YARN SUPPLYING BOBBIN DIRECTION CHANGING DEVICE AND BOBBIN
SUPPLYING SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
5 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention mainly relates to a yarn
supplying bobbin direction changing device adapted to
change the direction of the yarn supplying bobbin.
10 2. Description of the Related Art
In a bobbin supplying system adapted to supply a yarn
supplying bobbin to each winder unit of an automatic winder,
a bobbin direction changing device adapted to drop the
bobbin with a basal portion (side to be mounted on a feeding
15 tray) of an individualized yarn supplying bobbin directed
toward a lower side is conventionally known. Japanese
Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2014-25191 discloses this
type of bobbin direction changing device.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2014-25191
20 discloses a device adapted to change the direction of a cop
or a winding tube. This device includes two receiving
sections with an intermediate chamber adapted to receive
one of the ends of the cop (bobbin). Each intermediate
chamber is set to a dimension such that a cop distal end
25 (portion of small diameter) of the cop passes and a cop basal
portion (portion of large diameter) of the cop does not pass.
A holding means is arranged at a lower end of the receiving
chamber. The holding means is configured such that the cop
distal end held by the holding means can move in a horizontal
30 direction thereon or in the interior thereof. The device
includes an operation means adapted to catch not the cop
3 / 50
distal end but only the cop basal end, and to move the cop
in the horizontal direction. When the operation means is
operated, the holding with respect to the cop basal portion
is released and the cop is dropped with the cop basal portion
5 directed toward the lower side.
However, in the configuration of Japanese Laid-Open
Patent Publication No. 2014-25191, the cop needs to be moved
in the horizontal direction in order to drop the cop from
the basal portion thereof first, and thus a space for moving
10 the cop in the horizontal direction needs to be provided.
As a result, miniaturization of the device was difficult
to realize. Furthermore, if the space is provided, the cop
may deviate from a predetermined position when being
received, and hence the adjustment (setting) of the space
15 was difficult.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in view of the
above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide
20 a yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device having
a compact configuration.
The problems to be solved by the present invention
are as described above, and now, the means and effects for
solving such problems will be described.
25 According to a first aspect of the present invention,
a yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device having
the following configuration is provided. In other words,
the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device is
adapted to change direction of a yarn supplying bobbin in
30 which a yarn is wound around a winding tube including a large
diameter end and a small diameter end having a diameter
4 / 50
smaller than the large diameter end. The yarn supplying
bobbin direction changing device includes a pair of winding
tube guiding paths in which at least one part is formed in
an inclined manner. A first receiving portion and a second
5 receiving portion are formed in each of the winding tube
guiding paths. The first receiving portion is adapted to
pass the small diameter end and receive the large diameter
end. The second receiving portion is located downstream
of the first receiving portion and adapted to receive the
10 small diameter end. The first receiving portion is
configured so that a receiving surface adapted to receive
the end of the core tube on the lower side is openable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
15 FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a bobbin supplying
device according to one embodiment of the present invention
with a tray feeding path and an automatic winder;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an overall
configuration of the bobbin supplying device;
20 FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a
configuration of a bobbin sorting device;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A
of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a
25 configuration of a bobbin direction aligning device on one
side;
FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a state where a bottom
portion of the yarn supplying bobbin is received by a bottom
portion side receiving portion in a core tube guiding path
30 on one side of the bobbin direction aligning device;
FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state where a top
5 / 50
portion of the yarn supplying bobbin is received by a top
portion side receiving portion in the core tube guiding path
on the other side of the bobbin direction aligning device;
and
5 FIG. 8 is a block diagram describing control of the
bobbin supplying device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be
10 described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan
view illustrating a bobbin supplying device 10 according
to one embodiment of the present invention along with a tray
feeding path 110 and an automatic winder 100. FIG. 2 is
a perspective view illustrating an overall configuration
15 of the bobbin supplying device 10.
In the following description, “upstream” and
“downstream” refer to upstream and downstream with respect
to a feeding direction of a yarn supplying bobbin 3 and a
feeding tray (feeding member) 2.
20 A bobbin supplying device (bobbin supplying system)
10 illustrated in FIG. 1 supplies, to the automatic winder
100, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 in which a yarn is wound
around a core tube (winding tube) 4.
The automatic winder 100 includes a plurality of
25 winder units 101 arranged in line. Each of the winder units
101 unwinds a yarn from the supplied yarn supplying bobbin
3, and forms a package in which a predetermined amount of
yarn is wound.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the tray feeding path 110
30 includes a yarn supplying bobbin introducing path 111, a
yarn supplying bobbin feeding path 112, a core tube feeding
6 / 50
path 113, and a return bobbin feeding path 114.
A bobbin supplying device 10, to be described later,
adapted to supply the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is arranged
on the yarn supplying bobbin introducing path 111. The yarn
5 supplying bobbin introducing path 111 is configured to feed
the feeding tray 2, on which the yarn supplying bobbin 3
is set by the bobbin supplying device 10, to the yarn
supplying bobbin feeding path 112.
A yarn supplying bobbin lead-out device 115 is
10 arranged between the yarn supplying bobbin introducing path
111 and the yarn supplying bobbin feeding path 112. The
yarn supplying bobbin lead-out device 115 performs a
process of dissociating and leading out a yarn end from a
surface (yarn layer) of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 supplied
15 from the yarn supplying bobbin introducing path 111,
winding the lead-out yarn end around a top portion of the
core tube 4 (side opposite to the side to be inserted to
the feeding tray 2) and inserting the yarn to a top hole
(hole on the top portion side) of the core tube 4.
20 The yarn supplying bobbin 3 lead-out processed by the
yarn supplying bobbin lead-out device 115 is supplied to
each winder unit 101 of the automatic winder 100 through
the yarn supplying bobbin feeding path 112. In each of the
winder unit 101, the compressed air is blown from the bottom
25 portion of the supplied yarn supplying bobbin 3 to blow away
the yarn end processed by the yarn supplying bobbin lead-out
device 115, thus pulling out and winding the yarn end from
the yarn supplying bobbin 3. The yarn winding operation
performed by the winder unit 101 is known, and thus the
30 description thereof will be omitted.
The core tube feeding path 113 is configured to feed
7 / 50
the yarn supplying bobbin (i.e., core tube 4) in which the
yarn is unwound by each winder unit 101 and discharged, to
a bobbin extracting device 116 arranged on the downstream
side.
5 The core tube 4 is an elongate cylindrical member and
is formed such that the diameter linearly reduces from the
bottom portion (large diameter end) 4a toward the top
portion (small diameter end) 4b. In other words, the
diameter of the bottom portion 4a of the core tube 4 is
10 greater than the diameter of the top portion 4b. The bottom
portion 4a of the core tube 4 is inserted to a peg of the
feeding tray 2, so that the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is set
on the feeding tray 2 and fed with the feeding tray 2.
The bobbin extracting device 116 is configured to
15 extract and collect the core tube 4 from the feeding tray
2 set with the core tube 4. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the
feeding tray 2 from which the core tube 4 is extracted by
the bobbin extracting device 116 is supplied to the bobbin
supplying device 10.
20 As illustrated in FIG. 1, the return bobbin feeding
path 114 is arranged between the yarn supplying bobbin
feeding path 112 and the core tube feeding path 113. The
return bobbin feeding path 114 is configured to re-process
the yarn supplying bobbin 3 that failed in the lead-out
25 process by the yarn supplying bobbin lead-out device 115
and the core tube 4 fed to the bobbin extracting device 116
for some reasons.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the bobbin supplying device
10 includes a bobbin input device 11, a part feeder (bobbin
30 individualizing device) 12, a bobbin sorting device (yarn
supplying bobbin distributing device) 5, a pair of bobbin
8 / 50
direction aligning device (yarn supplying bobbin direction
changing device) 6, a pair of bobbin chutes (bobbin mounting
device) 13, and a control section 90.
The bobbin input device 11 is schematically
5 illustrated in FIG. 2, where the bobbin input device 11 is
configured to input the yarn supplying bobbin 3
manufactured by a fine spinning machine (not illustrated)
to a central bottom portion of the part feeder 12 using,
for example, a conveyor. The configuration is not limited
10 thereto, and the bobbin input device can be configured to
convey the yarn supplying bobbin 3 to the part feeder 12
while being in a container and the like (not illustrated),
and input the yarn supplying bobbin to the part feeder 12.
