TITLE
YARN THREADING MEMBER, YARN STORAGE DEVICE, AND
YARN WINDER
TECHNICAL FIELD
5 [0001] The present disclosure relates to a yam threading member, a
yam storage device, and a yam winder.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Textile machines (such as an air spinning machine winding up
spun yam and forming a package) are known that has a yam storage
10 device capable of transiently storing yam. For example, Patent
Literature 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
2004-277946) and Patent Literature 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent
Publication No. 2010-180023) describe a yam storage device including
a yam storage roller (a slack eliminating roller) and a yam threading
15 member (a flyer) relatively rotatable with respect to the yam storage
roller and configured such that rotational resistance to the yam storage
roller is added to the yam threading member.
SUMMARY
[0003] The yam threading member of the yarn storage device guides
20 yam to the yam storage roller by hooking the yarn. The portion of the
yam threading member where the yam is hooked may wear due to
contact with the yarn.
[0004] An embodiment of the present disclosure aims to provide a yarn
threading member, a yam storage device, and a yarn winder that can
25 extend the product life of the yarn threading member by reducing the
progression of wear on a portion in contact with yam.
1
[0005] A yam threading member according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure is installed in a yam storage roller. The yam
threading member includes a supporting unit installed so as to be
capable of rotating relative to the yam storage roller, and an elongated
5 member provided on the supporting unit and extending in a direction
away from the supporting unit. The elongated member has a
cross-sectional surface, perpendicular to the extending direction, on
which are provided a first portion with a radius of curvature of a first
size, and a second portion with a radius of curvature smaller than the
1 0 first size.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006]
FIG. 1 IS a front view of a spinning machine of a first
embodiment.
15 FIG. 2 is a side view of a spinning unit of the spinning machine
ofFIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the yam storage device of FIG.
1 and its periphery.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a yam threading member of FIG.
20 3.
FIG. SA is a cross-sectional view of a guiding unit of the yam
threading member of FIG. 4 taken along the V-V line.
FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a guiding unit of a yam
threading member according to a modification of the first embodiment
25 taken along the V-V line.
FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a guiding unit of a yam
2
threading member according to a second embodiment taken along the
V-Vline.
FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of a guiding unit of a yarn
threading member according to a modification of the second
5 embodiment taken along the V-V line.
FIG. 7 A is a cross-sectional view of a guiding unit of a yarn
threading member according to another modification of the second
embodiment taken along the V-V line.
FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of a guiding unit of a yarn
1 0 threading member according to a still another modification of the
second embodiment taken along the V-V line.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a yarn threading member
according to another different modification.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an arm unit according to a
15 modification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] An embodiment will now be described with reference to the
drawings. In the drawings, like numerals indicate like or
corresponding parts, and overlapping description will be omitted.
20 [0008] First embodiment
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a spinning machine 1 includes a
plurality of spinning units (yarn winders) 2, a splicing carrier 3, a first
end frame SA, and a second end frame 5B. The spinning units 2 are
aligned in a row. In the following description, on a path (a yam path)
25 along which yarn Y travels, an end where the yarn Y is generated is
referred to as an upstream side, whereas the other end where the yam Y
3
is wound is referred to as a downstream side.
[0009] Each of the spinning units 2 generates the yam Y and winds the
yam Y into a package P. When the yam Y is cut or breaks in a
spinning unit 2 for any reason, the splicing carrier 3 splices the yam Y
5 in the spinning unit 2.
[0010] The first end frame SA accommodates therein, for example, at
least one of a pressure regulator for causing swirling airflow and a
suction source for causing suction airflow in the parts of the spinning
unit2.
10 [0011] The second end frame 5B accommodates therein, for example, a
driving motor for supplying power to the parts of the spinning unit 2.
The second end frame 5B includes a machine controlling device 11, a
display unit D, and an input key K.
[0012] The machine controlling device 11 intensively manages and
15 controls the units in the spinning machine 1. The display unit D can
display at least one of pieces of information on the settings of the
spinning unit 2 or information on the status of the spinning unit 2.
An operator performs necessary operations through the input key K and
sets up the spinning unit 2.
20 [0013] As FIGs. 1 and 2 illustrate, each spinning unit 2 includes, in the
order from the upstream side in the travel direction of the yam Y, a
drafting device 6, an air spinning device 7, a yam monitoring device 8, a
tension sensor 9, a yam storage device 50, a waxing device 12, and a
winding device 13. A unit controller 1 0 is provided in every certain
25 number of spinning units 2 for controlling operations of the spinning
units 2.
4
[0014] The drafting device 6 drafts a sliver (fiber bundle) S. The
drafting device 6 includes, in the order from the upstream side in the
travel direction of the sliverS, a pair of back rollers 14, a pair of third
rollers 15, a pair of middle rollers 16, and a pair of front rollers 17.
5 Each pair of rollers 14, 15, 16, and 17 has a bottom roller and a top
roller. The bottom roller is driven and rotated by the driving motor
provided in the second end frame 5B or a driving motor provided in the
spinning unit 2. The top roller of the pair of middle rollers 16 has an
apron belt 16A. The bottom roller of the pair of middle rollers 16 has
10 an apron belt 16B.
[0015] The air spinning device 7 generates the yam Y by twisting the
fiber bundle F drafted by the drafting device 6 using swirling airflow.
More specifically (although not illustrated in the drawings), the air
spinning device 7 has a spinning room, a fiber guiding unit, a swirling
15 airflow generating nozzle, and a hollow guide shaft. The fiber guiding
unit guides the fiber bundle F supplied from the drafting device 6 in the
upstream side to the spinning room. The swirling airflow generating
nozzle is disposed around a path on which the fiber bundle F travels.
Swirling airflow is generated in the spinning room with the swirling
20 airflow generating nozzle spraying air. The swirling airflow reverses
and swirls the fiber tips of a plurality of fibers included in the fiber
bundle F. The hollow guide shaft guides the yam Y from the spinning
room to the outside of the air spinning device 7.
