Claims:We claim:

1. A yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device (6) that changes a direction of a yarn supplying bobbin (3) formed by winding a yarn around a winding tube (4) having a large diameter end portion (4a) and a small diameter end portion (4b) that has a smaller diameter than the large diameter end portion (4a), and feeds the yarn supplying bobbin (3) downstream of a supply path (69), the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device (6) comprising:
a pair of winding tube guiding sections (63) that is arranged to guide the respective end portions of the yarn supplying bobbin (3);
a detecting section (97) that detects a state of the yarn supplying bobbin (3) arranged in the winding tube guiding sections (63) and;
a path changing operation section (98) that changes the supply path (69) of the yarn supplying bobbin (3) according to a detection result obtained by the detecting section (97).

2. The yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device (6) as claimed in Claim 1 further comprising:
a discharging member (15c) that is capable of performing an operation of changing the supply path (69) at a position lower than a position of the yarn supplying bobbin (3) placed in the winding tube guiding sections (63), wherein
each of the winding tube guiding sections (63) includes,
a first supporting section (72, 74) between which the small diameter end portion (4b) is passed and the large diameter end portion (4a) is interposed and supported and;
a second supporting section (78) that is positioned downstream of the first supporting section (72, 74) and on which the small diameter end portion (4b) is received and supported, wherein
the first supporting section (72, 74) includes a large diameter end portion upper contacting part (74) that comes in contact with the end portion of the yarn supplying bobbin (3) from above and a large diameter end portion lower contacting part (72) that comes in contact with the end portion of the yarn supplying bobbin (3) from below, wherein
when the detecting section (97) detects that the large diameter end portion (4a) and the small diameter end portion (4b) are interposed and supported respectively between the first supporting section (72, 74), the path changing operation section (98) performs, by opening downward of the large diameter end portion lower contacting parts (72), a first path changing operation in which the discharging member (15c) is operated so as to feed the downward moving yarn supplying bobbin (3) to a first retreat path (79) that is branched from the supply path (69) through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin (3) is conveyed.

3. The yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device (6) as claimed in Claim 2 that can differentiate between, based on the detection result of the detecting section (97), a state in which the large diameter end portion (4a) is interposed and supported between the first supporting section (72, 74) and the small diameter end portion (4b) is received and supported by the second supporting section (78) and a state in which the large diameter end portion (4a) and the small diameter end portion (4b) are interposed and supported respectively between the first supporting section (72, 74).

4. The yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device (6) as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein when it is detected that the yarn supplying bobbin (3) is in an unsuitable state for changing direction because both the large diameter end portion (4a) and the small diameter end portion (4b) are received and supported respectively by the second supporting section (78), the path changing operation section (98) performs, by moving a receiving surface (78a) on which the second supporting section (78) has received the yarn supplying bobbin (3), a second path changing operation in which the yarn supplying bobbin (3) is fed to a second retreat path (89) that is separate from the supply path (69) of the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin (3).

5. The yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device (6) as claimed in Claim 4, wherein
the detecting section (97) detects the yarn supplying bobbin (3) in a state in which at least one of the large diameter end portion (4a) and the small diameter end portion (4b) is received and supported by the second supporting section (78), and
when the detecting section (97) is still detecting the yarn supplying bobbin (3) after performing the operation of opening downward of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part (72), the path changing operation section (98) performs, by moving the receiving surface (78a) on which the second supporting section (78) has received the yarn supplying bobbin (3), the second path changing operation in which the yarn supplying bobbin (3) is fed to the second retreat path (89).

6. The yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device (6) as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5, wherein a gap between a lower surface of the large diameter end portion upper contacting part (74) and an upper surface of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part (72) becomes narrower toward a downstream side of the supply path (69), and a width of a part where the gap is narrowest is narrower than a diameter of the large diameter end portion (4a) and is wider than a diameter of the small diameter end portion (4b).

7. The yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device (6) as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the winding tube guiding sections (63) are arranged so as to face each other inside a pair of side frames (61).

8. The yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device (6) as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the large diameter end portion lower contacting part (72) is arranged by passing through a pivoting shaft (82) that is horizontally positioned across the side frames (61).

9. The yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device (6) as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the second supporting section (78) is arranged adjacent to the large diameter end portion lower contacting part (72) at a downstream side in a supply direction of the yarn supplying bobbin (3), and the second supporting section (78) protrudes toward the inside of the side frame (61) and has the receiving surface (78a) in a V-shape formed on an upper surface thereof to receive the yarn supplying bobbin (3).

10. The yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device (6) as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 9, wherein the discharging member (15c) blocks, when the path changing operation section (98) performs the first path changing operation, the supply path (69) through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin (3) is conveyed, and is set to a posture that allows feeding of the yarn supplying bobbin (3) to the first retreat path (79) by rolling the yarn supplying bobbin (3) on the discharging member (15c).

11. The yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device (6) as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 10, wherein by causing the path changing operation section (98) to perform the second path changing operation, the second supporting section (78) turns the receiving surface (78a) that has received the yarn supplying bobbin (3) toward the side opposite to a side in which the yarn supplying bobbin (3) is fed, and is set to a posture that allows feeding of the yarn supplying bobbin (3) placed on the receiving surface (78a) to the second retreat path (89).

12. A yarn supplying bobbin discharging device (120) comprising:
the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device (6) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11; and
a discharged bobbin accumulating section (50) capable of accumulating the yarn supplying bobbin (3) that is guided to either of the retreat paths (79, 89) by the operation performed by the path changing operation section (98).

13. The yarn supplying bobbin discharging device (120) as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the discharged bobbin accumulating section (50) is a space in which a box that accumulates the yarn supplying bobbin (3) guided to any of the retreat paths (79, 89) can be placed.
, Description:BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device and a yarn supplying bobbin discharging device including the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device.

2. Description of the Related Art
A bobbin direction changing device that changes the direction of a bobbin tube that includes a large diameter end portion and a small diameter end portion that has a smaller diameter than the large diameter end portion, and conveys the bobbin tube downstream in a conveying direction is known in the art. Japanese Published Examined Application No. S62-28207 discloses such a device for aligning direction of a bobbin tube. The device for aligning direction of the bobbin tube disclosed in Japanese Published Examined Application No. S62-28207 aligns the direction of a conical or tapered-shaped bobbin tube for textile machine by feeding the bobbin tube along a support mechanism between two lateral guides in a direction that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bobbin tube. In the device for aligning direction of the bobbin tube disclosed in Japanese Published Examined Application No. S62-28207, two limit switches are arranged on a frame portion of the device as a control device that monitors the diameter of the bobbin tube. When the limit switches detect that the outer diameter of the bobbin tube is outside the allowable limit range, for example, the unacceptable bobbin tube is removed. In this configuration, if the size of the bobbin tube (yarn supplying bobbin) is outside the allowable limit range, the bobbin tube can be automatically removed, and the frequency of abnormal stopping of the device and the like can be reduced to a certain extent.
However, other than a situation in which the outer diameter of the bobbin tube is outside the allowable limit range, there is a situation in which the bobbin tube is not accurately aligned or the device stops abnormally because the bobbin tube is not correctly guided.
The configuration of the device for aligning direction of the bobbin tube disclosed in Japanese Published Examined Application No. S62-28207 cannot solve this problem and thus there is a room for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. It is an object of the present invention to provide a yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device and a yarn supplying bobbin discharging device including the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device that are capable of reducing direction changing failures and frequency of abnormal stopping of the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device and the like.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device that changes a direction of a yarn supplying bobbin formed by winding a yarn around a winding tube having a large diameter end portion and a small diameter end portion that has a smaller diameter than the large diameter end portion, and feeds the yarn supplying bobbin downstream of a supply path includes a pair of winding tube guiding sections, a detecting section, and a path changing operation section. The pair of the winding tube guiding sections is arranged to guide the respective end portions of the yarn supplying bobbin. The detecting section detects a state of the yarn supplying bobbin arranged in the winding tube guiding sections. The path changing operation section changes the supply path of the yarn supplying bobbin according to a detection result obtained by the detecting section.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a yarn supplying bobbin discharging device includes the above yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device; and a discharged bobbin accumulating section. The discharged bobbin accumulating section is capable of accumulating the yarn supplying bobbin that is guided to either of the retreat paths by the operation performed by the path changing operation section.