In the part feeder 12, a spiral-shaped passage 12a
15 is continuously arranged on the inner peripheral surface
from the center portion to a feed-out port 12b which is on
the outer periphery. A drive device adapted to vibrate the
part feeder 12 is arranged at a lower part of the part feeder
12. The yarn supplying bobbin 3 input by the bobbin input
20 device 11 is aligned one at a time and conveyed toward the
feed-out port 12b while raising the spiral-shaped passage
by the vibration of the part feeder 12.
A bobbin feed conveyor (bobbin feeding device) 14 is
arranged between the part feeder 12 and the bobbin sorting
25 device 5. The bobbin feed conveyor 14 is configured to
continue to the feed-out port 12b of the part feeder 12 to
extend the spiral-shaped passage 12a in proximity to the
feed-out port 12b. Thus, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 fed
out from the feed-out port 12b is fed as is by the bobbin
30 feed conveyor 14.
The bobbin feed conveyor 14 has a width slightly wider
9 / 50
than the thickness of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 (thickness
of the portion where the yarn is wound). The bobbin feed
conveyor 14 is configured to feed the yarn supplying bobbin
3 in a substantially horizontal orientation so that the
5 longitudinal direction of the core tube 4 of the yarn
supplying bobbin 3 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred
to as a longitudinal direction of the yarn supplying bobbin
3) matches the feeding direction in the bobbin feed conveyor
14.
10 The bobbin sorting device 5 is arranged downstream
of the bobbin feed conveyor 14. The bobbin sorting device
5 includes at the upper part thereof an elongate bobbin
passage 16 where the yarn supplying bobbin 3 fed from the
bobbin feed conveyor 14 passes. The bobbin sorting device
15 5 includes five rotation guide plates 27 that are aligned
with an equal angular interval and that can integrally
rotate. The rotation guide plate 27 configures a part of
a rotation guiding section (bobbin distributing section)
17 adapted to guide the bobbin by rotating. The bobbin
20 sorting device 5 rotates the rotation guiding section 17
in a forward direction or a reverse direction to sort the
yarn supplying bobbin 3 to the side on one side or the other
side of the bobbin passage 16 path.
Two supplying paths 8 adapted to supply the yarn
25 supplying bobbin 3 in a distributed manner are arranged on
the downstream of the bobbin sorting device 5. A bobbin
direction aligning device 6, a discharge guiding member 15,
and a bobbin chute 13 are arranged in each of the supplying
paths 8.
30 The bobbin direction aligning device 6 is arranged
on a lower side of both sides with respect to the
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longitudinal direction of the bobbin passage 16 arranged
in the bobbin sorting device 5.
Each bobbin direction aligning device 6 includes a
pair of core tube guiding paths (winding tube guiding path)
5 63 adapted to guide both ends (bottom portion 4a or top
portion 4b, which are exposed portions of the core tube 4)
of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 input in a horizontal
orientation from the bobbin sorting device 5. Of the pair
of core tube guiding paths 63, the bottom portion 4a of the
10 yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed to one path and the top portion
4b is fed to the other path. Since in which orientation
the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is supplied with respect to the
bobbin direction aligning device 6 is not constant, which
of the bottom portion 4a or the top portion 4b is fed to
15 each core tube guiding path 63 is not known.
Each core tube guiding path 63 receives the bottom
portion 4a and the top portion 4b of the yarn supplying
bobbin 3 at a predetermined location. When the lower side
of the location where the bottom portion 4a is received is
20 opened, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is dropped from the
bottom portion 4a side. In this manner, the bobbin
direction aligning device 6 can supply the yarn supplying
bobbin 3 downstream with the direction of the yarn supplying
bobbin 3 aligned so that the bottom portion 4a is on the
25 lower side.
The bobbin chute 13 is arranged on the lower side of
the bobbin direction aligning device 6. The bobbin chute
13 sets the yarn supplying bobbin 3 supplied from the bobbin
direction aligning device 6 so that the core tube 4 of the
30 yarn supplying bobbin 3 is inserted to the peg of the feeding
tray 2 for feeding the yarn supplying bobbin 3. The yarn
11 / 50
supplying bobbin 3 mounted on the feeding tray 2 is then
fed to the plurality of winder units 101 in the automatic
winder 100 through the yarn supplying bobbin introducing
path 111 and the yarn supplying bobbin feeding path 112
5 illustrated in FIG. 1.
A hollow discharge guiding member 15 adapted to guide
the yarn supplying bobbin 3 in which the direction is
aligned by the bobbin direction aligning device 6 is
arranged between the bobbin direction aligning device 6 and
10 the bobbin chute 13. Two openings (first opening 15a and
second opening 15b) having different size are formed in the
discharge guiding member 15. The first opening 15a is
formed relatively large and is arranged on the upper surface
of the discharge guiding member 15. The second opening 15b
15 is formed relatively small and is arranged on the lower
surface of the discharge guiding member 15. The first
opening 15a is located immediately on the lower side of the
bobbin direction aligning device 6, and the second opening
15b is located immediately on the upper side of the bobbin
20 chute 13. According to such a configuration, the discharge
guiding member 15 can reliably guide the yarn supplying
bobbin 3 dropped from the bobbin direction aligning device
6 to the bobbin chute 13.
Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the bobbin
25 sorting device 5 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is
a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the
bobbin sorting device 5. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view
taken along line A-A of FIG. 3.
The bobbin sorting device 5 includes a pair of leg
30 portions 21, a pair of supporting shafts (shaft member) 22,
a passage supporting plate 23, a bobbin introducing
12 / 50
conveyor 24, a conveyor drive motor (conveyor drive source)
25, a pair of rotation supporting plates 26, five rotation
guide plates (push-out member) 27, a regulation plate
(bobbin regulating member) 28, a rotation motor 29, a cam
5 member 30, and a phase holding arm 31.
The rotation guiding section 17 adapted to sort the
yarn supplying bobbin 3 by rotating in the bobbin sorting
device 5 is configured to include a pair of rotation
supporting plates 26, five rotation guide plates 27, and
10 the regulation plate 28.
The pair of leg portions 21 is arranged to face each
other with an appropriate interval. The rotation guiding
section 17, the passage supporting plate 23, the bobbin
introducing conveyor 24, the conveyor drive motor 25, and
15 the like are arranged between the pair of leg portions 21.
The pair of supporting shafts 22 is fixed to the upper
part of each leg portion 21. The pair of supporting shafts
22 is arranged so as to match the axis lines. The pair of
supporting shafts 22 projects out to face each other and
20 each rotation supporting plate 26 is rotatably supported
at the projecting portion. The axis line of the supporting
shaft 22 matches the rotational axis of the rotation guiding
section 17. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the supporting shaft
22 includes a shaft hole 22a in a pass-through form, and
25 as a result, the supporting shaft 22 is formed into a hollow
shape (cylindrical shape with both axial ends opened).
The passage supporting plate 23 is configured as an
elongate rectangular plate-shaped member in a direction
parallel to the axis line of the rotation guiding section
30 17, where the thickness direction thereof is arranged to
be directed in the horizontal direction. As illustrated
13 / 50
in FIG. 4, the passage supporting plate 23 is arranged at
a position deviated to one side in the horizontal direction
from the rotational axis line in a space surrounded by the
rotation guide plate 27 (i.e., internal space of
5 cylindrical rotational trajectory drawn by the rotation
guide plate 27). Thus, a space for installing the bobbin
introducing conveyor 24 and the conveyor drive motor 25 can
be ensured. The longitudinal direction of the passage
supporting plate 23 formed into an elongate rectangular
10 shape is arranged parallel to the rotational axis line of
the rotation guiding section 17. Both ends in the
longitudinal direction of the passage supporting plate 23
are respectively fixed to the projecting portions of the
pair of supporting shafts 22 by way of a bracket (not
15 illustrated).
The bobbin introducing conveyor 24 is attached to the
surface on one side of the passage supporting plate 23. The
bobbin introducing conveyor 24 includes a drive roller 51,
a driven roller 52, a path regulating roller 53, and a feed
20 belt (conveyor belt) 54.
