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 guide member adapted to bend a yarn.
20 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
However, in the art described in Chinese Patent
Application Publication No. 101165241, since the length of
the yarn end varies according to tension of the yarn bent
by the guide member, the length of the yarn end to be
25 introduced to the untwisting section may not be accurately
adjusted.
An object of the present invention is to provide a
yarn splicing device and a yarn splicing method that enable
accurate adjustment of the length of the yarn end to be
30 introduced to the untwisting section, a winding unit
including such a yarn splicing device, and a textile
3 / 40
machine.
A yarn splicing device of the present invention is
a yarn splicing device adapted to splice yarn ends together,
and includes a first gripping section adapted to grip a
first yarn end, a first cutting section adapted to cut 5 ut the
first yarn end under a state where the first yarn end is
being gripped by the first gripping section, a first
untwisting section adapted to introduce thereto the first
yarn end that has been cut by the first cutting section and
10 to untwist the first yarn end under the state where the first
yarn end is being gripped by the first gripping section,
a first moving section adapted to move a first gripping
position of the first yarn end in the first gripping section
to adjust a length of the first yarn end to be introduced
15 to the first untwisting section, a second gripping section
adapted to grip a second yarn end, a second cutting section
adapted to cut the second yarn end under a state where 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 where the second yarn end is being gripped by the
second gripping section, a second moving section adapted
to move a second gripping position of the second yarn end
25 in the second gripping section to adjust a length of the
second yarn end to be introduced to the second untwisting
section, and a yarn splicing section adapted to twist the
first yarn end that has been untwisted by the first
untwisting section and the second yarn end that has been
30 untwisted by the second untwisting section together under
a state where the first yarn end is being gripped by the
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first gripping section and the second yarn end is being
gripped by the second gripping section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a 5 winding unit
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a yarn splicing
device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the yarn splicing
10 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
operations of the yarn splicing device of FIG. 1;
15 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
denoted on the same or corresponding portions throughout
25 the drawings, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a winding unit 1 is adapted
to wind a yarn Y around a package P from a yarn supplying
bobbin B. The yarn supplying bobbin B is formed by a
spinning machine at a previous stage and is transported from
30 the spinning machine in a state of being set on a tray, for
example. By arranging a plurality of the winding units 1
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side by side, an automatic winder serving as a textile
machine is formed.
The winding unit 1 includes a bobbin supporting
section (yarn supplying section) 2, a yarn unwinding
assisting device 3, a preclearer 4, a gate-type tenser 5 ser 5,
a tension sensor 6, a lower-yarn catching device 7, a yarn
splicing device 10, a cutter 9, a yarn clearer 11, an
upper-yarn catching device 12 and a winding section 13
arranged in this order from upstream (a lower side in this
10 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.
The bobbin supporting section 2 is adapted to support
the yarn supplying bobbin B upright and to supply the yarn
15 Y. The yarn unwinding assisting device 3 is adapted to
control a balloon of the 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
20 by holding the yarn Y in a zig-zag manner with a pair of
gates formed of a comb-teeth 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.
25 The preclearer 4 is adapted to pre-regulate a passage
of a yarn defect, which is greater than a defined value,
with a pair of regulating members arranged within the yarn
path therebetween. The yarn clearer 11 is adapted to detect
a yarn defect such as a slub during winding of the yarn Y.
30 The cutter 9 is adapted to cut the yarn Y when the yarn defect
is detected by the yarn clearer 11. The yarn splicing
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device 10 is adapted to splice a yarn end (first yarn end)
from the package P and a yarn end (second yarn end) from
the yarn supplying bobbin B at the time of cutting the yarn
Y by the cutter 9 or yarn breakage of the yarn Y.
The lower-yarn catching device 7 is mounted to 5 the
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 place
above the yarn splicing device 10 and a place below the
10 preclearer 4. At the time of cutting the yarn Y by the
cutter 9 or the yarn breakage of the yarn Y, the lower-yarn
catching device 7 is adapted to swing the suction mouth 7a
to the place below the preclearer 4 to suck a yarn end from
a lower side with the suction mouth 7a, and then to swing
15 the suction mouth 7a to the place above the yarn 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
20 as a center, and a suction mouth 12a is provided at a swinging
end thereof. The suction mouth 12a is swung between a place
below the yarn splicing device 10 and the winding section
13. At the time of cutting the yarn Y by the cutter 9 or
the yarn breakage of the yarn Y, the upper-yarn catching
25 device 12 is adapted to swing the suction mouth 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 swing
the suction mouth 12a to the place below the yarn splicing
device 10 to deliver the yarn end from the upper side to
30 the yarn splicing device 10.