The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a bobbin feeding device that includes a bobbin direction aligning device according to an embodiment of the present invention along with a tray conveying path and an automatic winder.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an overall configuration of the bobbin feeding device.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a configuration of a bobbin distributing device.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a configuration of the bobbin direction aligning device.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing, when seen from the inside of a side frame, a state in which a large diameter end portion of a yarn supplying bobbin is interposed and supported between a large diameter end portion lower contacting part and a large diameter end portion upper contacting part inside a winding tube guiding section arranged on one side of the bobbin direction aligning device.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing, when seen from the inside of a side frame, a state in which a small diameter end portion of the yarn supplying bobbin is received and supported by a small diameter end portion receiving part inside the winding tube guiding section arranged on the other side of the bobbin direction aligning device.
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which, after the yarn supplying bobbin is correctly guided, the large diameter end portion lower contacting part pivots to open downward and the yarn supplying bobbin falls.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a first path changing operation performed by a path changing operation section.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a second path changing operation performed by the path changing operation section.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a main configuration of a control system of the bobbin direction aligning device.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining flow of processes performed depending on whether or not the yarn supplying bobbin is correctly guided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a bobbin feeding device 10 that includes a bobbin direction aligning device (yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device) 6 (see FIG. 2) according to an embodiment of the present invention along with a tray conveying path 110 and an automatic winder 100. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an overall configuration of the bobbin feeding device 10. Furthermore, in the following explanation, terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to upstream and downstream in a conveying direction of a yarn supplying bobbin 3 and a conveying tray (conveying member) 2, respectively.
The bobbin feeding device 10 shown in FIG. 1 feeds the yarn supplying bobbin 3 to the automatic winder 100 by feeding to the conveying tray 2 the yarn supplying bobbin 3 formed by winding a yarn around a core tube (winding tube) 4.
The automatic winder 100 includes a plurality of winder units 101 arranged side by side. Each winder unit 101 forms a package by unwinding a yarn from the fed yarn supplying bobbin 3 and winding a predetermined amount of yarn.
The tray conveying path 110 includes, as shown in FIG. 1, a yarn supplying bobbin introducing path 111, a yarn supplying bobbin conveying path 112, a core tube conveying path 113, and a returned bobbin conveying path 114.
The later-explained bobbin feeding device 10 that feeds the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is arranged on the yarn supplying bobbin introducing path 111. The yarn supplying bobbin introducing path 111 conveys to the yarn supplying bobbin conveying path 112 the conveying tray 2 in which the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is loaded by the bobbin feeding device 10.
A yarn supplying bobbin pick finding device 115 is arranged between the yarn supplying bobbin introducing path 111 and the yarn supplying bobbin conveying path 112. The yarn supplying bobbin pick finding device 115 detaches and picks a yarn end from a surface (yarn layer) of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 fed from the yarn supplying bobbin introducing path 111, and winds the picked yarn end around a small diameter end portion (side opposite to the side that is inserted into the conveying tray 2) of the core tube 4 and inserts the yarn end into a top hole (hole on the small diameter end portion side) of the core tube 4.
The yarn supplying bobbin 3 on which the pick-finding process is performed by the yarn supplying bobbin pick finding device 115 is then fed to one of the winder units 101 in the automatic winder 100 via the yarn supplying bobbin conveying path 112. In the winder unit 101, by blowing compressed air from a large diameter end portion of the fed yarn supplying bobbin 3, the yarn end processed by the yarn supplying bobbin pick finding device 115 is blown off, pulled from the yarn supplying bobbin 3, and then wound. Because the yarn winding operation performed in the winder unit 101 is in available in the public domain, the explanation thereof is omitted.
The core tube conveying path 113 conveys to a bobbin extracting device 116 arranged at a downstream side thereof the yarn supplying bobbin (that is, the core tube 4) from which the yarn is unwound and is discharged by the winder unit 101.
The core tube 4 is an elongated cylindrical member, and is formed so that the diameter thereof decreases linearly from a large diameter end portion 4a at the bottom toward a small diameter end portion 4b at the top (see FIG. 2). In other words, the diameter of the large diameter end portion 4a of the core tube 4 is larger than the diameter of the small diameter end portion 4b. Accordingly, by inserting the large diameter end portion 4a of the core tube 4 into a peg of the conveying tray 2, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is set to the conveying tray 2 and conveyed along with the conveying tray 2.
The bobbin extracting device 116 extracts and collects the core tube 4 from the conveying tray 2 on which the core tube 4 is set. The conveying tray 2 from which the core tube 4 is extracted by the bobbin extracting device 116 is fed to the bobbin feeding device 10 as shown in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the returned bobbin conveying path 114 is arranged between the yarn supplying bobbin conveying path 112 and the core tube conveying path 113. The returned bobbin conveying path 114 conveys for reprocessing the yarn supplying bobbin 3 on which the pick finding process performed by the yarn supplying bobbin pick finding device 115 was unsuccessful and the like.
The bobbin feeding device 10 includes, as shown in FIG. 2, a bobbin charging device 11, a parts feeder (bobbin separating device) 12, a bobbin distributing device 5, a pair of the bobbin direction aligning devices (yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device) 6, and a pair of bobbin chutes 13 (bobbin loading device). Although the configuration is explained in detail later, the bobbin feeding device 10 further includes a controlling section 90 shown in FIG. 10.
The bobbin charging device 11 shown in FIG. 2 inserts the yarn supplying bobbin 3 manufactured by a not-shown spinning frame to the central part of the bottom of the parts feeder 12 by using, for example, a conveyor and the like. As an alternative configuration, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be carried up to the parts feeder 12 by placing in a not-shown container and the like, and then can be inserted into the parts feeder 12.
In the parts feeder 12, a spiral passage 12a is arranged on an inner circumferential surface thereof continuously from a center up to an ejecting port 12b arranged on an outer circumference. A driving device that generates vibration in the spiral passage 12a of the parts feeder 12 is arranged at a lower part of the parts feeder 12. Because of the vibration generated in the parts feeder 12, the yarn supplying bobbins 3 inserted by the bobbin charging device 11 are aligned one by one while being moved upward in the spiral passage 12a and are conveyed toward the ejecting port 12b.
The breadth of a bobbin feed conveyor 14 is slightly wider than the thickness of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 (thickness of a portion around which the yarn is wound). The bobbin feed conveyor 14 conveys the yarn supplying bobbin 3 in a substantially horizontal posture so that a 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 a conveying direction of the bobbin feed conveyor 14.
The bobbin distributing device 5 shown in FIG. 3 is arranged downstream of the bobbin feed conveyor 14. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a configuration of the bobbin distributing device 5. The bobbin distributing device 5 includes a narrow bobbin passage 16 arranged in an upper part thereof through which the yarn supplying bobbin 3 conveyed from the bobbin feed conveyor 14 passes. Moreover, the bobbin distributing device 5 includes five integrally rotatable rotation guiding bodies 27 that are arranged side by side at a regular angle interval. The rotation guiding bodies 27 constitute a part of a rotation guiding section 17 that rotates and guides a bobbin. By driving a distribution driving section 29 to cause the rotation guiding section 17 to rotate in a forward direction or a reverse direction, the bobbin distributing device 5 can distribute the yarn supplying bobbin 3 to aside of one side or the other side of the bobbin passage 16. Furthermore, the distribution driving section 29 is electrically connected to the controlling section 90 shown in FIG. 10, and based on a control performed by the controlling section 90, an electric signal is transmitted to the distribution driving section 29 at an appropriate timing based on which the rotation guiding section 17 is rotated in the forward direction or the reverse direction.
As shown in FIG. 2, two supply paths 8 that distribute and feed the yarn supplying bobbin 3 are arranged downstream of the bobbin distributing device 5. The bobbin direction aligning device 6 and the bobbin chute 13 are arranged onto each of the supply paths 8.
The bobbin direction aligning devices 6 are arranged slightly below both the asides in the longitudinal direction of the bobbin passage 16 of the bobbin distributing device 5.
Each bobbin direction aligning device 6 includes a pair of core tube guiding sections (winding tube guiding section) 63 that guides both end portions (the large diameter end portion 4a and the small diameter end portion 4b at which the core tube 4 is exposed) of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 fed in the horizontal posture from the bobbin distributing device 5. Among the core tube guiding sections 63, the large diameter end portion 4a of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is sent to one of the core tube guiding sections 63 and the small diameter end portion 4b is sent to the other of the core tube guiding sections 63. Furthermore, because the direction in which the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed to the bobbin direction aligning device 6 is uncertain, it is unclear which one between the large diameter end portion 4a and the small diameter end portion 4b is sent to which one of the core tube guiding sections 63.