The drive roller 51, the driven roller 52, and the
path regulating roller 53 are all rotatably supported by
the surface on one side of the passage supporting plate 23.
The feed belt 54 is formed into an endless form, and is wound
25 across the drive roller 51 and the driven roller 52.
In the passage supporting plate 23, the conveyor
drive motor 25 is attached to the surface on the same side
as the side where the bobbin introducing conveyor 24 is
arranged. The conveyor drive motor 25 is arranged on the
30 lower side of the bobbin introducing conveyor 24.
The output shaft of the conveyor drive motor 25 passes
14 / 50
through and projects out from the passage supporting plate
23. The shaft of the drive roller 51 also passes through
and projects out from the passage supporting plate 23. The
output shaft of the conveyor drive motor 25 and the shaft
5 of the drive roller 51 are coupled by a transmission belt
55. The drive force of the conveyor drive motor 25 can be
transmitted to the drive roller 51 to drive the bobbin
introducing conveyor 24.
The feed belt 54 forms an elongate horizontal feeding
10 surface between the drive roller 51 and the driven roller
52. The feeding surface configures a road surface of the
bobbin passage 16 through which the yarn supplying bobbin
3 passes. The bobbin passage 16 is arranged to continue
to the bobbin feed conveyor 14. With the drive of the bobbin
15 introducing conveyor 24, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can
be passed in a horizontal orientation through the bobbin
passage 16 with the longitudinal direction thereof
coincided with the longitudinal direction of the bobbin
passage 16.
20 The diameter of the driven roller 52 is formed to be
smaller than that of the drive roller 51. The path
regulating roller 53 guides the portion on the lower side
of the path of the feed belt 54 and regulates the circulating
path of the feed belt 54 so as to be narrowed in a height
25 direction. The conveyor drive motor 25 is arranged on the
lower side of the portion where the path is narrowed in the
height direction. The bobbin introducing conveyor 24 and
the conveyor drive motor 25 can be arranged without
interfering with each other (see FIG. 4) in the internal
30 space of the cylindrical rotational trajectory drawn by the
rotation guide plate 27, to be described later.
15 / 50
The rotation supporting plate 26 arranged as a pair
each includes a circular flange portion 57, and five arm
portions 58 that project out in the radial direction from
the flange portion 57. A shaft hole (not illustrated) is
5 formed at the center portion of the flange portion 57, and
the supporting shaft 22 is inserted to the shaft hole to
rotatably support the rotation supporting plate 26. Five
arm portions 58 are formed to have equal length one another,
and are all integrally formed with the flange portion 57.
10 The arm portions 58 are arranged at equal intervals (i.e.,
interval of 72°) in the circumferential direction.
The rotation guide plate 27 is configured as an
elongate plate-shaped member having a constant thickness.
One end of the rotation guide plate 27 in the longitudinal
15 direction is fixed to the distal end of the arm portion 58
of the rotation supporting plate 26 on one side, and the
other end of the rotation guide plate 27 in the longitudinal
direction is fixed to the distal end of the arm portion 58
of the rotation supporting plate 26 on the other side.
20 A surface (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a
push-out surface 27a) on both sides in the thickness
direction of the rotation guide plate 27 is configured to
make contact with the yarn supplying bobbin 3 and to push
the yarn supplying bobbin 3 to the side of the bobbin passage
25 16. Each rotation guide plate 27 (push-out surface 27a)
has substantially the same length as the bobbin passage 16,
and thus the elongate yarn supplying bobbin 3 located in
the bobbin passage 16 can be suitably pushed out by the
rotation guide plate 27.
30 Each rotation guide plate 27 is arranged so that the
longitudinal direction becomes parallel to the rotational
16 / 50
axis line of the rotation guiding section 17. The five
rotation guide plates 27 are fixed to the arm portion 58
of the rotation supporting plate 26, as described above,
and thus are aligned with an equal interval (i.e., interval
5 of 72°) in the circumferential direction along a virtual
circle having the rotational axis line of the rotation
guiding section 17, which is an axis parallel to the
longitudinal direction of the bobbin passage 16 (feeding
direction of bobbin introducing conveyor 24), as the center.
10 The rotation guide plate 27 is arranged so that the
thickness direction thereof lies along the circumferential
direction of the virtual circle. Thus, the rotation guide
plate 27 is radially arranged with the center of the virtual
circle (rotational axis line of rotation guiding section
15 17) as the center. Two push-out surfaces 27a of the
rotation guide plate 27 are both directed in a direction
orthogonal to the virtual circle.
The five rotation guide plates 27 are attached to the
rotation supporting plate 26 rotatably supported by the
20 supporting shaft 22. Therefore, the five rotation guide
plates 27 can be integrally rotated along the virtual circle
with the axis line of the supporting shaft 22 (rotational
axis line of rotation guiding section 17) as the center.
The trajectory drawn when the five rotation guide plates
25 27 are rotated is a hollow cylindrical shape, and the
passage supporting plate 23, the bobbin introducing
conveyor 24, the conveyor drive motor 25, and the like are
arranged inside the trajectory.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, in a state where the rotation
30 of the five rotation guide plates 27 is stopped, the
rotation phase is controlled by the cam member 30, to be
17 / 50
described later, so that, out of the five rotation guide
plates, one of the two rotation guide plates 27 adjacent
to each other in the circumferential direction is located
in proximity to one end in the width direction of the bobbin
5 passage 16 and the other rotation guide plate is located
in proximity to the other end in the width direction of the
bobbin passage 16. Therefore, in a state where the rotation
of the rotation guide plate 27 is stopped, the passing of
the yarn supplying bobbin 3 supplied from the bobbin feed
10 conveyor 14 through the bobbin passage 16 is not inhibited
by the rotation guide plate 27.
A pair of end push-out members (convex portions) 27b
is arranged on each of the two push-out surfaces 27a of the
rotation guide plate 27. Each end push-out member 27b is
15 arranged in proximity to the end in the longitudinal
direction of the rotation guide plate 27. Specifically,
the end push-out member 27b located on one end side in the
longitudinal direction of the rotation guide plate 27 is
fixed to the regulation plate 28, and the end push-out
20 member 27b located on the other end side in the longitudinal
direction is fixed to the rotation guide plate 27.
Each end push-out member 27b is configured to project
out from the push-out surface 27a, and the end face in the
projecting direction is configured to make contact with the
25 end of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 (bottom portion 4a or
top portion 4b of core tube 4). As a result, even in a state
where the amount of yarn wound around the yarn supplying
bobbin 3 is small and the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is tilted
when the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is pushed out to the side
30 from the bobbin passage 16 by the push-out surface 27a, the
yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be reliably pushed out without
18 / 50
being tilted by the end push-out member 27b.
A tapered portion is formed on each end push-out
member 27b. The tapered portion can prevent the yarn
supplying bobbin 3 passing through the bobbin passage 16
5 from being caught at the end push-out member 27b.
The pair of end push-out members 27b is both attached
so that the positions thereof are adjustable in the
longitudinal direction of the rotation guide plate 27.
Specifically, the position of the regulation plate 28 can
10 be adjusted in the axis line direction of the rotation
guiding section 17 (details will be described later), and
thus the position of the end push-out member 27b fixed to
the regulation plate 28 can also be moved with the
regulation plate 28. Furthermore, the end push-out member
15 27b at the position away from the regulation plate 28 is
attached by an appropriate fixing member such as a bolt by
way of the long hole formed in the rotation guide plate 27
in the direction along the longitudinal direction of the
rotation guide plate 27, and thus the position of the end
20 push-out member 27b can be moved. Thus, the interval of
the two end push-out members 27b can be adjusted, and thus
can be responded flexibly to the yarn supplying bobbin 3
having different lengths.
The regulation plate 28 is a plate-shaped member
25 formed into a ring shape, and is arranged at the downstream
end of the bobbin passage 16. The regulation plate 28 is
arranged in proximity to the rotation supporting plate 26
located downstream of the bobbin passage 16 at between the
pair of rotation supporting plates 26. The regulation
30 plate 28 is provided to connect the five rotation guide
plates 27 in the circumferential direction.
19 / 50
The regulation plate 28 has five insertion holes 28a
which each have a pass-through form and which are formed
lineally at equal interval in the circumferential direction.