The winding section 13 is adapted to wind the yarn
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Y unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin B around 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 5 a
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
10 section 13 winds the yarn Y around the package P while
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
15 winding unit 1. The input section 17 serves as, for example,
an operational button or the like, and is used when an
operator sets various values in 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
20 control section 16 transmits/receives various types of
information 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
25 each provided in the winding units 1.
Next, a configuration of the above-described yarn
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
30 a lower side for convenience’s sake. Similarly, a side of
the yarn path with respect to the yarn splicing device 10
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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
untwisting section 40B, a yarn splicing section 50 5 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
10 pair of twist stopping levers 82 adapted to swing so as 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.
15 Above the second untwisting section 40B and below the
first untwisting section 40A, a first guide plate (first
regulating section) 21 and a second guide plate (second
regulating section) 22 are respectively arranged so as to
face each other with the yarn splicing section 50
20 therebetween. A guide groove 21a and a guide groove 21b
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
25 in an upper-lower direction, and the guide groove 21b of
the first guide plate 21 faces the guide groove 22b of the
second guide plate 22 in the upper-lower direction.
A yarn end YA from the upper side (that is, a yarn
end YA from the upper side that has been guided by the
30 upper-yarn catching device 12) that has been drawn by one
of the yarn drawing levers 81 is introduced to the guide
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groove 21a and the guide groove 22a facing each other 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 l5 evers
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
10 provided above the second guide plate 22. The first
gripping section 60A is adapted to grip at a first gripping
position 69A, the yarn end YA from the upper side that has
been introduced to the guide groove 21a. The first cutting
section 70A is adapted to cut at a first cutting position
15 79A, the yarn end YA from the upper side that has been
introduced to the guide groove 22a under a state where the
yarn end YA from the upper side is being gripped by the first
gripping section 60A.
In addition, a second gripping section 60B is
20 provided below the second guide plate 22, and a second
cutting section 70B is provided below the first guide plate
21. The second gripping section 60B is adapted to grip at
a second gripping position 69B, the yarn end YB from the
lower side that has been introduced to the guide groove 22b.
25 The second cutting section 70B is adapted to cut at a second
cutting position 79B, the yarn end YB from the lower side
that has been introduced to the guide groove 21b under a
state where the yarn end YB from the lower side is being
gripped by the second gripping section 60B.
30 As described above, the first guide plate 21 is
arranged between the first gripping section 60A and the
10 / 40
first cutting section 70A and is adapted to regulate
movement of the yarn end YA from the upper side in a first
direction (a left-right direction in this case) vertical
to a direction in which the first gripping section 60A and
the first cutting section 70A face each other (that is, 5 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
10 direction (the left-right direction in this case) 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
15 side is being gripped by the first gripping section 60A,
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
20 side is being gripped by the second gripping section 60B,
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.
25 Under a state where the yarn end YA from the upper
side is being gripped by the first gripping section 60A and
the yarn end YB from the lower side is being gripped by the
second gripping section 60B, the yarn splicing section 50
is adapted to twist the yarn end YA from the upper side that
30 has been untwisted by the first untwisting section 40A and
the yarn end YB from the lower side that has been untwisted
11 / 40
by the second untwisting section 40B together. 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 5 yarn
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
10 mounted to the frame body 20 as a drive source for the pair
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
15 portion of the arm 24. A base-end portion of the yarn
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.
20 In addition, the twist stopping levers 82 are
swingably 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,
25 the twist stopping levers 82 are swung to a side of the first
untwisting section 40A and the second untwisting section
40B together with the yarn drawing levers 81. However,
after the twist stopping levers 82 make contact with a
stopper or the like provided in the frame body 20, for
30 example, only the yarn drawing levers 81 are swung to the
side of the first untwisting section 40A and the second
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untwisting section 40B.
A stepping motor 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 moving section 5 n 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.
