Claims:I/We claim:

1. A method of processing yarn performed on a yarn processing device (70) that includes
a first sucking section (73) that sucks a yarn from a yarn feeding bobbin (11A) at a position above the yarn feeding bobbin (11A);
a switching section (75) that switches between opening and closing of an air passage by the first sucking section (73) from the yarn feeding bobbin (11A);
a cutting section (76) that performs a cutting operation to cut the yarn that has been sucked by the first sucking section (73);
a holding section (79Aa, 102a) capable of moving toward or away from the yarn feeding bobbin (11A) and pressing a part of the yarn that is being sucked by the first sucking section (73) onto the yarn feeding bobbin (11A) by contacting the yarn feeding bobbin (11A);
a second sucking section (87) connected to a downward side or a lower part of a winding tube (12) of the yarn feeding bobbin (11A) and capable of suction pulling the yarn inside the winding tube (12) from an upper end of the winding tube (12); and
a controlling section (23) that controls the first sucking section (73), the switching section (75), the cutting section (76), the holding section (79Aa, 102a), and the second sucking section (87), the method comprising:
the controlling section (23) switching the switching section (75) to open the air passage so that the first sucking section (73) starts sucking the yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin (11A); and
the controlling section (23), upon determining that a predetermined time has elapsed after the first sucking section (73) has started sucking the yarn, causing the holding section (79Aa, 102a) to move toward and contact the yarn feeding bobbin (11A).

2. The method of processing yarn as claimed in Claim 1, wherein
the yarn processing device (70) includes a detecting section (73F) that detects whether the yarn has been sucked by the first sucking section (73), and
the method comprising, after the holding section (79Aa, 102a) has started a moving operation, the controlling section (23) switching the cutting operation of the cutting section (76) based on a detection result obtained in the detecting section (73F).

3. The method of processing yarn as claimed in Claim 2, comprising the controlling section (23) setting the predetermined time based on the detection result obtained in the detecting section (73F), wherein
the controlling section (23) causes the holding section (79Aa, 102a) to move based on the predetermined time set by the controlling section (23).

4. The method of processing yarn as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, comprising an input section (22) inputting the predetermined time, wherein
the controlling section (23) causes the holding section (79Aa, 102a) to move based on the predetermined time input by the input section (22).

5. A yarn processing device (70) comprising:
a first sucking section (73) that sucks a yarn from a yarn feeding bobbin (11A) at a position above the yarn feeding bobbin (11A);
a switching section (75) that switches between opening and closing of an air passage by the first sucking section (73) from the yarn feeding bobbin (11A);
a cutting section (76) that performs a cutting operation to cut the yarn that has been sucked by the first sucking section (73);
a holding section (79Aa, 102a) capable of moving toward or away from the yarn feeding bobbin (11A) and pressing a part of the yarn that is being sucked by the first sucking section (73) onto the yarn feeding bobbin (11A) by contacting the yarn feeding bobbin (11A);
a second sucking section (87) connected to a downward side or a lower part of a winding tube (12) of the yarn feeding bobbin (11A) and capable of suction pulling the yarn inside the winding tube (12) from an upper end of the winding tube (12); and
a controlling section (23) that controls the first sucking section (73), the switching section (75), the cutting section (76), the holding section (79Aa, 102a), and the second sucking section (87), characterized in that:
the controlling section (23) switches the switching section (75) to the suction mode so that the first sucking section (73) starts sucking the yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin (11A); and
the controlling section (23), upon determining that a predetermined time has elapsed after the first sucking section (73) has started sucking the yarn, causes the holding section (79Aa, 102a) to move toward and contact the yarn feeding bobbin (11A).
, Description:BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of processing yarn and a yarn processing device.

2. Description of the Related Art
A yarn wound on a yarn feeding bobbin in a spinning machine or the like is once unwound and wound again to form a package in a yarn winding machine of an automatic winder. In order to make it possible for the yarn winding machine to perform the winding processing to form the package after unwinding the yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin, it is common to perform a yarn-end pre-processing on a yarn end of the unwound yarn so that the yarn end is in a predetermined shape.
One such yarn-end pre-processing has been disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-193435. In this yarn-end pre-processing, the yarn end is first wound around an upper end of the yarn feeding bobbin for a predetermined number of turns, and then the yarn end is inserted into a winding tube of the yarn feeding bobbin.