The five rotation guide plates 27 are inserted to the
5 insertion holes 28a, respectively. Therefore, the
regulation plate 28 can move along the longitudinal
direction of the rotation guide plate 27 (axis line
direction of rotation guiding section 17).
Five L-shaped coupling members are fixed to the
10 regulation plate 28, and each coupling member is attached
to the rotation guide plate 27 through the long hole (see
FIG. 2). Therefore, the position of the regulation plate
28 can be adjusted in the direction parallel to the
longitudinal direction of the rotation guide plate 27
15 through the long hole. Thus, the yarn supplying bobbin 3
having different lengths can be responded.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the regulation plate 28 is
configured to make contact with the end on one side of the
yarn supplying bobbin 3 on the downstream side of the bobbin
20 passage 16. Thus, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 fed by the
bobbin introducing conveyor 24 can be regulated to a
predetermined position, so that the yarn supplying bobbin
3 can be reliably guided by the rotation of the rotation
guide plate 27.
25 The rotation motor 29 is a drive source of the rotation
guiding section 17, and is fixed to the leg portion 21 on
one side. The output shaft of the rotation motor 29 is
coupled to the rotation supporting plate 26 on one side by
a transmission belt 60. Thus, the power of the rotation
30 motor 29 can be transmitted to the rotation supporting plate
26 to rotate the rotation guiding section 17 including the
20 / 50
five rotation guide plates 27. The rotation motor 29 is
configured as a motor that can rotate forward and backward,
and that can control the rotation angle. The rotation motor
29 can rotate the rotation guiding section 17 by 72°, which
5 is the angle interval of the rotation guide plate 27, in
either direction according to a command from the control
section (details to be described later) adapted to control
the bobbin supplying device 10.
The cam member 30 is fixed to the rotation supporting
10 plate 26 on one side, and can integrally rotate with the
rotation supporting plate 26. Five recesses are formed at
an equal interval (i.e., interval of 72°) in the
circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the cam
member 30.
15 The phase holding arm 31 is supported by the leg
portion 21 on one side so as to be swingable, and a small
roller 31a that can make contact with the outer periphery
of the cam member 30 is rotatably attached to the distal
end of the phase holding arm 31. A spring (not illustrated)
20 is attached to the phase holding arm 31, and an urging force
that pushes the roller 31a against the cam member 30 can
be acted on the phase holding arm 31.
In a state where one of the two rotation guide plates
27 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction
25 among the five rotation guide plates is located in proximity
to one end in the width direction of the bobbin passage 16
and the other rotation guide plate is located in proximity
to the other end in the width direction of the bobbin passage
16, the roller 31a at the distal end of the phase holding
30 arm 31 enters the recess of the cam member 30. Thus, the
rotation phase of the rotation guiding section 17 (rotation
21 / 50
guide plate 27) can be appropriately held at the phase at
which the introduction of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 to
the bobbin passage 16 is not inhibited by the rotation guide
plate 27.
5 The feed belt 54 of the bobbin introducing conveyor
24 travels on the circulating path, as described above, in
a space on the inner side surrounded by the rotation guide
plate 27. The upper surface of the feed belt 54 that passes
the upper side of the circulating path configures the road
10 surface of the bobbin passage 16. The five rotation guide
plates 27 surround the road surface of the bobbin passage
16, as illustrated in FIG. 4, when seen in the longitudinal
direction of the bobbin passage 16. As illustrated in FIG.
4, the road surface of the bobbin passage 16 is arranged
15 at the upper end portion in the internal space of the
cylindrical rotational trajectory drawn by the rotation
guide plate 27.
Furthermore, the road surface of the bobbin passage
16 (upper surface of bobbin introducing conveyor 24) is
20 arranged between the two rotation guide plates 27 located
at the upper part of the five rotation guide plates 27 under
a state where the rotation guiding section 17 is stopped.
The road surface of the bobbin passage 16 is arranged
between the ends on the side close to the rotational axis
25 line of the rotation guiding section 17 in the two rotation
guide plates 27. The interval of the ends on the side close
to the rotational axis line of the rotation guiding section
17 in the two rotation guide plates 27 is substantially
equal to the width of the road surface of the bobbin passage
30 16.
Therefore, the bobbin passage 16 being configured to
22 / 50
surround the lower side and both sides in the width
direction of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 and having the
upper side opened is formed by the horizontal road surface
and the pair of rotation guide plates 27 extending from both
5 ends in the width direction of the road surface. In other
words, when the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed from the
bobbin feed conveyor 14 to the bobbin passage 16, the
rotation guide plate 27 functions as a side wall guide to
regulate the yarn supplying bobbin 3 so as not to fall out
10 to the side from the road surface.
The width of the road surface of the bobbin passage
16 is substantially equal to the thickness of the yarn
supplying bobbin 3 (thickness of the portion wound with
yarn). The side wall guide is directed diagonally from the
15 road surface, and thus the bobbin passage 16 is configured
to a tapered shape in which the width of the lower side (side
closer to rotational axis line) is narrow and the width of
the upper side (side distant from rotational axis line) is
wide. Thus, the position of the yarn supplying bobbin 3
20 is less likely to be deviated to the end in the width
direction of the road surface, so that the yarn supplying
bobbin 3 can be smoothly fed along the compact bobbin
passage 16.
The conveyor drive motor 25 adapted to drive the
25 bobbin introducing conveyor 24 is arranged inside the
rotational trajectory of five rotation guide plates 27 with
the bobbin introducing conveyor 24. A simple and compact
configuration for driving the bobbin introducing conveyor
24 thus can be realized. On the other hand, in the
30 configuration, the rotation guide plate 27 rotates the
periphery of the conveyor drive motor 25, and thus the
23 / 50
drawing of an electric wire 25a connected to the conveyor
drive motor 25 is difficult. In this regard, in the present
embodiment, the pass-through shaft hole 22a is formed in
the supporting shaft 22 fixed to the leg portion 21, and
5 the electric wire 25a connected to the conveyor drive motor
25 is passed through the relevant shaft hole 22a (see FIG.
3). Therefore, the power and signal can be externally
supplied to the conveyor drive motor 25 without the electric
wiring interfering with the rotation guide plate 27.
10 The bobbin supplying device 10 includes a sensor 96
adapted to detect that the yarn supplying bobbin 3 fed in
the bobbin passage 16 reached a predetermined position (see
FIG. 2). The sensor 96 is configured as a photoelectric
sensor including a light projecting section and a light
15 receiving section. An optical axis 96a of the sensor 96
is defined so that a position slightly upstream of the
regulation plate 28 in the direction in which the yarn
supplying bobbin 3 moves in the bobbin passage 16, the
position being slightly higher than the road surface of the
20 bobbin passage 16, horizontally passes in the width
direction of the bobbin passage 16. A cutout 27c in which
the side distant from the rotational axis line of the
rotation guiding section 17 is cut out to a rectangular
shape is formed in the five rotation guide plates 27 so as
25 not to shield the light of the sensor 96.
Next, a description will be made on the bobbin
direction aligning device 6 with reference to FIGS. 5 to
7. The configuration of the pair of bobbin direction
aligning devices 6 is substantially the same, and thus the
30 bobbin direction aligning device 6 on one side will be
hereinafter representatively described. FIG. 5 is a
24 / 50
perspective view illustrating a configuration of the bobbin
direction aligning device 6 on one side. FIG. 6 is a view
illustrating a state in which the bottom portion 4a of the
yarn supplying bobbin 3 is received by a bottom portion side
5 receiving portion (first receiving portion) 71 in the core
tube guiding path 63 on one side of the bobbin direction
aligning device 6. FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state
in which the top portion 4b of the yarn supplying bobbin
3 is received by a top portion side receiving portion
10 (second receiving portion) 72 in the core tube guiding path
63 on the other side of the bobbin direction aligning device
6.
The bobbin direction aligning device 6 includes a
pair of side frames 61, an end frame 62, a pair of core tube
15 guiding paths 63, and an open drive section 64 as a main
configuration.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the pair of side frames 61
is both configured as a flat plate shaped member. The pair
of side frames 61 is arranged to face each other with a
20 predetermined interval with the thickness direction
directed in the horizontal direction. The interval of the
side frames 61 is slightly greater than the length in the
longitudinal direction of the yarn supplying bobbin 3.
