BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field 5 of the Invention
The present invention relates to a yarn processing
predicting device, a yarn processing device, and a yarn
processing prediction method each for predicting yarn
processing.
10
2. Description of the Related Art
!0002! For example, a management device of a pneumatic
spinning machine adapted to spin a yarn by air has a clearing
simulation function to output a simulation result in a case
15 of cutting and removing a yarn defect. The clearing
simulation function is a function in which a removal number
of the yarn defects to be cut and removed is predicted based
on collected distribution data indicating a yarn state and
a clearing setting set by an operator and in which a
20 prediction result is displayed. The clearing setting is
a condition to cut and remove the yarn defect included in
the yarn.
By changing the clearing setting, the operator can
confirm a post-change prediction value of the removal
25 number of the yarn defects to be cut and removed. With this
function, the operator can find an appropriate clearing
setting at the time of starting spinning of a yarn with a
new lot setting, for example. A pneumatic spinning device
having such a clearing simulation function is described,
30 for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.
2007-211363.
3 / 50
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a clearing simulation function described in
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-211363,
when changing the clearing setting, only a post-5 change
prediction result of the removal number of the yarn defects
to be removed is displayed, and making a determination
whether or not the clearing setting after the setting change
is appropriate was difficult.
10 An object of various aspects of the present invention
is to provide a yarn processing predicting device, a yarn
processing device, and a yarn processing prediction method
that enable a determination whether or not the clearing
setting after the setting change is appropriate to be easily
15 made, and a period of time to achieve an appropriate
clearing setting to be reduced.
A first aspect of the present invention is a yarn
processing predicting device adapted to predict yarn
processing that includes an acquiring section, an input
20 section, a generating section, and an output section. The
acquiring section is adapted to acquire distribution data
indicating a yarn state. The input section is for inputting
clearing settings, which are conditions to cut and remove
a yarn defect included in a yarn. The generating section
25 is adapted to generate prediction results relating to the
yarn processing based on the distribution data and the
clearing settings. The output section is adapted to output
the prediction results generated by the generating section.
The output section is adapted to simultaneously output a
30 first of the prediction results generated based on a first
of the clearing settings, which has been input in the input
4 / 50
section and is a newest, and a second of the prediction
results generated based on a second of the clearing settings
input before the first of the prediction results is
generated.
Accordingly, an operator can simultaneously stud5 y
the first of the prediction results generated based on the
first of the clearing settings, which has been input in the
input section and is the newest, and the second of the
prediction results generated based on the previously input
10 of the second of the clearing settings. Therefore, a
determination whether or not the clearing setting after the
setting change is appropriate can be easily made.
Furthermore, since the prediction results before and after
the setting can be simultaneously studied, a period of time
15 to achieve an appropriate clearing setting can be reduced.
A second aspect of the present invention is a yarn
processing predicting device adapted to predict yarn
processing that includes an acquiring section, an input
section, a generating section, and an output section. The
20 acquiring section is adapted to acquire distribution data
indicating a yarn state. The input section is for inputting
clearing settings, which are conditions to cut and remove
a yarn defect included in a yarn. The generating section
is adapted to generate prediction results relating to the
25 yarn processing based on the distribution data and the
clearing settings. The output section is adapted to output
next to each other, a first of the prediction results
generated based on a first of the clearing settings, which
has been input in the input section and is a newest, and
30 a second of the prediction results generated based on a
second of the clearing settings input before the first of
5 / 50
the prediction results is generated.
Accordingly, the operator can study the first of the
prediction results generated based on the first of the
clearing settings, which has been input in the input section
and is the newest, and the second of the prediction result5 s
generated based on the previously input of the second of
the clearing settings arranged next to each other.
Therefore, a determination whether or not the clearing
setting after the setting change is appropriate can be
10 easily made. Furthermore, since the prediction results
before and after the setting can be confirmed in the state
of being arranged next to each other, a period of time to
achieve an appropriate clearing setting can be reduced.
The output section may output a direction indicating
15 display, which indicates that a change is made from the
second of the prediction results to the first of the
prediction results, together with the first of the
prediction results and the second of the prediction results.
In this case, the operator can easily understand the
20 prediction results in terms of before and after the setting
change.
The output section may include a display section
having a display screen on which an input operation can be
accepted, and a display control section adapted to control
25 a display image displayed on the display section. The
display control section may display on the display section
together with the first of the prediction results and the
second of the prediction results, a cancel key for
cancelling the first of the clearing settings, and when the
30 input operation to the cancel key is performed, the display
control section may display on the display section, a
6 / 50
two-dimensional field of a yarn defect in the second of the
clearing settings. In this case, by performing the input
operation to the cancel key while viewing the first of the
prediction results and the second of the prediction results
that are displayed, the operator can select an 5 appropriate
prediction result. Furthermore, the operator can study
the two-dimensional field of the yarn defect according to
the selected prediction result.
The display control section may display on the
10 display section together with the first of the prediction
results and the second of the prediction results, an ok key
for accepting a setting change to the first of the clearing
settings, and when the input operation to the ok key is
performed, the display control section may display on the
15 display section, a two-dimensional field of a yarn defect
in the first of the clearing settings. In this case, by
performing the input operation to the ok key while viewing
the first of the prediction results and the second of the
prediction results that are displayed, the operator can
20 select an appropriate prediction result. Furthermore, the
operator can study the two-dimensional field of the yarn
defect according to the selected prediction result.
The output section may include a display section
having a display screen on which an input operation can be
25 accepted and a display control section adapted to control
a display image displayed on the display section. The
display control section may display on the display section
together with the first of the prediction results and the
second of the prediction results, an ok key for accepting
30 a setting change to the first of the clearing settings, and
when the input operation to the ok key is performed, the
7 / 50
display control section may display on the display section,
a two-dimensional field of a yarn defect in the first of
the clearing settings. In this case, by performing the
input operation to the ok key while viewing the first of
the prediction results and the second of the 5 prediction
results, the operator can select an appropriate prediction
result. Furthermore, the operator can study the
two-dimensional field of the yarn defect according to the
selected prediction result.
10 Before the input operation to the ok key or the cancel
key is performed, the display control section may display
on the display section, the two-dimensional field of the
yarn defect in the first of the clearing settings. In this
case, the operator can study the two-dimensional field of
15 the yarn defect in the first of the clearing settings even
at a previous step before performing the input operation
to the ok key or the cancel key, and can select an appropriate
prediction result while confirming the second
two-dimensional field.
20 Before the input operation to the ok key or the cancel
key is performed, the display control section may display
on the display section, the two-dimensional field of the
yarn defect in the second of the clearing settings. In this
case, when performing the input operation to the cancel key,
25 the operator can immediately study the two-dimensional
field of the yarn defect in the second of the clearing
settings before the setting change.
The output section may output the first of the
prediction results and one from among the second of the
30 prediction results. In this case, an amount of information
output from the output section can be minimal.
8 / 50
The output section may output the first of the
prediction results and two or more from among the second
of the prediction results. In this case, the operator can
study a plurality of the prediction results.
The prediction results may include a 5 removal number
of yarn defects to be cut and removed. In this case, the
operator can easily determine whether or not the clearing
setting after the setting change is appropriate while
studying the removal number of the yarn defects.
10 The removal number may include a removal number by
type of the yarn defects. In this case, the operator can
easily determine whether or not the clearing setting after
the setting change is appropriate while studying the
removal number by type of the yarn defects.
15 The removal number may include a removal number per
unit time. In this case, the operator can easily determine
whether or not the clearing setting after the setting change
is appropriate while studying the removal number of the yarn
defects per unit time.
