DESCRIPTION
Title of Invention
YARN WINDER
Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to a yarn winder (yarn
winding device) which winds yarn unwound from a yarn
supplying bobbin so as to form a package.
Background Art
[0002]
A yarn produced by using a spinning machine or the
like is wound onto a yarn supplying bobbin and transported
to a yarn winder. The yarn winder joints, by using a
predetermined yarn jointing device, transported yarns of a
plurality of yarn supplying bobbins with one another, so
as to form a package with a predetermined length. A known
yarn winder having such a yarn jointing device is
typically arranged to include a suction am which catches
the yarn end on the winding bobbin side and guides the
yarn to the yarn jointing device and a relay pipe which
catches the yarn end or. the yarn supplying bobbin side and
guides the yarn to the yarn jointing device.
[0003]
When yarn breakage, yarn cutting or the like occurs
in this yarn winder during a winding operation, the upper
yarn is wound onto the winding bobbin rotating by inertia
whereas the lower yarn is retained by a suitable trapping
means. Then a yarn jointing operation is carried out as
below. That is, the winding bobbin having stopped the
rotation is reverse-rotated, the end of the upper yarn to
be unwound is sucked and caught by the leading end of the
suction arm, and this yarn is guided to the yarn jointing
device. Almost at the same time, the end of the lower
yarn retained by the trapping means is sucked and caught
by the leading end of the relay pipe, with the result that
the lower yarn is unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin
and guided to the yarn jointing device. Thereafter, the
ends of the upper yarn and the lower yarn are jointed with
each other by the yarn jointing device, and the winding
operation starts.
[0004]
On the other hand, when the yarn of the yarn
supplying bobbin is completely wound onto the winding
bobbin and a new yarn supplying bobbin is supplied, the
winding bobbin having stopped the rotation is reverse-
rotated, the end of the upper yarn to be unwound is sucked
and caught by the leading end of the suction arm, and the
yarn is guided to the yarn jointing device. Almost at the
same time, the yarn (lower yarn) on the new yarn supplying
bobbin is blown up.by an airflow and is sucked and caught
by rhe leading end of the relay pipe, and then the lower
yarn is unwound and guided Lo the yarn jointing device.
Thereafter, the ends of the upper yarn and the lower yarn
are jointed with each other by the yarn jointing device,
and the winding operation is resumed.
[0005]
It is noted that the winding bobbin is stopped as
above by a lift-up mechanism and a package braking
mechanism of the yarn winder. The lift-up mechanism moves
up a cradle so as to move the winding bobbin away from a
winding driving unit. The package braking mechanism stops
the rotation of the winding bobbin supported by the
cradle, at the same time as the cradle is moved up by the
lift-up mechanism. The rotation of the winding bobbin is
stopped in this way, and the winding operation is
discontinued.
[0005]
In the meantime, even rhough an object is different
from the yarn winder above, a winder for generating a
single package from packages of a plurality of colors is
recited in Patent Literature 1. The winder recited in
Patent Literature 1 is arranged so that a wound yarn
package is formed by serially winding different types or
colors of yarns while measuring a predetermined length in
each yarn in the longitudinal direction of the yarns
More specifically, the winder selects, by a selection
device, at least one yarn from packages of different
colors or of different yarn types, joints yarns by the
yarn jointing device, and seamlessly forms a package by a
yarn storage device which measures and stores the yarns at
the same time.
[0007]
In addition to the above, Patent Literature 2 recites
a yarn winding method and device that make it possible to
continue winding without interruption even at the time of
yarn breakage. The device recited in Patent Literature 2
is arranged so that a yarn unwound from a bobbin is
stored, and the winding is continued at the time of yarn
breakage by using the stored yarn until the yarn jointing
operation is completed.
Citation List
Patent Literatures
[0008]
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent
Publication No. 20C4-156186
Patent Literature 2: Specification of U.S. Patent No.
3314621
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0009]
Increase in the winding speed for forming a package
has been demanded to improve the production efficiency.
Such increase in the winding speed, however, overtaxes the
running yarn, with the result that yarn breakage
frequently occurs. At the time of yarn breakage, it is
necessary to pull out the yarn from the package and joint
the same with the yarn on the yarn supplying bobbin sice.
In this regard, when reverse-rotating the package and
catching the yarn on the package side in the yarn jointing
operation, the sucking force of the suction arm may pull
the surface of the package and disrupt the alignment of
the wound yarn. Furthermore, because the winding is
interrupted by the reverse rotation of the package in the
yarn jointing operation, simply increasing the winding
speed does not always result in the improvement in the
production efficiency. Furthermore, since a routine cf
abruptly stopping the package rotating at a high speed and
regaining the same high rotation speed after the yarn
jointing operation is carried out each time the winding
operation is discontinued, the power consumption is high.
[0010]
In this regard, the wound yarn package of Patent
Document 1 is arranged so that yarn winding wirhout
interruption is achieved on account of a storage section
of the yarn. The winder of Patent Document 1, however, is
arranged tc form a package from a plurality of packages
formed by a yarn winder having a yarn defect removal
mechanism. The latter packages are the target of the
present invention, and hence the winder of Patent Document
1 does not have any mechanism of removing yarn defects.
For this reason, a defect of a yarn is wound from a yarn
supplying bobbin onto a package. Furthermore, the
structure of the yarn jointing device makes it difficult
to remove such a yarn defect.
[0011]
In the meanwhile, the yarn winding method and device
recited in Patent Document 2 are arranged so that the
formation of a package is continued even if yarn breakage
occurs, thanks to a storage container for storing a yarn.
It is important in this yarn winding method and device to
efficiently remove a defect and joint yarns before the
yarn stored for continuing the formation of the package
runs out, when yarn breakage occurs or defect removal is
needed. In this regard, Patent Document 2 does not
include any specific descriptions concerning the yarn
jointing and defect removal while continuing package
formation. Furthermore, since no mechanism for aligning
and storing a yarn is included, yarn entanglement may
occur.
[0012]
The present invention was done to solve the problems
above, and an object of the present invention is to
provide a yarn winder which can wind a yarn without
interruption from the start to the end of the formation of
a package.
Solution to Problem
[0013]
A yarn winder according to the first aspect of the
invention includes: a yarn supplying portion which unwinds
a yarn from a yarn supplying bobbin; a yarn winding
section which winds the yarn to form a package; and a yarn
storage section which is provided between the yarn
supplying portion and the yarn winding section and stores
the yarn, the yarn storage section including: a yarn
storage which stores the yarn as the yarn is wound
thereon; and a yarn winding mechanism which winds the yarn
onto the yarn storage, and the yarn storage is constituted
by a plurality of rollers each of which is rotatable and
has a rotation axis on a first virtual circle.
[0014]
According to this arrangement, since the yarn wound
on the rollers moves upward by being transported by the
rollers, the load (friction force) on the yarn is small
when moving upward and hence the deterioration of the
quality of the yarn is avoided. Furthermore, since the
yarn is orderly stored as being wound on the rollers by
the yarn winding mechanism, the yarn is not entangled in
the yarn storage section and hence the winding of the yarn
is not interruptod.
[0015]
According to the second aspect, the yarn winder of
the first aspect is further arranged so that the yarn
storage section further includes: a roller drive motor
which rotates at least one of the plurality of rollers as
a drive roller, and because the rotation axis of each of
the plurality of rollers is arranged to be inclined in a
circumferential direction of the first virtual circle, the
yarn wound on the plurality of rollers is transported in a
unwinding direction in which the yarn is unwound by the
yarn winding section.
[0016]
According to this arrangement, since the rollers on
which the yarn is wound are arranged to be inclined in a
circumferential direction of the first virtual circle, the
yarn wound on the rollers by the yarn winding mechanism is
continuously transported by the rotation of the drive
roller and moves in a direction (hereinafter,
transportation direction) orthogonal to the plane
surrounded by the first virtual circle. This prevents the
yarn from remaining at a pert of the yarn storage and the
operation to store the yarn from being stagnated.
[0017]
According to the third aspect, the yarn winder of the
second aspect is further arranged so that the yarn storage
section further includes a winding intervals changing
means which changes winding intervals of the yarn wound on
the plurality of rollers.
[0018]
This makes it possible to change the winding
intervals (distance in the transportation direction) of
the yarn wound onto the rollers, in accordance with, for
example, the type of the yarn wound by the yarn winder.
[0019]
According to the fourth aspect, the yarn winder of
the third aspect is further arranged so that the winding
intervals changing means includes an angle change
mechanism that changes an inclination angle of each of the
plurality of rollers in the circumferential direction cf
the first virtual circle.
[0020]
According to this arrangement, the traveling speed of
the yarn in the transportation direction is changeable by
changing the inclination angle of the rollers, and this
makes it possible to change the ratio between the winding
speed of the yarn and the traveling speed of the yarn in
-he transportation direction. With this, the winding
intervals of the yarn are changeable by changing the ratio
between the winding speed of the yarn and the traveling
speed of the yarn in the transportation direction.