The end frame 62 is configured as a flat plate shaped
25 member. The end frame 62 is arranged at an end on the side
distant from the bobbin sorting device 5 in the side frame
61 with the thickness direction directed in the horizontal
direction. Both ends of the end frame 62 are
perpendicularly coupled with respect to the ends of the pair
30 of side frames 61, respectively.
A folding-plate shaped guiding frame in which the
25 / 50
side close to the bobbin sorting device 5, the upper side,
and the lower side are opened is configured by configuring
the side frame 61 and the end frame 62. The guiding frame
is arranged on the side on one side of the bobbin sorting
5 device 5 so as to receive the yarn supplying bobbin 3
distributed by the bobbin sorting device 5. As described
above, the interval of the pair of side frames 61 is slightly
greater than the length of the yarn supplying bobbin 3, and
thus the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be passed in the
10 horizontal orientation, in which the end in the
longitudinal direction is proximate to the respective side
frame 61, through the interior of the guiding frame.
The side frame 61 and the end frame 62 are attached
with a fixing member such as a bolt by way of the long hole.
15 Thus, the interval of the pair of side frames 61 can be
adjusted, so that the yarn supplying bobbin 3 having
different lengths can be flexibly responded.
The core tube guiding path 63 in an inclined form
adapted to guide the core tube 4 of the yarn supplying bobbin
20 3 is arranged in each of the pair of side frames 61. The
pair of core tube guiding paths 63 is a path member arranged
on the inner surface of the side frame 61 and configured
to face each other.
The core tube guiding path 63 includes an introducing
25 portion 70, a bottom portion side receiving portion 71, and
a top portion side receiving portion 72, in order from the
side close to the bobbin sorting device 5. The core tube
guiding path 63 on one side of the core tube guiding path
63 arranged in a pair is illustrated in FIG. 6, and the core
30 tube guiding path 63 on the other side is illustrated in
FIG. 7. Thus, the pair of core tube guiding paths 63 has
26 / 50
substantially the same configuration, and are arranged
symmetric to each other.
The introducing portion 70, the bottom portion side
receiving portion 71, and the top portion side receiving
5 portion 72 are configured by attaching a plate-shaped or
a block-shaped member to the inner surface of the side frame
61 in a projecting form. The projecting length of the
member attached to the interior of the side frame 61 is
formed to be equal to or slightly shorter than the length
10 of the exposed portion of the core tube 4 at the end of the
yarn supplying bobbin 3. Thus, when the yarn supplying
bobbin 3 is guided by the core tube guiding path 63, the
yarn is less likely to be caught at the member in a projecting
form, and the damage on the yarn layer of the yarn supplying
15 bobbin 3 can be prevented.
The introducing portion 70 is located upstream in the
direction in which the yarn supplying bobbin 3 moves along
the core tube guiding path 63. As illustrated in FIGS. 5
to 7, the introducing portion 70 is configured by two
20 plate-shaped introducing guide members 81, 82.
The introduction guide members 81, 82 are arranged
to project out substantially perpendicularly from the inner
surface of the side frame 61. The two introduction guide
members 81, 82 are arranged to sandwich the core tube
25 guiding path 63 from above and below, and the end of the
core tube 4 of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be passed
between the two introduction guide members 81, 82.
The vertical interval of the two introduction guide
members 81, 82 is configured such that the side close to
30 the bobbin sorting device 5 is wide and the side distant
from the bobbin sorting device 5 is narrow. The two
27 / 50
introduction guide members 81, 82 are both inclined so that
the side distant from the bobbin sorting device 5 is on the
lower side. Therefore, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 inputs
between the side frames 61 from the bobbin sorting device
5 5 has the end entered between the introduction guide members
81, 82 of the introducing portion 70 to move by its own weight
toward the bottom portion side receiving portion 71 on the
downstream.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the bottom portion side
10 receiving portion 71 includes a fixed side receiving member
(regulation member) 83 and a movable side receiving member
(open/close member) 84.
The fixed side receiving member 83 and the movable
side receiving member 84 are formed into a block shape, and
15 are arranged to project out substantially perpendicularly
from the inner surface of the side frame 61. The fixed side
receiving member 83 and the movable side receiving member
84 are arranged to sandwich the core tube guiding path 63
from above and below.
20 A gap is formed between the lower surface of the fixed
side receiving member 83 located on the upper side of the
core tube guiding path 63 and the upper surface (receiving
surface 84a) of the movable side receiving member 84 located
on the lower side. The gap is formed so that the side close
25 to the bobbin sorting device 5 is wide and the side distant
from the bobbin sorting device 5 is narrow. A width 71w
of the narrowest portion in the gap is narrower than the
diameter of the bottom portion 4a of the core tube 4 and
wider than the diameter of the top portion 4b.
30 As described above, which way the yarn supplying
bobbin 3 input from the bobbin sorting device 5 to the bobbin
28 / 50
direction aligning device 6 is directed is indefinite.
Therefore, the bottom portion side receiving portion 71
arranged in the respective core tube guiding path 63 has
both cases of a case in which the bottom portion 4a of the
5 core tube 4 is fed and a case in which the top portion 4b
is fed. When the bottom portion 4a of the core tube 4 is
fed to the bottom portion side receiving portion 71, the
core tube 4 cannot be passed between the fixed side
receiving member 83 and the movable side receiving member
10 84, and thus is received by the bottom portion side
receiving portion 71 (see FIG. 6). When the top portion
4b of the core tube 4 is fed to the bottom portion side
receiving portion 71, the core tube 4 is passed between the
fixed side receiving member 83 and the movable side
15 receiving member 84, and is moved by its own weight toward
the top portion side receiving portion 72 on the downstream
(see FIG. 7). Thus, the bottom portion side receiving
portion 71 can selectively receive only the bottom portion
4a out of the bottom portion 4a and the top portion 4b of
20 the core tube 4.
The fixed side receiving member 83 is attached by a
fixing member such as a bolt by way of a long hole. Thus,
the position of the fixed side receiving member 83 (i.e.,
width 71w of gap between fixed side receiving member 83 and
25 movable side receiving member 84) can be adjusted, and thus
can be responded to the yarn supplying bobbins 3 in which
the thicknesses of the core tubes 4 differ from one another.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the movable side
receiving member 84 is swingably supported vertically with
30 the swing supporting point 84b as the center. Therefore,
when the movable side receiving member 84 is swung toward
29 / 50
the lower side from the state illustrated with a broken line
in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lower part of the bottom portion side
receiving portion 71 can be opened. As described above,
when the bottom portion 4a of the core tube 4 of the yarn
5 supplying bobbin 3 is fed to the bottom portion side
receiving portion 71, the bottom portion 4a is received by
the bottom portion side receiving portion 71. Therefore,
when the movable side receiving member 84 is swung toward
the lower side in this state, the bottom portion 4a of the
10 core tube 4 of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 drops by its own
weight.
In the pair of core tube guiding paths 63, the movable
side receiving members 84 configuring the bottom portion
side receiving portion 71 are coupled to each other by a
15 coupling shaft 86. Therefore, the two movable side
receiving members 84 operate in cooperation, and when one
movable side receiving member 84 opens the lower part of
the bottom portion side receiving portion 71, the other
movable side receiving member 84 also opens the lower part
20 of the bottom portion side receiving portion 71 at the same
time.
The top portion side receiving portion 72 is arranged
to be adjacent on the downstream side to the bottom portion
side receiving portion 71. The top portion side receiving
25 portion 72 includes a block-shaped receiving member
(supporting member) 85 arranged on the lower side of the
core tube guiding path 63. A V-shaped recess 85a is formed
in the upper surface of the receiving member 85.
With this configuration, when the top portion 4b of
30 the core tube 4 of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed to
the top portion side receiving portion 72, the top portion
30 / 50
4b is received by the recess 85a of the receiving member
85, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The recess 85a is formed into
a V-shape, and hence the top portion side receiving portion
72 capable of receiving the top portion 4b at the stable
5 position can be realized with a simple configuration.
