1. Field of the Invention
The present invention r e l a t e s t o a yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g device
and method and a yarn winding machine.
2. Description of the Related A r t
Conventionally, a spinning machine and a yarn winding machine
include a yarn c l e a r e r adapted t o d e t e c t a s t a t e of a yarn. The yarn
c l e a r e r includes a d e t e c t o r adapted to detect the thickness o f t h e yarn.
This d e t e c t o r includes a l i g h t emitting section and a l i g h t receiving
s e c t i o n , a n d o u t p u t s a v o l t a g e correspondingtoalightreceivingamount
of when l i g h t output from the l i g h t emitting section is received by
the l i g h t receiving section as a d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l .
Japanese Unexamined Patent PublicationNo. 2000-327226 describes
a s t r u c t u r e i n which one s e n s i t i v i t y a d j u s t i n g device is provided f o r
multiple yarn c l e a r e r s . The s e n s i t i v i t y a d j u s t i n g device c a l c u l a t e s
a yarn t r a v e l reference value from an average value of the d e t e c t i o n
values a t the time of yarn t r a v e l l i n g f o r every yarn c l e a r e r , and
increases or decreases a drive s i g n a l of t h e d e t e c t o r according t o a
resultofcomparisonofthedetectionvalueandtheyarntravelreference
value. With the adjustment of the d r i v e s i g n a l , the detection
sensitivityofeachdetectorcanbe correctedeveniftemperature change
and/or time-dependent change t h a t d i f f e r for each d e t e c t o r occur.
Considered is a yarn c l e a r e r (yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g device) of
a type t h a t d e t e c t s a transmitted l i g h t ( f i r s t l i g h t ) and a r e f l e c t e d
l i g h t (second l i g h t ) . In t h i s case, a l i g h t receiving section adapted
t o d e t e c t t h e transmitted l i g h t and a l i g h t receiving section adapted
t o d e t e c t the reflectedlightareprovided. A l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n
serves as a l i g h t source f o r transmitted l i g h t and a l i g h t source for
r e f l e c t e d l i g h t .
However, i n the conventional technique described above,
consideration is not taken t h a t the l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n serves
as both the l i g h t source f o r the transmitted l i g h t and the l i g h t source
i for the reflected light. Thus, gain of the detecting section is hard a to adjust at a high accuracy when the light projecting section serves
as both the light source for the transmitted light and the light source
for the reflected light.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a yarn defect
detecting device and a yarn winding machine in which a light projecting
section serves as both a light source for first light and a light source
for second light, in which gain of a detecting section can be adjusted
accurately.
A yarn defect detecting device of the present invention includes
a detecting section, a first amplifying section, a second amplifying
section, and a control section. The detecting section includes a first
light projecting section adaptedto project light in a first direction
to a yarn path where a yarn travels, a first light receiving section
arranged facing the first light projecting section in the first
direction with the yarn path therebetween, and a second light receiving
section arrangedat a position different fromthe first light receiving
section. The first amplifying section is adaptedto amplifya detection
signal of a first light projected by the first light projecting section
and received by the first light receiving section to generate a first
signal, and to output the first signal. The second amplifying section
is adapted to amplify a detection signal of a second light projected
by the first light projecting section and received by the second light
receiving section to generate a second signal, and to output the second
signal. The control section is adapted to perform a first adjustment
processing to adjust an amplification factor in the first amplifying
section in accordance with the first signal and to determine the
amplification factor in the first amplifying section, and then to
perform a second adjustment processing to adjust the amplification
factor in the second amplifying section in accordance with the second
signal while controlling the first light projecting section to emit
light according to a control value of when the amplification factor
in the first amplifying section is determined.
B R I E F DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
F I G . 1 is a perspective view of a spinning unit, which is a yarn
winding machine, according to one embodiment of the present invention;
F I G . 2 is a block diagram of a yarn defect detecting device and
a control device of the spinning unit of F I G . 1;
F I G . 3 is a block diagram of a yarn defect detecting section of
the yarn defect detecting device of F I G . 2;
F I G . 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing procedure of gain
adjustment processing in the yarn defect detecting section of F I G . 3;
F I G . 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing procedure of gain
adjustment processing of a transmitted light in F I G . 4;
F I G . 6is a flowchart corresponding to F I G . 5inwhichanoperation
of an operator and a lighting pattern of a display lamp are both
illustrated;
F I G . 7 A is a view illustrating a relationship of a gain setting
value and an output voltage of a transmission signal, and F I G . 7B is
a view illustrating change in the output voltage in the gain adjustment
of the transmitted light;
F I G . 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing procedure of gain
adjustment processing of a reflected light in F I G . 4;
F I G . 9isaflowchartcorrespondingtoFIG. 8inwhichtheoperation
of an operator and a lighting pattern of the display lamp are both
illustrated; and
F I G . 1 0 A is a view illustrating a relationship of a gain setting
value and an output voltage of a reflection signal, and F I G . 1 0 B is
a view illustrating change in the output voltage in the gain adjustment
of the reflected light.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
hereinafter describe din detail with reference tothe drawings. In the
drawings, the same reference numerals are denoted for the same or
corresponding portions, and redundant description will be omitted.
As illustrated in F I G . 1, a spinning unit (yarn winding machine)
~ 1 is adapted t o produce a yarn Y and wind the yarn Y i n t o a package
@ I?. The spinning u n i t 1 includes a d r a f t device ( y a r n supplying device)
2, a spinning device ( y a r n supplying device) 3, a yarn feeding device
4, a yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i o n device 5, a yarn joining device ( y a r n defect
removingdevice) 6, a n d a w i n d i n g d e v i c e 7 i n t h i s o r d e r f r o m t h e u p s t r e a m
along a t r a v e l l i n g path of the yarn Y.
S u c h s p i n n i n g u n i t 1 i s l i n e d i n p l u r a l s t o formaspinningmachine.
In t h i s case, the yarn joining device 6 is movable among the p l u r a l i t y
of spinning u n i t s 1, and performs a yarn j o i n i n g o p e r a t i o n i n the
spinning u n i t 1 i n which the yarn Y is c u t . That is, the yarn joining
device 6 is shared among the p l u r a l i t y of spinning u n i t s 1. However,
the yarn joining device 6 may be arranged i n each spinning u n i t 1.
The d r a f t device 2 includes a back r o l l e r p a i r 8, a t h i r d r o l l e r
p a i r 9, a middle r o l l e r p a i r 12 provided with apron b e l t s 11, and a
f r o n t r o l l e r p a i r 1 3 . The d r a f t device 2 d r a f t s a s l i v e r S accommodated
i n a can 1 4 by the r o l l e r p a i r s 8, 9, 12, and 13 t o produce a f i b e r
bundle F.
The spinning device 3 is a pneumatic spinning device which uses
a whirling airflow t o t w i s t the f i b e r bundle F d r a f t e d by the d r a f t
device 2 t o produce the yarn Y. More s p e c i f i c a l l y (although not
i l l u s t r a t e d ) , the spinningdevice 3 i n c l u d e s a spinningchamber, a f i b e r
guiding s e c t i o n , a whirling airflow generating nozzle, and a hollow
guide s h a f t body. The f i b e r guiding s e c t i o n is adapted t o guide the
f i b e r bundle Fproducedbythe d r a f t device 2 i n t o the spinning chamber.
The whirling airflow generating nozzle is adapted t o generate the
whirling airflow i n the spinning chamber, and causes a f i b e r end of
the f i b e r bundle F guided i n t o the spinning chamber t o be reversed and
t o whirl. The hollow guide s h a f t body is adapted t o guide the spun yarn
Y from the spinning chamber t o outside the spinning device 3.
The yarn feeding device 4 includes a delivery r o l l e r 15 and a nip
r o l l e r 16. The yarn feeding device 4 nips the yarn Y produced by the
spinning device 3 with a p a i r of r o l l e r s 15 and 16 t o feed the yarn
Y t o the winding device 7 .
The yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g device 5 is a device known as a yarn
c l e a r e r , and d e t e c t s presence or absence of a yarn d e f e c t i n the yarn
Y t r a v e l l i n g through a yarn path Ya (see FIG. 3) by d e t e c t i n g a yarn
thickness unevenness s i g n a l between the spinning device 3 and the
winding device 7. The spinning u n i t 1 has a function of c u t t i n g t h e
yarn Y when the detected yarn d e f e c t s a t i s f i e s a predetermined
~ condition.
