YARN SPLICING DEVICE, WINDING UNIT, TEXTILE MACHINE AND
YARN SPLICING METHOD
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field 5 of the Invention
The present invention relates to a yarn splicing
device, a winding unit, a textile machine and a yarn
splicing method.
10 2. Description of the Related Art
In a yarn splicing device mounted to a textile machine
such as an automatic winder or the like, adjustment of a
length of a yarn end to be untwisted is essential as an
element to realize appropriate yarn splicing regardless of
15 yarn types. For example, Chinese Patent Application
Publication No. 101165241 describes an art of adjusting a
length of a yarn end to be introduced to an untwisting
section by using a guiding member adapted to bend a yarn.
20 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Like the art described in Chinese Patent Application
Publication No. 101165241, in a case where a guiding member
is used to adjust the length of the yarn end to be introduced
to the untwisting section, if a cutting section adapted to
25 cut the yarn end is operated by a drive source that drives
the guiding member, flexible adjustment of the length of
the yarn end to be introduced to the untwisting section is
difficult.
An object of the present invention is to provide a
30 yarn splicing device and a yarn splicing method that enable
flexible adjustment of the length of the yarn end to be
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introduced to the untwisting section, a winding unit
including such a yarn splicing device, and a textile
machine.
A yarn splicing device of the present invention is
adapted to splice yarn ends together, and includes 5 a first
gripping section adapted to grip a first yarn end, a first
cutting section adapted to cut the first yarn end under a
state in which the first yarn end is being gripped by the
first gripping section, a first untwisting section adapted
10 to introduce thereto the first yarn end that has been cut
by the first cutting section and to untwist the first yarn
end under the state in which the first yarn end is being
gripped by the first gripping section, a second gripping
section adapted to grip a second yarn end, a second cutting
15 section adapted to cut the second yarn end under a state
in which the second yarn end is being gripped by the second
gripping section, a second untwisting section adapted to
introduce thereto the second yarn end that has been cut by
the second cutting section and to untwist the second yarn
20 end under the state in which the second yarn end is being
gripped by the second gripping section, an adjusting
section adapted to adjust a length of the first yarn end
to be introduced to the first untwisting section and a
length of the second yarn end to be introduced to the second
25 untwisting section, a yarn splicing section adapted to
splice the first yarn end that has been untwisted by the
first untwisting section and the second yarn end that has
been untwisted by the second untwisting section under a
state in which the first yarn end is being gripped by the
30 first gripping section and the second yarn end is being
gripped by the second gripping section, a first drive source
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adapted to drive the first gripping section and the second
gripping section, and a second drive source adapted to
open/close the first cutting section and the second cutting
section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF 5 THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a winding unit
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a yarn splicing
device of FIG. 1;
10 FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the yarn splicing
device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a partial plan view for explaining
operations of the yarn splicing device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a partial plan view for explaining
15 operations of the yarn splicing device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining
operations of the yarn splicing device of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining
operations of the yarn splicing device of FIG. 1.
20
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will
be hereinafter described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are
25 denoted on the same or corresponding portions throughout
the drawings, and redundant description will be omitted.
[A configuration of a winding unit]
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a winding unit 1 is adapted
to wind a yarn Y from a yarn supplying bobbin B around a
30 package P. The yarn supplying bobbin B is formed by a
spinning machine at a previous stage and is transported from
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the spinning machine in a state of being set on a tray, for
example. By arranging a plurality of the winding units 1
side by side, an automatic winder serving as a textile
machine is formed.
The winding unit 1 includes a bobbin 5 obbin supporting
section (yarn supplying section) 2, a yarn unwinding
assisting device 3, a preclearer 4, a gate-type tenser 5,
a tension sensor 6, a lower-yarn catching device 7, a yarn
splicing device 10, a cutter 9, a yarn clearer 11, an
10 upper-yarn catching device 12 and a winding section 13
arranged in this order from upstream (a lower side in this
case) along a yarn path, which is a travelling path of the
yarn Y. Each of the components is mounted to a machine base
8.
15 The bobbin supporting section 2 is adapted to support
the yarn supplying bobbin B upright. In such a manner, the
bobbin supporting section (yarn supplying section) 2 is
capable of supplying the yarn Y. The yarn unwinding
assisting device 3 is adapted to control a balloon of the
20 yarn Y unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin B with a
tubular member arranged above the yarn supplying bobbin B.
The gate-type tenser 5 is adapted to apply a predetermined
tension on the travelling yarn Y by holding the yarn Y in
a zig-zag manner with a pair of gates formed of a comb-teeth
25 fixed gate and a comb-teeth movable gate. The tension
sensor 6 is adapted to measure the tension on the yarn Y
applied by the gate-type tenser 5.
The preclearer 4 is adapted to pre-regulate a passage
of a yarn defect, which is greater than a defined value,
30 with a pair of regulating members arranged with the yarn
path therebetween. The yarn clearer 11 is adapted to detect
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a yarn defect such as a slub during winding of the yarn Y.
The cutter 9 is adapted to cut the yarn Y when the yarn defect
is detected by the yarn clearer 11. The yarn splicing
device 10 is adapted to splice a yarn end (one yarn end)
from the package P and a yarn end (the other yarn end) 5 from
the yarn supplying bobbin B at the time of cutting the yarn
Y by the cutter 9 or at the time of yarn breakage of the
yarn Y.