[0016] The yam monitoring device 8 is disposed between the a1r
25 spinning device 7 and the yam storage device 50. The yam monitoring
device 8 is an optical yam monitoring device irradiating the traveling
5
yam Y with light and detecting the status of the yam Y Specifically,
the yam monitoring device 8 monitors the status of the traveling yam Y
and detects whether the yam Y has any defects. Upon detection of a
defect on the yam, the yam monitoring device 8 transmits a yam defect
5 detection signal to the unit controller 10. The yam monitoring device
8 detects, for example, at least abnormality in the size of the yam Y or a
foreign matter included in the yam Y as a defect of the yam Y The
yam monitoring device 8 further detects a defect such as yam breakage.
[0017] The tension sensor 9 disposed between the air spinning device 7
10 and the yam storage device 50 measures tension of the traveling yam Y
and transmits a tension measurement signal to the unit controller 10.
When the unit controller 10 determines that abnormality has been
caused based on at least one of a detection result ofthe yam monitoring
device 8 and a detection result of the tension sensor 9, the yam Y is cut
15 in the spinning unit 2. Specifically, air supply to the air spinning
device 7 stops and generation of the yam Y is terminated, and the yam
Y is accordingly cut. In another way, the yam Y may be cut with a
cutter separately provided.
[0018] The waxing device 12 disposed between the yam storage device
20 50 and the winding device 13 applies wax to the yam Y.
[0019] The yam storage device 50 disposed between the air spinning
device 7 and the winding device 13 eliminates slack from the yam Y.
The yam storage device 50 has functions of stably drawing the yam Y
from the air spinning device 7, preventing the yam Y from slacking by
25 retaining the yam Y sent from the air spinning device 7, for example, in
the yam splicing operation of the splicing carrier 3, and preventing
6
fluctuations in tension of the yarn Y located downstream of the yarn
storage device 50 from spreading to the air spinning device 7. A
detailed configuration of the yarn storage device 50 will be later
described.
5 [0020] The winding device 13 winds the yarn Y onto a bobbin B and
forms a package P. The winding device 13 has a cradle arm 21, a
winding drum 22, and a traverse guide 23.
[0021] The cradle arm 21 rotatably supports the bobbin B. The cradle
arm 21 is swingably supported by a supporting shaft 24 and has the
10 surface of the bobbin B or the surface of the package P contact with the
surface of the winding drum 22 at appropriate pressure. The driving
motor (not illustrated) installed in the second end frame 5B
simultaneously drives the winding drums 22 of the respective spinning
units 2, and the bobbin B or the package P of each spinning unit 2 is
15 accordingly rotated in a winding direction. The traverse guide 23 of
each spinning unit 2 is mounted on a shaft 25 shared by the spinning
units 2. With the driving motor in the second end frame 5B driving the
shaft 25 in a direction of the rotational axis of the winding drum 22 in a
reciprocating manner, the traverse guide 23 has the yarn Y traverse a
20 rotating bobbin B or package P at a certain width.
[0022] When the yarn Y is cut or breaks in a spinning unit 2 for any
reason, the splicing carrier 3 runs to the spinning unit 2 and performs a
splicing operation. The splicing carrier 3 has a suction pipe 31, a
splicing device 37, and a suction mouth 38.
25 [0023] The suction pipe 31 is rotatably supported by a supporting shaft
31A, catches the yarn Y sent from the air spinning device 7, and guides
7
the yarn Y to the splicing device 37. The suction mouth 38 is rotatably
supported by a supporting shaft 38A, catches the yarn Y sent from the
winding device 13, and guides the yarn Y to the splicing device 37.
The splicing device 37 splices the guided pieces of the yarn Y with each
5 other. Examples of the splicing device 37 include a splicer using
compressed air, a piecer using seed yarn, and a knotter mechanically
splicing the yam Y
[0024] In the splicing operation, the splicing carrier 3 rotates(reversely
rotates) the package Pin a reverse direction of winding. Specifically,
10 the cradle arm 21 is moved by an air cylinder (not illustrated) so that the
package P is separated from the winding drum 22, and a reverse rotating
roller installed in the splicing carrier 3 reversely rotates the package P.
[0025] The yam storage device 50 will now be described in more detail.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the yam storage device 50 includes a yarn
15 storage roller 51 and a yarn threading member 60. The yam storage
device 50 may further includes a storage amount sensor 56, an upstream
guide 57, a downstream guide 59, and a yarn taking-off member 71.
[0026] The yarn storage roller 51 is fixed to a driving shaft 55A of an
electric motor 55 and is rotated by the electric motor 55. The yarn
20 storage roller 51 has a yarn storage portion 52, a base-end taper portion
53, and a front-end taper portion 54. The yarn storage portion 52 is a
cylindrical portion onto which the yarn Y is wound and is formed in a
manner slightly tapering toward the front end. The yam storage
portion 52 has a base-end portion 52a from which winding ofthe yarn Y
25 starts and a front-end portion 52b from which the yam Y is unwound.
The base-end taper portion 53 is formed in a manner gradually widened
8
from the base-end portion 52a toward the upstream side. The
front-end taper portion 54 is formed in a manner gradually widened
from the front-end portion 52b toward the downstream side.
[0027] The base-end taper portion 53 receives the yam Y led onto the
5 yam storage roller 51 from the upstream side and smoothly guides the
yam Y to the base-end portion 52a. With this process, the yam Y is
orderly wound onto the yam storage portion 52 from the base-end side
toward the front-end side. The yam Y wound onto the yam storage
portion 52 forms a yam layer on the yam storage portion 52. The yarn
10 layer is a portion ofthe yam storage portion 52 where pieces of the yarn
Y are wound in a manner substantially parallel with one another. The
front-end taper portion 54 smoothly leads out the yam Y from the yam
storage roller 51 toward the downstream side while preventing a ring
slipping-off phenomenon that pieces of the yam Y wound onto the yam
15 storage portion 52 are simultaneously slipped off when the yarn Y is
unwound from the yam storage roller 51.
