a travelling yarn
need to be removed, and a yarn end needs to be caught from
a package. Thus, the automatic winder usually includes a
negative pressure source, and each yarn winding unit is
mounted with, for example, a cleaning pipe configured to
15 suck and remove the foreign substances attached to the
travelling yarn, a suction mouth configured to suck and
catch the yarn end from the package, and the like.
The cleaning pipe and the suction mouth do not need
to continuously suck the foreign substances/yarn end all
20 the time during the operation, and rather it is preferable
that the foreign substances and the yarn end are sucked only
when a predetermined condition is met from the standpoint
of saving energy.
A shutter device configured to switch conduction of
25 the negative pressure source and each suction mechanism is
thus used (see JP 2009-242036 A).
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The shutter device includes a casing, and a shutter
30 arranged in the casing. The suction mechanism conducting
to a suction source is switched when the shutter is moved.
2
The inventor of the present application focused on a problem
that fiber waste accumulates in the casing and thus the
shutter cannot be smoothly moved, and contrived the
following invention.
5 It is an object of the present invention to resolve
the accumulation of fiber waste inside a shutter device used
in a textile machine.
This object is achieved by a textile machine
according to claim 1.
10 Hereinafter, a plurality of modes will be described
as means for solving the problem. Such modes can be
arbitrarily combined as necessary.
A textile machine according to one aspect of the
present invention includes a unit, a negative pressure
15 generating source, and a shutter device. The unit includes
a plurality of suction mechanisms configured to suck air
to carry out processing of a yarn or cleaning. The negative
pressure generating source generates a negative pressure.
The shutter device is arranged between the plurality of
20 suction mechanisms and the negative pressure generating
source. The shutter device includes a switching plate and
a casing. The switching plate switches conduction of air
between the plurality of suction mechanisms and the
negative pressure generating source. The casing
25 internally seals the switching plate. The shutter device
operates the switching plate so as to be switchable to a
negative pressure position of conducting air between at
least one of the plurality of suction mechanisms and the
negative pressure generating source, and an accumulated
30 substance removing position of removing fiber waste
accumulated in the casing. In such a textile machine, when
3
the switching plate is at the negative pressure position,
the air is conducted between at least one of the plurality
of suction mechanisms and the negative pressure generating
source. The suction operation is thereby executed. Next,
5 when the switching plate is at the accumulated substance
removing position, the fiber waste accumulated in the
casing is removed. As a result, the accumulation of the
fiber waste in the shutter device used in the textile
machine is resolved.
10 A space through which the fiber waste can pass may
be formed between the switching plate and the casing. In
such a textile machine, when the switching plate is at the
accumulated substance removing position and the fiber waste
accumulated in the casing is removed, the fiber waste is
15 moved through the space between the switching plate and the
casing. Therefore, the fiber waste in the casing is more
reliably removed.
The shutter device may operate the switching plate
so as to move the switching plate to a suction stop position
20 at which the negative pressure from the negative pressure
generating source does not act to the inside of the casing.
In such a textile machine, when the switching plate is at
the suction stop position, the negative pressure does not
act to the inside of the casing. Therefore, the operation
25 of all the suction mechanisms is stopped. Energy saving
can be realized by allowing the operation of all the suction
mechanisms to be stopped.
The shutter device may further include a driving
source configured to drive the switching plate, and the
30 driving source may be a stepping motor. In such a textile
machine, the switching plate is driven by the stepping motor.
4
Therefore, the control of the driving source is simplified.
The textile machine may be an automatic winder
configured to wind a yarn unwound from a yarn supplying
bobbin around a winding tube while traversing to form a
5 package, and the plurality of suction mechanisms may be an
upper yarn sucking, catching, and guiding mechanism and a
cleaning pipe. In such a textile machine, according to the
operation of the switching plate, the foreign substances
attached to the travelling yarn are sucked and removed by
10 the cleaning pipe at the time of steady operation of the
automatic winder, and the upper yarn is sucked and caught,
and guided to a yarn joining device by the upper yarn sucking,
catching, and guiding mechanism in the yarn joining
operation.