The yarn joining device 6 includes a suction pipe 17, a suction
mouth 18, and a s p l i c e r 19. The suction pipe 17 is swingably supported
and catches the yarn end of the yarn Y from the spinning device 3 t o
guide the yarn end t o the s p l i c e r 19. The suction mouth 18 is swingably
supported and catches the yarn end of the yarn Y from the winding device
7 t o guide the yarn end t o t h e s p l i c e r 19. The s p l i c e r 19 joins the
yarn ends guided by the suction pipe 17 and the suction mouth 18.
Thewindingdevice 7windsthe y a r n y i n t o a p a c k a g e PI andincludes
a cradle arm 21, a winding drum 22, and a t r a v e r s e device 23. The cradle
arm 21 r o t a t a b l y supports the package P, and causes a surface of the
package P t o make contact with a surface of the winding drum 22 a t an
appropriate p r e s s u r e . The winding drum 22 r o t a t e s t h e package P made
i n t o contact by the cradle arm 21. The t r a v e r s e device 23 t r a v e r s e s
the y a r n y a t a p r e d e t e r m i n e d w i d t h w i t h respect t o t h e package P r o t a t e d
by the winding drum 22. In FIG. 1, the spinning u n i t 1 is i l l u s t r a t e d
t o wind the yarn Y i n t o a cheese-shaped package PI but may a l s o wind
the yarn Y i n t o a conical package. A shape of the package P wound by
the spinning u n i t 1 is not p a r t i c u l a r l y l i m i t e d .
As i l l u s t r a t e d i n FIG. 2, the yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g device 5
i n c l u d e s a yarn defect d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n 5a and a c u t t i n g s e c t i o n 5b.
The yarn defect d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n 5a is an o p t i c a l sensor having a
b i a x i a l l i g h t source, and is adapted t o d e t e c t a thickness unevenness
of the yarn Y by receiving the l i g h t p r o j e c t e d toward t h e t r a v e l l i n g
yarnY. T h e y a r n d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n 5 a o u t p u t s a s i g n a l i n d i c a t i n g
a t h i c k n e s s o f t h e t r a v e l l i n g y a r n Y t o a control device 24. The c u t t i n g
section 5b c u t s t h e yarn Y when the control device 24 determines t h a t
the yarn defect should be removed based on a s i g n a l input from the yarn
d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n 5a.
The control device 24 is a device adapted t o control the e n t i r e
spinning u n i t 1, and includes a c e n t r a l processing device 25, a Read
Only Memory (ROM) 26, a Random Access Memory (RAM) 27, and a hard d i s c
@ 28. A display device 31 and an input device 32 are connected t o the
control device 24. The display device 31 displays various pieces of
i n f o r m a t i o n t o a n o p e r a t o r . The input device 3 2 i s a n o p e r a t i o n b u t t o n ,
for example, f o r the operator t o give various i n s t r u c t i o n s t o the
spinning u n i t 1. The control device 24 maybe a r r a n g e d i n each spinning
unit 1, and one control device 24 may be arranged f o r each group of
a p l u r a l i t y of spinning u n i t s 1. A l t e r n a t i v e l y , one control device 24
may be arranged for a l l the spinning u n i t s 1 of the spinning machine.
The yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n 5a of the yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g
device 5 w i l l be h e r e i n a f t e r described i n d e t a i l with reference t o FIG.
3. The yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n 5a includes a f i r s t LED ( f i r s t
l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n ) 4 1 adapted t o p r o j e c t l i g h t i n a f i r s t
d i r e c t i o n D l t o a y a r n p a t h y a , anda secondLED ( s e c o n d l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g
s e c t i o n ) 42 adapted t o p r o j e c t l i g h t i n a second d i r e c t i o n D2, which
is s u b s t a n t i a l l y orthogonal t o the f i r s t d i r e c t i o n D l , t o the yarn path
Ya. The f i r s t d i r e c t i o n and the second d i r e c t i o n are not limited t o
being s u b s t a n t i a l l y orthogonal t o each o t h e r , and may i n t e r s e c t with
each other t o form a predetermined angle other than a r i g h t angle. The
yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n 5a includes a f i r s t PD ( f i r s t l i g h t
receiving s e c t i o n ) 43 arranged facing the f i r s t LED 4 1 i n the f i r s t
d i r e c t i o n D l , and a second PD (second l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n ) 44
arranged facing the second LED 42 i n the second d i r e c t i o n D2. The
t r a v e l l i n g yarn Y is arranged between the f i r s t LED 4 1 and the f i r s t
PD 43, and between the second LED 42 and the second PD 4 4 . A d e t e c t i n g
section 40 of the yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n 5a is configured
including the f i r s t LED 4 1 , the second LED 42, the f i r s t PD 43, and
thesecondPD44. T h e y a r n d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n 5 a o f t h e y a r n d e f e c t
d e t e c t i n g device 5 t h u s has a b i a x i a l l i g h t source and a b i a x i a l l i g h t
receiving element. The LED stands f o r l i g h t emitting diode serving as
a l i g h t source, and the PD stands f o r photodiode serving as a l i g h t
receiving element.
In the d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n 40, the f i r s t LED 4 1 and the second LED
42 i r r a d i a t e e . , p r o j e c t ) t h e yarn Y with l i g h t from d i f f e r e n t
d i r e c t i o n s . The f i r s t PD 43 receives t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t ( f i r s t l i g h t )
i r r a d i a t e d from the f i r s t LED 4 1 and of which a portion is shielded
by the yarn Y, and r e f l e c t e d l i g h t ( f o u r t h l i g h t ) i r r a d i a t e d from the
second LED 42 and r e f l e c t e d by the yarn Y. The second PD 44 receives
transmitted l i g h t ( t h i r d l i g h t ) i r r a d i a t e d from the second LED 42 and
of which a portion is s h i e l d e d b y t h e yarn Y, and r e f l e c t e d l i g h t (second
l i g h t ) i r r a d i a t e d from the f i r s t LED 4 1 and r e f l e c t e d by the yarn Y.
Thus, i n the yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n 5a, the f i r s t LED 4 1 and
the second LED 42 r e s p e c t i v e l y serve a s t h e l i g h t source f o r the
transmitted l i g h t and the l i g h t source f o r t h e r e f l e c t e d l i g h t . The
f i r s t P D 4 3 a n d t h e s e c o n d P D 4 4 respectivelyserveasthelightreceiving
section of the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t and the l i g h t receiving section of
the r e f l e c t e d l i g h t . In other words, one l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n is
used t o receive the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t and is a l s o used t o receive the
r e f l e c t e d l i g h t .
Furthermore, the yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n 5a includes
a m p l i f i e r s 46 and 47, switching elements 48a t o 48d, high-pass f i l t e r
c i r c u i t s 49a t o 49d, sample-and-hold c i r c u i t s 50a t o 50d, a m p l i f i e r
c i r c u i t s 5 1 a t o 51d, adders 52aand52bI a n o s c i l l a t o r 5 3 , a t i m e d i v i s i o n
c i r c u i t 54, drive c i r c u i t s 56a and 56b, and a microcomputer ( c o n t r o l
s e c t i o n ) 60.
The microcomputer 60 has a f u n c t i o n of c o n t r o l l i n g the time
d i v i s i o n c i r c u i t 54. The microcomputer 60 c o n t r o l s the t i m e d i v i s i o n
c i r c u i t 54 t o divide an output pulse of the o s c i l l a t o r 53, and
simultaneously d r i v e s the drive c i r c u i t 56a, the switching elements
48a and 48d, and the sample-and-hold c i r c u i t s 50a and 50d. Furthermore,
the microcomputer 60 c o n t r o l s the time d i v i s i o n c i r c u i t 54 and
simultaneously drives the drive c i r c u i t 56b, the switching elements
48b and 48c, and the sample-and-hold c i r c u i t s 50b and 50c, a l t e r n a t e l y
with the simultaneous driving of t h e d r i v e c i r c u i t 56a, the switching
elements 48a and 48d, and the sample-and-hold c i r c u i t s 50a and 50d.
More s p e c i f i c a l l y , t h e drive c i r c u i t 56a is f i r s t driven and the
l i g h t is i r r a d i a t e d fromthe secondLED 42towardthe yarnY. The second
PD 44 receives the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t t r a n s m i t t e d through the yarn Y,
and o u t p u t s a s i g n a l corresponding t o the l i g h t receiving amount as
a d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t . The f i r s t PD 43 receives
the r e f l e c t e d l i g h t r e f l e c t e d by the yarn Y, and outputs a s i g n a l ' corresponding t o the l i g h t receiving amount as a d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of
the r e f l e c t e d l i g h t . A t t h i s time, the switching elements 48a and 48d
are closed ( t h e switching elements 48b and 48c a r e opened). The
d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t of the second PD 44 is passed
~ through the high-pass f i l t e r c i r c u i t 49a a n d h e l d b y t h e sample-and-hold
c i r c u i t 50a. The d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of t h e r e f l e c t e d l i g h t of the f i r s t
PD 43 is passed through the high-pass f i l t e r c i r c u i t 49d and held by
the sample-and-hold c i r c u i t 50d.