In a conventional method of the yarn-end processing, the yarn end is pulled from the yarn feeding bobbin by applying a sucking force on the yarn layer thereof, the amount of the pulled yarn is detected by using a sensor, and when it is determined that a predetermined amount of the yarn has been pulled, to prevent further pulling of the yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin, an operation of a lever that presses the yarn against the yarn feeding bobbin is started. Thus, in the conventional method of processing the yarn, the yarn is continuously pulled from the yarn feeding bobbin from a time point at which the sensor detects the yarn end to a time point at which the lever presses the yarn against the yarn feeding bobbin. A part longer than a predetermined length of such continuously pulled yarn is cut and disadvantageously treated as waste yarn.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide a method of processing yarn and a yarn processing device that can reduce the amount of waste yarn.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of processing yarn is performed on a yarn processing device that includes a first sucking section that sucks a yarn from a yarn feeding bobbin at a position above the yarn feeding bobbin; a switching section that switches between opening and closing of an air passage by the first sucking section from the yarn feeding bobbin; a cutting section that performs a cutting operation to cut the yarn that has been sucked by the first sucking section; a holding section capable of moving toward or away from the yarn feeding bobbin and pressing a part of the yarn that is being sucked by the first sucking section onto the yarn feeding bobbin by contacting the yarn feeding bobbin; a second sucking section connected to a downward side or a lower part of a winding tube of the yarn feeding bobbin and capable of suction pulling the yarn inside the winding tube from an upper end of the winding tube; and a controlling section that controls the first sucking section, the switching section, the cutting section, the holding section, and the second sucking section. The method includes the controlling section switching the switching section to open the air passage so that the first sucking section starts sucking the yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin; and the controlling section, upon determining that a predetermined time has elapsed after the first sucking section has started sucking the yarn, causing the holding section to move toward and contact the yarn feeding bobbin.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a yarn processing device includes a first sucking section that sucks a yarn from a yarn feeding bobbin at a position above the yarn feeding bobbin; a switching section that switches between opening and closing of an air passage by the first sucking section from the yarn feeding bobbin; a cutting section that performs a cutting operation to cut the yarn that has been sucked by the first sucking section; a holding section capable of moving toward or away from the yarn feeding bobbin and pressing a part of the yarn that is being sucked by the first sucking section onto the yarn feeding bobbin by contacting the yarn feeding bobbin; a second sucking section connected to a downward side or a lower part of a winding tube of the yarn feeding bobbin and capable of suction pulling the yarn inside the winding tube from an upper end of the winding tube; and a controlling section that controls the first sucking section, the switching section, the cutting section, the holding section, and the second sucking section. The controlling section switches the switching section to the suction mode so that the first sucking section starts sucking the yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin; and the controlling section, upon determining that a predetermined time has elapsed after the first sucking section has started sucking the yarn, causes the holding section to move toward and contact the yarn feeding bobbin.
The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a yarn winding system including a yarn processing device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an automatic winder included in the yarn winding system shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a winder unit included in the automatic winder shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a transport tray transported in the automatic winder shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a winding tube mounted on the transport tray.
FIG. 4C is a perspective view of a yarn feeding bobbin mounted on the transport tray.
FIG. 4D is a perspective view of a finished yarn feeding bobbin mounted on the transport tray.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the yarn processing device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the yarn processing device when viewed from an upstream side in a transport direction of the yarn feeding bobbin.
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the yarn winding system.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a yarn processing performed by the yarn processing device.
FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining the yarn processing performed by the yarn processing device.
FIG. 9B is another diagram for explaining the yarn processing performed by the yarn processing device.
FIG. 9C is still another diagram for explaining the yarn processing performed by the yarn processing device.
FIG. 9D is still another diagram for explaining the yarn processing performed by the yarn processing device.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an upper holding lever of the yarn processing device according to another embodiment.
FIG. 11A is a diagram showing a state in which an upper holding lever is in contact with the yarn feeding bobbin.
FIG. 11B is a diagram showing a state in which the upper holding lever of FIG. 10 is in contact with the yarn feeding bobbin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or similar elements will be denoted by the same reference symbols and a redundant description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 1, a yarn winding system 1 includes an automatic winder 3, a bobbin transporting device 5, a bobbin supplying device 51, a yarn-end processing device 53, and a bobbin removing device 55.
The automatic winder 3 is a device that pulls a yarn Y from a finished yarn feeding bobbin 11B to form a package P. In the finished yarn feeding bobbin 11B, the yarn Y has been wound around a winding tube 12, and a yarn end Y1 has been inserted in a winding-tube inner part 12c of the winding tube 12 (see FIG. 4D). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic winder 3 includes an end frame 20, a plurality of (for example, 24) winder units (yarn winding machines) 30, and a doffing cart 45. The end frame 20 has a display unit 21 such as a display, an operation unit (input section) 22 such as input keys, and a machine control unit 23 that controls the operation of the automatic winder 3. The display unit 21 displays the operating status and the like of each winder unit 30. The operation unit 22 is used by the operator to set the operating conditions of each winder unit 30 and the yarn processing conditions of a yarn processing device 70.
The machine control unit (controlling section according to the present invention) 23 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory ROM), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The machine control unit 23 executes various control processing in the automatic winder 3 and the yarn processing device 70. Such various control processing are performed, for example, by loading onto the RAM a computer program stored in the ROM and executing the computer program with the CPU. In the present embodiment, there is one feature in the yarn processing control of the yarn processing device 70 performed by the machine control unit 23.
As shown in FIG. 7, the machine control unit 23 controls a bobbin detecting sensor 89, a yarn detecting sensor (detecting section) 73F, a movable-shutter driving unit 75D, a cylinder driving unit 77D, a lever driving unit 79D, a lever driving unit 81B, a nozzle driving unit 85B, and a suction-shutter driving unit 87D. The machine control unit 23 can receive a reverse rotation amount of the finished yarn feeding bobbin 11B during the yarn processing control via the operation unit 22. The machine control unit 23 performs a separation processing on an upper holding lever 79A (see FIG. 5) based on the reverse rotation amount input from the operation unit 22.
The winder units 30 are arranged in one direction as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Each winder unit 30 unwinds the yarn Y from the finished yarn feeding bobbin 11B shown in FIG. 4D to form the package P. As shown in FIG. 3, the winder unit 30 includes a winding device 31, a tension applying device 32, a yarn monitoring device 33, an upper-yarn capturing device 34, a lower-yarn capturing device 35, a yarn joining device 36, and a unit controller 40 (see FIG. 2).
