Description:BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a winding device that winds a yarn to form a package, and a textile machine including a plurality of winding devices.

2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] A winding device that winds a yarn supplied from a yarn supplying bobbin to form a package of the yarn is known. In this winding device, there may be a defect in the yarn supplied from the yarn supplying bobbin in some cases. In forming the package, such a defect needs to be removed. This is because quality of the package is deteriorated when there is a defect of the yarn in the package. The defect of the yarn is removed by cutting a portion where the defect of the yarn is present.
[0003] When the defect of the yarn is removed by cutting, the yarn is cut between the yarn supplying bobbin and the package. Therefore, in the winding device, after the defect of the yarn is removed, a yarn end on the package side and a yarn end on the yarn supplying bobbin side are joined by a yarn joining device, and winding of the yarn into the package is resumed. When joining the yarn by using the yarn joining device, the winding device catches and moves the yarn end to guide the yarn to the yarn joining device. The winding device includes a catching section for the catching and moving of the yarn end. The catching section has an internal space, and sucks the yarn end into the internal space to catch the yarn end (see, for example, JP 2014-108845 A).
[0004] In the winding device described above, the yarn end on the package side is caught by bringing a catching port of the catching section close to the package and generating a suction force in the catching section. In catching the yarn end by sucking, ease of catching the yarn end varies depending on a diameter and a shape of the package. Therefore, in the conventional device, the suction force has been determined on the basis of a case where the yarn end is difficult to catch, and the suction force has been made constant regardless of the diameter and the shape of the package.
[0005] Therefore, in the conventional device, the yarn end is caught with a large suction force even when the current package has a diameter and/or a shape in a state where the yarn end is easily caught. That is, in the conventional device, the yarn end has been caught with a large suction force even when the yarn end can be caught with a smaller suction force. In sucking the yarn end with an excessive suction force, a wasteful energy consumption associated with generation of the excessive suction force and improper catching of the yarn end occur (for example, a phenomenon (double leading) in which not only a yarn end at an outermost periphery of the package but also a yarn on an inner side than the yarn end are caught).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention is to appropriately catch a yarn end while improving energy efficiency, in a winding device that winds a yarn to form a package and a textile machine including a plurality of winding devices.
[0007] Hereinafter, a plurality of aspects will be described as means for solving the problem. These aspects can be combined in a freely selected manner as required.
A winding device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a yarn supplying section, a winding section, a catching section, and a control section. The yarn supplying section supplies a yarn. The winding section rotates a tube in a winding direction, to wind the yarn around the tube to form a package. The catching section includes a catching port that sucks a yarn end on an outer side of the package. The control section controls the winding section and the catching section. In addition, the control section controls a suction force generated in the catching section, on the basis of a diameter and/or a shape of the package.
[0008] In the winding device described above, the control section controls the suction force generated in the catching section, on the basis of a diameter and/or a shape of the package formed by the winding section. As a result, for example, when the diameter and/or the shape of the package is in a state where the yarn end on the package side is not easily caught, the control section generates a large suction force in the catching section. As a result, the yarn end can be reliably caught from the package side. Whereas, when the diameter and/or the shape of the package is in a state where the yarn end on the package side is easily caught, the control section reduces the suction force of the catching section. As a result, it is possible to suppress a wasteful energy consumption due to generation of an excessive suction force, while reliably catching exclusively the yarn end on the package side originally desired to be caught and suppressing improper catching such as double leading.
[0009] In the winding device described above, the control section may control a position of the catching port with respect to the tube at a time of sucking the yarn end, on the basis of the diameter and/or the shape of the package. In addition, a condition for separating the position of the catching port with respect to the tube may be identical to a condition for reducing the suction force of the catching section. As a result, a suction force of the catching section can be adjusted while a distance between an outer side of the package and the catching port is kept constant, so that a wasteful energy consumption can be suppressed.
[0010] In the winding device described above, on the basis of the diameter and/or the shape of the package, the control section may calculate a position of the catching port and a suction force of the catching section, by using a first formula for calculation of a position of the catching port with respect to the tube by using the diameter and/or the shape of the package as a variable and a second formula for calculation of a suction force of the catching section by using the diameter and/or the shape of the package as a variable. As a result, a position of the catching port with respect to a surface of the package and a suction force of the catching section according to the diameter and/or the shape of the package can be accurately and easily calculated.
[0011] The winding device described above may further include a storage section. The storage section stores catching control information. The catching control information is information including: information relating to a position of the catching port with respect to the tube in which the position is set gradually in accordance with a diameter and/or a shape of the package; and information relating to a suction force of the catching section in which the suction force is set gradually in accordance with a diameter and/or a shape of the package. At this time, the control section may control a position of the catching port with respect to a surface of the package and a suction force of the catching section, on the basis of a diameter and/or a shape of the package and the catching control information. As a result, it becomes easy to control the position of the catching port with respect to the surface of the package and the suction force of the catching section according to the diameter and/or the shape of the package.
[0012] The winding device described above may include a suction source and an opening degree adjusting section. The suction source generates a suction force in the catching section. The opening degree adjusting section is provided between the catching section and the suction source, and includes an opening and a shutter. The opening allows gas to flow between the catching section and the suction source. The shutter adjusts an opening degree of the opening by moving between a full-open position to fully open the opening and a full-close position to fully close the opening. In this case, the control section may control a suction force of the catching section by controlling a position of the shutter. As a result, since the opening degree of the opening described above can be finely adjusted by the movement of the shutter, the suction force of the catching section can be accurately adjusted.
[0013] In the winding device described above, the winding section may include a rotation roller that rotates the tube by making contact with an outer periphery of the package and rotating. Even when there is the rotation roller on the outer periphery of the package, the suction force of the catching section can be appropriately set.
[0014] In the winding device described above, the control section may determine whether or not the yarn end has been successfully caught by the catching section, and the control section may increase, when determining that catching of the yarn end has failed, the suction force of the catching section to be larger than a suction force at a time of determining that catching has failed, and may re-execute catching of the yarn end with the catching section in which the suction force has been increased. As a result, the yarn end can be more reliably caught.
[0015] The winding device described above may further include a monitoring device. The monitoring device detects a state of the yarn to detect a short defect, which is a defect in the yarn, and a long defect having a longer defect length than the short defect. In this case, when the monitoring device detects a long defect, the control section may determine whether or not the yarn end has been caught by the catching section, and may reduce, when determining that the yarn end has been caught, a suction force of the catching section after catching of the yarn end to be smaller than a suction force at a time of catching the yarn end. While a large suction force is required to peel off a yarn end from the package, if the yarn end can be peeled off from the package and caught by the catching section, the yarn on the package side from the yarn end can be sucked by the catching section even with a small suction force. Therefore, by reducing a suction force of the catching section at a time of sucking the yarn on the package side from the yarn end to be smaller than a suction force at a time of catching a distal end portion, an energy consumption can be suppressed while the yarn end is reliably caught.
[0016] A textile machine according to another aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of the winding devices described above and a managing section. The managing section communicates with the control section of the winding device, and calculates a success rate of catching of the yarn end with the catching section in a whole of the plurality of winding devices. In the textile machine, the control section of each winding device controls a suction force of the catching section of the winding device on the basis of a success rate calculated by the managing section and a success rate of catching of the yarn end in the winding device. Accordingly, even when there is a variation in the catching sections in the individual winding devices, it is possible to suppress a wasteful energy consumption of the textile machine due to generation of an excessive suction force, while improving a success rate of catching a yarn end in a whole of the plurality of winding devices.
[0017] A textile machine according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of the winding devices described above, a suction source, and a managing section. The suction source generates a suction force for the catching sections of the plurality of winding devices. The managing section communicates with the control section and grasps a formation status of the package in a whole of the plurality of winding devices. In this textile machine, the suction source is common to the plurality of winding devices. Further, the managing section controls a suction force of the suction source on the basis of a formation status of the package in the whole of the plurality of winding devices. By controlling the suction force of the suction source common to the plurality of winding devices in accordance with the formation status of the package, it is possible to suppress a wasteful energy consumption of the textile machine due to generation of an excessive suction force, while reliably catching a yarn end with the plurality of winding devices.