Each core tube guiding section 63 includes a large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and a large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74 shown in FIG. 4 between which the large diameter end portion 4a of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is interposed and supported, and a small diameter end portion receiving part 78 shown in FIG. 4 by which the small diameter end portion 4b is received and supported. Accordingly, the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 that receives the large diameter end portion 4a of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 pivots to open downward, and causes the yarn supplying bobbin 3 to fall from the large diameter end portion 4a side. In this manner, the bobbin direction aligning device 6 can align the direction of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 so that the large diameter end portion 4a is facing downward, in other words, can change the direction of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 and feed the same to the downstream side of the supply path 8.
The bobbin chute 13 is arranged below the bobbin direction aligning device 6. The bobbin chute 13 sets the yarn supplying bobbin 3 fed from the bobbin direction aligning device 6 so that the core tube 4 of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is inserted into the peg of the conveying tray 2 that conveys the yarn supplying bobbin 3. Accordingly, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 loaded on the conveying tray 2 is conveyed to the winder units 101 of the automatic winder 100 via the yarn supplying bobbin introducing path 111 and the yarn supplying bobbin conveying path 112 shown in FIG. 1.
A supply guiding member 15 that guides to the bobbin chute 13 the direction-aligned yarn supplying bobbin 3 is arranged in a lower part of the bobbin direction aligning device 6. The supply guiding member 15 is a member with four side surfaces, and one side surface thereof is along the side of the bobbin distributing device 5. A first opening 15a is formed on an upper surface and a second opening 15b is formed on a lower surface of the supply guiding member 15. The first opening 15a formed on the upper surface of the supply guiding member 15 is relatively large. The second opening 15b formed on the lower surface of the supply guiding member 15 is relatively small. The first opening 15a is positioned directly below a later-explained folded plate-shaped frame of the bobbin direction aligning device 6, and the second opening 15b is positioned directly above the bobbin chute 13. Accordingly, the supply guiding member 15 can reliably guide to the bobbin chute 13 the yarn supplying bobbin 3 dropped from the folded plate-shaped frame of the bobbin direction aligning device 6.
Next, the bobbin direction aligning device 6 is explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. Furthermore, because both the bobbin direction aligning devices 6 have the same configuration, the configuration of the bobbin direction aligning device 6 arranged on one side is explained below as an example. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bobbin direction aligning device 6. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing, when seen from the inside of a side frame 61, a state in which the large diameter end portion 4a of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is interposed and supported between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74 in the core tube guiding section 63 arranged on one side of the bobbin direction aligning device 6. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing, when seen from the inside of the side frame 61, a state in which the small diameter end portion 4b of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is received and supported by the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 in the core tube guiding section 63 arranged on the other side of the bobbin direction aligning device 6. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which, after the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is correctly guided, the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 pivots to open downward and the yarn supplying bobbin 3 falls.
The bobbin direction aligning device 6 includes, as shown in FIG. 4, the side frame pair 61, an end frame 62, and the core tube guiding section pair 63. Furthermore, the bobbin direction aligning device 6 includes the supply guiding member 15 shown in FIG. 2 and the like, and a driving motor 96 shown in FIG. 10.
As shown in FIG. 4, both the side frames 61 are flat plate-shaped members. The side frame pair 61 is arranged at a predetermined interval in a state in which a thickness direction thereof faces the horizontal direction so as to face each other. The interval between the side frames 61 is slightly larger than a length of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 in the longitudinal direction.
The end frame 62 is a horizontally long flat plate-shaped member. The end frame 62 is arranged at an end far from the bobbin distributing device 5 in each of the side frames 61 in a state in which a thickness direction of the end frame 62 is horizontally-oriented. Both end portions of the end frame 62 are vertically connected to the respective ends of the side frame pair 61.
By arranging the side frames 61 and the end frame 62 in this manner, a folded plate-shaped guiding frame in which a side near the bobbin distributing device 5, the upper side, and the lower side are open is prepared. The guiding frame is arranged on one side of the bobbin distributing device 5 to receive the yarn supplying bobbin 3 distributed by the bobbin distributing device 5. As explained above, because the interval between the side frame pair 61 is slightly larger than the length of the yarn supplying bobbin 3, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be passed in the horizontal posture in which the longitudinal end portions of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 are near the respective side frames 61 inside the guiding frame.
As shown in FIG. 4, the core tube guiding section 63 that guides one end portion of the core tube 4 of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is arranged on each of the side frames 61. The core tube guiding sections 63 are arranged facing each other parallel to an inner surface of the respective side frame 61.
Each of the core tube guiding sections 63 includes an introducing section 70, the large diameter end portion lower contacting part (part of a first supporting section) 72, the large diameter end portion upper contacting part (part of the first supporting section) 74, an upper guiding section 76, and the small diameter end portion receiving part (second supporting section) 78.
The introducing section 70 is arranged immediately inside the side frame 61. The introducing section 70 is a plate-shaped member and an upstream part thereof is bent outward (toward the side frame 61) to form a tapered part. When the yarn supplying bobbin 3 passes between the pair of tapered parts, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is guided so as to pass through by substantially middle of the side frames 61.
The large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 is a plate-shaped member arranged by passing through a pivoting shaft 82 that is horizontally positioned across the side frame pair 61. The large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 is formed to be in a substantially triangular shape as shown in FIG. 5 and the like when viewed in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pivoting shaft 82. The large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 is attached to the pivoting shaft 82 so that one side of the triangle forms an inclined surface 72a that is inclined downwards as one goes toward the downstream side. The inclined surface 72a comes in contact with the large diameter end portion 4a of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 from below.
As shown in FIG. 4, a flat portion 73 is fixed to a tip end on the downstream side of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72. However, in FIG. 5 and the like, illustration of the flat portion 73 is omitted. The flat portion 73 is arranged perpendicular to the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and parallel to the inclined surface 72a of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72, and extends toward the opposite large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72.
The large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74 is formed in a block shape and arranged downstream of the tapered part on the introducing section 70 so as to protrude in a substantially vertical direction from an inner surface of the introducing section 70. Furthermore, a core tube guiding path is formed so that the upper and lower sides thereof are interposed between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74.
As shown in FIG. 5, a gap is formed between a lower surface of the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74 positioned on the upper side of the core tube guiding path and an upper surface (the inclined surface 72a) of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 positioned on the lower side of the core tube guiding path. The gap is wide near the bobbin distributing device 5 and narrow far from the bobbin distributing device 5. Accordingly, a width W of the gap at the narrowest portion is narrower than the diameter of the large diameter end portion 4a of the core tube 4 and is wider than the diameter of the small diameter end portion 4b.
As explained above, at this stage, it is uncertain which side the yarn supplying bobbin 3 loaded to the bobbin direction aligning device 6 from the bobbin distributing device 5 is facing. Therefore, both a state in which the large diameter end portion 4a of the core tube 4 is sent between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74 arranged below and above the core tube guiding path and a state in which the small diameter end portion 4b is sent between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74 arranged below and above the core tube guiding path can be considered. If the large diameter end portion 4a of the core tube 4 is sent between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74, usually, the large diameter end portion 4a cannot pass through and is interposed and supported between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74 (see FIG. 5). On the other hand, if the small diameter end portion 4b of the core tube 4 is sent between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74, the small diameter end portion 4b passes through and moves by own weight to the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 arranged downstream (see FIG. 6). In this manner, the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74 selectively interposes and supports only the large diameter end portion 4a between the large diameter end portion 4a and the small diameter end portion 4b of the core tube 4.
Furthermore, the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74 is attached so as to be slidable up and down with respect to the introducing section 70 by using, for example, a not-shown elongated hole. Accordingly, because the position of the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74 (in other words, the width W of the gap between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74) can be adjusted, the yarn supplying bobbins 3 with different thicknesses of the core tube 4 can be processed.
By driving the driving motor 96 shown in FIG. 10, the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 is pivotable in an up / down direction around the pivoting shaft 82 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Accordingly, when the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 pivots downward from the position indicated by a solid line in FIGS. 5 and 6, the core tube guiding path can be opened in the downward direction (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 5 and 6). At this stage, as explained above, when the large diameter end portion 4a of the core tube 4 of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is sent in the correctly guided state between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74, the large diameter end portion 4a is interposed and supported between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74. Consequently, in this state, when the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 pivots to open the core tube guiding path in the downward direction, as shown in FIG. 7, the large diameter end portion 4a of the core tube 4 of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 falls into the supply guiding member 15 by own weight.