The lower-yarn catching device 7 is mounted to the
10 machine base 8 in a swingable manner with an axial line α
as a center, and a suction mouth 7a is provided at a swinging
end thereof. The suction mouth 7a is swung between a part
above the yarn splicing device 10 and a part below the
preclearer 4. At the time of cutting the yarn Y by the
15 cutter 9 or at the time of yarn breakage of the yarn Y, the
lower-yarn catching device 7 is adapted to swing the suction
mouth 7a to the part below the preclearer 4 to suck a yarn
end from a lower side with the suction mouth 7a, and then
to swing the suction mouth 7a to the part above the yarn
20 splicing device 10 to deliver the yarn end from the lower
side to the yarn splicing device 10.
The upper-yarn catching device 12 is mounted to the
machine base 8 in a swingable manner with an axial line β
as a center, and a suction mouth 12a is provided at a swinging
25 end thereof. The suction mouth 12a is swung between a part
below the yarn splicing device 10 and the winding section
13. At the time of cutting the yarn Y by the cutter 9 or
at the time of yarn breakage of the yarn Y, the upper-yarn
catching device 12 is adapted to swing the suction mouth
30 12a to a side of the winding section 13 to suck a yarn end
from an upper side with the suction mouth 12a, and then to
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swing the suction mouth 12a to the part below the yarn
splicing device 10 to deliver the yarn end from the upper
side to the yarn splicing device 10.
The winding section 13 is adapted to wind the yarn
Y unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin B around 5 the
package P to form a fully-wound package P. The winding
section 13 includes a winding drum 14 with a drum groove
14a formed thereover and a cradle 15 adapted to support the
package P in a rotatable manner. The cradle 15 causes a
10 surface of the package P to make contact with a surface of
the winding drum 14 under an appropriate contact pressure.
By rotating the package P together with the winding drum
14 being rotationally driven with a motor, the winding
section 13 winds the yarn Y around the package P while
15 traversing the yarn Y in a predetermined width.
A control section 16, an input section 17 and a display
section 18 are provided in the machine base 8. The control
section 16 is adapted to control each component of the
winding unit 1. The input section 17 serves as, for example,
20 an operation button or the like, and is used when an operator
sets various values to the control section 16, or the like.
The display section 18 is adapted to display an operational
status or the like of the winding unit 1. The control
section 16 transmits/receives various types of information
25 relating to a winding operation to/from an upper control
section provided in the automatic winder. The upper
control section is adapted to control an overall automatic
winder by controlling the control sections 16 each provided
in the winding units 1.
30 [Configuration of a yarn splicing device]
Next, a configuration of the above-described yarn
8 / 36
splicing device 10 will be described. In the following
description, a side of the package P and a side of the yarn
supplying bobbin B respectively indicate an upper side and
a lower side for a convenient sake. Similarly, a side of
the yarn path with respect to the yarn splicing device 5 10
and an opposite side of the yarn path side respectively
indicate a front side and a back side.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the yarn splicing
device 10 includes a first untwisting section 40A, a second
10 untwisting section 40B, a yarn splicing section 50 arranged
at a front side of the first untwisting section 40A and the
second untwisting section 40B, a pair of yarn drawing levers
81 adapted to swing so as to sandwich the first untwisting
section 40A and the second untwisting section 40B, and a
15 pair of twist stopping levers 82 adapted to swing to
sandwich the yarn splicing section 50. The yarn splicing
device 10 is mounted to the machine base 8 via a frame body
20 adapted to support each component of the yarn splicing
device 10.
20 Above the second untwisting section 40B and below the
first untwisting section 40A, a first guide plate 21 and
a second guide plate 22 are respectively arranged so as to
face each other with the yarn splicing section 50
therebetween. A guide groove 21a and a guide groove 21b
25 are formed over the first guide plate 21, and a guide groove
22a and a guide groove 22b are formed over the second guide
plate 22. The guide groove 21a of the first guide plate
21 faces the guide groove 22a of the second guide plate 22
in an upper-lower direction, and the guide groove 21b of
30 the first guide plate 21 faces the guide groove 22b of the
second guide plate 22 in the upper-lower direction.
9 / 36
A yarn end YA from the upper side (that is, a yarn
end YA from the upper side that has been guided by the
upper-yarn catching device 12) that has been drawn by one
of the yarn drawing levers 81 is introduced to the guide
groove 21a and the guide groove 22a facing each other 5 in
the upper-lower direction. On the other hand, a yarn end
YB from the lower side (that is, a yarn end YB from the lower
side that has been guided by the lower-yarn catching device
7) that has been drawn by the other of the yarn drawing levers
10 81 is introduced to the guide groove 21b and the guide groove
22b facing each other in the upper-lower direction.
A first gripping section 60A is provided above the
first guide plate 21, and a first cutting section 70A is
provided above the second guide plate 22. The first
15 gripping section 60A is adapted to grip the yarn end YA from
the upper side, which has been introduced to the guide
groove 21a, at a first gripping position 69A. The first
cutting section 70A is adapted to cut the yarn end YA from
the upper side, which has been introduced to the guide
20 groove 22a, at a first cutting position 79A under a state
where the yarn end YA from the upper side is being gripped
by the first gripping section 60A.
A second gripping section 60B is provided below the
second guide plate 22, and a second cutting section 70B is
25 provided below the first guide plate 21. The second
gripping section 60B is adapted to grip the yarn end YB from
the lower side, which has been introduced to the guide
groove 22b, at a second gripping position 69B. The second
cutting section 70B is adapted to cut the yarn end YB from
30 the lower side, which has been introduced to the guide
groove 21b, at a second cutting position 79B under a state
10 / 36
where the yarn end YB from the lower side is being gripped
by the second gripping section 60B.