10 The second moving section 30B is 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.
15 A base-end portion of an arm 28 is fixed to a rotation
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
20 60A and is adapted to function as the first moving section
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
25 upper support shaft 33 fixed to the first guide plate 21.
On the other hand, a lower coupling member 31 is bent
in a crank shape toward a side of the second gripping section
60B and is adapted to function as the second moving section
30B. Although not illustrated, a front-end portion of the
30 lower coupling member 31 is swingably coupled to a tip-end
portion of a lower arm 32 arranged above the second guide
13 / 40
plate 22. A base-end portion of the lower arm 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
(a first base member) 61 capable of swinging with r5 espect
to the first untwisting section 40A, and a sub member (a
first 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
10 plate 21, and a base-end portion of the sub member 62 is
swingably supported by a support shaft 64 fixed 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
15 62 is urged toward a side of a tip-end portion of the base
member 61 by a torsion coil spring 65 swingably 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
20 the sub member 62.
An arm 66 is extended from the base-end portion of
the base member 61. A cam follower 66a is mounted at a
tip-end portion of the arm 66 such that a side 31a at a back
side of a bent portion in the upper coupling member 31 can
25 make contact with the cam follower 66a. An arm 68 is
extended from the base-end portion of the sub member 62.
A cam follower 68a is mounted at a tip-end portion of the
arm 68 such that a side 31b at a front side of the bent portion
in the upper coupling member 31 can make contact with the
30 cam follower 68a.
The upper coupling member 31 functions as the first
14 / 40
moving section 30A 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 the length of the yarn
end YA from the upper side to be introduced to the first
untwisting section 40A. Now operations of the 5 first
gripping section 60A and the first moving section 30A will
be 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
10 first moving section 30A, and a second base member 61 and
a second sub member 62 respectively correspond to the first
base member 61 and the first sub member 62, description of
the second gripping section 60B and the second moving
section 30B will be omitted.
15 First, in a state illustrated in FIG. 3, the side 31b
at the front side 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
of the base member 61 are opened. Subsequently, when the
20 stepping motor 27 swings the tip-end portion of the arm 28
to the back side, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the side 31b
at the front side of the bent portion in the upper coupling
member 31 is separated from the cam follower 68a.
Accordingly, the tip-end portion of the sub member 62 and
25 the tip-end portion of the base member 61 are closed with
urging force of the torsion coil spring 65. In this 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 by the yarn drawing lever 81 and then introduced
30 to the guide groove 21a and the guide groove 22a.
When the stepping motor 27 further swings the tip-end
15 / 40
portion of the arm 28 to the back side, as illustrated in
FIG. 5, the side 31a at the back side of the bent portion
in the upper coupling member 31 makes contact with the cam
follower 66a. Accordingly, under a state where the tip-end
portion of the sub member 62 and the tip-end portion of 5 the
base member 61 are closed, the base member 61 is swung. In
this manner, by swinging the base member 61 with respect
to the first untwisting section 40A, the first moving
section 30A moves the first gripping position 69A of the
10 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
direction (the left-right direction in this case) vertical
15 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 29 such as an
air cylinder, a solenoid, or the like is mounted to the frame
20 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 72 swingably supported
by the support shaft 33. An arm 73 is extended from a
25 base-end portion of the movable piece 72, and an 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 predetermined timing by
the actuator 29. In this manner, the second cutting section
30 70B cuts the yarn end YB from the lower side that has been
drawn by the yarn drawing lever 81 and then introduced to
16 / 40
the guide groove 21b and the guide groove 22b. By mounting
the movable piece 72 of the second cutting section 70B to
the support shaft 33, which is set as a rotation shaft, the
movable piece 72 may be driven with the stepping motor 27
via the arm 32, the coupling member 31 and the arm 28. 5 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 70A will be
omitted.
10 Next, operations of the above-described yarn
splicing device 10 (that is, a yarn splicing method
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
15 untwisting section 40B, the yarn end YA from the upper side
that has been guided by the upper-yarn catching device 12
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
20 untwisting section 40B. Accordingly, the yarn end YA from
the upper side is introduced to the guide groove 21a of the
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
25 lower side is introduced to the guide groove 21b of the first
guide plate 21, the guide groove 22b of the second guide
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
30 the yarn end YB from the lower side are arranged in an
accommodating section 52 via a guide inclined portion 53.