In the core tube guiding section pair 63, the large diameter end portion lower contacting parts 72 are connected to each other by the pivoting shaft 82. The flat portion 73 is fixed to each of the large diameter end portion lower contacting parts 72. Consequently, the two large diameter end portion lower contacting parts 72 and the respective flat portions 73 operate in coordination with each other, and when one of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the respective flat portion 73 pivot downward, the other large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the respective flat portion 73, too, pivot downward at the same time.
The upper guiding sections 76 shown in FIG. 4 are plate-shaped members attached by passing through a pivoting shaft 86 positioned horizontally across the side frame pair 61. From FIG. 5 onwards, the pivoting shaft 86 and the upper guiding sections 76 are not shown. Each of the upper guiding sections 76 includes a flat portion that can contact the yarn supplying bobbin 3 from the upper side near the center in the longitudinal direction thereof. Accordingly, even when the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed with force into the bobbin direction aligning device 6, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 hits the flat portions of the upper guiding sections 76 and is guided toward the large diameter end portion lower contacting parts 72. The posture of the upper guiding sections 76 can be changed by rotating the pivoting shaft 86.
The small diameter end portion receiving part 78 is arranged adjacent to the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 on the downstream side. The small diameter end portion receiving part 78 is formed in a block shape and it protrudes in a substantially vertical direction from a lower part (inner surface) of the introducing section 70 that is downstream of the tapered part. A V-shaped concave part (receiving surface) 78a is formed on an upper surface of the small diameter end portion receiving part 78. Furthermore, a half part upstream of the V-shape of the concave part 78a (portion present on a downward slope toward the downstream side) significantly protrudes toward the inside of the bobbin direction aligning device 6 than the other half on the downstream side (portion present on an upward slope toward the downstream side).
With this configuration, when the small diameter end portion 4b of the core tube 4 of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is sent to the small diameter end portion receiving part 78, as shown in FIG. 6, the small diameter end portion 4b is received and supported from below by the concave part 78a of the small diameter end portion receiving part 78. Because the concave part 78a is formed in a V-shape, the small diameter end portion 4b can be stably supported.
At this stage, a state when the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is correctly guided and the small diameter end portion 4b is sent to the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 in the core tube guiding path arranged on one side implies that the large diameter end portion 4a is interposed and supported between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74 (a first state explained later) in the core tube guiding path on the other side. Accordingly, because the small diameter end portion 4b is received and supported by the concave part 78a when the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 attempts to pivot downward to fall the large diameter end portion 4a of the core tube 4, as conceptually shown in FIG. 7, the large diameter end portion 4a of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 falls first (in other words, the large diameter end portion 4a faces downward). In this manner, in the bobbin direction aligning device 6, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed to the bobbin chute 13 along a supply path (a supply path through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin is conveyed) 69 formed in a direction indicated by a hollow arrow in FIG. 7.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and the like, the supply guiding member 15 explained above is arranged directly below the side frame pair 61 and the end frame 62. The yarn supplying bobbin 3 fallen from the core tube guiding path enters the supply guiding member 15 from the first opening 15a and its posture is changed to an upright posture while passing through the supply guiding member 15. When the yarn supplying bobbin 3 exits from the second opening 15b of the supply guiding member 15, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is aligned in a posture in which the large diameter end portion 4a faces downward. In other words, the supply path 69 of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 when the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is correctly guided is such that the upstream side thereof is surrounded by the side frame pair 61 and the end frame 62. Whereas, the downstream side of the supply path 69 is surrounded by side walls of the supply guiding member 15.
In this manner, according to the bobbin direction aligning device 6 explained above, when the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is correctly guided, the orientation of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be aligned so that the large diameter end portion 4a is facing downward. However, when the bobbin direction aligning device 6 is actually operated, sometimes the yarn supplying bobbin 3 may not be guided by the core tube guiding section 63 as expected.
Specifically, for example, when the yarn is excessively wound up to the end of the core tube 4 on the side of the small diameter end portion 4b of the yarn supplying bobbin 3, the diameter of the small diameter end portion 4b becomes thicker than desired because of the wound yarn. Consequently, the small diameter end portion 4b of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 cannot pass between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74, and both the small diameter end portion 4b and the large diameter end portion 4a may be interposed and supported respectively between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74 (a second state explained later). If this happens, when the large diameter end portion lower contacting parts 72 pivot around the pivoting shaft 82 to open the core tube guiding path in the downward direction, the large diameter end portion 4a of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 cannot be caused to fall first. Therefore, there is a possibility that the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed to the bobbin chute 13 in an upside-down posture. If the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed to the bobbin chute 13 in an upside-down posture, setting of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 to the conveying tray 2 performed by the bobbin chute 13 fails and stopping of the bobbin direction aligning device 6 and the like becomes inevitable.
Moreover, for example, when the end on the side of the large diameter end portion 4a of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is defective or deformed, the large diameter end portion 4a of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 may pass between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74, and both the large diameter end portion 4a and the small diameter end portion 4b are received and supported respectively by the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 (a third state explained later). If this happens, even when the large diameter end portion lower contacting parts 72 pivot around the pivoting shaft 82 to open the core tube guiding path in the downward direction, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 cannot be caused to fall in the supply guiding member 15, and stopping of the bobbin direction aligning device 6 becomes inevitable.
To solve this problem, in the bobbin direction aligning device 6 according to the present embodiment, when the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is not correctly guided as explained above, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed to a supply path that is separate from the supply path 69 and then collected, thereby reducing situations in which stopping of the bobbin direction aligning device 6 becomes inevitable. In other words, in the bobbin direction aligning device 6, when the large diameter end portion 4a and the small diameter end portion 4b are not guided as expected by the respective core tube guiding sections 63, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is automatically discharged outside the bobbin direction aligning device 6, thereby reducing situations in which a direction change operation fails or the bobbin direction aligning device 6 is stopped in an emergency.
A configuration of the bobbin direction aligning device 6 for realizing the function explained above will be explained below mainly with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a first path changing operation performed by a path changing operation section 98. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a second path changing operation performed by the path changing operation section 98. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a main configuration of a control system of the bobbin direction aligning device 6.
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the bobbin direction aligning device 6 includes an opening / closing member (discharging member) 15c as a configuration to feed the yarn supplying bobbin 3 to a first retreat path 79, which is a path that is branched from the supply path 69 used for the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3. The opening / closing member 15c is arranged at a position lower than the position at which the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is placed in the core tube guiding section 63. Among the side surfaces that constitute the supply guiding member 15, the opening / closing member 15c according to the present embodiment is a plate-shaped member arranged on the side surface near to the bobbin distributing device 5. The opening / closing member 15c is pivotable upward so as to be away from the bobbin distributing device 5 with an upper end portion thereof as a supporting point.
The opening / closing member 15c is, usually, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, in an opening posture forming an integral plane with the side surface near the bobbin distributing device 5 among the side surfaces of the supply guiding member 15. In the opening posture, the first opening 15a of the supply guiding member 15 is in an open state. The opening / closing member 15c is connected to an air cylinder 94 via an arm member, and can be set to a closing posture as shown in FIG. 8 by switching between on and off of the supply of compressed air to the air cylinder 94. When the opening / closing member 15c is in the closing posture, the first opening 15a of the supply guiding member 15 is closed by the opening / closing member 15c, and as a result, the supply path 69 through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 is conveyed gets blocked. In this state, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 sent along the supply path 69 hits an upper surface of the inclined opening / closing member 15c and rolls along the opening / closing member 15c. Accordingly, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be fed to the first retreat path 79 that is separate from the supply path 69 through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 is conveyed. In other words, the first retreat path 79 is a path that guides the yarn supplying bobbin 3 with the upper surface of the plate of the opening / closing member 15c in the closing posture.
Moreover, the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 explained above is operative to feed the yarn supplying bobbin 3 to a second retreat path 89, which is a path that is separate from the supply path 69 through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 is conveyed. Specifically, the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 of one core tube guiding section 63 between the core tube guiding section pair 63 is pivotable around a pivoting shaft 78c as a supporting point, and is connected to an air cylinder 93 shown in FIG. 10 via a not-shown arm member and the like. Accordingly, by switching between on and off of the supply of compressed air to the air cylinder 93, the posture of the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 can be switched between a receiving posture shown in FIG. 7 and the like in which the concave part 78a faces upward, and a discharging posture shown in FIG. 9 in which the concave part 78a faces the side opposite to the bobbin distributing device 5. Accordingly, by moving the concave part 78a, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 placed on the upper side thereof can be removed from the supply path 69 through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 is conveyed and fed to the second retreat path 89, which is a separate path (outside of the supply guiding member 15). In other words, the second retreat path 89 is a path that guides the yarn supplying bobbin 3 with the inner surface of the concave part 78a in the discharging posture to release the yarn supplying bobbin 3 toward a discharged bobbin accumulating section 50.
Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 2, 8, 9, and the like, the bobbin direction aligning device 6 includes the discharged bobbin accumulating section 50 that accumulates the yarn supplying bobbin 3 fed through the retreat paths (the first retreat path 79 and the second retreat path 89) that are separate from the supply path 69 used when the yarn supplying bobbin is correctly guided. Furthermore, to make the drawings easy to understand, in FIG. 2 and the like, the discharged bobbin accumulating section 50 is drawn in perspective with a chain line. The discharged bobbin accumulating section 50 according to the present embodiment is a box (container) having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an upper side open. The discharged bobbin accumulating section 50 is arranged on the side far from the bobbin direction aligning device 6 when seen from the bobbin distributing device 5. Moreover, the discharged bobbin accumulating section 50 is arranged on the side opposite to the side frames 61 and the core tube guiding section 63 across the end frame 62, and along an imaginary plane obtained by extending the end frame 62 downward. Furthermore, the discharged bobbin accumulating section 50 and the bobbin direction aligning device 6 together constitute a yarn supplying bobbin discharging device 120 according to the present embodiment.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 10, the bobbin direction aligning device 6 includes, as the control system, a bobbin detecting sensor (detecting section) 97, a suitability determining section 91, a solenoid valve 92, and the like.
The bobbin detecting sensor 97 detects the state of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 arranged in the core tube guiding path formed by the core tube guiding section 63. Specifically, the bobbin detecting sensor 97 is a sensor that detects the yarn supplying bobbin 3 that is in a state in which at least one of the large diameter end portion 4a and the small diameter end portion 4b is received and supported by the small diameter end portion receiving part 78.
The bobbin detecting sensor 97 according to the present embodiment is a photoelectric sensor that is constituted by a light emitting section 97a and a light receiving section 97b. As shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting section 97a is mounted on the end frame 62 via a stay 64. As shown in FIG. 4, the light receiving section 97b is arranged on a side surface of the bobbin distributing device 5 (a surface adjacent to the bobbin direction aligning device 6) via a stay 65, and as a result, is arranged at a position lower than the light emitting section 97a. The light emitting section 97a and the light receiving section 97b are arranged, as shown in FIG. 4, so as to detect the almost middle part of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 in the longitudinal direction.
Accordingly, considering that when the light from the light emitting section 97a is received by the light receiving section 97b in the bobbin detecting sensor 97, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 blocks the light, it is possible to detect the presence / absence of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 that is in a state in which at least one of the large diameter end portion 4a and the small diameter end portion 4b is received and supported by the small diameter end portion receiving part 78. The bobbin detecting sensor 97 is electrically connected to the controlling section 90.
The following three states in which the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is guided by the core tube guiding section 63 can be considered: a state (the first state) in which the large diameter end portion 4a is interposed and supported between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74, and the small diameter end portion 4b is received and supported by the small diameter end portion receiving part 78, a state (the second state) in which both the small diameter end portion 4b and the large diameter end portion 4a are interposed and supported respectively between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74, and a state (the third state) in which both the small diameter end portion 4b and the large diameter end portion 4a are received and supported respectively by the small diameter end portion receiving part 78. Among the three states, only in the first state, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be reliably fed to the downstream side by correctly changing the direction thereof.
As explained above, because the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 is arranged downstream of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74, the position of the middle part of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 in the longitudinal direction differs in the three states explained above. Considering the above explanation, an optical axis of the bobbin detecting sensor 97 is arranged so as to be blocked by the yarn supplying bobbin 3 in the first state and the third state and not to be blocked by the yarn supplying bobbin 3 in the second state. Accordingly, the bobbin detecting sensor 97 can detect the first state and the second state and differentiate these states.
The suitability determining section 91 shown in FIG. 10 determines, based on a detection result obtained by the bobbin detecting sensor 97, whether or not the state of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 arranged on the core tube guiding path formed by the core tube guiding section 63 is suitable for direction changing. The suitability determining section 91 according to the present embodiment is configured as a part of the controlling section 90, which is a control device that controls the entire bobbin feeding device 10. The controlling section 90 includes hardware such as CPU, ROM, and RAM and software such as a control program stored on the ROM. The controlling section 90 can be operated as the suitability determining section 91 and the like by the cooperative functioning of the hardware and the software.
The solenoid valve 92 arranged between the air cylinder 93 and the air cylinder 94, and a not-shown compressed air source is electrically connected to the controlling section 90. The controlling section 90 switches the state of the solenoid valve 92 to switch between on and off of the supply of compressed air to the air cylinder 93 and the air cylinder 94.
Moreover, the driving motor 96 that causes the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 to pivot, too, is electrically connected to the controlling section 90. The driving motor 96 according to the present embodiment is constituted by an electric motor in which a rotation angle can be controlled via a signal. Accordingly, when the controlling section 90 (the suitability determining section 91) outputs an appropriate control signal to the driving motor 96, the posture of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 can be switched to either the posture in which the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is supported from below or the posture in which the core tube guiding path is opened in the downward direction and the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is caused to fall.
The path changing operation section 98 according to the present embodiment is constituted by the air cylinder 93, the air cylinder 94, and the driving motor 96. The path changing operation section 98 performs, when the suitability determining section 91 determines that the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is in an unsuitable state for direction changing, an operation in which the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed to the supply path (the retreat path) that is separate from the supply path 69 through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 is conveyed.
Processes performed by the suitability determining section 91 and the like such as feeding the yarn supplying bobbin 3 to the conveying tray 2 or feeding the yarn supplying bobbin 3 outside the bobbin direction aligning device 6 depending on whether or not the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is correctly guided to the bobbin direction aligning device 6 are explained below with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processes performed depending on whether or not the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is correctly guided.
First, at Step S101, the suitability determining section 91 determines whether or not the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is distributed (fed) to the bobbin direction aligning device 6. As explained above, even though two bobbin direction aligning devices 6 are arranged, it can be easily determined, based on the electric signal output to the distribution driving section 29 by the controlling section 90, to which bobbin direction aligning device 6 the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed from the bobbin distributing device 5. As a result, if the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is not distributed to the target bobbin direction aligning device 6, the suitability determining section 91 waits till the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is distributed.
When it is determined that the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is distributed to the bobbin direction aligning device 6 at Step S101, at Step S102, the suitability determining section 91 determines, based on the detection result received from the bobbin detecting sensor 97, whether or not the bobbin detecting sensor 97 has detected the yarn supplying bobbin 3.
If, at Step S102, it is determined that the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is not detected by the bobbin detecting sensor 97, it implies that both the end portions of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 are not supported by any of the small diameter end portion receiving parts 78 even when the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed to the bobbin direction aligning device 6. In such a case, because the large diameter end portion 4a and the small diameter end portion 4b are interposed and supported respectively between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74, the suitability determining section 91 determines that the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is in an unsuitable state for direction changing (the second state explained above). Therefore, the suitability determining section 91 performs a first path changing operation in which the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed to the first retreat path 79 that is branched from the supply path 69 through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 is conveyed (Steps S103 and S104).
In other words, at Step S103, the suitability determining section 91 sets the opening / closing member 15c to the closing posture to close the supply path 69 through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 is conveyed. Specifically, the suitability determining section 91 outputs a signal to the solenoid valve 92 to switch between on and off of the supply of compressed air to the air cylinder 94, and causes the opening / closing member 15c to pivot till the opening / closing member 15c moves from the opening posture shown in FIG. 5 to the closing posture shown in FIG. 8.
Next, at Step S104, the suitability determining section 91 controls the driving motor 96 so that the inclined surface 72a of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 that is supporting the yarn supplying bobbin 3 from below pivots to open the core tube guiding path in the downward direction, and returns the inclined surface 72a to the original position after a predetermined time has elapsed. Furthermore, the operation of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 at this step is entirely as same as the chuting operation explained later at Step S107. Accordingly, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 falls on the opening / closing member 15c and rolls along the inclined surface thereof. The yarn supplying bobbin 3 is then fed to the first retreat path that is branched from the supply path 69 through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 is conveyed as shown in FIG. 8, and is ultimately fed into the discharged bobbin accumulating section 50 arranged outside the bobbin direction aligning device 6.