As described above, the first guide plate 21 is
arranged between the first gripping section 60A and the
first cutting section 70A and is adapted to 5 regulate
movement of the yarn end YA from the upper side in a first
direction (a left-right direction in this case) that is
vertical to a direction in which the first gripping section
60A and the first cutting section 70A face each other (that
10 is, a direction along the yarn path). The second guide
plate 22 is arranged between the second gripping section
60B and the second cutting section 70B and is adapted to
regulate movement of the yarn end YB from the lower side
in a second direction (the left-side direction in this case)
15 that is vertical to a direction in which the second gripping
section 60B and the second cutting section 70B face each
other (that is, the direction along the yarn path).
Under the state where the yarn end YA from the upper
side is being gripped by the first gripping section 60A,
20 the first untwisting section 40A is adapted to introduce
thereto the yarn end YA from the upper side that has been
cut by the first cutting section 70A and to untwist the yarn
end YA. Under the state where the yarn end YB from the lower
side is being gripped by the second gripping section 60B,
25 the second untwisting section 40B is adapted to introduce
thereto the yarn end YB from the lower side that has been
cut by the second cutting section 70B and to untwist the
yarn end YB.
Under a state where the yarn end YA from the upper
30 side is being gripped by the first gripping section 60A and
the yarn end YB from the lower side is being gripped by the
11 / 36
second gripping section 60B, the yarn splicing section 50
is adapted to twist the yarn end YA from the upper side that
has been untwisted by the first untwisting section 40A and
the yarn end YB from the lower side that has been untwisted
by the second untwisting section 40B together. 5 When the
yarn end YA and the yarn end YB are twisted together by the
yarn splicing section 50, the yarn end YA and the yarn end
YB are respectively drawn from the first untwisting section
40A and the second untwisting section 40B by the yarn
10 drawing levers 81 and tip-end portions of the yarn end YA
and the yarn end YB are held in proximity to the yarn splicing
section 50 by the twist stopping levers 82.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, a stepping motor 23 is
mounted to the frame body 20 as a drive source for the pair
15 of yarn drawing levers 81 and the pair of twist stopping
levers 82. A base-end portion of an arm 24 is fixed to a
rotation shaft of the stepping motor 23. A back-end portion
of a coupling member 25 is swingably coupled to a tip-end
portion of the arm 24. A base-end portion of the yarn
20 drawing lever 81 is swingably coupled to a front-end portion
of the coupling member 25. The yarn drawing levers 81 are
swingably supported by a support shaft 26 fixed to the frame
body 20.
Further, the twist stopping levers 82 are swingably
25 supported by the support shaft 26. The twist stopping
levers 82 are urged to a side of the yarn drawing levers
81 by a torsion coil spring (not illustrated) swingably
mounted to the support shaft 26. Accordingly, the twist
stopping levers 82 are swung to a side of the first
30 untwisting section 40A and the second untwisting section
40B together with the yarn drawing levers 81. However,
12 / 36
after the twist stopping levers 82 make contact with a
stopper or the like provided in the frame body 20, for
example, only the yarn drawing levers 81 are swung to the
side of the first untwisting section 40A and the second
5 untwisting section 40B.
A stepping motor (first drive source) 27 is mounted
to the frame body 20 as a drive source for the first gripping
section 60A, a first moving section 30A, the second gripping
section 60B and a second moving section 30B. The first
10 moving section 30A is adapted to move the first gripping
position 69A of the yarn end YA from the upper side in the
first gripping section 60A to adjust a length of the yarn
end YA from the upper side to be introduced to the first
untwisting section 40A. The second moving section 30B is
15 adapted to move the second gripping position 69B of the yarn
end YB from the lower side in the second gripping section
60B to adjust a length of the yarn end YB from the lower
side to be introduced to the second untwisting section 40B.
A base-end portion of an arm 28 is fixed to a rotation
20 shaft of the stepping motor 27. Back-end portions of a pair
of coupling members 31 are swingably coupled to a tip-end
portion of the arm 28. An upper coupling member 31 is bent
in a crank shape toward a side of the first gripping section
60A and is adapted to function as the first moving section
25 30A. A front-end portion of the upper coupling member 31
is swingably coupled to a tip-end portion of an upper arm
32 arranged below the first guide plate 21. A base-end
portion of the upper arm 32 is swingably supported by an
upper support shaft 33 fixed to the first guide plate 21.
30 On the other hand, a lower coupling member 31 is bent
in a crank shape toward a side of the second gripping section
13 / 36
60B and is adapted to function as the second moving section
30B. Although not illustrated, a front-end portion of the
lower coupling member 31 is swingably coupled to a tip-end
portion of a lower arm 32 arranged above the second guide
plate 22. A base-end portion of the lower arm 5 32 is
swingably supported by a lower support shaft 33 fixed to
the second guide plate 22.
The first gripping section 60A includes a base member
61 capable of swinging with respect to the first untwisting
10 section 40A, and a sub member 62 swingably mounted to the
base member 61. A base-end portion of the base member 61
is swingably supported by a support shaft 63 fixed to the
first guide plate 21, and a base-end portion of the sub
member 62 is swingably supported by a support shaft 64 fixed
15 to the base member 61. Thus, a surface on which the base
member 61 is swung and a surface on which the sub member
62 is swung are parallel to each other. A tip-end portion
of the sub member 62 is urged to a side of a tip-end portion
of the base member 61 by a torsion coil spring 65 swingably
20 mounted to the support shaft 64. In the first gripping
section 60A, the yarn end YA from the upper side is gripped
by the tip-end portion of the base member 61 and the tip-end
portion of the sub member 62.
An arm 66 is extended from the base-end portion of
25 the base member 61. A cam follower 66a is mounted at a
tip-end portion of the arm 66 such that a back side surface
31a of a bent portion in the upper coupling member 31 can
make contact with the cam follower 66a. An arm 68 is
extended from the base-end portion of the sub member 62.