The drive c i r c u i t 56b is t h e n d r i v e n and the l i g h t is i r r a d i a t e d
from the f i r s t LED 4 1 toward the yarn Y. The f i r s t PD 43 receives the
t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t t r a n s m i t t e d through the yarn Y, and outputs a s i g n a l
corresponding t o the l i g h t receiving amount as a d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of
the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t . The second PD 44 receives t h e r e f l e c t e d l i g h t
r e f l e c t e d b y t h e yarn Y, and outputs a s i g n a l corresponding t o the l i g h t
receiving amount as a d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of t h e r e f l e c t e d l i g h t . A t t h i s
time, the switching elements 48b and 48c are closed ( t h e switching
elements 48a and 48d a r e opened). The d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the
transmitted l i g h t of the f i r s t PD 43 is passed through the high-pass
f i l t e r c i r c u i t 49b and held by the sample-and-hold c i r c u i t 50b. The
d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the r e f l e c t e d l i g h t of the second PD 44 is passed
throughthehigh-pass f i l t e r c i r c u i t 4 9 c a n d h e l d b y t h e sample-and-hold
c i r c u i t 50c.
The d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t held by the
sample-and-hold c i r c u i t 50a is a m p l i f i e d b y t h e a m p l i f i e r c i r c u i t 51a.
The d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t held by the
sample-and-hold c i r c u i t 50b is amplified by the a m p l i f i e r c i r c u i t 51b.
The two amplified d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l s of the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t a r e added
by the adder 52a and output as a t r a n s m i t t i n g s i g n a l ( f i r s t s i g n a l )
F. The d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of t h e r e f l e c t e d l i g h t held by the
sample-and-hold c i r c u i t 50c is amplified by the a m p l i f i e r c i r c u i t 51c,
and the d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the r e f l e c t e d l i g h t held by the
sample-and-hold c i r c u i t 5 0 d i s a m p l i f i e d b y t h e a m p l i f i e r c i r c u i t 51d.
The two amplified d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l s of t h e r e f l e c t e d l i g h t are added
by the adder 52b, and output as a r e f l e c t i n g s i g n a l (second s i g n a l )
R. The transmitting signal F corresponds to a thickness signal of the
@ yarn Y, and the reflecting signal R corresponds to a signal indicating
presence/absence of foreign substance.
Atransmittedlightamplifying section (first amplifying section)
57a is configured by the amplifier circuit 51a, the amplifier circuit
51b, and the adder 52a. The transmitted light amplifying section 57a
I , amplifies the detection signal of the transmitted light projected by
the first LED 41 and received by the first PD 43 through the yarn Y,
and also amplifies the detection signal of the transmitted light
projected by the second LED 42 and received by the second PD 44 through
the yarn Y. The transmitted light amplifying section 57a adds the
amplified detection signals of the transmitted lights to generate a
transmitting signal F, and outputs the transmitting signal F to the
microcomputer 60. A reflected light amplifying section (second
amplifying section) 57b is configured by the amplifier circuit 51c,
the amplifier circuit 51d, and the adder 52b. In other words, the
reflected light amplifying section 57b amplifies the detection signal
of the reflected light projected by the first LED 41 and received by
the second PD 44 through the yarn Y, and also amplifies the detection
signal ofthe r e f l e c t e d l i g h t p r o j e c t e d b y t h e secondLED 42 and received
by the first PD 43 through the yarn Y. The reflected light amplifying
section 57b adds the amplifieddetection signals ofthe reflectedlights
to generate a reflecting signal R, and outputs the reflecting signal
R to the microcomputer 60.
The transmitting signal F output from the transmitted light
amplifying section 57a and the reflecting signal R output from the
reflected light amplifying section 57b are thus input to the
microcomputer 60. The microcomputer 60 detects the yarn thickness
unevenness signal of the yarn Y based on the transmitting signal F and
the reflecting signalR obtainedthroughthe yarn Y. The microcomputer
60 includes an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) 61 for converting
(analog-digital converting) the transmitting signal F output from the
transmitted light amplifying section 57a and the reflecting signal R
output from the reflected light amplifying section 57b, from an analog
value to a digital value.
In the yarn defect detecting section 5a, the first LED 41, the
@ second LED 42, the switching elements 48a to 48d, and the sample-and-hold
circuits 50a to 50d are driven in synchronization with the output pulse
of the time division circuit 54 to prevent the influence of the light
entering from outside and/or the other light source. Furthermore,
since the thickness of the yarn Y and the foreign substance in the yarn
Ycanbemonitoredwithonedetecting section40,more reliable thickness
detection and foreign substance detection can be carried out. In
particylar, the yarn defect detecting section 5a has a feature in that
the yarn defect detecting section 5a is less likelyto not fail to detect
a flat defect of the yarn Y compared to a clearer that includes only
one light source and that is adapted to detect the thickness of the
yarn from only one direction. Furthermore, the continuous monitoring
of the thickness and the monitoring of the foreign substances can be
achieved in the yarn defect detecting section 5a as a whole by
alternately inputting input signals from two directions to the
microcomputer 60 by the time division circuit 54.
Themicrocomputer 60has a functionof adjusting anamplification
factor in the transmitted light amplifying section 57a based on the
transmitting signal F, that is, the gain adjusting function of the
transmitted light. The microcomputer 60 also has a function of
adjusting an amplification factor in the reflected light amplifying
section57bbasedonthe reflectingsignalR, that is, thegainadjusting
function ofthe reflectedlight. Furthermore, themicrocomputer 60 has
a function of applying a bias voltage to both amplifier circuits 51c
and 51d of the reflected light amplifying section 57b, and adjusting
the bias voltage. The microcomputer 60 also has a function of
controlling the drive circuit 56a and the drive circuit 56b to adjust
the drive voltage (control value for light emission) to be applied to
the first LED 41 and the second LED 42. The microcomputer 60 includes
a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) 62 for generating the bias voltage
to be applied to the amplifier circuits 51c and 51d by the conversion
fromthe digital value tothe analog value (digital-analog conversion).
The microcomputer 60 includes a DAC 63 for generating a control voltage
to be applied to the drive circuits 56a and 56b by the digital-analog
conversion.
Gain adjustment processing (gain adjustment method of the
d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n 40) executed by the microcomputer 60 w i l l be
h e r e i n a f t e r described. As i l l u s t r a t e d i n FIG. 4 , when a d j u s t i n g the
amplification f a c t o r i n the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t amplifying section 57a
and the amplification f a c t o r i n t h e r e f l e c t e d l i g h t amplifying section
57b, the microcomputer 60 f i r s t a d j u s t s the a m p l i f i c a t i o n f a c t o r i n
t h e t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t amplifying s e c t i o n 57a. In other words, the gain
of the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t is adjusted ( s t e p S l ) . After a d j u s t i n g the
gainofthetransmittedlight, the amplification f a c t o r i n t h e r e f l e c t e d
l i g h t amplifying s e c t i o n 57b is adjusted. In other words, the gain of
t h e r e f l e c t e d l i g h t is adjusted ( s t e p S 2 ) . The gain adjustment
processing performed by the microcomputer 60 can be a p p r o p r i a t e l y
executed according t o the operation of the operator. For example, the
gain adjustment processing may be executed a t the time of i n s t a l l a t i o n
of the yarn defect d e t e c t i n g device 5 or may be executed before the
s t a r t of winding of the package P. The gain adjustment processing may
be executed before the yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g device 5 or the spinning
u n i t 1 is shipped from a f a c t o r y .
In the following gain adjustment p r o c e s s i n g , a f i r s t gauge ( f i r s t
l i n e a r b o d y ) o f a firstcolorhavingapredeterminedreflectivity ( f i r s t
r e f l e c t i v i t y ) and a second gauge (second l i n e a r body) of a second color
having a r e f l e c t i v i t y (second r e f l e c t i v i t y ) d i f f e r e n t from the
r e f l e c t i v i t y of the f i r s t gauge a r e prepared as standard gauges. The
f i r s t gauge and the second gauge have a predetermined thickness, and
can be i n s e r t e d (arranged) a t a p o s i t i o n same as the t r a v e l p o s i t i o n
of the yarn Y. The color ( f i r s t c o l o r ) of the f i r s t gauge, f o r example,
is a c o l o r c l o s e t o the yarn Y. The color (second c o l o r ) of the second
gauge, f o r example, is a c o l o r c l o s e t o the foreign substance t h a t may
be contained i n the yarn Y.