After a sufficient time for feeding the yarn supplying bobbin 3 into the discharged bobbin accumulating section 50 has elapsed, at Step S105, the suitability determining section 91 causes the opening / closing member 15c to return to the opening posture. Specifically, by outputting a signal to the solenoid valve 92 to switch between on and off of the supply of compressed air to the air cylinder 94, the suitability determining section 91 causes the opening / closing member 15c to pivot till the opening posture shown in FIG. 5 from the closing posture shown in FIG. 8. Accordingly, at this step, the supply path 69 of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is set to a state in which the same is not blocked by the opening / closing member 15c and feeding of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 to the bobbin chute 13 is possible. In this manner, after completing a series of processes on the yarn supplying bobbin 3, the control is returned to Step S101, and the suitability determining section 91 waits for the next yarn supplying bobbin 3 to get distributed.
When it is determined, at Step S102, that the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is detected by the bobbin detecting sensor 97, there is a possibility that the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is in a suitable state for direction changing. Therefore, the suitability determining section 91 determines whether or not the preparation of the conveying tray 2 is complete (Step S106). Specifically, at Step S106, the suitability determining section 91 determines, based on a detection result obtained by a not-shown sensor included in the bobbin chute 13, whether or not the conveying tray 2 is arranged directly below the bobbin chute 13. If the preparation of the conveying tray 2 is not complete, the suitability determining section 91 waits till the preparation of the conveying tray 2 is complete.
Based on the result of the determination performed at Step S106, when the conveying tray 2 is arranged directly below the bobbin chute 13 and receiving preparation of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is complete, the suitability determining section 91 performs operation to feed the yarn supplying bobbin 3 to the conveying tray 2 (Step S107). To explain in detail, at Step S107, the suitability determining section 91 causes the driving motor 96 to perform an operation in which the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 is caused to pivot to open the core tube guiding path in the downward direction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "chuting operation"). Specifically, the suitability determining section 91 transmits to the driving motor 96 a control signal and causes the driving motor 96 to operate to cause the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 to pivot to a position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the same to return to the original position only after a sufficient predetermined time required for the yarn supplying bobbin 3 to fall has elapsed.
After Step S107, at Step S108, the suitability determining section 91 determines, based on the detection result received from the bobbin detecting sensor 97, whether or not the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is still being detected by the bobbin detecting sensor 97. In other words, the suitability determining section 91 determines whether or not an end portion of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is placed on any of the small diameter end portion receiving parts 78 even when the chuting operation in which the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is caused to fall toward the conveying tray 2 is performed.
Based on the result of determination performed at Step S108, when the bobbin detecting sensor 97 stops detecting the yarn supplying bobbin 3, it is considered that the chuting operation has been performed in the correctly guided state (the first state) in which the large diameter end portion 4a of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is interposed and supported between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74, and the small diameter end portion 4b is received and supported by the small diameter end portion receiving part 78, and the direction is appropriately changed and the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed to the conveying tray 2 in a correct direction. Therefore, the suitability determining section 91 completes a series of processes on the yarn supplying bobbin 3, and waits for the next yarn supplying bobbin 3 to get distributed with the control returning to Step S101.
On the other hand, based on the result of determination performed at Step S108, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 still being detected by the bobbin detecting sensor 97 implies that even if the chuting operation is performed, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is not dropped and is remaining in the core tube guiding section 63. Moreover, based on the detection result of the bobbin detecting sensor 97, it can be comprehended that an end portion of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is placed on at least one of the small diameter end portion receiving parts 78 arranged on the two sides. Therefore, at this time, the suitability determining section 91 determines that the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is in an unsuitable state for direction changing because both the large diameter end portion 4a and the small diameter end portion 4b are received and supported respectively by the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 (the third state). Therefore, the suitability determining section 91 performs a second path changing operation in which the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed to the second retreat path 89 that is separate from the supply path 69 through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 is conveyed (Step S109).
In other words, at Step S109, the suitability determining section 91 moves the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 in which the concave part 78a has received the yarn supplying bobbin 3 in one of the two core tube guiding sections 63 arranged on either side. Specifically, by outputting a signal to the solenoid valve 92 to switch between on and off of the supply of compressed air to the air cylinder 93, the suitability determining section 91 causes the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 to pivot from the receiving posture shown in FIG. 7 till the discharging posture shown in FIG. 9. Accordingly, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is released and dropped from the concave part 78a of the small diameter end portion receiving part 78, and is fed into the discharged bobbin accumulating section 50 arranged outside the bobbin direction aligning device 6 (fed to the second retreat path 89 that is branched from the supply path 69 through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 is conveyed). Furthermore, at this step, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is pushed outside the bobbin direction aligning device 6 by the half part of the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 on upstream side of the V-shaped configuration in which protrusion toward the inside of the bobbin direction aligning device 6 is significant. In this manner, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be reliably discharged outside the bobbin direction aligning device 6.
After this operation, at Step S110, the suitability determining section 91 causes the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 to return to be in the original posture. Specifically, by outputting a signal to the solenoid valve 92 to switch between on and off of the supply of compressed air to the air cylinder 93, the suitability determining section 91 causes the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 to pivot till the concave part 78a thereof is facing upward. In this manner, the suitability determining section 91 completes a series of processes on the yarn supplying bobbin 3, and waits for the next yarn supplying bobbin 3 to get distributed with the control returning to Step S101.
In this manner, in the bobbin direction aligning device 6 according to the present embodiment, when the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is not correctly guided by the core tube guiding section 63, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be automatically fed to the retreat path (the first retreat path 79 or the second retreat path 89) that is branched from the supply path 69 through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 is conveyed. Accordingly, workload of an operator can be reduced, and efficiency of the bobbin direction aligning device 6 can be improved as frequency of emergency stop because of clogging of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 in the midway of the direction changing and the like reduces.
As explained above, the bobbin direction aligning device 6 according to the present embodiment changes the direction of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 formed by winding a yarn around the core tube 4 having the large diameter end portion 4a and the small diameter end portion 4b that has a smaller diameter than the large diameter end portion 4a, and feeds the yarn supplying bobbin 3 downstream of the supply path 69. The bobbin direction aligning device 6 includes the core tube guiding section pair 63, the bobbin detecting sensor 97, and the path changing operation section 98. The core tube guiding section pair 63 is arranged to guide the large diameter end portion 4a and the small diameter end portion 4b of the yarn supplying bobbin 3. The bobbin detecting sensor 97 detects a state of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 arranged in the core tube guiding sections 63. The path changing operation section 98 changes the supply path of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 according to a detection result obtained by the bobbin detecting sensor 97.
With this configuration, when the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is not correctly guided and the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is in an unsuitable state for direction changing, such a state can be detected by the bobbin detecting sensor 97, and the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be automatically fed to a supply path (the retreat path) that is separate from the supply path 69 through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 is conveyed. As a result, direction changing failures and frequency of abnormal stopping of the bobbin direction aligning device 6 and the like can be reduced. Accordingly, workload of an operator can be reduced and efficiency of the bobbin direction aligning device 6 can be improved.
The above bobbin direction aligning device 6 further includes the opening / closing member 15c that is capable of performing an operation of changing the supply path at a position lower than a position of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 placed in the core tube guiding sections 63. Each of the core tube guiding sections 63 includes the first supporting section, and the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 as the second supporting section. The small diameter end portion 4b passes through the first supporting section 72, 74 and the large diameter end portion 4a is interposed and supported therebetween. The small diameter end portion receiving part 78 is positioned downstream of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and receives and supports the small diameter end portion 4b. The first supporting section includes the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74 that comes in contact with the end portion of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 from above and the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 that comes in contact with the end portion of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 from below. In the bobbin direction aligning device 6, when the bobbin detecting sensor 97 detects that the large diameter end portion 4a and the small diameter end portion 4b are interposed and supported respectively between the first supporting section 72, 74, the path changing operation section 98 performs, as shown in FIG. 8, by opening downward of the large diameter end portion lower contacting parts 72, the first path changing operation in which the opening / closing member 15c is operated so as to feed the downward moving yarn supplying bobbin 3 to the first retreat path 79 that is branched from the supply path 69 through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 is conveyed.
With this configuration, in the correctly guided state of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 in which the large diameter end portion 4a is interposed and supported between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74 and the small diameter end portion 4b is received and supported by the small diameter end portion receiving part 78, by opening downward of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72, the direction of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be changed so that the large diameter end portion 4a is positioned downward. Moreover, when the small diameter end portion 4b side of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is caught between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74 and the direction of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 cannot be accurately changed, by opening downward of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 of the first supporting section and causing the opening / closing member 15c to operate, the downward moving yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be fed to the first retreat path 79 that is branched from the supply path 69 through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 is conveyed.