[0018] In the winding device and the textile machine described above, it is possible to suppress a wasteful energy consumption due to generation of an excessive suction force while reliably catching a yarn end with the winding device. As a result, the energy efficiency of the winding device and the textile machine can be improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a configuration of a textile machine;
FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a configuration of a winding device;
FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an example of a configuration of an opening degree adjusting section;
FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a specific configuration of an upper yarn sensor; and
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a forming operation of a package in the winding device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] 1. First embodiment
(1) Textile machine
A configuration of a textile machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a configuration of the textile machine 1. The textile machine 1 includes a plurality of winding devices 10 arranged side by side, a suction source 11, a managing device 12, and a doffing device 13. Each winding device 10 forms a package 22 while traversing a yarn 14, while unwinding the yarn 14 from a yarn supplying bobbin 16.
[0021] The suction source 11 is, for example, a blower device, a pump, or the like provided in the managing device 12. The suction source 11 includes a tubular member 11b. The tubular member 11b is connected to the plurality of winding devices 10, and provides a suction force for sucking a yarn end for all of the plurality of winding devices 10. That is, the suction source 11 is common to the plurality of winding devices 10, and provides a suction force for sucking a yarn end for all of the plurality of winding devices 10. The suction source 11 sets a negative pressure of, for example, 3.0 kPa, in an internal space of the tubular member 11b. Note that the pressure in the internal space is not limited to 3.0 kPa, and can be set to any negative pressure.
[0022] The managing device 12 is a computer system including a CPU, a storage device (a RAM, a ROM, an SSD, a hard disk, and the like), and various interfaces. The managing device 12 can communicate with a control section of each winding device 10, and manages the plurality of winding devices 10. An operator of the textile machine 1 can collectively manage the plurality of winding devices 10 by appropriately operating the managing device 12. In addition, the managing device 12 can control the suction force of the suction source 11.
[0023] The managing device 12 is provided with a display 12a and an input interface 12b. The display 12a displays information relating to setting contents and/or a state of the winding device 10, and the like. The display 12a is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.
[0024] The input interface 12b receives an operation of an operator. The operator can perform a setting operation of the winding device 10 by performing an appropriate operation by using the input interface 12b. Specifically, by using the input interface 12b, the operator can set a type of a yarn to be wound into the package 22 and a type of the package 22 (that is, a shape of the package 22) to be formed by the plurality of winding devices 10. The input interface 12b is, for example, an input device such as an input key or a touch panel. Note that the display 12a and the input interface 12b that is a touch panel may be integrated. The shape of the package 22 means an appearance of the package 22.
[0025] When the package 22 is fully wound (a state in which a prescribed amount of the yarn is wound) in each winding device 10, the doffing device 13 travels to a position of the winding device 10, detaches the fully-wound package, and sets an empty tube 22a. The tube 22a is a core of the package 22 formed by winding the yarn 14. The tube 22a is, for example, a tubular member made by paper.
[0026] (2) Configuration of winding device
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a detailed configuration of the winding device 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a configuration of the winding device 10. The winding device 10 is a winding unit of a traverse drum type. The winding device 10 mainly includes a yarn supplying section 15, a winding section 17, a first catching section 30, a second catching section 34, a yarn joining device 38, and a control device 100.
[0027] The yarn supplying section 15 supplies the yarn 14 for forming the package 22, to the winding section 17. Specifically, the yarn supplying section 15 is a conveyance tray type supplying mechanism that supplies the yarn supplying bobbin 16 to a predetermined position by supporting the yarn supplying bobbin 16 placed on a conveyance tray (not illustrated) at the predetermined position. The yarn supplying section 15 is not limited to the conveyance tray type supplying mechanism, and may be, for example, a magazine type supplying mechanism. The yarn 14 is pulled out by the winding section 17 from the yarn supplying bobbin 16 supported by the yarn supplying section 15. The pulled out yarn 14 is wound as the package 22 by the winding section 17.
[0028] The winding section 17 forms the package 22 by using the yarn 14 supplied from the yarn supplying section 15. The winding section 17 includes a cradle 18 and a rotation roller 20. The cradle 18 sandwiches the tube 22a from both ends in a length direction by using a pair of rotation supporting sections (not illustrated), to rotatably support the tube 22a around a predetermined axis. The cradle 18 is switchable between a state in which the package 22 formed on the supporting tube 22a is brought into contact with the rotation roller 20 and a state in which the package 22 is separated from the rotation roller 20.
[0029] The rotation roller 20 is a cylindrical member that is rotationally driven around an axis by a roller drive motor 21. By rotationally driving the rotation roller 20 in a state where the rotation roller 20 is in contact with an outer periphery of the tube 22a or the package 22, the tube 22a (the package 22) is driven to rotate around the predetermined axis described above in accordance with the rotation of the rotation roller 20.
[0030] Further, a spiral traverse groove (a traverse mechanism) is formed on a side surface of a cylinder of the rotation roller 20. While the rotation roller 20 is rotationally driven, the tube 22a (the package 22) is driven and rotated. At the same time, the yarn 14 unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin 16 is traversed at a constant width on a surface of the tube 22a or the package 22 by the traverse groove. Thus, the yarn 14 unwound and supplied from the yarn supplying bobbin 16 is wound while being traversed on the surface of the tube 22a or the package 22. As a result, the package 22 is formed.
[0031] The first catching section 30 is a device arranged on an upper side of a monitoring device 40 in a yarn travelling path, and adapted to catch a yarn end on an outer side of the package 22 by using negative pressure suction when the yarn 14 is in a cut state. The first catching section 30 includes a shaft section 31, a pipe section (a tube section) 32, and a catching port 33. The pipe section 32 and the catching port 33 are pivotable (movable) from a standby position (a solid line in FIG. 2) on the yarn supplying section 15 side to a catching position (a dotted line in FIG. 2) on the winding section 17 side, by using the shaft section 31 as a pivot center.
[0032] Note that the pipe section 32 and the catching port 33 of the first catching section 30 may be fixed in a state where the catching port 33 is arranged at a position where the rotation roller 20 and the package 22 are in contact with each other.
[0033] At the catching position, the first catching section 30 sucks and catches a yarn end on the package 22 side into the pipe section 32 by using a suction flow generated in the catching port 33. After catching the yarn end, the first catching section 30 guides the yarn 14 on the package 22 side to the yarn joining device 38 by returning to the standby position.
[0034] The suction source 11 is connected to the first catching section 30 on the shaft section 31 side of the pipe section 32, via an opening degree adjusting section 11a. As a result, the suction source 11 can generate a suction flow by using negative pressure in the catching port 33. The opening degree adjusting section 11a adjusts a suction force of the catching port 33 by adjusting a flow rate of the suction flow in the catching port 33 by the suction source 11. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the opening degree adjusting section 11a includes an opening 111 and a shutter 113. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an example of a configuration of the opening degree adjusting section 11a.
[0035] One end of the opening 111 (for example, the opening 111 on a left side in FIG. 3) is connected to the suction source 11, and another end (for example, the opening 111 on a right side in FIG. 3) is connected to the shaft section 31 side of the pipe section 32. As a result, the opening 111 enables gas to flow between the first catching section 30 and the suction source 11, for example, in a direction indicated by an arrow drawn to penetrate the opening 111 in FIG. 3. Note that the flowing direction of the gas may be opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow penetrating the opening 111 in FIG. 3. That is, the suction source 11 may be connected to the opening 111 on the right side in FIG. 3. The shutter 113 adjusts an opening degree (an opening area) of the opening 111 by being driven by a motor 115, to move between a full-open position to fully open the opening 111 and a full-close position to fully close the opening 111.