17 / 40
Subsequently, the yarn end YA from the upper side that
has been introduced to the guide groove 21a of the first
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 5 r side
that has been introduced to the guide groove 22b of the
second guide plate 22 is gripped in proximity to the guide
groove 22b by the second gripping section 60B (a second
gripping process). Then, the yarn end YA from the upper
10 side that has been introduced to the guide groove 22a of
the second guide plate 22 is cut in proximity to the guide
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
15 side that has been introduced to the guide groove 21b of
the first guide plate 21 is cut in proximity to the guide
groove 21b by the second cutting section 70B under a state
of being gripped by the second gripping section 60B (a
second cutting process).
20 Subsequently, by the first untwisting section 40A
injecting untwisting air from an injection hole into an
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
25 40A under the state of being gripped by the first gripping
section 60A (a first untwisting process). Similarly, by
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
30 second cutting section 70B is introduced to and untwisted
by the second untwisting section 40B under the state of
18 / 40
being gripped by the second gripping section 60B (a second
untwisting process).
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 5 YA
from the upper side is drawn from the first untwisting
section 40A and the yarn end YB from the lower side is drawn
from the second untwisting section 40B. Then, the tip-end
portion of the yarn end YA from the upper side and the tip-end
10 portion of the yarn end YB from the lower side are held in
proximity to the yarn splicing section 50 by the twist
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
15 accommodating section 52, 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 are twisted
together (a yarn splicing process). At this time, the yarn
20 end YA from the upper side is being gripped by the first
gripping section 60A, and the yarn end YB from the lower
side is being gripped by the second gripping section 60B.
Subsequently, the yarn drawing levers 81 and the
twist stopping levers 82 are swung to an opposite side of
25 the first untwisting section 40A and the second untwisting
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
30 side returns to the yarn path at a front side of the yarn
splicing device 10.
19 / 40
Finally, adjustment of a length to be untwisted 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 5 upper
side in 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 (a first moving process).
Similarly, the second moving section 30B moves the second
10 gripping position 69B of the yarn end 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 (a second moving process).
In a case where the length of the yarn end YA from
15 the upper side to be introduced to the first untwisting
section 40A is shortened, the yarn splicing device 10 is
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
20 groove 21a of the first guide plate 21 (the first gripping
process). Then, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the first
cutting section 70A cuts the yarn end YA from the upper side
at the first cutting position 79A (the first cutting
process). Then, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, the first moving
25 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 this manner, since the
first moving process is performed after the first cutting
process, the length of the yarn end YA from the upper side
30 to be introduced to the first untwisting section 40A is
reliably shortened by a length L. In this case, when an
20 / 40
amount in which the first gripping position 69A is moved
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 YB from 5 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 upper
side to be untwisted.
On the other hand, in a case where the length of the
10 yarn end YA from the upper side to be introduced to the first
untwisting section 40A is lengthened, the yarn splicing
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
15 to the guide groove 21a of the first guide plate 21 (the
first gripping process). Then, as illustrated in FIG. 7C,
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).
20 Then, as illustrated in FIG. 7C, the first cutting section
70A cuts the yarn end YA from the upper side at the first
cutting position 79A (the first cutting process). Then,
as illustrated in FIG. 7D, the first moving section 30A
returns the first gripping position 69A of the yarn end YA
25 from the upper side in the first gripping section 60A to
an original position. In this manner, since the first
moving process is performed before the first cutting
process, the length of the yarn end YA from the upper side
to be introduced to the first untwisting section 40A is
30 reliably lengthened by the length L. In this case, when
the amount in which the first gripping position 69A is moved
21 / 40
is great, the length L to be lengthened can be great, and
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 m5 anner
as the adjustment of the length of the yarn end YA from the
upper side to be untwisted.
By setting a desired length to be untwisted in each
control section 16 of the winding units 1, the
10 above-described adjustment of the length to be untwisted
can be performed. The length to be untwisted is 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
15 upper control section). The control section 16 controls
operations of the first moving section 30A and the second
moving section 30B 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
20 is to be adjusted with the operations of the first moving
section 30A and the length of the yarn end YB from the lower
side to be untwisted that is to be adjusted with the
operations of the second moving section 30B can be
appropriately (the yarn end YA from the upper side and the
25 yarn end YB from the lower side may be a same value or
different values) set in the control section 16 according
to a yarn type or the like of the yarn Y to be wound. In
addition, in a case where the length to be untwisted is set
in the control section 16 via the upper control section of
30 the automatic winder, the lengths to be untwisted can be
simultaneously set in the plurality of winding units 1.
