DESCRIPTION
Title of Invention
YARN WINDER
Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to a yarn winder (yarn
winding device).
Background Art
[0002]
A yarn winder forms a conical or cylindrical package
such that spun yarns wound onto many yarn supplying
bobbins are unwound from the bobbins and jointed with one
another, while defects of these yarns are removed.
[0003]
Such formation of a package by the yarn winder is carried
out as follows: A spun yarn unwound from a yarn supplying
bobbin receives a tension and is wound onto a rotating
package after passing through components such as a yarn
guide while being traversed by a traversing drum. When the
yarn supplying bobbin becomes empty, a new yarn supplying
bobbin replaces the empty bobbin and then yarn jointing is
carried out. The yarn winding is continued with repeated
bobbin change, until the package obtains a predetermined
shape. As such, the yarn winder forms a single package by
jointing spun yarns of a plurality of yarn supplying

bobbins.
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0004]
In the yarn winder above, at the time of bobbin
change, yarn breakage, or yarn cutting, the rotation of a
package on which a yarn has already been wound is stopped
or reversed, a predetermined amount of spun yarn is drawn
out from the package and then yarn jointing is conducted,
and eventually the package is rotated forward to resume
the winding. After the forward rotation, rotation stop,
and backward rotation are repeated, a part of yarn layers
on the package may be disrupted. Furthermore, at the time
of bobbin change, yarn breakage, or yarn cutting above,
the yarn end on the package side is wound onto the package
for a moment. This yarn end may drop from the end face of
the package and get entangled, thereby requiring a special
operation by an operator.
[0005]
As an example of such a . type of technology, Patenr
Literature 1 recites a supply device which stores yarns in
advance for a process of supplying yarns to a yarn
consuming machine such as a loom that uses yarns as weft.
However, the yarns stored in the supply device are free
from yarn defects (yarn defects) because they have already.
been removed by a yarn winder, and therefore such yarns do
not require yarn jointing. As such, the supply device is
totally different from the yarn storage section of the
subject application in terms of the function.
[0006]
In the meanwhile, Patent Literature 2 recites a
technology of pneumatic control of yarn supply to a
magazine of a yarn winder that serially wind yarns in a
textile machine or the like. This magazine recited in the
literature is, however, merely used for loosening a yarn
to prevent a change in the yarn tension on the upstream
from being communicated to the downstream. The magazine is
therefore totally different from the yarn storage section
of the subject application in terms of - the function, in
the same way as Patent Literature 1.
Citation List
Patent Literatures
[0007]
Patent Literature 1: Japanese translation of
unexamined PCT publication No. 2001-516691
Patent Literature 2: Japanese Examined Patent
Publication No. 48-20455
Solution to Problem and Effects
[0008]
The problem to be solved by the present invention is
as above. Now, means for solving this problem and its
effects will be described.
[0009]
According to an aspect of the present invention, a
yarn winder structured as below is provided. That is to
say, a yarn winder includes: a yarn supplying portion for
unwinding a spun yarn from a yarn supplying bobbin; a
winding section for winding the spun yarn so as to form a
package; a yarn storage section which includes a yarn
accumulator provided between the yarn supplying portion
and the winding section to store the spun yarn as the spun
yarn is wound onto the yarn accumulator; a yarn j ointing
section for performing a yarn jointing operation of
jointing a yarn end of the spun yarn on the yarn supplying
portion side with a yarn end of the spun yarn on the yarn
storage section side; and a yarn end drawing mechanism for
drawing out the yarn end of the spun yarn wound onto the
yarn accumulator to the yarn supplying portion side, when
the yarn jointing section performs the yarn jointing
operation.
[0010]
As such, because the yarn storage section capable of
storing the spun yarn for an amount sufficient to continue
the winding of the spun yarn by the winding section during
the yarn jointing by the yarn jointing section is provided
between the yarn jointing section and the winding section,
it is possible to continue the winding of the spun yarn by
the winding section during the yarn jointing at the time
of bobbin change of the yarn supplying bobbin, yarn
cutting, or yarn breakage. That is to say, when yarn
jointing is performed at the time of bobbin change of the
yarn supplying bobbin, yarn cutting, or yarn breakage, the
spun yarn is continuously supplied from the yarn storage
section to the winding section, and "the spun yarn on the
winding section side" described above is drawn out from
the yarn storage section by the yarn end drawing mechanism
instead of from the package. It is therefore possible to
resolve the problem that the yarn layers of the package
are disrupted after the forward rotation, rotation stop,
and backward rotation are repeated to draw out the spun
yarn from the package, and the above-described special
operation by the operator is therefore unnecessary as the
yarn end of the spun yarn Y on the winding section side
where viewed from the yarn jointing section remains in the
yarn storage section.
[0011]
In addition to the above, the following effect is
exerted. Thar is to say, as the frequency of repeating
the forward rotation, rotation stop, and backward rotation
of the package is decreased, the reduction in the power
consumption is excellently achieved and it becomes
possible to use a simple braking mechanism generating a
relatively low braking force.
[0012]
The yarn winder above is further arranged as below.
That is to say, the yarn end drawing mechanism draws out
the yarn end of the spun yarn wound onto the yarn
accumulator to the yarn supplying portion side, by means
of an airflow. According to this arrangement, since the
yarn end is drawn out by the airflow, the yarn end is
drawn out without causing damages to the other parts of
the yarn.
[0013]
The yarn winder above is further arranged as below.
That is to say, the yarn end drawing mechanism includes
therein a yarn passage where the spun yarn is able to run,
and further includes a yarn guide unit for guiding a part
of the spun yarn on the yarn supplying portion side to a
predetermined winding position of the yarn accumulator.
According to the arrangement above, because the yarn end
drawing mechanism W has the yarn guide unit in an
integrated manner, the yarn guiding at the time of the
yarn winding and the yarn drawing at the time of the yarn
jointing operation are carried out at optimal positions.
[0014]
The yarn winder above is further arranged as below.
That is to say, the predetermined winding position of the
yarn accumulator where the spun yarn is guided by the yarn
guide unit is, in directions in parallel to a rotation
axis of the yarn accumulator, identical with a position
where the yarn end drawing mechanism draws out the yarn
end of the spun yarn wound onto the yarn accumulator to
the yarn supplying portion side by the airflow. According
to this arrangement, because in the present embodiment the
winding of the yarn and the drawing out of the yarn end
are carried out at the same position in the axial
directions of the yarn accumulator, the yarn end is
certainly drawn out as the cut yarn end exists at the
wound position.
[0015]
The yarn winder above is further arranged as below.
That is to say, the yarn winder further includes: a gas
flow generator for generating, in the yarn guide unit, a
gas flow flowing from the yarn accumulator side to the
yarn supplying portion side. The yarn storage section
further includes: a driving unit which is arranged to
rotate the yarn guide unit about the winding center axis
of the yarn accumulator; and a controller for controlling
the driving unit so that the yarn guide unit rotates in a
direction opposite to a rotating direction at the time of
storing the yarn, when the yarn end drawing mechanism
draws out the yarn end of the spun yarn on the outer
circumference of the yarn accumulator to the yarn jointing
section side. According to the arrangement above, at the
time of yarn jointing by the yarn jointing section, the
yarn end of the spun yarn Y on the outer circumference of
the yarn accumulator is sucked into the yarn passage of
the yarn guide unit by the airflow, and drawn out to the
yarn supplying portion side. Because the yarn guide unit
has the function of guiding the spun yarn on the yarn
supplying portion side to the outer circumference of the
yarn 'accumulator and the function of acting as a part of
the yarn end drawing mechanism, it is possible to realize
the yarn winder with a simple structure. Furthermore,
since the yarn path for storing the yarn is identical winh
the yarn path for the yarn jointing, the spun yarn Y has
already been set in the yarn path for storing the yarn
when the yarn jointing is completed. It is therefore
possible to promptly resume the storing of the yarn after
the yarn jointing.
[0016]
The yarn winder above is further arranged as below.
That is to say, the yarn storage section further includes:
a driving unit which is arranged to rotate the yarn guide
unit about the winding center axis of the yarn_.
accumulator; and a controller for controlling the driving
unit so that the yarn guide unit rotates in a direction
opposite to a rotating direction at the time of storing
the yarn, when the yarn end drawing mechanism draws out
the yarn end of the spun yarn on the outer' circumference
of the yarn accumulator to the yarn jointing section side.
This arrangement facilitates the yarn end of the spun yarn
on the outer circumference of the yarn accumulator to be
sucked into the yarn passage of the yarn guide unit.
[0017]
The yarn winder above is further arranged as below.
That is to say, the yarn winder further includes a drawing
detection unit which is capable of detecting that the yarn
end of the spun yarn wound onto the yarn storage section
has been drawn to the yarn supplying portion side.
[0018]
That is to say, when it is impossible to detect
whether the yarn end drawing mechanism has successfully
drawn out the yarn end, time redundancy is required to
successfully drawing our the yarn end by the yarn end
drawing mechanism. On the other hand, when the drawing
detection unit above is provided, it is possible to know
whether the drawing out by the yarn end drawing mechanism
has successfully been done. The time required to draw out
the yarn end of the spun yarn from the yarn storage
section to the yarn supplying portion side is therefore
shortened.
[0019]
In addition to the above, the arrangement also brings
about the following effect. That is to say, when the time
required for drawj.ng out is shortened, the time for
interrupting the storing of the spun yarn in the yarn
storage section is also shortened, with the result that
the consumption of the storage amount of the spun yarn in
the yarn storage section in one yarn jointing is
restrained. This facilitates the prevention of the
shortage of the spun yarn in the yarn storage section at
the time of yarn jointing. Furthermore, the yarn storage
section may be a small accumulator capable of storing only
a small amount of spun yarn, and this significantly
contributes- to the downsizing of the yarn winder.
[0020]
The yarn winder above is further arranged as below.
That is to say, the drawing detection unit is provided in
rhe yarn storage section. Because the drawing detection
unit above is provided in the yarn storage section in this
way, it is possible to promptly defect that the yarn end
of the spun yarn stored in the yarn storage section has
been drawn out to rhe yarn supplying portion side by the
yarn end drawing mechanism, before the yarn end is
actually passed to the yarn jointing section.
[0021]
The yarn winder above is further arranged as below.
That is to say, the yarn storage section is capable of
storing the yarn for an amount equal to or larger than an
amount of the yarn wound by the winding section at a
normal winding speed, during a time interval from the
start of bobbin change of the yarn supplying bobbin to at
least one yarn jointing by the yarn joi.nting section.
According to this arrangement, it is possible to continue
the winding at the normal winding speed by the winding
section during a period from the start of the bobbin
change of the yarn supplying bobbin to the completion of
the yarn jointing by the yarn jointing section. The yarn
winder therefore achieves high productivity. Provided
that the normal winding speed of the winding section is
1200 [meters/min] and the period from the start of the
bobbin change to the completion of the yarn jointing by
the yarn jointing 'Section is 6 [sec], the length of the
yarn stored by the yarn storage section is 120 [meters],
according to the solution above.