The winding device 31 includes a cradle 31a and a winding drum 31b. The cradle 31a supports the package P. The winding drum 31b rotates the package P while traversing the yarn Y. As a result, the yarn Y is once unwound from the finished yarn feeding bobbin 11B set in a predetermined position, and the yarn Y is wound again thereby forming the package P. The tension applying device 32 applies a predetermined tension to the yarn Y when the yarn Y is running from the finished yarn feeding bobbin 11B to the package P.
The yarn monitoring device 33 monitors the running yarn Y to detect a yarn defect (abnormal thickness of the yarn Y, contamination of the yarn Y with a foreign substance, or the like). When the yarn defect is detected, the yarn Y is cut by a dedicated cutter. In the event that the yarn Y is cut, the upper-yarn capturing device 34 captures the yarn end of the yarn Y on the package P side and guides the same to the yarn joining device 36, and the lower-yarn capturing device 35 captures the yarn end of the yarn Y on the finished yarn feeding bobbin 11B side and guides the same to the yarn joining device 36. The yarn joining device 36 joins the yarn ends guided by the upper-yarn capturing device 34 and the lower-yarn capturing device 35.
The unit controller 40 shown in FIG. 2 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The unit controller 40 performs various control processing in the winder unit 30. Such various control processing are performed, for example, by loading a computer program stored in the ROM onto the RAM and executing the computer program with the CPU.
The doffing cart 45 is movable along the direction (one direction) in which the winder units 30 have been arranged. The doffing cart 45 performs a package removal operation in which a fully wound package P formed by the winder unit 30 is removed. The doffing cart 45 also performs a yarn hooking operation in which, after mounting a winding tube for winding the yarn Y, the yarn Y of the finished yarn feeding bobbin 11B is sandwiched between the winding tube and the cradle 31a (i.e., placing the yarn of the yarn feeding bobbin on the winding tube).
The bobbin transporting device 5 transports yarn feeding bobbins 11A (see FIG. 4C), the finished yarn feeding bobbins 11B (see FIG. 4D), and used bobbins 13 (see FIG. 4B) in a state in which these bobbins are mounted in a respective transport tray 9. The yarn feeding bobbin 11A is supplied from a spinning machine or the like of an upstream process and in which the yarn Y has been wound around the winding tube 12. The used bobbin 13 is the finished yarn feeding bobbin 11B from which some of or all the yarn Y wound thereon has been pulled and unwound by the winder unit 30. FIG. 4B shows the used bobbin 13 in a state in which all the yarn Y has been pulled and unwound from the finished yarn feeding bobbin 11B.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the transport tray 9 has a disc-shaped base member 91, a protruding member 92 protruding upward from the base member 91, and a pin 93 protruding further upward from the protruding member 92. The yarn feeding bobbin 11A, the finished yarn feeding bobbin 11B, and the used bobbin 13 are mounted on the transport tray 9 in such a manner that the pin 93 is inserted in a lower end 12a of the winding tube 12 and one end of the winding tube 12 faces upward. In other words, the transport tray 9 supports the yarn feeding bobbin 11A, the finished yarn feeding bobbin 11B, and the used bobbin 13 in an upright posture with the axial direction of the bobbins aligned in a vertical direction.
As shown in FIG. 1, the bobbin transporting device 5 includes a first transport unit 61 that constitutes a transport path of the finished yarn feeding bobbin 11B, a plurality of second transport units 62 that branch from the first transport unit 61, a plurality of third transport units 63 that constitutes a transport path of the used bobbin 13 and arranged downstream of the second transport units 62, a fourth transport unit 64 that connects the first transport unit 61 and the third transport units 63 to form a circuit path, and a fifth transport unit 65 that branches off from the fourth transport unit 64 at a location that is on a downstream side of the yarn-end processing device 53 described later and connects to the fourth transport unit 64 at a location that is on an upstream side of the bobbin removing device 55.
The first transport unit 61, the second transport units 62, and the third transport units 63 include a conveyor, a conveyor driving device, a path defining plate, and the like, for transporting the transport trays 9 along the transport path. Each of the fourth transport unit 64 and the fifth transport unit 65 includes a round belt, a belt driving device, a pulley, a path defining plate, and the like for transporting the transport tray 9 along these transport paths.
The bobbin supplying device 51 is arranged facing the transport path constituted by the fourth transport unit 64. The bobbin supplying device 51 supplies the yarn feeding bobbins 11A formed in the previous process, such as in the spinning machine, to the transport path constituted by the bobbin transporting device 5. That is, the bobbin supplying device 51 mounts the yarn feeding bobbins 11A on the transport trays 9 that are being transported by the fourth transport unit 64.
The yarn-end processing device 53 is arranged facing the transport path constituted by the fourth transport unit 64. The yarn-end processing device 53 includes a rotary cutter 53A that forms a yarn end Y1 in the yarn feeding bobbin 11A, a yarn-end separating device 53B that separates the yarn end Y1 from the surface of the yarn layer of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A, and the yarn processing device 70 that unwinds a part of the yarn end Y1 and forms the finished yarn feeding bobbin 11B by inserting the yarn end Y1 inside the winding-tube inner part 12c. The rotary cutter 53A, the yarn-end separating device 53B, and the yarn processing device 70 are arranged in this order from the upstream side along the transport path of the fourth transport unit 64.