30 A cam follower 68a is mounted at a tip-end portion of the
arm 68 such that a front side surface 31b of the bent portion
14 / 36
in the upper coupling member 31 can make contact with the
cam follower 68a.
The upper coupling member 31 functions as the first
moving section 30A adapted to move the first gripping
position 69A of the yarn end YA from the upper side in 5 n the
first gripping section 60A to adjust the length of the yarn
end YA from the upper side to be introduced to the first
untwisting section 40A. Operations of the first gripping
section 60A and the first moving section 30A will be
10 hereinafter described. Since configurations of the second
gripping section 60B and the second moving section 30B are
same as configurations of the first gripping section 60A
and the first moving section 30A, description of the second
gripping section 60B and the second moving section 30B will
15 be omitted.
First, in a state illustrated in FIG. 3, the front
side surface 31b of the bent portion in the upper coupling
member 31 is in contact with the cam follower 68a, and the
tip-end portion of the sub member 62 and the tip-end portion
20 of the base member 61 are opened. Subsequently, when the
stepping motor 27 swings the tip-end portion of the arm 28
to the back side, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the front side
surface 31b of the bent portion in the upper coupling member
31 is separated from the cam follower 68a. Accordingly,
25 the tip-end portion of the sub member 62 and the tip-end
portion of the base member 61 are closed with urging force
of the torsion coil spring 65. In such a manner, the first
gripping section 60A grips at the first gripping position
69A, the yarn end YA from the upper side that has been drawn
30 by the yarn drawing lever 81 and then introduced to the guide
groove 21a and the guide groove 22a.
15 / 36
Further, when the stepping motor 27 swings the
tip-end portion of the arm 28 to the back side, as
illustrated in FIG. 5, the back side surface 31a of the bent
portion in the upper coupling member 31 makes contact with
the cam follower 66a. Accordingly, under a state where 5 re the
tip-end portion of the sub member 62 and the tip-end portion
of the base member 61 are closed, the base member 61 is swung.
In such a manner, by swinging the base member 61 with respect
to the first untwisting section 40A, the first moving
10 section 30A moves the first gripping position 69A of the
yarn end YA from the upper side in the first gripping section
60A. More specifically, the first moving section 30A moves
the first gripping position 69A of the yarn end YA from the
upper side in the first gripping section 60A in the first
15 direction (the left-side direction in this case) that is
vertical to the direction in which the first gripping
section 60A and the first cutting section 70A face each
other (that is, the direction along the yarn path).
Referring back to FIG. 3, an actuator (second drive
20 source) 29 such as an air cylinder, a solenoid, or the like
is mounted to the frame body 20 as a drive source for the
first cutting section 70A and the second cutting section
70B. The second cutting section 70B includes a fixed piece
71 fixed to the first guide plate 21 and a movable piece
25 72 swingably supported by the support shaft 33. An arm 73
is extended from a base-end portion of the movable piece
72 and the actuator 29 is coupled to a tip-end portion of
the arm 73. Accordingly, the movable piece 72 is
opened/closed with respect to the fixed piece 71 at a
30 predetermined timing by the actuator 29. In such a manner,
the first cutting section 70B cuts the yarn end YB from the
16 / 36
lower side that has been drawn by the yarn drawing lever
81 and then introduced to the guide groove 21b and the guide
groove 22b. Since a configuration of the first cutting
section 70A is same as a configuration of the second cutting
section 70B, description of the first cutting section 5 70A
will be omitted.
[Operations of a yarn splicing device]
Next, operations of the above-described yarn
splicing device 10 (that is, a yarn splicing method
10 performed in the yarn splicing device 10) will be described.
Since the yarn drawing levers 81 swing to the side
of the first untwisting section 40A and the second
untwisting section 40B, the yarn end YA from the upper side
that has been guided by the upper-yarn catching device 12
15 and the yarn end YB from the lower side that has been guided
by the lower-yarn catching device 7 are drawn to the side
of the first untwisting section 40A and the second
untwisting section 40B. Consequently, the yarn end YA from
the upper side is introduced to the guide groove 21a of the
20 first guide plate 21, the guide groove 22a of the second
guide plate 22, and a yarn splicing nozzle 51 of the yarn
splicing section 50. Similarly, the yarn end YB from the
lower side is introduced to the guide groove 21b of the first
guide plate 21, the guide groove 22b of the second guide
25 plate 22, and the yarn splicing nozzle 51 of the yarn
splicing section 50. When being introduced to the yarn
splicing nozzle 51, the yarn end YA from the upper side and
the yarn end YB from the lower side are arranged in an
accommodating section 52 via a guide inclined portion 53.
30 Subsequently, the yarn end YA from the upper side that
has been introduced to the guide groove 21a of the first
17 / 36
guide plate 21 is gripped in proximity to the guide groove
21a by the first gripping section 60A (a first gripping
process). Similarly, the yarn end YB from the lower side
that has been introduced to the guide groove 22b of the
second guide plate 22 is gripped in proximity to the 5 guide
groove 22b by the second gripping section 60B (a second
gripping process). Then, the yarn end YA from the upper
side that has been introduced to the guide groove 22a of
the second guide plate 22 is cut in proximity to the guide
10 groove 22a by the first cutting section 70A under a state
of being gripped by the first gripping section 60A (a first
cutting process). Similarly, the yarn end YB from the lower
side that has been introduced to the guide groove 21b of
the first guide plate 21 is cut in proximity to the guide
15 groove 21b by the second cutting section 70B under a state
of being gripped by the second gripping section 60B (a
second cutting process).