[0021]
According to the fifth aspect, the yarn winder of the
fourth aspect is further arranged so that the angle change
mechanism is a mechanism that moves at least one end
portion of each of the plurality of rollers in the
circumferential direction of the first virtual circle.
[0022]
According to this arrangement, the inclination angle
of the rollers is easily changeable by moving at least one
end portions of the rollers in a circumferential direction
of the first virtual circle.
[0023]
According to the sixth aspect, the yarn- winder of
fourth or fifth aspect is further arranged so that the
yarn winding mechanism is arranged to wind the yarn onto a
winding-side end portion which is one end portion of each
of the plurality of rollers, the winding-side end portion
of each of the plurality of rollers is positioned on the
first virtual circle, and an unwinding-side end portion
which is the other end portion of each of rollers that are
more than half of the piurality of rollers is positioned
with reference to a second virtual circle having a shorter
diameter than the first virtual circle, with the result
that said more than half of the plurality of. rollers are
inclined in a radial direction of the first virtual
circle.
[0024]
When a roller is inclined in a circumferential
direction of the first virtual circle, the central part of
the roller is at the innermost position whereas the
respective end portions are at the outermost positions,
provided that the rollers are not inclined in a radial
direction. For this reason, the circumferential length of
the yarn is shortest at the central portions of the
rollers and the length increases toward the end portions.
In the meanwhile, when a yarn is transported by rollers,
it is difficult to transport a portion of the yarn to
another portion which is outside said portion. .
[0025]
Because cf the above, on each roller, the range where
the yarn is actually wound is substantially limited to a
range between one of the end portions where the yarn is
wound by the yarn winding means and the innermost part of
the roller. In short, the range where the yarn can be
wound is limited to abut a half of the roller.
[0026]
In this regard, since in the present invention each
roller is inclined such that the end opposite to the end
where the yarn is wound by the yarn winding means is
positioned to be inside the end where yarn is wound by the
yarn winding means, the innermost part of the roller is
closer to the aforesaid opposite end from the central
portion. This widens the range where the yarn can be
wound on the roller, with the result that the amount of
the yarn stored in the yarn storage section is increased.
[0027]
In addition to the above, since the winding-side end
portion and the unwinding-side end portion of each of the
rr.ore than half of the rollers are positioned with
reference to the first and second virtual circles, these
rollers are uniformly inclined at the same angle.
[0028]
In addition to the . above, since the unwinding-side
end portion is positioned with reference to the second
virtual circle which is short in diameter than the first
virtual circle on which the winding-side end portion is
provided, the circumferential length of the yarn wound on
the rollers does not increase in the unwinding direction
in which the yarn is unwound by the yarn winding section.
This prevents the yarn from remaining at a part of the
roller and the operation to store the yarn from being
stagnated.
[0029]
According to the seventh aspect, the yarn winder of
the sixth aspect is further arranged so that at least one
of rollers that are not said more than half of the
plurality of rollers is an adjusting roller for adjusting
a circumferential length of the wound yarn and that the
unwinding-side end of the adjusting roller is positioned
with reference to a third virtual circle having a longer
diameter than the first virtual circle.
[0030]
When no adjusting roller is provided, the roller is
inclined outward toward the yarn wincing-side end portion,
in the range where the yarn can be wound. The yarn
transported by the rollers is therefore transported from a
part where the circumferential length of the wound yarn is
long to a part where the circumferential length of the
wound yarn is short, with the result that the yarn may be
loosen.
[0031;
In this regard, since in the present invention the
adjusting roller is arranged so that the end opposite to
the end where the yarn is wound by the yarn winding means
is positioned with reference to the third virtual circle,
the lengrh of the yarn is uniform at all parts of the
rollers, thereby preventing the occurrence of the
loosening of the yarn as above.
[0032]
According to the eighth aspect, the yarn winder of
the seventh aspect is further arranged so that the
adjusting roller is a driven roller.
[0033]
In regard to this arrangement, when the roller drive
motor rotates the adjusting roller along with the other
rollers, the direction to transport the yarn by the
adjusting roller is different from the direction to
transport the yarn by the other rollers on account of a
difference in the inclination angle with respect to the
first and second virtual circles, and hence the tension on
the wound yarn may not be uniform.
[0034]
In this connection, since in the present invention
the adjusting roller is a driven roller and the adjusting
roller is merely rotated by the movement of the yarn at
the time of the transportation of the yarn by the rotation
of the ether rollers, it is possible 10 keep the tension
on the wound yarn to be uniform.
[0035]
According to the ninth aspect, the yarn winder of any
- of the first to eighth aspects is arranged to further
include: a guide member which is arranged to be rotatable
around the plurality of rollers and guides the yarn on the
plurality of rollers; and a guide member drive motor that
rotates the guide member, the yarn winding mechanism being
constituted by the guide member and the guide member drive
motor.
[0036]
According to this arrangement, the yarn winding
mechanism is constituted by the guide member and the guide
member drive motor.
[0037]
According to the tenth aspect, the yarn winder of any
one of third to eights aspects further includes: a guide
member which is arranged to be rotatable around the
plurality of rollers and guides the yarn on the plurality
of rollers, the guide member being driven by the roller
drive motor as being connected to the roller drive motor
via a transmission mechanism, and the yarn winding
mechanism being constituted by the guide member and the
roller drive motor.
[0038]
According to this arrangement, sir.ce the guide member
drive motor rotating the guide member functions also as a
roller drive motor rotating the rollers, it is unnecessary
"to provide the guide member drive motor and the roller
drive motor to be independent from each other, and hence
the device configuration is simplified.
[0039]
According to the eleventh aspect, the yarn winder of
the tenth aspect is further arranged so that the winding
intervals changing means is provided in the transmission
mechanism to constitute a speed change mechanism capable
of changing a ratio between a rotation speed of the roller
drive motor and a rotation speed of the drive roller.
[0040]
According to this arrangement, the ratio between the
rotation speed of the guide member and the rotation speed
of the drive roller (i.e., the transportation speed of the
yarn in the aforesaid transportation direction) is
changeable by changing the ratio between the rotation
speed of the guide member drive motor and the rotation
speed of the drive roller by -he speed change mechanism,
thereby making it possible to change the winding intervals
of the yarn.
[0041]
According to the twelfth aspect, the yarn winder
according to any one of third to eighth aspects further
includes: a guide member which is arranged to be rotatable
around the plurality of rollers and guides the yarn on the
plurality of rollers; and a guide member drive motor that
rotates the guide member, the guide member and the guide
member drive motor constituting the yarn winding
mechanism, and the winding intervals changing means
including a speed control mechanism which individually
controls a rotation speed of the roller drive motor and a
rotation speed of the guide member drive motor.
[0042]
According to this arrangement, the rotation speed of
the guide member and the rotation speed of the drive
roller (i.e., the transportation speed of the yarn in the
aforesaid transportation direction) is changeable by
individually controlling the rotation speed of the roller
drive motor and the rotation speed of the guide member
drive motor, thereby making possible to change the winding
intervals of the yarn.
[0043]
According to the thirteenth aspect, the yarn winder
of any one of the ninch to twelfth aspects is further
arranged so that the yarn storage section further
includes: a yarn drawing mechanism which draws out,
toward the yarn supplying portion, the yarn wound on the
plurality of rollers.
[0044]
Accorcing to this arrangemont, since the yarn storage
section is provided between the yarn supplying portion and
the yarn winding section, it is possible to carry out the
yarn jointing while the yarn winding section winds the
yarn stored in the yarn storage section, and hence the
yarn winding operation is continuously cone without
interrupti on.
[0045]
According to the fourteenth aspect, the yarn winder
of the thirteenth aspect is further arranged so than the
guide member drive motor is capable of rotating the guide
member in both directions, and the yarn drawing mechanism
is constituted by the guide member and one of the guide
member drive motor and the roller drive motor.
[0046]
According to this arrangement, since the yarn drawing
mechanism is constituted by the guide member and one of
the guide member drive motor and the roller drive motor
constituting the yarn winding mechanism, it is unnecessary
to provide the yarn drawing mechanism to be independent
from the yarn winding mechanism, and hence the device
configuration is simplified.
[0047]
According to the fifteenth aspect, the yarn winder
according to any one of first to fourteenth aspects is
further arranged so that the guide member drive motor is
capable of rotating the guide member in both directions,
and the yarn drawing mechanism is constituted by the guide
member and one of the guide member drive motor and the
roller drive motor.
[0048]
According to this arrangement, since the transmission
of the tension of the yarn is blocked by providing the
yarn storage section between the yarn supplying bobbin and
the winding section, it is possible to prevent a tension
change due to the traversal of the winding section from
being transferred to the unwinding tension part of the
yarn supplying bobbin. Furthermore, since The yarn
unwinding from the yarn supplying bobbin is stably
performed because the unwinding assist unit is attached to
the yarn supplying bobbin, it is possible to prevent yarn
breakage and to increase the speed of unwinding from the
yarn supplying bobbin. The efficiency in the unwinding
from the yarn supplying bobbin is therefore improved.