15 The switching plate may be swingable in the casing.
The accumulated substance removing position of the
switching plate may be a position of removing the fiber
waste accumulated in at least one of the ends in a swinging
direction of the switching plate of a space region in the
20 casing. In such a textile machine, when the switching plate
is at the accumulated substance removing position, the
first opening, and the second opening, and the third opening
are conducted to each other. As a result, the fiber waste
accumulated in at least one of the ends in the swinging
25 direction of the switching plate in the casing is sucked
from the first opening. The plurality of suction
mechanisms may include a first suction mechanism and a
second suction mechanism. The casing may include a first
opening, to which a basal end of the negative pressure
30 generating source is connected, a second opening, to which
a basal end of the first suction mechanism is connected,
5
and a third opening, to which a basal end of the second
suction mechanism is connected. The negative pressure
position of the switching plate may include a first negative
pressure position of conducting the first opening and the
5 second opening to operate the first suction mechanism, and
a second negative pressure position of conducting the first
opening and the third opening to operate the second suction
mechanism. When the switching plate is at the accumulated
substance removing position, the first opening, and the
10 second opening, and the third opening may be conducted to
each other. When the switching plate is at the accumulated
substance removing position, the switching plate may
conduct the first opening and the second opening, but may
be at a position of shielding air linearly flowing from the
15 second opening toward the first opening. In this case,
turbulence of air flow occurs by a bent flow path, and the
cleaning effect of at least one of the ends spaced apart
in the swinging direction of the switching plate from the
second opening of the casing is enhanced.
20 According to one aspect, the accumulated substance
removing position of the switching plate is a position of
conducting all the openings of the casing with each other
to suck the fiber waste in the casing. According to one
aspect, the switching plate is swung to close or open the
25 openings of the casing. According to one aspect, the
switching plate is moved among a plurality of positions of
allowing sucking by one of the plurality of suction
mechanisms, and prohibiting sucking by other suction
mechanisms. According to one aspect, a plurality of
30 openings for the plurality of suction mechanisms in the
casing are aligned in a direction that the switching plate
6
is swung. According to one aspect, the switching plate has
a hole corresponding to only a specific opening. According
to one aspect, the space in the casing is sealed other than
the openings. According to one aspect, the space in the
5 casing is a flat plate shaped space having a thin thickness.
According to one aspect, the plurality of openings for the
plurality of suction mechanisms in the casing and the
opening for the negative pressure generating source are
faced to each other.
10 In a textile machine according to the present
invention, accumulation of the fiber waste inside the
shutter device is resolved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
15 FIG. 1 is a schematic front view and a block diagram
illustrating a yarn winding unit of an automatic winder
according to a first embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a shutter device;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the shutter device;
20 FIG. 4 is a plan view of a case of the shutter device;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a shutter of the shutter
device;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a base member of the shutter
device;
25 FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line
VII-VII of FIG. 3;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line
VIII-VIII of FIG. 3;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a basic control
30 operation of the shutter device;
FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating one state of an
7
operation of the shutter device;
FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view
illustrating one state of the operation of the shutter
device;
5 FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating one state of the
operation of the shutter device;
FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view
illustrating one state of the operation of the shutter
device;
10 FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating one state of the
operation of the shutter device;
FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view
illustrating one state of the operation of the shutter
device;
15 FIG. 16 is a plan view illustrating one state of the
operation of the shutter device; and
FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view
illustrating one state of the operation of the shutter
device.
20
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
1. First Embodiment
(1) Basic structure of automatic winder
An automatic winder 1 will be described using FIG.
25 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view and a block diagram
illustrating a yarn winding unit of an automatic winder
according to a first embodiment. The automatic winder
(textile machine) 1 includes a yarn winding unit 2 (one
example of unit). The yarn winding unit 2 is a device
30 configured to wind a yarn 4 unwound from a yarn supplying
bobbin 3 around a winding tube 6 while traversing the yarn
8
4 with a traverse drum 5 to form a yarn layer, and form a
predetermined conical package 7 with a predetermined length.
In FIG. 1, only one yarn winding unit 2 is illustrated, but
such a yarn winding unit 2 is arranged in plurals on a machine
5 (not illustrated) to configure the automatic winder 1.