[0022]
The yarn winder above is further arranged as below.
That is to say, the yarn winder further includes: a yarn
defect detection section capable of detecting a yarn
defect of the spun yarn supplied from the yarn supplying
portion; and a cutting member for cutting a part of the
yarn on the upstream of the detected yarn defect, the yarn
storage section being capable of storing the yarn for an
amount equal to or larger than an amount of the yarn wound
by the winding section at a normal winding speed, during a
time interval from yarn cutting executed by the cutting
member when the yarn defect is detected by the yarn defect
detection section to at least one yarn jointing by the
yarn jointing section. This arrangement makes it possible
to continue the winding at the normal winding speed by the
winding section during a period from the yarn cutting
performed when a yarn defect is detected by the yarn-
defect defection section to the completion of the yarn
jointing by the yarn jointing section. The yarn winder
therefore achieves high productivity. Provided that the
normal winding speed of the winding section is 1200
[meters/min] and the period from the yarn cutting to the
completion of the yarn jointing by the yarn jointing
section is 3 [sec] , the length of the yarn stored by the
yarn storage section is 60 [meters], according to the
solution above.
[0023]
The yarn winder above is further arranged as below.
That is to say, . the yarn storage section is capable of
storing the yarn for an amount equal to or larger than an
amount of the yarn wound by the winding section at a
normal winding speed, during a time interval from the
occurrence of yarn breakage to at least one yarn jointing
by the yarn jointing section. This arrangement makes it
possible to continue the winding at the normal winding
speed by the winding section during a period from the
occurrence of yarn breakage to the completion of the yarn
jointing by the yarn jointing section. The yarn winder
therefore achieves high productivity. Provided that the
normal winding speed of the winding section is 1200
[meters/min] and the period from the yarn breakage to the
completion of the yarn jointing by the yarn jointing
section is 3 [sec] , the length of the yarn stored by the
yarn storage section is 60 [meters], according to the
solution above.
[0024]
The yarn winder above is further arranged as below.
That is to say, the yarn storage section is arranged to be
capable to storing the spun yarn at speed faster than the
normal winding speed at which the winding section winds
the spun yarn. That is to " say, when the yarn jointing
section performs yarn jointing, the storing of the spun
yarn by the yarn storage section is interrupted and the
spun yarn stored in the yarn storage section is wound by
the winding section, with the result that the storage
amount of the spun yarn in the yarn storage section is
temporarily reduced. In this regard, the arrangement
above makes it possible to recover the storage amount to
the level before the interruption, after the storing of
the spun yarn by the yarn storage section is resumed. It
is therefore possible to restrain the storage amount of
the spun yarn in the yarn storage section to be minimal
(e.g., amount required for performing the yarn jointing
three times) , thereby the downsizing of the yarn storage
section is achieved.
[0025]
The yarn winder above is further arranged as below.
That is to say, the yarn storage section is provided with
a storage amount detector for detecting an amount of the
stored spur, yarn, and a controller is provided in the yarn
winder to reduce winding speed at which the winding
section winds the spun yarn when the amount detected by
the storage amount detector becomes equal to or lower than
a predetermined amount. The arrangement above makes it
possible to prevent: the storage amount of the spun yarn in
the yarn storage section from running cut, by means cf
simple control.
[00261
The yarn winder above is further arranged as below.
That is to say, the controller gently reduces the winding
speed so that yarn layers of the package are not
disrupted. That is to say, as the winding speed is
reduced, the yarn layers of the package may be disrupted
depending on how the speed is reduced. In this regard,
the disruption of the yarn layers of the package is
restrained by arranging the controller as above.
[0027]
The yarn winder above is further arranged as below.
That is to say, the yarn accumulator includes a first end
on the yarn supplying portion side and a second end on the
winding section side and has an inclined portion between
the first end to the second end as the yarn accumulator is
narrowed from the first end to the second end in an outer
shape, and the yarn guide unit guides the part of the spun
yarn on the yarn supplying portion side to the first end
side of the outer circumference of the yarn accumulator.
According to the arrangement above, the part of the spun
yarn on the yarn supplying portion is wound onto the first
end side of the outer circumference of rhe yarn,
accumulator, and this wound part of the spun yarn actively
moves on the cuter circumference of the yarn accumulator
from the first end toward the second end on account of a
winding force. For this reason, the parts of the spun
yarn do not overlap eath other at the guide position by
the yarn guide unit and hence the spun yarn is smoothly
unwound on the yarn accumulator.
[0028]
The yarn winder above is further arranged as below.
That is to say, the inclined portion of the yarn
accumulator is constituted by at least two different
slopes, and the slope on the first end side is arranged to
be steeper than the slope on the second end side. With
this shape, the part of the spun yarn wound on the first
end side of the outer circumference of the yarn
accumulator starts to move toward the second end
immediately after being wound, and this movement slows
down when the inclination becomes gentle. As a result,
parts of the spun yarn are densely provided on the outer
circumference of the yarn accumulator, and this makes it
possible to achieve smooth unwinding of the spun yarn on
the yarn accumulator and a large storage amount of the
yarn at the same time.
[0029]
The yarn winder above is further arranged as below.
That is to say, the yarn accumulator includes a first end
on the yarn supplying portion side and a second end en the
winding section side. The yarn storage section is further
provided with a conveyor that forcibly conveys the spun
yarn wound onto the outer circumference of the yarn .
accumulator from the first end toward the second end. The
yarn guide unit guides the part of the spun yarn on the
yarn supplying portion side to the first end side of the
outer circumference of the yarn accumulator. According to
the arrangement above, the spun yarn is wound onto the
first end side on the outer circumference of the yarn
accumulator, and the wound spun yarn is forcibly moved
from the first end toward the second end on the outer
circumference of the yarn .accumulator. For this reason,
nhe parts of the spun yarn do not overlap each other at
the guide position by the yarn guide unit and hence the
spun yarn is smoothly unwound on the yarn accumulator.
[0030]
The yarn winder above is further arranged as below.
That is to say, the yarn storage section includes a
plurality of rollers, a yarn winding mechanism for winding
the spun yarn onto the rollers, and a roller drive motor
which drives at least one of the rollers as a drive
roller, the rollers being rotatably disposed so that
rotation axes of the respective rollers are on a virtual
circle and the rotation axes of the respective rollers are
inclined with respect to directions along the virtual
circle. According to the arrangement above, because rhe
rollers en which the spun yarn is wound are inclined, the
parts of the span yarn wound on the rollers by the yarn
winding mechanism are serially conveyed and move in a
direction (hereinafter, transportation direction)
orthogonal to the plane enclosed in the virtual circle.
According to this arrangement, since the spun yarn is
conveyed by the rollers, the load (friction force) on the
yarn is small and hence the deterioration of the quality
of the yarn is avoided.
[0031]
The yarn winder above is further arranged as below.
That is to say, the yarn storage section includes a
rotational storage drum which is arranged to rotate so
that the spun yarn is wound thereon, a motor for rotating
the rotational storage drum in both directions, and a
guide member for guiding the spun yarn from the yarn
supplying portion side to the rotational storage drum.
According to this arrangement, at the time of yarn
jointing, the spun yarn - wound on the rotational storage
drum is drawn out tc the yarn supplying portion side as
the rotational storage drum is rotated in the direction
opposite to the direction at the time cf winding the yarn.
[0032]
In addition to the above, the yarn winder above is
further arranged as below. That is to say, the yarn
supplying pernion is provided with a yarn unwinding
assisting device for lowering a regulator covering.. a core.
of the yarn supplying bobbin in sync with unwinding of the
spun yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin to assist the
unwinding of the spun yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin.
According to this arrangement, because 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 a part of the yarn unwound from 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.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0033]
FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a winding unit.
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of an accumulator.
FIG. 3 shows the electric configuration of the
winding unit.
FIG. 4 illustrates the movement of the spun yarn on
the outer circumference of the accumulator.
FIG.- 5 -shows the start of the drawing out of a spun
yarn.
FIG. 6 shows the completion of the drawing out of the
spun yarn.
FIG. 7 shews the drawing out of a yarn defect of a
spun yarn.
FIG. 8 is a control flow of normal winding.
FIG. 9 is a control flow at the time of yarn
breakage.
FIG. 10 is a control flow for preventing yarn
shortage.
FIG. 11 is a control flow at the time of yarn
cutting.
FIG. 12 is a control flow at the time of bobbin
change.
FIG. 13 relates to Second Embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 14 relates to Third Embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 15 relates to Fifth Embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 16 relates to Sixth Embodiment of the present
invention.
Description of Embodiments
[0034]

Now, the following will describe a yarn winder
according to First Embodiment of the present invention
with reference to figures. An automatic winder 1 (textile
machine) is composed of many, for example, 60 spindles of
winding units 2 (yarn winders) shown in FIG. 1, which are
lined up in crosswise directions of the plane of the
figure.
[0035]
The main components of each winding unit 2 are: a
yarn supplying portion 3 arranged to supply a spun yarn Y
unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin B; a yarn clearer 4
(yarn defect detection section) which is able to detect a
yarn defect (yarn defect) in the spun yarn Y supplied from
the yarn supplying portion 3; a winding section 5 which
winds the spun yarn Y to form a package P; and a yarn
jointing section 6 which is provided between rhe yarn
supplying portion 3 and the winding' section 5 and joints
the spun yarn Y on the yarn supplying portion 3 side with
the spun yarn Y on the winding section 5 side at the time
of bobbin change of the yarn supplying bobbin 3, yarn
cutting carried out when the yarn clearer 4 detects a yarn
defect, or yarn breakage. Each winding unit 2 is further
provided with an accumulator 7 (yarn storage section)
between the yarn jointing section 6 and the winding
Section 5. This accumulator 7 is capable of storing a spun
yarn Y for an amount equal to or larger than the amount of
yarn wound by the winding section 5 during the yarn
jointing by the yarn jointing section 6, in order to allow
the winding section 5 to continue the winding of the spun
yarn Y while the yarn jointing section 6 carries out the
yarn jointing. FIG. 1 shows a frame 8 that supports the
above-described components of the winding unit 2. This
frame 8 contains a controller 9 (see also FIG. 3) for
controlling the components.
[0036]
The yarn supplying portion 3 above includes: a peg 10
which receives a yarn supplying bobbin B from an
unillustrated magazine (yarn supplying bobbin holder) and
supports the yarn supplying bobbin 3 to keep a suitable
posture; a yarn unwinding assisting device II which
assists the unwinding of the spun yarn Y from the yarn
supplying bobbin B; and a yarn detector 12 which detects
whether the 'spun':yarn Y exists between the yarn unwinding
assisting device 11 and the yarn jointing section 6. This
yarn detector 12 is electrically connected to the
controller 9 above, and sends an empty bobbin signal to
the controller 9 when not detecting the spun yarn Y.