Effects
[0049]
According to the present invention, since the yarn
wound on a plurality of rollers is transported by the
rotation of the rollers, the load (friction force) on the
yarn is small and hence the quality degradation of the
yarn is avoided. Furthermore, since the yarn is orderly
stdred aS being wound on the rollers by the yarn winding
mechanism, the yarn is not entangled in the yarn storage
section and hence the winding of the yarn is not
interrupted.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0050]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a winding unit
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the
accumulator of Fig. 1.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the
arrangement of the rollers of Fig. 2, wherein Fig. 3(a)
shows the upper end portions of the rollers. Fig. 3(b)
shows the lower end portions cf ~he rollers, and Fig. 3(c)
shows the central parts of the rollers.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of the
controller of Fig. 1.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a flowchart shewing the operation
of ~he yarn winder.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 shows how a yarn is conveyed by
rollers.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 shows a control flow indicating zhe
operation at. the time of yarn breakage.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 8 shows a control flow indicating the
operation at the time of the occurrence of yarn defect.
[Fig. 9] Fig. -9 shows a control flow indicating the.
operation at the time of bobbin change.
Description of Embodiments
[0051]
The following will describe a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0052]
Fig. 1 schematically shows wincing units constituting
an automatic winder of the present embodiment. The
automatic winder is constituted by a plurality of winding
units 2 (yarn winder) that are aligned in the crosswise
directions of the plane of Fig. 1. Each winding unit 2
includes a yarn supplying portion 5, a winding section 6,
a yarn defect detection section 7, a yarn jointing section
8, and a yarn storage section 9.
[0053]
The yarn supplying portion 5 includes a yarn
supplying bobbin supporter 60 that supports a . yarn
supplying bobbin 21, a yarn unwinding assisting device 12,
and a first tensor 41. The yarn supplying portion 5 is
further provided with an unillustrated bobbin supplier
which supplies a new yarn supplying bobbin 21 to the yarn
supplying bobbin supporter 60. Exanples of the bobbin
supplier include magazine-type suppliers and tray-type
suppliers. When a yarn Y (hereinafter, yarn Y) is fully
drawn "out from "a" yarn supplying bobbin 21 set in the'
winding unit 10, the yarn supplying portion 5 ejects an
empty bobbin supported by the yarn supplying bobbin
supporter 60, and the bobbin supplier supplies a new yarn
supplying bobbin 21 to the yarn supplying bobbin supporter
60 one by one.
[0054]
The yarn unwinding assisting device 12 assists the
unwinding of the yarn Y from the yarn supplying bobbin 21
by moving down a regulator 40 covering the core tube of
the yarn supplying bobbin 21 in sync with the unwinding of
the yarn Y from, the yarn supplying bobbin 21. The
regulator 40 contacts a balloon formed at an upoer part of
the yarn supplying bobbin 21 on account of the rotation of
the yarn Y unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin 21 and a
centrifugal force, so as to impart an appropriate tension
to the balloon and assist the unwinding of the yarn Y. In
an area. below the regulator 40 is provided an
unillustrated sensor for detecting a chase section of the
yarn supplying bobbin 21. As the sensor detects that the
chase section is moving down, the regulator 40 is
accordingly moved down by, for example, an unillustrated
air cylinder.
[0055]
Around a yarn unwinding assisting device 12 is
provided a yarn detector 37 that can detect the existence
of a yarn Y. This yarn detector 37 is arranged to detect
that the yarn Y is nc longer drawn out from the yarn
supplying bobbin 21 and to send an empty bobbin signal to
the controller 109.
[0056]
The first tensor 41 imparts a predetermined tension
to a running yarn Y. An example of this first tensor 41
is a gate-type tensor having fixed comb teeth and movable
comb teeth. The movable comb teeth are rotatable by an
unillustrated rotary solenoid so that the two sets of
teeth are engaged or disengaged. The first tensor 41
imparts a constant tension to the yarn Y stored in the
later-described accumulator 61, and hence the yarn Y is
neatly wound and stored in the accumulator 61.
[0357]
The winding section 6 includes an unillustrated
cradle arranged to be able to retain the winding bobbin
22, a winding drum 24 which is used for allowing the yarn
Y to conduct traversal and for rotating the winding bobbin
22, and a second tenser 42. The cradle is arranged to be
able to swing in directions approaching and moving away
from the winding drum 24. This allows the package 30 to
contact or move away from the winding drum 24.
Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 1, on the outer
circumference of the winding drum 24 is formed a"" spiral
traversing groove 27 to cause the yarn Y to perform
traversal.
[0053]
The winding drum 24 rotates to drive the winding
bobbin 22 which is provided to oppose the winding drum 24.
This winding drum 2 4 is connected to the output axis of a
winding drum motor 116 (see Fig. 4) . This winding drum
motor 116 is turned on or off by a drive signal supplied
from the controller 109.
[0059]
The second tensor 42 is provided for controlling the
tension of the yarn Y when the yarn Y unwound from the
later-described accumulator 61 of the ya:"i storage section
9 is wound onto the package 30. As a result, the yarn Y
drawn out from the accumulator 61 is wound onto the
winding bobbin 22 while a suitable tension is imparted
thereto. An example of the second tensor 42 is, as in the
case of the first tensor 41, a gate-type tensor having
fixed comb teeth and movable comb teeth.
[D060]
In addition to the above, en the downstream of the
second tensor 42 is provided a waxing device 17 which
waxes on a running yarn Y. On the downstream of the
waxing device 17 is provided an unillustrated sucking
-section... This, sucking section is connected to a suitable
negative pressure source, and can suck and remove dregs of
wax and yarn.
[0061]
The yarn defect detection section 7 is provided with
a yarn clearer 15 that detects a yarn defect. The yarn
clearer 15 is arranged to detect a defect by monitoring
the thickness of the yarn Y by an appropriate sensor. As a
signal is supplied from the sensor of the yarn clearer 15,
yarn defects such as slags and foreign matters are
detected. In addition to this, the yarn clearer 15 is
able to function as a sensor merely detecting the
existence of the yarn Y. The yarn clearer 15 is provided
wi~h a cutter for cutting, when a yarn defect is detected,
the yarn on che upstream of the yarn defect.
[0D62]
The yarn jointing section 8 includes a splicer 14
performing the yarn jointing operation, a lower yarn guide
pipe 25, and an upper yarn guide pipe 25.
[0063]
The splicer 14 joints the lower yarn on the yarn
supplying bobbin 21 side with the upper yarn en the
package 30 side, at the time of yarn breakage, the
occurrence of a yarn defect, or bobbin change. Examples
of the splicer 14 include a mechanical splicer and a
splicer using a fluid-such as compressed air.
[0064]
The lower yarn guide pipe 25 is supported to be
rotatable about an axis 25a below the splicer 14, and is
rotated by a lower pipe motor 122 {see Fig. 4) . At the
leading end of the lower yarn guide pipe 2 5 is provided a
suction port 25b, and this suction port 25b is provided
with an unillustrated clamping section. Furthermore, the
lower yarn guide pipe 25 receives a negative pressure from
an unillustrated negative pressure source, with the result
that a suction flow for sucking the yarn Y is generated at
the suction port 25b.
[0065]
The upper yarn guide pipe 2 6 is supported to be
rotatable about an axis 26a above the splicer 14, and is
rotated by an upper pipe motor 121 (see Fig. 4) . At the
leading end of the upper yarn guide pipe 2 6 is provided a
suction port 2 6b, and this suction port 26b is provided
with a clamping section 26c (see Fig. 2) . Furthermore,
the upper yarn guice pipe 26 receives a negative pressure
frora a negative pressure source 120 ;see Fig. 2) , and
hence a suction flow for sucking the yarn Y is generated
at the suction port 26b.
[C065]
The yarn storage section 9 is provided with the
accumulator- -6-1- -which, stores the yarn v before being-wound- - -
onto the package 30. Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the
accumulator 61. Fig. 3 is a plan view shewing the
arrangement or the rollers of Fig. 2, wherein Fig. 3 fa}
shows the upper end portions of the rollers, Fig. 3(b)
shows the lower end portions of the rollers, and Fig. 3(c)
shows the central parts of the rollers. In Fig. 3(a), the
lower end portions of the rollers 71 are indicated by
dotted lines in order to clarify in which direction the
later-describee rollers 71 incline as described below.
[0067]
As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the accumulator 61
includes components such as six rollers 71, a base 72, a
rotation plate 73, three wincing assist members 74, a
winding arm 75, a winding arm motor 7 6, a speed reducer
77, pulleys 73a to 78c, and a shaft 79.
[0068]
The base 72 is a substantially circular plate and
supported at the leading end (upper end) of the output
shaft 136 of the winding arm motor 76 via an unillustrated
bearing. The rotation of the base 72 with respect to the
winding arm motor 76 is regulated by the magnetic coupling
strength between a magnet 13 8 adhered to a first magnet
supporter 137 fixed to the lower surface of the base 72
and a magnet 140 adhered zo a second magnet supporter 139
-"err "tire winding arm notcr 76.