The yarn winding unit 2 includes a cradle 8 on which
the winding tube 6 is removably supported, and the traverse
drum 5 that rotates at a predetermined rotation number in
contact with a peripheral surface of the winding tube 6 or
10 a peripheral surface of the package 7. The cradle 8
sandwichingly hold and rotatably support the winding tube
6 at the opposite ends thereof. Furthermore, the cradle
8 is configured to freely tilt around a swing shaft 10. The
cradle 8 moves pivotally to allow absorption of an increase
15 in thickness (increase in diameter of yarn layer)
associated with the winding of the yarn 4 around the winding
tube 6 or into the package 7. A traverse groove 9 in which
the yarn 4 is traverse with respect to the winding tube 6
or the package 7 is engraved on a peripheral surface of the
20 traverse drum 5. The winding tube 6 or the package 7 is
driven rotated by coming into rolling contact with the
traverse drum 5. A unit control section 50 configured to
control the yarn winding unit 2 is arranged for every yarn
winding unit 2.
25 Next, a description will be made on a yarn joining
device 14, a yarn clearer 15, a waxing device 24, and a
cleaning pipe 25. The yarn winding unit 2 has a
configuration in which the yarn joining device 14, the yarn
clearer 15, the waxing device 24, and the cleaning pipe 25
30 are arranged in order from the yarn supplying bobbin 3 on
a yarn travelling path between the yarn supplying bobbin
9
3 and the traverse drum 5.
The yarn joining device 14 is configured to join a
lower yarn 4L serving as the yarn 4 from the yarn supplying
bobbin 3 and an upper yarn 4U serving as the yarn 4 from
5 the package 7 when the yarn clearer 15 detects a yarn defect
and the yarn is cut, or when the yarn 4 from the yarn
supplying bobbin 3 is broken. The yarn clearer 15 detects
a thickness defect in the yarn 4, and detects the thickness
of the yarn 4 passing through a portion of a detection
10 section of the yarn clearer 15 with an appropriate sensor
and analyzes a signal from the relevant sensor with an
analyzer 23 to detect a yarn defect such as slub. The yarn
clearer 15 includes a cutter 16 configured to immediately
cut the yarn 4 when the yarn defect is detected.
15 A lower yarn sucking, catching, and guiding mechanism
17 configured to suck and catch the lower yarn 4L from the
yarn supplying bobbin 3 and guide the lower yarn 4L to the
yarn joining device 14, and an upper yarn sucking, catching,
and guiding mechanism 20 configured to suck and catch the
20 upper yarn 4U from the package 7 and guide the upper yarn
4U to the yarn joining device 14 are provided on a lower
side and an upper side of the yarn joining device 14,
respectively. The upper yarn sucking, catching, and
guiding mechanism 20 is shaped in a pipe and includes a
25 suction mouth 22 at a distal end. The upper yarn sucking,
catching, and guiding mechanism 20 is configured by a pipe
20a extending from the suction mouth 22 and a shaft 21
configured to support the pipe 20a in a freely swinging
manner, and a coupling pipe 20b configured to couple the
30 pipe 20a and a shutter device 29 (described later). In
other words, a basal end 20c of the upper yarn sucking,
10
catching, and guiding mechanism 20 is connected to the
shutter device 29.
The lower yarn sucking, catching, and guiding
mechanism 17 is also shaped like a pipe and includes an air
5 intake port 19 at a distal end. The lower yarn sucking,
catching, and guiding mechanism 17 is configured by a relay
pipe 17a arranged so as to be vertically swingable with a
shaft 18 as a center, and a coupling pipe (not illustrated)
configured to couple the relay pipe 17a and a blower duct
10 60. The waxing device 24 is a device configured to apply
an appropriate wax on the travelling yarn 4.
The cleaning pipe 25 is a device configured to suck
and remove foreign substances attached to the travelling
yarn 4. A basal end 25b of the cleaning pipe 25 is connected
15 to the shutter device 29 (described later), and a suction
port 25a is formed at a distal end of the cleaning pipe 25.
The suction port 25a of the cleaning pipe 25 is located in
proximity to the travelling yarn 4 travelling between the
waxing device 24 and the traverse drum 5.
20 As described above, in the present embodiment, the
yarn winding unit 2 includes a plurality of suction
mechanisms configured to suck at least one of the yarn 4
and the foreign substance. Specifically, the yarn winding
unit 2 includes the cleaning pipe 25 serving as a yarn trap
25 configured to suck the foreign substances attached to the
travelling yarn 4, and the upper yarn sucking, catching,
and guiding mechanism 20 (i.e., suction mouth 22)
configured to suck and catch the upper yarn 4U and guide
the upper yarn 4U to the yarn joining device 14 as the suction
30 mechanism.