[0028] The storage amount sensor 56 detects the amount of yarn Y
stored in the yarn storage roller 51 in a non-contact manner. The
storage amount sensor 56 transmits the detected amount of storage to
20 the unit controller 10 (see FIG. 1 ).
[0029] The upstream guide 57 is disposed upstream of the yam storage
roller 51 and appropriately guides the yam Y onto the outer peripheral
surface of the yarn storage roller 51. The upstream guide 57 prevents
twist of the yam Y transmitted from the air spinning device 7 from
25 spreading downstream of the upstream guide 57.
[0030] The downstream guide 59 is disposed downstream of the yarn
9
storage roller 51. The downstream guide 59 stabilizes the traveling
path of the yarn Y in the downstream side of the downstream guide 59
by controlling the orbit of the yarn Y and guides the yarn Y
[0031] The yarn threading member 60 is a member disposed in the front
5 end of the yarn storage roller 51. The yarn threading member 60
hooks the yarn Y and has the yarn Y wound onto the yarn storage roller
51. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the yarn threading member 60 has a flyer
shaft 61 and a flyer 63. The flyer shaft 61 is rotatably provided around
the same axis as the yarn storage roller 51. As illustrated in FIGs. 3
10 and 4, the flyer 63 is fixed to the tip of the flyer shaft 61 and is formed
in a curved shape so that its front end is positioned above the front-end
taper portion 54 of the yarn storage roller 51. Means for generating
magnetic force that causes torque of a certain value or larger is provided
between the yarn storage roller 51 and the flyer shaft 61 so as to
15 relatively rotate the yarn threading member 60 with respect to the yarn
storage roller 51.
[0032] As illustrated in FIGs. 2 and 3, the yarn taking-off member 71 is
a member for taking off the yam Y from the yam threading member 60
and is disposed near the front-end taper portion 54 of the yarn storage
20 roller 51. The yarn taking-off member 71 is supported by a supporting
shaft 71A such that its front end is swingable between the descent
position and the ascent position. The descent position is a position
retracted from the yam path, whereas the ascent position is a position
for pressing up the yarn Y on the yarn path and taking off the yam Y
25 from the yarn threading member 60. The yarn taking-off member 71 is
pressed against the descent position side by a spring (not illustrated).
10
More specifically, the yam taking-off member 71 is usually disposed in
the descent position. In the splicing operation or the like, the yam
taking-off member 71 is moved to the ascent position by a pneumatic
cylinder (not illustrated) installed in the splicing carrier 3.
5 [0033] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the flyer 63 has an arm unit (a
supporting unit) 64 and a guiding unit (an elongated member) 65. The
arm unit 64 is mounted on the tip of the flyer shaft 61 in a manner
rotatable together with the flyer shaft 61. Furthermore, the arm unit 64
has a boss 64a with which the flyer shaft 61 is engaged. The arm unit
1 0 64 is formed in an elongate shape extending from the boss 64a toward a
direction ofthe diameter of the yam storage roller 51.
[0034] The guiding unit 65 is fixed to the arm unit 64 and extends from
the front end of the arm unit 64 in a direction away from the arm unit 64.
The guiding unit 65 is an elongated member made from ceramic, iron,
15 or piano wire and has a circular cross-sectional surface perpendicular to
the extending direction of the guiding unit 65. The guiding unit 65 is
formed in such a shape that curves as appropriate toward the outer
peripheral surface (the yam storage portion 52) of the yam storage roller
51 by bending the elongated member.
20 [0035] A large diameter portion 65a is formed on a part of the guiding
unit 65 in the extending direction. As illustrated in FIG. SA, the large
diameter portion 65a has a circular cross-sectional surface perpendicular
to the extending direction of the guiding unit 65. The diameter Dl is
equal to or greater than 0.9 mm and equal to or less than 1.2 mm. The
25 guiding unit 65 further has a yam guiding surface 66 configured with an
outer peripheral surface 66a of the large diameter portion 65a. In other
11
words, the yarn guiding surface 66 is formed by usmg the outer
peripheral surface 66a of the large diameter portion 65a formed on a
part of the guiding unit 65 in the extending direction. The yarn
guiding surface 66 is configured with an arc having a radius of
5 curvature of equal to or greater than 0.45 mm and equal to or less than
0.60 mm. The yarn guiding surface 66 is a portion contacting with the
yam Y (hooking the yam Y) and guiding the yarn Y to the yam storage
portion 52. With this configuration, the guiding unit 65 can guide the
yam Y to the outer peripheral surface (the yam storage portion 52) of
1 0 the yam storage roller 51 by engaging with the yam Y (by hooking the
yamY).
[0036] The large diameter portion 65a may be integrally formed with
other portions of the guiding unit 65 or may be provided to the body of
the guiding unit 65 as a separate unit detachable and attachable from
15 and to the body. In the case that the large diameter portion 65a is
provided as a separate unit, the material used for the large diameter
portion 65a may be different from the material for the other portions of
the guiding unit 65 or may be the same as that.
[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the guiding unit 65 may have a hollow
20 portion 67 extending in the extending direction. The hollow portion 67
may extend over the entire length of the guiding unit 65 from the base
end fixed to the arm unit 64 to the front end opposite thereto or may be
partly formed in the extending direction. For example, when the
guiding unit 65 has an outer diameter D 1 of 1.1 mm, the inner diameter
25 D2 of the guiding unit 65 is equal to or greater than 0.45 mm and equal
to or less than 0.63 mm. When the outer diameter D1 is 1.2 mm, the
12
inner diameter D2 is equal to or greater than 0.63 mm and equal to or
less than 0.79 mm. When the outer diameter Dl is 1.3 mm, the inner
diameter D2 is equal to or greater than 0.83 mm and equal to or less
than 0.94 mm. This configuration of the yarn threading member 60
5 can reduce the weight of the guiding unit 65. The decrease in weight
can reduce effects of the inertial force resulting from the weight of the
guiding unit 65 when moving the guiding unit 65. Consequently, the
yarn threading member 60 has good responsiveness and flexibility to
fluctuations in the load (yam tension).