20 The removal number may include a removal number per
unit length of the yarn. In this case, the operator can
easily determine whether or not the clearing setting after
the setting change is appropriate while studying the
removal number of the yarn defects per unit length of the
25 yarn.
The removal number may include a sum of the removal
numbers of the yarn defects in the whole range of the yarn
of which distribution data is acquired by the acquiring
section. In this case, the operator can study the sum of
30 the removal numbers of the yarn defects in the whole range
of the yarn.
9 / 50
The prediction results may include a prediction
result of an operation rate of the yarn processing. In this
case, the operator can easily determine whether or not the
clearing setting after the setting change is appropriate
while confirming the operation rate of the yarn 5 processing.
The yarn processing predicting device further
includes a specifying section adapted to specify one or a
plurality of spinning units for which the prediction
results are generated by the generating section. The
10 acquiring section is capable of acquiring the distribution
data on a plurality of yarns to be processed by the plurality
of yarn processing units each adapted to perform the yarn
processing. The generating section may generate the
prediction results based on the distribution data on a yarn
15 to be processed by the yarn processing unit specified by
the specifying section. In this case, the yarn processing
predicting device can output the prediction results on the
one or the plurality of spinning units specified.
A yarn processing device according to a third aspect
20 of the present invention includes the above-described yarn
processing predicting device and a plurality of yarn
processing units each adapted to perform yarn processing.
An acquiring section is adapted to acquire distribution
data on a yarn to be processed by the yarn processing unit.
25 With the yarn processing device, a determination can
be easily made whether or not the clearing setting after
the setting change is appropriate. Furthermore, a period
of time to achieve an appropriate clearing setting can be
reduced.
30 A fourth aspect of the present invention is a yarn
processing prediction method performed in a yarn processing
10 / 50
device adapted to predict yarn processing. The yarn
processing prediction method includes an acquiring step,
an input step, a generating step, and an output step. The
acquiring step is to acquire distribution data indicating
a yarn state. The input step is to accept an input 5 put of
clearing settings, which are conditions to cut and remove
a yarn defect included in a yarn. The generating step is
to generate prediction results relating to the yarn
processing based on the distribution data and the clearing
10 settings. The output step is to output the prediction
results generated in the generating step. In the output
step, a first of the prediction results generated based on
a first of the clearing settings, which has been accepted
in the input step and is a newest, and a second of the
15 prediction results generated based on a second of the
clearing settings accepted before the first of the
prediction results is generated are simultaneously output.
With the yarn processing prediction method, since the
prediction results before and after the setting change can
20 be simultaneously studied, a determination can be easily
made whether or not the clearing setting after the setting
change is appropriate. Furthermore, since the prediction
results before and after the setting change can be
simultaneously studied, a period of time to achieve an
25 appropriate clearing setting can be reduced.
A fifth aspect of the present invention is a yarn
processing prediction method performed in a yarn processing
device adapted to predict yarn processing. The yarn
processing prediction method includes an acquiring step,
30 an input step, a generating step, and an output step. The
acquiring step is to acquire distribution data indicating
11 / 50
a yarn state. The input step is to accept an input of
clearing settings, which are conditions to cut and remove
a yarn defect included in a yarn. The generating step is
to generate prediction results relating to the yarn
processing based on the distribution data and the cl5 earing
settings. The output step is to output the prediction
results generated in the generating step. In the output
step, a first of the prediction results generated based on
a first of the clearing settings, which has been accepted
10 in the input step and is a newest, and a second of the
prediction results generated based on a second of the
clearing settings accepted before the first of the
prediction results is generated are output next to each
other.
15 With the yarn processing prediction method, since the
prediction results before and after the setting change
arranged next to each other can be studied, a determination
whether or not the clearing setting after the setting change
is appropriate can be easily made. Furthermore, since the
20 prediction results before and after the setting change can
be studied in the state of being arranged next to each other,
a period of time to achieve an appropriate clearing setting
can be reduced.
25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a view illustrating a schematic structure
of a spinning machine;
Figure 2 is a side view illustrating a spinning unit
included in the spinning machine;
30 Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic
configuration of a control system of the spinning machine;
12 / 50
Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional
configuration of an overall control device adapted to
control the spinning machine;
Figure 5 is a view illustrating an example of an image
displayed 5 on a display section;
Figure 6 is a table illustrating an example of a
prediction result generated by a prediction section;
Figure 7 is a view illustrating an example of an image
displayed on the display section in a case where an
10 operation of changing a clearing setting has been
performed;
Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating a flow of
processing performed by the overall control device in the
case where the operation of changing the clearing setting
15 has been performed;
Figure 9 is a view illustrating another example of
the image displayed on the display section in the case where
the operation of changing the clearing setting has been
performed;
20 Figure 10 shows tables illustrating an example of a
prediction result displayed on the display section in the
case where the operation of changing the clearing setting
has been performed;
Figure 11 is a table illustrating another example of
25 the prediction result displayed on the display section in
the case where the operation of changing the clearing
setting has been performed; and
Figure 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a
connection relationship between a plurality of the spinning
30 machines and a yarn processing predicting device adapted
to perform a clearing simulation function.
13 / 50
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
An embodiment of the present invention will be
hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying
drawings. The same reference numerals are used for the 5 same
elements throughout description of the drawings, and
redundant description will be omitted. In the present
description, “upstream” and “downstream” respectively
indicate upstream and downstream in a traveling direction
10 of a yarn at the time of spinning.
A spinning machine (yarn processing device) 1
illustrated in Fig. 1 includes a plurality of spinning units
(yarn processing units) 2 arranged side by side, a yarn
joining vehicle 3, an overall control device (a yarn
15 processing predicting device) 50, a motor box 5, and a
blower box 80. Operations of each section of the spinning
machine 1 are controlled by the overall control device 50.
The blower box 80 accommodates a negative pressure source
(a blower) adapted to generate suction flow in each section
20 of the spinning unit 2, and the like. The motor box 5
accommodates a motor adapted to supply power to each section
of the spinning unit 2, and the like. In a factory where
the spinning machine 1 is installed, an operator passage
extending along an arrangement direction in which the
25 spinning units 2 are arranged is provided on a side of a
yarn path of a spun yarn 10 with respect to the yarn joining
vehicle 3. An operator performs an operation, monitoring,
or the like of each of the spinning units 2 from the operator
passage.
30 As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, each spinning unit
2 includes a draft device 7, a pneumatic spinning device
14 / 50
9, a yarn accumulating device 12, a waxing device 14, and
a winding device 13 in this order from upstream to
downstream.
The draft device 7 is provided in proximity to an upper
end of a housing 6 of the spinning machine 1 in a 5 machine
height direction of the spinning machine 1. A fiber bundle
8 (see Fig. 2) fed from the draft device 7 is spun by the
pneumatic spinning device 9. After the spun yarn 10 fed
from the pneumatic spinning device 9 has passed a yarn
10 monitoring device 52, the spun yarn 10 is fed further
downstream by the yarn accumulating device 12, and wax is
applied to the spun yarn 10 by the waxing device 14. Then,
the spun yarn 10 is wound by the winding device 13, and
thereby a package 45 is formed.
15 The draft device 7 is adapted to produce the fiber
bundle 8 by drafting a sliver 15. As illustrated in Fig.
2, the draft device 7 includes four pairs of rollers, which
are a pair of back rollers 16, a pair of third rollers 17,
a pair of middle rollers 19 provided with an apron belt 18,
20 and a pair of front rollers 20. Bottom rollers of each pair
of rollers 16, 17, 19, and 20 are driven by power from the
motor box 5 or a drive source (not illustrated) individually
provided. Each pair of rollers 16, 17, 19, and 20 is
respectively driven at rotation speeds that are different
25 from one another. As a result, the sliver 15 supplied from
upstream is drafted into the fiber bundle 8 by each pair
of rollers 16, 17, 19, and 20, and the fiber bundle 8 is
fed to the pneumatic spinning device 9 located downstream.