The bobbin removing device 55 collects the used bobbin 13 transported by the bobbin transporting device 5. That is, the bobbin removing device 55 removes from the transport trays 9 the used bobbins 13 that are transported on the fourth transport unit 64 while being mounted on the transport trays 9. A determining device 55A is arranged on the upstream side of the bobbin removing device 55. The determining device 55A determines whether the yarn Y has been wound around the winding tube 12, that is, whether the winding tube 12 mounted on the transport tray 9 is the used bobbin 13. The used bobbins 13 discharged from the winder units 30 are transported to the bobbin removing device 55. Also, the yarn feeding bobbin 11A, after the failure of the yarn end processing in the yarn-end processing device 53, is transported via the fifth transport unit 65 to the bobbin removing device 55. The bobbin removing device 55 removes the bobbin from the transport tray 9 only when the result of the determination obtained in the determining device 55A indicates that the bobbin is the used bobbin 13.
As shown in FIG. 1, the yarn processing device 70 is arranged facing a predetermined position P1 of the fourth transport unit 64. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the yarn processing device 70 includes a housing 71, a first sucking device (first sucking section) 73, a shutter with cutter (switching section) 75, a elevating device 77, a holding device 79, a bobbin support device 81, a blowing device 85, a second sucking device (second sucking section) 87, and the bobbin detecting sensor 89.
The first sucking device 73 is a device that sucks the yarn end Y1 of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A in an upward direction. The first sucking device 73 includes a cylindrical member 73A arranged above the yarn feeding bobbin 11A that stops at the predetermined position P1 of the fourth transport unit 64, a telescopic bellows hose 73B connected to an upper part of the cylindrical member 73A, and a suction pipe 73C connected above the bellows hose 73B via the shutter with cutter 75 described in detail later. The suction pipe 73C is connected to an airflow generating source 73D that generates a suction airflow (sucking force) for sucking the yarn end Y1. The airflow generating source 73D is a blower that generates the suction airflow in the winder unit 30 provided inside the end frame 20. The first sucking device 73 and the winder unit 30 use a common blower. Of course, a blower dedicated to the first sucking device 73 may be provided separately. Opening/closing (with or without suction) of an air passage for the yarn Y in the cylindrical member 73A is switched based on a position of a movable shutter 75C described in detail later.
A guide 73E for guiding the sucked yarn end Y1 to a predetermined position is arranged inside the suction pipe 73c on an in-corner side of the bent portion of the suction pipe 73C. The guide 73E functions to stabilize the yarn path of the yarn end Y1. The yarn detecting sensor 73F for detecting the presence or absence of the yarn Y inside the suction pipe 73c is arranged near the suction pipe 73C. A signal output from the yarn detecting sensor 73F is sent to the machine control unit 23.
The shutter with cutter 75 is arranged between the bellows hose 73B and the suction pipe 73C. The shutter with cutter 75 cuts the yarn Y sucked by the first sucking device 73 halfway, and switches the opening/closing of the air passage in the cylindrical member 73A. The shutter with cutter 75 has an upper plate 75A, a lower plate 75B, and the movable shutter 75C. Further, a cutting section 76 (see FIG. 9C) for cutting the yarn Y is provided around the movable shutter 75C. The upper plate 75A and the lower plate 75B are arranged between the bellows hose 73B and the suction pipe 73C. A communication hole is formed in the upper plate 75A and the lower plate 75B so that the bellows hose 73B and the suction pipe 73C communicate with each other. The movable shutter 75C cuts the yarn Y passing through the communication hole with the cutting section 76, and shuts off the airflow while the yarn Y is in the cut state. The movable shutter 75C is operated by the movable-shutter driving unit 75D such as an actuator. The movable-shutter driving unit 75D is controlled by the machine control unit 23. The machine control unit 23 controls the movable-shutter driving unit 75D so that the cutting section 76 of the movable shutter 75C cuts the yarn Y.
The elevating device 77 is a device that makes the lower end of the cylindrical member 73A movable. The elevating device 77 has an arm 77A, a guide 77B, and a cylinder 77C. One end of the arm 77A is connected to the cylindrical member 73A and the other end thereof is fixed to a rod coupled to the cylinder 77C. The arm 77A is formed with a through hole. The guide 77B is held inside this through hole via a slide bearing or the like. The guide 77B is a rod-like member extending in the vertical direction. The guide 77B is inserted into the through hole formed in the arm 77A. The cylinder 77C is a mechanism for moving the arm 77A up and down along the guide 77B, and the arm 77A is connected to a tip of an extendable rod. The cylinder 77C is operated by the cylinder driving unit 77D such as an electromagnetic valve. The cylinder driving unit 77D is controlled by the machine control unit 23. The machine control unit 23 drives the cylinder driving unit 77D such that the cylinder 77C operates based on a signal output from the yarn detecting sensor 73F, for example.
The holding device 79 is a device that holds the yarn Y sucked by the first sucking device 73. The holding device 79 includes the upper holding lever 79A. The upper holding lever 79A holds the yarn Y unwound from the yarn layer of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A and sucked by the suction pipe 73C on a side surface of a winding-tube upper part 12b in the yarn feeding bobbin 11A. The upper holding lever 79A includes a holding part 79Aa that contacts the winding-tube upper part 12b and holds the yarn Y. The holding part 79Aa is formed integrally with the upper holding lever 79A by bending a part of the upper holding lever 79A.
The upper holding lever 79A is rotatably supported by a supporting part 71A that is fixed to the housing 71. The upper holding lever 79A causes the holding part 79Aa to contact the side surface of the winding-tube upper part 12b in the yarn feeding bobbin 11A, or separate from this side surface. The upper holding lever 79A is operated by the lever driving unit 79D such as an actuator. The lever driving unit 79D is controlled by the machine control unit 23. For example, the machine control unit 23 drives the lever driving unit 79D to cause the upper holding lever 79A to perform an approaching operation based on the signal output from the yarn detecting sensor 73F and to cause the upper holding lever 79A to perform a separating operation at a timing when the finished yarn-feeding bobbin 11B is reversely rotated.