(2) Schematic description of configuration of
11
shutter device
The shutter device 29 and other devices will be
schematically described using FIG. 1. Each yarn winding
unit 2 includes the shutter device 29. The shutter device
5 29 is connected to the blower duct 60 by way of a blower
pipe 70. The blower duct 60 is extended along an arranging
direction in which the plurality of yarn winding units 2
are arranged. The blower duct 60 is coupled to a blower
61 serving as a negative pressure generating source. The
10 blower 61 is common among the plurality of yarn winding
units 2 arranged. The shutter device 29 is arranged between
the cleaning pipe 25 and the upper yarn sucking, catching,
and guiding mechanism 20, and the blower 61.
Next, a structure of the shutter device 29 will be
15 schematically described using FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a
perspective view of the shutter device. FIG. 3 is a plan
view of the shutter device. In FIG. 3, however, a shutter
33, to be described later, is omitted. The shutter device
29 includes the shutter 33 (one example of switching plate),
20 and a casing 30 (one example of casing). The shutter 33
switches the conduction of air between the cleaning pipe
25 and the upper yarn sucking, catching, and guiding
mechanism 20, and the blower 61. The shutter device 29 can
be switched to a negative pressure position of conducting
25 the air between the blower 61 and at least one of the cleaning
pipe 25 and the upper yarn sucking, catching, and guiding
mechanism 20, and an accumulated substance removing
position of removing the fiber waste accumulated in the
casing 30 by operating the shutter 33.
30 When the shutter 33 is at the negative pressure
position, air is conducted between the blower 61 and at
12
least one of the cleaning pipe 25 and the upper yarn sucking,
catching, and guiding mechanism 20. The suction operation
is thereby executed. Specifically, the foreign substances
attached to the travelling yarn are sucked and removed by
5 the cleaning pipe 25 at the time of steady operation of the
automatic winder 1, and the upper yarn is sucked and caught,
and guided to the yarn joining device 14 by the upper yarn
sucking, catching, and guiding mechanism 20 in the yarn
joining operation. When the shutter 33 is at the
10 accumulated substance removing position, the fiber waste
accumulated in the casing 30 is removed. As a result, the
accumulation of the fiber waste inside the shutter device
29 used in the automatic winder 1 is resolved.
The shutter device 29 can move the shutter 33 to a
15 suction stop position at where the negative pressure from
the blower 61 does not act to the inside of the casing 30
by operating the shutter 33. In the automatic winder 1,
when the shutter 33 is at the suction stop position, the
negative pressure does not act to the inside of the casing
20 30. Therefore, the operations of the cleaning pipe 25 and
the upper yarn sucking, catching, and guiding mechanism 20
are stopped.
(3) Detailed description of configuration of
shutter device
25 Next, a configuration of the shutter device 29 will
now be described in detail using FIGS. 4 to 8. FIG. 4 is
a plan view of a case of the shutter device. FIG. 5 is a
plan view of the shutter of the shutter device. FIG. 6 is
a plan view of a base member of the shutter device. FIG.
30 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG.
3. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line
13
VIII-VIII of FIG. 3. The casing 30 includes a base member
31 fixed to a frame (not illustrated) of the yarn winding
unit 2, and a case member 32 attached to the base member
31.
5 The shutter device 29 includes the shutter 33
interposed between the base member 31 and the case member
32. The casing 30 internally seals the shutter 33. The
shutter device 29 includes a shutter driving mechanism 34
serving as a driving source configured to swing the shutter
10 33.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the base member 31 is formed
with a blower hole 31a (first opening) to which the basal
end of the blower 61 is connected. As illustrated in FIG.
4, the case member 32 is formed with a suction hole 32b (third
15 opening), to which a basal end 20c of the upper yarn sucking,
catching, and guiding mechanism 20 is connected, and a
cleaning hole 32a (second opening), to which a basal end
25b of the cleaning pipe 25 is connected. The cleaning hole
32a, the suction hole 32b, and the blower hole 31a are formed
20 between the base member 31 and the case member 32, and are
communicated to each other through an internal space G where
the shutter 33 is swung.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the shutter 33 is formed
to a substantially fan shape, and is swingable with a swing
25 shaft 33a as a center so as to close or open each cleaning
hole 32a and suction hole 32b between the base member 31
and the case member 32. A hole 33b is formed on one side
in an arc direction on an outer peripheral side of the
shutter 33.