10 [0038] The yarn threading member 60 in the first embodiment has a
large area of contact between the yam Y and the yarn guiding surface 66
with respect to the diameter of the yam Y. This configuration can
reduce the pressure (the surface pressure) per unit applied to the yarn
guiding surface 66 by the yam Y. This configuration can thus reduce
15 progression of wear caused on the portion contacting with the yarn Y,
thereby extending the product life ofthe yam threading member 60.
[0039] The yarn Y stored in the yarn storage roller 51 generally has a
diameter of equal to or greater than 0.1 mm and equal to or less than 0.4
mm. The surface pressure on the yam guiding surface 66 can be
20 decreased by setting the diameter of the guiding unit 65, with which the
yam Y having a diameter in the above-described range contacts, at equal
to or greater than 0.9 mm and equal to or less than 1.2 mm.
[0040] In the first embodiment, the yam guiding surface 66 configured
with an arc having a radius of curvature of equal to or greater than 0.45
25 mm and equal to or less than 0.60 mm has been described as an
example; however, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For
13
example, the yam guiding surface 66 may have a radius of curvature of
equal to or less than 5.00 mm (a diameter of equal to or less than 10.0
mm). The radius of curvature may be therefore equal to or less than
1.50 mm or equal to or less than 0.60 mm as described in the first
5 embodiment.
[0041] Second embodiment
A spinning machine 101 including a yarn threading member 160
according to a second embodiment will now be described. The yarn
threading member 160 of the second embodiment is different from the
1 0 yarn threading member 60 of the first embodiment only in that the shape
of a yarn guiding surface 166 formed on the guiding unit 65 differs from
the shape of the yarn guiding surface 66 of the first embodiment.
Except that, the yam threading member 160 has the same configuration
as that of the yam threading member 60 of the first embodiment. The
15 yam guiding surface 166 formed on the guiding unit 65 will now be
described in detail, and description of other components will be omitted.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 6A, on a part of the guiding unit 65 in the
extending direction, the yarn guiding surface 166 is formed by using an
elliptic curve as a part of a cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the
20 extending direction. As an example, on a part of the guiding unit 65 in
the extending direction, the yam guiding surface 166 is formed by using
a part of an outer peripheral surface (an outer shape) 166a of a
half-elliptic cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the extending
direction. In other words, on the yam threading member 160, the yarn
25 Y is guided by contacting with the yam guiding surface 166 formed by
using the outer peripheral surface 166a of the half-elliptic
14
cross-sectional surface. The half ellipse in this embodiment has a ratio
of the major axis to the minor axis of 2:1. Another outer peripheral
surface 167a opposite to the side with the yam guiding surface 166 has
a circular cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the extending
5 direction. In other words, the yarn guiding surface 166 is formed by
using an outer peripheral surface 166a of a processed portion 165a
formed on a part of the guiding unit 65 in the extending direction. The
yam guiding surface 166 is a portion contacting with the yam Y
unwound from the yam storage roller 51. This yarn guiding surface
10 166 can be formed, for example, by pressing (press working) a part of
the outer peripheral surface of the guiding unit 65, which has a circular
cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the extending direction and has
a diameter Dl of equal to or greater than 0.9 mm and equal to or less
than 1.2mm.
15 [0043] The yam threading member 160 of the second embodiment has
a larger area of contact between the yarn Y and the yam guiding surface
166 compared with the case that a guiding unit having a circular
cross-sectional surface contacts with the yam Y This configuration
can reduce the pressure (the surface pressure) per unit applied to the
20 yam guiding surface 166 by the yam Y This configuration can thus
reduce progression of wear caused on the portion contacting with the
yam Y, thereby extending the product life ofthe yarn threading member
160.
[0044] As another example, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, a part of the
25 guiding unit 65 in the extending direction may have an elliptic
cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the extending direction. The
15
outer peripheral surface 167a opposite to the side with the yam guiding
surface 166 may be flat as illustrated in FIG. 7A or may be concave as
illustrated in FIG. 7B. In any of these cases, the yarn Y is guided by
contacting with the yarn guiding surface 166 formed by using the outer
5 peripheral surface 166a of a half-elliptic cross-sectional surface.
[0045] Furthermore, in any of these cases, the radius of curvature of a
second portion S2 having no contact with the yarn Y is set smaller than
the radius of curvature of a first portion S 1 so that the guiding unit 65 is
not increased in size. Consequently, the yam threading member 160
10 has good responsiveness and flexibility to fluctuations in the load (yam
tension).
[0046] In any of these cases, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the guiding unit
65 may have the hollow portion 67 extending in the extending direction.
The hollow portion 67 may extend from the base end fixed to the arm
15 unit 64 to the front end opposite thereto or may be partly formed.
[0047] The guiding unit 65 has a portion S1 (a first portion) forming the
yarn guiding surface 166 and having a large radius of curvature (small
curvature) and a portion S2 (a second portion) having a radius of
curvature smaller (larger in curvature) than that of the yam guiding
20 surface 166. The area of contact between the yarn Y and the yarn
guiding surface 166 increases when the yam Y contacts with the outer
peripheral surface of the first portion S1 compared with the case that the
yarn Y contacts with the outer peripheral surface of the second portion
S2. This configuration can reduce the pressure (the surface pressure)
25 per unit applied to the yarn guiding surface 166 by the yarn Y
[0048] An embodiment of the present disclosure has been described as
16
above; however, the embodiment is not limited thereto.
[0049] First modification
In the above-described embodiments (the first and the second
embodiments), such configurations have been described as examples
S that the yarn guiding surfaces 66 and 166 are formed by using,
respectively, the outer peripheral surface 66a of the large diameter
portion 6Sa and the outer peripheral surface 166a of the processed
portion 16Sa, each of which is formed on a part ofthe guiding unit 6S in
the extending direction.