[0036] As described above, in the present embodiment, the suction source 11 is common to the plurality of winding devices 10, and the opening degree adjusting section 11a described above is provided in the first catching section 30 of each winding device 10. As a result, the following advantages are obtained. First, a suction force of the first catching section 30 can be adjusted independently of other catching sections (the second catching section 34 and a catching section of another winding device 10). For example, the suction force of the first catching section 30 can be adjusted by providing the suction source 11 in each winding device 10. However, in this case, a suction force of the second catching section 34 is also affected. That is, the suction force of the second catching section 34 may be unintentionally changed in some cases. Further, a suction force of the suction source 11 common to the plurality of winding devices 10 can be adjusted. However, in this case, an influence thereof occurs in all of the plurality of winding devices 10. That is, also in this case, a suction force of the catching section in another winding device 10 may be unintentionally changed in some cases.
[0037] In addition, a response speed when the opening 111 is set to a desired opening degree by moving the shutter 113 of the opening degree adjusting section 11a is faster than a response speed when the suction source 11 is changed to a desired suction force (pressure). Therefore, adjusting the suction force by adjusting the opening degree of the opening degree adjusting section 11a to change the suction force provides better responsiveness than changing the suction force of the suction source 11.
[0038] The description returns to the first catching section 30. At a position of the first catching section 30 at a time of catching the yarn end on the package 22 side with the first catching section 30, near a wall of the first catching section 30 (near a wall of the pipe section 32), an upper yarn sensor 60 that detects whether or not a yarn end is present in an inside of the first catching section 30 (the pipe section 32) is provided. The upper yarn sensor 60 detects whether or not the yarn end has been successfully caught by the first catching section 30. With reference to FIG. 4, a configuration of the upper yarn sensor 60 will be described. FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a specific configuration of the upper yarn sensor 60.
[0039] The upper yarn sensor 60 includes a case 601, a light emitting section 602, and a light receiving section 603. The case 601 is supported by the winding section 17 by using a supporting member 604. The case 601 supports the light emitting section 602 and the light receiving section 603. The light emitting section 602 includes a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode. The light emitting section 602 irradiates an interior of the pipe section 32 with light. The light emitted by the light emitting section 602 is reflected by a yarn end when the yarn end is present inside the pipe section 32.
[0040] The light receiving section 603 includes a light receiving element such as a photodiode. The light receiving section 603 receives light reflected by the yarn end, and outputs an electric signal of a current or a voltage corresponding to a light amount. In the upper yarn sensor 60, whether or not the yarn end on the package 22 side has been successfully caught by the first catching section 30 can be determined on the basis of whether or not the light receiving section 603 has detected light from the light emitting section 602.
[0041] The second catching section 34 is arranged between a tension applying device 27 and the yarn joining device 38. Similarly to the first catching section 30 described above, the second catching section 34 includes a shaft section 35, a pipe section 36, and a catching port 37. Similarly to the catching port 33 of the first catching section 30, the catching port 37 is pivotable about the shaft section 35 as a pivot center, and can generate a suction flow by using suction under negative pressure. The second catching section 34 sucks and catches a yarn end on the yarn supplying section 15 side into the pipe section 36 by using a suction flow generated in the catching port 37, at the catching position on the yarn supplying section 15 side. After catching the yarn end, the second catching section 34 guides the yarn 14 on the yarn supplying section 15 side to the yarn joining device 38 by returning to the standby position.
[0042] Note that, similarly to the first catching section 30, also in the second catching section 34, the suction source 11 is connected to the shaft section 35 side of the pipe section 36. In addition, the second catching section 34 may also be provided with a device capable of adjusting a suction flow rate, such as an opening degree adjusting section having a configuration similar to that provided in the first catching section 30 between the suction source 11 and the pipe section 36.
[0043] For example, when a defect is detected in a short period of time by the monitoring device 40, the yarn supplying bobbin 16 may have a problem. In this case, the yarn is removed long from the yarn supplying bobbin 16. At that time, if the yarn 14 is sucked with a suction force by the suction source 11, it takes time to suction the yarn 14. Therefore, by also providing an opening degree adjusting section including a shutter that adjusts an opening degree of an opening in the second catching section 34, and increasing the opening degree of the opening to increase the suction force of the second catching section 34, the yarn 14 can be removed in a short time.
[0044] The yarn joining device 38 is arranged immediately after (on the upper side of) the tension applying device 27 in the yarn travelling path. When the yarn 14 is in a disconnected state for some reason between the yarn supplying section 15 and the winding section 17 (the package 22), the yarn joining device 38 joins the yarn 14 on the yarn supplying section 15 side caught and guided by the second catching section 34 and the yarn 14 on the package 22 side caught and guided by the first catching section 30. The yarn joining device 38 is, for example, a splicer device that twists yarn ends with a whirling airflow generated by compressed air.
[0045] The control device 100 is, for example, a computer system including a CPU, a storage device (a ROM, a RAM, an SSD, a hard disk, and the like), and various interfaces. The control device 100 includes a control section 101 and a storage section 103. The control section 101 is an information processing portion such as a CPU of the control device 100, and executes various types of information processing related to control of the winding device 10. Note that the various types of information processing executed in the control section 101 may be implemented by a program that is stored in a storage device (the storage section 103) of the control device 100 and executable by the control section 101.
[0046] The storage section 103 is a part or all of a storage area of the storage device of the control device 100, and stores a program executed by the control section 101, various parameters related to the control of the winding device 10, information, and the like.
[0047] The control section 101 transmits a drive signal to a roller drive control device 21a, to control rotational drive of the roller drive motor 21. Thus, the control section 101 can control rotation of the rotation roller 20, and enables the package 22 to be formed by winding the yarn 14 into the package 22 (the tube 22a) while traversing. The control section 101 adjusts a rotation speed of the rotation roller 20 such that a winding speed of the yarn 14 into the package 22 becomes constant. Further, in order to rotate the package 22 at a desired speed, the rotation speed of the rotation roller 20 may be adjustable in accordance with a size of a diameter of the package 22.
[0048] The control section 101 grasps a diameter and/or a shape of the package 22 being formed, in performing yarn joining of the yarn 14. The control section 101 calculates a diameter (or a radius) of the package 22 on the basis of a ratio of a rotation amount of the rotation roller 20 from a time point when winding of the yarn 14 into the tube 22a is started and a rotation amount of the tube 22a (the package 22) driven to rotate with rotation of the rotation roller 20. For example, when the rotation roller 20 makes m times of rotation (m: any positive number) while the tube 22a (the package 22) makes one time of rotation, it can be calculated that a diameter of the package 22 is m times a diameter of the rotation roller 20. Therefore, the rotation roller 20 and the cradle 18 are respectively provided with sensors (for example, encoders) (not illustrated) that measure a rotation amount of the rotation roller 20 and a rotation amount of the tube 22a.
[0049] Furthermore, the control section 101 can also calculate the diameter of the package 22 on the basis of an amount of the yarn 14 wound into the tube 22a (the package 22) from the rotation roller 20. The amount of the wound yarn 14 can be calculated, for example, on the basis of a rotation amount of the rotation roller 20.
[0050] Whereas, a shape of the package 22 to be formed by the winding device 10 can be set, for example, by a user operating the managing device 12. Information relating to a shape of the package 22 to be formed is transmitted from the managing device 12 to the control device 100, and stored in the storage section 103, for example. That is, the control section 101 can grasp the shape of the package 22 to be formed by the winding device 10 from information relating to a shape of the package 22 stored in the storage section 103. In addition, the control section 101 may directly acquire information relating to a shape of the package 22 from the managing device 12.
[0051] The diameter and/or shape of the package 22 can also be grasped by actually measuring dimensions of the package 22 by using, for example, a sensor (for example, a distance sensor) not illustrated. Specifically, for example, the dimension of the package 22 can be actually measured by providing a distance sensor in the vicinity of the catching port 33 of the first catching section 30.
[0052] The control section 101 controls a suction force generated in the first catching section 30 (the catching port 33) on the basis of the diameter and/or the shape of the package 22 grasped as described above. The present inventor has found that an optimum suction force of the first catching section 30 for appropriately catching a yarn end on the package 22 side varies depending on a diameter and/or a shape of the package 22. Specifically, it has been found that, when the diameter of the package 22 is large, it is better to reduce a necessary suction force to be smaller than that when the diameter of the package 22 is small. The reason of this is as follows.