22 / 40
As described above, in the yarn splicing device 10,
the first gripping position 69A of the yarn end YA from the
upper side in the first gripping section 60A is moved to
adjust the length of the yarn end YA from the upper side
to be introduced to the first untwisting section 40A, 5 A, and
the second gripping position 69B of the yarn end YB from
the lower side in the second gripping section 60B is moved
to adjust the length of the yarn end YB from the lower side
to be introduced to the second untwisting section 40B. In
10 this manner, since the first gripping position 69A where
the yarn end YA from the upper side is gripped and the second
gripping position 69B where the yarn end YB from the lower
side is gripped are moved, the length of the yarn end YA
from the upper side to be introduced to the first untwisting
15 section 40A and the length of the yarn end YB from the lower
side to be introduced to the second untwisting section 40B
can be accurately adjusted according to the yarn type, for
example. Thus, a knotting cycle (a period of time required
for performing yarn splicing one time) can be prevented from
20 being long and appropriate yarn splicing can be realized.
In the yarn splicing device 10, while the first guide
plate 21 regulates the movement of the yarn end YA from the
upper side in the first direction vertical to the direction
in which the first gripping section 60A and the first
25 cutting section 70A face each other (that is, the direction
along the yarn path), the first moving section 30A moves
in the first direction, the first gripping position 69A of
the yarn end YA from the upper side in the first gripping
section 60A. Accordingly, since the yarn end YA from the
30 upper side is maintained at a predetermined position by the
first guide plate 21 even when the first gripping position
23 / 40
69A of the yarn end YA from the upper side is moved, the
yarn end YA from the upper side can be reliably introduced
to the first untwisting section 40A. Similarly, in the yarn
splicing device 10, while the second guide plate 22
regulates the movement of the yarn end YB from the 5 lower
side in the second direction vertical to the 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), the second moving section 30B moves in the
10 second direction, the second gripping position 69B of the
yarn end YB from the lower side in the second gripping
section 60B. Accordingly, since the yarn end YB from the
lower side is maintained at a predetermined position by the
second guide plate 22 even when the second gripping position
15 69B of the yarn end YB from the lower side is moved, the
yarn end YB from the lower side can be reliably introduced
to the second untwisting section 40B.
In the yarn splicing device 10, the first moving
section 30A moves the first gripping position 69A of the
20 yarn end YA from the upper side in the first gripping section
60A by swinging the base member 61 of the first gripping
section 60A, and the second moving section 30B moves the
second gripping position 69B of the yarn end YB from the
lower side in the second gripping section 60B by swinging
25 the base member 61 of the second gripping section 60B. In
this manner, in the yarn splicing device 10, only by
swinging the base members 61, the first gripping position
69A and the second gripping position 69B can be reliably
moved.
30 In the yarn splicing device 10, the surface on which
the base member 61 is swung and the surface on which the
24 / 40
sub member 62 is swung are parallel to each other in each
of the first gripping section 60A and the second gripping
section 60B. Accordingly, operations of gripping the yarn
end YA and the yarn end YB by swinging the sub members 62
and operations of moving the first gripping position 5 n 69A
and the second gripping position 69B by swinging the base
members 61 can be efficiently performed as successive
operations.
In the yarn splicing device 10, the first gripping
10 section 60A, the first moving section 30A, the second
gripping section 60B and the second moving section 30B are
operated by the stepping motor 27 serving as a common drive
source. Accordingly, the operations of respectively
gripping yarn ends by the first gripping section 60A and
15 the second gripping section 60B and the operations of
respectively moving the first gripping position 69A and the
second gripping position 69B by the first moving section
30A and the second moving section 30B can be reliably
performed at a desired timing.
20 One embodiment of the present invention has been
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
25 a yarn splicing device of the present invention may be
applied to a winding unit of a spinning machine, a working
cart adapted to move between a plurality of winding units,
or the like. In a case where the yarn splicing device of
the present invention is applied to the winding unit of the
30 spinning machine, a yarn supplying section of the present
invention is formed by a draft device adapted to supply a
25 / 40
spun yarn, a spinning device, and the like.