The above bobbin direction aligning device 6 can differentiate between, based on the detection result of the bobbin detecting sensor 97, the state (the first state) in which the large diameter end portion 4a is interposed and supported between the first supporting section (the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74) and the small diameter end portion 4b is received and supported by the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 and the state (the second state) in which the large diameter end portion 4a and the small diameter end portion 4b are interposed and supported respectively between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74.
With this configuration, the state in which the large diameter end portion 4a and the small diameter end portion 4b are interposed and supported respectively between the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74 can be easily differentiated, and it can be detected that the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is not correctly guided and is in an unsuitable state for direction changing.
In the above bobbin direction aligning device 6, when it is detected that the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is in an unsuitable state for changing direction because both the large diameter end portion 4a and the small diameter end portion 4b are received and supported respectively by the small diameter end portion receiving part 78, the path changing operation section 98 performs, as shown in FIG. 9, by moving the concave part 78a on which the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 has received the yarn supplying bobbin 3, the second path changing operation in which the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed to the second retreat path 89 that is separate from the supply path 69 of the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3.
With this configuration, when the direction of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 cannot be accurately changed because the large diameter end portion 4a side of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 has passed through the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 and the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74 and reached the small diameter end portion receiving part 78, by moving the concave part 78a of the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 on which the yarn supplying bobbin 3 has been received, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be fed to the second retreat path 89 that is separate from the supply path 69 through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 is conveyed.
In the above bobbin direction aligning device 6, the bobbin detecting sensor 97 can detect the yarn supplying bobbin 3 in a state in which at least one of the large diameter end portion 4a and the small diameter end portion 4b is received and supported by the small diameter end portion receiving part 78. In the bobbin direction aligning device 6, when the bobbin detecting sensor 97 is still detecting the yarn supplying bobbin 3 after performing the operation of opening downward of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 of the first supporting section, the path changing operation section 98 performs, by moving the receiving surface on which the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 has received the yarn supplying bobbin 3, the second path changing operation in which the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed to the second retreat path 89.
With this configuration, it can be easily detected that the large diameter end portion 4a and the small diameter end portion 4b of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 are received and supported respectively by the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 and the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is in an unsuitable state for direction changing. The yarn supplying bobbin 3 having such a defect can be fed to the second retreat path 89 that is separate from the supply path 69 through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 is conveyed.
In the above bobbin direction aligning device 6, a gap between a lower surface of the large diameter end portion upper contacting part 74 and an upper surface of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 becomes narrower toward a downstream side of the supply path 69, and a width of a part where the gap is narrowest is narrower than a diameter of the large diameter end portion 4a and is wider than a diameter of the small diameter end portion 4b.
Accordingly, with a simple configuration, the large diameter end portion 4a can be selectively supported by the first supporting section 72, 74.
In the above bobbin direction aligning device 6, the core tube guiding section pair 63 is arranged so as to face each other inside the side frame pair 61.
Accordingly, with a simple configuration, both the end portions (the large diameter end portion 4a and the small diameter end portion 4b) of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be respectively guided and selectively supported by either the first supporting section 72, 74 or the small diameter end portion receiving part (the second supporting section) 78.
In the above bobbin direction aligning device 6, the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 is arranged by passing through the pivoting shaft 82 that is horizontally positioned across the side frames 61.
Accordingly, by rotating the pivoting shaft 82, the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 can be easily opened downward.
In the above bobbin direction aligning device 6, the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 is arranged adjacent to the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 at a downstream side in a supply direction of the yarn supplying bobbin 3, and protrudes toward the inside of the side frame 61 and has the V-shaped concave part 78a as the receiving surface formed on the upper surface thereof to receive the yarn supplying bobbin 3.
Accordingly, the concave part 78a can easily receive the small diameter end portion 4b of the yarn supplying bobbin 3, and the small diameter end portion 4b of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be stably received on the concave part 78a of the small diameter end portion receiving part 78.
In the above bobbin direction aligning device 6, the opening / closing member 15c blocks, when the path changing operation section 98 performs the first path changing operation, the supply path 69 through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 is conveyed, and is set to a posture that allows feeding of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 to the first retreat path 79 by rolling the yarn supplying bobbin 3 on the opening / closing member 15c.
With this configuration, by using the opening / closing member 15c, the supply path 69 through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 is conveyed can be blocked and the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be guided to the first retreat path 79.
In the above bobbin direction aligning device 6, it is preferable that the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 turns, by causing the path changing operation section 98 to perform the second path changing operation, the concave part 78a that has received the yarn supplying bobbin 3 toward the side opposite to a side in which the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed, and is set to a posture that allows feeding of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 placed on the concave part 78a to the second retreat path 89.
With this configuration, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be released from the concave part 78a to the side opposite to the side to which the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is fed, and the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be guided to the second retreat path 89.
The yarn supplying bobbin discharging device 120 according to the present embodiment includes the above bobbin direction aligning device 6; and the discharged bobbin accumulating section 50. The discharged bobbin accumulating section 50 can accumulate the yarn supplying bobbin 3 that is guided to either of the retreat paths (the first retreat path 79 and the second retreat path 89) by the operation performed by the path changing operation section 98.
With this configuration, because the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is in an unsuitable state for direction changing, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 guided to any one of the retreat paths (the first retreat path 79 and the second retreat path 89) that are separate from the supply path 69 of the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be accumulated and collected later. Accordingly, the operational efficiency can be improved.
In the above yarn supplying bobbin discharging device 120, the discharged bobbin accumulating section 50 is a space in which the box that accumulates the yarn supplying bobbin 3 guided to any of the retreat paths (the first retreat path 79 and the second retreat path 89) can be placed.
With this configuration, the yarn supplying bobbin 3 guided to any of the retreat paths (the first retreat path 79 and the second retreat path 89) can be accumulated in the box arranged in the discharged bobbin accumulating section 50, and the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be easily collected by using the box.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained above. The configuration explained above can, however, be modified as explained below.
In the above embodiment, the suitability determining section 91 is configured as a part of the controlling section 90, which is a control device that controls the entire bobbin feeding device 10. However, the suitability determining section 91 is not necessarily limited to such configuration, and can be included in a control device for the bobbin direction aligning device 6 arranged separately from the control device for the bobbin distributing device 5.
In the above embodiment, the air cylinder 93 that drives the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 and the air cylinder 94 that drives the opening / closing member 15c are operated simultaneously by switching the state of the solenoid valve 92. However, the operation is not limited to such process, and the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 and the opening / closing member 15c can be configured so as to operate separately.
In the above embodiment, a part of the member that forms the side surface of the supply guiding member 15 constitutes the opening / closing member 15c, however, the opening / closing member 15c is not limited to such configuration. In other words, the discharging member can be constituted by a different member that is not a part of the supply guiding member 15 or the bobbin direction aligning device 6.
Instead of rotating, the first path changing operation explained above can be realized by sliding movement of the opening / closing member 15c. Moreover, the opening / closing member 15c can be arranged downstream of the second opening 15b of the supply guiding member 15 but upstream of the bobbin chute 13.
Instead of rotating the small diameter end portion receiving part 78, the second path changing operation explained above can be realized by sliding movement downward, for example, of the downstream half part of the V-shaped concave part 78a formed on the small diameter end portion receiving part 78. Moreover, in the above embodiment, only the concave part 78a of the small diameter end portion receiving part 78 arranged on one of the two sides is moved to perform the second path changing operation. However, the configuration is not limited to this configuration, and the concave parts 78a of the small diameter end portion receiving parts 78 arranged on both the sides can be simultaneously moved in the same direction.
In the above embodiment, the opening operation (the chuting operation) of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 is realized by rotating the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72. Instead of this configuration, for example, the opening operation (the chuting operation) can be realized by sliding movement of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72.
The configuration of an actuator for the discharging operation of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 is not limited to the air cylinders 93 and 94, and, for example, an electric motor, a solenoid, and the like can be used. Similarly, the configuration of an actuator required for the opening operation of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part 72 is not limited to the driving motor 96, and, for example, an air cylinder, a solenoid, and the like can be used.
The bobbin direction aligning device 6 that aligns the direction of the yarn supplying bobbin 3 can be used for purposes other than the purpose of setting the yarn supplying bobbin 3 in the conveying tray 2.