[0053] When the diameter of the package 22 is small, gas around the package 22 is sucked. Therefore, in order to catch a yarn end, it is necessary to generate a large suction force in the first catching section 30 in consideration of suction of the gas as well. Whereas, when the diameter of the package 22 is large, suction of the gas around the package 22 is suppressed. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the suction of the gas described above, and it is not necessary to generate a large suction force in the first catching section 30. Furthermore, if a large suction force is generated when the diameter of the package 22 is large, in some cases, a phenomenon has been also seen in which the yarn 14 other than a yarn end originally desired to be caught (a yarn end at an outermost periphery of the package 22) is caught.
[0054] Examples of the shape of the package 22 include a cylindrical shape and a truncated cone shape. When the shape of the package 22 is a cylindrical shape, a surface of the package 22 and the catching port 33 can be made parallel, so that the suction force of the yarn end hardly changes depending on the position of the package 22. As a result, a large suction force is not required. Whereas, when the shape of the package 22 is a truncated cone shape, the surface of the package 22 and the catching port 33 cannot be made parallel, and thus the suction force of the yarn end changes depending on a position of the package 22. Therefore, in order to reliably catch a yarn end even at a position where the surface of the package 22 and the catching port 33 are separated most, a larger suction force needs to be generated in the catching port 33 as compared with the case of the cylindrical shape.
[0055] On the basis of the above knowledge, when the diameter of the package 22 is large, the control section 101 moves the position of the shutter 113 to a position to decrease the opening degree of the opening 111, to reduce a suction flow rate of the first catching section 30 (the catching port 33). Whereas, when the diameter of the package 22 is small, the control section 101 moves the position of the shutter 113 to a position to increase the opening degree of the opening 111, to increase a suction flow rate of the first catching section 30 (the catching port 33). Further, when the shape of the package 22 is a truncated cone shape, the control section 101 sets a suction flow rate of the first catching section 30 (the catching port 33) to be larger than a suction flow rate when the shape of the package 22 is a cylindrical shape.
[0056] Further, the control section 101 controls the position of the catching port 33 of the first catching section 30 with respect to the tube 22a at a time of catching the yarn end on the package 22 side, on the basis of the grasped diameter and/or shape of the package 22. Specifically, the control section 101 controls the position of the catching port 33 such that a distance between the surface of the package 22 and the catching port 33 is constant. More specifically, when the diameter of the package 22 is large, the control section 101 arranges the catching port 33 at a position more separated from the tube 22a. Whereas, when the diameter of the package 22 is small, the catching port 33 is arranged at a position closer to the tube 22a.
[0057] In this case, the control section 101 adjusts the position of the catching port 33 with respect to the tube 22a and the suction force of the catching port 33. The control section 101 sets a condition for separating the position of the catching port 33 with respect to the tube 22a to be identical to a condition for reducing the suction force of the first catching section 30. Specifically, when a situation occurs in which the position of the catching port 33 with respect to the tube 22a is separated, the suction force of the first catching section 30 is adjusted. More specifically, when the diameter of the package 22 increases and the position of the catching port 33 with respect to the tube 22a is separated, the suction force of the first catching section 30 is further reduced. This is because, as described above, for example, the position of the catching port 33 with respect to the tube 22a is separated when the diameter of the package 22 increases, and the suction force of the catching port 33 is reduced when the diameter of the package 22 further increases. That is, for example, the condition for separating the position of the catching port 33 with respect to the tube 22a is also a case of increasing the diameter of the package 22. Further, the condition for reducing the suction force of the first catching section 30 is also the case of increasing the diameter of the package 22.
[0058] On the basis of the diameter and/or the shape of the package 22, the control section 101 can calculate the position of the catching port 33 by using a first formula representing the position of the catching port 33 with respect to the tube 22a by using the diameter and/or the shape of the package 22 as a variable. In addition, the control section 101 can calculate the suction force of the first catching section 30 (the catching port 33) by using a second formula representing the suction force of the first catching section 30 (the catching port 33) by using the diameter and/or the shape of the package 22 as a variable. As a result, the position of the catching port 33 with respect to the surface of the package 22 and the suction force of the first catching section 30 according to the diameter and/or the shape of the package 22 can be accurately and easily calculated.
[0059] In addition, the control section 101 may calculate the position of the catching port 33 by using the first formula described above, and calculate the suction force of the catching port 33 on the basis of the position of the catching port 33 calculated using the first formula. Conversely, the control section 101 may calculate the suction force of the catching port 33 by using the second formula described above, and calculate the position of the catching port 33 on the basis of the suction force of the catching port 33 calculated using the second formula.
[0060] As another example, for example, by providing a sensor that measures a distance between the catching port 33 and the surface of the package 22 in the first catching section 30, moving and stopping the first catching section 30 such that a distance between the surface of the package 22 and the catching port 33 becomes constant, and calculating the diameter (a change amount) of the package 22 on the basis of a movement amount of the first catching section 30 at this time, the suction force (a change amount) of the catching port 33 can be calculated on the basis of the diameter of the package 22.
[0061] In addition, the control section 101 may calculate the position of the catching port 33 on the basis of a movement amount of the first catching section 30, and calculate the suction force of the catching port 33 on the basis of the calculated position of the catching port 33. Conversely, the control section 101 may calculate the suction force of the catching port 33 and calculate the position of the catching port 33 on the basis of the calculated suction force of the catching port 33.
[0062] As still another example, the control section 101 can gradually adjust the position of the catching port 33 with respect to the tube 22a and/or the suction force of the first catching section 30 in accordance with the diameter and/or the shape of the package 22, in accordance with catching control information CI stored in the storage section 103. The catching control information CI is information in which diameters and/or shapes of a plurality of types of the packages 22 and information relating to a position of the catching port 33 with respect to the tube 22a in the diameter and/or the shape of each package 22 are recorded in association with each other. Further, the catching control information CI is information in which diameters and/or shapes of a plurality of types of the packages 22 and information relating to a suction force of the first catching section 30 in the diameter and/or the shape of each package 22 (may be information relating to an opening degree of the opening 111 of the opening degree adjusting section 11a or information relating to a position of the shutter 113) are recorded in association with each other.
[0063] Alternatively, the catching control information CI may be information in which a diameter and/or a shape of the package 22, a position of the catching port 33 with respect to the tube 22a, and a suction force of the catching port 33 are recorded in association with each other. In this case, the position of the catching port 33 can also be obtained on the basis of the suction force of the catching port 33. Alternatively, the suction force of the catching port 33 can also be obtained on the basis of the position of the catching port 33.
[0064] In this manner, by controlling the position and the suction force of the catching port 33 in accordance with the catching control information CI described above (that is, adjusting the position of the shutter 113 to adjust the opening degree of the opening 111), the control section 101 can determine an appropriate position and suction force of the catching port 33 in accordance with the grasped diameter and/or shape of the package 22, by an easy method of referring to the catching control information CI.
[0065] The winding device 10 further includes an unwinding assisting device 25, the tension applying device 27, and the monitoring device 40.
[0066] The unwinding assisting device 25 is arranged immediately after (downstream of) the yarn supplying section 15 in the yarn travelling path from the yarn supplying section 15 to the winding section 17. The unwinding assisting device 25 includes a regulating member 26 that can be placed over a core tube of the yarn supplying bobbin 16. The regulating member 26 has a substantially tubular shape, and is arranged to make contact with a balloon formed at an upper part of a yarn layer of the yarn supplying bobbin 16. Note that, the balloon is a portion where the yarn 14 unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin 16 is swung by a centrifugal force. By bringing the regulating member 26 into contact with the balloon, the regulating member 26 comes into contact with the yarn 14 of the portion of the balloon to prevent the yarn 14 from being excessively swung. As a result, the yarn 14 can be appropriately unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin 16.