When the yarn feeding bobbin 11A is yarn processed (particularly when the yarn Y of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A is unwound by the cylindrical member 73A), the bobbin support device 81 presses a lower part of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A where yarn Y has not been wound so as to prevent the yarn feeding bobbin 11A from unmounting from the transport tray 9. The bobbin support device 81 includes a lower holding lever 81A. The lower holding lever 81A is rotatably supported, and holds the yarn feeding bobbin 11A by contacting the lower part of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A. The lower holding lever 81A is operated by the lever driving unit 81B such as an actuator. The lever driving unit 81B is controlled by the machine control unit 23. The machine control unit 23 controls the lever driving unit 81B, for example, to hold the yarn feeding bobbin 11A at a timing when the bobbin detecting sensor 89 detects the yarn feeding bobbin 11A, and to release the hold of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A at a timing when the upper holding lever 79A completes the separating operation.
In the blowing device 85, blowing nozzles 85A are arranged on both sides of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A that stops at the predetermined position P1. Each blowing nozzle 85A blows compressed air obliquely upward and obliquely downward toward the yarn feeding bobbin 11A. With the blast air blown from the blowing nozzles 85A, for example, the yarn Y hanging down from the yarn layer of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A is blown up. The operation of blowing compressed air from the blowing nozzles 85A is controlled by the nozzle driving unit 85B. The nozzle driving unit 85B is controlled by the machine control unit 23. The machine control unit 23 controls the nozzle driving units 85B such that, for example, the compressed air is blown from the blowing nozzles 85A at a timing at which the bobbin detecting sensor 89 detects the yarn feeding bobbin 11A.
The second sucking device 87 is a device that, when the yarn Y is cut by the cutting section 76 of the movable shutter 75C, pulls the yarn end Y1 of the cut yarn Y into the winding-tube inner part 12c of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A. The second sucking device 87 includes a suction pipe 87A and a suction shutter 87B. The suction pipe 87A is connected to an airflow generating source 87C such as a blower that generates an airflow for sucking the yarn Y. An upper end opening of the suction pipe 87A faces a center of the lower surface of the transport tray 9 on which the yarn feeding bobbin 11A stopped at the predetermined position P1 has been mounted. The suction shutter 87B is operated by the suction-shutter driving unit 87D such as an actuator. The suction-shutter driving unit 87D is controlled by the machine control unit 23. The machine control unit 23 controls the suction-shutter driving unit 87D, for example, such that the yarn Y can be sucked at a timing at which the shutter with cutter 75 operates and the yarn Y is cut by the cutting section 76.
The bobbin detecting sensor 89 detects the presence or absence of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A (transport tray 9) that stops at the predetermined position P1 of the fourth transport unit 64. The signal output from the bobbin detecting sensor 89 is sent to the machine control unit 23.
Next, an operation (method of processing yarn) performed by the yarn processing device 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9A to 9D. When the yarn feeding bobbin 11A is transported to the predetermined position P1 with respect to the yarn processing device 70, the transport tray 9 is held by a not shown stopper. As shown in FIG. 8, the machine control unit 23 determines whether the yarn feeding bobbin 11A is detected by the bobbin detecting sensor 89 (Step S01). If the machine control unit 23 determines that the yarn feeding bobbin 11A is not detected by the bobbin detecting sensor 89 (Step S01: NO), the process ends.
If it is determined that the yarn feeding bobbin 11A is detected by the bobbin detecting sensor 89 (Step S01: YES), the machine control unit 23 operates the lower holding lever 81A (Step S02). Specifically, the machine control unit 23 controls the lever driving unit 81B such that the lower holding lever 81A contacts the lower part of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A. Accordingly, the lower part of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A is held by the lower holding lever 81A.
Next, the machine control unit 23 operates the blowing device 85 (Step S03). Specifically, the machine control unit 23 controls the nozzle driving units 85B so as to blow compressed air from the blowing nozzles 85A. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9A, the blowing nozzles 85A starts blowing the compressed air because of which the yarn Y is blown in the upward direction from the yarn feeding bobbin 11A.
Further, when the yarn feeding bobbin 11A is transported to the predetermined position P1 with respect to the yarn processing device 70, the machine control unit 23 operates the movable shutter 75C (Step S04). Specifically, the machine control unit 23 controls the movable-shutter driving unit 75D so that the movable shutter 75C moves to a passage opening position. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9A, the suction pipe 73C and the cylindrical member 73A communicate with each other via the shutter with cutter 75 and the bellows hose 73B, and the suction airflow acts on the cylindrical member 73A. As a result, an upward suction airflow acts on a peripheral surface of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A, and the yarn end Y1 blown in the upward direction by the blowing nozzles 85A is sucked toward the suction pipe 73C.
Subsequently, the machine control unit 23 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the operation of the movable shutter 75C (Step S05). When the movable shutter 75C starts operating means, for example, when the machine control unit 23 outputs a signal instructing the movable-shutter driving unit 75D to move the movable shutter 75C to the passage opening position. The predetermined time is set, for example, from 10 msec to 200 msec. The predetermined time is a time after the movable shutter 75C is opened and the suction airflow acts on the yarn Y, until the sucked yarn end Y1 can reach the position at which the sucked yarn end Y1 is detected by the yarn detecting sensor 73F. The predetermined time is appropriately set based on the type (count) of yarn Y or the like. It is preferable to set the predetermined time to a time for which the length of the yarn end Y1 cut by the cutting section 76 of the movable shutter 75C becomes shortest while detecting the yarn end Y1 by the yarn detecting sensor 73F. The predetermined time may be set by an operator, or may be set (changed or adjusted) automatically by the machine control unit 23.