10 [OOSO] For example, as illustrated in FIG.8, a guiding unit 26S may be
an elongated member having such a cross-sectional surface
perpendicular to the extending direction that is, as illustrated in FIG. SA,
circular with a diameter of equal to or greater than 0.9 mm and equal to
or less than 10.0 mm (or may be equal to or less than 3.00 mm or equal
1S to or less than 1.20 mm) over the entire length from the base end to the
front end opposite thereto in the extending direction. On a part of the
guiding unit 26S in the extending direction, a yarn guiding surface 266
is formed by using an arc of an outer peripheral surface 26Sa (having a
radius of curvature of equal to or greater than 0.4S mm and equal to or
20 less than S.OO mm (or may be equal to or less than l.SO mm or equal to
or less than 0.60 mm)) of the guiding unit 26S. The guiding unit 26S
may similarly have the hollow portion 67 as illustrated in FIG. SB. In
addition to the guiding unit 26S that has a cross-sectional surface as
illustrated in FIG. SA or FIG. SB described in the first embodiment, such
2S a guiding unit 36S may also be applicable that has a cross-sectional
surface as illustrated in any of FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 7 A, and FIG. 7B
17
described in the second embodiment. A yarn guiding surface 366 is
formed on a part of the guiding unit 365 in the extending direction in a
manner of using an outer peripheral surface 365a of the guiding unit
365.
5 [0051] Similarly, in these cases, progressiOn of wear caused on a
portion contacting with the yarn Y can be reduced, which can
accordingly extend the product life of the yarn threading members 60
and 160.
10
[0052] Second modification
In the second embodiment, such an exemplary guiding unit has
been described that has the first portion S1 with a radius of curvature of
a first size and the second portion S2 with a radius of curvature smaller
than the first size on a cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the
extending direction (in this case, the yarn guiding surface 166
15 configured with an elliptic curve formed on at least a part of the
cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the extending direction is
formed on a part of the guiding unit 65 in the extending direction).
The embodiment, however, is not limited thereto. The guiding unit
may have such a cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the extending
20 direction that is configured with an arc (the first portion), the radius of
curvature of which is equal to or greater than 0.45 mm and equal to or
less than 5.0 mm (or may be equal to or less than 1.50 mm or equal to or
less than 0.60 mm) (the first size), and another arc (the second portion),
the radius of curvature of which is equal to or greater than 0.20 mm and
25 less than 0.45 mm.
[0053] Other modifications
18
One or more covering layers may be formed on each of the
surfaces of the guiding units 65, 265, and 365 according to the
above-described embodiments and modifications. In the case of
forming a single covering layer, the covering layer may be formed by
5 diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating. In the case of forming two layers
of covering layer, the main body (steel such as piano wire and spring
steel) of each ofthe guiding units 65, 265, and 365 may be covered with
a layer made from hard chrome, and the layer made from hard chrome
may be further covered with another layer formed by DLC coating.
10 This configuration can reduce progression of wear caused on a portion
contacting with the yam Yon each of the guiding units 65, 265, and 365,
thereby extending the product life of the yam threading members 60 and
160. In addition, this configuration can smoothen the surfaces of the
yam guiding surfaces 66, 166, 266, and 366, which improves the quality
15 of the yam Y.
[0054] Such examples has been described in the embodiments and
modifications that means for generating magnetic force that causes
torque of a certain value or larger is provided between the yam storage
roller 51 and the flyer shaft 61 so as to relatively rotate the yam
20 threading members 60 and 160 with respect to the yam storage roller 51.
In another way, the yam threading members 60 and 160 and the yam
storage roller 51 may be separately rotated by respective motors.
[0055] Furthermore, the yam threading members 60 and 160 in the
embodiments and modifications have the arm unit 64 and the guiding
25 units 65, 265, and 365 separately formed; however, the arm unit 64 and
the guiding units 65, 265, and 365 may be integrally formed.
19
[0056] The shape of the yarn storage roller 51 is not limited to the
shapes of the above-described embodiments or the shape illustrated in
FIG. 3. For example, the front-end taper portion 54 may be omitted.
[0057] The arm unit 64 according to the above-described embodiments
5 and modifications may be in a shape different from the shapes
illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 8. As illustrated in FIG. 9, an arm unit (a
supporting unit) 464 may include a front-end portion 401 with guiding
units 65, 265, and 365, a boss 403 fixed to the yarn storage roller 51, a
main body 402 extending in a direction between the front-end portion
10 401 and the boss 403, and a projecting portion 404 serving as a
reinforcement unit for reinforcing the main body 402. With the
projecting portion 404 provided to the main body 402, the guiding units
65, 265, and 365 can stably guide the yarn Y in the guiding operation.
FIG. 9 illustrates the front-end portion 401 with the guiding units 65,
15 265, and 365, which are omitted for illustrative purposes, provided
thereto.
[0058] The projecting portion 404 is configured in a manner projecting
from a surface 402a of the main body 402 and extending in a direction
(the direction Lin FIG. 9) in which the main body 402 extends. The
20 boss 403 projects from the main body 402. The projecting portion 404
is formed in the center area of the surface 402a, from which the boss
403 projects, of the main body 402 in a direction (the direction Win FIG.
9) perpendicular to (intersecting with) a direction in which the boss 403
projects and a direction in which the main body 402 extends. The
25 projecting portion 404 is formed over a certain length (in FIG. 9, a half
of the length of the main body 402 in the extending direction) from a
20
side with the boss 403 in the extending direction of the main body 402.
The length of the projecting portion 404 is not limited to the length
illustrated in FIG. 9. For example, the projecting portion 404 may be
formed in a manner reaching the periphery of the front end, in other
5 words, in almost the same length as the main body 402 in the extending
direction. In the example of FIG. 9, the amount of projection from the
surface 402a of the main body 402 gradually decreases from the boss
403 toward the front-end portion 401; however, without being limited to
this example, the amount of projection may decrease stepwise or may be
1 0 constant.