[0067] The tension applying device 27 is arranged immediately after (downstream of) the unwinding assisting device 25 in the yarn travelling path. The tension applying device 27 applies a predetermined tension on the travelling yarn 14. For example, the tension applying device 27 may be of a gate type in which movable comb teeth are arranged with respect to fixed comb teeth. The comb teeth on the movable side are urged so that the comb teeth mesh with each other. By bending and allowing the yarn 14 to pass between the comb teeth in a state of meshing with each other, an appropriate tension can be applied to the yarn 14 to improve quality of the package 22.
[0068] The monitoring device 40 is arranged immediately after (downstream of) the yarn joining device 38 in the yarn travelling path. The monitoring device 40 monitors a state of the yarn 14 travelling on a yarn path, to detect a yarn defect. Specifically, the monitoring device 40 includes a slit through which the yarn 14 passes in the yarn travelling path of the yarn 14, and monitors the yarn 14 passing through the slit with an optical sensor (not illustrated). The monitoring device 40 detects whether an amount of light detected by the optical sensor is more or less than a predetermined range, and measures a time during which a state in which the amount of light detected by the optical sensor deviates from the predetermined range continues.
[0069] A state where the amount of light detected by the optical sensor is more than the predetermined range corresponds to a state where a thickness of the yarn 14 is thinner than a reference thickness. A state where the amount of light is less corresponds to a state where the thickness of the yarn 14 is thicker than the reference thickness. Further, the time during which the state in which the light amount deviates from the predetermined range continues corresponds to a length (a defect length) of a yarn defect (a state in which the thickness of the yarn 14 deviates from the reference thickness). The control section 101 can recognize occurrence of a short yarn defect (a short defect) and a long defect having a longer defect length than the short defect, on the basis of such information obtained from the monitoring device 40.
[0070] Examples of the short defect include, for example, a case where a state in which the thickness of the yarn 14 is 1.5 times or more the reference thickness continues for 2 cm. Whereas, examples of the long defect include, for example, a case where a state in which the thickness of the yarn 14 is 1.1 times or more and 1.4 times or less, or 0.7 times or more and 0.9 times or less the reference thickness continues for 10 cm. Which yarn defect is defined as the short defect or the long defect can be appropriately determined according to a predetermined standard.
[0071] According to the principle described above, the monitoring device 40 can also detect a yarn breakage occurring in the yarn 14, that is, the presence or absence of the yarn 14 in the yarn travelling path, and the like.
[0072] Near the monitoring device 40, a cutter 41 that cuts the yarn 14 is provided. The cutter 41 is activated by the monitoring device 40. Specifically, when a yarn defect is detected by the monitoring device 40, the cutter 41 cuts the yarn 14.
[0073] When the monitoring device 40 detects a yarn defect or a yarn breakage, the control section 101 of the control device 100 causes the first catching section 30 to catch a yarn end on the package 22 side, and guides the yarn 14 on the package 22 side to the yarn joining device 38. Whereas, the control section 101 causes the second catching section 34 to catch a yarn end on the yarn supplying section 15 side, and guides the yarn 14 on the yarn supplying section 15 side to the yarn joining device 38. Thereafter, the control section 101 instructs the yarn joining device 38 to join the guided yarn 14. Thus, the cut yarn 14 is joined.
[0074] When executing the yarn joining operation described above, the control section 101 determines whether or not the yarn end on the package 22 side has been successfully caught with a current suction force of the first catching section 30. When the light receiving section 603 of the upper yarn sensor 60 detects light from the light emitting section 602 during the execution of the yarn joining operation, the control section 101 determines that the yarn end has been caught inside the pipe section 32, that is, the yarn end has been successfully caught. The control section 101 collects result data of success/failure of catching of a yarn end, and stores the result data in the storage section 103. Further, a success rate of catching of a yarn end in the winding device 10 is calculated on the basis of the result data of success/failure of catching of a yarn end.
[0075] When light is not detected by the light receiving section 603, and it is determined that catching of the yarn end has failed during the execution of the yarn joining operation, the control section 101 increases a suction force of the first catching section 30 to be larger than the suction force at the time of the failure of catching, and again executes the catching of the yarn end with the first catching section 30 in which the suction force is increased. Thus, the yarn end on the package 22 side can be more reliably caught.
[0076] As another example, the control section 101 can determine whether or not the yarn end has been successfully caught by using the monitoring device 40. Specifically, for example, if the yarn 14 is not detected by the monitoring device 40 even if suction is carried out for a predetermined time in the first catching section 30 and then the yarn 14 is guided to the yarn joining device 38, the catching of the yarn end can be determined to have failed.
[0077] (3) Operation of textile machine
[0078] (3-1) Package forming operation in each winding device
With reference to FIG. 5, a forming operation of a package in each winding device 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a forming operation of the package 22 in each winding device 10. The forming operation of the package 22 described below is independently executed in each winding device 10. Further, the forming operation of the package 22 described below is an operation at a time of forming one package 22. Therefore, by repeatedly executing the following forming operation of the package 22 in the individual winding devices 10, the plurality of packages 22 are formed in the individual winding devices 10.
[0079] First, in a state where an outer periphery of the rotation roller 20 and an outer periphery of the package 22 (the tube 22a) are brought into contact with each other, the control section 101 of the control device 100 outputs a drive signal for rotating the package 22 (the tube 22a) in a winding direction of the yarn 14 to the roller drive control device 21a (step S1). As a result, the yarn 14 supplied from the yarn supplying section 15 is wound into the package 22 (the tube 22a) while being traversed by the rotation roller 20.
[0080] During the winding of the yarn 14, the control section 101 monitors a monitoring result of a state of the yarn 14 with the monitoring device 40, and determines whether or not a yarn defect or a yarn breakage of the yarn 14 has occurred in the yarn travelling path from the yarn supplying section 15 to the winding section 17 (step S2). When determining that no yarn defect and no yarn breakage have occurred (a case of “No” in step S2), the control section 101 determines whether or not formation of the designated package 22 is finished (step S3).
[0081] When the formation of the package 22 is not finished (a case of “No” in step S3), the control section 101 continues the rotation of the rotation roller 20 and continues the formation of the package 22. Whereas, when the formation of the package 22 is finished (a case of “Yes” in step S3), the control section 101 stops the rotation of the rotation roller 20 and finishes the formation of the package 22.
[0082] When a yarn defect or a yarn breakage occurs during the winding of the yarn 14 (a case of “Yes” in step S2), the control section 101 catches a yarn end with the first catching section 30 and the second catching section 34. Specifically, the following operation is executed. Note that the suction source 11 is in operation.
[0083] First, the control section 101 moves the second catching section 34 to the catching position for a yarn end on the yarn supplying section 15 side, and causes the second catching section 34 to catch the yarn end on the yarn supplying section 15 side. After the yarn 14 on the package 22 side is guided to the yarn joining device 38 by the first catching section 30 to be described later, the second catching section 34 having caught the yarn end on the yarn supplying section 15 side is moved from the catching position to the standby position, and the yarn 14 on the yarn supplying section 15 side is guided to the yarn joining device 38.
[0084] The catching of the yarn end with the first catching section 30 is carried out as follows. First, the control section 101 grasps a shape of the package 22 currently being formed and a current diameter of the package 22 (step S4). After grasping the diameter and the shape of the package 22, the control section 101 moves the first catching section 30 to the catching position on the winding section 17 side. Thereafter, the control section 101 determines a suction force of the first catching section 30 and a position of the catching port 33 of the first catching section 30, on the basis of the grasped diameter and shape of the package 22 (step S5).
[0085] Specifically, when the diameter of the package 22 is relatively large, the control section 101 determines to move the position of the shutter 113 of the opening degree adjusting section 11a in a direction of decreasing an opening degree of the opening 111, to reduce a suction flow rate of the first catching section 30 by the suction source 11. That is, it is determined to reduce the suction force of the first catching section 30. Whereas, when the diameter of the package 22 is relatively small, the control section 101 determines to move the position of the shutter 113 in a direction of increasing the opening degree of the opening 111, to increase the suction flow rate of the first catching section 30 by the suction source 11. That is, it is determined to increase the suction force of the first catching section 30.