Subsequently, by the first untwisting section 40A
injecting untwisting air from an injection hole into an
20 untwisting nozzle 43, the yarn end YA from the upper side
that has been cut by the first cutting section 70A is
introduced to and untwisted by the first untwisting section
40A under the state of being gripped by the first gripping
section 60A (a first untwisting process). Similarly, by
25 the second untwisting section 40B injecting untwisting air
from an injection hole into an untwisting nozzle 43, the
yarn end YB from the lower side that has been cut by the
second cutting section 70B is introduced to and untwisted
by the second untwisting section 40B under the state of
30 being gripped by the second gripping section 60B (a second
untwisting process).
18 / 36
Subsequently, since the yarn drawing levers 81
further swing to the side of the first untwisting section
40A and the second untwisting section 40B, the yarn end YA
from the upper side is drawn from the first untwisting
section 40A and the yarn end YB from the lower side is 5 drawn
from the second untwisting section 40B. Then, a tip-end
portion of the yarn end YA from the upper side and a tip-end
portion of the yarn end YB from the lower side are held in
proximity to the yarn splicing section 50 by the twist
10 stopping levers 82 that have swung together with the yarn
drawing levers 81. Then, by the yarn splicing section 50
injecting yarn splicing air from an injection hole into the
accommodating section 52, the yarn end YA from the upper
side that has been untwisted by the first untwisting section
15 40A and the yarn end YB from the lower side that has been
untwisted by the second untwisting section 40B are twisted
together (a yarn splicing process). At this time, the yarn
end YA from the upper side is under the state of being gripped
by the first gripping section 60A and the yarn end YB from
20 the lower side is under the state of being gripped by the
second gripping section 60B.
Subsequently, the yarn drawing levers 81 and the
twist stopping levers 82 swing to an opposite side of the
first untwisting section 40A and the second untwisting
25 section 40B, and the first gripping section 60A and the
second gripping section 60B release the gripping.
Consequently, the yarn Y connected by splicing the yarn end
YA from the upper side and the yarn end YB from the lower
side returns to the yarn path at the front side of the yarn
30 splicing device 10.
Finally, an adjustment of a length to be untwisted
19 / 36
that is performed during the operations of the
above-described yarn splicing device 10 will be described.
In the yarn splicing device 10, the first moving section
30A moves the first gripping position 69A of the yarn end
YA from the upper side in the first gripping section 5 60A
to adjust the length of the yarn end YA from the upper side
to be introduced to the first untwisting section 40A (an
adjustment process). Similarly, the second moving section
30B moves the second gripping position 69B of the yarn end
10 YB from the lower side in the second gripping section 60B
to adjust the length of the yarn end YB from the lower side
to be introduced to the second untwisting section 40B (an
adjustment process). As described above, in the yarn
splicing device 10, the first gripping section 60A and the
15 first moving section 30A function as an adjusting section
for adjusting the length of the yarn end YA from the upper
side to be introduced to the first untwisting section 40A.
The second gripping section 60B and the second moving
section 30B function as the adjusting section for adjusting
20 the length of the yarn end YB from the lower side to be
introduced to the second untwisting section 40B.
In a case where the length of the yarn end YA from
the upper side to be introduced to the first untwisting
section 40A is shortened, the yarn splicing device 10 is
25 operated as follows. First, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and
6B, the first gripping section 60A grips the yarn end YA
from the upper side that has been introduced to the guide
groove 21a of the first guide plate 21 (the first gripping
process). Then, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the first
30 cutting section 70A cuts the yarn end YA from the upper side
at the first cutting position 79A (the first cutting
20 / 36
process). Then, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, the first moving
section 30A moves the first gripping position 69A of the
yarn end YA from the upper side in the first gripping section
60A (the first moving process). In such a manner, since
the first moving process is performed after the 5 first
cutting process, the length of the yarn end YA from the upper
side to be introduced to the first untwisting section 40A
is reliably shortened by a length L. In this case, when
an amount in which the first gripping position 69A is moved
10 is great, the length L to be shortened can be great, and
when the amount in which the first gripping position 69A
is moved is small, the length L to be shortened can be small.
The adjustment of the length of the yarn end YB from the
lower side to be untwisted is performed in a same manner
15 as the adjustment of the length of the yarn end YA from the
upper side to be untwisted.
On the other hand, in a case where the length of the
yarn end YA from the upper side to be introduced to the first
untwisting section 40A is lengthened, the yarn splicing
20 device 10 is operated as follows. First, as illustrated
in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the first gripping section 60A grips
the yarn end YA from the upper side that has been introduced
to the guide groove 21a of the first guide plate 21 (the
first gripping process). Then, as illustrated in FIG. 7C,
25 the first moving section 30A moves the first gripping
position 69A of the yarn end YA from the upper side in the
first gripping section 60A (the first moving process).
Then, as illustrated in FIG. 7C, the first cutting section
70A cuts the yarn end YA from the upper side at the first
30 cutting position 79A (the first cutting process). Then,
as illustrated in FIG. 7D, the first moving section 30A
21 / 36
returns the first gripping position 69A of the yarn end YA
from the upper side in the first gripping section 60A to
an original position. In such a manner, since the first
moving process is performed before the first cutting
process, the length of the yarn end YA from the upper 5 side
to be introduced to the first untwisting section 40A is
reliably lengthened by the length L. In this case, when
the amount in which the first gripping position 69A is moved
is great, the length L to be lengthened can be great, and
10 when the amount in which the first gripping position 69A
is moved is small, the length L to be lengthened can be small.
The adjustment of the length of the yarn end YB from the
lower side to be untwisted is performed in a same manner
as the adjustment of the length of the yarn end YA from the
15 upper side to be untwisted.