[0059] In addition to the projecting portion 404 servmg as a
reinforcement unit, or on behalf of the projecting portion 404, increased
thickness portions 405A and 405B may be formed in respective ends of
the main body 402 in a direction (the transverse direction) perpendicular
15 to (intersecting with) both a direction in which the boss 403 projects and
a direction in which the main body 402 extends. Instead of forming
the increased thickness portions 405A and 405B in respective ends of
the main body 402 in the transverse direction, only one of the increased
thickness portions 405A and 405B may be formed in an end ofthe main
20 body 402 in the transverse direction. Furthermore, the length L of
each of the increased thickness portions 405A and 405B in the
extending direction is not limited to the length illustrated in FIG. 9.
For example, the increased thickness portions 405A and 405B may be
formed in a manner reaching the periphery of the front end (in other
25 words, in almost the same length as the main body 402 in the extending
direction). In the example of FIG. 9, the amount of thickness (the
21
amount of increased thickness with the center area of the main body 402,
which has no increased thickness portion 405A or 405B, serving as a
reference point) increased from the surface 402a of the main body 402
is gradually decreased from the boss 403 toward the front-end portion
5 401. The amount of increased thickness is not limited to this example.
The amount may be decreased stepwise from the boss 403 toward the
front-end portion 401 or may be constant.
[0060] In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the air
spinning device may further include a needle retained in a fiber guiding
10 unit and projecting into the spinning room so as to prevent twist of the
fiber bundle from spreading to the upstream side of the air spinning
device. In another case, instead of using the needle, the air spinning
device may prevent twist of the fiber bundle from spreading to the
upstream side of the air spinning device using an end in the downstream
15 side of the fiber guiding unit. Instead of the above configurations, the
air spinning device may include a pair of air jet nozzles for twisting the
fiber bundle in respective directions opposite to each other.
[0061] In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the
spinning unit 2 has the yarn storage device 50 draw the yarn Y from the
20 air spinning device 7. Instead of this configuration, the spinning unit 2
may include a delivery roller and a nip roller for drawing the yarn Y
from the air spinning device 7.
[0062] In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the
devices in the spinning machine 1 are disposed such that the yam Y
25 supplied in the upper side is wound in the lower side in the height
direction of the machine. Instead of this configuration, the devices
22
may be disposed such that the yam Y supplied in the lower side is
wound in the upper side.
[0063] Furthermore, m the above-described embodiments and
modifications, the spinning machine 1 has at least one of bottom rollers
5 of the drafting device 6 and the traverse guide 23 driven by power from
the second end frame 5B (in other words, driven by power shared by a
plurality of spinning units 2). Instead of this configuration, the devices
(such as the drafting device, the spinning device, and the winding
device) of each spinning unit 2 may be driven on a per-spinning unit 2
10 basis.
[0064] In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the
tension sensor 9 may be disposed in the upstream side of the yam
monitoring device 8 in a direction in which the yam Y travels. The
unit controller 10 may be provided in each spinning unit 2. The
15 waxing device 12, the tension sensor 9, and the yam monitoring device
8 may be omitted from each spinning unit 2.
[0065] FIG. 1 illustrates the spinning machine 1 winding the yam into
the package Pin a cheese-like shape; however, the spinning machine 1
can wind yam into a package in a com-like shape. In the case with a
20 package in a com-like shape, the yam traverse causes slack on the yam;
however, the slack can be absorbed by the yam storage device 50.
Materials and shapes of the components are not limited to those
described as above, and various materials and shapes may be employed.
[0066] At least a part of the above-described embodiments may be
25 combined as appropriate.
[0067] A yam threading member according to an embodiment of the
23
present disclosure is installed in a yam storage roller. The yam
threading member includes a supporting unit rotatably installed in the
yam storage roller and a guiding unit configured to contact with yam
unwound from the yam storage roller, the guiding unit being an
5 elongated member provided on the supporting unit and extending in a
direction away from the supporting unit. A yam guiding surface
configured with an arc, which is formed on at least a part of a
cross-sectional surface perpendicular to an extending direction of the
guiding unit and has a radius of curvature of equal to or greater than
10 0.45 mm and equal to or less than 5.00 mm, is formed on at least a part
of the guiding unit in the extending direction.
[0068] The yam threading member m the above-described
configuration has a large area of contact between the yam and the yam
guiding surface with respect to the diameter of the yam. This
15 configuration can reduce the pressure (the surface pressure) per unit
applied to the yarn guiding surface by the yam. This configuration can
thus reduce progression of wear caused on the portion contacting with
yam, thereby extending the product life of the yam threading member.
[0069] A yarn threading member according to an embodiment of the
20 present disclosure is installed in a yam storage roller. The yam
threading member includes a supporting unit rotatably installed in the
yam storage roller and a guiding unit configured to contact with yam
unwound from the yam storage roller, the guiding unit being an
elongated member provided on the supporting unit and extending in a
25 direction away from the supporting unit. The guiding unit has a first
portion with a radius of curvature of a first size and a second portion
24
with a radius of curvature smaller than that of the first size on a
cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the extending direction. A
yam guiding surface contacting with yam is formed on the first portion.
[0070] The yam threading member m the above-described
5 configuration has a relatively large area of contact between the yarn and
the yarn guiding surface with respect to the diameter of the yam. This
configuration can reduce the pressure (the surface pressure) per unit
applied to the yarn guiding surface by the yam. This configuration can
thus reduce progression of wear caused on the portion contacting with
10 yarn, thereby extending the product life of the yarn threading member.
Furthermore, an increase in size ofthe guiding unit can be controlled by
setting the radius of curvature of the second portion, contacting with no
yam, smaller than that of the first portion. Consequently, the yarn
threading member has good responsiveness and flexibility to
15 fluctuations in the load (yarn tension).
[0071] A yarn threading member according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure is installed in a yarn storage roller. The yam
threading member includes a supporting unit rotatably installed in the
yarn storage roller and a guiding unit configured to contact with yarn
20 unwound from the yam storage roller, the guiding unit being an
elongated member provided on the supporting unit and extending in a
direction away from the supporting unit. A yarn guiding surface
configured with an elliptic curve formed on at least a part of a
cross-sectional surface perpendicular to an extending direction of the
25 guiding unit is formed on at least a part of the guiding unit in the
extending direction.