[0069]
The six rollers "71 (yarn storages) are provided on
the upper surface of the base 72 along a circle (i.e.,
along a later-described virtual circle), and the lower end
portions (one end portions, winding-side end portions)
thereof are pivoted en the upper surface of the base 72
whereas Lhe upper end portions (other end portions,
unwrnding-side end portions) thereof are supported by the
rotation plate 73.
[0070]
The six rollers 71 are constituted by five drive
rollers 71a to 71e (more than half of rollers) and a
single adjusting roller 71f. As shown in Fig. 3(a), the
center cf the lower end portion of each roller is on a
virtual circle Al (first virtual circle). The centers of
the upper end portions of rhe respective drive rollers 71a
to 71e are en a virtual circle A2 (second virtual circle)
inside the virtual circle Al. The center of the upper end
portion of the adjusting roller 71f is on a virtual circle
A3 (third virtual circle) which is outside the virtual
circle Al. The virtual circles Al to A3 are concentric,
and the circumferential directions of the- virtual circles
Al to A3 will be referred to as virtual circumferential
directions.
[0071]
With the arrangement above, the drive rollers 71a to
71e are inclined such that the upper end portions
(unwinding-side end portions') supported by the rotation
plate 73 are inside the lower end portions (winding-side
end portions) pivoted on the upper surface of the base 72.
On the other hand, the adjusting roller 71f is inclined
such that the upper end portion (unwinding-side end
portion) is outside the lower end portion (winding-side
end portion).
;0072]
The rotation plate 73 (angle change mfinhani sm,
winding interval adjustment mechanism} is arranged to be
rotatable about the rotation axis C of the winding arm
motor 76. As the rotation plate 73 is rotated, the upper
end portions of the rollers 71 supported by the rotation
plate 7 3 move, in a virtual circle direction, for a
distance equivalent to the same central angle. As the
upper end portions of the rollers 71 move in the virtual
circle direction by the rotation of the rotation plate 73,
the rollers 71 are inclined in a virtual circle direction
as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The rollers 71a to 71e are
inclined equally and at the same angle.
[0073]
The rotation plate 73 is surrounded by a rubber ring
SI at the outer circumference. As described later, the-
yarn Y wound onto the rollers 71 is transported toward the
winding section 6 through a gap between the rotation plate
73 and the rubber ring 81. In so doing, si.nee the yarn Y
is transported while being sandwiched between the rotation
plate 73 and the rubber ring 81, broken filaments of the
yarn Y are laid down. Furthermore, since the yarn Y is
sandwiched between the rotation plate 73 and the rubber
ring 81, it is possible to prevent the generation of
ballooning of the yarn Y which is unwound from the roller
71 and running toward the winding section 6.
[0074]
In addition to the above, to the lower surfaces of
the drive rollers 71a to 71e are attached pulleys 82.
These pulleys 82 are connected to: the speed reducer 77
that reduces the rotation speed cf the winding am motor
76 at a predetermined reduction ratio and transmits the
rotation; the pulley 78a connected to the speed reducer
77; the pulley 78b connected to the pulley 78a; the pulley
78c connected to the pulley 82; and the output shaft 136
of the winding arm motor 7 6 via the shaft 7 9 connecting
the pulley 78b with the pulley 78c. With the arrangement
above, as the winding arm motor 7 6 rotates, the rotation
is transmitted to the pulleys 82 via the speed reducer 77,
the pulley 78a to 78c, and the shaft 79, with the result
¦ thai the drive rollers 71a -to.. 71e to which the pulleys .82
are attached are rotated.
[0075]
To put it differently, the present embodiment is
arranged so that, as described below, the winding arm
motor 76 (guide member drive motor) functions as a motor
(roller drive motor) for rotating the drive rollers 71a to
71e,' in addition to the function as a motor for rotating
the winding arm 75. Furthermore, in rhe present
embodiment, a group constituted by the speed reducer 77,
the pulleys 78a tc 78c, the shaft 79, and Lhe pulleys 82,
which connects the winding arm motor 7 6 with the drive
rollers 71a to 71e, is equivalent to the transmission
mechanism of the present invention.
[0076]
On the other hand, the pulleys 78b and 78c and the
shaft 79 are not provided for the adjusting roller 71f.
The- adjusting roller 71f is a driven roller that is net
rotated by the rotation of the winding arm motor 7 6. A
pulley' 82 is also provided on the lower surface of the
adjusting roller 71f. This is because the components of
the adjusting roller 71f are identical with those of -he
drive rollers 71a to 71e.
[0077]
The three winding assist members 74 are attached to
the base--72 -to surround — L~"he~~ lower -end portions of the"
rollers 71 and to be away from one another at about angles
of 120 degrees. The winding assist member 74 has, at a
part between neighboring rollers 71, a winding assist
surface 74a for smoothly connecting the outer
circumferences of the rollers 71 with each other. The
lower end portions of the rollers 71 and the winding
assist surface 74a form a surface that substantially
continuously extends in the virtual circumferential
directions. The winding assist surface 74a is inclined
inward from bottom to top, with respect to the
circumferential directions of the virtual circles Al to
A3.
[0078]
The winding arm 7 5 (guide member) guides the yarn Y
to the lower end portion of the roller 71. The winding am
75 includes a yarn passage 128 in which the yarn Y is able
to run, and is arranged to be rotatable about the axis C.
The winding arm 75 is constituted by a linear portion 141
which is connected to the outer circumference of che
output shaft 136 and extends radially outward therefrom
and a curved portion 142 which circumvents the first
magnet supporter 137 and reaches the vicinity of the lower
end portion of the roller 71.
[0079]
— -.....----Az—the .-leading, end .of the curved portion .142 ._Ls .
formed an opening 143 opposing the lower end portion of
the roller 71. With the arrangement above, the winding
arm 75 is rotatable about the axis C between the above-
described first magnet supporter 137 and second magnet
supporter 139. As the winding arm 75 rotates about the
axis C anticlockwise in plan view, as described later, the
yarn Y which is guided into the yarn passage 128 of the
winding arm 75 and on the yarn supplying portion 5 side is
wound onto the lower end portions (winding-side end
portions) of the six rollers 71.
[0080]
The yarn passage 128 of the winding arm 75 is
connected to a path 144 which is formed inside the output
shaft 136. On the side opposite to the winding arm 75
over the output shaft 136, a balancer 145 integrated with
the output shaft 136 is provided.
[0081]
The winding arm motor 16 (guide member drive motor)
is a position-controllable motor such as a servo motor, a
DC brushless motor, and a stepping motor, and is
electrically connected to the controller 109. The
controller 109 can therefore flexibly control the rotation
speed of the winding arm 75, i.e. the winding speed Vb
which is the yarn speed of the yarn Y wound onto the
rollers 71. In the" present"embodiment, a combination~cf
the winding arm 75 and the winding arm motor 76 functions
as both the yarn winding mechanism and yarn drawing means
of ~he present invention.
[0032]
Furthermore, as the rotation speed of the winding arm
motor 7€ is changed, the rotation speed of each of the
drive rollers 71a to 71e is also changed. In this regard,
the rotation speed of each of the drive rollers 71a to 71e
is determined by the rotation speed of the winding arm
motor 7 6, the reduction ratio of the speed reducer 77, and
the ratio of the diameters of the pulleys 78a to 78c and
82.
[0083]
On the yarn clearer 15 side of the winding arm motor
76 is provided a blowdown nozzle 148 having a yarn path
146 connected to the path 144 of the output shaft 136 and
a blowdown path 147 which is connected to the yarn path
146 and is arranged to be inclined from the winding arm 75
side toward the upper yarn guide pipe 26.
[0084]
The blowdown path 147 is connected to a compressed
air source 151 via a connection pipe 149 and a connection
p:pe 150, and a solenoid valve 152 electrically connected
to the controller 109 is provided between the connection
— pipe 145 .and .the connection pipe- 150. ....._ ..
[0085}
With the -arrangement above, when the controller 109
opens the solenoid valve 152 and hence compressed air is
discharged from the compressed air source 151 to the yarn
path 146 while passing through the connection pipe 150,
the connection pipe 143, and the blowdown path 147 in "his
order, an airflow flowing from the roller 71 sice to the
upper yarn guide pipe 26 side is generated in the yarn
passage 128 of the winding arm 75, in the path 144 of the
output shaft 136 of the winding arm motor 76, and in the
yarn panh 146 of the blowdown nozzle 148. The end of the
yarn Y wound onto the rollers 71 is sucked by this
airflow, and is drawn to the yarn jointing section 8 side.
[0036]
In addition to the above, the winding arm motor 7 6
has a rotary encoder 153 capable of detecting the rotation
angle of the winding arm 75. This rotary encoder 153 is
electrically connected to the controller 109. The rotary
encoder 153 transmits, to che controller 109, an angle
signal corresponding to the rotation angle of -he windrng
arm 7 5.