[0086] After determining the suction force (the opening degree of the opening 111) of the first catching section 30 on the basis of the diameter of the package 22, the control section 101 corrects the suction force (the opening degree of the opening 111) determined on the basis of the diameter of the package 22, on the basis of the shape of the package 22. Specifically, when the shape of the package 22 is a truncated cone shape or a shape close thereto (that is, a surface of the package 22 is not parallel to the catching port 33), the control section 101 increases the suction force of the first catching section 30 to be larger than the suction force determined on the basis of the diameter of the package 22. Whereas, when the shape of the package 22 is a cylindrical shape or a shape close thereto (that is, a surface of the package 22 is in a state of being parallel or close to parallel to the catching port 33), the control section 101 maintains the suction force of the first catching section 30 calculated on the basis of the diameter of the package 22.
[0087] Note that, in the above description, the suction force of the first catching section 30 is determined on the basis of the diameter of the package 22, and then the suction force of the first catching section 30 is determined on the basis of the shape of the package 22, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Conversely, after the suction force of the first catching section 30 is determined on the basis of the shape of the package 22, the suction force of the first catching section 30 may be determined on the basis of the diameter of the package 22.
[0088] In addition, when the diameter of the package 22 is relatively large, the control section 101 arranges the position of the catching port 33 of the first catching section 30 at a position more separated from the tube 22a. Whereas, when the diameter of the package 22 is relatively small, the catching port 33 is arranged at a position closer to the tube 22a. When the shape of the package 22 is a cylindrical shape or a shape close thereto, the control section 101 arranges the catching port 33 at a position more separated from the tube 22a. Whereas, when the shape of the package 22 is a truncated cone shape or a shape close thereto, the catching port 33 is arranged at a position closer to the tube 22a.
[0089] During execution of catching of a yarn end, the control section 101 determines whether or not the yarn end has been successfully caught (step S6). Specifically, the control section 101 can determine that the yarn end has been successfully caught when the yarn end is detected in the upper yarn sensor 60.
[0090] When the yarn end is not detected by the upper yarn sensor 60, and it is determined that catching of the yarn end on the package 22 side has failed (a case of “No” in step S6), the control section 101 stops rotation of the package 22 and catching of the yarn end with the first catching section 30, and then increases the suction force of the first catching section 30 to be larger than the suction force at a time of determining that the catching has failed, and resumes the rotation of the package 22 and the catching of the yarn end with the first catching section 30 (step S7). Thus, the yarn end that is difficult to catch can be more reliably caught. Note that, it may be determined that catching has failed after the catching operation is executed for a predetermined time, and the suction force may be increased without stopping of the rotation of the package 22 and the catching of the yarn end with the first catching section 30.
[0091] Whereas, when the yarn end is detected by the upper yarn sensor 60, and it is determined that the yarn end on the package 22 side has been successfully caught (a case of “Yes” in step S6), determination is made as to whether or not a long defect is detected as a yarn defect by the monitoring device 40 (step S8).
[0092] When a long defect is detected as a yarn defect, the long yarn 14 is sucked to the first catching section 30. The present inventors have found that, while a large suction force is required to peel off a yarn end from the package 22, if the yarn end can be peeled off from the package 22 and caught by the first catching section 30, the yarn 14 on the package 22 side can be sucked by the first catching section 30 even with a small suction force.
[0093] On the basis of the findings described above, when a long defect is detected by the monitoring device 40, the control section 101 determines whether or not the yarn end has been caught by the first catching section 30. When determining that the yarn end has been caught, the control section 101 reduces the suction force of the first catching section 30 to be smaller than the suction force at the time of catching the yarn end.
[0094] Specifically, when the monitoring device 40 detects a long defect (“Yes” in step S8), after the yarn end on the package 22 side is caught by the first catching section 30 (the yarn end is detected by the upper yarn sensor 60), the control section 101 decreases the opening degree of the opening 111 to reduce the suction force of the first catching section 30, and sucks the yarn 14 on the package 22 side from the yarn end (step S9). Thus, after catching of the yarn end, by reducing the suction force of the first catching section 30 and sucking the yarn 14 on the package 22 side from the yarn end, an energy consumption can be suppressed while the yarn end is reliably caught. Note that, when a short defect is detected by the monitoring device 40 (“No” in step S8), the suction force of the first catching section 30 is maintained as it is.
[0095] Even if the suction force of the first catching section 30 is reduced to some extent at the time of sucking the yarn 14 as described above, the suction efficiency of the yarn 14 is not affected. This is because a time required to suck the yarn 14 depends on a time required to rotate the package 22 in a direction opposite to that at the time of winding and unwind the yarn 14 by a required length, rather than the suction force described above.
[0096] After catching the yarn end (and further sucking the yarn 14 as necessary), the control section 101 executes the yarn joining of the yarn 14 on the package 22 side and the yarn 14 on the yarn supplying section 15 side (step S10). Specifically, the control section 101 moves the first catching section 30 having caught the yarn end on the package 22 side from the catching position to the standby position, and guides the yarn 14 on the package 22 side to the yarn joining device 38. Thereafter, the control section 101 causes the yarn joining device 38 to join the yarn 14 on the package 22 side and the yarn 14 on the yarn supplying section 15 side.
[0097] After executing the yarn joining, the control section 101 resumes winding of the yarn 14 into the package 22 (the tube 22a) (that is, the forming operation of the package 22 returns to step S1).
[0098] As described above, in the winding device 10, the control section 101 grasps the diameter and/or the shape of the package 22 formed by the winding section 17, and controls the suction force generated in the first catching section 30 on the basis of the grasped diameter and/or shape of the package 22. Thus, for example, when the grasped diameter and/or shape of the package 22 is in a state where the yarn end on the package side is not easily caught (for example, when the diameter of the package 22 is small and/or when the shape of the package 22 is not a cylindrical shape), the control section 101 generates a large suction force in the first catching section 30. As a result, the yarn end can be reliably caught from the package 22 side.
[0099] Whereas, when the grasped diameter and/or shape of the package 22 is in a state where the yarn end on the package 22 side is easily caught (for example, when the diameter of the package 22 is large and/or when the shape of the package 22 is a cylindrical shape or close thereto) the control section 101 reduces the suction force of the first catching section 30. As a result, it is possible to suppress a wasteful energy consumption due to generation of an excessive suction force, while reliably catching exclusively the yarn end on the package 22 side desired to be caught and suppressing improper catching such as double leading.
[0100] (3-2) Overall operation of textile machine
Hereinafter, an overall operation of the textile machine 1 will be described. In the textile machine 1 including the plurality of winding devices 10, a user operates the managing device 12 to set a shape and the like of the package 22 to be formed by each winding device 10, and then formation of the package 22 is executed by each winding device 10.
[0101] During formation of the package 22 with each winding device 10, the managing device 12 receives a formation status of the package 22 in each winding device 10 from the control device 100 of each winding device 10. The formation status of the package 22 is, for example, information indicating whether a large package is being formed or a small package is being formed, in the winding device 10. The managing device 12 manages the formation status of the packages 22 of the plurality of winding devices 10, and determines whether there is a tendency that a large package is being formed, or a tendency that a small package is being formed, in the plurality of winding devices 10.
[0102] The managing device 12 controls the suction force of the suction source 11 on the basis of the formation status of the package 22 in a whole of the plurality of winding devices 10. Specifically, for example, the managing device 12 reduces the suction force of the suction source 11 when there is a tendency that a large package is being formed in the whole of the plurality of winding devices 10, and increases the suction force of the suction source 11 when there is a tendency that a small package is being formed. Note that, when the suction force of the suction source 11 is changed, in each winding device 10, the opening degree of the opening 111 is corrected such that the suction force of the first catching section 30 becomes the suction force determined on the basis of the diameter and/or the shape of the package 22 in each winding device 10.