30 As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shutter driving
mechanism 34 is configured by a stepping motor 35 arranged
14
on the base member 31, and a drive transmitting mechanism
(not illustrated) (e.g., pulley fixed to swing shaft of
shutter 33, and flat belt wound around output shaft of
stepping motor 35 and pulley). An output of the stepping
5 motor 35 is transmitted to the shutter 33 through a timing
belt and the pulley. Since the shutter 33 is driven by the
stepping motor 35, the control of the driving source is
simplified.
Next, an arrangement mode of the cleaning hole 32a
10 and the suction hole 32b, and a shape of the shutter 33 will
be described in detail. The internal space G configured
by the casing 30 will be described. As illustrated in FIGS.
2 and 3, the internal space G is formed between the base
member 31 and the case member 32. The internal space G is
15 a flat plate shaped space having a predetermined thickness
formed between two flat plates. The flat plate shaped
internal space G has a fan shape or a half moon shape when
seen from a thickness direction (plan view) of a virtual
flat plate. That is, the internal space G has a shape
20 including one part of an arc in plan view. The blower hole
31a is formed at a middle in the arc direction of an outer
peripheral side portion in the internal space G.
The suction hole 32b is a hole of a relatively large
diameter, and is arranged at the outer peripheral side
25 portion of the internal space G. The suction hole 32b
corresponds to the blower hole 31a in plan view, and is
located in a region on a counterclockwise side (first
swinging direction R1 side, to be described later) of the
arc direction of the blower 31a. The cleaning hole 32a is
30 a hole of a relatively small diameter, and is arranged at
the outer peripheral side portion of the internal space G.
15
The cleaning hole 32a is arranged proximate to the suction
hole 32b, and is arranged on a clockwise side (second
swinging direction R2 side, to be described later) of the
arc direction in the figure. The cleaning hole 32a
5 corresponds to the blower hole 31a in plan view, and is
located in a region on a clockwise side (second swinging
direction R2 side, to be described later) of the arc
direction of the blower 31a. The positional relationship
in the shutter swinging direction of each hole is opposite
10 to the case of the embodiment when the rotating direction
of the motor is different. As described above, the cleaning
hole 32a and the suction hole 32b are both arranged so as
to be shifted in the swinging direction of the shutter 33.
The shutter device 29 is configured in such manner so as
15 to be able to selectively control the sucking by the
cleaning pipe 25 and the upper yarn sucking, catching, and
guiding mechanism 20.
As illustrated in FIG. 11, as will be described later,
the shutter 33 is arranged at a position proximate to or
20 making contact with an inner side surface of the base member
31 in the internal space G. Therefore, the shutter 33 is
spaced apart from the case member 32, that is, the internal
space G is ensured between the shutter 33 and the case member
32. However, a tubular section 36 extending toward the base
25 member 31 is formed at the periphery of the cleaning hole
32a, and a distal end of the tubular section 36 is extended
to a position making contact with or in proximity to the
shutter 33.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 10, the shutter 33 is
30 swingable with the swing shaft 33a as the center.
Specifically, the shutter 33 has the swing shaft 33a
16
arranged on a side opposite to the arc side of the internal
space G in plan view, and therefore, the shutter 33 can be
swung in the first swinging direction R1 and the second
swinging direction R2 along a state in which an arc edge
5 is proximate to an arc edge of the internal space G. The
hole 33b of the shutter 33 is formed at a second swinging
direction R2 side portion of the outer peripheral side
portion of the shutter 33. The hole 33b is formed at the
same radial position as the cleaning hole 32a and with a
10 large diameter. According to such a configuration, when
the shutter 33 is swung in the first swinging direction R1
or the second swinging direction R2, only the cleaning hole
32a is opened or only the suction hole 32b is opened.
A position that can be taken by the shutter 33 will
15 be described using FIGS. 10 to 17. FIGS. 10, 12, 14, and
16 are plan views illustrating one state of an operation
of the shutter device. FIGS. 11, 13, 15, and 17 are
schematic cross-sectional views illustrating one state of
the operation of the shutter device. As illustrated in FIGS.
20 10 and 11, when the shutter 33 is at the fully-closed
position, the shutter 33 closes the blower hole 31a.
Describing a specific position of the shutter 33, the
fully-closed position of the shutter 33 is a position in
the middle in the swinging direction, and the shutter 33
25 closes the blower hole 31a at the position, as illustrated
in FIG. 10.