The gain adjustment processing of the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t w i l l be
describedwith reference t o FIG. 5 andFIG. 6. Adisplay lamp t h a t urges
the operator t o perform an operation is provided on the control device
24, f o r example, so as t o be v i s i b l e t o the o p e r a t o r . The display lamp
may be provided on the yarn defect d e t e c t i n g device 5, and is not
particularly limited as long as it is provided at a position visible
@ to the operator. In "operation of operator" in FIG. 6 (similarly in
FIG. 9 ) , "B" means that the operation button is pushed, "1" means that
the first gauge is inserted to the yarn path Ya, "2" means that the
second gauge is inserted to the yarn path Ya, and a broken line circle
means that no gauge is inserted.
First, when the operator pushes the operation button, the
microcomputer 60 in the gain adjustment standby state starts the gain
adjustment processing. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the microcomputer 60
carries out a zero-point correction (step S11). This zero-point
correction is processing of adjusting a drive voltage to be applied
to the first LED 41 and the second LED 42 so that a voltage (output
value) corresponding to the transmitting signal F of when nothing is
arrangedintheyarnpathYabecomes aprescribedvoltage. Specifically,
the microcomputer 60 adjusts the drive voltage such that the voltage
corresponding tothe transmitting signal Fbecomes a zero-point voltage
VO (see FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B). Upon carrying out the adjustment such
that the voltage becomes VO, a condition may be provided such that the
deviation between the actually measured voltage and the zero-point
voltage VO is within a predetermined difference (see step S18 to be
described later). This also applies to other voltage adjustments to
be hereinafter described.
The microcomputer 60 then sets an initial value and acquires a
voltage without gauge (zero-point voltage) (step S12). The
microcomputer 60 performs slope calculation processing without the
gauge (step $13). The microcomputer 60 changes a gain setting value,
that is, the amplification factor in the transmitted light amplifying
section 57a with nothing arranged in the yarn path Ya and stores an
output voltage of the transmitting signal F corresponding to each
amplification factor. How the zero-point changes in accordance with
the gain can be predicted by changing the amplification factor with
nothing arranged in the yarn path Ya. The microcomputer 60 then lights
adisplay lamp forthe operatorinalightingpatternthatmeans "request
for second gauge".
When the operation button is then pushed by the operator, the
microcomputer 60 carries out gain adjustment after insertion of the
@ second gauge (step 514 : first adjustment processing) . The
microcomputer 60 changes the amplification factor in the transmitted
light amplifying section 57a such that the voltage according to the
transmitting signal F of when the second gauge is arranged in the yarn
path Ya becomes a preset reference voltage (first reference output
value) Va (voltage V1 is an actual measurement value of the voltage),
and the obtained amplification factor is assumed as an amplification
factor Ga. As illustrated in FIG. 7A, the relationship Va = V1 - VO
ismet. I n t h e g a i n a d j u s t m e n t , t h e a m p l i f i c a t i o n f a c t o r G a i s d e s i r a b l y
determined with reference to the output voltage of the transmitting
signal F corresponding to each amplification factor stored in step S13
that has been obtained with no gauge arranged in the yarn path Ya. An
accuracy of the gain adjustment of the transmitted light is thus
improved.
In FIG. 7A, the voltage according to the transmitting signal F
is inverted such that the voltage of when the yarn Y is thick becomes
large. Thus, the output voltage of the transmitting signal F is lower
as the light receiving amount of the transmitted light increases, and
the output voltage of the transmitting signal F is higher as the light
receivingamountofthetransmittedlightdecreases. Themicrocomputer
60 then lights the display lamp for the operator in a lighting pattern
that means "request for no gauge".
When the operation button is then pushed by the operator, the
microcomputer 60 carries out the zero-point correction after detecting
the removal of the second gauge (step S15). The processing here is
similar tothe processin gin step Slldescribedabove. Thedisplay lamp
is then lighted for the operator in the lighting pattern that means
"request for second gauge".
When the operation button is then pushed by the operator, after
detecting the insertion of the second gauge, the microcomputer 60
acquires the voltage (gauge voltage) when the second gauge is inserted
(step S16). The microcomputer 60 then lights the display lamp for the
operator in the lighting pattern that means "request for no gauge".
When the operation button is then pushed by the operator, after
14 / 33
detectingthe removal ofthe secondgauge, themicrocomputer 60 acquires
@ the voltage (zero-point voltage) when the gauge is not arranged (step
S17). Themicrocomputer 60 then determines whether or nota difference
(Vl-VO) between V1 and VO is within a target range (step S18: success
determination processing). If the difference between V1 and VO is
within the target range (Step S18: YES), the microcomputer 60 notifies
the operator of success (step S19), and terminates the gain adjustment
processing of the transmitted light. If the difference between V1 and
VO is outside the target range (step S18: NO), the microcomputer 60
notifies the operator of failure (step S20), and returns to the
processing of step S11.
The gain adjustment of the transmitted light, that is, the
transmitting signal F is carried out according to the series of
processing steps describedabove. The processing steps S15to S17 are
processing steps carried out to improve the accuracy of the gain
adjustment. The processing steps S15 to S17 may be omitted.
The gain adjustment processing of the reflected light will be
described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.
First, themicrocomputer 60carries outbias adjustment (stepS21).
This bias adjustment is a step of adjusting the voltage such that the
voltage (output value) according tothe reflecting signal Rwhennothing
is arrangedinthe yarnpathYabecomes apresetvoltage. Specifically,
the microcomputer 60 adjusts a bias voltage such that the voltage
according to the reflecting signal R becomes a zero-point voltage V2
(see FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B). The microcomputer 60 then lights the
display lamp for the operator in a lighting pattern that means "request
for first gauge".
When the operation button is then pushed by the operator, after
insertion of the first gauge, the microcomputer 60 performs the slope
calculation processing using the first gauge (step S22). The
microcomputer 60 changes the gain setting value, that is, the
amplification factor in the reflectedlight amplifying section 57bwith
the first gauge arranged in the yarn path Ya, and stores the output
voltage ofthe reflecting signalR corresponding to each amplification
factor. How the output signal (reflecting signal R) of when the first
gauge is i n s e r t e d changes according t o the gain can be predicted by
@ changing the amplification f a c t o r with the f i r s t gauge arranged i n the
yarn path Ya. The microcomputer 60 then l i g h t s a display lamp for the
operator i n the lightingpatternthatmeans "request f o r secondgauge".
When the o p e r a t i o n b u t t o n is then pushed by the operator, the
microcomputer 60 determines whether or not the second gauge has been
i n s e r t e d based on t h e r e f l e c t i n g s i g n a l R ( s t e p S23). When a
determination is made t h a t the second gauge has not been i n s e r t e d ( s t e p
S23: N O ) , the microcomputer 60 makes a n o t i f i c a t i o n t h a t a wrong gauge
has been i n s e r t e d ( s t e p S24), and r e t u r n s t o the processing of s t e p
S23. The processing of s t e p s S23 and S24 corresponds t o wrong-gauge
i n s e r t i o n d e t e c t i n g processing. According t o such processing, a
determination can be made f o r not only an i n s e r t i o n of a wrong gauge,
but a l s o f o r no i n s e r t i o n of a gauge or f a i l u r e of removal of the gauge.
The wrong-gauge i n s e r t i o n d e t e c t i n g processing can be c a r r i e d out a t
the i n s e r t i o n and/or removal timing of other gauges, and s i m i l a r
processing may be c a r r i e d out a t the gain adjustment of the transmitted
l i g h t .
When a determination is made i n s t e p S23 t h a t the second gauge
has been i n s e r t e d ( s t e p S23: YES), the microcomputer 60 c a r r i e s out
gain adjustment ( s t e p S25: second adjustment p r o c e s s i n g ) . The
microcomputer 60 c h a n g e s t h e a m p l i f i c a t i o n f a c t o r i n t h e r e f l e c t e d l i g h t
amplifying section 57b such t h a t a p o t e n t i a l d i f f e r e n c e AV between the
voltage according t o t h e r e f l e c t i n g s i g n a l F of when the f i r s t gauge
is arranged i n the yarn path Ya and the voltage according t o the
r e f l e c t i n g s i g n a l R of when the second gauge is arranged i n the yarn
path Ya becomes a p r e s e t reference p o t e n t i a l d i f f e r e n c e (second
reference output value) Vb and the obtained amplification f a c t o r is
assumed as an amplification f a c t o r Gb (see FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B). In
t h i s gain adjustment, the a m p l i f i c a t i o n f a c t o r Gb is d e s i r a b l y
determinedwith reference t o t h e output voltage o f t h e r e f l e c t i n g s i g n a l
R corresponding t o each amplification f a c t o r when the f i r s t gauge is
i n s e r t e d , the amplification f a c t o r being s t o r e d i n s t e p S22. The
a c c u r a c y o f t h e gainadjustment o f t h e r e f l e c t e d l i g h t i s t h u s improved.