When the predetermined time is to be set by the operator, the operator performs tests by setting and changing the predetermined time, and finds out the appropriate predetermined time. The operator inputs the set predetermined time to the machine control unit 23 by using the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 1). The machine control unit 23 acquires the predetermined time input from the operation unit 22. When the machine control unit 23 is to automatically set the predetermined time, for example, first, the predetermined time is set longer (for example, 200 msec), and the predetermined time is gradually reduced. The machine control unit 23 sets a predetermined time based on the detection result of the yarn detecting sensor 73F. Specifically, the machine control unit 23 sets the predetermined time based on whether detection is performed by the yarn detecting sensor 73F (failure rate) in the set predetermined time.
Upon determining that the predetermined time has elapsed (Step S05: YES), the machine control unit 23 operates the upper holding lever 79A (Step S06). Specifically, the machine control unit 23 controls a lever driving unit 79D so that the upper holding lever 79A moves and contacts (performs the approaching operation) the winding-tube upper part 12b of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9B, the upper holding lever 79A contacts the winding-tube upper part 12b of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A, and the yarn Y is pressed against the winding-tube upper part 12b by the upper holding lever 79A. As a result, the yarn Y can not be pulled from the yarn feeding bobbin 11A. If the machine control unit 23 does not determine that the predetermined time has elapsed (Step S05: NO), the machine control unit 23 repeats the process of Step S05.
After operating the upper holding lever 79A, the machine control unit 23 determines based on the detection result obtained in the yarn detecting sensor 73F whether the yarn end Y1 has been detected (Step S07). Upon determining that the yarn end Y1 has been detected by the yarn detecting sensor 73F (Step S07: YES), the machine control unit 23 operates the suction shutter 87B (Step S08). Specifically, the machine control unit 23 controls the suction-shutter driving unit 87D so that the suction shutter 87B opens. Thus, a downward suction airflow acts in the winding-tube inner part 12c. Upon determining that the yarn end Y1 is not detected by the yarn detecting sensor 73F (Step S07: NO), the machine control unit 23 moves the upper holding lever 79A away, and repeats the method of processing yarn. At this time, by using the elevating device 77, the cylindrical member 73A is moved up and down to improve the success rate of pulling the yarn end Y1.
The machine control unit 23 operates the movable shutter 75C simultaneously with the operation of the suction shutter 87B (Step S09). Specifically, the machine control unit 23 controls the movable-shutter driving unit 75D so that the movable shutter 75C moves to a passage closing position. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9C, the yarn Y is cut by the cutting section 76 of the movable shutter 75C. At the same time, the lower end of the suction pipe 73C is closed by the movable shutter 75C, and the suction airflow in the cylindrical member 73A is shut off. As shown in FIG. 9D, the yarn end Y1 of the yarn Y cut by the cutting section 76 is sucked into the winding-tube inner part 12c of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A by the suction airflow of the suction pipe 87A.
Subsequently, the machine control unit 23 operates the suction shutter 87B (Step S10). Specifically, the machine control unit 23 controls the suction-shutter driving unit 87D to close the suction shutter 87B. As a result, the suction airflow in the suction pipe 87A is shut off. Next, the machine control unit 23 operates the upper holding lever 79A (Step S11). Specifically, the machine control unit 23 controls the lever driving unit 79D so that the upper holding lever 79A moves and separates (performs the separating operation) from the winding-tube upper part 12b of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A. As a result, the upper holding lever 79A separates from the yarn feeding bobbin 11A and returns to the standby position.
Further, the machine control unit 23 operates the lower holding lever 81A (Step S12). Specifically, the machine control unit 23 controls the lever driving unit 81B so that the lower holding lever 81A is separated from the yarn feeding bobbin 11A. As a result, the hold on the yarn feeding bobbin 11A by the lower holding lever 81A is released. In addition, the stopper that has stopped and held the transport tray 9 moves to a standby position. As a result, the transport tray 9 that had stopped at the predetermined position P1 starts moving. That is, the finished yarn feeding bobbin 11B is supplied to the winder unit 30.
In the process of Step S07, if the yarn end Y1 is not detected by the yarn detecting sensor 73F for a certain period of time or more, the following process is performed. Specifically, the machine control unit 23 controls the lever driving unit 79D so that the upper holding lever 79A performs the separating operation. As a result, the upper holding lever 79A separates from the yarn feeding bobbin 11A and returns to the standby position. Next, the machine control unit 23 operates the cylinder 77C. This causes the cylindrical member 73A to descend as the arm 77A is moved downward. As the cylindrical member 73A descends, upward suction airflow acts on the peripheral surface of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A.
Subsequently, when the yarn detecting sensor 73F detects that the yarn Y has been sucked into the suction pipe 73C, the machine control unit 23 operates the suction shutter 87B. Further, the machine control unit 23 operates the cylinder 77C to move the cylindrical member 73A to a standby position. When the cylindrical member 73A returns to the standby position, the machine control unit 23 operates the upper holding lever 79A. As a result, the upper holding lever 79A contacts the winding-tube upper part 12b of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A, and the yarn Y is held on the winding-tube upper part 12b by the upper holding lever 79A.