[0037]
The yarn clearer 4 above is able to detect defects
such as slubs and foreign matters on the spun yarn Y The
yarn clearer 4 is either an electrostatic capacity type
that detects a yarn defect by comparing the quantity of
the spun yarn Y with a reference value or a photoelectric
type that detects a yarn defect by comparing the diameter
of 'the spun yarn Y with a reference value. Such a yarn
clearer 4 includes a yarn defect calculator 4b which
calculates the length and width of a yarn defect on the
spun yarn Y based on the detection result (e.g., output
voltage value) of the electrostatic-capacity type or the
photoelectric type. " The yarn clearer 4 is further
provided with a cutter 4a (cutting member) for cutting the
spun yarn Y. The cutter 4a cuts the spun yarn Y
immediately after receiving a yarn cutting signal from the
yarn clearer 4. Based on the arrangement above, when the
yarn clearer 4 detects a yarn defect of the spun yarn Y,
the yarn defect calculator 4b starts to calculate the
length of this yarn defect and obtains the width of the
yarn defect by calculation. The yarn clearer 4
comprehensively evaluates the calculation result (length
and width of the yarn defect) of the yarn defect
calculator 4b from various aspects. When it is determined
that the calculation result does not fall within an
evaluation reference range set by an operator, the yarn
clearer 4 sends a yarn cutting signal to the cutter 4a so
aS to cut the spun yarn Y and sends a yarn defect
detection signal to the controller 9. This yarn defect
detection signal includes information of the length of the
yarn defect calculated by the yarn defect calculator 4b
and the information of a type of the yarn defect, which is
determined based on the information of the width of the
yarn defect calculated by the yarn defect calculator 4b.
The controller 9 stores, in a RAM, the information of the
length and type of the yarn defect obtained from the yarn
clearer 4. The yarn clearer 4 above is arranged to be
able to detect a yarn breakage of the spun yarn Y based on
the information of the width of the yarn defect calculated
by the yarn defect calculator 4b, and the yarn clearer 4
sends a yarn breakage signal to the controller 9 upon
detecting a yarn breakage of the spun yarn Y.
[0038]
The winding section 5 above includes a cradle 13
holding a winding bobbin Bf and a traversing drum 14 for
traversing the .spun yarn Y. The cradle 13 above is
arranged to be able to swing between a contact state where
the package P contacts the traversing drum 14 and a non-
contact state. As the cradle 13 rotates in accordance with
the increase in the diameter of the package P, the contact
state between the package P and the traversing drum 14 is
suitably adjusted. The cradle 13 above is provided with a
package brake .15 (see FIG. 3)for braking the rotation of
the winding bobbin Bf, whereas the traversing drum 14 is
connected to a traversing drum motor 16 (see FIG. 3) for
powering the rotation of the traversing drum 14. The
package brake 15 and the traversing drum motor.16 are, as
shown in FIG. 3, electrically connected to the controller
9, allowing the controller 9 to flexibly control the
winding speed Va at which the winding section 5 winds the
spun yarn Y.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 1, the winding unit 2 is further
provided with a yarn end drawing mechanism W. This yarn
end drawing mechanism W draws out the yarn end of the spun
yarn Y, which has already been wound onto the accumulator
7, to the yarn jointing section 6 side, at the time of
bobbin change of the yarn supplying bobbin B, yarn cutting
carried out when the yarn clearer 4 detects a yarn defect,
or yarn breakage, i.e., when yarn jointing by the yarn
jointing section 6 is needed. Details of this will be
given later.
[C040]
The yarn jointing section 6 above includes: a splicer
17 for jointing the spun yarn Y on the yarn supplying
portion 3 side with the spun yarn Y on the winding section
5 side; an upper relay pipe 18 (upper yarn end guide) that
-receives the -spun- yarn Y on—-the winding section 5 side
from the yarn end drawing mechanism W and places the yarn
Y on the splicer 17; and a lower relay pipe 19 (lower yarn
end guide) which places the spun yarn Y on the yarn
supplying portion 3 side on the splicer 17. The upper
relay pipe 18 above is supported to be rotatable about an
axis 18a, receives a negative pressure from a negative
pressure source 20 shown in FIG. 2, and has a leading end
where a suction port 18b for sucking the spun yarn Y is
formed. Furthermore, this suction port 18b is provided
with an unillustrated clamping section 18c which is able
to clamp the spun yarn Y sucked into the suction port 18b
by closing the suction port 18b. An upper pipe motor 21
(see FIG. 3) for powering the rotation of the upper relay
pipe 18 is electrically connected to the controller 9,
thereby allowing the controller 9 to flexibly control the
rotation of the upper relay pipe 18. Similarly, the lower
relay pipe 19 above is supported to be rotatable about an
axis 19a, receives a negative pressure from the negative
pressure source 20 shown in FIG. 2, and has a leading end
where a suction port 19b having a clamping section 19c is
formed. A lower pipe motor 22 (see FIG. 3) for powering
the rotation of the lower relay pipe 19 is electrically
connected to the controller 9, thereby allowing the
controller 9 to flexibly control the rotation of the lower
relay pipe 19. The splicer 17 is provided with a splicer. _
motor 23 which is a power source for yarn jointing. This
splicer motor 23 (see FIG. 3) is also electrically
connected to the controller 9, thereby allowing the
controller 9 to determine when the splicer 17 starts the
yarn jointing.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 1, between the yarn detector 12 and
the yarn jointing section 6 is provided a gate-type tensor
24 for providing a desired tension to the spun yarn Y.
Between the accumulator 7 and the winding section 5 are
provided a gate-type tensor 25 for providing a desired
tension- to the spun yarn Y and a waxing device 2 6 for
waxing the spun yarn Y. The gate-type tensor 25 is on the
upstream of the spun yarn Y whereas the waxing device 2 6
is on the downstream of the spun yarn Y.
[0042]
With the arrangement above, the spun yarn Y unwound
from the yarn supplying bobbin B passes through the yarn
unwinding assisting device 11, the yarn detector 12, the
gate-type tensor 24, and the yarn clearer 4 in this order
and is eventually stored in the accumulator 7. The spun
yarn Y stored in the accumulator 7 passes through the
gate-type tensor 25 and the waxing device 26 in this
order, and is wound by the winding section 5 to form a
package P -while being traversed by the traversing drum 14.
At the time of bobbin change of the yarn supplying bobbin
B, yarn cutting carried out when the yarn clearer 4
detects a yarn defect, or yarn breakage, a part of the
spun yarn Y on the yarn supplying portion 3 side when
viewed from the accumulator 7 is wound into the
accumulator 7 for a moment, and at the time of the
subsequent yarn jointing, the yarn end of the spun yarn Y
wound into the accumulator 7 is drawn out to the yarn
jointing section 6 side by the above-described, yarn end
drawing mechanism W.
[0043]
Now, referring to FIG. 2, the structure of the
accumulator 7 will be detailed.
[0044]
According to the present embodiment, as main
components the accumulator 7 includes: a cylindrical yarn
accumulator 27 on the outer circumference of which the
spun yarn Y is wound; a winding arm 29 (yarn guide unit)
which has therein a yarn passage 28 where the spun yarn Y
is able to run, is rotatable about the axis C of the yarn
accumulator 27, and is arranged to guide a part of the
spun yarn Y on the yarn supplying portion 3 side to the
outer circumference of. the yarn accumulator 27; and a
winding arm motor 30 . {driving unit) for causing the
wincing arm. 23 to rotate about the axis C of the._..yaxn
accumulator 27.
[0045]
The yarn accumulator 27 above has a first end 31 on
the yarn supplying portion 3 side and a second end 32 on
the winding section 5 side, and is a pipe narrowed from
the first end 31 toward the second end 32 in its outer
circumference. On the outer circumference of the yarn
accumulator 27, grooves 33 are formed at equal intervals
in the circumferential directions to extend in the
directions in parallel to the axis C. More specifically,
as shown in FIG. 4 (a), on the outer circumference of the
yarn accumulator 27, the inclination a of the lower end
portion 34 on the first end 31 side is arranged to be
larger than the inclination B of the upper end portion 35
on the second end 32 side. More specifically, the
inclination a of the lower end portion 34 gently changes
from 2 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to the axis C,
Or. the other hand, the inclination B of the upper end
portion 35 is arranged to be 2 degrees with respect to the
axis C. The lower end portion 34 is smoothly connected
with the upper end portion 35. As shown in FIG. 2, the
yarn accumulator 27 above is supported at a leading end
(upper end) of the output shaft 36 of the winding arm ¦
motor 30 via an unillustrated bearing, and the rotation of
- til's--yarn 'accumulator '27 with respect to the windirrg -arm -
motor 30 is regulated by a magnetic coupling force between
a magnet 38 adhered to a first magnet supporter 37 fixed
to the first end 31 side of the yarn accumulator 27 and a
magnet 40 adhered to a second magnet supporter 39 of the
winding arm motor 30.
[0046]
The winding arm 29 above is connected to the outer
circumference of the output shaft 36 and composed of a
linear portion 41 expending radially outward from the
outer circumference of the output shaft 36 and a curved
portion 42 which circumvents the first magnet supporter 37
and reaches the vicinity of the lower end portion 34 of
the yarn accumulator 27. At rhe leading end of the curved
portion 42 is formed an opening 43 that opposes the lower
end portion 34. With this arrangement, the winding arm 29
is rotatabie about the axis C of the yarn accumulator 27,
between the -first magnet supporter 37 and the magnet
supporter 39 above. As the winding arm 29 rotates about
the axis C of the yarn accumulator 27 clockwise in plan
view, a part of the spun yarn Y on rhe yarn supplying
portion 3 side, which has been introduced into the yarn
passage 28 of the winding arm 29, is wound onco the outer
circumference of the yarn accumulator 27. More
specifically, because the opening 43 of the winding arm 29
is arranged to-cppose the lower -find portion 34 of the ..yarn
accumulator 27 on the first end 31 side, a part of the
spun yarn Y on the yarn supplying portion 3 side is guided
by the winding arm 29 to the lower end portion 34 on the
first end 31 side on the outer circumference of the yarn
accumulator 27, and is wound onto this outer
circumference. The yarn passage 28 of the winding arm 29
is connected to a pach 44 formed in the output shaft 36.
On the opposite side of the output shaft 36 from the
winding arm 29, a balancer 45 is provided to be integrated
with the output shaft 36.
[0047]
The winding arm motor 30 is a DC brushless motor in
the present embodiment and is electrically connected to
the controller 9, thereby allowing the controller 9 to
flexibly control the rotation speed of the winding arm 29,
i.e., to flexibly control the winding speed Vb which is
the speed of the spun yarn Y wound onto the yarn
accumulator 27.