By setting a desired length to be untwisted in the
control sections 16 each provided in the winding units 1,
the above-described adjustment of the length to be
untwisted can be performed. The length to be untwisted is
20 set in the control section 16 by an operator directly via
the input section 17 of each winding unit 1 or indirectly
via an upper input section of the automatic winder (that
is, via the upper control section). The control section
16 controls operations of the first moving section 30A, the
25 second moving section 30B, the first cutting section 70A
and the second cutting section 70B of the yarn splicing
device 10 in accordance with the set length to be untwisted.
The length of the yarn end YA from the upper side to be
untwisted that is adjusted with the operations of the first
30 moving section 30A and the length of the yarn end YB from
the lower side to be untwisted that is adjusted with the
22 / 36
operations of the second moving section 30B can be
appropriately (the yarn end YA from the upper side and the
yarn end YB from the lower side may be a same value or
different values) set in the control section 16 according
to yarn type or the like of the yarn Y to be wound. 5 In
addition, when the length to be untwisted is set in the
control section 16 via the upper control section of the
automatic winder, the lengths to be untwisted can be
simultaneously set in the plurality of winding units 1.
10 [Operations and effects]
As described above, the actuator 29 (that is, a
dedicated actuator 29 for the first cutting section 70A and
the second cutting section 70B) is independently provided
in the yarn splicing device 10 to open/close the first
15 cutting section 70A and the second cutting section 70B.
Therefore, the yarn end YA from the upper side and the yarn
end YB from the lower side can be cut at an appropriate timing
in accordance with operations of the adjusting section
(that is, the first gripping section 60A and the first
20 moving section 30A, and the second gripping section 60B and
the second moving section 30B (the same will apply
hereinafter)) adapted to adjust the length of the yarn end
YA from the upper side to be introduced to the first
untwisting section 40A and the length of the yarn end YB
25 from the lower side to be introduced to the second
untwisting section 40B without being affected by operations
of other components. Accordingly, with the yarn splicing
device 10, since the length of the yarn end YA from the upper
side to be introduced to the first untwisting section 40A
30 and the length of the yarn end YB from the lower side to
be introduced to the second untwisting section 40B can be
23 / 36
flexibly adjusted according to the yarn type, for example,
a knotting cycle (a period of time required for performing
yarn splicing one time) can be prevented from being longer
and appropriate yarn splicing can be realized.
In addition, since the first cutting section 70A 5 and
the second cutting section 70B are opened/closed by the
independent actuator 29, a useless opening/closing
operation caused in conjunction with the other components
is eliminated (in other words, a number of times the
10 opening/closing operation is performed is minimized).
Accordingly, life performance of the first cutting section
70A and the second cutting section 70B can be increased.
By moving the first gripping position 69A of the yarn
end YA from the upper side in the first gripping section
15 60A, the first gripping section 60A functions as a part of
the adjusting section. By moving the second gripping
position 69B of the yarn end YB from the lower side in the
second gripping section 60B, the second gripping section
60B functions as a part of the adjusting section. In such
20 a manner, by using the first gripping section 60A and the
second gripping section 60B as a part of the adjusting
section, a structure of the yarn splicing device 10 can be
simplified.
One embodiment of the present invention has been
25 described, but the present invention is not limited to the
above-described embodiment. For example, in the
above-described embodiment, the yarn splicing device 10 is
applied to the winding unit 1 of the automatic winder, but
a yarn splicing device of the present invention may be
30 applied to a winding unit of a spinning machine, a working
cart adapted to move between a plurality of winding units,
24 / 36
or the like. In a case where the yarn splicing device of
the present invention is applied to the winding unit of the
spinning machine, a yarn supplying section of the present
invention is formed of a draft device adapted to enable a
spun yarn to be supplied, a spinning device, and the 5 like.
A first guiding section (one of the yarn drawing
levers 81 or another member that corresponds thereto)
adapted to guide the yarn end YA from the upper side from
the first untwisting section 40A to the yarn splicing
10 section 50 may function at least as a part of the adjusting
section by being adapted to move a first guiding position
of the yarn end YA from the upper side in the first guiding
section. Similarly, a second guiding section (the other
of the yarn drawing levers 81 or another member that
15 corresponds thereto) adapted to guide the yarn end YB from
the lower side from the second untwisting section 40B to
the yarn splicing section 50 may function at least as a part
of the adjusting section by being adapted to move a second
guiding position of the yarn end YB from the lower side in
20 the second guiding section. In such a manner, by using the
first guiding section and the second guiding section at
least as a part of the adjusting section, the structure of
the yarn splicing device 10 can be simplified.
In the yarn splicing device, there is independently
25 provided the second drive source (that is, a dedicated drive
source for the first cutting section and the second cutting
section) adapted to open/close the first cutting section
and the second cutting section. Therefore, the first yarn
end and the second yarn end can be cut at an appropriate
30 timing in accordance with operations of the adjusting
section adapted to adjust the length of the first yarn end
25 / 36
to be introduced to the first untwisting section and the
length of the second yarn end to be introduced to the second
untwisting section without being affected by operations of
other components. Consequently, with the yarn splicing
device, the lengths of the yarn ends to be 5 respectively
introduced to the first untwisting section and the second
untwisting section can be flexibly adjusted.
The first gripping section may function at least as
a part of the adjusting section by being adapted to move
10 a first gripping position of the first yarn end in the first
gripping section. The second gripping section may
function at least as a part of the adjusting section by being
adapted to move a second gripping position of the second
yarn end in the second gripping section. In this manner,
15 by using the first gripping section and the second gripping
section at least as a part of the adjusting section, a
structure of the yarn splicing device can be simplified.