[0087]
At the lower end of the blowdown nozzle 148 is
provided a drawing sensor 154 capable of detecting whether
¦—the end of the" yarn Y wound by the accumulator" '61 "fia's "*
actually been drawn to the yarn jointing section 8 side.
This drawing sensor 154 is electrically connected to the
controller 109, and transmits a drawing detection signal
to the controller 109 upon detecting that the end of the
yarn Y has been drawn to the yarn jointing section 8 side.
[0088]
The accumulator 61 is further provided with.a storage
upper limit sensor 155, a storage lower limit sensor 156,
and a storage lowest limit sensor 157 for detecting the
storage amount of the yarn Y. The storage upper limit
sensor 155, the storage lower limit sensor 156, and the
storage lowest limit sensor 157 are positioned to oppose
the upper end of the yarn Y wound on the outer
circumfcrences of the rollers 71 when the storage amount
of the yarn Y in the accumulator 61 reaches 330m, 200m,
and 40m, respectively.
[0039]
This length, 300m, indicates the length longer than
the length of the yarn Y wound by the winding section 6
while later-described yarn jointing is repeated for, for
example, three times (at least once). With this, as
described later, a shortage of yarn Y is less likely :o
occur in the accumulator 7 even if the winding of the yarn
Y by the winding section 6 is continued while the yarn
-. . jointing ..is - carried out. . .. . .
[0090]
With the arrangement above, the storage upper limit
sensor 155, the storage lower limit sensor lbfc, and the
storage lowest limit sensor 157 transmit, to the
controller 109, a storage amount upper limit signal, a
storage amount lower limit signal, and a storage amount
lowest limit signal, respectively, when detecting that the
yarn Y opposes each sensor.
[0091]
Now, the structure of the controller 109 of the
winding unit 2 will be described- That is to say, the
controller 109 shown in Fig. 4 includes a CPU (Central
Processing Unit) which is a processor, a ROM (Read Only
Memory) which stores a concrcl program executed by the CPU
and data used by the control program, and a RAM (Random
Access Memory) which temporarily stores data at the time
of the execution of a program. As the control program
stored in the ROM is read and executed by the CPU, the
control program causes the hardware such as the CPU to
function as a winding drum motor controller 160, a winding
arm motor controller 161, a drawn yarn length calculation
unit 163, and an upper pipe controller 164.
[0092]
"The winding drum motor controller 160 controls the
rotation speed of the winding drum mctor 115, and reduces ~"
the winding speed Va with which the winding section 6
winds the yarn Yr when the storaqe amount detected by the
storage amount sensor falls below a predetermined value.
[0093J
More specifically, when the storage amount lower
limit signal is no longer transmitted from the storage
lower limit sensor 156, the winding drum motor controller
160 gently reduces the winding speed Va to the extent that
yarn layers of the package 30 are not disturbed.
Furthermore, when the storage amount lowest limit signal
is no longer transmitted from the storage lowest limit
sensor 157, the winding drum motor controller 160 gently
reduces the winding speed Va and eventually stops the
winding by the winding section 6.
[0094]
As such, the winding drum motor controller 160
reduces the winding speed Va when the storage amount of
the yarn Y in the accumulator 61 becomes low, and stops
the winding by the winding section 6 when the storage
amount of the yarn Y of the accumulator 61 becomes
extremely low. A shortage of the yarn Y in the accumulator
61 is therefore prevented.
[0095]
The winding arm motor controller 161 controls the
winding, .am motor 7-6.. When the yarn Y is wound onto the.
rollers 71, the winding arm motor 76 is controlled so that
the winding arm 75 rotates in one direction. On the other
hand, when the end of the yarn Y on the roller 71 is drawn
to the yarn jointing section 8 side, the winding arm motor
76 is controlled so that the winding arm 75 rotates—in the
direction opposite to the direction of winding the yarn.
[0096]
The drawn yarn length calculation unit 163 calculates
the drawn yarn length which indicates the length of the
yarn Y drawn out from the accumulator 61 to the yarn
jointing section 8 side, based on the rotation angle of
the winding arm 75 detected by the rotary encoder 153
since the drawing sensor 154 detects the yarn Y.
[0097]
The upper pipe controller 164 compares the yarn
defect length obtained from a yarn defect, detection signal
with the drawn yarn length calculated by the drawn yarn
length calculation unit 163, and rotates the upper yarn
guide pipe 26 while keeping the cramping; state so as tc
guide the yarn Y which is on the winding section 6 side to
the splicer 14 and places the yarn Y, when it is
determined that the drawn yarn length reaches the yarn
defect length.
[0098]
......." 'Now, the ¦ opera-run of^ the" "winding unit 2 will "'be
described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig- 9.
[0099]
An operator of the automatic winder (winding unit 2)
unwinds the yarn Y from the yarn supplying bobbin 21,
places this yarn Y on the yarn unwinding assisting device
12, the yarn detector 37, the first tensor 41, the yarn
clearer 15, the accumulator 61, the second tensor 42, and
the waxing device l"7, and fixes the yarn Y to the winding
bobbin 22. The yarn path of the yarn Y in the accumulator
61 is arranged as shown in Fig. 2. That is to say, the
operator causes the yarn Y to pass through the drawing
sensor 154, the yarn path 146 of the blowdown nozzle 148,
the path 144 of the output shaft 136, and the yarn passage
128 of the winding arm 174 in this order. While this
state is maintained, ~he operator draws out the yarn Y on
the opening 143 side of the winding arm 75 and winds the
yarn Y onto the rollers 71 and the winding assist member
74 for, for example, about five to twenty times, and then
places the yarn Y to the second tensor 42. Although the
yarn shown in Fig. 2 is thick and an interval between
neighboring yarn parts is long for convenience of
explanation, The rollers 71 in reality always stcre the
yarn Y wound for about 600 times with very short
intervals.
- . _ [01.00]......
(Normal Winding.)
When the winding unit 2 is powered on as shown in
Fig. .5 while the state above is maintained' (S300) , the
controller 109 starts the rotation of the winding drum 24
so that the winding speed Va of the yarn Y wound by the
winding section 6 is, for example, 1200m/min and starts
the driving of the winding arm motor 7 6 so that the
winding speed Vb of the yarn Y wound onto the accumulator
61 is, for example, 1500m/min (S310).
[0101]
With this, the yarn Y wound onto the rollers 71 is
serially unwound by the winding section 6 from the upper
end portion side, and the yarn Y is wound onto the package
30 while being traversed by the winding drum 24.
[0102]
At the same time, the yarn Y on the yarn supplying
portion 5 side is, as shown in Fig. 2, guided to the lower
end portions of the rollers 71. by the winding arm 75, and
the winding arm 75 rotates about the axis C anticlockwise
in plan view, so that the yarn Y is wound onto the lower
end portions of the rollers 71.
[0103]
Although the rollers 71 are arranged to be distanced
from each other, the winding assist member 7 4 is provided
to surround the lower end portions of the rollers 71 as
described above, and the lower end portions of the rollers
71 and the winding assist surface 74a form a surface
extending substantially continuously along the virtual
circumferential directions. The yarn Y is therefore wound
across the rollers 71 and the winding assist surface 74a.
For this reason, it is possible to smoothly wind the yarn
Y onto the rollers 71.
[0104]
Furthermore, the drive rollers 71a to 71e rotate at
this time, and hence the yarn Y wound onto the rollers 71
by the winding arm 75 is transported by the drive rollers
71a to 71e. In Lhis connection, because the drive rollers
71a to 71e are inclined in the virtual circumferential
directions as described above, as shown in Fig. 6, the
yarn Y transported by the drive rollers 71a to 71e moves
upward (in the transportation direction) toward the
unwinding-side end portions. On the other hand, the
adjusting roller 71f which is a driven roller is rotated
as the yarn Y is transported by the rotation of the drive
rollers 71a to 71e. As such, since in rhe present
embodiment the yarn Y moves uoward by being transported by
the rollers 71, the load (friction force) on the yarn Y is
small when moving upward. Furthermore, as the yarn Y is
transported on the rollers 71, the broken filaments of the
-yarn. Y are l&id dcwa- - ...... .. • - ....
[0105]
In addition to the above, the yarn Y wound across the
lower end portions of the rollers 71 and che wincing
assist member 74 moves upward not only by the rotation of
the drive rollers 71a to 71e but also by the inclination
of the winding assist surface 74a of the winding assise
member 74. When the yarn Y is wound across the rollers 71
and the winding assist memoer 74, the transportation of
the yarn Y by the rotation of the drive rollers 71a to 71e
is less efficient than the case where the yarn Y is wound
solely on the rollers 71 on account of a friction force
between the yarn Y and the winding assist surface 7 4a.
However, since the yarn Y is transported upward along the
inclined winding assist surface 74a, the upward movement
speed of the yarn Y is constant.