[0048]
On the yarn clearer 4 side of the winding arm motor
30 is provided a blowdown nozzle 48. This blowdown nozzle
4 8 includes a yarn path 4 6 connected to the path 4 4 of the
output shaft 36 and a blowdown path 47 which is connected
to the yarn path 4 6 and is inclined from the winding arm
-¦S3- side-to "the—upper -relay-pipe-cl3 -side. To the blowdown -
path 47 is connected a compressed air source 51 via a
connection pipe 49 and a connection pipe 50. Between the
connection pipe 49 and the connection pipe 50 is provided
a solenoid valve 52 which is electrically connected to the
controller 9. With this arrangement, as the controller 9
opens the solenoid valve 52 so that compressed air is
supplied from the compressed air source 51 to the yarn
path 4 6 while passing through the connection pipe 50, the
connection pipe 49, and the blowdown path 47 in this
order, an airflow from the yarn accumulator 27 side to the
upper relay pipe 18 side is formed in the yarn passage 28
of the winding arm 29, the path 44 of the output shaft 36
of the winding arm motor 30, and the yarn path 4 6 of the
blowdown nozzle 48. According to the present embodiment,
an airflow generator X (gas flow generator) for generating
an airflow {gas flow} from the yarn accumulator 27 side to
the yarn jointing section 6 side in the yarn passage 28 of
the winding arm 29 includes at least the blowdown nozzle
48 and the compressed air source 51. Furthermore, the
yarn end drawing mechanism W above includes the winding
arm 29 above and the airflow generator X. That is to say,
the yarn end drawing mechanism W sucks the yarn end of the
spun yarn Y stored in the accumulator 7 by using the
airflow generated in the winding arm 2 9 by the airflow
- generator X- and draws out - the _ spun, yarn -Y to the yarn
jointing section 6 side (i.e., the yarn supplying portion
3 side). More specifically, the yarn end drawing
mechanism W sucks the yarn end of the spun yarn Y stored
in the accumulator 7 by using the airflow generated in the
winding arm 29 by the airflow generator X, and rotates the
winding arm 29 in the direction opposite to the rotational
direction at rhe time of storing the yarn, while keeping
the yarn to be sucked. As such, the yarn end drawing
mechanism W draws out the spun yarn Y on the outer
circumference of the yarn accumulator 27 to the yarn
jointing section 6 side via the yarn passage 28 of the
winding arm 29.
[0049]
As described above, because in the present embodiment
the yarn end is drawn out by using an airflow, it is
possible to draw out the yarn end without causing any
damage on the yarn Y. Furthermore, because in the present
embodiment the winding of the yarn Y and the drawing out
of the yarn end are carried out at the same position in
the axial directions of the yarn accumulator 27, the yarn
end is certainly drawn out as the cut yarn end exists at
the wound position.
[0050]
In addition to the above, the winding arm motor 30
has a "rotary encoder -53 - (rotation angle detection unity- ¦
capable of detecting the rotation angle of the winding arm
2 9. This rotary encoder 53 is electrically connected to
the controller 9. The rotary encoder 53 transmits, to the
controller 9, an angle signal corresponding to the
rotation angle of the winding arm 29. At the lower end of
the blowdown nozzle 48 is provided a drawing sensor 54
(drawing detection unit:} capable of detecting whether the
yarn end of the spun yarn Y wo.und by the accumulator 7 has
actually been drawn to the yarn jointing section 6 side by
the yarn end drawing mechanism W. This drawing sensor 54
.is electrical].y connected to the controller 9, and
transmits a drawing defection signal to the controller 9
upon detecting that the yarn end of the spun yarn Y has
been drawn to the yarn jointing section 6 side. From the
perspective of the entire winding unit 2, the drawing
sensor 54 of the present embodiment is provided in ~he
accumulator 7 because the sensor is attached to the
winding arm motor 30 of the accumulator 7 via the blowdown
nozzle 48.
[0051]
The accumulator 7 is further provided with a storage
upper limit sensor 55, a storage lower limit sensor 56,
and a storage lowest limit sensor 57 for detecting the
storage amount of the spun yarn Y. These sensors 55 to 57
-- are- -supported by an accumulator attaching frame 58 -which
is provided for fixing the accumulator 7 to the frame 8,
and are electrically connected to the controller 9 as
shown in FIG. 3. The storage upper limit sensor 55 is
positioned to oppose the upper end of the spun yarn Y
wound on the outer circumference of the yarn accumulator
27 when the storage amount of the yarn Y in the
accumulator 7 reaches 300m. Similarly, the storage lower
limit sensor 56 is positioned to oppose the upper end of
the spun yarn Y when the storage amount of the yarn Y in
the accumulator 7 reaches 200m. Furthermore, the storage
lowest limit sensor 57 is positioned to oppose the upper
end of the spun yarn Y when the storage amount of the yarn
Y in the accumulator 7 reaches 40m. With this
arrangement, the storage upper limit sensor 55 sends a
storage amount upper limit signal to the controller 9
while detecting the existence of the spun yarn Y at the
opposing position. Similarly, the storage lower limit
sensor 56 sends a storage amount lower limit signal to the
controller 9 while detecting the existence of the spun
yarn Y at the opposing position. Similarly, the storage
lowest limit sensor 57 sends a storage amount lowest limit
signal tc the controller 9 while detecting the existence
of the spun yarn Y at the opposing position. According to
the present embodiment, a storage amount detector for
detecting the storage amount of "the " spun yarn Y in the
accumulator 7 includes the storage upper limit sensor 55,
the storage lower limit sensor 56, and the storage lowest
limit sensor 57.
[0052]
This length, 300m, indicates the length longer than
the length of the spun 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 spun yarn Y is less likely
to occur in the accumulator 7 even if the winding of the
spun yarn Y by the winding section 6 is continued while
the yarn jointing is carried out.
[0053]
Now, the structure of the controller 9 of the winding
unit 2 will be described. That is to say, the controller
9 snown in FIG. 3 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit)
which is a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) which
stores a control 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 traversing
drum motor controller 60, a winding arm motor controller
61, a drawn yarn- length calculation unit 63, and an upper
pipe controller 64.
[0054]
The traversing drum motor controller 60 reduces the
winding speed Va at which the winding section 5 winds the
spun yarn Y, when the storage amount detected by the
storage amount detector falls below a predetermined value.
More specifically, when the storage amount lower limit
signal is no longer transmitted from the storage lower
limit sensor 56, the traversing drum motor controller 60
gently reduces the winding speed Va to the extent that
yarn layers of the package P are not disturbed.
Furthermore, when the storage amount lowest limit signal
is no longer transmitted from the storage lowest limit
sensor 57, the traversing drum motor controller 60 quickly
reduces the winding speed Va and eventually stops the
winding by the winding section 5. As such, the traversing
drum motor controller 60 reduces the winding speed Va when
the storage amount; of the spun yarn Y in the accumulator 7
becomes low, and stops the winding by the winding section
5 when the storage amount of the spun yarn Y of the
accumulator 7 becomes extremely lew. A shortage of the
spun yarn Y in the accumulator 7 is therefore prevented.
[0055]
The winding arm motor controller 61 controls the
winding arm motor 30 so that the winding arm. 29 rotates in
the direction opposite to the direction of the rotation at
the time of storing the yarn, when the yarn end drawing
mechanism W draws out the yarn end of the spun yarn Y on
the outer circumference of the yarn accumulator 27 to the
yarn jointing section 6 side.
[0056]
The drawn yarn length calculation unit 63 calculates
the drawn yarn length which indicates the length of the
spun yarn Y drawn out from the accumulator 7 to the yarn
jointing section 6 side by the yarn end drawing mechanism
W, based on the rotation angle of the winding arm 2 9
detected by the rotary encoder 53 since the drawing sensor
54 detects the yarn Y. That is to say, the drawn yarn
length calculation unit 63 calculates the drawn yarn
length based on the diameter Phi cf rhe yarn accumulator
27 stored in a ROM in advance and the rotation angle of
the rotation of the winding arm 29 after the drawing
sensor 54 detects the spun yarn Y, and stores the drawn
yarn length which is the calculation result in a RAM.
[0057]
The upper pipe controller 64 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 63, and rotates the upper relay pipe 18
while keeping the cramping state so as co guide the spun..__
yarn Y which is on the winding section 5 side to the
splicer 17 and places the spun yarn Y, when it is
determined that the drawn yarn length reaches the yarn
defect length.
[0.058]
Now, the operation of the winding unit 2 will be
described with reference to FIGs. 4 to 15.
[0059]
(Start of Winding)
An operator of the automatic winder 1 shown in FIG. 1
unwinds the spun yarn Y from the yarn supplying bobbin B,
places the spun yarn Y onto the yarn unwinding assisting
device 11, the yarn detector 12, the yarn clearer 4, the
accumulator 7, the gate-type tensor 25, and the waxing
device 26, and fixes the spun yarn 7 to the winding bobbin
Bf. The yarn path of the spun yarn Y in the accumulator 7
is arranged as shown in FIG. 2. That is to say, -the
operator causes the spun yarn Y to pass through the
drawing sensor 54, the yarn path 46 of the blowdown nozzle
48, the path 44 of the output shaft 36, and the yarn
passage 23 of the winding arm 29 in this order. While
this state is maintained, the operator draws out the spun
yarn Y on the opening 4 3 side of the winding arm 2 9 and
winds the yarn Y onto the yarn accumulator 27 for, for
example, "about five to twenty times, and then places- the-
spun yarn Y to the waxing device 26. Although the spun
yarn shown in FIG. 2 is thick for convenience of
explanation, The yarn accumulator 27 in reality always
store the bundle of yarn Y wound for about 600 times.
[0060]
(Normal Winding)
When the winding unit 2 is powered on as shown in
FIG. 8 while the state above is maintained (S300), the
controller 9 starts the rotation of the traversing drum 14
so that the winding speed Va of the spun yarn Y wound by
the winding section 5 is 1200m/min and starts the driving
of the winding arm 29 so that the 'winding speed Vb of the
spun yarn Y wound onto the accumulator 61 is 150Cm/min
(S310) . As a result, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the
bundle of the spun yarn Y wound onto the outer
circumference of the yarn accumulator 27 is unwound by the
winding section 5 from the upper end, and the spun yarn Y
is wound to form a package P while being traversed by the
traversing drum 14. At the same time, the spun yarn Y en
the yarn supplying portion 3 side is, as shown in FIG. 2,
guided to the lower end portion 34 of the yarn accumulator
2 7 by the winding arm 29, and the winding arm 2 9 rotates
about the axis C of the yarn accumulator 27 clockwise in
plan view, so that the spun yarn Y is wound onto the lower
end portion of the yarn accumulator 27-on the first er.d..31. -
side. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the guide
position A of the spun yarn part Yl guided by the winding
arm 29 is arranged to oppose the lower end portion 34. The
spun yarn part Yl guided to this guide position A and
wound onto the lower end portion 34 receives a winding
force F which is exerted in the direction toward the axis
C of the yarn accumulator 27 . This winding force F and
the steep inclination a of the lower end portion 34
produce a running-up force fl which is a component of
force, and the spun yarn part Yl receiving the running-up
force fl actively moves from the first end 31 side to the
second end 32 on the outer circumference of the yarn
accumulator 27, as indicated by the thick arrows in FIG. 4
(b) . Therefore, as shewn in FIG. 4(c), even if the guide
position A to which the spun yarn part Yl is guided by the
winding arm 29 is fixed to oppose the lower end portion
34, the spun yarn part Yl moves from the first end 31 side
to the second end 32 side each time the spun yarn part Yl
is guided to the guide position A, with the result that
the spun yarn parts Y'l and YO do not overlap each other at
the guide position A and hence a spun yarn part Y3 is
smoothly unwound on the yarn accumulator 27 . In this
connection, the inclination a of the lower end portion 34
on the first end 31 side is arranged to be larger than the
incfrir.aticn ft—crf ~the~ upper- end portion 35 en the -second
end 32 side. For this reason, the spun yarn part Yl wound
onto the guide position A opposing the lower end portion
34 on the first end 31 side on the outer circumference of
the yarn accumulator 27 starts to move to the second end
32 immediately after being wound, and the movement slows
down as the inclination becomes gentle at the upper end
portion 35. On the other hand, the spun yarn part Y2
wound on the outer circumference of the yarn accumulator
27 sLays at the boundary between the lower end portion 34
and the upper end portion 35. Therefore the spun yarn
part Yl receiving a faint running-up force f1 contacts
this spun yarn part Y2, and pushes up the spun yarn part
Y2 and the spun yarn part Y3 to the second end 32 side as
shown in FIG. 4(c). As a result, the spun yarn parts Yl to
Y3 are densely provided on the outer circumference of the
yarn accumulator 27, and this makes it possible zo achieve
smooth unwinding of the spun yarn Y on the yarn
accumulator 27 and a large storage amount of the yarn at
the same time.