The microcomputer 60 then l i g h t s t h e d i s p l a y lamp f o r the operator in
the l i g h t i n g p a t t e r n t h a t means "request f o r no gauge".
When the operation button is pushed by the operator, the
microcomputer 60 c a r r i e s out the bias adjustment a f t e r removal of the
second gauge ( s t e p S26) . This processing is s i m i l a r t o the processing
i n s t e p S21 described above. The display lamp is then l i g h t e d i n the
l i g h t i n g p a t t e r n t h a t means "request f o r second gauge" with respect
t o the operator.
When the operation button is pushed by the operator, a f t e r
i n s e r t i o n o f t h e secondgauge, themicrocomputer 60 a c q u i r e s t h e v o l t a g e
(second gauge voltage) when the second gauge is being i n s e r t e d ( s t e p
S27). Themicrocomputer 6 0 t h e n l i g h t s t h e d i s p l a y l a m p f o r t h e o p e r a t o r
i n the l i g h t i n g p a t t e r n t h a t means "request f o r f i r s t gauge".
When the operation button is pushed by the operator, a f t e r
i n s e r t i o n o f t h e f i r s t gauge, the microcomputer 60 acquires the voltage
( f i r s t gauge voltage) when the f i r s t gauge is being i n s e r t e d ( s t e p S28).
The microcomputer 60 then l i g h t s t h e d i s p l a y lamp f o r the operator in
the l i g h t i n g p a t t e r n t h a t means "request f o r no gauge".
When the operation button is pushed by the operator, a f t e r
removal of the f i r s t gauge, the microcomputer 60 acquires the voltage
(zero-point voltage) when no gauge is arranged ( s t e p S29). The
microcomputer 6 0 t h e n d e t e r m i n e s w h e t h e r o r n o t t h e p o t e n t i a l d i f f e r e n c e
AV between the voltage according t o the r e f l e c t i n g s i g n a l R when the
f i r s t gauge is arranged i n the yarn path Ya and the voltage according
t o the r e f l e c t i n g s i g n a l R when the second gauge is arranged i n the
yarn path Ya is within a t a r g e t range ( s t e p S30: success determination
processing). I f the p o t e n t i a l d i f f e r e n c e A V i s within the t a r g e t range
( s t e p S30: YES), the microcomputer 60 n o t i f i e s the operator of success
( s t e p S31), and terminates the gain adjustment processing of the
r e f l e c t e d l i g h t . I f t h e p o t e n t i a l d i f f e r e n c e AV is o u t s i d e t h e t a r g e t
range ( s t e p S30: N O ) , the microcomputer 60 n o t i f i e s the operator of
f a i l u r e ( s t e p S31), and r e t u r n s t o the processing of s t e p S21.
The gain adjustment of the r e f l e c t e d l i g h t , t h a t is, the
r e f l e c t i n g s i g n a l R i s carriedoutaccordingtothe s e r i e s of processing
described above. The s t e p s S26 t o 529 are c a r r i e d out t o improve the
accuracy of the gain adjustment. The processing from s t e p S26 t o s t e p
S29 may be omitted.
According t o t h e yarndefectdetectingdevice 5, the s p i n n i n g u n i t
1, and the gain adjustment method of t h e d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n 40 of the
yarndefectdetectingdevice 5 o f t h e present embodiment, when a d j u s t i n g
the a m p l i f i c a t i o n f a c t o r i n the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t amplifying section
57a and the a m p l i f i c a t i o n f a c t o r i n t h e r e f l e c t e d l i g h t amplifying
section 57b, the microcomputer 60 a d j u s t s the a m p l i f i c a t i o n f a c t o r i n
the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t amplifying s e c t i o n 57a based on the t r a n s m i t t i n g
I
I s i g n a l F and then a d j u s t s the a m p l i f i c a t i o n f a c t o r i n the r e f l e c t e d
I
I
I l i g h t amplifying s e c t i o n 57b based on t h e r e f l e c t i n g s i g n a l R. The
1 amplification f a c t o r i n t h e r e f l e c t e d l i g h t amplifying s e c t i o n 57b is
I adjusted a f t e r the a m p l i f i c a t i o n f a c t o r i n the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t
amplifying s e c t i o n 57a is adjusted. The l i g h t q u a n t i t y of the f i r s t
LED 4 1 or the second LED 42 is already adjusted, and the l i g h t quantity
of the f i r s t LED 4 1 or the second LED 42 is constant (see FIG. 7A and
FIG. 7B) . Thus, the gain of t h e r e f l e c t i n g s i g n a l R is prevented from
changing u n i n t e n t i o n a l l y . Therefore, i n a s t r u c t u r e i n which the
d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n 40 includes the b i a x i a l l i g h t source, the gain of
t h e d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n 40 can be a c c u r a t e l y a d j u s t e d .
One l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n is used t o receive the transmitted
l i g h t and a l s o used t o receive the r e f l e c t e d l i g h t a s with the yarn
defect d e t e c t i n g device 5. When the l i g h t quantity of the f i r s t LED
4 1 or the second LED 42 changes, not only the t r a n s m i t t i n g s i g n a l F
but t h e r e f l e c t i n g s i g n a l R is a l s o influenced. Furthermore, one of
t h e f a c t o r s c a u s i n g t h e l i g h t q u a n t i t y o f t h e f i r s t LED 4 1 or the second
LED 4 2 t o change is the zero-point correction. However, s i n c e t h e l i g h t
quantity of the f i r s t LED 4 1 or the second LED 42 a l s o changes when
performingthe z e r o - p o i n t c o r r e c t i o n o f t h e t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t , t h e l i g h t
q u a n t i t y o f t h e r e f l e c t e d l i g h t a l s o changes a t the same time. The l i g h t
quantity of the f i r s t LED 4 1 or the second LED 42 a t completion of the
zero-point c o r r e c t i o n a l s o depends on the gain o f t h e t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t
amplifying s e c t i o n 57a. Smaller l i g h t quantity is required as the
s e n s i t i v i t y of the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t amplifying s e c t i o n 57a improves.
In the yarn defect d e t e c t i n g device 5 having such c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , the
gain of t h e r e f l e c t i n g s i g n a l R is prevented from changing
I u n i n t e n t i o n a l l y and the accuracy of the gain adjustment is improved
I @ according t o the gain adjustment processing by the microcomputer 60
and the gain adjustment method.
The a m p l i f i c a t i o n f a c t o r i n the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t amplifying
section 5 7 a i s a d j u s t e d s o t h a t t h e v o l t a g e a c c o r d i n g t o t h e t r a n s m i t t i n g
s i g n a l F becomes the r e f e r e n c e v o l t a g e Va using the second gauge.
Thereafter, the a m p l i f i c a t i o n f a c t o r i n the r e f l e c t e d l i g h t amplifying
section 57b is adjusted so t h a t the p o t e n t i a l d i f f e r e n c e AV between
t h e v o l t a g e s accordingtoeach reflectingsignalRbecomesthe reference
p o t e n t i a l d i f f e r e n c e Vb using the f i r s t gauge and the second gauge.
An accuracy of the gain adjustment of the d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n 40 is thus
f u r t h e r enhanced by using the f i r s t gauge and the second gauge. As
i l l u s t r a t e d i n FIG. 10A, the f i r s t gauge and the second gauge each has
a predetermined slope with respect t o the change i n the gain s e t t i n g
value. When the l i g h t quantity of the f i r s t LED 4 1 or the second LED
42 is changed, the output voltage thereof is o f f s e t . The o f f s e t t i n g
amount d i f f e r s between the f i r s t gauge and the second gauge (depending
on the color of the gauge). According t o the present embodiment, the
l i g h t quantity is constant a t the time of the gain adjustment of the
r e f l e c t i n g s i g n a l R, and thus the accuracy of the gain adjustment is
prevented from lowering.
T h e l i g h t q u a n t i t y o f t h e f i r s t L E D 4 1 a n d t h e secondLED42becomes
constant by the zero-point c o r r e c t i o n of the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t . An
accuracy of both the gain adjustment of the t r a n s m i t t i n g s i g n a l F and
the gain adjustment of t h e r e f l e c t i n g s i g n a l R is thus improved.