When the top portion 4b is fed to the top portion side
receiving portion 72 in the core tube guiding path 63 on
one side, this means that the bottom portion 4a is received
by the bottom portion side receiving portion 71 in the core
10 tube guiding path 63 on the other side. When the lower part
of the bottom portion side receiving portion 71 is opened
and the bottom portion 4a of the core tube 4 is about to
drop, since the top portion 4b is received by the recess
85a, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 drops with the bottom
15 portion 4a first (i.e., bottom portion 4a on the lower
side).
The discharge guiding member 15 described above is
connected to the lower ends of the pair of side frames 61
and the end frame 62. The yarn supplying bobbin 3 dropped
20 from the core tube guiding path 63 has the orientation
directed vertically by the discharge guiding member 15.
Needless to say, the direction of the yarn supplying bobbin
3 is aligned so that the bottom portion 4a is on the lower
side. The vertically directed yarn supplying bobbin 3 is
25 guided to the bobbin chute 13.
As described above, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 input
from the bobbin sorting device 5 to the bobbin direction
aligning device 6 has the bottom portion 4a, which is the
end on one side, received by the bottom portion side
30 receiving portion 71, and the top portion 4b, which is the
end on the other side, received by the top portion side
31 / 50
receiving portion 72. The introducing portion 70, the
bottom portion side receiving portion 71, and the top
portion side receiving portion 72 in the pair of core tube
guiding paths 63 are arranged at positions corresponding
5 to each other, so that when both ends of the yarn supplying
bobbin 3 are received as described above, the orientation
of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is slightly slanted (see FIGS.
6 and 7). However, since the bottom portion side receiving
portion 71 and the top portion side receiving portion 72
10 are adjacently arranged in the respective core tube guiding
paths 63, the orientation of the yarn supplying bobbin 3
in which both ends are received can be prevented from being
strongly inclined. As a result, the path in which the yarn
supplying bobbin 3 drops from the bobbin direction aligning
15 device 6 can be set in a narrow range, whereby the first
opening 15a of the discharge guiding member 15 does not need
to be formed large and the miniaturization of the bobbin
supplying device 10 can be achieved.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, a sensor 97 is attached to
20 the end frame 62 of the bobbin direction aligning device
6. The sensor 97 is configured by, for example, a
photoelectric sensor. The sensor 97 can detect the
presence/absence of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 in a state
where the ends are received by the bottom portion side
25 receiving portion 71 and the top portion side receiving
portion 72.
Next, a description will be made on the configuration
of the open drive section 64 adapted to drive the movable
side receiving member 84. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and
30 7, a rotary solenoid 91 serving as an actuator is attached
to one side of the side frame 61 arranged in a pair. The
32 / 50
coupling shaft 86 adapted to couple the movable side
receiving members 84 in the pair of core tube guiding paths
63 is passed through and projected out from the side frame
61 on the side where the rotary solenoid 91 is arranged,
5 and the arm 92 is fixed to such a projecting portion. A
movable element of the rotary solenoid 91 and a distal end
portion of the arm 92 are coupled to each other by a link
member 93. Thus, the pair of movable side receiving members
84 can be switched between a close position indicated with
10 a broken line and an open position indicated with a chain
line in FIGS. 6 and 7 by driving the rotary solenoid 91.
Thus, the bobbin direction aligning device 6 of the
present embodiment includes the bottom portion side
receiving portion 71 and the top portion side receiving
15 portion 72 of the pair of core tube guiding paths 63 formed
in an inclined manner, thus receiving the bottom portion
4a and the top portion 4b of the core tube 4 of the yarn
supplying bobbin 3 that moves by its own weight at different
locations. The lower part of the bottom portion side
20 receiving portion 71 adapted to receive the bottom portion
4a of the core tube 4 is opened, so that the yarn supplying
bobbin 3 drops from the bottom portion 4a side of the core
tube 4. Therefore, irrespective of the direction of the
yarn supplying bobbin 3 supplied to the bobbin direction
25 aligning device 6, the direction of the yarn supplying
bobbin 3 can be aligned with the bottom portion 4a of the
core tube 4 directed toward the lower side and discharged
toward the downstream. Furthermore, when the lower part
of the bottom portion side receiving portion 71 adapted to
30 receive the bottom portion 4a of the core tube 4 is opened,
a guide in which the bottom portion 4a of the core tube 4
33 / 50
inhibits the movement toward the top portion side receiving
portion 72 can be separately arranged. With this
configuration, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be more
reliably dropped from the bottom portion 4a side of the core
5 tube 4.
In other words, the bobbin direction aligning device
6 of the present embodiment can align the direction of the
yarn supplying bobbin 3 by simply carrying out a lower side
opening operation of the movable side receiving member 84
10 without requiring determination in the direction of the
yarn supplying bobbin 3 by the sensor and the like.
Furthermore, a mechanism adapted to move the yarn supplying
bobbin 3 in the longitudinal direction is not required, so
that the bobbin direction aligning device 6 can be compactly
15 configured.
Next, a description will be made on the configuration
for controlling the bobbin supplying device 10. FIG. 8 is
a block diagram describing the control of the bobbin
supplying device 10.
20 As illustrated in FIG. 8, the bobbin supplying device
10 includes the control section 90. The control section
90 is configured by hardware such as CPU, ROM, and RAM (not
illustrated), and software such as a control program stored
in the ROM.
25 The sensor 96 arranged in the bobbin sorting device
5 and the sensor 97 arranged in the pair of bobbin direction
aligning devices 6 are respectively electrically connected
to the control section 90. The pair of bobbin chutes 13
include a sensor (not illustrated) adapted to detect the
30 presence/absence of the yarn supplying bobbin 3. The
sensor is electrically connected to the control section 90.
34 / 50
When the sensor detects that the yarn supplying
bobbin 3 is not present in at least one of the pair of bobbin
chutes 13 with this configuration, the control section 90
examines with the sensor 97 whether the yarn supplying
5 bobbin 3 is received by the bottom portion side receiving
portion 71 and the top portion side receiving portion 72
in the bobbin direction aligning device 6 connected to the
bobbin chute 13. When the yarn supplying bobbin 3 in the
received state is present, the control section 90 operates
10 the bobbin direction aligning device 6 (rotary solenoid 91),
opens the receiving surface 84a of the bottom portion side
receiving portion 71, and supplies the yarn supplying
bobbin 3 to the bobbin chute 13.
When the sensor 97 detects that the yarn supplying
15 bobbin 3 is not received by the bottom portion side
receiving portion 71 and the top portion side receiving
portion 72 in at least one of the pair of bobbin direction
aligning devices 6, the control section 90 examines with
the sensor 96 whether the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is present
20 in the bobbin passage 16 of the bobbin sorting device 5.
When the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is present in the bobbin
passage 16, the control section 90 drives the rotation motor
29 of the bobbin sorting device 5 to rotate the rotation
guide plate 27 by 72°, and supplies the yarn supplying
25 bobbin 3 on the bobbin passage 16 by being pushed out with
the rotation guide plate 27 toward the bobbin direction
aligning device 6 on the side in which the yarn supplying
bobbin 3 is not present. As described above, to which
bobbin direction aligning device 6 the yarn supplying
30 bobbin 3 is to be supplied can be switched by the rotation
direction of the rotation guiding section 17 (rotation
35 / 50
guide plate 27). When the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is not
present in the bobbin passage 16, the control section 90
waits until the sensor 96 detects the yarn supplying bobbin
3 while controlling the bobbin feed conveyor 14 and the
5 bobbin sorting device 5 (conveyor drive motor 25) to feed
the yarn supplying bobbin 3 to the bobbin passage 16.
When the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is present in the
bobbin chute 13, the control section 90 waits without
opening the receiving surface 84a of the bottom portion side
10 receiving portion 71 in the bobbin direction aligning
device 6 upstream of the bobbin chute 13. When the yarn
supplying bobbin 3 is received by the bottom portion side
receiving portion 71 and the top portion side receiving
portion 72 in both of the pair of bobbin direction aligning
15 device 6, the control section 90 waits without rotating the
rotation guide plate 27 in either direction in the bobbin
sorting device 5. Thus, the impact and the like of the yarn
supplying bobbin 3 can be prevented.