The pneumatic spinning device 9 is adapted to add
30 twists to the fiber bundle 8 by use of whirling airflow to
produce the spun yarn 10. Although detailed description
15 / 50
and drawings are omitted, the pneumatic spinning device 9
includes a fiber guiding section, a whirling flow
generating nozzle, and a hollow guide shaft body. The fiber
guiding section is adapted to guide the fiber bundle 8 fed
from the draft device 7 to a spinning chamber formed insid5 e
the pneumatic spinning device 9. The whirling flow
generating nozzle is arranged around a path of the fiber
bundle 8 and is adapted to generate the whirling flow in
the spinning chamber. With the whirling flow, a fiber end
10 of the fiber bundle 8 inside the spinning chamber is
inverted and whirled. The hollow guide shaft body is
adapted to guide the spun yarn 10 that has been produced
from the spinning chamber to outside the pneumatic spinning
device 9.
15 The yarn accumulating device 12 is provided
downstream of the pneumatic spinning device 9. The yarn
accumulating device 12 has a drawing function, a slackening
preventing function, and a tension adjusting function.
The drawing function is a function to draw the spun yarn
20 10 from the pneumatic spinning device 9 by applying a
predetermined tension to the spun yarn 10. The slackening
preventing function is a function to prevent the spun yarn
10 from slackening by accumulating the spun yarn 10 fed from
the pneumatic spinning device 9, for example, at the time
25 of a yarn joining operation by the yarn joining vehicle 3.
The tension adjusting function is a function to adjust
tension such that variation in tension on a side of the
winding device 13 does not propagate to a side of the
pneumatic spinning device 9. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the
30 yarn accumulating device 12 includes a yarn accumulating
roller 21, a yarn hooking member 22, an upstream guide 23,
16 / 50
an electric motor 25, a downstream guide 26, and an
accumulation amount sensor 27.
The yarn hooking member 22 is adapted to be engaged
with the spun yarn 10 and to wind the spun yarn 10 around
an outer peripheral surface of the yarn accumulating 5 roller
21 by rotating integrally with the yarn accumulating roller
21 in a state of being engaged with the spun yarn 10.
The yarn accumulating roller 21 is adapted to
accumulate the spun yarn 10 by winding a predetermined
10 amount of the spun yarn 10 around the outer peripheral
surface thereof. The yarn accumulating roller 21 is
rotationally driven by the electric motor 25. The spun yarn
10 wound around the outer peripheral surface of the yarn
accumulating roller 21 is tightly wound around the yarn
15 accumulating roller 21 by rotation of the yarn accumulating
roller 21, and pulls a spun yarn 10 located upstream of the
yarn accumulating device 12. That is, by rotating the yarn
accumulating roller 21 with the spun yarn 10 wound around
the outer peripheral surface thereof at a predetermined
20 rotation speed, the yarn accumulating device 12 transports
the spun yarn 10 to downstream at a predetermined speed
while applying the predetermined tension to the spun yarn
10 and drawing the spun yarn 10 from the pneumatic spinning
device 9 at a predetermined speed.
25 The accumulation amount sensor 27 is adapted to
detect in a non-contact manner, an accumulation amount of
the spun yarn 10 wound around the yarn accumulating roller
21. The accumulation amount sensor 27 outputs an
accumulation amount signal indicating a detected
30 accumulation amount of the spun yarn 10 to the overall
control device 50.
17 / 50
The upstream guide 23 is arranged slightly upstream
of the yarn accumulating roller 21. The upstream guide 23
is adapted to appropriately guide the spun yarn 10 to the
outer peripheral surface of the accumulating roller 21.
The upstream guide 23 prevents twists of the spun yarn 5 arn 10
that propagate from the pneumatic spinning device 9 from
propagating to downstream of the upstream guide 23.
The yarn monitoring device 52 is provided at a
position on a front side of the housing 6 of the spinning
10 machine 1 (a side of the operator passage) and between the
pneumatic spinning device 9 and the yarn accumulating
device 12. The spun yarn 10 spun by the pneumatic spinning
device 9 passes the yarn monitoring device 52 before being
wound by the yarn accumulating device 12. The yarn
15 monitoring device 52 is adapted to detect a yarn state of
the spun yarn 10. The yarn state includes thickness of a
yarn. The yarn state can also include whether or not a
foreign substance is present. In other words, the yarn
monitoring device 52 can detect a foreign substance
20 included in the spun yarn 10.
A cutter 57 adapted to cut the spun yarn 10 upon
detection of a yarn defect is arranged upstream of the yarn
monitoring device 52. The cutter 57 may be omitted, and
the spun yarn 10 may be cut by stopping supply of air to
25 the pneumatic spinning device 9.
The waxing device 14 is provided downstream of the
yarn accumulating device 12. The waxing device 14 is
adapted to apply wax to the spun yarn 10 travelling from
the yarn accumulating device 12 to the winding device 13.
30 The winding device 13 includes a package holding
section 71, a winding drum 72, and a traverse device 75.
18 / 50
The package holding section 71 is a portion where the
package 45 is rotatably held, and includes a fixed portion
71a fixed to the housing 6 and a swinging portion 71b capable
of swinging forward and backward with respect to the fixed
portion 71a. The swinging portion 71b is 5 supported
swingably about a shaft 70 in the fixed portion 71a. The
swinging portion 71b is provided with a bobbin holder (not
illustrated) adapted to rotatably hold a bobbin 48 around
which the spun yarn 10 is wound.
10 The winding drum 72 is adapted to make contact with
an outer peripheral surface of the bobbin 48 or an outer
peripheral surface of the package 45 and to rotationally
drive the package 45. The traverse device 75 includes a
traverse guide 76 capable of being engaged with the spun
15 yarn 10. By driving the winding drum 72 with an electric
motor (not illustrated) while reciprocating the traverse
guide 76 with a drive means (not illustrated), the winding
device 13 rotates the package 45 being in contact with the
winding drum 72 while traversing the spun yarn 10, and thus
20 winds the spun yarn 10 around the package 45. The traverse
guide 76 of the traverse device 75 is commonly driven in
each spinning unit 2 by a shaft provided in common to the
plurality of spinning units 2.
Next, the yarn joining vehicle 3 will be described.
25 As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the yarn joining vehicle
3 is adapted to travel by wheels 42 on a rail 41 along the
arrangement direction of the spinning units 2 in a lower
portion of the housing 6 in which the draft device 7, the
pneumatic spinning device 9, and the like are arranged. The
30 yarn joining vehicle 3 includes a splicer 43, a suction pipe
44, and a suction mouth 46.
19 / 50
After a yarn breakage or a yarn cut has occurred in
a certain spinning unit 2, the yarn joining vehicle 3
travels to such a spinning unit 2 along the rail 41, and
stops. The suction pipe 44 sucks and catches a yarn end
fed from the pneumatic spinning device 9 and guides 5 the
caught yarn end to the splicer 43 while vertically swinging
with an axis as a center. The suction mouth 46 sucks and
catches a yarn end from the package 45 supported by the
winding device 13 and guides the caught yarn end to the
10 splicer 43 while vertically swinging with an axis as a
center. The splicer 43 performs a yarn joining operation
to join the guided yarn ends together.