[0061]
In the normal winding in which the spun yarn Y is
wound onto the package P while the spun yarn Y is
continuous from the yarn supplying portion 3 to zhe
winding section 5, the controller 9 checks, as shown in
-EIG-. 8,- whether a yarn breakage, .signal has been .. supplied
(S320), whether a yarn defect detection signal has been
supplied (S330), whether an empty bobbin signal has been
supplied (S340), and whether a storage amount upper limit
signal has been supplied (S350) . When it is determined
that the yarn breakage signal has been supplied (S320:
YES) , the controller 9 executes the control flow shown in
FIG. 9 (S325), and then the process returns to the control
flow shown in FIG. 8. Similarly, upon receiving the yarn
defect detection signal (S330: YES), the controller 9
executes the control flow shown in FIG. 11 (S335) and then
the process returns to the control flow of FIG. 8, and
upon receiving the empty bobbin signal (S340: YES), the
controller 9 executes the control flow shown in FIG. 12
(S345) and then the process returns to the control flow of
FIG. 8.
[0062]
Since the winding speed Vb is higher than the winding
speed Va for a while after the start of the winding, the
storage amount M of the yarn Y in the accumulator 7
increases. When the storage amount M of the yarn Y reaches
300m, the storage upper limit sensor 55 sends a storage
amount upper limit signal to the controller 9. Receiving
the storage amount upper limit signal from the storage
upper limit sensor 55 as shown in FIG. 8 (S350: YES), the
controller 9'changes- the winding - speed Vb from ISOOm/rr.in
to 1200m/min (S360) . The winding speed Va becomes
identical with the winding speed Vb as a result, and the
storage amount of the accumulator 7 is kept constant.
[0063]
(Yarn Breakage)
Assume that yarn breakage of the spun yarn Y occurs
at the gate-type tensor 24 shown in FIG. 1. In this case,
a part of the spun yarn Y on the downstream of the gate-
type tensor 24 is fully wound onto the yarn accumulator
27, and hence the yarn end of the spun yarn Y is wound
onto the outer circumference of the lower end portion 34
of the yarn accumulator 27. At the same time, the yarn
clearer 4 detects the yarn breakage and sends a yarn
breakage signal to the controller 9. As shown in FIG. 8,
upon receiving the yarn breakage signal from the yarn
clearer 4 (S320: YES), the controller 9 executes the
control flow shown in FIG. 9 (S325) . That is to say, the
controller 9 first of all stops rotation of the winding
arm 29 (S410) while simultaneously executing a control
flow for preventing yarn accumulator (detailed larer)
shown in FIG. 10 by means of a known multitask technology
(S400). Subsequently, the controller 9 opens the solenoid
valve 52 shown in FIG. 5 to generate an airflow from the
yarn accumulator 27 side to the upper relay pipe 18 side
. -in-the vain—passage. 28 of the winding arm 29. or the like, _
as indicated by thick arrows a and b (S420) . At the same
time, the controller 9 slightly rotates the upper relay
pipe 18 shown in FIG. 5 to operate the clamping section
18c, with the result that the suction port 18b is changed
from the closed state to the open state. With this, as
indicated by thick arrows c and d, an airflow from the
suction port 18b side to the negative pressure source 20
side is formed in the upper relay pipe 18 (S420).
Thereafter, the winding arm motor controller 61 controls
the winding arm motor 30 to drive the winding arm 29 at a
slow speed in the direction opposite to the direction of
storing the yarn, i.e., anticlockwise in plan view in FIG.
5 (S430), and a drawing detection signal from the drawing
sensor 54 is waited for (S440: NO). As a result, the yarn
end of the spun yarn Y on the lower end portion 34 is
sucked into the opening 43 of the winding arm 29, and
reaches the suction port 18b of the upper relay pipe 18
via the yarn passage 28 of the winding arm 29 or the like
as shown in FIG. 6. As the spun yarn Y passes through the
drawing sensor 54 ar this time, the drawing sensor 54
sends a drawing detection signal to the controller 9. As
shown in FIG. 9, upon receiving the drawing defection
signal from the drawing sensor 54 (3440: YES), the
controller 9 slightly rotates the upper relay pipe 18
'while continuing the low=*speed nrotatrion of the winding arm
29 so as to operate the clamping section 18c, with the
result that the suction port 18b is changed from the open
state to the closed state. Furthermore, the controller 9
clamps the spun yarn Y by the clamping section 18c and
rotates the upper relay pipe 18 downward, so as to guide
the spun yarn Y drawn out from the accumulator 7 to the
splicer 17 of the yarn jointing section 6 which is on the
yarn supplying portion 3 side as compared to the
accumulator 7 (S450) . At this stage, the length of a
newly drawn part of the yarn Y drawn out from the
accumulator 7 by the rotation of the upper relay pipe 18
is about 60cm. To prevent the yarn breakage of the spun
yarn Y between the clamping section 18c and the yarn
accumulator 27 at this time, the controller 9 synchronizes
the rotation of the upper relay pipe 18 with the rotation
of the winding arm 29. After the completion of the guide
of the spun yarn Y to the splicer 17 by the upper relay
pipe 18 (S450) , the controller 9 stops the rotation of the
winding arm 29 (S463) . Ir. the meanwhile, the lower relay
pipe 19 sucks and captures the yarn er.d of the spun yarn Y
around the yarn detector 12 and guides this spun yarn Y to
the splicer 17, in the same manner as the upper relay pipe
18. When the part of the spun yarn Y on the accumulator 7
side and the part of the spun yarn Y on the yarn supplying
portion. .-.-3 -.-side- are - placed - on the splicer 17, -the
controller 9 drives the splicer motor 23 shown in FIG. 3
to execute the yarn jointing by the splicer 17 (S470) .
Thereafter, the controller 9 starts, as shown in FIG. 2,
to rotate the winding arm 29 clockwise in plan view
(S480), and hence the normal winding state is resumed from
the yarn breakage state shown in FIG. 5 (S4 90) . The
number of rotations of the winding arm 29 at this time is
arranged so that the winding speed Vb is 1500m/min (S480).
[0064]
(When Yarn Defect Is Detected)
In the normal winding shown in FIG. 8, upon receiving
the yarn defect detection signal from the yarn clearer 4
(S330: YES), the controller 9 executes the control flow
shown in FIG. 11 (S335). That is to say, the controller 9
stops the rotation of the winding arm 29 (S530) while at
the same time executing a control flow for preventing yarn
shortage shown in FIG. 10 by means of a known multitask
technology (S500), so as to form, in the same manner as in
the case of the yarn breakage, airflows in the yarn
passage 28 or the like as indicated by, for example, thick
arrows a, b, c, and d in FIG. 5 by controlling the
solenoid valve 52 and the upper pipe motor 21 (S540).-
Subsequently, the winding arm motor controller 61 controls
the winding arm motor 30 so that the winding arm 29
rcrares an ~a low speed -in the direction opposite -i:rr~the
direction at the time of storing the yarn, i.e.,
anticlockwise in plan view in FIG. 5 (S550) , and then a
drawing detection signal from the drawing sensor 54 is
waited for (S5G0: NO). As a result, the yarn end of the
spun yarn Y on the lower end portion 34 is sucked into the
opening 43 of the winding arm 29, and reaches the suction
port 18b of the upper relay pipe 18 via the yarn passage
28 of the winding arm 29 or the like, as shown in FIG. 6.
As the spun yarn Y passes through the drawing sensor 54 at
this time, the drawing sensor 54 sends a drawing detection
signal to the controller 9. As shown in FIG. 11,
receiving the drawing detection signal from the drawing
sensor 54 (S560: YES), the drawn yarn length calculation
unit 63 obtains the rotation angle of the winding arm 29
detected by the rotary encoder 53, which indicates how
many angles the winding arm 29 rotates after rhe detection
of the spun yarn Y by the drawing sensor 54 (S570) , and
the drawn yarn length is calculated based on this rotation
angle (S580). 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 64 is on standby until
the drawn yarn length reaches the yarn defect length
(3590: NO). When -~he drawn yarn —length reaches the yarn
defect length as shown in FIG. 7 (.S590: YES) , the
controller 9 slightly rotates the upper relay pipe 18
while continuing the low-speed rotation of the winding arm
29 so as to operate the clamping section 18c, with the
result that the suction port 18b is changed from the open
state to the closed state. Furthermore, the controller 9
clamps the spun yarn Y by the clamping section 18c and
rotates the upper relay pipe 18 downward, so as to guide
the spun yarn Y drawn out from the accumulator 7 to the
splicer 17 of the yarn jointing section 6 (S600) . The
two-dot chain line Y6 in FIG. 7 indicates a spun yarn with
a yarn defect. At this stage, the length of a newly drawn
part of the spun yarn Y drawn out from the accumulator 7
by the rotation of the upper relay pipe 18 is about 60cm.
To prevent the yarn breakage of the yarn Y between the
clamping section 18c and the yarn accumulator 2 7 at this
time, the controller 9 synchronizes the rotation of the
upper relay pipe 18 with the rotation of the winding arm
29. After the completion of the guide of the spun yarn Y
to the splicer 17 by the upper relay pipe 13 (S600) , the
conrr oiler 9 stops 'the rotation of the winding arm 2 9
(S610J . In the meanwhile, the lower relay pipe 19 sucks
and captures the yarn end of the spun yarn Y around the
yarn detector 12 .and guides this spun yarn Y to the
" '--splicer ~17 ,-¦ in-—the - same manner as--the upper reray -pipe tS .- ' —
When the part of the spun yarn Y on the accumulator 7 side
and the part of the spun yarn Y on the yarn supplying
portion 3 side are placed on the splicer 17, the
controller 9 drives the splicer motor 23 shown in FIG. 3
to conduct the yarn jointing by the splicer 17 (S620) .