As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the shutter
33 is at the first negative pressure position, the blower
hole 31a and the cleaning hole 32a are conducted or in
30 fluidic connection to operate the cleaning pipe 25.
Describing the specific position of the shutter 33, as
17
illustrated in FIG. 12, the first negative pressure
position of the shutter 33 is a state in which the shutter
33 is further swung in the first swinging direction R1 than
the fully-closed position, and although the shutter 33
5 closes the majority of the blower hole 31a, the hole 33b
of the shutter 33 is overlapped with the cleaning hole 32a.
Therefore, only the cleaning hole 32a is opened.
As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the shutter
33 is at the second negative pressure position, the shutter
10 33 closes the cleaning hole 32a and conducts or provides
a fluidic connection between the blower hole 31a and the
suction hole 32b to operate the upper yarn sucking, catching,
and guiding mechanism 20. Describing the specific
position of the shutter 33, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the
15 second negative pressure position of the shutter 33 is a
state in which the shutter 33 is swung the most in the second
swinging direction R2, and although the first swinging
direction R1 side end of the shutter 33 closes the cleaning
hole 32a, the blower hole 31a is not closed. More
20 specifically, a projection 33c of the shutter 33 closes the
cleaning hole 32a, and the shutter 33 is not overlapped with
the suction hole 32b in plan view. Therefore, only the
suction hole 32b is opened. At the time of operation, a
flow rate of the suction hole 32b and the periphery of the
25 suction hole 32b (i.e., half on first swinging direction
R1 side in internal space G) is higher than a flow rate of
other portions in plan view in the internal space G, and
thus the fiber waste is effectively removed. Furthermore,
as the distal end of the tubular section 36 is brought into
30 contact with or in proximity with the shutter 33, air
leakage from the cleaning hole 32a is reduced.
18
As illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, when the shutter
33 is at the accumulated substance removing position, the
blower hole 31a, and the suction hole 32b, and the cleaning
hole 32a are conducted with each other, so that the fiber
5 waste in the internal space G of the casing 30 is removed.
Specifically, the fiber waste accumulated in a first region
A and a second region B of FIG. 16 is effectively removed.
The first region A is one part of the internal space G in
the casing 30, and is an end spaced apart in the second
10 swinging direction R2 from the suction hole 32b. The second
region B is one part of the internal space G in the casing
30, and is an end spaced apart in the first swinging
direction R1 from the suction hole 32b. The second region
B is close to the suction hole 32b in the swinging direction,
15 and thus can be cleaned to a certain extent even in the state
(second negative pressure position) of FIG. 14. The first
region A, on the other hand, is distant from the suction
hole 32b in the swinging direction, and thus is not
sufficiently cleaned in the state (second negative pressure
20 position) of FIG. 14.
The reason the fiber waste accumulated in the first
region A and the second region B of FIG. 16 is effectively
removed when the shutter 33 is at the accumulated substance
removing position will be described below. As illustrated
25 in FIG. 16, the accumulated substance removing position of
the shutter 33 is a state in which the shutter 33 is swung
the most in the first swinging direction R1, and the
peripheral portion of the cleaning hole 32a of the blower
31a is opened. The blower hole 31a and the suction hole
30 32b are conducted with each other but are not linearly
conducted, and thus the air forms a bent flow path and
19
turbulence of air flow occurs in the casing 30, as
illustrated in FIG. 17. As a result, the flow rate of the
region further to the cleaning hole 32a from the suction
hole 32b and the region on the inner peripheral side of the
5 region (i.e., middle portion in internal space G in swinging
direction) is higher than the flow rate of other portions
in plan view in the internal space G, and thus the removing
effect of the fiber waste is obtained, and the cleaning
effect of the first region A and the second region B is
10 enhanced. More specifically, since the region of high flow
rate is spread further to the portion on the second swinging
direction R2 side than the blower 31a, the cleaning effect
of the first region A is enhanced.
As illustrated in FIG. 17, a space where the fiber
15 waste can pass through is formed as the internal space G
between the shutter 33 and the casing 30. Thus, when the
shutter 33 is at the accumulated substance removing
position and the fiber waste accumulated in the casing 30
is removed, the fiber waste is moved through the space
20 between the shutter 33 and the casing 30. Therefore, the
fiber waste in the casing 30 is more reliably removed.