25
[0072] An area of contact between yam and the above-described yam
guiding surface is larger compared with such a case that a guiding unit
having a circular cross-sectional surface contacts with yam. This
configuration can reduce the pressure (the surface pressure) per unit
5 applied to the yam guiding surface by the yam. Consequently, this
configuration can reduce progression of wear caused on the portion
contacting with yam, thereby extending the product life of the yam
threading member.
[0073] A yam threading member according to an embodiment of the
10 present disclosure is installed in a yam storage roller. The yam
threading member includes a supporting unit relatively rotatably
installed in the yam storage roller and an elongated member provided
on the supporting unit and extending in a direction away from the
supporting unit. The elongated member has a circular cross-sectional
15 surface perpendicular to the extending direction and has a hollow
portion being hollow along the extending direction.
[0074] The yam threading member configured as above can decrease
the weight of the elongated member, and the decrease in weight can
reduce effects of the inertial force resulting from the weight of the
20 elongated member when moving the elongated member. Consequently,
the yam threading member has good responsiveness and flexibility to
fluctuations in the load (yam tension).
[0075] A yam winder according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure includes a drafting device configured to draft a fiber bundle,
25 a spinning device configured to generate yam by twisting the fiber
bundle drafted by the drafting device, the above-described yam storage
26
device, and a yarn winding device configured to wind yarn stored in the
yam storage roller into a package.
[0076] The yam winder configured as above employs a yarn threading
member that can reduce progression of wear caused on a portion
5 contacting with yarn and extend the product life, which results in
extension of the replacement cycle of the yam threading member in the
yam storage device. Consequently, this configuration can improve
operation efficiency of the yarn storage device and the yarn winder.
[0077] A yarn threading member according to an embodiment of the
10 present disclosure is installed in a yarn storage roller. The yam
threading member includes a supporting unit rotatably installed in the
yarn storage roller and an elongated member provided on the supporting
unit and extending in a direction away from the supporting unit. The
supporting unit includes a front-end portion with the elongated member
15 provided thereto, a boss fixed to the yarn storage roller, a main body
extending in a direction between the front-end portion and the boss, and
a reinforcement unit reinforcing the main body.
[0078] The supporting unit configured as above can stably support the
elongated member.
20 [0079] A yam threading member according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure is installed in a yam storage roller. The yarn
threading member includes a supporting unit relatively rotatably
installed in the yarn storage roller and an elongated member provided
on the supporting unit and extending in a direction away from the
25 supporting unit. The supporting unit includes a front-end portion with
the elongated member provided thereto, a boss fixed to the yarn storage
27
roller, a main body extending in a direction between the front-end
portion and the boss, and a reinforcement unit reinforcing the main body.
The reinforcement unit has a projecting portion projecting from a
surface of the main body and extending in a direction in which the main
5 body extends.
[0080] With the supporting unit configured as above, the reinforcement
unit can be easily formed.
[0081] A yarn threading member according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure is installed in a yarn storage roller. The yam
10 threading member includes a supporting unit relatively rotatably
installed in the yarn storage roller and an elongated member provided
on the supporting unit and extending in a direction away from the
supporting unit. The supporting unit includes a front-end portion with
the elongated member provided thereto, a boss fixed to the yarn storage
15 roller, a main body extending in a direction between the front-end
portion and the boss, and a reinforcement unit reinforcing the main body.
The reinforcement unit has a projecting portion projecting from a
surface of the main body and extending in a direction in which the main
body extends. The boss projects from the main body. On a surface
20 with the boss of the main body projecting therefrom, the projecting
portion is formed in the center area in a direction intersecting with a
direction in which the boss projects and a direction in which the main
body extends and formed over a certain length from an end with the
boss provided thereto in the extending direction of the main body.
25 [0082] The supporting unit simply configured as above can more stably
support the main body.
28
[0083] A yarn threading member according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure is installed in a yam storage roller. The yarn
threading member includes a supporting unit relatively rotatably
installed in the yam storage roller and an elongated member provided
5 on the supporting unit and extending in a direction away from the
supporting unit. The supporting unit includes a front-end portion with
the elongated member provided thereto, a boss fixed to the yarn storage
roller, a main body extending in a direction between the front-end
portion and the boss, and a reinforcement unit reinforcing the main body.
1 0 The reinforcement unit has an increased thickness portion formed at
least at one of both ends of the main body in a direction intersecting
with a direction in which the boss projects and a direction in which the
main body extends.
[0084] The supporting unit configured as above can more stably
15 support the main body.
[0085] The yarn threading member configured as described above has a
relatively larger area of contact between the yarn and the first portion
compared to the diameter of the yam. Disposing the yarn, which is
unwound from the yam storage roller, so as to be in contact with the
20 first portion can decrease the pressure (the surface pressure) per unit
area applied to the first portion by the yam. This configuration can
thus reduce progression of wear on the portion in contact with yam,
thereby extending the product life of the yarn threading member.
Furthermore, an increase in size of the elongated member can be
25 suppressed by setting the radius of curvature of the second portion,
which is not in contact with yam, so as to be smaller than the first size.
29
Consequently, the yarn threading member has good responsiveness to
and ability to follow fluctuations in load (yarn tension).
[0086] In an embodiment, at least a part of the cross-sectional surface
may be formed in an elliptic curve.
5 [0087] When yam contacts with an elongated member having the
above-described cross-sectional surface, the area of contact between the
yam and the elongated member increases compared with the case that
yam contacts with an elongated member having a circular
cross-sectional surface. This configuration can further reduce the
1 0 pressure (the surface pressure) per unit applied to the first portion by the
yam. Consequently, this configuration can reduce progression of wear
caused on the portion contacting with yam, thereby extending the
product life of the yarn threading member.
[0088] In an embodiment, a cross-sectional surface having the first
15 portion and the second portion may be formed only on a part of the
elongated member in the extending direction.