Thereafter, the controller 9 starts, as shown in FIG. 2,
to rotate the winding arm 29 clockwise in plan view
(S630), and hence the normal winding state is resumed from
the yarn breakage state shown in FIG. 5 (S640) . The
number of rotations of the winding arm 29 at this time is
arranged so that the winding speed Vb is 1500m/min (S630) .
[0065]
(When Bobbin Is Changed)
Assume that the yarn supplying bobbin B becomes
empty. In this case, a part of the spun yarn Y on the
downstream of the gate-type tensor 24 is fully wound onto
the yarn accumulator 27, and the yarn end of the spun yarn
Y is wound onto the outer circumference of the lower end
portion 34 of the yarn accumulator 27. At the same time,
the yarn detector 12 sends an empty bobbin signal to the
signal controller 9. As shown in FIG. 8, upon receiving
the er.pty bobbin signal from the yarn detector 12 (3340:
YES) , the controller 9 executes the control flow show in
FIG. 12 (S345). That is to say, the controller 9 exhausts
the currrently-attached yarn .supplying bobbin 3. and
attaches a new yarn supplying bobbin B to the peg 10 while
executing the control flow for preventing yarn shortage
shown in FIG. 10 by means of a known multitask technology
(S700), guides the spun yarn Y of the yarn supplying
bobbin B to allow the lower relay pipe 19 to be able to
capture and suck the spun yarn Y (S710) , and almost at the
same time stops the rotation of the winding arm 29 (S720) .
Subsequently, in the same manner as the case of yarn
breakage, the controller 9 controls the solenoid valve 52
and the upper pipe motor 21 to form an airflow in the yarn
passage 28 or the like, as indicated by thick arrows a, b,
c, and d in FIG. 5 (S730) . Thereafter, the winding arm
motor controller 61 controls the winding arm motor 30 to
drive the winding arm 29 at a slow speed in the direction
'opposite to the direction of winding the yarn, i.e.,
anticlockwise in plan view (S740), and a drawing detection
signal from the drawing sensor 54 is waited for (S750:
NO) . As a result, the yarn end of the spun yarn Y on the
lower end portion 34 is sucked into the opening 43 of the
winding arm 29, and reaches the suction port 18b of the
upper relay pipe 18 via the yarn passage 28 of the winding
arm 29 or the like, as shown in FIG. 6. As the spun yarn
Y passes through the drawing sensor 54 at this time, the
drawing sensor 54 sends a drawing detection signal to the
controller* 9. ~ " A3 -shown-""xr. " FIG. 12, upon receiving the""
drawing detection signal from the drawing sensor 54 (S750:
YES) , the controller 9 slightly rotates the upper relay
pipe 18 while continuing the low-speed rotation of the
winding arm 29 so as to operate' the clamping section 18c,
with the result that the suction port 18b is changed from
the open state to the closed state. Furthermore, the
controller 9 clamps the spun yarn Y by the clamping
section 18c and rotates the upper relay pipe 18 downward,
so as to guide the spun yarn Y drawn out from the
accumulator 7 to the splicer 17 of the yarn jointing
section 6 (S760) . At this stage, the length of a newly
drawn part of the spun yarn Y drawn out from the
accumulator 7 by the rotation of the upper relay pipe 18
is about 60cm. To prevent the yarn breakage of the spun
yarn Y between the clamping section 18c and the yarn
accumulator 27 at this time, the controller 9 synchronizes
the rotation of the upper relay pipe 18 with the rotation
of the winding arm 29. After the completion of the guide
of the spun yarn Y to the splicer 17 by the upper relay
pipe 13 (S760), the controller 9 stops the rotation of the
winding arm 29 (5770). In the meanwhile, the lower relay
pipe 19 sucks and captures the yarn end cf the spun yarn Y
around the yarn detector 12 and guides -his spun yarn Y to
the splicer 17, in the same manner as the upper relay pipe
18, -When-the part of- the-spun yarn Y. on the accumulator.- 7 .
side and the part of the spun yarn Y on the yarn supplying
portion 3 side are placed on the splicer 17, the
controller 9 drives the splicer motor 23 shown in FIG. 3
to conduct the yarn jointing by the splicer 17 (S780) .
Thereafter, the controller 9 starts, as shown in FIG. 2,
to rotate the winding arm 29 clockwise in plan view
{S790), and hence the normal winding state is resumed from
the yarn breakage state shown in FIG. ¦ 5 (S800) . The
number of rotations of the winding arm 2 9 at this time is
arranged so that the winding speed Vb is 1500m/min (S790).
[0066]
Now, the control flow for preventing yarn shortage
will be described. In the control flow, as shown in FIG.
10, when the storage amount lower limit signal becomes no
longer sent from the storage lower limit sensor 56 (S900:
NO) , the winding speed Va is reduced until rhe winding
speed Va becomes lower than the 500m/min (S910: YES) so
gradually that the yarn layers of the package P are not
disrupted, e.g., by lOCm/min in each 0.5 second (S920) .
As such, the traversing drum motor controller 60 reduces
the winding speed Va when the amount of the spun yarn Y
stored in the accumulator 7 becomes small, and this
prevents the yarn shortage of the spun yarn Y in the
accumulator 7. Furthermore, when the accumulator 7
resumes the storing of "the spun yarn Y {S960: YES), the
controller 9 increases the winding speed Va until the
winding speed Va reaches 1200m/min (S970: NO), so
gradually that the yarn layers of the package P are not
disrupted, e.g., by lOOm/min in each 0.5 second (S980).
When the winding speed Va reaches 1200m/min (S970: YES),
the controller 9 completes the control flow for preventing
yarn shortage shown in FIG. 13 (S990). On the other hand,
when the storage amount lowest limit signal becomes no
longer sent from the storage lowest limit sensor 57 (S930:
NO) , the winding speed Va is quickly reduced until the
winding speed Va becomes zero (S940: YES), e.g., by
800m/min in each 0.5 second, with the result that the
winding is stopped (S950). This control procedure
prevents yarn shortage by stopping the winding.
[0067]
(Summary)
(Technical Matter 1)
As described above, according to the present
embodiment, the wincing unit 2 is arranged as below as
shown in, for example, FIG. 1. That is to say, the
winding unit 2 includes: a yarn supplying portion 3 for
unwinding a spun yarn Y from a yarn supplying bobbin 3 and
supplying the same; a yarn clearer 4 arranged ro be
detactable a yarn defect of the spun yarn Y supplied from
rhe yarn supplying portion 3; a winding section S for
winding the spun . yarn Y to form a package P; and a yarn
jointing section 6 which is provided between the yarn
supplying portion 3 and the winding section 5 to joint a
part of the spun yarn Y on the yarn supplying portion 3
side with a part of the spun yarn Y on the winding section
5 side. The winding unit 2 further includes: an
accumulator 7 which is provided between the yarn jointing
section 6 and the winding section 5 to be able to store
the spun yarn Y for an amount equal to or larger than an
amount of the yarn wound by the winding section 5 during
the yarn jointing by the yarn jointing section 6; and a
yarn end drawing mechanism W which draws out the yarn end
of the spun yarn Y wound into the accumulator 7 to the
yarn jointing section 6 side (yarn supplying portion 3
side) at the time of the yarn jointing by the yarn
jointing section 6.
[0063]
As such, because the accumulator 7 capable of storing
the spun yarn Y for an amount sufficient to continue the
winding of the spun yarn Y by the winding section 5 during
the yarn jointing by the yarn jointing section 6 is
provided between the yarn jointing section 6 and the
winding section 5, it is possible to continue the winding
of the spun yarn Y by the winding section 5 during the
yarn j ointing at the time of bobbin change of :he yarn
supplying bobbin, yarn cutting, or yarn, breakage. In
other words, the spun yarn Y is continuously supplied from
the accumulator 7 to the winding section 5 at the time of
yarn jointing, and "the spun yarn Y on the winding section
5 side" described above is drawn out from the accumulator
7 by the yarn end drawing mechanism W instead of from the
package P, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. It is therefore
possible to resolve the problem that the yarn layers of
the package P are disrupted after the forward rotation,
rotation stop, and backward rotation are repeated to draw
out the spun yarn Y from the package P, and the above-
described special operation by the operator is therefore
unnecessary as the yarn end of the spun yarn Y on the
winding section 5 side where viewed from the yarn jointing
section 6 remains in the accumulator 7.
[0069]
In addition to the .above, the following effect is
also exerted. That is to say, as the frequency of
repeating the forward rotation, rotation stop, and
backward rotation of the package P is decreased, the
reduction in the power consumption is excellently achieved
and it becomes possible to use a simple braking mechanism
generating a relatively low braking force.
[0070]
(Technical- Matter -20- ¦ —
In addition to the above, the winding unit 2 is
further arranged as below. That is to say, the yarn end
drawing mechanism W draws out the yarn end of the yarn Y
wound onto the yarn accumulator 27 to the yarn supplying
portion 3 side by means of an airflow. According to this
arrangement, since the yarn end is drawn out by the
airflow, the yarn end is drawn out without causing damages
to the other parts of the yarn.
[0071]
(Technical Matter 3)
In addition to the above, the winding unit 2 is
further arranged as below. That is to say, the yarn end
drawing mechanism W includes therein a yarn passage where
the yarn Y is able to run, and further includes a yarn
guide unit for guiding a part of the yarn Y on the yarn
supplying portion 3 side to a predetermined winding
position of the. yarn accumulator 27. According -to the
arrangement above, because the yarn end drawing mechanism
W has the yarn guide unit in an integrated manner, the
yarn guiding at the time of the yarn winding and the yarn
drawing at the time of the yarn jointing operation are
carried out at optimal positions.
[0072]
(Technical Matter 4)
In addition ~ to the above, the winding unit 2 is — -
further arranged as below. That is to say, the
accumulator 7 includes: a yarn accumulator 27 on the outer
circumference of which the spun yarn Y is wound; a winding
arm 2 9 which includes therein a yarn passage 28 where the
spun yarn Y is able to run, is rotatable about the axis C
of the yarn accumulator 27, and guides the spun yarn Y on
the yarn supplying portion 3 to the outer circumference of
the yarn accumulator 27; and an airflow generator X for
generating an airflow flowing from the yarn accumulator 27
side to the yarn jointing section 6 side in the winding
arm 29. The yarn end drawing mechanism W is arranged to
include the winding arm 29 and the airflow generator X.
According to the arrangement above, at the time of yarn
jointing by the yarn jointing section 6, the yarn end of
the spun yarn Y on the outer circumference of the yarn
accumulator 27 is sucked into the yarn passage 28 of the
winding arm 29 by the airflow, and drawn out to the yarn
jointing section 6 side. Because the winding arm 2 9 has
the function of guiding the spun yarn Y on the yarn
supplying portion 3 side to the outer circumference of the
yarn accumulator 27 and the function of acring as a oart
of the yarn end drawing mechanism W, ir is possible to
realize the winding unit 2 with a simple structure.
Furthermore, since the yarn path for storing the yarn is
identical with the yarn- path- for the -yarn jointing, the
spun yarn Y has already been set in the yarn path for
storing the yarn when the yarn jointing is completed. It
is therefore possible to promptly resume the storing of
the yarn after the yarn jointing.