Thus, the control section 90 distributes, in a
20 balanced manner, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 supplied to
the bobbin sorting device 5 at an appropriate timing based
on the detection results of the sensors arranged in the
bobbin sorting device 5, the bobbin direction aligning
device 6, and the bobbin chute 13. The control section 90
25 supplies the yarn supplying bobbins 3 sorted to the two
bobbin direction aligning devices 6 to the bobbin chute 13
each at an appropriate timing. The yarn supplying bobbins
3 supplied to the bobbin chute 13 in a state where the
orientation is aligned are mounted on the feeding tray 2
30 by the bobbin chute 13.
The bobbin supplying device 10 is configured as above,
36 / 50
and thus the yarn supplying bobbins 3 can be simultaneously
mounted and supplied in a parallel manner to each feeding
tray 2 fed in the two paths, as illustrated in FIG. 1. As
a result, the supplying performance of the yarn supplying
5 bobbin 3 can be enhanced, whereby the efficiency of the
entire bobbin supplying device 10 can be enhanced.
As described above, the bobbin direction aligning
device 6 of the present embodiment changes the direction
of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 in which the yarn is wound
10 around the core tube 4 including the bottom portion 4a and
the top portion 4b having a smaller diameter than the bottom
portion 4a. The bobbin direction aligning device 6
includes the pair of core tube guiding paths 63 formed in
an inclined manner. The bottom portion side receiving
15 portion 71 and the top portion side receiving portion 72
are formed in the respective core tube guiding path 63. The
bottom portion side receiving portion 71 passes the top
portion 4b of the core tube 4, and receives the bottom
portion 4a. The top portion side receiving portion 72 is
20 located downstream of the bottom portion side receiving
portion 71 and receives the top portion 4b. The bottom
portion side receiving portion 71 is configured so that the
receiving surface 84a adapted to receive the end of the core
tube 4 on the lower side is openable.
25 Thus, in the course of the yarn supplying bobbin 3
moving by its own weight while the bottom portion 4a and
the top portion 4b of the core tube 4 are being guided by
the pair of inclined core tube guiding paths 63, the bottom
portion 4a of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is received by
30 the bottom portion side receiving portion 71 in the core
tube guiding path 63 on one side, and the top portion 4b
37 / 50
is received by the top portion side receiving portion 72
in the core tube guiding path 63 on the other side. Thus,
if the receiving surface 84a of the bottom portion side
receiving portion 71 is opened, the yarn supplying bobbin
5 3 can be dropped first from the bottom portion 4a received
by the bottom portion side receiving portion 71. Thus, the
orientation of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be changed
so that the bottom portion is on the lower side with a compact
and simple configuration without determination of the
10 orientation of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 with the sensor
and the like.
Furthermore, in the bobbin direction aligning device
6 of the present embodiment, the bottom portion side
receiving portion 71 includes the swingable movable side
15 receiving member 84. The receiving surface 84a is formed
in the movable side receiving member 84. The movable side
receiving member 84 is swung toward the lower side to open
the receiving surface 84a toward the lower side.
Thus, the receiving surface 84a can be opened with
20 a simple configuration.
In the bobbin direction aligning device 6 of the
present embodiment, a gap having a width narrower than the
bottom portion 4a of the core tube 4 and wider than the top
portion 4b is formed in the bottom portion side receiving
25 portion 71.
Thus, the bottom portion side receiving portion 71
can selectively receive only the bottom portion 4a of the
core tube 4 with a simple configuration.
Furthermore, in the bobbin direction aligning device
30 6 of the present embodiment, the bottom portion side
receiving portion 71 includes the fixed side receiving
38 / 50
member 83 located on the side opposite to the receiving
surface 84a with the core tube guiding path 63 in between.
The fixed side receiving member 83 is configured so that
the position of the fixed side receiving member 83 is
5 adjustable. The width 71w of the gap is changed by
adjusting the position of the fixed side receiving member
83.
Thus, the yarn supplying bobbins 3, in which the
thicknesses of the core tubes 4 differ from one another,
10 can be responded.
Moreover, in the bobbin direction aligning device 6
of the present embodiment, the bottom portion side
receiving portion 71 and the top portion side receiving
portion 72 are configured as a part of the core tube guiding
15 path 63. The top portion side receiving portion 72 is
arranged to be adjacent to the bottom portion side receiving
portion 71.
Thus, the core tube guiding path 63 can be shortened,
and the bobbin direction aligning device 6 can be configured
20 to be more compact. Since the positions where the top
portion 4b and the bottom portion 4a of the core tube 4 are
received are close, the orientation of the received yarn
supplying bobbin 3 can be prevented from greatly changing
regardless of the direction of the yarn supplying bobbin
25 3 guided in the core tube guiding path 63. Therefore, the
yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be dropped with a compact
dropping path.
Furthermore, in the bobbin direction aligning device
6 of the present embodiment, the top portion side receiving
30 portion 72 includes the receiving member 85 formed with the
V-shaped recess 85a.
39 / 50
Thus, the top portion 4b of the core tube 4 of the
yarn supplying bobbin 3 guided to the top portion side
receiving portion 72 can be received at a stable position
by the V-shaped recess 85a. The top portion side receiving
5 portion 72 can be realized with a simple configuration.
The bobbin supplying device 10 of the present
embodiment includes the bobbin direction aligning device
6 and the bobbin chute 13. The bobbin chute 13 is arranged
downstream of the bobbin direction aligning device 6 in the
10 feeding path of the yarn supplying bobbin 3, and the yarn
supplying bobbin 3 whose direction is changed is mounted
on the feeding tray 2.
Thus, the yarn supplying bobbins 3 whose directions
are aligned can be supplied to the bobbin chute 13, whereby
15 the yarn supplying bobbins 3 can be efficiently mounted to
the bobbin chute 13.
Furthermore, the bobbin supplying device 10 of the
present embodiment includes the control section 90 adapted
to control the opening operation of the receiving surface
20 84a of the bobbin direction aligning device 6. The control
section 90 opens the receiving surface 84a in accordance
with the operation state of the bobbin chute 13.
Thus, when the operation is retained in the bobbin
chute 13, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be put in standby
25 while being received by the bottom portion side receiving
portion 71 and the top portion side receiving portion 72.
As a result, the clogging of the yarn supplying bobbin 3
in the bobbin chute 13 and the like can be prevented.
The bobbin supplying device 10 of the present
30 embodiment further includes the bobbin input device 11, the
part feeder 12, the bobbin feed conveyor 14, and the bobbin
40 / 50
sorting device 5. The bobbin input device 11 inputs a
plurality of yarn supplying bobbins 3. The part feeder 12
individualizes the yarn supplying bobbins 3 input by the
bobbin input device 11. The bobbin feed conveyor 14 feeds
5 the yarn supplying bobbin 3 individualized by the part
feeder 12. The bobbin sorting device 5 introduces the yarn
supplying bobbin 3 fed by the bobbin feed conveyor 14, and
distributes the introduced yarn supplying bobbin 3 to both
sides with respect to the introducing direction. The
10 bobbin direction aligning device 6 and the bobbin chute 13
are respectively arranged on both sides of the bobbin
sorting device 5.
Thus, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 fed by the bobbin
feed conveyor 14 can be mounted on the feeding tray 2 by
15 the plurality of bobbin direction aligning devices 6 and
the bobbin chute 13, so that the bobbin supplying device
10 having a high supplying efficiency of the yarn supplying
bobbin 3 can be realized.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention have
20 been described above, but the above-described
configurations may be modified as below.
The yarn supplying bobbin 3 may not be input from the
side but from the immediately upper side to the upstream
end (introducing portion 70) of the core tube guiding path
25 63.
In the pair of core tube guiding paths 63, the
introducing portion 70 may be omitted and the yarn supplying
bobbin 3 may be directly input to the bottom portion side
receiving portion 71.
30 The actuator adapted to swing the movable side
receiving member 84 is not limited to the rotary solenoid
41 / 50
91, and a linear motion solenoid may be used. Furthermore,
in place of the solenoid, the movable side receiving member
84 may be driven using, for example, an electric motor, a
fluid cylinder.
5 In the top portion side receiving portion 72, the
receiving member 85 may be formed with a recess having not
a V-shape but a semicircular shape, for example.
Two bobbin direction aligning devices 6 may not be
arranged, and only one bobbin direction aligning device may
10 be arranged. In other words, the bobbin sorting device 5
may be omitted, and the yarn supplying bobbin 3
individualized by the part feeder 12 may be supplied to the
bobbin direction aligning device 6 without being sorted.