The problems to be solved by the present invention are given above, and the means to solve these problems and advantageous effects thereof are explained below.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device having a configuration explained below is provided. The yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device changes a direction of a yarn supplying bobbin formed by winding a yarn around a winding tube having a large diameter end portion and a small diameter end portion that has a smaller diameter than the large diameter end portion, and feeds the yarn supplying bobbin downstream of a supply path. The yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device includes a pair of winding tube guiding sections, a detecting section, and a path changing operation section. The pair of the winding tube guiding sections is arranged to guide the respective end portions of the yarn supplying bobbin. The detecting section detects a state of the yarn supplying bobbin arranged in the winding tube guiding sections. The path changing operation section changes the supply path of the yarn supplying bobbin according to a detection result obtained by the detecting section.
With this configuration, when the yarn supplying bobbin is not correctly guided and the yarn supplying bobbin is in an unsuitable state for direction changing, such a state can be detected by the detecting section, and the yarn supplying bobbin can be automatically fed to a supply path that is separate from the supply path through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin is conveyed. As a result, direction changing failures and frequency of abnormal stopping of the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device and the like can be reduced. Accordingly, workload of an operator can be reduced and efficiency of the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device can be improved.
It is preferable that the above yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device has a configuration explained below. That is, the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device further includes a discharging member that is capable of performing an operation of changing the supply path at a position lower than a position of the yarn supplying bobbin placed in the winding tube guiding sections. Each of the winding tube guiding sections includes a first supporting section and a second supporting section. The small diameter end portion passes through the first supporting section and the large diameter end portion is interposed and supported therebetween. The second supporting section is positioned downstream of the first supporting section and receives and supports the small diameter end portion. The first supporting section includes a large diameter end portion upper contacting part that comes in contact with the end portion of the yarn supplying bobbin from above and a large diameter end portion lower contacting part that comes in contact with the end portion of the yarn supplying bobbin from below. In this yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device, when the detecting section detects that the large diameter end portion and the small diameter end portion are interposed and supported respectively between the first supporting section, the path changing operation section performs, by opening downward of the large diameter end portion lower contacting parts, a first path changing operation in which the discharging member is operated so as to feed the downward moving yarn supplying bobbin to a first retreat path that is branched from the supply path through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin is conveyed.
With this configuration, in the correctly guided state of the yarn supplying bobbin in which the large diameter end portion is interposed and supported between the first supporting section and the small diameter end portion is received and supported by the second supporting section, by opening downward of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part of the first supporting section, the direction of the yarn supplying bobbin can be changed so that the large diameter end portion is positioned downward. Moreover, when the small diameter end portion side of the yarn supplying bobbin is caught between the first supporting section and the direction of the yarn supplying bobbin cannot be accurately changed, by opening downward of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part of the first supporting section and causing the discharging member to operate, the downward moving yarn supplying bobbin can be fed to the first retreat path that is branched from the supply path through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin is conveyed.
In the above yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device, it is preferable that the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device can differentiate between, based on the detection result of the detecting section, a state in which the large diameter end portion is interposed and supported between the first supporting section and the small diameter end portion is received and supported by the second supporting section and a state in which the large diameter end portion and the small diameter end portion are interposed and supported respectively between the first supporting section.
With this configuration, the state in which the large diameter end portion and the small diameter end portion are interposed and supported respectively between the first supporting section can be easily differentiated, and it can be detected that the yarn supplying bobbin is not correctly guided and is in an unsuitable state for direction changing.
It is preferable that the above yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device has a configuration explained below. That is, in the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device, when it is detected that the yarn supplying bobbin is in an unsuitable state for changing direction because both the large diameter end portion and the small diameter end portion are received and supported respectively by the second supporting section, the path changing operation section performs, by moving a receiving surface on which the second supporting section has received the yarn supplying bobbin, a second path changing operation in which the yarn supplying bobbin is fed to a second retreat path that is separate from the supply path of the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin.
With this configuration, when the direction of the yarn supplying bobbin cannot be accurately changed because the large diameter end portion side of the yarn supplying bobbin has passed through the first supporting section and reached the second supporting section, by moving the receiving surface of the second supporting section on which the yarn supplying bobbin has been received, the yarn supplying bobbin can be fed to the second retreat path that is separate from the supply path through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin is conveyed.
It is preferable that the above yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device has a configuration explained below. That is, the detecting section can detect the yarn supplying bobbin in a state in which at least one of the large diameter end portion and the small diameter end portion is received and supported by the second supporting section. In the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device, when the detecting section is still detecting the yarn supplying bobbin after performing the operation of opening downward of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part, the path changing operation section performs, by moving the receiving surface on which the second supporting section has received the yarn supplying bobbin, the second path changing operation in which the yarn supplying bobbin is fed to the second retreat path.
With this configuration, it can be easily detected that the large diameter end portion and the small diameter end portion of the yarn supplying bobbin are received and supported respectively by the second supporting section and the yarn supplying bobbin is in an unsuitable state for direction changing, and the yarn supplying bobbin having such a defect can be fed to the second retreat path that is separate from the supply path through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin is conveyed.
In the yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device, it is preferable that a gap between a lower surface of the large diameter end portion upper contacting part and an upper surface of the large diameter end portion lower contacting part becomes narrower toward a downstream side of the supply path, and a width of a part where the gap is narrowest is narrower than a diameter of the large diameter end portion and is wider than a diameter of the small diameter end portion.
Accordingly, with a simple configuration, the large diameter end portion can be selectively supported by the first supporting section.
It is preferable that the above yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device has a configuration explained below. That is, the winding tube guiding sections are arranged so as to face each other inside a pair of side frames.
Accordingly, with a simple configuration, both the end portions of the yarn supplying bobbin can be respectively guided and selectively supported by either the first supporting section or the second supporting section.
In the above yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device, it is preferable that the large diameter end portion lower contacting part is arranged by passing through a pivoting shaft that is horizontally positioned across the side frames.
Accordingly, by rotating the pivoting shaft, the large diameter end portion lower contacting part can be easily opened downward.
In the above yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device, it is preferable that the second supporting section is arranged adjacent to the large diameter end portion lower contacting part at a downstream side in a supply direction of the yarn supplying bobbin, and protrudes toward the inside of the side frame and has the receiving surface in a V-shape formed on an upper surface thereof to receive the yarn supplying bobbin.
Accordingly, the receiving surface can easily receive the small diameter end portion of the yarn supplying bobbin, and the small diameter end portion of the yarn supplying bobbin can be stably received on the receiving surface of the second supporting section.
In the above yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device, it is preferable that the discharging member blocks, when the path changing operation section performs the first path changing operation, the supply path through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin is conveyed, and is set to a posture that allows feeding of the yarn supplying bobbin to the first retreat path by rolling the yarn supplying bobbin on the discharging member.
With this configuration, by using the discharging member, the supply path through which the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin is conveyed can be blocked and the yarn supplying bobbin can be guided to the first retreat path.
In the above yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device, it is preferable that the second supporting section turns, by causing the path changing operation section to perform the second path changing operation, the receiving surface that has received the yarn supplying bobbin toward the side opposite to a side in which the yarn supplying bobbin is fed, and is set to a posture that allows feeding of the yarn supplying bobbin placed on the receiving surface to the second retreat path.
With this configuration, the yarn supplying bobbin can be released from the receiving surface to the side opposite to the side to which the yarn supplying bobbin is fed, and the yarn supplying bobbin can be guided to the second retreat path.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a yarn supplying bobbin discharging device having a configuration explained below is provided. That is, the yarn supplying bobbin discharging device includes the above yarn supplying bobbin direction changing device; and a discharged bobbin accumulating section. The discharged bobbin accumulating section is capable of accumulating the yarn supplying bobbin that is guided to either of the retreat paths by the operation performed by the path changing operation section.
With this configuration, because the yarn supplying bobbin is in an unsuitable state for direction changing, the yarn supplying bobbin guided to any one of the retreat paths that are separate from the supply path of the correctly guided yarn supplying bobbin can be accumulated and collected later. Accordingly, the operational efficiency can be improved.
In the above yarn supplying bobbin discharging device, it is preferable that the discharged bobbin accumulating section is a space in which a box that accumulates the yarn supplying bobbin guided to any of the retreat paths can be placed.
In this manner, the yarn supplying bobbin guided to any of the retreat paths can be accumulated in the box arranged in the discharged bobbin accumulating section, and the yarn supplying bobbin can be easily collected by using the box.
In the above explanation, the meaning of "a plurality of" also includes "a predetermined number of".
Although the invention has been explained with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the scope of the claims.