[0106]
Furthermore, as described above, as the rotation
plate 73 is rotated, the angle of the roller 71 with
respect to the virtual circumferential directions
increases as the rotation angle increases. A comparison
between Fig. 6(a) and Fig. 6(b) in which the inclination
angle of the roller 71 is larger than that, of Fig. 6(a)
shows thac, as the inclination angle of the roller 71
increases with respect to rhe virtual circumferential
directions, the travel distance h of che upward movement ""
of the yarn Y in response to the same degree of rotation
of the drive rollers 71a to 71e increases, i.e. the
traveling speed of the upward movement of the yarn Y
increases.
[0107]
As the upward traveling speed of the yarn Y on
account of the drive rollers 71a to 7le increases with
respect to the winding speed of rhe yarn Y onto the
rollers 71 by the winding aa 75, the winding intervals of
Lhe yarn Y on the rollers 71 are widened. For this
reason, -he winding intervals of the yarn Y wound onto the
roller 71 are changeable by changing the inclination
angles of the rollers 71 with respect to the virtual
circumferential directions in accordance wi-ch, for
example, the type of the yarn Y wound onto the winding
bobbin 22.
[0108]
When a roller ¦ 71 is inclined with respect to Lhe
virtual circumferential directions, the roller 71 is
arranged so that the central part thereof is at the
innermost position whereas the respective end portions are
at the outermost positions, provided that the roller 71 is
not inclined in the radial directions of the virtual
circles Al to A3 and the upper end portion and the lower
end -portion— are .at the ..same, .position with respect to. ^.the. . ..
virtual circles Al to A3. Therefore the circumferential
length of the wound yarn Y is shortest at the central
parts of the rollers 71 and the circumferential length of
the yarn Y increases toward the end portions of the
rollers 71. Such a difference in the circumferential
lengths of the wound yarn Y is significant as Lhe
inclination angle of the roller 71 with respect to the
virtual circumferential directions is large.
[0109]
On the ether hand, when the yarn Y wound on the
rollers 71 is transported by the drive rollers 71a ~o 71e,
it is difficult to transport the yarn Y from a part of the
roller 71 to a different part of the roller 71 where the
circumferential length of the wound yarn Y is longer than
that of the aforesaid part.
[0110]
Because of the above, a range of the roller 71 on
which range the yarn Y is wound and stored is. limited to
the range from the lower end portion of the roller 71 to a
part around the center of the roller 71 where the
circumferential length of the wound yarn is the shortest.
Th^s indicates that the yarn Y can be wound on only about
a half of the roller 71.
[0111]
-Jr.- this- regard,- in the preseiro embodiment, since the
drive rollers 71a to 71e are inclined so that the upper
end portions thereof are inside of the lower end portions,
the innermost parts of the drive rollers 71a to 71e are
above the central parts thereof. This increases the range
where the yarn Y is wound is practically widened on ~he
roller 71, thereby making i~ possible to store a long yarn
Y. In the present embodiment, the storage upper limit
sensor 155 detects the existence of the yarn Y at the
upper end of the range where rhe yarn Y can be wound.
[0112]
In addition to the above, since the rollers 71a tc
71e ore inclined in the radial directions of the virtual
circles Al :o A3 such that the upper end portions
(unwinding-side end portions) thereof are inside the lower
end portions (winding-side end portions), the
circumferential length of the yarn Y wcund onto the
rollers 71 does not increase in the unwinding direction in
which the yarn Y is unwound by the winding section 6.
This prevents the yarn Y from remaining at a par* of the
roller 71 and ~he operation to store the yarn Y from being
stagnated.
[0113]
Provided that no adjusting roller 71f is provided and
a roller inclined in the same angle as the drive rollers
..71a.. to 71e is-provided. - .in place nf. the adjusting .roller
71f, each of the rollers 71 is arranged so that the range
where the yarn Y is wound is close to the inside toward
the upper end portion. In this case, the yarn Y is
transported by the rollers 71 from a pare of each roller
71 where the circumferential length cf zhe wound yarn Y is
long to a part where the circumferentia" length is short,
and hence the yarn Y may be loosen.
[0114]
In this regard, in the present embodiment the
adjusting roller 71f is provided to be inclined such -hat
the upper end portion thereof is outside the lower end
portion thereof. For this reason, as compared to a case
indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 3(c) in which the
inclination of the adjusting roller 71f in the radial
directions of the virtual circles Al to A3 is identical
with that of the drive rollers 71a to 71e, the
circumferential length of the wound yarn Y is leng in
proportion to the inclination of the adjusting roller 71f
as indicated by a full line in Fig. 3(c), and the
circumferential length of the wound yarn Y increases
toward the upper end portion. As a result, the
circumferential lengths of the wound yarn Y are identical
at all parts of the rollers 71, and hence the above-
described loosening of the yarn Y is less likely to occur.
---------[0115t" --¦ — ----- ¦ -~ - - -...... ¦ " '...........¦-
In the normal winding in which the yarn Y is wound
onto the package 30 while the yarn Y is undisrupted from
the yarn supplying portion 5 to the winding section 6, the
controller 109 checks, as shown in Fig. 5, whether a yarn
breakage signal has been supplied (3320), whether a yarn
defect detection signal has been supplied (S330), whether
an empty bobbin signal has been supplied (S34 0), and
whether a storage amount upper limit signal has been
supplied (S350).
[0116]
When it is determined that the yarn breakage signal
has been supplied (3320: YES), the yarn defect defection
signal has been supplied (5330: YES), or the empty bobbin
signal has been supplied (S340, the control flows shown in
Fig. 7, Fig. 8, and Fig. 9 are executed, respectively,
(S325, S335, S345), and the process returns tc the control
flow shewn in Fig. 5.
[OUT]
Since the winding speed Vb is higher than the winding
speed Va for a while after the start of the winding, the
storage amount of the yarn Y in the accumulator 61
increases. When the storage amount of the yarn Y reaches
300rr.f the storage upper limit sensor 155 sends a storage
amount upper limit signal to the controller 109.
Receiving ~he storage amount upper Unit signal from, the _
storage upper limit sensor 155 as shown in Fig. 5 (S350:
YES), the controller 109 changes the windiny speed Vb from
ISOCta/min to 1200m/min, for example (S360). The winding
soeed Va becomes identical with the winding speed Vb as a
result, and the storage amount of the accumulator 61 is
kept constant.
[0118]
[Yarn Breakage)
Now, the control flow shown in Fig. 7 at the time cf
yarn breakage will be described- As yarn breakage occurs
and the controller 109 receives a yarn breakage signal
from the yarn clearer 15 (S320: YES), the controller 109
stops the rotation of the winding arm 75 in the first
place (S410) .
[0119]
Subsequently, the controller 1C9 opens the solenoid
valve 152 to generate an airflcw from the roller 71 side
to the upper yarn guide pipe 26 side, in the yarn passage
128 of the winding arm 75 or the like (S420) .
:012 0]
At the same time, the controller 1G9 switches the
suction port 2 6b cf the upper yarn guide pipe 2 6 from the
closed state to the open state, so as to generate an
airflcw from the suction port 26b side to the negative
¦pressure-.....-source- 12&—sid^—xn—the upper' yam guide pipe 26 '
(S420).
[0121]
Thereafter, the winding arm motor controller 161
controls the winding arm motor 76 to drive at a slow speed
in the direction opposite to the winding of the yarn Y by
the winding arm 75, i.e., clockwise in plan view (3430),
and a drawing detection signal from the drawing sensor 154
is waited for (S440: NO).
[0122]
As a result, the end of the yarn Y on the lower end
portion of the roller 71 is sucked into the opening 143 of
the winding arm 7 5, and reaches the suction pori 2 5b of
the upper yarn guide pipe 26 via the yarn passage 28 of
the winding arm 75 or the like. In this regard, since the
winding arm motor 7 6 is capable of conducting position
control, the winding arm 75 is precisely moved to a
position opposing the end of the yarn Y at the lower end
portion of the roller 71. This makes it possible to surely
suck the yarn Y through the opening 143.
[0123]
As the yarn Y passes through the drawing sensor 154
at this time, the drawing sensor 154 sends a drawing
detection signal to the controller 109. Receiving the
drawing detection signal from the drawing sensor 154
~(S.44Q.:„J£ES).,.-- t-tue.. controller. 109 switches -he suction- po-r-t___ ..
26b fron the open state to the closed state while
maintaining the low speed driving cf the winding arm 75,
clamps the yarn Y by the clamping section 2 6c, and rotates
the upper yarn guide pipe 26 about "he axis 26a downward.
In this way, the controller 109 guides the yarn Y drawn
out from the accumulator 61 to the splicer 14 of the yarn
jointing section 8 (S450).
[0124]
At this stage, tha length of a newly drawn part of
the yarn Y drawn out from the accumulator 61 by the
rotation of the upper yarn guide pipe 26 is about 60cm. To
prevent the yarn breakage of the yarn Y between "he
clamping section 26c and the roller 71 at this time, the
controller 109 synchronizes the rotation of the upper yarn
guide pipe 26 with the rotation of the winding arm 75.