In the above-described embodiment, 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 direction vertical to the direction 5 in
which the first gripping section 60A and the first cutting
section 70A face each other (that is, the direction along
the yarn path), and the second moving section 30B moves the
second gripping position 69B of the yarn end YB from the
10 lower side in the second gripping section 60B in the second
direction vertical to the 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),
but the present invention is not limited thereto. For an
15 example, the first moving section 30A may move the first
gripping position 69A of the yarn end YA from the upper side
in the first gripping section 60A in 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
20 path), and the second moving section 30B may move the second
gripping position 69B of the yarn end YB from the lower side
in the second gripping section 60B in the direction in which
the second gripping section 60B and the second cutting
section 70B face each other (that is, the direction along
25 the yarn path).
In the above-described embodiment, the first guide
plate 21 regulates the movement of the yarn end YA from the
upper side in the first direction vertical to the direction
in which the first gripping section 60A and the first
30 cutting section 70A face each other, and the second guide
plate 22 regulates the movement of the yarn end YB from the
26 / 40
lower side in the second direction vertical to the direction
in which the second gripping section 60B and the second
cutting section 70B face each other. However, the yarn
drawing levers 81 may regulate the movement of the yarn end
YA from the upper side in the first direction and 5 the
movement of the yarn end YB from the lower side in the second
direction. In this case, the yarn drawing levers 81 serve
as the first regulating section and the second regulating
section.
10 In the present invention, a first gripping section,
a first cutting section, a first moving section, a second
gripping section, a second cutting section and a second
moving section may be operated by a common drive source.
This configuration is feasible by arranging between the
15 drive source and each component, a cam mechanism adapted
to determine an operation timing of each component. With
this configuration, since a drive source is shared by each
section, cost of a yarn splicing device can be reduced.
In the yarn splicing device, the first gripping
20 position of the first yarn end in the first gripping section
is moved to adjust the length of the first yarn end to be
introduced to the first untwisting section, and the second
gripping position of the second yarn end in the second
gripping section is moved to adjust the length of the second
25 yarn end to be introduced to the second untwisting section.
In this manner, since each of the first gripping position
and the second gripping position where each yarn end is
gripped is moved, the lengths of the yarn ends to be
respectively introduced to the first untwisting section and
30 the second untwisting section can be accurately adjusted.
The yarn splicing device further includes a first
27 / 40
regulating section arranged between the first gripping
section and the first cutting section and adapted to
regulate movement of the first yarn end in a first direction
vertical to a direction in which the first gripping section
and the first cutting section face each other, and a 5 second
regulating section arranged between the second gripping
section and the second cutting section and adapted to
regulate movement of the second yarn end in a second
direction vertical to a direction in which the second
10 gripping section and the second cutting section face each
other. The first moving section may move the first gripping
position in the first direction, and the second moving
section may move the second gripping position in the second
direction. At this time, the first regulating section may
15 be a first guide plate including a guide groove to which
the first yarn end is introduced, and the second regulating
section may be a second guide plate including a guide groove
to which the second yarn end is introduced. With these
configurations, since the yarn ends are respectively
20 maintained at predetermined positions by the first
regulating section and the second regulating section, the
yarn ends can be reliably introduced to the first untwisting
section and the second untwisting section respectively.
The first gripping section includes a first base
25 member provided swingably with respect to the first
untwisting section and a first sub member swingably mounted
to the first base member, and the first moving section may
move the first gripping position by swinging the first base
member with respect to the first untwisting section. The
30 second gripping section includes a second base member
provided swingably with respect to the second untwisting
28 / 40
section and a second sub member swingably mounted to the
second base member, and the second moving section may move
the second gripping position by swinging the second base
member with respect to the second untwisting section. With
this configuration, only by swinging each of the first 5 base
member and the second base member, each of the first
gripping position and the second gripping position can be
reliably moved.
A surface on which the first base member is swung and
10 a surface on which the first sub member is swung may be
parallel to each other, and a surface on which the second
base member is swung and a surface on which the second sub
member is swung may be parallel to each other. With this
configuration, operations of gripping the yarn ends by
15 swinging each of the first sub member and the second sub
member and operations of moving the gripping positions by
swinging each of the first base member and the second base
member can be efficiently performed as successive
operations.