[0103] In this way, by controlling the suction force of the suction source 11 common to the plurality of winding devices 10 in accordance with a formation status of the package 22, it is possible to suppress a wasteful energy consumption of the textile machine 1 due to generation of an excessive suction force while reliably catching the yarn end with the plurality of winding devices 10.
[0104] Further, the managing device 12 calculates a success rate of catching of the yarn end in the whole of the plurality of winding devices 10, and transmits the success rate to the control devices 100 of the plurality of winding devices 10. Specifically, the managing device 12 acquires the result data of success/failure of catching of a yarn end from the control device 100 of each winding device 10, and calculates the success rate of catching of the yarn end in the whole of the plurality of winding devices 10 on the basis of the actual data.
[0105] The control section 101 of each winding device 10 controls the suction force of the first catching section 30 on the basis of the success rate of catching of the yarn end in the whole of the plurality of winding devices 10 received from the managing device 12 and a success rate of catching of the yarn end in the winding device 10 controlled by the control section 101.
[0106] Specifically, if the success rate of catching of the yarn end in the winding device 10 controlled by the control section 101 is lower than the success rate of the whole, the control section 101 increases the suction force of the first catching section 30 of the winding device 10 to be larger than the suction force of the first catching section 30 determined on the basis of the diameter and/or the shape of the package 22 being formed by the winding device 10. Whereas, if the success rate of catching of the yarn end in the winding device 10 controlled by the control section 101 is higher than the success rate of the whole, the control section 101 reduces the suction force of the first catching section 30 of the winding device 10 to be smaller than the suction force of the first catching section 30 determined on the basis of the diameter and/or the shape of the package 22 being formed by the winding device 10.
[0107] In the winding device 10, position adjustment is performed when the first catching section 30 is assembled. However, a slight difference in adjustment of the first catching section 30 occurs for each of the plurality of winding devices 10. As a result, even if the same suction force is generated in the first catching section 30, the success rate of catching of the yarn end may be different for each winding device 10. Therefore, as described above, by adjusting the suction force of the first catching section 30 on the basis of the success rate of catching of the yarn end, an influence of variation in the assembling position of the first catching section 30 in each winding device 10 can be suppressed. As a result, even when the assembling position varies in the individual winding devices 10, it is possible to suppress a wasteful energy consumption of the textile machine 1 due to generation of an excessive suction force, while improving the success rate of catching a yarn end in the whole of the plurality of winding devices 10.
[0108] 2. Second embodiment
In the first embodiment described above, in each winding device 10, a suction force of the first catching section 30 is controlled by adjusting an opening degree of the opening 111 in the opening degree adjusting section 11a. Instead, the managing device 12 of the textile machine 1 can control a suction flow rate of the suction source 11 to control the suction force of the first catching section 30 of the plurality of winding devices 10, on the basis of a diameter and/or a shape of the package 22 being formed by the plurality of winding devices 10 and/or a formation state of the package 22.
[0109] 3. Other embodiments
While a plurality of embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, a plurality of embodiments and alternative embodiments described in the present specification can be combined in a freely selected manner as required.
(A) An order of each process and/or contents of the process in the operation of the textile machine 1 described above can be appropriately changed without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0110] (B) The monitoring device 40 is not limited to the optical sensor. For example, a monitoring device of another type such as a capacitance type may be used as the monitoring device 40.
[0111] (C) The tension applying device 27 is not limited to a gate type, and a disc type may be used, for example.
[0112] (D) The yarn joining device 38 is not limited to the splicer device, and for example, a mechanical knotter and the like can be used.
[0113] (E) The suction source 11 may not be common to the plurality of winding devices 10. That is, the suction source 11 may be individually provided in each winding device 10.
[0114] (F) The winding section 17 of the winding device 10 described above rotates the package 22 (the tube 22a) with rotation of the rotation roller 20 to wind the yarn 14 around the tube 22a (the package 22). Without limiting thereto, the winding section 17 may directly rotate the tube 22a (the package 22) with a drive source such as a motor. In this case, traversing of the yarn 14 may be carried out using a traverse arm. Specifically, for example, the yarn 14 can be wound around the tube 22a (the package 22) by hooking the yarn 14 to the traverse arm provided in the vicinity of the cradle 18, and reciprocating the traverse arm hooked with the yarn 14 in a length direction of the tube 22a (the package 22) to traverse the yarn 14.
[0115] (G) The package 22 (the tube 22a) may be rotated by rotation of the rotation roller 20 in which the traverse groove is not formed. The traversing of the yarn 14 in this case can also be carried out using the traverse arm.
[0116] (H) The winding device 10 is not limited to a device that winds the yarn 14 from the yarn supplying bobbin 16 to form the package 22. For example, the winding device 10 can also be used in a spinning machine that spins a yarn from a fiber bundle.
[0117] (I) In the above-described embodiment, a reference for determining the suction force of the first catching section 30 and the position of the catching port 33 are both the diameter and the shape of the package 22. Without limiting thereto, the reference for determining the suction force of the first catching section 30 and the position of the catching port 33 may be the diameter of the package 22 alone or the shape of the package 22 alone.
[0118] 4. Characteristics of embodiment
The above-described embodiments have the following features.
(1) A winding device (for example, the winding device 10) includes a yarn supplying section (for example, the yarn supplying section 15), a winding section (for example, the winding section 17), a catching section (for example, the first catching section 30), and a control section (for example, the control section 101). The yarn supplying section supplies a yarn (for example, the yarn 14). The winding section forms a package (for example, the package 22) by rotating a tube (for example, the tube 22a) in a winding direction to wind the yarn around the tube. The catching section includes a catching port (for example, the catching port 33) that sucks a yarn end on an outer side of the package. The control section controls the winding section and the catching section. In addition, the control section controls a suction force generated in the catching section, on the basis of a diameter and/or a shape of the package.
[0119] In the winding device described above, the control section controls the suction force generated in the catching section, on the basis of a diameter and/or a shape of the package formed by the winding section. As a result, for example, when the diameter and/or the shape of the package is in a state where the yarn end on the package side is not easily caught, the control section generates a large suction force in the catching section. As a result, the yarn end can be reliably caught from the package side. Whereas, when the diameter and/or the shape of the package is in a state where the yarn end on the package side is easily caught, the control section reduces the suction force of the catching section. As a result, it is possible to suppress a wasteful energy consumption due to generation of an excessive suction force, while reliably catching exclusively the yarn end on the package side originally desired to be caught and suppressing improper catching such as double leading.
[0120] (2) In the winding device of (1) described above, the control section may control a position of the catching port with respect to the tube at a time of sucking the yarn end, on the basis of a diameter and/or a shape of the package. In addition, a condition for separating the position of the catching port with respect to the tube may be identical to a condition for reducing the suction force of the catching section. As a result, a suction force of the catching section can be adjusted while a distance between an outer side of the package and the catching port is kept constant, so that a wasteful energy consumption can be suppressed.
[0121] (3) In the winding device of (1) to (2) described above, on the basis of a diameter and/or a shape of the package, the control section may calculate a position of the catching port and a suction force of the catching section, by using a first formula for calculation of a position of the catching port with respect to the tube by using the diameter and/or the shape of the package as a variable and a second formula for calculation of a suction force of the catching section by using the diameter and/or the shape of the package as a variable. As a result, a position of the catching port with respect to a surface of the package and a suction force of the catching section according to the diameter and/or the shape of the package can be accurately and easily calculated.
[0122] (4) The winding device of (1) to (3) described above may further include a storage section. The storage section stores catching control information. The catching control information is information including: information relating to a position of the catching port with respect to the tube in which the position is set gradually in accordance with a diameter and/or a shape of the package; and information relating to a suction force of the catching section in which the suction force is set gradually in accordance with a diameter and/or a shape of the package. At this time, the control section may control a position of the catching port with respect to a surface of the package and a suction force of the catching section, on the basis of a diameter and/or a shape of the package and the catching control information. As a result, it becomes easy to control the position of the catching port with respect to the surface of the package and the suction force of the catching section according to the diameter and/or the shape of the package.