After the completion of the guide of the yarn Y to the
splicer 14 by the upper yarn guide pipe 26 (S4b0) , the
controller 109 stops the rotation of the winding arm 75
(S4 60).
[0125]
In the meanwhile, the lower yarn guide pipe 2 5 sucks
and captures the end of the yarn Y around the yarn
detector 3 7 and guides this yarn Y to the splicer 14, in
the same manner as the upper yarn guide pipe 26. When a
"part--or--the yarn Y—on the accumulator- -61 side and' a* part
of the yarn Y on the yarn supplying portion 5 side are
placed on the splicer 14, the controller 10S causes the
splicer 14 to conduct the yarn jointing operation (S470).
[0126]
Thereafter, the controller 109 starts, as shown in
Fig. 2, to rotate the winding arm 75 anticlockwise in plan
view (S480) , and hence the normal winding state is resumed
(S4 90) . The number of rotations of the winding arm 75 at
this time is arranged so that the winding speed Vb is
15G0m/min (3480).
[0127]
(When Yarn Defect Is Detected)
Now, the control flow shown in Fig. 8 at the time of
the detection of a yarn defect will be described. It is
noted that some steps in this process are identical with
chose in the yarn breakage, and hence such identical steps
will not be detailed below.
[0128]
When a yarn defect is detected and the controller 109
receives a yarn defect detection signal and a yarn cutting
signal from the yarn clearer 15, the controller 10 9
conducts the steps S410 to S440 above in this order, in
the same manner as in the case of yarn breakage.
Receiving the drawing detection signal from the drawing
_ .sensor.. 15.4 _..CSA4Q.:_Jre5) , the drawn yarn length calculation . .
unit 163 obtains the rotation angle of the winding arm 7b
detected by the rotary encoder 153, which indicates how
many angles the winding arm 75 rotates after the detection
of the yarn Y by the drawing sensor 154 (S570) r and the
drawn yarn leng-h is calculated based on this rotation
angle (S580).
[0129]
The upper pipe controller 64 then compares the length
of the yarn defect obtained from the yarn defect detection
signal with the drawn yarn length calculated by the drawn
yarn length calculation unit 63 (S590). The upper pipe
controller 164 then waits for the drawn yarn length to
reach the yarn defect length (S590: NO). When reaching the
yarn defect length (S590: YES), the steps S450 to S480 are
conducted in this order in the same manner as in the case
of yarn breakage, with the result that the yarn jointing
is conducted and the normal winding operation is resumed.
[0130]
(When Bobbin Is Changed)
Now, the following will describe the operation when
the yarn supplying bobbin 21 becomes empty. It is noted
that, some steps in this operation are identical with those
in the case of yarn breakage, and such identical steps
will not be detailed below.
[0-131] ¦¦
When the yarn supplying bobbin 21 becomes empty and
the controller 10 9 receives an empty bobbin signal from
the yarn detector 37 (S340: YRS), the currently attached
yarn supplying bobbin 21 is discharged and a new yarn
supplying bobbin 21 is attached to the yarn supplying
bobbin supporter 60, and the yarn Y of this yarn supplying
bobbin 21 is guided so that the lower yarn guide pipe 25
is able to capture and suck the yarn Y (G710) .
Thereafter, in Lhe same manner as in the case of yarn
breakage, r.he yarn jointing is conducted and the normal
winding operation is resumed by the steps S410 to S440.
[0132]
Because of the steps above conducted in the winding
unit 2, the winding of the yarn Y onto the package 30 in
the winding section 6 is continued at least until ^he yarn
jointing operation is conducted once, as -_he yarn Y stored
in the yarn storage drum 71 is unwound during the yarn
jointing in the yarn jointing section 8. To put it
differently, it is possible to conduct the yarn jointing
by the yarn jointing section 8 without interrupting the
winding cf the yarn Y onto the package 30 in. the winding
section 6.
[0133]
In addition to the above, in the yarn winding unit 2
having the ...above-described structure, because . the
transmission of the tension of the yarn Y is blocked by
providing the yarn storage section 9 between the yarn
supplying bobbin 21 and the winding section 6, it is
possible to prevent a tension change due to the traversal
of the winding section 6 from being transferred to the
unwinding tension part of the yarn supplying bobbin 21.
Furthermore, since the yarn unwinding assist device 12 is
attached to the yarn supplying bobbin 21, yarn unwinding
from the yarn supplying bobbin 21 is stably conducted,
with the result that yarn breakage is prevented and the
speed of unwinding from the yarn supplying bobbin 21 is
improved. The efficiency in the unwinding from the yarn
supplying bobbin 21 is therefore improved.
[0134]
Various modifications of the present embodiment will
now be described. It is noted that the same components as
in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference
numerals as in the embodiment, respectively, and the
description "hereof will be omitted.
[0135]
While in the embodiment above the inclination angle
of the roller 71 with respect to the virtual
circumferential directions is changed such that the
rotation plate 73 rotatable abcut the axis C is rotated to
move" the' upper end portion of the roller 71 in ' a virtual
circle direction, the disclosed technology is not limited
to this arrangement.
[0136]
For example, the inclination angle of the roller 71
with respect to the virtual circumferential directions may
be changed such that the upper end portion and the lower
end portion of the roller 71 are both connected to
rotation plates rotatable about the axis C, these two
rotation plates are rotated in opposite directions, and
hence the upper end portion and the lower end portion of
the roller 71 move in opposing virtual circumferential
directions, respectively. Alternatively, the angle change
mechanism by which the inclination angle of the roller 71
is changed with respect to the virtual circumferential
directions may be constructed by members other than the
rotation plate.
[0137]
In addition to the above, the winding intervals of
the yarn Y may be changed by a mechanism different from
the inclination angle change mechanism above. For
example, the winding intervals of the yarn Y wound onto
the drive rollers 71a to 71e may be changed such that the
speed reducer 77 is arranged to be a variable speed
reducer (speed change mechanism) which is able to change a
reduction ratior and the ratio between the winding .speed
of the yarn Y by the winding arm 75 and the rotation speed
of the drive rollers 71a Lo 71e (i.e., the upward
traveling speed of the yarn Y) is changed by changing the
reduction ratio by the variable speed reducer.
[0138]
Alternatively, for example, in place of the speed
reducer 77r the pulleys 78a to 78c, and the shaft 79, a
motor (roller drive motor) for rotating the drive rollers
71a to 71e is provided along with the winding arm mocor
7 6, a speed control mechanism is provided for individually
controlling the rotation speed of the winding arm motor 7 6
and the rotation speed of the roller drive motor, and as
the speed control mechanism changes the ratio between
these rotation speeds, the ratio between the winding speed
of the yarn Y by the winding arm 75 and the rotation speed
of the drive rollers 71a to 71e (i.e., zhe upward
traveling speed of ~he yarn Y) is changed, with the' result
that the winding intervals of che yarn Y wound onto the
drive rollers 71a to 71e are changed.
[3139]
It is noted that these mechanisms may be provided
along with the inclination angle change mechanism, and the
winding intervals of the yarn Y wound onto the rollers 71
may be changed by changing a combination of th mechanisms.
¦ -[014C] .........
When the type of the yarn Y to be wound onto the
winding bobbin 22 is determined in advance, the above-
described winding interval adjustment mechanism changing
the winding intervals of the yarn Y wound onto the rollers
71 may not be provided.
[0141]
In addition to the above, while in the embodiment
above the adjusting roller 7lf is a driven roller which is
not driven by the winding arm mo.or 7 6, the adjusting
roller 71 f may also be a roller rotated by the driving of
the winding arm motor 7 6 in the same manner as the drive
rollers 71a to 71e.
[0142]
In addition to the above, while in the embodiment
above all of the five rollers 71a to 71e except the
adjusting roller 71f are drive rollers, only one or more
of these rollers may be drive rollers.
[0143]
In addition to the above, while in the embodiment
above the upper end portions of the drive rollers 71a to
71e are arranged to be inside the lower end portions
thereof, the upper end portions and the lower end portions
of the drive rollers 71a to 71e may be on the same virtual
circle [e.g., one of the virtual circles Al to A3), and
may not be inclined in a radial direction of the -virtual
circles Al to A3.
[0144]
In addition to the above, while in the embodiment
above one of the six rollers 71 is the adjusting roller
7 If which is inclined so that the upper end portion is
positioned outside the lower end portion for adjusting the
circumferential length of the wound yarn Y. In this
regard, two or more adjusting rollers may be provided.
Alternatively, the adjusting roller may not be provided.
[0145]
In addition to the above, while in the embodiment
above the adjusting roller 71f moves in a virtual
circumferential direction along with the drive rollers 71a
to 71e as one rotation plate 73 is rotated, the disclosed
technology is not limited to this. The inclination angle
cf the adjusting roller 71f may be individually
changeable.
[0146]
While the number cf rollers 71 is limited to six as
in the embodiment above, the number of rollers may be two
to five, seven, or more. Even though the number of
components is increased as the number of rollers 71 is
increased, the circumferential length of the yarn Y wound
on the rollers 71 is increased.