(4) Control configuration
In FIG. 1, the automatic winder 1 includes the unit
control section 50. The unit control section 50 is a
25 computer system that includes a processor (e.g., CPU), a
storage device (e.g., ROM, RAM, HDD, SSD, etc.), and various
types of interfaces (e.g., A/D converter, D/A converter,
communication interface, etc.). The unit control section
50 executes a program saved in the storage section
30 (corresponds to one part of or all of storage region of
storage device) to carry out various types of control
20
operations. The unit control section 50 may be configured
by a single processor, but may be configured by a plurality
of processors independent for each control.
Some or all of the functions of each element of the
5 unit control section 50 may be realized as a program
executable with the computer system configuring the unit
control section 50. Specifically, control software for
causing the CPU, and the like to fulfill the function of
a shutter control means 51 is stored in the ROM of the unit
10 control section 50. In addition, some of the functions of
each element of the control section may be configured by
a custom IC. Although not illustrated, a sensor configured
to detect size, shape, and position of a target, a sensor
and a switch configured to detect the state of each device,
15 as well as an information input device are connected to the
unit control section 50.
(5) Control operation
Control by the unit control section 50 and the shutter
control means 51 will be described below according to FIG.
20 9. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a basic control
operation of the shutter device. The control flowchart
described below is illustrative, and each step may be
omitted and interchanged, as necessary. Furthermore, a
plurality of steps may be simultaneously executed, or some
25 or all of the steps of may be executed in an overlapping
manner. Moreover, each block of the control flowchart is
not limited to a single control operation, and can be
replaced with a plurality of control operations represented
with the plurality of blocks.
30 First, the power of the automatic winder 1 is turned
ON. Immediately after the power is turned ON, the shutter
21
33 is in the fully-closed position (FIGS. 10 and 11). In
step S1, the shutter 33 is moved to the first negative
pressure position (FIGS. 12 and 13), and the yarn trap
operation is carried out. Specifically, the shutter
5 control means 51 transmits a control signal to the stepping
motor 35 to swing the shutter 33 to the first position. An
automatic doffing device (not illustrated) winds the yarn
4 from the yarn supplying bobbin 3 around the winding tube
6, whereby the winding of the yarn 4 by the yarn winding
10 unit 2 is started. During the winding, the basal end 25b
of the cleaning pipe 25 is not closed by the shutter 33,
and hence the foreign substances (e.g., wax powder, yarn
waste, or the like attached to the yarn 4) attached to the
travelling yarn 4 are sucked and removed by the blower duct
15 60 upon passing near the suction port 25a.
In step S2, the unit control section 50 determines
whether a yarn joining request is made. When the yarn
joining request is not made (No in S2), the process proceeds
to step S5. When the yarn joining request is made (Yes in
20 S2), the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the
shutter 33 is moved to the second negative pressure position
(FIGS. 14 and 15), and the suction operation is carried out.
Specifically, the shutter control means 51 transmits a
control signal to the stepping motor 35 to move the shutter
25 33 to the second negative pressure position. Thus, the
suction mouth 22 of the upper yarn sucking, catching, and
guiding mechanism 20 is in a sucking state, and the yarn
end from the outer periphery of the package 7 is sucked and
caught when the unit control section 50 swings the upper
30 yarn sucking, catching, and guiding mechanism 20. In step
S4, the unit control section 50 waits until receiving a
22
signal associated with completion of the yarn joining
operation from the yarn joining device 14. When the unit
control section 50 receives the signal, the shutter control
means 51 transmits an appropriate control signal to the
5 stepping motor 35, and the process of the unit control
section 50 proceeds to S5.
In step S5, the unit control section 50 determines
whether or not a predetermined number of knots is reached.
When the predetermined number of knots is not reached (No
10 in S5), the process returns to S1. When the predetermined
number of knots has been reached (Yes in S5), the process
proceeds to step S6. The predetermined number of knots is
not particularly limited, and may be every constant time
or may be appropriately changed.
15 In step S6, the shutter 33 is moved to the accumulated
substance removing position (FIGS. 16 and 17), and the
cleaning operation of the shutter 29 is executed.
Specifically, the shutter control means 51 transmits a
control signal to the stepping motor 35 so as to move the
20 shutter 33 to the accumulated substance removing position.