Next, a control system of the spinning machine 1 will
be described. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the overall control
15 device 50 is adapted to issue an instruction to a unit
controller 29, a yarn joining vehicle controller 49, a
blower controller 89, and the like to control each section
of the spinning machine 1. The overall control device 50
is provided in the motor box 5, for example. The overall
20 control device 50 is connected to the unit controller 29,
the yarn joining vehicle controller 49, and the blower
controller 89 by a communication line L1. Data
communication is performed between the overall control
device 50 and the unit controller 29, the yarn joining
25 vehicle controller 49, and the blower controller 89 via the
communication line L1.
The plurality of spinning units 2 are separated into
groups of every predetermined number (four spindles, eight
spindles, or the like, for example). The unit controller
30 29 is provided to each group formed by the predetermined
number of the spinning units 2. The unit controller 29 is
20 / 50
adapted to control each of the predetermined number of the
spinning units 2 being under control thereof based on the
instruction from the overall control device 50. The unit
controller 29 is provided, for example, in proximity to the
spinning units 2 under control thereof. The 5 unit
controller 29 is connected to the yarn monitoring device
52 provided to each of the predetermined number of the
spinning units 2 under control thereof by a communication
line L2. Data communication is performed between the unit
10 controller 29 and the yarn monitoring device 52 via the
communication line L2. The unit controller 29 may also be
provided to each spinning unit 2 without separating the
spinning units 2 into groups.
The yarn joining vehicle controller 49 is adapted to
15 control travelling and yarn joining of the yarn joining
vehicle 3 based on an instruction from the overall control
device 50. The yarn joining vehicle controller 49 is
provided, for example, to the yarn joining vehicle 3. The
blower controller 89 is adapted to control the negative
20 pressure source and the like provided in the blower box 80
based on an instruction from the overall control device 50.
The blower controller 89 is provided, for example, in the
blower box 80.
The yarn monitoring device 52 provided to each
25 spinning unit 2 includes a detecting section 52a and a yarn
monitoring control section 52b. The detecting section 52a
is adapted to detect a temporal change in thickness of the
spun yarn 10 spun by the pneumatic spinning device 9. The
detecting section 52a is adapted to output waveform data
30 indicating the detected temporal change in the thickness
of the spun yarn 10 to the yarn monitoring control section
21 / 50
52b. Either of an optical monitoring device and a
capacitance monitoring device may be employed as the
detecting section 52a. The optical monitoring device
irradiates the spun yarn 10 with light and detects the
temporal change in yarn thickness by a change in an 5 amount
of received light. The capacitance monitoring device
causes the spun yarn 10 to pass through an electric field
and detects the temporal change in the yarn thickness (mass)
by a change in a capacitance.
10 The yarn monitoring control section 52b is adapted
to evaluate the input waveform data and to calculate a yarn
state of the spun yarn 10, that is, distribution data
indicating a length and a thickness of a yarn defect
included in the spun yarn 10. When a yarn defect to be cut
15 and removed is detected by the detecting section 52a and
the yarn defect is cut and removed by the cutter 57, the
yarn monitoring control section 52b outputs the
distribution data to the overall control device 50 via the
unit controller 29. Furthermore, the yarn monitoring
20 control section 52b outputs distribution data relating to
a remaining yarn defect not to be cut or removed to the
overall control device 50 via the unit controller 29 when
a predetermined amount of data is accumulated.
In such a manner, the overall control device 50
25 acquires the distribution data indicating the length and
the thickness of the yarn defect included in the spun yarn
10 as the yarn state from the yarn monitoring control
section 52b of the yarn monitoring device 52 provided to
each spinning unit 2. As described above, the yarn defect
30 acquired by the overall control device 50 includes not only
the yarn defect to be cut and removed, but also the remaining
22 / 50
yarn defect.
Next, the overall control device 50 will be described
in detail. The overall control device 50 controls the
plurality of spinning units 2 such that the spun yarn 10
is produced by the pneumatic spinning device 9 and is 5 wound
by the winding device 13. The overall control device 50
has a clearing simulation function in which a simulation
result in a case of cutting and removing the yarn defect
is output. The clearing simulation function performed in
10 the overall control device 50 and the like will be
hereinafter described.
The clearing simulation function is a function to
predict a removal number of the yarn defects to be cut and
removed based on the distribution data indicating the yarn
15 state and a clearing setting set by the operator, and to
display the predicted removal number. The clearing
setting is a condition to cut and remove the yarn defect
included in a yarn. By inputting the clearing setting, the
operator can confirm a prediction value of the removal
20 number of the yarn defects in such a clearing setting.
Furthermore, by changing the clearing setting, the operator
can confirm a prediction value of the removal number of the
yarn defects in the clearing setting after the change.
Display of a prediction result and the like by the clearing
25 simulation function is performed by use of a display section
(an output section, a yarn processing predicting device)
100 provided to the motor box 5.
As illustrated in Fig. 4, the overall control device
50 functionally includes an acquiring section 501, a
30 storage section 502, an operation accepting section 503,
a two-dimensional field generating section 504, a
23 / 50
predicting section (a generating section) 505, and an image
generating section (a display control section, an output
section) 506. The acquiring section 501 is adapted to
acquire the distribution data output from the yarn
monitoring control section 52b provided to each 5 spinning
unit 2. The storage section 502 is adapted to store the
distribution data acquired by the acquiring section 501 for
every spinning unit 2.
The operation accepting section 503 is adapted to
10 accept various types of input operations performed via the
display section 100. The display section 100 is provided
with a display screen 110 on which the input operations by
pressing or touching are accepted. The operator can
perform the various types of the input operations, for
15 example, by pressing a key displayed on the display screen
110. The operation accepting section 503 accepts an input
operation of the clearing setting, an input operation of
a cancel key, an input operation of an ok key, an input
operation to specify a spinning unit 2, or the like.
20 An image illustrated in Fig. 5 is displayed as an
example on the display screen 110. Specifically, as
illustrated in Fig. 5, a range specify key (a specifying
section) A, a clearing setting input key (an input section)
B, a two-dimensional field C, and a clear key E are displayed
25 on the display screen 110. The image illustrated in Fig.
5 is an image before an input operation to change the
clearing setting is performed.
The range specify key A is a key to specify one or
a plurality of spinning units 2 for which the prediction
30 result is generated by a predicting section 505. By
performing an input operation to the range specify key A
24 / 50
displayed on the display screen 110, the operator can
specify one or a plurality of spinning units 2 for which
the two-dimensional field, the prediction result, and the
like are generated, of the plurality of spinning units
(spindles) 2 provided to the spinning machine 1. In 5 other
words, the range specify key A is a key to specify a range
of the spinning units 2 intended for the clearing
simulation.
The clearing setting input key B is a key to input
10 the clearing setting, which is a condition to cut and remove
the yarn defect included in the spun yarn 10. The operator
can input the clearing setting by performing an input
operation to the clearing setting input key B displayed on
the display screen 110.
15 The clearing setting can be performed by type of the
yarn defect. In the present embodiment, a setting can be
made for a nep (NEP), a slub (S), a short thick yarn (L),
a long thick yarn (LL), a short thin yarn (T), and a long
thin yarn (TT) as the type of the yarn defect. For example,
20 for the nep, a ratio with respect to the thickness as a
reference can be set. For the slub, the short thick yarn,
the long thick yarn, the short thin yarn, and the long this
yarn, a ratio with respect to the thickness as a reference
and a length of the yarn defect can be set. The clearing
25 setting input key B includes a key (not illustrated) to
specify a range of a class cut in a case of performing the
class cut. The class cut is referred to as a performance
to cut and remove a yarn defect corresponding to a
predetermined region in a case where a two-dimensional
30 field C, which is to be described later, is divided into
a plurality of regions (classes) based on thickness and
25 / 50
length. The type of the yarn defect is not limited to the
above-exemplified types.