[0073]
(Technical Matter 5)
In addition to the above, the winding unit 2 is
further arranged as below. That is to say, the
accumulator 7 is further provided with a winding arm motor
30 which rotates the winding arm 29 about the axis C of
the yarn accumulator 27. In addition to the above, a
winding arm motor controller 61 is further provided for
controlling the winding arm motor 30 to cause the winding
arm 29 to rotate in a direction opposite to the rotational
direction at the time of storing the yarn, when the yarn
end drawing mechanism W draws out the yarn end of the spun
yarn Y on the outer circumference of the yarn accumulator
27 to the yarn jointing section 6. This arrangement
facilitates the yarn end of the spun yarn Y on the outer
circumference of the yarn accumulator 27 to be sucked into
the yarn passage 28 of the winding arm 29.
[00741
{Technical Matter 6)
In addition to che above, preferably the winding unit
2 "is further "arranged as below. - That is to say,- - the - - -
accumulator 7 is arranged to be able to store the yarn for
an amount equal to or larger than an amount of the yarn
¦wound at the normal winding speed Va by the winding
section 5 during a period from the start of the bobbin
change of the yarn supplying bobbin B to the completion of
the yarn jointing by the yarn jointing section 6.
According to this arrangement, it is possible to continue
the winding at the normal winding speed Va by the winding
section 5 during a period from the start of the bobbin
change of the yarn supplying bobbin B to the completion of
the yarn jointing by the yarn jointing section 6. The
winding unit 2 therefore achieves high productivity.
Provided that the normal winding speed Va of the winding
section 5 is 1200 [meters/min] and the period from the
start of the bobbin change to the completion of the yarn
jointing by the yarn jointing section 6 is 6 [sec], the
length of the yarn stored by the accumulator 7 is 12 0
[meters], according to the solution above. It is rioted
that the accumulator 7 according to the present
embodiment, which is for the spun yarn of the cotton yarn
number 30, is capable of storing 300 meters of yarn.
[0075]
(Technical Manner 7)
In addition to ~he above, preferably the winding unit
. ^2—is further arranged as below. That is to say, the
accumulator 7 is capable of storing the yarn for an amount
equal to or larger than an amount of the yarn wound at the
normal winding speed Va by the winding section 5 during a
period from the yarn cutting performed when a yarn defect
is detected by the yarn clearer 4 to the completion of the
yarn jointing by the yarn jointing section 6. This
arrangement makes it possible to continue the winding at
the normal winding speed Va by the winding section 5
during a period from the yarn cutting performed when a
yarn defect is detected by the yarn clearer 4 to the
completion of the yarn jointing by the yarn jointing
section 6. The winding unit 2 therefore achieves high
productivity. Provided that the normal winding speed Va
of the winding section 5 is 1200 [meters/min] and the
period from the yarn cutting to the completion of the yarn
jointing by the yarn jointing section 6 is 3 [sec], the
length of the yarn stored by the accumulator 7 is 60
[meters], according to the solution above. It is noted
that the accumulator 7 according to the present
embodiment, which is for the spun yarn of the cotton yarn
number 30, is capable of storing 300 meters of yarn.
[0076]
(Technical Matter 8)
In addition to the above, the winding unit 2 is
further arranged as below. "~That is to say, the
accumulator 7 is capable of storing the yarn for an amount
equal to or larger than an amount of the yarn wound at the
normal winding speed Va by the winding section 5 during a
period from the occurrence of yarn breakage to the
completion of the yarn jointing by the yarn jointing
section 6. This arrangement makes it possible to continue
the winding at the normal winding speed Va by the winding
section 5 during a period from the occurrence of yarn
breakage to the completion of the yarn jointing by the
yarn jointing section 6. The winding unit 2 therefore
achieves high productivity. Provided that the normal
winding speed Va of the winding section 5 is 1200
[meters/min] and the period from the occurrence of yarn
breakage to the completion of the yarn jointing by the
yarn jointing section 6 is 3 [sec], the length of the yarn
stored by the accumulator 7 is 60 [meters] , according to
the solution above. It is noted that the accumulator 7
according to the present embodiment, which is for the spun
yarn of the cotton yarn number 30, is capable of storing
300 meters of yarn.
[0077]
(Technical Matter 9)
In addition to the above, the winding unit 2 is
further arranged as below. That is to say, for example,
as indicated by the step S310 in FIG. 8, the accumulator 7
is capable of storing the spun yarn Y at a speed (winding
speed Vb) faster than the normal winding speed Va at which
the winding section 5 winds the spun yarn Y. That is to
say, when the yarn jointing section 6 performs yarn
jointing, the storing of the spun yarn Y by the
accumulator 7 is interrupted and the spun yarn Y stored in
the accumulator 7 is wound by the winding section 5, with
the result that the storage amount M of the spun yarn Y in
the accumulator 7 is Temporarily reduced. In this regard,
the arrangement above makes it possible to recover the
storage amount M to the level before the interruption,
after the storing of the spun yarn Y by the accumulator 7
is resumed. It is therefore possible to restrain the
storage amount M of the spun yarn Y in the accumulator 7
to be minimal (e.g., amount required for performing the
yarn jointing three times), thereby the downsizing of the
accumulator 7 is achieved.
[0078]
(Technical Matter 10)
In addition to the above, the winding unit 2 is
further arranged as below. That is to say, as shown in
figures such as FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the accumulator 7 is
provided with a storage amount detector (storage upper
limit sensor 55, storage lower limit sensor 56, storage
lowest limit sensor 57) for detecting the storage amount M -----
of the spun yarn Y. As shown in, for example, FIG. 10, a
traversing drum motor controller 60 is further provided to
reduce the winding speed Va at which the winding section 5
winds the spun yarn Y, when the storage amount M detected
by the storage amount detector becomes lower than a
predetermined amount. The arrangement above makes it
possible to prevent the storage amount M of the spun yarn
Y in the accumulator 7 from running out, by means of
simple control.
[0079]
(Technical Matter 11)
In addition to the above, the winding unit 2 is
further arranged as below. That is to say, the traversing
drum motor controller 60 gently reduces, as shown in FIG.
10 for example, the winding speed Va to the extent that
the yarn layers of the package P are not disrupted. That
is to say, as the winding speed Va is reduced, ¦ the yarn
_ayers of the package P may be disrupted depending on how
the speed is reduced. In this regard, the disruption of
the yarn layers of the package P is restrained when the
traversing drum motor controller 60 is arranged as above.
[0080]
(Technical Matter 12!
In addition to the above, the winding unit 2 is
furthe-r- arrsnged-as- belsv___That is to say, as shown, in
FIG. 2 for example, the yarn accumulator 27 has a first
end 31 on the yarn supplying portion 3 side and a second
end 32 on the winding section 5 side and is narrowed from
the first end 31 to the second end 32 in its outer
circumference. The winding arm 29 guides the part of the
spun yarn Y on the yarn supplying portion 3 side to the
first end 31 side on the outer circumference of the yarn
accumulator 27. According to the arrangement above, the
part of the spun yarn Y on the yarn supplying portion 3 is
wound onto the first end 31 side of the outer
circumference of the yarn accumulator 27, and this wound
part of the spun yarn Y actively moves, as shown in FIG.
4, on the outer circumference of the yarn accumulator 27
from the first end 31 toward the second end 32 on account
of a winding force F. For this reason, the parts of the
spun yarn Y do not overlap each other at the guide
position A by the winding arm 2 9 and hence the spun yarn Y
is smoothly unwound on the yarn accumulator 27..
[0081]
(Technical Matter 13)
In addition to the above, the winding unit 2 is
further arranged as below. That is to say, as shewn in
FIG. 4 for example, the inclination a on the first end 31
side of the outer circumference of the yarn accumulator 27
is " arranged "to be larger than the inclination 3 on the
second end 32 side. With this shape, the part of the spun
yarn Y wound on the first end 31 side of the outer
circumference of the yarn accumulator 27 starts to move
toward the second end 32 immediately after being wound,
and this movement slows down when the inclination becomes
gentle. As a result, parts of the spun yarn are densely
provided on the outer circumference of the yarn
accumulator 27, and this makes it possible to achieve
smooth unwinding of the spun yarn Y on the yarn
accumulator 27 and a large storage amount of the yarn at
the same time.
[0082]
(Technical Matter 14)
In addition to the above, the winding unit 2 of the
embodiment above is further arranged as below. That is to
say, a accumulator 7 capable of storing the spun yarn Y is
provided between the yarn jointing section 6 and the
winding section 5. A yarn end drawing mechanism W is
provided to draw out the yarn end of the spun yarn Y wound
into the accumulator 7 to the yarn jointing section 6 side
when the yarn jointing section 6 performs yarn jointing.
A drawing sensor 54 capable of detecting that the yarn end
of the spun yarn Y wound into the accumulator 7 has
actually been drawn to the yarn jointing section 6 by the
yarn end drawing mechanism W is further provided.
[0083]
That is to say, when it is impossible to detect
whether the yarn end drawing mechanism W has successfully
been drawn out the yarn end, time redundancy is required
to successfully drawing out the yarn end by the yarn end
drawing mechanism W. On the other hand, when the drawing
sensor 54 above is provided, it is possible to know
whether the drawing out by the yarn end drawing mechanism
W has successfully been done. The time required to draw
out the yarn end of the spun yarn Y from the accumulator 7
to the yarn jointing section 6 side is therefore
shortened.
[0C84]
In addition to the above, the arrangement also brings
about the following effect. That is to say, when the time
required for drawing out is shortened, the time for
interrupting the storing of the spun yarn Y in the
accumulator 7 is also shortened, with the result that the
consumption of the storage amount M of the spun yarn Y in
the accumulator 7 in one yarn jointing is restrained.
This facilitates the prevention of the shortage of the
spun yarn Y in the accumulator 7 at the time of yarn
jointing. Furthermore, the accumulator 7 may be a small
accumulator capable of storing only a small amount of spun
yarn Y, and this significantly contributes to- the
downsizing of the winding unit 2.
[0085]
(Technical Matter 15)
In addition to the above, the winding unit 2 is
further arranged as below. That is to say, as shown in
FIG. 2 for example, the drawing sensor 54 is provided in
the accumulator 7. Because the drawing sensor 54 above is
provided in the accumulator 7 in this way, it is possible
to promptly detect that the yarn end of the spun yarn Y
stored in the accumulator 7 has been drawn out to ~he yarn
jointing section 6 side by the yarn end drawing mechanism
W, before the yarn end is actually passed to the yarn
jointing section 6.