The voltage according t o the r e f l e c t i n g s i g n a l R is o f f s e t by the
zero-point c o r r e c t i o n ( b i a s adjustment) of t h e r e f l e c t e d l i g h t (see
FIG. 10B). A t t h i s point of time, the l i g h t quantity of the f i r s t LED
4 1 o r t h e secondLED 42 is a l r e a d y a d j u s t e d , andhence the l i g h t quantity
of the f i r s t LED 4 1 or the second LED 42 is constant. The accuracy of
the gainadjustment o f t h e r e f l e c t i n g s i g n a l R i s t h u s furtherimproved.
Since the zero-point c o r r e c t i o n ( b i a s adjustment) of the
r e f l e c t i n g s i g n a l R is c a r r i e d out a f t e r the completion of the gain
adjustment of the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t , an accuracy of the zero-point
c o r r e c t i o n and the gain adjustment is f u r t h e r improved.
One embodiment of the present invention has been described, but
@ the present invention is not 1imit;d t o the embodiment described above.
For example, the yarn winding machine of the p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n is not
limited t o the spinning u n i t of the spinning machine, and may be other
yarn winding machines such as a winder u n i t of an automatic winder,
and the l i k e . The d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g device of the p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n may
be a c l e a r e r of the automatic winder, or may be a c l e a r e r of other yarn
winding machines.
In the spinning u n i t 1 described above, the yarn supplying device
for supplying the yarn is configured by the d r a f t device 2 and the
spinningdevice 3 , b u t t h e y a r n s u p p l y i n g d e v i c e o f t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n
maybe other yarn supplyingdevices suchas a d e v i c e configuredto supply
the yarn from a bobbin around which the yarn is wound.
The yarnwindingmachine o f t h e present inventionmay include the
display device as with the spinning u n i t 1 described above, or may be
s e p a r a t e l y c o n n e c t e d w i t h a d i s p l a y device such as apersonalcomputer.
When the yarn winding machine of the present invention is the
spinning u n i t , t h e yarn is not l i m i t e d t o being pulled out from the
spinning device by the delivery r o l l e r and the nip r o l l e r , and the yarn
maybe p u l l e d o u t fromthe spinningdevice by a yarn accumulating r o l l e r
adapted t o accumulate the yarn a t downstream of the spinning d e v i c e .
Furthermore, t h e c u t t i n g of t h e yarn when a yarn d e f e c t is detected
may be performed with a c u t t e r other than the c u t t i n g s e c t i o n of the
yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g device and/or stopping of a whirling airflow i n
the spinning device.
In the yarn defect d e t e c t i n g device of the present invention, the
f i r s t g a u g e m a y b e u s e d i n p l a c e o f t h e s e c o n d g a u g e i n t h e g a i n a d j u s t m e n t
of the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t amplifying s e c t i o n . A gauge d i f f e r e n t from
the f i r s t gauge and the second gauge having a predetermined thickness
may be used. The gain adjustment of the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t amplifying
section can be c a r r i e d out using gauges of d i f f e r e n t colors according
t o the type of the l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n (LED).
In the yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g device of the present invention, the
gainadjustment o f t h e reflectedlightamplifyingsectionmaybe c a r r i e d
out based on an output voltage of when nothing is i n s e r t e d i n the yarn
path Ya and an output voltage of when the f i r s t or the second gauge
@ is i n s e r t e d .
I
The color of the display lamp described i n FIG. 6 and FIG. 9 is
merely an example. Other than n o t i f y i n g the operator by causing the
l i g h t i n g p a t t e r n of the display lamp t o be the predetermined p a t t e r n ,
a message may be displayed on t h e d i s p l a y device.
The d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n is not limited t o including two l i g h t
p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n s . One of the l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n s may be
omitted, and only one l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n m a y b e arranged. In t h i s
case, the d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n includes a l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n a d a p t e d
t o p r o j e c t l i g h t i n a predetermined d i r e c t i o n t o the yarn p a t h , a l i g h t
receiving s e c t i o n f o r t h e t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t arranged facing the l i g h t
p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n i n t h e p r e d e t e r m i n e d d i r e c t i o n , a n d a l i g h t receiving
section f o r t h e r e f l e c t e d l i g h t arranged a t a p o s i t i o n d i f f e r e n t from
the l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n f o r the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t . One or a
p l u r a l i t y of l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n s f o r t h e r e f l e c t e d l i g h t may be
arranged. For example, whenarrangingtwolightreceiving s e c t i o n s f o r
the r e f l e c t e d l i g h t , the two l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n s f o r t h e r e f l e c t e d
l i g h t may be arranged a t d i f f e r e n t p o s i t i o n s where the r e f l e c t e d l i g h t
can be received. In t h i s case, the two l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n s f o r
the r e f l e c t e d l i g h t may be arranged symmetric t o a l i n e (or plane
including the r e l e v a n t l i n e ) connecting the l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n
and the l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n f o r the t r a n s m i t t e d l i g h t .
Apart from the r e f l e c t e d l i g h t amplifying s e c t i o n , a bias
adjustment s e c t i o n may be independently arranged. The c o n t r o l value
is notrequiredtobethedrivevoltage, but a n e l e c t r i c c u r r e n t supplied
t o the l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n may be assumed as the control value.
The output value is not required t o be the voltage, but an e l e c t r i c
current may be assumed as the output v a l u e .
The type of l i g h t source ( l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n ) i s n o t limited
t o t h e LED, andmaybe o t h e r s m a l l l i g h t s o u r c e s . The small l i g h t source
may be a small incandescent bulb (miniature b u l b ) , halogen lamp, xenon
tube, and the l i k e . The l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n may be, f o r example,
photodiode, p h o t o t r a n s i s t o r , cadmium s u l f i d e (CdS) cell, and t h e l i k e .
A yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g device of the present invention i n c l u d e s
a detecting section, a first amplifying section, a second amplifying
@ section, and a control section. The detecting section includes a first
light projecting section adapted to project light in a first direction
to a yarn path where a yarn travels, a first light receiving section
arranged facing the first light projecting section in the first
direction with the yarn path therebetween, and a second light receiving
section arranged at a position different from the first light receiving
section. The first amplifying section is adaptedto amplifya detection
signal of a first light projected by the first light projecting section
and received by the first light receiving section to generate a first
signal, and to output the first signal. The second amplifying section
is adapted to amplify a detection signal of a second light projected
by the first light projecting section and received by the second light
receiving section to generate a second signal, and to output the second
signal. The control section is adapted to perform a first adjustment
processing to adjust an amplification factor in the first amplifying
section in accordance with the first signal and to determine the
amplification factor in the first amplifying section, and then to
perform a second adjustment processing to adjust the amplification
factor in the second amplifying section in accordance with the second
signal while controlling the first light projecting section to emit
light according to a control value of when the amplification factor
in the first amplifying section is determined.
In this yarn defect detecting device, the first light receiving
section is a light receiving section adapted to detect the first light,
and the second light receiving section is the light receiving section
adaptedto detect the second light. The first light projecting section
serves as both the light source for the first light and the light source
for the second light. According to the yarn defect detecting device,
when the amplification factor in the first amplifying section and the
amplification factor in the second amplifying section are adjusted by
the control section, the amplification factor in the first amplifying
section is adjusted in accordance with the first signal, and then the
amplification factor in the second amplifying section is adjusted in
accordance with the second signal. Thus, the amplification factor in
I the secondamplifyingsectionis a d j u s t e d a f t e r t h e amplification f a c t o r
@ i n the f i r s t amplifying s e c t i o n is adjusted. The l i g h t quantity of the
f i r s t l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n is t h u s a l r e a d y a d j u s t e d , and the l i g h t
quantity of the f i r s t l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n is constant. The gain
of the second s i g n a l is thus prevented from changing u n i n t e n t i o n a l l y .
Therefore, when the l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n serves as both the l i g h t
source f o r t h e f i r s t l i g h t and the l i g h t source f o r the second l i g h t ,
the gain of the d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n can be a c c u r a t e l y adjusted.