Next, the machine control unit 23 operates the movable shutter 75C. Specifically, the machine control unit 23 controls the movable-shutter driving unit 75D so that the movable shutter 75C moves to the passage closing position. As a result, the yarn Y is cut by the cutting section 76 of the movable shutter 75C. At the same time, the lower end of the suction pipe 73C is closed by the movable shutter 75C, and the suction airflow in the cylindrical member 73A is shut off. The yarn end Y1 of the yarn Y cut by the cutting section 76 is sucked into the winding-tube inner part 12c of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A by the suction airflow of the suction pipe 87A.
Subsequently, the machine control unit 23 operates the suction shutter 87B. Specifically, the machine control unit 23 controls the suction-shutter driving unit 87D to close the suction shutter 87B. As a result, the suction airflow in the suction pipe 87A is shut off. Next, the machine control unit 23 operates the upper holding lever 79A. Specifically, the machine control unit 23 controls the lever driving unit 79D so that the upper holding lever 79A moves and separates (performs the separating operation) from the winding-tube upper part 12b of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A. As a result, the upper holding lever 79A separates from the yarn feeding bobbin 11A and returns to the standby position.
Further, the machine control unit 23 operates the lower holding lever 81A. Specifically, the machine control unit 23 controls the lever driving unit 81B to separate the lower holding lever 81A from the yarn feeding bobbin 11A. As a result, the hold on the yarn feeding bobbin 11A by the lower holding lever 81A is released. Also, the stopper that has stopped and held the transport tray 9 moves to the standby position. As a result, the transport tray 9 that had stopped at the predetermined position P1 starts moving. That is, the finished yarn feeding bobbin 11B is supplied to the winder unit 30.
As described above, in the method of processing yarn performed on the yarn processing device 70 according to the present embodiment, after the movable shutter 75C opens and starts suction in the first sucking device 73, when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed in this state, the movement of the upper holding lever 79A is started and the upper holding lever 79A and the yarn feeding bobbin 11A are caused to contact each other. As described above, in the method of processing yarn, after the pulling of the yarn Y from the yarn feeding bobbin 11A is started, the upper holding lever 79A is operated after elapse of the predetermined time to contact the yarn feeding bobbin 11A. By doing so, it is possible to stop the pulling of the yarn Y from the yarn feeding bobbin 11A at an appropriate timing at which the predetermined length of the yarn Y is secured. As a result, in the method of processing yarn, the length of the yarn Y sucked by the first sucking device 73 can be shortened as compared with the case where the movement of the upper holding lever 79A is started soon after detecting the yarn Y. Therefore, in the method of processing yarn, the length of the yarn Y that is cut by the cutting section 76 of the movable shutter 75C and discarded can be shortened. Therefore, in the method of processing yarn, the amount of waste yarn can be reduced.
The yarn processing device 70 according to the present embodiment includes the yarn detecting sensor 73F that detects the yarn end Y1 of the yarn Y sucked by the first sucking device 73. In the method of processing yarn, after the movement of the upper holding lever 79A is started, the movement of the movable shutter 75C is switched based on the detection result of the yarn detecting sensor 73F. In this method, because the yarn Y can be cut by the cutting section 76 of the movable shutter 75C when the yarn Y is detected by the yarn detecting sensor 73F, the yarn Y having a predetermined length that can be inserted into the winding-tube inner part 12c of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A can be reliably secured.
In the method of processing yarn performed on the yarn processing device 70 according to the present embodiment, it is allowable that the machine control unit 23 sets the predetermined time based on the detection result obtained in the yarn detecting sensor 73F, and the upper holding lever 79A can be operated based on the predetermined time set by the machine control unit 23. In this method, since the predetermined time is set based on the detection result of the yarn detecting sensor 73F, it is possible to reliably secure the yarn end Y1 of the predetermined length that can be inserted into the winding-tube inner part 12c of the yarn feeding bobbin 11A.
In the method of processing yarn performed on the yarn processing device 70 according to the present embodiment, it is allowable to acquire the predetermined time input from the operation unit 22, and operate the upper holding lever 79A based on the acquired predetermined time. In this method, the predetermined time can be appropriately set by the operator or the like.
In the yarn processing device 70 according to the present embodiment, the yarn detecting sensor 73F is arranged downstream of the movable shutter 75C in the suction airflow in the suction pipe 73C. In the finished yarn feeding bobbin 11B, the length of the yarn end Y1 needs to be secured to the predetermined length or more in order to reliably capture the yarn end Y1 in the winder unit 30. In order to secure the length of the yarn end Y1 in the finished yarn feeding bobbin 11B, it is necessary to pull the yarn Y having the predetermined length or more from the yarn feeding bobbin 11A in the suction pipe 73C. Therefore, it is necessary that the yarn detecting sensor 73F is arranged at a position where the yarn end Y1 of the yarn Y pulled for the predetermined length or more can be detected. In such a configuration, waste yarn is inevitably generated. Therefore, the method of processing yarn according to the present embodiment is particularly effective when the yarn processing device 70 has such a configuration.
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
In the above embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, an example in which the upper holding lever 79A has the holding part 79Aa has been described as an example. However, the structure of the upper holding lever is not limited to this. For example, a structure shown in FIG. 10 can be adopted. As shown in FIG. 10, an upper holding lever 100 includes a main body 102 and a cover 104. The main body 102 has a holding part 102a. The cover 104 has a concave part 104a.
As shown in FIG. 11A, in the upper holding lever 79A, when the holding part 79Aa contacts the winding-tube upper part 12b of the winding tube 12, the opening of the winding tube 12 is open. As shown in FIG. 11B, in the case of the upper holding lever 100, when the holding part 102a of the main body 102 contacts the winding-tube upper part 12b of the winding tube 12, a part of the opening of the winding tube 12 is covered and blocked by the concave part 104a of the cover 104. As a result, the area of the opening of the winding tube 12 is reduced, so that suction airflow acting on the opening can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to surely cause the yarn end Y1 to be sucked into the winding-tube inner part 12c.