[0147]
In addition to the above, while in the present
embodiment both of the yarn winding mechanisn and the yarn
drawing mechanism of the present invention are constructed
by the winding arm 75 and the winding arm motor 7 6, the
yarn winding mechanism and the yarn drawing mechanism may
be provided to be independent from each other, and may be
differently constructed from the above on condition that
the yarn winding mechanism and the yarn drawing mechanism
can wind the yarn Y onto the rollers 71 and draw out the
yarn Y from the rollers 71.
[0148]
In addition to the above, the embodiment above is
arranged so that the yarn Y on the downstream side is
fully wound onto the rollers 71 when yarn breakage occurs,
when a yarn defect is detected, and when bobbin change is
conducted. Alternatively, when yarn breakage occurs, when
a yarn defect is detected, or when bobbin change is
conducted, the occurrence of such an incident is detected
in advance and the driving of the winding arm 75 is
stopped before the yarn Y on the downstream side is fully
wound onto the rollers 71. For example, when a yarn
defect is defected, a cutter attached to the yarn clearer
15 cuts the yarn Y and at the same time as the driving of
the winding arm 75 is stopped. For the bobbin change, a
sensor for detecting the remaining yarn amount on the yarn
supplying bobbin 21 is attached to the yarn unwinding
assisting device 12 to monitor the remaining yarn amount
on the yarn supplying bobbin 21. With this, the
occurrence of the empty state of the yarn supplying bobbin
21 is detected in advance and the driving of the winding
arm 7 5 is stopped before the yarn Y on the downstream side
is fully wound onto the rollers 71.
[0149]
As such, by stopping the driving of the winding arm
75 before the yarn Y is fully wound onto the rollers 71,
the end of the yarn Y is stopped while the end hangs down
from the blowdown nozzle 14 8 of the accumulator 61.
[0150]
Since this allows the upper yarn guide pipe 2 6 to
capture the yarn end hanging down from the accumulator 61,
the step of drawing out the yarn Y by the yarn end drawing
mechanism is eliminated and hence the yam jointing
becomes more efficient. 7i.ccording to this arrangement,
since the drawing sensor- 154 is provided at the lower end
of the blowdown nozzle 148, it is possible to check
whether the end of the yarn Y stored in the accumulator 61
steps in the state of being receivable by the upper yarn
guide pipe 26, i.e., whether the end certainly stops in
the state of hanging down from the accumulator 61. This
makes it possible to shorten the time required for drawing
out the end of the yarn Y from the yarn storage section to
the yarn jointing section side.
[0151]
As such, the drawing mechanism of the present
invention is capable of not only drawing out the yarn Y
having completely been enclosed inside the accumulator 61
but also drawing out the yarn Y stopping at the position
below the accumulator 61 to the yarn jointing section 8
side.
[0152]
In addition to the above, while in the arrangement
above the rollers 71 are inclined in the virtual
circumferential directions, the rollers 71 may not be
inclined in the virtual circumferential directions.
Reference Signs List
[0153]
2 YARN WINDER
5 YARN WINDING SECTION
6 YARN STORAGE SECTION
9 YARN SUPPLYING PORTION
21 YARN SUPPLYING BO3BIN
30 PACKAGE
71a to 71f ROLLER
73 ROTATION ELATE
74 WINDING ARM
7 6 WINDING ARM MOTOR
77 SPEED REDUCER
CLAIMS
[Claim 1]
A yarn winder comprising:
a yarn supplying portion which unwinds a yarn from a
yarn supplying bobbin;
a yarn wincing section which winds the yarn to form a
package; and
a yarn storage section which is provided between the
yarn supplying portion and the yarn winding section and
stores the yarn,
the yarn storage section including:
a yarn storage which stores the yarn as the yarn is
wound thereon; anc
a yarn winding mechanism which winds the yarn cnto
the yarn storage,
the yarn storage being constituted by a plurality of
rollers each of which is rotatable and has a rotation axis
on a first virtual circle.
[Claim 2]
The yarn winder according to claim 1, wherein,
rhe yarn storage section further includes:
a roller drive motor which rotates at least one of
the plurality of rollers as a drive roller, and
because the rotation axis of each of the plurality of
rollers is arranged to be inclined in a circumferential
direction of the first virtual circle, the yarn wound on
the plurality of rollers is transported in a unwinding
direction in which the yarn is unwound by the yarn winding
section.
[Claim 3]
The yarn winder according to claim 2, wherein,
the yarn storage section further includes a winding
intervals changing means which changes winding intervals
of the yarn wound on the plurality of rollers.
[Claim 4]
The yarn winder according to claim 3, wherein,
the winding intervals changing means includes an
angle change mechanism that chances an inclination angle
of each of the plurality of rollers in the circumferential
direction of the first virtual circle.
[Claim 5]
The yarn winder according to claim 4, wherein,
the angle change mechanism is a mechanism that moves
at least one end portion of each of the plurality of
rollers in the circumferential direction of the first
virtual circle.
[Claim 6]
The yarn winder according to claim 4 or 5, wherein,
the yarn winding mechanism is arranged to wind the
yarn onto a winding-side end portion which is one end
portion of each of the plurality of rollers,
the winding-side end portion of each of the plurality
of rollers is positioned on the first virtual circle, and
an unwinding-side end portion which is the or.her end
portion of each of rollers that are more than half of the
plurality of rollers is positioned with reference to a
second virtual circle having a shorter diameter than the
first virtual circle, with the result that said more than
half of the plurality of rollers are inclined in a radial
direction of the first virtual circle.
[Claim 7]
The yarn winder according to claim 6, wherein,
at least one of rollers that are not said more than
half of the plurality cf rollers is an adjusting roller
for adjusting a circumferential length of the wound yarn
and the unwinding-side end of the adjusting roller is
positioned with reference to a third virtual circle having
a longer diameter than the first virtual circle.
[Claim 8]
The yarn winder according to claim 7, wherein,
the adjusting roller is a driven roller.
[Claim 9]
The yarn winder according to any one of claims 1 to
8, further comprising:
a guide member which is arranged to be rotatable
around the plurality of rollers and guides the yarn on the
plurality of rollers; and
a guide member drive motor that rotates the guide
member,
-he yarn winding mechanism being constituted by the
guide member and the guide member drive motor.
[Claim 10]
The yarn winder according to any one of claims 3 to
8, further comprising:
a guide member which is arranged to be rotatable
around the plurality of rollers and guides the yarn on the
plurality of rollers,
the guide member being driven by rhe roller drive
motor as being connected to the roller drive motcr via a
transmission mechanism, and
the yarn winding mechanism being constituted by the
guide member and the roller drive motor.
[Claim 11]
The yarn winder according to claim 10, wherein,
the winding intervals changing means is provided in
the transmission mechanism to constitute a speed change
mechanism capable of changing a ratio between a rotation
speed of the roller drive motor and a rotation speed of
the drive roller.
[Claim 12]
The yarn winder according to any one of claims 3 to
8, further comprising:
a guide member which is arranged to be rotatable
around the plurality of rollers and guides the yarn on the
plurality of rollers; and
a guide member drive motor that rotates the guide
member,
the guide member and the guide member drive motor
consrituting the yarn winding mechanism, and
the winding intervals changing means including a
speed control mechanism which individually controls a
rotation speed of the roller drive motor and a rotation
speed of the guide member drive motor.
[Claim 13]
The yarn winder according to any one of claims 9 to
12, wherein,
the yarn storage section further includes:
a yarn drawing mechanism which draws out, toward the
yarn supplying portion, the yarn wound on the plurality of
rollers.
[Claim 14]
The yarn winder according to claim 13, wherein,
the guide member drive motor is capable of rotating
the guide member in both directions, and
the yarn drawing mechanism is constituted by the
guide member and one of the guide member drive motor and
the roller drive motor.
[Claim 15] .
The yarn winder according to any one of claims 1 to
14, wherein,
the yarn supplying portion is provided with a yarn
unwinding assisting device that assists the yarn to be
unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin by moving down a
regulator covering a core Lube of the yarn supplying
bobbin in sync with the movement of the yarn unwound from
the yarn supplolving bobbin.

ABSTRACT

In an yarn winder, a yarn is seamlessly wound without interruption. An accumulator 61 is provided with six rollers 71 that are provided on a circle and are inclined with respect to the vertical direction. As a winding arm 75 rotates around the six rollers 71, the yarn is wound
onto the lower end portions of the rollers 71. As the winding arm 75 rotates in the opposite direction, the yarn Y wound on the rollers 71 is drawn out. The yarn Y wound on the rollers 71 is transported upward by five drive rollers 71a to 71e out of the six rollers 71. The remaining one adjusting roller 71f is a driven roller and
is arranged so that the upper end portion thereof is inclined with respect to the vertical direction to be on a virtual circle A3 which is outside the virtual circle A1 on which the upper end portions of the other rollers 71a
to 71e are positioned. With this, the circumferential length of the yarn Y wound on the rollers 71 is kept constant.