The two-dimensional field C is generated by the
two-dimensional field generating section 504. The
two-dimensional field C is formed with the length of 5 the
yarn defect as a horizontal axis and the thickness of the
yarn defect as a vertical axis, and displays the yarn defect
as a dot on a coordinate thereof. The two-dimensional field
generating section 504 determines a position of a dot on
10 the two-dimensional field C based on a length and a
thickness indicated by the distribution data. In Fig. 5,
in the two-dimensional field C, a black square dot and a
hollow round dot respectively indicate a yarn defect to be
cut and removed and a remaining yarn defect not to be cut
15 or removed. Furthermore, in the two-dimensional field C,
a clearing limit C10 set via the clearing setting input key
B is displayed. The clearing limit C10 is a boundary of
whether or not the yarn defect is cut and removed. Yarn
defects located on a side of a reference thickness (a
20 horizontal axis indicating that the yarn thickness is 100 %)
of the spun yarn 10 with respect to the clearing limit C10
are the yarn defect not to be cut or removed (the hollow
round dot), and yarn defects located on a side away from
the reference thickness (the horizontal axis indicating
25 that the yarn thickness is 100 %) of the spun yarn 10 with
respect to the clearing limit C10 are the yarn defects to
be cut and removed (the black square dot).
In the present embodiment, the clearing limit C10 is
formed, as an example, of a boundary line C11 being a
30 boundary of cut and removal of the nep, a boundary line C12
being a boundary of cut and removal of the slub, a boundary
26 / 50
line C13 being a boundary of cut and removal of the short
thick yarn, a boundary line C14 being a boundary of cut and
removal of the long thick yarn, a boundary line C15 being
a boundary of cut and removal of the short thin yarn, and
a boundary line C16 being a boundary of cut and removal 5 val of
the long thin yarn. The clearing limit C10 changes a shape
and a position thereof according to a set condition input
in the clearing setting input key B.
In the two-dimensional field C illustrated in Fig.
10 5, a yarn defect corresponding to a region C20 specified
as a region for the class cut is to be cut and removed. The
yarn defect corresponding to the region C20 is indicated
by the black square dot. By displaying such a
two-dimensional field C on the display screen 110, the
15 operator can confirm a distribution status or the like of
the yarn defect to be cut and removed.
The clear key E is a key to clear the distribution
data and the like stored in the storage section 502. By
operating an input operation to the clear key E, for example,
20 in a case where a lot setting at the time of spinning a yarn
is changed, the operator can clear the distribution data
stored in the storage section 502. The distribution data
and the like stored in the storage section 502 may be
automatically cleared when the lot setting is changed.
25 Referring back to Fig. 4, the two-dimensional field
generating section 504 is adapted to generate the
two-dimensional field C (see Fig. 5). More specifically,
the two-dimensional field generating section 504 acquires
distribution data of past 100 km from each latest
30 distribution data of the spinning units 2 specified by use
of the range specify key A, of the distribution data of the
27 / 50
spun yarn 10 stored in the storage section 502. The
acquired distribution data is not limited to data of the
past 100 km. The distribution data may be shorter than 100
km, which is, for example, immediately after spinning of
the spun yarn 10 is started. Furthermore, 5 the
two-dimensional field generating section 504 acquires the
clearing setting accepted by the operation accepting
section 503. Then, the two-dimensional field generating
section 504 generates the two-dimensional field C
10 indicating a distribution state of a yarn defect in a case
of determining the yarn defect based on the acquired
clearing setting.
The predicting section 505 is adapted to generate a
prediction result D. The prediction result D is a table
15 including the removal number of the yarn defects to be cut
and removed, and the like, and is displayed on the display
screen 110. In Fig. 6, one example of the prediction result
D is illustrated. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the prediction
result D indicates the removal number of the yarn defects
20 to be cut and removed by type of the yarn defect. The
removal number of the yarn defects is indicated as a removal
number per unit length of the yarn (/100 km), a removal
number per unit time (/h), and a sum of the removal numbers.
In the present embodiment, the removal number per unit
25 length of the yarn is a number in a case of predicting the
removal number of the yarn defects to be cut and removed
based on the distribution data of the past 100 km of the
spun yarn 10 from the latest (current) distribution data.
The removal number per unit time is a number in a case of
30 predicting the removal number based on distribution data
of a past one hour from time of the latest (current)
28 / 50
distribution data.
The sum of the removal numbers is a sum of the yarn
defects to be cut and removed in all range of the spun yarn
10 of which distribution data is acquired by the acquiring
section 501. As the length of the spun yarn 10 5 to be
produced by spinning is longer, the sum of the removal
numbers increases. The sum of the removal numbers may be
reset, for example, in a case where an input operation to
the clear key E is performed.
10 The prediction result D includes a removal number of
the yarn defects to be cut and removed in the case of
performing the class cut. Furthermore, the prediction
result D includes a prediction result of an operation rate
of yarn processing. The operation rate is a rate of an
15 operating time in a case where cut and removal are performed
based on the set clearing setting when an operating time
in a case where the cut and removal of the yarn defect are
not performed is set as 100 %. The operating time is a
period of time in which the spun yarn 10 is actually produced
20 and wound. By displaying such a prediction result D on the
display screen 110, the operator can confirm a difference
in the removal number of every yarn defect due to a
difference in the clearing setting. The operator can also
confirm a difference in the operation rate due to the
25 difference in the clearing setting.
To generate the prediction result D, the predicting
section 505 first acquires from the storage section 502,
the distribution data used when the two-dimensional field
generating section 504 generates the two-dimensional field
30 C. Furthermore, the predicting section 505 acquires the
clearing setting accepted by the operation accepting
29 / 50
section 503.
The predicting section 505 calculates per unit length
of the yarn, per unit time, and for every sum of the removed
numbers, the removal number of the yarn defects to be
removed by type of the yarn defect in the case of 5 determining
the yarn defect based on the acquired clearing setting and
the removal number of the yarn defects to be removed in the
case of performing the class cut. The predicting section
505 also calculates the prediction result of the operation
10 rate of the yarn processing. The predicting section 505
generates the prediction result D illustrated in Fig. 6 by
use of the calculated removal numbers, the operation rate,
and the like. A timing in which the prediction result D
is displayed on the display screen 110 will be described
15 later.
An image generating section 506 is adapted to display
the two-dimensional field C generated by the
two-dimensional field generating section 504 on the display
screen 110. In the case where the change operation of the
20 clearing setting is performed by the operator, the image
generating section 506 causes also the prediction result
D generated by the predicting section 505 based on a changed
clearing setting to pop up on the display screen 110.
Processing of each section and an example of a display
25 image on the display screen 110 in a case where a change
operation of the clearing setting is performed by the
operator will be hereinafter described.
When the change operation of the clearing setting is
accepted by the operation accepting section 503, the
30 two-dimensional field generating section 504 generates the
two-dimensional field C after the setting change. More
30 / 50
specifically, the two-dimensional field generating section
504 generates the two-dimensional field C after the setting
change based on distribution data used when generating the
two-dimensional field C before the setting change and the
clearing 5 setting after the setting change.