The yarn splicing device may further include a first
guiding section adapted to guide the first yarn end from
20 the first untwisting section to the yarn splicing section
and a second guiding section adapted to guide the second
yarn end from the second untwisting section to the yarn
splicing section. The first guiding section may function
at least as a part of the adjusting section by being adapted
25 to move a first guiding position of the first yarn end in
the first guiding section, and the second guiding section
may function at least as a part of the adjusting section
by being adapted to move the second guiding position of the
second yarn end in the second guiding section. In this
30 manner, by using the first guiding section and the second
guiding section at least as a part of the adjusting section,
26 / 36
the structure of the yarn splicing device can be simplified.
A winding unit of the present invention includes the
above-described yarn splicing device, a yarn supplying
section adapted to supply a yarn, a winding section adapted
to wind the yarn, and a control section adapted to 5 control
at least operations of the adjusting section, the first
cutting section and the second cutting section of the yarn
splicing device.
With the winding unit, the lengths of the yarn ends
10 to be respectively introduced to the first untwisting
section and the second untwisting section can be
appropriately set according to yarn type of the yarn to be
wound.
The winding unit may further includes an input
15 section for setting in the control section, the length of
the first yarn end to be adjusted by the operations of the
adjusting section and to be introduced to the first
untwisting section and the length of the second yarn end
to be adjusted by the operations of the adjusting section
20 and to be introduced to the second untwisting section. With
this configuration, the lengths of the yarn ends to be
respectively introduced to the first untwisting section and
the second untwisting section of the yarn splicing device
can be set by an operator via the input section.
25 A textile machine of the present invention includes
a plurality of the above-described winding units and an
upper control section adapted to control each control
section of the winding units.
With the textile machine, the lengths of the yarn ends
30 to be respectively introduced to the first untwisting
section and the second untwisting section of the yarn
27 / 36
splicing device can be simultaneously set for the plurality
of winding units.
The textile machine may further includes an upper
input section for setting in each control section via the
upper control section, the length of the first yarn end 5 to
be adjusted by the operations of the adjusting section and
to be introduced to the first untwisting section and the
length of the second yarn end to be adjusted by the
operations of the adjusting section and to be introduced
10 to the second untwisting section in each yarn splicing
device of the winding units. With this configuration, the
lengths of the yarn ends to be respectively introduced to
the first untwisting section and the second untwisting
section of the yarn splicing device can be set by the
15 operator via the upper input section.
A yarn splicing method of the present invention for
splicing yarn ends together includes a first gripping
process in which a first gripping section grips a first yarn
end, a first cutting process in which a first cutting
20 section cuts the first yarn end under a state where the first
yarn end is being gripped by the first gripping section,
a first untwisting process in which a first untwisting
section introduces thereto the first yarn end that has been
cut by the first cutting section and untwists the first yarn
25 end under the state where the first yarn end is being gripped
by the first gripping section, a second gripping process
in which a second gripping section grips a second yarn end,
a second cutting process in which a second cutting section
cuts the second yarn end under a state where the second yarn
30 end is being gripped by the second gripping section, a
second untwisting process in which a second untwisting
28 / 36
section introduces thereto the second yarn end that has been
cut by the second cutting section and untwists the second
yarn end under the state where the second yarn end is being
gripped by the second gripping section, an adjustment
process in which an adjusting section adjusts a length 5 gth of
the first yarn end to be introduced to the first untwisting
section and a length of the second yarn end to be introduced
to the second untwisting section, and a yarn splicing
process in which a yarn splicing section splices the first
10 yarn end that has been untwisted by the first untwisting
section and the second yarn end that has been untwisted by
the second untwisting section together under a state where
the first yarn end is being gripped by the first gripping
section and the second yarn end is being gripped by the
15 second gripping section. A first drive source is adapted
to respectively drive the first gripping section and the
second gripping section in the first gripping process and
the second gripping process. A second drive source is
adapted to respectively open/close the first cutting
20 section and the second cutting section in the first cutting
process and the second cutting process.
With this yarn splicing method, for a same reason as
the above-described yarn splicing device, the lengths of
the yarn ends to be respectively introduced to the first
25 untwisting section and the second untwisting section can
be flexibly adjusted. The adjustment process may be
performed after the first cutting process or before the
first cutting process. Similarly, the adjustment process
may be performed after the second cutting process or before
30 the second cutting process.
In the adjustment process, the first gripping section
29 / 36
may function at least as a part of the adjusting section
by being adapted to move a first gripping position of the
first yarn end in the first gripping section, and the second
gripping section may function at least as a part of the
adjusting section by being adapted to move a second 5 gripping
position of the second yarn end in the second gripping
section. In this manner, by using the first gripping
section and the second gripping section at least as a part
of the adjusting section, the structure of the yarn splicing
10 device in which the yarn splicing is performed can be
simplified.
In the adjustment process, a first guiding section
adapted to guide the first yarn end from the first
untwisting section to the yarn splicing section may
15 function at least as a part of the adjusting section by being
adapted to move a first guiding position of the first yarn
end in the first guiding section, and a second guiding
section adapted to guide the second yarn end from the second
untwisting section to the yarn splicing section may
20 function at least as a part of the adjusting section by being
adapted to move a second guiding position of the second yarn
end in the second guiding section. In this manner, by using
the first guiding section and the second guiding section
as a part of the adjusting section, the structure of the
25 yarn splicing device in which the yarn splicing is performed
can be simplified.
The present invention can provide the yarn splicing
device and the yarn splicing method that enable flexible
adjustment of the length of the yarn end to be introduced
30 to the untwisting section, the winding unit including such
a yarn splicing device, and the textile machine.