In the above embodiments, an example in which the yarn processing control in the yarn processing device 70 is executed by the machine control unit 23 has been described. However, the yarn processing device 70 may be configured to have its own control unit, or the yarn processing control may be executed by a device connected to the yarn processing device 70 by wire or wirelessly.
In the above embodiments, a yarn removing device that removes all the yarn Y from the winding tube 12 discharged from the winder unit 30 to make the winding tube 12 without yarn Y can be arranged.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of processing yarn is performed on a yarn processing device that includes a first sucking section that sucks a yarn from a yarn feeding bobbin at a position above the yarn feeding bobbin; a switching section that switches between opening and closing of an air passage by the first sucking section from the yarn feeding bobbin; a cutting section that performs a cutting operation to cut the yarn that has been sucked by the first sucking section; a holding section capable of moving toward or away from the yarn feeding bobbin and pressing a part of the yarn that is being sucked by the first sucking section onto the yarn feeding bobbin by contacting the yarn feeding bobbin; a second sucking section connected to a downward side or a lower part of a winding tube of the yarn feeding bobbin and capable of suction pulling the yarn inside the winding tube from an upper end of the winding tube; and a controlling section that controls the first sucking section, the switching section, the cutting section, the holding section, and the second sucking section. The method includes the controlling section switching the switching section to open the air passage so that the first sucking section starts sucking the yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin; and the controlling section, upon determining that a predetermined time has elapsed after the first sucking section has started sucking the yarn, causing the holding section to move toward and contact the yarn feeding bobbin.
In the method of processing yarn according to one aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed after the first sucking section has started suction, the movement of the holding section is started so that the holding section contacts the yarn feeding bobbin. As described above, in the method of processing yarn, after the pulling of the yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin is started, the holding section is moved after elapse of the predetermined time to cause the holding section contact the yarn feeding bobbin. By doing so, it is possible to stop the pulling of the yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin at an appropriate timing at which the predetermined length of the yarn is secured. As a result, in the method of processing yarn, the length of the yarn sucked by the first sucking section can be shortened as compared with the case where the movement of the holding section is started soon after detecting the yarn. Therefore, in the method of processing yarn, the length of the yarn that is cut by the cutting section and discarded can be shortened. Therefore, in the method of processing yarn, the amount of waste yarn can be reduced.
In the above method of processing yarn, the yarn processing device includes a detecting section that detects whether the yarn has been sucked by the first sucking section. The method includes, after the holding section has started a moving operation, the controlling section switching the cutting operation of the cutting section based on a detection result obtained in the detecting section. In this method, because the yarn can be cut by the cutting section when the yarn is detected by the detecting section, the yarn having the predetermined length that can be inserted into the winding tube of the yarn feeding bobbin can be reliably secured.
The above method of processing yarn includes the controlling section setting the predetermined time based on the detection result obtained in the detecting section. In this case, the controlling section causes the holding section to move based on the predetermined time set by the controlling section. In this method, since the predetermined time is set based on the detection result, it is possible to reliably secure the yarn of the predetermined length that can be inserted into the winding tube of the yarn feeding bobbin.
The above method of processing yarn includes an input section inputting the predetermined time. In this case, the controlling section causes the holding section to move based on the predetermined time input by the input section. In this method, the predetermined time can be appropriately set by the operator or the like.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a yarn processing device includes a first sucking section that sucks a yarn from a yarn feeding bobbin at a position above the yarn feeding bobbin; a switching section that switches between opening and closing of an air passage by the first sucking section from the yarn feeding bobbin; a cutting section that performs a cutting operation to cut the yarn that has been sucked by the first sucking section; a holding section capable of moving toward or away from the yarn feeding bobbin and pressing a part of the yarn that is being sucked by the first sucking section onto the yarn feeding bobbin by contacting the yarn feeding bobbin; a second sucking section connected to a downward side or a lower part of a winding tube of the yarn feeding bobbin and capable of suction pulling the yarn inside the winding tube from an upper end of the winding tube; and a controlling section that controls the first sucking section, the switching section, the cutting section, the holding section, and the second sucking section. The controlling section switches the switching section to the suction mode so that the first sucking section starts sucking the yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin; and the controlling section, upon determining that a predetermined time has elapsed after the first sucking section has started sucking the yarn, causes the holding section to move toward and contact the yarn feeding bobbin.
In the yarn processing device according to another aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed after the first sucking section has started suction, the movement of the holding section is started so that the holding section contacts the yarn feeding bobbin. As described above, in the yarn processing device, after the pulling of the yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin is started, the holding section is moved after elapse of the predetermined time to cause the holding section contact the yarn feeding bobbin. By doing so, it is possible to stop the pulling of the yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin at an appropriate timing at which the predetermined length of the yarn is secured. As a result, in the yarn processing device, the length of the yarn sucked by the first sucking section can be shortened as compared with the case where the movement of the holding section is started soon after detecting the yarn. Therefore, in the yarn processing device, the length of the yarn that is cut by the cutting section and discarded can be shortened. Therefore, in the yarn processing device, the amount of waste yarn can be reduced.
Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, the amount of waste yarn can be reduced.
In the above explanation, the meaning of "a plurality of" also includes "a predetermined number of".
Although the invention has been explained with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the scope of the claims.