The fiber waste accumulated in the shutter device 29 is
thereby sucked and collected by the blower duct 60.
2. Other Embodiment
One embodiment of the present invention has been
25 described, but the present invention is not limited to the
above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made
within a scope not departing from the gist of the invention.
In particular, a plurality of examples and alternative
embodiments described in the specification can be
30 arbitrarily combined, as necessary.
(1) The type of textile machine to which the shutter
23
device is applied is not limited to the automatic winder.
(2) The type and number of suction mechanism are not
limited to the embodiment described above.
(3) The number, position, and mutual relationship of the
5 holes formed in the shutter device are not limited to the
embodiment described above.
The present invention can be widely applied to the
textile machine such as the automatic winder.

WE CLAIM
1. A textile machine (1) comprising:
a yarn winding unit (2) including a plurality of
5 suction mechanisms (20, 25) configured to carry out
processing of a yarn or cleaning;
a negative pressure generating source (61)
configured to generate a negative pressure; and
a shutter device (29) arranged between the plurality
10 of suction mechanisms (20, 25) and the negative pressure
generating source (61) and including a switching plate (33)
configured to switch conduction of air between the
plurality of suction mechanisms (20, 25) and the negative
pressure generating source (61), and a casing (30)
15 configured to interiorly seal the switching plate (33)
wherein the shutter device (29) is configured to
operate the switching plate (33) to switch to a negative
pressure position of conducting air between at least one
of the plurality of suction mechanisms (20, 25) and the
20 negative pressure generating source (61), and an
accumulated substance removing position of removing fiber
waste accumulated in the casing (30).
2. The textile machine (1) according to claim 1,
25 wherein a space (G) through which the fiber waste passes
is formed between the switching plate (33) and the casing
(30).
3. The textile machine (1) according to claim 2,
30 wherein the space (G) is a flat plate shaped space having
a predetermined thickness.
25
4. The textile machine (1) according to claim 3,
wherein the flat plate shaped space (G) has a fan shape or
a half moon shape when seen from a thickness direction of
5 a flat plate.
5. The textile machine (1) according to any one of
claims 1 to 4, wherein the shutter device (29) is configured
to operate the switching plate (33) to move the switching
10 plate (33) to a suction stop position at which negative
pressure from the negative pressure generating source (61)
does not act to the inside of the casing (30).
6. The textile machine (1) according to any one of
15 claims 1 to 5, wherein the shutter device (29) further
includes a driving source configured to drive the switching
plate (33), and the driving source is a stepping motor (35).
7. The textile machine (1) according to any one of
20 claims 1 to 6, wherein the textile machine (1) is an
automatic winder (1) configured to wind a yarn unwound from
a yarn supplying bobbin around a winding tube (6) while
traversing to form a package (7), and the plurality of
suction mechanisms are an upper yarn sucking, catching, and
25 guiding mechanism (20) and a cleaning pipe (25).
8. The textile machine according to any one of claims
1 to 7, wherein the switching plate (33) is swingable in
the casing (30), and the accumulated substance removing
30 position of the switching plate (33) is a position of
removing the fiber waste accumulated in at least one of the
26
ends in a swinging direction of the switching plate (33)
of a space (G) region in the casing (30).
9. The textile machine (1) according to any one of
5 claims 1 to 8, wherein
the plurality of suction mechanisms include a first
suction mechanism (25) and a second suction mechanism (20);
the casing (30) includes a first opening (31a), to
which a basal end of the negative pressure generating source
10 (61) is connected, a second opening (32a), to which a basal
end of the first suction mechanism (25) is connected, and
a third opening (32b), to which a basal end of the second
suction mechanism (20) is connected;
the negative pressure position of the switching plate
15 (33) includes a first negative pressure position of
conducting the first opening (31a) and the second opening
(32a) to operate the first suction mechanism (25), and a
second negative pressure position of conducting the first
opening (31a) and the third opening (32b) to operate the
20 second suction mechanism (20); and
when the switching plate (33) is at the accumulated
substance removing position, the first opening (31a), and
the second opening (32a) and the third opening (32b) are
conducted to each other.
25
10. The textile machine (1) according to claim 9,
wherein when the switching plate (33) is at the accumulated
substance removing position, the first opening (31a) and
the second opening (32a) are conducted, and the switching
30 plate (33) is at a position of shielding air linearly
flowing from the second opening (32a) toward the first
27
opening (31a).