The d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n f u r t h e r i n c l u d e s a second l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g
s e c t i o n . The second l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n is arranged facing the
second l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n i n a second d i r e c t i o n d i f f e r e n t from
the f i r s t d i r e c t i o n with the yarn path therebetween and adapted t o
p r o j e c t l i g h t i n the second d i r e c t i o n t o the yarn path. The f i r s t
amplifying s e c t i o n is adapted t o amplify the d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the
firstlightprojectedbythe f i r s t l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n a n d r e c e i v e d
by the f i r s t l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n , t o amplify a d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l
of a t h i r d l i g h t p r o j e c t e d by the second l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n and
received by the second l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n , t o g e n e r a t e a f i r s t
s i g n a l by adding the amplified d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the f i r s t l i g h t and
the amplified d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the t h i r d l i g h t , and t o output the
f i r s t s i g n a l . The second amplifying s e c t i o n is adapted t o amplify the
d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the second l i g h t p r o j e c t e d by the f i r s t l i g h t
p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n and r e c e i v e d b y t h e second l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n ,
t o amplify a d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of a fourth l i g h t p r o j e c t e d by the second
l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n and received by the f i r s t l i g h t receiving
s e c t i o n , t o generate a second s i g n a l by adding the amplified d e t e c t i o n
s i g n a l of the second l i g h t and the amplified d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the
fourth l i g h t , and t o output the second s i g n a l . The d e t e c t i n g section
has a b i a x i a l l i g h t source including the f i r s t l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n
and the second l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n . The f i r s t l i g h t receiving
section serves as a l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n of the f i r s t l i g h t and a
lightreceivingsectionofthe f o u r t h l i g h t . The s e c o n d l i g h t receiving
s e c t i o n serves as a l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n of the second l i g h t and
a l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n o f t h e t h i r d l i g h t . When the l i g h t quantity
of the f i r s t l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n or the second l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g
section changes, not only the first signal but the second signal is
@ also influenced. According to the yarn defect detecting device, when
the amplification factor in the first amplifying section and the
amplification factor in the second amplifying section are adjusted by
the control section, the amplification factor in the first amplifying
section is a d j u s t e d i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e first signal, andthereafter,
the amplification factor in the second amplifying section is adjusted
in accordance with the second signal. The gain of the second signal
is thus prevented from changing unintentionally, and the gain of the
detecting section can be accurately adjusted even if the detecting
section has a biaxial light source.
The control section is adaptedtoperforma zero-point correction
of an output value corresponding to the'detection signal of the first
light received by the first light receiving section by adjusting the
control value for light-emission ofthe first light projecting section,
and then toperformthe firstadjustmentprocessing. According tothis
configuration, the light quantity ofthe first light projecting section
becomes constant by the zero-point correction of the first light. An
accuracy of both the gain adjustment of the first signal and the gain
adjustment of the second signal is thus improved. The zero-point
correction of the first light refers to the processing of adjusting
the control value to be provided to the light projecting section such
that the control value corresponding to the first signal when nothing
is arranged on the yarn path becomes a preset control value.
The control section is adapted to perform a zero-point correction
of at least one of an output value corresponding tothe detection signal
of the first light received by the first light receiving section and
an output value corresponding tothe detection signal ofthe third light
receivedbythe second light receiving sectionby adjustingthe control
value for light-emission of at least one of the first light projecting
section and the second light projecting section, and then to perform
the first adjustment processing. By performing the zero-point
correction of the first light, the light quantity of the first light
projecting section and the second light projecting section becomes
constant. The accuracy of both the gain adjustment of the first signal
and the gain adjustment of the second s i g n a l is thus improved.
The control s e c t i o n is a d a p t e d t o performa zero-point c o r r e c t i o n
of an output value corresponding t o the d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the second
l i g h t r e c e i v e d b y t h e s e c o n d l i g h t r e c e i v i n g s e c t i o n b y a b i a s a d j u s t m e n t ,
and then t o p e r f o r m t h e secondadjustmentprocessing. The output value
corresponding t o the second s i g n a l is o f f s e t by performing the
zero-point c o r r e c t i o n of the second l i g h t by the b i a s adjustment. A t
t h i s t i m e p o i n t , t h e l i g h t q u a n t i t y o f t h e f i r s t l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g section
or the second l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n is already adjusted, and hence
the l i g h t quantity of the f i r s t l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n or the second
l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n is constant. The accuracy of the gain
adjustment of the second s i g n a l is f u r t h e r improved. The zero-point
c o r r e c t i o n of the second l i g h t r e f e r s t o the processing of a d j u s t i n g
the a m p l i f i c a t i o n f a c t o r i n the second amplifying s e c t i o n such t h a t
the output value corresponding t o the second s i g n a l of when nothing
is arranged on the yarn path becomes a p r e s e t output v a l u e .
Aspace i n c l u d i n g t h e yarnpath i n t h e d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n is adapted
t o receive an i n s e r t of a f i r s t l i n e a r body of a f i r s t color having
a f i r s t r e f l e c t i v i t y and a second l i n e a r body of a second color having
a second r e f l e c t i v i t y d i f f e r e n t from the f i r s t r e f l e c t i v i t y . The
control s e c t i o n is adapted t o perform the f i r s t adjustment processing
such t h a t an output value corresponding t o the f i r s t s i g n a l of when
the f i r s t l i n e a r body or the second l i n e a r body is arranged i n the yarn
path is a p r e s e t f i r s t reference output v a l u e , and t o perform the second
adjustment processing such t h a t a d i f f e r e n c e between an output value
corresponding t o the second s i g n a l of when the f i r s t l i n e a r body is
a r r a n g e d i n t h e y a r n p a t h a n d a n o u t p u t value corresponding t o t h e second
s i g n a l of when the second l i n e a r body is arranged i n the yarn path is
a p r e s e t second reference output v a l u e . According t o such
configuration, the a m p l i f i c a t i o n f a c t o r o f t h e f i r s t amplifying section
is adjusted using e i t h e r one of the f i r s t l i n e a r body or the second
l i n e a r b o d y such t h a t the output value corresponding t o t h e f i r s t s i g n a l
becomes the f i r s t reference output v a l u e . Thereafter, the
amplification f a c t o r o f t h e second amplifying s e c t i o n is a d j u s t e d u s i n g
the f i r s t l i n e a r body a n d t h e secondlinearbody s u c h t h a t the d i f f e r e n c e
between the output values corresponding t o the second s i g n a l becomes
@ the second reference output v a l u e . The accuracy of the gain adjustment
of the d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n is f u r t h e r improved by using the f i r s t l i n e a r
body and the second l i n e a r body.
A yarn winding machine of the p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n includes the yarn
d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g device described above; and a winding device arranged
downstreamoftheyarndefectdetectingdeviceinatravellingdirection
of the yarn and adapted t o wind the yarn.
According t o the present invention, the gain of the d e t e c t i n g
section can be a c c u r a t e l y a d j u s t e d i n a s t r u c t u r e i n which the l i g h t
p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n serves a s t h e l i g h t source f o r the f i r s t l i g h t and
the l i g h t source f o r the second l i g h t .

WE CLAIM
1. A yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g device comprising:
a d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n including a f i r s t l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n
adapted t o p r o j e c t l i g h t i n a f i r s t d i r e c t i o n t o a yarn path where a
y a r n t r a v e l s , a f i r s t l i g h t receiving section arranged facing the f i r s t
l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n i n the f i r s t d i r e c t i o n with the yarn path
therebetween, a second l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n arranged a t a p o s i t i o n
d i f f e r e n t from the f i r s t l i g h t r e c e i v i n g s e c t i o n ,
a f i r s t amplifying section a d a p t e d t o amplify a d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l
of a f i r s t l i g h t projected by the f i r s t l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n and
receivedbythe firstlightreceivingsectiontogeneratea f i r s t s i g n a l ,
and t o output the f i r s t s i g n a l ,
a second amplifying section a d a p t e d t o amplify a d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l
of a second l i g h t projected by the f i r s t l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n and
received by the second l i g h t receiving section t o generate a second
s i g n a l , and t o output the second s i g n a l , and
acontrolsectionadaptedtoperforma f i r s t adjustment processing
t o a d j u s t an amplification f a c t o r i n the f i r s t amplifying section i n
accordance with the f i r s t s i g n a l and t o determine the amplification
f a c t o r i n the f i r s t amplifying s e c t i o n , and then t o perform a second
adjustment processing t o a d j u s t t h e amplification f a c t o r i n the second
amplifying s e c t i o n i n accordance with the second s i g n a l while
c o n t r o l l i n g the f i r s t l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n t o emit l i g h t according
t o a c o n t r o l value of when the amplification f a c t o r i n the f i r s t
amplifying section is determined.