Furthermore, when the change operation of the
clearing setting is accepted by the operation accepting
section 503, the predicting section 505 generates a
prediction result (a second prediction result) DX before
10 the setting change and a prediction result (a first
prediction result) D after the setting change. More
specifically, the predicting section 505 generates the
prediction result DX before the setting change based on the
distribution data used when generating the two-dimensional
15 field C displayed on the display screen 110 before the
change operation of the clearing setting is performed and
the clearing setting before the setting change. A timing
to generate the prediction result DX before the setting
change is not limited to after the change operation of the
20 clearing setting is performed, and may be generated before
the change operation is performed. The predicting section
505 also generates the prediction result D after the setting
change based on the distribution data used when generating
the two-dimensional field C displayed on the display screen
25 110 before the change operation of the clearing setting is
performed and the clearing setting after the setting
change.
When the change operation of the clearing setting is
accepted by the operation accepting section 503, as
30 illustrated in Fig. 7, the image generating section 506
displays on the display screen 110, the two-dimensional
31 / 50
field C after the setting change that is generated by the
two-dimensional field generating section 504. Fig. 7
illustrates as a change of the clearing setting, a case
where a setting value (300 %) of a thickness of a NEP
illustrated in Fig. 5 is changed to 350 % (see the 5 clearing
setting input key B). Accordingly, a position of the
boundary line C11 being the boundary of cut and removal of
the nep before the setting change is changed.
The image generating section 506 causes the
10 prediction result D before the setting change generated by
the predicting section 505 (a reference numeral for a
prediction result before the setting change is conveniently
denoted by “DX” in Fig. 7) and the prediction result D after
the setting change generated by the predicting section 505
15 to pop up side by side in a part of a region (an upper-right
region in an example of Fig. 7) of the two-dimensional field
C after the setting change.
The image generating section 506
simultaneously displays the prediction result DX before the
20 setting change and the prediction result D after the setting
change side by side such that the operator can
simultaneously confirm the both. For example, even if a
timing to display the prediction result DX before the
setting change and a timing to display the prediction result
25 D after the setting change are different, the two prediction
results DX and D are merely required to be simultaneously
displayed at a certain timing. In Fig. 6, the prediction
results DX and D are displayed side by side in a horizontal
direction, but an arrangement direction is not limited
30 thereto.
Furthermore, the image generating section 506
32 / 50
displays between the prediction result DX before the
setting change and the prediction result D after the setting
change on the display screen 110, an arrow (direction
indicating display) F that indicates the prediction result
after the setting change. Other than the arrow F, 5 another
mark or the like that is capable of indicating a direction
of the change may be employed.
When the clearing setting is changed by the operator,
as illustrated in Fig. 7, the two-dimensional field C after
10 the setting change, the prediction result DX before the
setting change, and the prediction result D after the
setting change are displayed on the display screen 110.
Accordingly, the operator can easily determine whether to
change the clearing setting or not while confirming the
15 two-dimensional field C after the setting change, the
prediction result DX before the setting change, and the
prediction result D after the setting change that are
displayed on the display screen 110. Furthermore, when the
prediction result D after the setting change, and the like
20 are displayed, the arrow F is also displayed. Consequently,
when changing the clearing setting, the operator can easily
recognize which is the prediction result D after the setting
change of the two prediction results DX and D displayed on
the display screen 110.
25 The image generating section 506 displays an ok key
G and a cancel key H in proximity to the prediction results
DX and D on the display screen 110. The ok key G is a key
to accept the clearing setting after the setting change.
The cancel key H is a key to cancel the clearing setting
30 after the setting change.
The operator performs an input operation to the ok
33 / 50
key G or the cancel key H while studying the prediction
results DX and D before and after the setting change, and
the like that are displayed in a pop-up manner on the display
screen 110. When the input operation to the ok key G is
accepted by the operation accepting section 503, the 5 image
generating section 506 keeps displaying the
two-dimensional field C after the setting change on the
display screen 110, and clears the pop-up display of the
prediction results DX and D. Accordingly, the operator can
10 easily study the two-dimensional field C after the setting
change. In a spinning operation after the setting change,
the overall control device 50 controls each section of the
spinning unit 2 such that the yarn defect of the spun yarn
10 is cut and removed based on the clearing setting after
15 the setting change.
On the other hand, when the input operation to the
cancel key H is accepted by the operation accepting section
503, the image generating section 506 again displays the
two-dimensional field C before the setting change on the
20 display screen 110 and clears the pop-up display of the
prediction results DX and D (that is, the display screen
returns to a state of a display screen illustrated in Fig.
5). When the input operation to the cancel key H is
performed, the overall control device 50 maintains the
25 current clearing setting.
The overall control device 50 is physically formed
by a computer including, for example, a CPU (Central
Processing Unit), an ROM (Read Only Memory), and an RAM
(Random Access Memory).
30 Next, a flow of processing (a yarn processing
prediction method) when the overall control device 50
34 / 50
performs the clearing simulation function will be described.
Processing after the input operation of changing the
clearing setting is performed by the operator will be
hereinafter described. As illustrated in Fig. 8, the
operation accepting section 503 accepts the input 5 operation
of changing the clearing setting performed by the operator
who operates the clearing setting input key B displayed on
the display screen 110 (step S101: input step).
The two-dimensional field generating section 504
10 acquires the distribution data and the clearing setting
after the change accepted by the operation accepting
section 503, and generates the two-dimensional field C
after the setting change based on the distribution data and
the clearing setting after the change (step S102). The
15 predicting section 505 generates the prediction result DX
before the setting change based on the distribution data
and the clearing setting before the setting change. In
addition, the predicting section 505 acquires the
distribution data and the clearing setting after the change
20 accepted by the operation accepting section 503, and
generates the prediction result D after the setting change
based on the distribution data and the clearing setting
after the change (step S103: acquiring step, generating
step). As illustrated in Fig. 7, the image generating
25 section 506 displays the two-dimensional field C after the
setting change, the prediction result DX before the setting
change, the prediction result D after the setting change,
and the like on the display screen 110 (step S104).
Next, the image generating section 506
30 determines whether or not an input operation to the ok key
G has been performed (step S105). In a case where the input
35 / 50
operation to the ok key G has been performed (step S105:
YES), the image generating section 506 maintains the
display of the two-dimensional field C after the setting
change, and clears the pop-up display of the prediction
5 results DX and D.
On the other hand, in a case where the input operation
to the ok key G has not been performed (step S105: NO), the
image generating section 506 determines whether or not an
input operation to the cancel key H has been performed (step
10 S106). In a case where the input operation to the cancel
key H has not been performed (step S106: NO), the image
generating section 506 returns to processing of step S105.
In a case where the input operation to the cancel key H has
been performed (step S106: YES), the image generating
15 section 506 clears the pop-up display of the prediction
results DX and D and displays the two-dimensional field C
before the setting change on the display screen 110 (step
S107: output step).
The present embodiment is configured as described
20 above, and when the change operation of the clearing setting
is performed to execute the clearing simulation function,
as illustrated in Fig. 7, the prediction result DX before
the setting change and the prediction result D after the
setting change are simultaneously displayed side by side
25 on the display screen 110. Accordingly, the operator can
simultaneously study the prediction result DX before the
setting change and the prediction result D after the setting
change arranged side by side. A determination thus can be
easily made whether the clearing setting after the setting
30 change is appropriate or not. Furthermore, since the
prediction results DX and D before and after the setting
36 / 50
change can be simultaneously studied in a state of being
arranged side by side, a period of time to achieve an
appropriate clearing setting can be reduced.
In a case of displaying the prediction result DX
before the setting change and the prediction result D 5 after
the setting change, the arrow F is displayed on the display
screen 110. Accordingly, the operator can easily
recognize the prediction results DX and D in terms of before
and after the setting change.