20 The first gripping section, the first moving section,
the second gripping section and the second moving section
may be operated by a common drive source. With this
configuration, the operations of gripping yarn ends by each
of the first gripping section and the second gripping
25 section and the operations of moving the gripping positions
by each of the first moving section and the second moving
section can be reliably performed at a desired timing.
The first gripping section, the first cutting section,
the first moving section, the second gripping section, the
30 second cutting section and the second moving section may
be operated by a common drive source. With this
29 / 40
configuration, since a drive source is shared by each
section, cost of the yarn splicing device can be reduced.
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 5 section adapted
to wind the yarn, and a control section adapted to control
at least operations of the first moving section and the
second moving 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 of the yarn
splicing device can be appropriately set according to a yarn
type or the like of the yarn to be wound.
The winding unit may further include an input section
15 for setting the length of the first yarn end to be adjusted
by the operations of the first moving section and the length
of the second yarn end to be adjusted by the operations of
the second moving section in the control section. With this
configuration, the lengths of the yarn ends to be
20 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.
A textile machine of the present invention includes
a plurality of the winding units and an upper control
25 section adapted to control each control section of the
winding units.
With the textile machine, the lengths of the yarn ends
to be respectively introduced to the first untwisting
section and the second untwisting section of the yarn
30 splicing device can be simultaneously set in the plurality
of winding units.
30 / 40
The textile machine may further include an upper
input section for setting the length of the first yarn end
to be adjusted by the operations of the first moving section
and the length of the second yarn end to be adjusted by the
operations of the second moving section in each 5 h yarn
splicing device of the winding units in each control section
via the upper control section. With this configuration,
the lengths of the yarn ends to be respectively introduced
to the first untwisting section and the second untwisting
10 section of the yarn splicing device can be set by the
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
15 end, a first cutting process in which a first cutting
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
20 cut by the first cutting section and untwists the first yarn
end under the state where the first yarn end is being gripped
by the first gripping section, a first moving process in
which a first moving section moves a first gripping position
of the first yarn end in the first gripping section to adjust
25 a length of the first yarn end to be introduced to the first
untwisting 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 end is
30 being gripped by the second gripping section, a second
untwisting process in which a second untwisting section
31 / 40
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, a second moving
process in which a second moving section moves a se5 cond
gripping position of the second yarn end in the second
gripping section to adjust 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
10 twists 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 together
under a state where the first yarn end is being gripped by
the first gripping section and the second yarn end is being
15 gripped by the second gripping section.
With the 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
untwisting section and the second untwisting section can
20 be accurately adjusted.
The length of the first yarn end to be introduced to
the first untwisting section may be shortened in the first
moving process performed after the first cutting process,
and the length of the second yarn end to be introduced to
25 the second untwisting section may be shortened in the second
moving process performed after the second cutting process.
In this case, the lengths of the yarn ends to be respectively
introduced to the first untwisting section and the second
untwisting section can be reliably shortened.
30 The length of the first yarn end to be introduced to
the first untwisting section may be lengthened in the first
32 / 40
moving process performed before the first cutting process,
and the length of the second yarn end to be introduced to
the second untwisting section may be lengthened in the
second moving process performed before the second cutting
process. In this case, the lengths of the yarn ends to 5 be
respectively introduced to the first untwisting section and
the second untwisting section can be reliably lengthened.
The present invention can provide a yarn splicing
device and a yarn splicing method that enable accurate
10 adjustment of the length of the yarn end to be introduced
to the untwisting section, a winding unit including such
a yarn splicing device, and a textile machine.
33 / 40

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 first moving section adapted to move a first
15 gripping position of the first yarn end in the first
gripping section to adjust a length of the first yarn end
to be introduced to the first untwisting section;
a second gripping section adapted to grip a second
yarn end;
20 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
thereto the second yarn end that has been cut by the second
25 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;
a second moving section adapted to move a second
gripping position of the second yarn end in the second
30 gripping section to adjust a length of the second yarn end
to be introduced to the second untwisting section; and
34 / 40
a yarn splicing section adapted to twist 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 together under a state in
which the first yarn end is being gripped by the 5 first
gripping section and the second yarn end is being gripped
by the second gripping section .