[0089] In the yam threading member configured as above, the first
portion and the second portion can be easily formed compared with the
case of forming the first portion and the second portion over the entire
20 part of the elongated member.
[0090] In an embodiment, the elongated member may have a hollow
portion being hollow along the extending direction.
[0091] The above-described configuration of the yam threading
member can decrease the weight of the elongated member. The
25 decrease in weight can reduce effects of the inertial force resulting from
the weight of the elongated member when moving the elongated
30
member. Consequently, the yam threading member has good
responsiveness and flexibility to fluctuations in the load (yam tension).
[0092] In an embodiment, the supporting unit may include a front-end
portion having the elongated member, a boss fixed to the yam storage
5 roller, the main body extending in a direction between the front-end
portion and the boss, and a reinforcement unit for reinforcing the main
body.
[0093] In the yam threading member configured as above, the
supporting unit can stably support the elongated member.
10 [0094] In an embodiment, the reinforcement unit may have a projecting
portion formed so as to project from a surface of the main body and
extend in a direction in which the main body extends.
[0095] In the yam threading member configured as above, the
reinforcement unit can be easily formed.
15 [0096] In an embodiment, the boss may project from the main body.
The projecting portion may be provided in a center area of the surface
of the main body from which the boss projects, the center area being in
a direction intersecting with a direction in which the boss projects and a
direction in which the main body extends, and formed across a
20 predetermined length from an end on which the boss is provided in the
extending direction ofthe main body.
[0097] In the yam threading member configured as above, such a
simply configured supporting unit can stably support the main body.
[0098] In an embodiment, the reinforcement unit may have an
25 increased thickness portion formed at least one of both ends of the main
body in a direction intersecting with both a direction in which the boss
31
projects and a direction in which the main body extends.
[0099] In the yam threading member configured as above, the
supporting unit can stably support the main body.
[0100] A yam storage device according to an embodiment of the
5 present disclosure includes the above-described yam threading member
and a yam storage roller in which the yam threading member is
rotatably installed.
[0101] A yam winder according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure includes a drafting device configured to draft a fiber bundle,
1 0 a spinning device configured to generate yam by twisting the fiber
bundle drafted by the drafting device, the above-described yam storage
device configured to store the yam generated by the spinning device,
and a yam winding device configured to wind yam stored in the yam
storage roller into a package. The elongated member is disposed such
15 that yam unwound from the yam storage roller is in contact with the
first portion.
[0102] The yam storage device and the yam winder configured as
above employ a yam threading member that can reduce progression of
wear caused on a portion contacting with yam and extend the product
20 life, which results in extension of the replacement cycle of the yam
threading member in the yam storage device. Consequently, this
configuration can improve operation efficiency of the yam storage
device and the yam winder.
[0103] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
25 progression of wear caused on a portion contacting with yam can be
reduced, which can extend the product life of the yam threading
32
member.

We claim
1. A yarn threading member (60, 160) installed in a yarn storage
roller (51), comprising:
5 a supporting unit (64, 464) installed so as to be capable of
rotating relative to the yarn storage roller (51);
an elongated member (65, 265, 365) provided on the supporting
unit (64, 464) and extending in a direction away from the supporting
unit (64, 464), wherein
1 0 the elongated member has a cross-sectional surface,
15
perpendicular to the extending direction, including a first portion (Sl)
with a radius of curvature of a first size, and a second portion (82) with
a radius of curvature smaller than the first size.
2. The yarn threading member (60, 160) according to claim 1,
wherein at least a part of the cross-sectional surface is formed in an
elliptic curve.
3. The yarn threading member (60, 160) according to claim 1 or 2,
20 wherein the cross-sectional surface including the first portion and the
second portion is formed on only a part of the elongated member (65,
265, 365) in the extending direction.
4. The yarn threading member (60, 160) according to any one of
25 claims 1 to 3, wherein the elongated member (65, 265, 365) has a
hollow portion (67) being hollow along the extending direction.
34
5. The yam threading member (60, 160) according to any one of
claims 1 to 4, wherein the supporting unit (464) includes a front-end
portion ( 401) on which the elongated member ( 65, 265, 3 65) is provided,
5 a boss (403) fixed to the yam storage roller (51), a main body (402)
extending in a direction between the front-end portion (401) and the
boss ( 403), and a reinforcement unit reinforcing the main body ( 402).
6. The yam threading member (60, 160) according to claim 5,
1 0 wherein the reinforcement unit has a projecting portion ( 404) formed so ·
as to project from a surface of the main body (402) and extend in a
direction in which the main body ( 402) extends.
7. The yam threading member (60, 160) according to claim 6,
15 wherein
the boss (403) projects from the main body (402), and
the projecting portion ( 404) is provided in a center area of the
surface of the main body (402) from which the boss (403) projects, the
center area being in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the
20 boss (403) projects and a direction in which the main body (402)
extends, and formed across a predetermined length from an end on
which the boss (403) is provided in the extending direction of the main
body(402).
25 8. The yam threading member (60, 160) according to any one of
claims 5 to 7, wherein the reinforcement unit has an increased thickness
35
5
10
portion ( 405A, 405B) formed at least at one of both ends of the main
body (402) in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the boss
(403) projects and a direction in which the main body (402) extends.
9. A yarn storage device (50) comprising:
the yam threading member (60, 160) according to any one of
claims 1 to 8; and
a yarn storage roller (51) in which the yarn threading member
(60, 160) is rotatably installed.
10. A yarn winder (2) comprising:
a drafting device (6) configured to draft a fiber bundle;
a spinning device (7) configured to generate yam (Y) by
twisting the fiber bundle drafted by the drafting device;
15 the yam storage device according to claim 9 configured to store
the yarn generated by the spinning device (7); and
a winding device (13) configured to wind the yarn stored in the
yarn storage roller (51) and form a package, wherein
the elongated member is disposed such that yarn unwound from
20 the yam storage roller (51) is in contact with the first portion.