10 In the case of displaying the prediction result DX
before the setting change and the prediction result D after
the setting change, the cancel key H to cancel the
prediction result D after the setting change is displayed
on the display screen 110. In this case, the operator can
15 select an appropriate prediction result by performing an
input operation to the cancel key H while viewing the
prediction result DX before the setting change and the
prediction result D after the setting change that are
displayed. When the input operation to the cancel key H
20 is performed, the two-dimensional field C before the
setting change is displayed on the display screen 110.
Accordingly, the operator can study the two-dimensional
field C of the yarn defect according to the selected
prediction result.
25 In the case of displaying the prediction result DX
before the setting change and the prediction result D after
the setting change, the ok key G to accept the prediction
result D after the setting change is displayed on the
display screen 110. In this case, the operator can select
30 an appropriate prediction result by performing an input
operation to the ok key G while viewing the prediction
37 / 50
result DX before the setting change and the prediction
result D after the setting change that are displayed. When
the input operation to the ok key G is performed, the
two-dimensional field C after the setting change is
displayed on the display screen 110. Accordingly, 5 y, the
operator can study the two-dimensional field C of the yarn
defect according to the selected prediction result.
Before the input operation to the cancel key H is
performed, the image generating section 506 displays the
10 two-dimensional field C after the setting change on the
display screen 110. In this case, the operator can study
the two-dimensional field C after changing the clearing
setting even before performing the input operation to the
ok key G or the cancel key H, and can select an appropriate
15 prediction result while studying the two-dimensional field
C.
The image generating section 506 displays the
prediction result D after the setting change and one
prediction result DX before the setting change on the
20 display screen 110. In this case, an amount of information
displayed on the display screen 110 is minimal, and thus
the operator can easily determine whether or not the
clearing setting after the setting change is appropriate.
The prediction result D includes the removal number
25 of the yarn defects to be cut and removed. Accordingly,
the operator can easily determine whether or not the
clearing setting after the setting change is appropriate
while studying the removal number of the yarn defects.
The prediction result D includes the removal number
30 of the yarn defects by type, the removal number per unit
time, the removal number per unit length of the yarn, the
38 / 50
removal number of the yarn defects in all range of the spun
yarn 10, and the operation rate. Accordingly, the operator
can easily determine whether or not the clearing setting
after the setting change is appropriate while studying
those 5 numerical values.
The predicting section 505 generates the prediction
result D based on the distribution data related to one or
a plurality of spinning units 2 specified via the range
specify key A. In this case, the operator can study the
10 prediction result D and the like of a desired spinning unit
2 of the plurality of spinning units 2 provided.
One embodiment of the present invention has
been described, but the present invention is not limited
to the above-described embodiment. For example, after the
15 change operation of the clearing setting is accepted by the
operation accepting section 503, as illustrated in Fig. 9,
the image generating section 506 may maintain display of
the two-dimensional field C before the setting change until
the input operation to the ok key G is performed. In this
20 case, the operator can select an appropriate prediction
result while studying the two-dimensional field C of the
yarn defect in the clearing setting before the setting
change.
The image generating section 506 may also display on
25 the display screen 110, a plurality of the prediction
results before changing the clearing setting. For example,
as illustrated in Fig. 10, the image generating section 506
may display on the display screen 110, the prediction result
D, a prediction result D1, and a prediction result D2
30 respectively generated based on clearing settings accepted
by the operation accepting section 503 at different timings.
39 / 50
Fig. 10 illustrates only the prediction results D, D1 and
D2 of images to be displayed on the display screen 110. The
clearing setting, which is a basis for the prediction result
D, is a newest clearing setting accepted by the operation
accepting section 503. The clearing setting, which 5 is a
basis for the prediction result D2, is an oldest clearing
setting accepted by the operation accepting section 503.
In this case, the operator can determine whether or not the
clearing setting after the setting change is appropriate
10 while studying the plurality of prediction results.
As illustrated in Fig. 7, the image generating
section 506 causes the prediction results DX and D to pop-up
in a part of the region (the upper-right region in the
example of Fig. 7) of the two-dimensional field C in an
15 overlapping manner, but only the prediction results DX and
D may be displayed on the display screen 110 without
displaying the two-dimensional field C.
The image generating section 506 displays the
prediction results DX and D before and after changing the
20 clearing setting side by side on the display screen 110,
but as illustrated in Fig. 11, a prediction result Da in
which the removal numbers and the like before and after
performing the setting change are displayed within one
table may be displayed on the display screen 110. Fig. 11
25 illustrates only the prediction result Da displayed on the
display screen 110.
The image generating section 506 of the overall
control device 50 outputs such information by displaying
the two-dimensional field C, the prediction result D, and
30 the like on the display screen 110, but a destination to
which the two-dimensional field C, the prediction result
40 / 50
D, and the like are output from the overall control device
50 is not limited to the display screen 110. For example,
the overall control device 50 may output the
two-dimensional field C, the prediction result D, and the
like by printing on a paper or the like. Furthermore, 5 other
than such a printing, the overall control device 50 may
output the two-dimensional field C, the prediction result
D, and the like by transmitting to an external device or
writing in a portable storage medium and the like, for
10 example.
The clearing simulation function is performed by the
overall control device 50 that controls operations of each
section of the spinning machine 1, but the present invention
is not limited to the performance by the overall control
15 device 50 mounted to the spinning machine 1. For example,
as illustrated in Fig. 12, a yarn processing predicting
device 60 adapted to perform the clearing simulation
function and the display section 100 may be provided at a
position located away from the spinning machine 1. The yarn
20 processing predicting device 60 includes the acquiring
section 501, the storage section 502, the operation
accepting section 503, the two-dimensional field
generating section 504, the predicting section 505, and the
image generating section 506, that are described with
25 reference to Fig. 4. The display section 100 includes the
above-described display screen 110. Such a yarn
processing predicting device 60 and such a display section
100 may be provided, for example, in a management device
200 adapted to manage a plurality of the spinning machines
30 1.
In the present embodiment, the acquiring section 501
41 / 50
may acquire the waveform data output from the detecting
section 52a in addition to acquiring the distribution data
from the yarn monitoring control section 52b.
Alternatively, only the waveform data may be output from
the detecting section 52a to the overall control device 5 50
without outputting the distribution data from the yarn
monitoring control section 52b to the overall control
device 50. In this case, a calculating section adapted to
calculate distribution data from the waveform data may be
10 provided in the overall control device 50, and the
distribution data calculated by the calculating section may
be acquired by the acquiring section 501.
The clearing simulation function is performed to the
spun yarn 10 produced by the spinning unit 2, but the
15 clearing simulation function may be performed in a yarn
processing device other than the spinning machine 1. For
example, a yarn processing device provided with a sensor
(the yarn monitoring device 52 in the present embodiment)
adapted to detect a change in thickness of a yarn such as
20 an automatic winder adapted to wind the yarn, an open-end
spinning machine, a ring spinning machine, or the like can
perform the above-described clearing simulation function.
42 / 50

WE CLAIM:-
1. A yarn processing predicting device (50) adapted
to predict yarn processing comprising:
an acquiring section (501) adapted to acquire
5 distribution data indicating a yarn state;
an input section (B) in which clearing settings are
input, the clearing settings being conditions to cut and
remove a yarn defect included in a yarn (10);
a generating section (505) adapted to generate
10 prediction results (D, DX) relating to the yarn processing
based on the distribution data and the clearing settings;
and
an output section (506) adapted to output the
prediction results (D, DX) generated by the generating
15 section (505), characterized in that the output section
(506) is adapted to simultaneously output a first of the
prediction results (D) generated based on a first of the
clearing settings and a second of the prediction results
(DX) generated based on a second of the clearing settings,
20 the first of the clearing settings being input in the input
section (B) and being a newest, and the second of the
clearing settings being input before the first of the
prediction results (D) is generated.