[0123] (5) The winding device of (1) to (4) described above may include a suction source (for example, the suction source 11) and an opening degree adjusting section (for example, the opening degree adjusting section 11a). The suction source generates a suction force in the catching section. The opening degree adjusting section is provided between the catching section and the suction source, and includes an opening (for example, the opening 111) and a shutter (for example, the shutter 113). The opening allows gas to flow between the catching section and the suction source. The shutter adjusts an opening degree of the opening by moving between a full-open position to fully open the opening and a full-close position to fully close the opening. In this case, the control section may control a suction force of the catching section by controlling a position of the shutter. As a result, since the opening degree of the opening described above can be finely adjusted by the movement of the shutter, the suction force of the catching section can be accurately adjusted.
[0124] (6) In the winding device of (1) to (5) described above, the winding section may include a rotation roller (for example, the rotation roller 20) that rotates the tube by making contact with an outer periphery of the package and rotating. Even when there is the rotation roller on the outer periphery of the package, the suction force of the catching section can be appropriately set.
[0125] (7) In the winding device of (1) to (6) described above, the control section may determine whether or not the yarn end has been successfully caught by the catching section, and the control section may increase, when determining that catching of the yarn end has failed, the suction force of the catching section to be larger than a suction force at a time of determining that catching has failed, and may re-execute catching of the yarn end with the catching section in which the suction force has been increased. As a result, the yarn end can be more reliably caught.
[0126] (8) The winding device of (1) to (7) described above may further include a monitoring device (for example, the monitoring device 40). The monitoring device detects a state of the yarn to detect a short defect, which is a defect in the yarn, and a long defect having a longer defect length than the short defect. In this case, when the monitoring device detects a long defect, the control section may determine whether or not the yarn end has been caught by the catching section, and may reduce, when determining that the yarn end has been caught, a suction force of the catching section after catching of the yarn end to be smaller than a suction force at a time of catching the yarn end. While a large suction force is required to peel off a yarn end from the package, if the yarn end can be peeled off from the package and caught by the catching section, the yarn on the package side from the yarn end can be sucked by the catching section even with a small suction force. Therefore, by reducing a suction force of the catching section at a time of sucking the yarn on the package side from the yarn end to be smaller than a suction force at a time of catching a distal end portion, an energy consumption can be suppressed while the yarn end is reliably caught.
[0127] (9) A textile machine (for example, the textile machine 1) includes a plurality of winding devices of (1) to (8) described above and a managing section (for example, the managing device 12). The managing section communicates with the control section of the winding device, and calculates a success rate of catching of the yarn end with the catching section in a whole of the plurality of winding devices. In the textile machine, the control section of each winding device controls a suction force of the catching section of the winding device on the basis of a success rate calculated by the managing section and a success rate of catching of the yarn end in the winding device. Accordingly, even when there is a variation in the catching sections in the individual winding devices, it is possible to suppress a wasteful energy consumption of the textile machine due to generation of an excessive suction force, while improving a success rate of catching a yarn end in a whole of the plurality of winding devices.
[0128] (10) A textile machine includes a plurality of the winding devices of (1) to (8) described above, a suction source, and a managing section. The suction source generates a suction force for the catching sections of the plurality of winding devices. The managing section communicates with the control section and grasps a formation status of the package in a whole of the plurality of winding devices. In this textile machine, the suction source is common to the plurality of winding devices. Further, the managing section controls a suction force of the suction source on the basis of a formation status of the package in the whole of the plurality of winding devices. By controlling the suction force of the suction source common to the plurality of winding devices in accordance with the formation status of the package, it is possible to suppress a wasteful energy consumption of the textile machine due to generation of an excessive suction force, while reliably catching a yarn end with the plurality of winding devices.
[0129] The present invention can be widely applied to a textile machine that winds a yarn to form a package.

, Claims:We claim:

1. A winding device (10) comprising:
a yarn supplying section (15) adapted to supply a yarn (14);
a winding section (17) adapted to form a package (22) by winding the yarn (14) around a tube (22a) by rotating the tube (22a) in a winding direction;
a catching section (30) including a catching port (33) adapted to suck a yarn end on an outer side of the package (22); and
a control section (101) adapted to control the winding section (17) and the catching section (30),
wherein the control section (101) controls a suction force generated in the catching section (30), based on a diameter and/or a shape of the package (22).

2. The winding device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the control section (101) controls a position of the catching port (33) with respect to the tube (22a) at a time of sucking the yarn end, based on a diameter and/or a shape of the package (22), and
a condition for separating a position of the catching port (33) with respect to the tube (22a) is identical to a condition for reducing a suction force of the catching section (30).

3. The winding device (10) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein, based on a diameter and/or a shape of the package (22), the control section (101) calculates a position of the catching port (33) and a suction force of the catching section (30) by using: a first formula for calculation of a position of the catching port (33) with respect to the tube (22a) by using a diameter and/or a shape of the package (22) as a variable; and a second formula for calculation of a suction force of the catching section (30) by using a diameter and/or a shape of the package (22) as a variable.

4. The winding device (10) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a storage section (103) adapted to store catching control information (CI) including: information relating to a position of the catching port (33) with respect to the tube (22a), the position being set gradually in accordance with a diameter and/or a shape of the package (22); and information relating to a suction force of the catching section (30), the suction force being set gradually in accordance with a diameter and/or a shape of the package (22),
wherein based on a diameter and/or a shape of the package (22) and the catching control information (CI), the control section (101) controls a position of the catching port (33) with respect to a surface of the package (22) and a suction force of the catching section (30).

5. The winding device (10) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:
a suction source (11) adapted to generate a suction force in the catching section (30); and
an opening degree adjusting section (11a) provided between the catching section (30) and the suction source (11), the opening degree adjusting section (11a) including an opening (111) adapted to allow gas to flow between the catching section (30) and the suction source (11), and a shutter (113) adapted to adjust an opening degree of the opening (111) by moving between a full-open position to fully open the opening (111) and a full-close position to fully close the opening (111),
wherein the control section (101) controls a suction force of the catching section (30) by controlling a position of the shutter (113).

6. The winding device (10) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the winding section (17) includes a rotation roller (20) adapted to rotate the tube (22a) by making contact with an outer periphery of the package (22) and rotating.

7. The winding device (10) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control section (101)
determines whether the yarn end has been successfully caught by the catching section (30),
increases, when determining that catching of the yarn end has failed, a suction force of the catching section (30) to be larger than a suction force at a time of determining that catching has failed, and
re-executes catching of the yarn end with the catching section (30) in which a suction force is increased.

8. The winding device (10) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a monitoring device (40) adapted to detect a state of the yarn (14), to detect a short defect that is a defect in the yarn (14) and a long defect point having a longer defect length than the short defect, wherein the control section (101)
determines whether the yarn end has been caught by the catching section (30) when the monitoring device (40) detects a long defect, and
reduces, when determining that the yarn end has been caught, a suction force of the catching section (30) after catching of the yarn end to be smaller than a suction force at a time of catching the yarn end.

9. A textile machine (1) comprising:
a plurality of the winding devices (10) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8; and
a managing section (12) adapted to communicate with the control section (101) and calculate a success rate of catching of the yarn end with the catching section (30) in a whole of the plurality of winding devices (10),
wherein the control section (101) of each winding device (10) controls a suction force of the catching section (30) of the each winding device (10), based on a success rate calculated by the managing section (12) and a success rate of catching of the yarn end in the each winding device (10).

10. A textile machine (1) comprising:
a plurality of the winding devices (10) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8;
a suction source (11) adapted to generate a suction force for the catching section (30) of the plurality of winding devices (10); and
a managing section (12) adapted to communicate with the control section (101) and grasp a formation status of the package (22) in a whole of the plurality of winding devices (10), wherein
the suction source (11) is common to the plurality of winding devices (10), and
the managing section (12) controls a suction force of the suction source (11) based on a formation status of the package (22) in a whole of the plurality of winding devices (10).