2. The yarndefectdetectingdevice according t o c l a i m l , wherein
t h e d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n f u r t h e r includes a s e c o n d l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g section
a r r a n g e d f a c i n g t h e s e c o n d l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n i n a s e c o n d d i r e c t i o n
d i f f e r e n t from the f i r s t d i r e c t i o n with the yarn path therebetween and
adapted t o p r o j e c t l i g h t i n the second d i r e c t i o n t o the yarn path,
wherein the f i r s t amplifying section is adapted t o amplify the
detection s i g n a l of the f i r s t l i g h t projected by the f i r s t l i g h t
p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n and received by the f i r s t l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n ,
t o amplify a d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of a t h i r d l i g h t projected by the second
l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n and received by the second l i g h t receiving
section, t o generate a f i r s t s i g n a l by adding the amplified detection
signal of the f i r s t l i g h t and the amplified d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the
t h i r d l i g h t , and t o output the f i r s t s i g n a l , and
wherein the second amplifying section is adapted t o amplify the
d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the second l i g h t projected by the f i r s t l i g h t
p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n and r e c e i v e d b y t h e second l i g h t r e c e i v i n g s e c t i o n ,
t o amplify a d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of a f o u r t h l i g h t projected by the second
l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n and received by the f i r s t l i g h t receiving
section, t o generate a second s i g n a l by adding the amplified detection
signal of the second l i g h t and the amplified d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the
fourth l i g h t , and t o output the second s i g n a l .
3. The yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g device according t o claim 1 or claim
2, wherein the c o n t r o l s e c t i o n is adapted t o perform a zero-point
correction of an output value corresponding t o t h e d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l
of the f i r s t l i g h t received by the f i r s t l i g h t receiving section by
a d j u s t i n g the control value f o r light-emission of the f i r s t l i g h t
p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n , a n d t h e n t o p e r f o r m t h e firstadjustmentprocessing.
4 . Theyarndefectdetectingdeviceaccordingto claim2, wherein
t h e c o n t r o l s e c t i o n is adapted t o perform a zero-point c o r r e c t i o n of
a t l e a s t one of an output value corresponding t o the d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l
of the f i r s t l i g h t received by the f i r s t l i g h t receiving section and
an output value corresponding t o t h e d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l o f t h e t h i r d l i g h t
received by the second l i g h t receiving section by a d j u s t i n g the control
value f o r light-emission of a t l e a s t one of the f i r s t l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g
section and the second l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g section, and then t o perform
the f i r s t adjustment processing.
5. The yarndefectdetectingdevice according t o anyone of claim
1 through claim 4 , wherein the c o n t r o l s e c t i o n is adapted t o perform
a zero-point c o r r e c t i o n of an output value corresponding t o the
d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the second l i g h t received by the second l i g h t
receiving section by a b i a s adjustment, and then t o perform the second
adjustment processing.
6. The yarn defect d e t e c t i n g device according t o any one of claim
2 through claim 4 , wherein t h e c o n t r o l s e c t i o n is adapted t o perform
a zero-point c o r r e c t i o n of a n output value corresponding t o the
d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the second l i g h t received by the second l i g h t
receiving s e c t i o n a n d / o r an output value corresponding t o t h e d e t e c t i o n
s i g n a l o f t h e fourthsignalreceivedbythe f i r s t l i g h t receiving section
by a b i a s adjustment, and then t o perform the second adjustment
processing.
7. The yarndefectdetectingdevice according t o anyone of claim
1 through claim 6, wherein a space including the yarn path i n the
d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n is adapted t o receive an i n s e r t of a f i r s t l i n e a r
body of a f i r s t color having a f i r s t r e f l e c t i v i t y and an i n s e r t of a
second l i n e a r body of a second color having a second r e f l e c t i v i t y
d i f f e r e n t from the f i r s t r e f l e c t i v i t y ,
wherein the control s e c t i o n is adapted t o perform the f i r s t
adjustment processing such t h a t a n output value corresponding t o the
f i r s t s i g n a l of when the f i r s t l i n e a r body or the second l i n e a r body
is arranged i n the yarn path is a p r e s e t f i r s t reference output value,
and
the control s e c t i o n is adapted t o perform the second adjustment
processing s u c h t h a t a d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n a n o u t p u t value corresponding
t o the second s i g n a l when the f i r s t l i n e a r body is arranged i n the yarn
path and an output value corresponding t o the second s i g n a l when the
second l i n e a r body is arranged i n the yarn path is a p r e s e t second
reference output v a l u e .
8. A yarn winding machine comprising:
the yarn d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g device according t o any one of claim
1 through claim 7, and
awinding device arrangeddownstreamofthe y a r n d e f e c t d e t e c t i n g
device i n a t r a v e l l i n g d i r e c t i o n of the yarn and adapted t o wind the
yarn.
9. A method for detecting yarn defects comprising:
projecting light in a first direction to a yarn path where
a yarn travels with a detecting section including a first light
projecting section and receiving this light with a first light
receiving section arranged facing the first light projecting section
in the first direction with the yarn path therebetween and a second
light receiving section arranged at a position different from the
first light receiving section,
amplifying a detection signal of a first light projected
by the first light projecting section and received by the first light
receiving section by a first amplifying section for generating and
outputting a first signal,
amplifying a detection signal of a second light projected
by the first light projecting sectionandreceivedbythe second light
receiving section by a second amplifying section for generating and
outputting a second signal,
a first adjustment processing adjusting an amplification
F
factor in the first amplifying section in accordance with the first
signal and determining the amplification factor in the first
amplifying section, and
a secondadjustmentprocessingadjustingthe amplification
factor in the second amplifying section in accordance with the second
signal while controlling the first light projecting section to emit
light according to a control value by a control section when the
amplification factor in the first amplifying section is determined.
10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising
arranging a second light projecting section in the detecting section
facing the second light receiving section in a second direction
different from the first direction with the yarn path therebetween
and projecting light in the second direction to the yarn path,
amplifying the detection signal of the first light
projected by the first light projecting section and received by the
first light receiving section, and amplifying a detection signal of
a third light projected by the second light projecting section and
@ received by the second light receiving section by the first amplifying
section, and generating and outputting a first signal by adding the
amplified detection signal of the first light and the amplified
detection signal of the third light, and
amplifying the detection signal of the second light
projected by the first light projecting section and received by the
second light receiving section, and amplifying a detection signal
of a fourth light projected by the second light projecting section
and received by the first light receiving section by the second
amplifying section and generating and outputting a second signal by
adding the amplified detection signal of the second light and the
1 amplified detection signal of ~ the fourth light.
11. The method according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein
the control section is adapted to perform a zero-point correction
of an output value corresponding tothe detection signal ofthe first
light received by the first light receiving section by adjusting the
controlvalue for light-emissionofthe f i r s t l i g h t p r o j e c t i n g s e c t i o n ,
and then performs the first adjustment processing.
12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the control
section performs a zero-point correction of at least one of an output
value corresponding to the detection signal of the first light
received by the first light receiving section and an output value
corresponding to the detection signal of the third light received
by the second light receiving section by adjusting the control value
for light-emission of at least one of the first light projecting
section and the second light projecting section, and then performs
the first adjustment processing.
13. Themethodaccordingtoanyoneofclaim9throughclaim
12, wherein the control section performs a zero-point correction of
an output value corresponding to the detection signal of the second
light received by the second light receiving section by a bias
adjustment, and then performs the second adjustment processing.
0
1 4 . The method according t o any one of claim 10 through
claim12, w h e r e i n t h e c o n t r o l sectionperforms a zero-point correction
of a n o u t p u t value c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o t h e d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l o f t h e second
l i g h t r e c e i v e d b y t h e second l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n and/or an output
value corresponding t o the d e t e c t i o n s i g n a l of the fourth s i g n a l
received by the f i r s t l i g h t receiving s e c t i o n by a b i a s adjustment,
and then performs the second adjustment processing.
15. Themethodaccordingtoanyoneofclaim9throughclaim
1 4 , wherein a space including the yarn path i n the d e t e c t i n g section
a f i r s t l i n e a r body of a f i r s t color having a f i r s t r e f l e c t i v i t y is
i n s e r t e d and then an i n s e r t o f a second l i n e a r body of a second color
having a second r e f l e c t i v i t y d i f f e r e n t from the f i r s t r e f l e c t i v i t y
is i n s e r t e d ,
wherein the c o n t r o l s e c t i o n performs the f i r s t adjustment
processingsuchthatanoutputvalue c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o t h e first s i g n a l
when the f i r s t l i n e a r body or the second l i n e a r body is arranged i n
the yarn path is used as a p r e s e t f i r s t reference output value, and
then
the c o n t r o l s e c t i o n performs the second adjustment
processing such t h a t a d i f f e r e n c e between a n output value
corresponding t o the second s i g n a l when the f i r s t l i n e a r body is
arranged i n the yarn path and an output value corresponding t o the
second s i g n a l when t h e second l i n e a r body is arranged i n the yarn
path is used as a p r e s e t second reference output v a l u e .