2. The yarn splicing device according to claim 1,
10 further comprising:
a first regulating section arranged between the first
gripping section and the first cutting section and adapted
to regulate movement of the first yarn end in a first
direction vertical to a direction in which the first
15 gripping section and the first cutting section face each
other; and
a second regulating section arranged between the
second gripping section and the second cutting section and
adapted to regulate movement of the second yarn end in a
20 second direction vertical to a direction in which the second
gripping section and the second cutting section face each
other,
wherein the first moving section is adapted to move
the first gripping position in the first direction, and
25 the second moving section is adapted to move the
second gripping position in the second direction.
3. The yarn splicing device according to claim 2,
wherein the first regulating section is a first guide plate
30 including a guide groove to which the first yarn end is
introduced, and
35 / 40
the second regulating section is a second guide plate
including a guide groove to which the second yarn end is
introduced.
4. The yarn splicing device according to any one 5 of
claim 1 through claim 3, wherein the first gripping section
includes a first base member provided swingably with
respect to the first untwisting section and a first sub
member swingably mounted to the first base member,
10 the first moving section is adapted to move the first
gripping position by swinging the first base member with
respect to the first untwisting section ,
the second gripping section includes a second base
member provided swingably with respect to the second
15 untwisting section and a second sub member swingably
mounted to the second base member, and
the second moving section is adapted to move the
second gripping position by swinging the second base member
with respect to the second untwisting section.
20
5. The yarn splicing device according to claim 4,
wherein a surface on which the first base member is swung
and a surface on which the first sub member is swung are
parallel to each other, and a surface on which the second
25 base member is swung and a surface on which the second sub
member is swung are parallel to each other.
6. The yarn splicing device according to any one of
claim 1 through claim 5, wherein the first gripping section,
30 the first moving section, the second gripping section and
the second moving section are operated by a common drive
36 / 40
source.
7. The yarn splicing device according to any one of
claim 1 through claim 5, wherein the first gripping section,
the first cutting section, the first moving section, 5 , the
second gripping section, the second cutting section and the
second moving section are operated by a common drive source.
8. A winding unit comprising:
10 the yarn splicing device according to any one of claim
1 through claim 7;
a yarn supplying section adapted to supply a yarn;
a winding section adapted to wind the yarn; and
a control section adapted to control at least
15 operations of the first moving section and the second moving
section of the yarn splicing device.
9. The winding unit according to claim 8, further
comprising an input section for setting in the control
20 section , the length of the first yarn end to be adjusted
by operations of the first moving section and the length
of the second yarn end to be adjusted by operations of the
second moving section.
25 10. A textile machine comprising:
a plurality of the winding units according to claim
8 or claim 9; and
an upper control section adapted to control each
control section of the winding units.
30
11. The textile machine according to claim 10,
37 / 40
further 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 first moving section and the length of the second
yarn end to be adjusted by the operations of the 5 second
moving section in each yarn splicing device of the winding
units.
12. A yarn splicing method for splicing yarn ends
10 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
section cuts the first yarn end under a state in which the
15 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
20 the first yarn end under the state in which the first yarn
end is being gripped by the first gripping section;
a first moving process in which a first moving section
moves a first gripping position of the first yarn end in
the first gripping section to adjust a length of the first
25 yarn end to be introduced to the first untwisting 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 in which the
30 second yarn end is being gripped by the second gripping
section;
38 / 40
a second untwisting process in which a second
untwisting 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 in which the second yarn
5 end is being gripped by the second gripping section ;
a second moving process in which a second moving
section moves a second gripping position of the second yarn
end in the second gripping section to adjust a length of
the second yarn end to be introduced to the second
10 untwisting section; and
a yarn splicing process in which a yarn splicing
section twists 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
15 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.
13. The yarn splicing method according to claim 12,
20 wherein the length of the first yarn end to be introduced
to the first untwisting section is shortened in the first
moving process performed after the first cutting process,
and
the length of the second yarn end to be introduced
25 to the second untwisting section is shortened in the second
moving process performed after the second cutting process.
14. The yarn splicing method according to claim 12,
wherein the length of the first yarn end to be introduced
30 to the first untwisting section is lengthened in the first
moving process performed before the first cutting process,
39 / 40
and
the length of the second yarn end to be introduced
to the second untwisting section is lengthened in the second
moving process performed before the first cutting process.