The bobbin direction aligning device 6 may be used
15 for another purpose, in addition to the purpose of setting
the yarn supplying bobbin 3 on the feeding tray 2.
Thus, in the course of the yarn supplying bobbin
moving by its own weight while the large diameter end and
the small diameter end are being guided by the pair of
20 inclined winding tube guiding paths, the large diameter end
is received by the first receiving portion in the winding
tube guiding path on one side, and the small diameter end
is received by the second receiving portion in the winding
tube guiding path on the other side. Thus, if the receiving
25 surface of the first receiving portion is opened, the yarn
supplying bobbin can be dropped first from the large
diameter end received by the first receiving portion. Thus,
the orientation of the yarn supplying bobbin can be changed
so that the large diameter end is on the lower side with
30 a compact and simple configuration without determining the
orientation of the yarn supplying bobbin with the sensor,
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and the like.
The above-described yarn supplying bobbin direction
changing device preferably has the following configuration.
In other words, the first receiving portion includes a
5 swingable open/close member. The receiving surface is
formed to be the open/close member. The open/close member
is swung to a lower side to open the receiving surface toward
the lower side.
Thus, the receiving surface can be opened with a
10 simple configuration.
In the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing
device described above, the first receiving portion is
formed with a gap having a width narrower than the large
diameter end and wider than the small diameter end.
15 Thus, the first receiving portion can selectively
receive only the large diameter end with a simple
configuration.
The above-described yarn supplying bobbin direction
changing device preferably has the following configuration.
20 In other words, the first receiving portion includes a
regulation member located on a side opposite to the
receiving surface with the winding tube guiding path in
between. The regulation member is configured so that
position of the regulation member is adjustable. The width
25 of the gap is changed by adjusting the position of the
regulation member.
Thus, the yarn supplying bobbins, in which the
thicknesses of the winding tubes differ from one another,
can be responded.
30 The above-described yarn supplying bobbin direction
changing device preferably has the following configuration.
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In other words, the first receiving portion and the second
receiving portion are configured as a part of the winding
tube guiding path. The second receiving portion is
arranged adjacent to the first receiving portion.
5 Thus, the winding tube guiding path can be shortened,
and the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device can
be configured to be more compact. Furthermore, since the
positions where the small diameter end and the large
diameter end are received are close in the respective
10 winding tube guiding paths, the orientation of the received
yarn supplying bobbin can be prevented from greatly
changing regardless of the direction of the yarn supplying
bobbin guided in the winding tube guiding path. Therefore,
the yarn supplying bobbin can be dropped with a compact
15 dropping path.
In the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing
device, the second receiving portion preferably includes
a supporting member having a V-shaped recess.
The small diameter end guided to the second receiving
20 portion can be received at a constant position by the
V-shaped recess. The second receiving portion can be
realized with a simple configuration.
According to a second aspect of the present invention,
a bobbin supplying system having the following
25 configuration is provided. In other words, the bobbin
supplying system includes the yarn supplying bobbin
direction changing device, and a bobbin mounting device.
The bobbin mounting device is arranged on the downstream
of the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device in
30 feeding path of the yarn supplying bobbin and adapted to
mount the yarn supplying bobbin whose direction is changed,
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on a feeding member.
Thus, the yarn supplying bobbin whose direction is
aligned, can be supplied to the bobbin mounting device,
whereby the bobbin mounting device can efficiently mount
5 the yarn supplying bobbin.
The above-described bobbin supplying system
preferably has the following configuration. In other
words, in the bobbin supplying system, a control section
adapted to control opening operation of the receiving
10 surface in the first receiving portion is arranged. The
control section opens the receiving surface corresponding
to an operation state of the bobbin mounting device.
Thus, for example, when the operation is retained in
the bobbin mounting device, the yarn supplying bobbin can
15 be put in standby while being received by the first
receiving portion and the second receiving portion. As a
result, the clogging of the yarn supplying bobbin in the
bobbin mounting device, and the like can be prevented.
The above-described bobbin supplying system
20 preferably has the following configuration. In other
words, the bobbin supplying system further includes a
bobbin input device, a bobbin individualizing device, a
bobbin feeding device, and a yarn supplying bobbin
distributing device. The bobbin input device is adapted
25 to input a plurality of yarn supplying bobbins. The bobbin
individualizing device is adapted to individualize the yarn
supplying bobbin input by the bobbin input device. The
bobbin feeding device is adapted to feed the yarn supplying
bobbin individualized by the bobbin individualizing device.
30 The yarn supplying bobbin distributing device is adapted
to introduce the yarn supplying bobbin fed by the bobbin
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feeding device and distribute the introduced yarn supplying
bobbin to both sides in an introducing direction of the yarn
supplying bobbin. The yarn supplying bobbin direction
changing device and the bobbin mounting device are
5 respectively arranged on both sides of the yarn supplying
bobbin distributing device.
Thus, the yarn supplying bobbin fed by the bobbin
feeding device can be mounted on the feeding member by the
plurality of yarn supplying bobbin direction changing
10 devices and the bobbin mounting device, so that the bobbin
supplying system having a high supplying efficiency of the
yarn supplying bobbin can be realized.
46 / 50

WE CLAIM
1. A yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device
adapted to change a direction of a yarn supplying bobbin
5 in which a yarn is wound around a winding tube including
a large diameter end and a small diameter end having a
diameter smaller than the large diameter end, the yarn
supplying bobbin direction changing device comprising,
a pair of winding tube guiding paths in which at least
10 one part is formed in an inclined manner, characterized in
that
each of the winding tube guiding paths includes a
first receiving portion adapted to pass the small diameter
end and receive the large diameter end, and a second
15 receiving portion located downstream of the first receiving
portion and adapted to receive the small diameter end, and
the first receiving portion is configured so that a
receiving surface adapted to receive an end of the core tube
on the lower side is openable.
20
2. The yarn supplying bobbin direction changing
device according to claim 1, characterized in that
the first receiving portion includes a swingable
open/close member,
25 the receiving surface is formed in the open/close
member, and
the open/close member is swung to a lower side to open
the receiving surface toward the lower side.
30 3. The yarn supplying bobbin direction changing
device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that
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the first receiving portion is formed with a gap
having a width narrower than the large diameter end and
wider than the small diameter end.
5 4. The yarn supplying bobbin direction changing
device according to claim 3, characterized in that
the first receiving portion includes a regulation
member located on a side opposite to the receiving surface
with the winding tube guiding path in between,
10 the regulation member is configured so that a
position of the regulation member is adjustable, and
the width of the gap is changed by adjusting the
position of the regulation member.
15 5. The yarn supplying bobbin direction changing
device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized
in that
the first receiving portion and the second receiving
portion are configured as a part of the winding tube guiding
20 path, and
the second receiving portion is arranged adjacent to
the first receiving portion.
6. The yarn supplying bobbin direction changing
25 device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized
in that
the second receiving portion includes a supporting
member formed with a V-shaped recess.
30 7. A bobbin supplying system characterized by
comprising:
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the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device
according to any one of claims 1 to 6; and
a bobbin mounting device arranged on the downstream
of the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device in
5 a feeding path of the yarn supplying bobbin and adapted to
mount the yarn supplying bobbin whose direction is changed,
on a feeding member.
8. The bobbin supplying system according to claim
10 7, characterized in that
a control section adapted to control opening of the
receiving surface in the first receiving portion is
arranged, and
the control section opens the receiving surface in
15 accordance with an operation state of the bobbin mounting
device.
9. The bobbin supplying system according to claim
7 or 8, further comprising:
20 a bobbin input device adapted to input a plurality
of the yarn supplying bobbins;
a bobbin individualizing device adapted to
individualize the yarn supplying bobbins input by the
bobbin input device;
25 a bobbin feeding device adapted to feed the yarn
supplying bobbin individualized by the bobbin
individualizing device; and
a yarn supplying bobbin distributing device adapted
to introduce the yarn supplying bobbin fed by the bobbin
30 feeding device and distribute the introduced yarn supplying
bobbin to both sides in an introducing direction of the yarn
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supplying bobbin, characterized in that
the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device
and the bobbin mounting device are respectively arranged
on both sides of the yarn supplying bobbin distributing
5 device.