30 / 36

We claim:
1. A yarn splicing device adapted to splice yarn ends
together, comprising:
a first gripping section adapted to grip a first yarn
5 end;
a first cutting section adapted to cut the first yarn
end under a state in which the first yarn end is being gripped
by the first gripping section;
a first untwisting section adapted to introduce
10 thereto the first yarn end that has been cut by the first
cutting section and to untwist the first yarn end under the
state in which the first yarn end is being gripped by the
first gripping section;
a second gripping section adapted to grip a second
15 yarn end;
a second cutting section adapted to cut the second
yarn end under a state in which the second yarn end is being
gripped by the second gripping section;
a second untwisting section adapted to introduce
20 thereto the second yarn end that has been cut by the second
cutting section and to untwist the second yarn end under
the state in which the second yarn end is being gripped by
the second gripping section;
an adjusting section adapted to adjust a length of
25 the first yarn end to be introduced to the first untwisting
section and a length of the second yarn end to be introduced
to the second untwisting section;
a yarn splicing section adapted to splice the first
yarn end that has been untwisted by the first untwisting
30 section and the second yarn end that has been untwisted by
the second untwisting section under a state in which the
31 / 36
first yarn end is being gripped by the first gripping
section and the second yarn end is being gripped by the
second gripping section;
a first drive source adapted to drive the first
5 gripping section and the second gripping section; and
a second drive source adapted to open/close the first
cutting section and the second cutting section.
10 2. The yarn splicing device according to claim 1,
wherein the first gripping section is adapted to function
at least as a part of the adjusting section by being adapted
to move a first gripping position of the first yarn end in
the first gripping section, and
15 the second gripping section is adapted to function
at least as a part of the adjusting section by being adapted
to move a second gripping position of the second yarn end
in the second gripping section.
20 3. The yarn splicing device according to claim 1,
further comprising:
a first guiding section adapted to guide the first
yarn end from the first untwisting section to the yarn
splicing section; and
25 a second guiding section adapted to guide the second
yarn end from the second untwisting section to the yarn
splicing section,
wherein the first guiding section is adapted to
function at least as a part of the adjusting section by being
30 adapted to move a first guiding position of the first yarn
end in the first guiding section, and
32 / 36
the second guiding section is adapted to function at
least as a part of the adjusting section by being adapted
to move a second guiding position of the second yarn end
in the second guiding section.
5
4. A winding unit comprising:
the yarn splicing device according to any one of claim
1 through claim 3;
a yarn supplying section capable of supplying a yarn;
10 a winding section adapted to wind the yarn; and
a control section adapted to control at least
operations of the adjusting section, the first cutting
section and the second cutting section of the yarn splicing
device.
15
5. The winding unit according to claim 4, further
comprising an input section for setting in the control
section, the length of the first yarn end to be adjusted
by the operations of the adjusting section and to be
20 introduced to the first untwisting section and the length
of the second yarn end to be adjusted by the operations of
the adjusting section and to be introduced to the second
untwisting section.
25 6. A textile machine comprising:
a plurality of the winding units according to claim
4 or claim 5; and
an upper control section adapted to control each
control section of the winding units.
30
7. The textile machine according to claim 6, further
33 / 36
comprising an upper input section for setting in each
control section via the upper control section, the length
of the first yarn end to be adjusted by the operations of
the adjusting section and to be introduced to the first
untwisting section and the length of the second yarn 5 end
to be adjusted by the operations of the adjusting section
and to be introduced to the second untwisting section in
each yarn splicing device of the winding units.
10 8. A yarn splicing method for splicing yarn ends
together, comprising;
a first gripping process in which a first gripping
section grips a first yarn end;
a first cutting process in which a first cutting
15 section cuts the first yarn end under a state in which the
first yarn end is being gripped by the first gripping
section;
a first untwisting process in which a first
untwisting section introduces thereto the first yarn end
20 that has been cut by the first cutting section and untwists
the first yarn end under the state in which the first yarn
end is being gripped by the first gripping section;
a second gripping process in which a second gripping
section grips a second yarn end;
25 a second cutting process in which a second cutting
section cuts the second yarn end under a state in which the
second yarn end is being gripped by the second gripping
section;
a second untwisting process in which a second
30 untwisting section introduces thereto the second yarn end
that has been cut by the second cutting section and untwists
34 / 36
the second yarn end under the state in which the second yarn
end is being gripped by the second gripping section;
an adjustment process in which an adjusting section
adjusts a length of the first yarn end to be introduced to
the first untwisting section and a length of the second 5 yarn
end to be introduced to the second untwisting section; and
a yarn splicing process in which a yarn splicing
section splices the first yarn end that has been untwisted
by the first untwisting section and the second yarn end that
10 has been untwisted by the second untwisting section
together under a state in which the first yarn end is being
gripped by the first gripping section and the second yarn
end is being gripped by the second gripping section,
wherein a first drive source is adapted to
15 respectively drive the first gripping section and the
second gripping section in the first gripping process and
the second gripping process, and
a second drive source is adapted to respectively
open/close the first cutting section and the second cutting
20 section in the first cutting process and the second cutting
process.
9. The yarn splicing method according to claim 8,
wherein in the adjustment process,
25 the first gripping section functions at least as a
part of the adjusting section by being adapted to move a
first gripping position of the first yarn end in the first
gripping section, and
the second gripping section functions at least as a
30 part of the adjusting section by being adapted to move a
second gripping position of the second yarn end in the
35 / 36
second gripping section.
10. The yarn splicing method according to claim 8,
wherein in the adjustment process,
a first guiding section adapted to guide the 5 first
yarn end from the first untwisting section to the yarn
splicing section functions at least as a part of the
adjusting section by being adapted to move a first guiding
position of the first yarn end in the first guiding section,
10 and
a second guiding section adapted to guide the second
yarn end from the second untwisting section to the yarn
splicing section functions at least as a part of the
adjusting section by being adapted to move a second guiding
15 position of the second yarn end in the second guiding
section.
Dated this 4th day of April 2014