25 2. A yarn processing predicting device (50) adapted
to predict yarn processing comprising:
an acquiring section (501) adapted to acquire
distribution data indicating a yarn state;
an input section (B) in which clearing settings are
30 input, the clearing settings being conditions to cut and
remove a yarn defect included in a yarn (10);
43 / 50
a generating section (505) adapted to generate
prediction results (D, DX) relating to the yarn processing
based on the distribution data and the clearing settings;
and
an output section (506) adapted to output th5 e
prediction results (D, DX) generated by the generating
section (505), characterized in that the output section
(506) is adapted to output a first of the prediction results
(D) generated based on a first of the clearing settings and
10 a second of the prediction results (DX) generated based on
a second of the clearing settings next to each other, the
first of the clearing settings being input in the input
section (B) and being a newest, and the second of the
clearing settings being input before the first of the
15 prediction results (D) is generated.
3. The yarn processing predicting device (50)
according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the
output section (506) is adapted to output a direction
20 indicating display (F) together with the first of the
prediction results (D) and the second of the prediction
results (DX), the direction indicating display (F)
indicating that a change is made from the second of the
prediction results (DX) to the first of the prediction
25 results (D).
4. The yarn processing predicting device (50)
according to any one of claim 1 through claim 3,
characterized in that
30 the output section (506) includes a display section
(100) having a display screen (110) on which an input
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operation can be accepted and a display control section
(506) adapted to control a display image displayed on the
display section (100), and
the display control section (506) is adapted to
display a cancel key (H) on the display section 5 (100)
together with the first of the prediction results (D) and
the second of the prediction results (DX), and to display
on the display section (100), a two-dimensional field (C)
of a yarn defect in the second of the clearing settings when
10 the input operation to the cancel key (H) is performed, the
cancel key (H) being for cancelling the first of the
clearing settings.
5. The yarn processing predicting device (50)
15 according to claim 4, characterized in that the display
control section (506) is adapted to display an ok key (G)
on the display section (100) together with the first of the
prediction results (D) and the second of the prediction
results (DX), and to display on the display section (100),
20 a two-dimensional field (C) of a yarn defect in the first
of the clearing settings when the input operation to the
ok key (G) is performed, the ok key (G) being for accepting
a setting change to the first of the clearing settings.
25 6. The yarn processing predicting device (50)
according to any one of claim 1 through claim 3,
characterized in that
the output section (506) includes a display section
(100) having a display screen (110) on which an input
30 operation can be accepted and a display control section
(506) adapted to control a display image displayed on the
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display section (100), and
the display control section (506) is adapted to
display an ok key (G) on the display section (100) together
with the first of the prediction results (D) and the second
of the prediction results (DX), and to display on 5 the
display section (100), a two-dimensional field (C) of a yarn
defect in the first of the clearing settings when the input
operation to the ok key (G) is performed, the ok key (G)
being for accepting a setting change to the first of the
10 clearing settings.
7. The yarn processing predicting device (50)
according to claim 5, characterized in that the display
control section (506) is adapted to display on the display
15 section (100), the two-dimensional field (C) of the yarn
defect in the first of the clearing settings before the
input operation to the ok key (G) or the cancel key (H) is
performed.
20 8. The yarn processing predicting device (50)
according to claim 5, characterized in that the display
control section (506) is adapted to display on the display
section (100), the two-dimensional field (C) of the yarn
defect in the second of the clearing settings before the
25 input operation to the ok key (G) or the cancel key (H) is
performed.
9. The yarn processing predicting device (50)
according to any one of claim 1 through claim 8,
30 characterized in that the output section (506) is adapted
to output the first of the prediction results (D) and one
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from among the second of the prediction results (DX).
10. The yarn processing predicting device (50)
according to any one of claim 1 through claim 8,
characterized in that the output section (506) is 5 adapted
to output the first of the prediction results (D) and two
or more from among the second of the prediction results
(DX).
10 11. The yarn processing predicting device (50)
according to any one of claim 1 through claim 10,
characterized in that the prediction results (D, DX)
include a removal number of yarn defects to be cut and
removed.
15
12. The yarn processing predicting device (50)
according to claim 11, characterized in that the removal
number includes a removal number of the yarn defects by
type.
20
13. The yarn processing predicting device (50)
according to claim 11 or claim 12, characterized in that
the removal number includes a removal number per unit time.
25 14. The yarn processing predicting device (50)
according to any one of claim 11 through claim 13,
characterized in that the removal number includes a removal
number per unit length of the yarn (10).
30 15. The yarn processing predicting device (50)
according to any one of claim 11 through claim 14,
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characterized in that the removal number includes a sum of
the removal numbers of the yarn defects in all range of the
yarn (10) of which distribution data is acquired by the
acquiring section (501).
5
16. The yarn processing predicting device (50)
according to any one of claim 1 through claim 15,
characterized in that the prediction results (D, DX)
include a prediction result of an operation rate of the yarn
10 processing.
17. The yarn processing predicting device (50)
according to any one of claim 1 through claim 16,
characterized by a specifying section (A) adapted to
15 specify one or a plurality of yarn processing units (2) for
which the prediction results (D, DX) are generated by the
generating section (505),
wherein the acquiring section (501) is capable of
acquiring the distribution data on a plurality of yarns (10)
20 to be processed by the plurality of yarn processing units
(2) each adapted to perform the yarn processing, and
the generating section (505) is adapted to generate
the prediction results (D, DX) based on the distribution
data on a yarn (10) to be processed by the yarn processing
25 unit (2) specified by the specifying section (A).
18. A yarn processing device comprising:
a yarn processing predicting device (50) according
to any one of claim 1 through claim 17; and
30 a plurality of yarn processing units (2) each adapted
to perform yarn processing, characterized in that
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an acquiring section (501) is adapted to acquire
distribution data on a yarn (10) to be processed by the yarn
processing unit (2).
19. A yarn processing prediction method 5 performed
in a yarn processing predicting device (50) adapted to
predict yarn processing comprising:
an acquiring step (S103) to acquire distribution data
indicating a yarn state;
10 an input step (S101) to accept an input of clearing
settings being conditions to cut and remove a yarn defect
included in a yarn (10);
a generating step (S103) to generate prediction
results (D, DX) relating to the yarn processing based on
15 the distribution data and the clearing settings; and
an output step (S107, S108) to output the prediction
results (D, DX) generated in the generating step (S103),
characterized in that
in the output step (S107, S108), a first of the
20 prediction results (D) generated based on a first of the
clearing settings and a second of the prediction results
(DX) generated based on a second of the clearing settings
are simultaneously output, the first of the clearing
settings being a newest and accepted in the input step
25 (S101), and the second of the clearing settings being
accepted before the first of the prediction results (D) is
generated.
20. A yarn processing prediction method performed
30 in a yarn processing predicting device (50) adapted to
predict yarn processing comprising:
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an acquiring step (S103) to acquire distribution data
indicating a yarn state;
an input step (S101) to accept an input of clearing
settings being conditions to cut and remove a yarn defect
included in a yarn (5 10);
a generating step (S103) to generate prediction
results (D, DX) relating to the yarn processing based on
the distribution data and the clearing settings; and
an output step (S107, S108) to output the prediction
10 results (D, DX) generated in the generating step (S103),
characterized in that
in the output step (S107, S108), a first of the
prediction results (D) generated based on a first of the
clearing settings and a second of the prediction results
15 (DX) generated based on a second of the clearing settings
are output next to each other, the first of the clearing
settings being a newest and accepted in the input step
(S101), and the second of the clearing settings being
accepted before the first of the prediction results (D) is
20 generated.