[0086]
(Technical Matter 16)
In addition to the above, the winding unit 2 is
further arranged as below. That is to say, the
accumulator 7 includes: a yarn accumulator 27 on the outer
circumference of which the spun yarn Y is wound; a winding
arm 29 which includes therein a yarn passage 28 where the
spun yarn Y is able to run, is rotatable about the axis C
of the yarn accumulator 27, and guides the spun yarn Y on
the yarn supplying portion 3 to the outer circumference of
the yarn accumulator 27; and a winding arm motor 30 for
rotating the winding arm 2 9 about the axis C of the -yarn
accumulator 27. The yarn end drawing mechanism W draws
out the spun yarn Y on the outer circumference of the yarn
accumulator 27 to the yarn jointing section 6 side via the
yarn passage 28 of the winding arm 29, while rotating the
winding arm 29 in the direction opposite to the rotational
direction at the time of storing the yarn. A rotary
encoder 53 capable of detecting the rotation angle of the
winding arm 29 is further provided. A drawn yarn length
calculation unit 63 is further provided to calculate the
drawn yarn length which indicates the length of the spun
yarn Y drawn out from the accumulator 7 to the yarn
jointing section 6 side by the yarn end drawing mechanism
W, based on the rotation angle of the winding arm 2 9
detected by the rotary encoder 53 since the drawing sensor
54 detects the yarn Y. Because the drawn yarn length
calculation unit 63 is provided in this way, the spun yarn
Y on the outer circumference of the yarn accumulator 27 is
drawn out for a sufficient length. For this reason, as
shown in FIG. 11 for example, it is possible to draw out
the yarn from the yarn accumulator 27 for a length
eguivalent _ to the yarn defect length defected by the yarn
clearer 4.
[00S7]
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 accumulator 7 between the yarn supplying
bobbin B and the winding section 5, it is possible to
prevent a tension change due to the traversal of the
winding section 5 from being transferred to the part of
the yarn unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin B.
Furthermore, since the yarn unwinding from the yarn
supplying bobbin is stably performed because the unwind:.ng
assist unit 11 is attached to the yarn supplying bobbin B,
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.
[0088]
(Technical Matter 17)
In addition to the above, the yarn winder above is
further arranged as below. That is to say, the yarn
supplying portion 3 is provided with a yarn unwinding
assisting device 11 for lowering a regulator covering the
core of the yarn supplying bobbin 3, in sync with
unwinding of the yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin B to
assist the unwinding of the yarn from the yarn supplying
bobbin B. According to this arrangement, because the
transmission of the tension of the yarn Y is. blocked by
providing the accumulator 7 between the yarn supplying . -
bobbin B and the winding section 3, it is possible to
prevent, a tension change due to the traversal of the
winding section from being ' transferred to the part of the
yarn unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin B.
Furthermore, since the yarn unwinding from the yarn
supplying bobbin B is stably performed because the
unwinding assist unit 11 is attached to the yarn supplying
bobbin B, 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.
[0089]

Now, Second Embodiment of the present invention will
be described with reference to FIG. 13. The description
below predominantly deals wirh differences between the
present embodiment and First Embodiment above to avoid
redundancy.
[0090]
In First Embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the drawing
sensor 54 is provided in the accumulator 7. On the other
hand, the present embodiment is arranged so that, as shown
in FIG. 13, the drawing sensor 54 is provided in rhe yarn
jointing section 5. More specifically, the drawing sensor
54 is provided at the upper relay pipe 18 of the yarn
jointing section 6.
[0091]
(Summary)
(Technical Matter 18)
As described above, according to the present
embodiment, the winding unit 2 is arranged as below. That
is to say, the drawing sensor 54 is provided in the yarn .
jointing section 6. According to this arrangement, the
drawing sensor 54 is able to detect not only that the yarn
end of the spun yarn Y stored in the accumulator 7 has
been drawn to the yarn jointing section 6 side by the yarn
end drawing mechanism W but also that the spun yarn Y has
been correctly passed from the yarn end drawing mechanism
W to the yarn jointing section 6.
[0092]
(Technical Matter 19)
In addition to the above, the winding unit 2 is
further arranged as below. That is to say, the yarn
jointing section 6 includes: a splicer 17 for jointing a
part of the spun yarn Y on the yarn supplying portion 3
side with a par- of ~he spun yarn Y on the winding section
5 side; and an upper relay pipe 18 for receiving the part
of the spun yarn Y on the winding section 5 side from the
yarn end drawing mechanism W and placing the same on the
splicer 17. - The drawing -sensor 54 is provided in the
upper relay pipe 18. As such, it is rational to provide
the drawing sensor 54 in a component that receives the
spun yarn Y first, among the components constituting the
yarn jointing section 6.
[0093]

Now, referring to FIG. 14, Third Embodiment of the
present invention will be described. The description
below predominantly deals with differences between the
present embodiment and First Embodiment above to avoid
redundancy.
[0094]
In First Embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the drawing
sensor 54 is provided in the accumulator 7. On the other
hand, the present embodiment is arranged so that the yarn
clearer 4 is used as the drawing sensor 54. More
specifically, the existence of the part of the spun yarn Y
en the winding section 5 side is detectable by the yarn
clearer 4, when the upper relay pipe 18 receives the yarn
er.d of the spun yarn Y from the yarn end drawing mechanism
W as shown in FIG. 6, ~he upper relay pipe 18 rotates
upward as shown in FIG. 14, and the part of the spun yarn
Y on the accumulator 7 side is placed onto the splicer 17
of the yarn jointing section 6 and the yarn jointing
section 6 performs yarn jointing. ' To put it differently,
the yarn path of the spun yarn Y between the splicer 17
and the accumulator 7 at the time of normal winding and
the yarn path of the spun yarn Y between the splicer 17
and the accumulator 7 at the time of yarn jointing are
overlapped. For this reason, as the yarn end drawing
mechanism W attempts to draw out the yarn end of the spun
yarn Y wound on the outer circumference of the yarn
accumulator 27 for a predetermined period of time and the
upper relay pipe 18 is rotated no matter whether the
drawing out of the spun yarn Y from the accumulator 7 has
successfully been done, it is possible, by monitoring an
output signal of the yarn clearer 4, to check whether the
yarn end of the spun yarn Y stored in the accumulator 7
has actually been drawn to the yarn jointing section 6
side by the yarn end drawing mechanism W.
[CC95]
(Summary}
(Technical Matter 20)
JAs described above, according to the present
embodiment, the winding unit 2 is arranged as below. That
is to say, when the yarn jointing section 6 performs yarn
joinring, the existence of the part of the spun yarn Y on
the winding section 5 side is detectable by the yarn
clearer 4. This yarn clearer 4 is utilized as the drawing
sensor 54 above. ----- - -
[0096]

New, Fourth Embodiment of the present invention will
be described. The description below predominantly deals
with differences between the present embodiment and First
Embodiment above to avoid redundancy.
[0097]
In First Embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the upper
end portion on the second end side of the yarn accumulator
has the inclination (3. On the other hand, the upper end
portion on the second end side of the yarn accumulator is
not inclined in the present embodiment.
[0098]
In addition to the above, the yarn accumulator of the
present embodiment includes a plurality of beam members
provided on a circle at predetermined intervals and a
swing member which is provided between a pair of
neighboring beam members to be movable in the radial
directions of the yarn accumulator. The swing member has
a swing mechanism composed of, for example, an eccentric
cam and a cam motor. As the swing mechanism drives, the
bundle Y of the spun yarn Y on the upper end portion is
conveyed toward the second end while keeping distances
among the parts of the spun yarn Y constant, irrespective
of whether neighboring parts of the spun yarn Y contact
each other.
[0099]
In the present embodiment, a conveyor for forcibly
conveying the spun yarn Y wound onto the outer
circumference of the yarn accumulator from the first end
toward the second end is constituted by a plurality of
beam members provided on a circle at predetermined
intervals, a swing member which is provided between a pair
of neighboring beam members to be movable in the radial
directions of the yarn accumulator, and a swing mechanism
which switches the swing member between the operating
state above and a non-operating state.
[0100]
(Summary)
(Technical Matter 21)
As described above, the winding unit of the present
embodiment is arranged as below. That is to say, the yarn
accumulator has a first end on the yam supplying portion
side and a second end on the winding section side. The
accumulator is further provided with a conveyor that
forcibly conveys the spun yarn Y wound onto the outer
circumference of tne yarn accumulator from the first end
toward the second end. The winding arm guides the part of
the spun yarn Y on the yarn supplying portion side to the
first end side on zhe outer circumference of the yarn
accumulator. According to the arrangement above, the spun
yarn Y is wound onto the first end side on the outer
circumference of the yarn accumulator, and the wound spun
yarn Y is forcibly moved from the first end toward the
second end on the outer circumference of the yarn
accumulator. For this reason, the parts of the spun yarn
Y guided by the winding arm do not overlap each other at
the guide position hence the spun yarn Y is smoothly
unwound on the yarn accumulator.
[0101]
Furthermore, according to the arrangement above,
since the bundle Y2 of the spun yarn Y on the upper end
portion of the yarn accumulator is conveyed toward the
second end while keeping the distance between neighboring
parts of the spun yarn Y more or less constant, the
storage amount M of the spun yarn Y in the accumulator is
detected more accurately.
[0102]

Now, referring to FIG. 15, Fifth Embodiment of the
present invention will be described. The description
below predominantly deals with differences between the
present embodiment and First Embodiment above to avoid
redundancy.
[0103]
The present embodiment is identical with First
Embodiment except that an accumulator 161 is provided in
place of the accumulator 7. The accumulator 161 includes
components such as six rollers 171 as a yarn accumulator,
a base 172, a rotation plate 173, three winding assist
members 174, and the winding arm 29 and the winding arm
motor 30 identical with those of the accumulator 7.
[0104J
The base 172 is a substantially circular plate that
is supported via an unillustrated bearing at the leading
end (upper end) of the output shaft 36 of the winding arm
motor 30 and is provided on the upper surface of the first
magnet supporter 37. The six rollers 171 are provided on
the upper surface of the base 172 along a circle (i.e.,
along the circumference of a virtual circle; hereinafter,
virtual circumferential direction), and the lower end
portions thereof are pivoted on the upper surface of the
base 172 whereas the upper end portions thereof are
supported by the rotation plate 17 3. The rotation plate
173 is arranged to be rotatable abou~ the rotation axis D
of the winding arm motor 30. As the rotation plate 173 is
rotated, ^he upper end portions of the rollers 171
supported by the rotation plate 73 move, in a virtual
circumferential direction, for a distance equivalent to
the same central angle. As the upper end portions" of "the
rollers 171 are moved in the virtual circumferential
direction by the rotation of the rotation plate 173, the
rollers 171 are inclined in a virtual circumferential
direction.
[0105]
The rotation plate 173 is surrounded by a rubber ring
181 at the outer circumference. The yarn Y wound onto the
rollers 171 is conveyed toward the winding section 5
through a gap between the rotation plate 173 and the
rubber ring 181.
[0106]
In addition to the above, to the lower surfaces of
the rollers 171 are attached pulleys 182. These pulleys
182 are connected to: the speed reducer 177 that reduces
the rotation speed of the winding arm motor 3 0 at a
predetermined reduction ratio and transmits the rotation;
the pulley 178a connected to the speed reducer 177; the
pulley 17 8b connected to the pulley 17 8a; the pulley 178c
connected to the pulley 182; and the output shaft 36 of
the winding arm motor 30 via the shaft 17 9 connecting the
pulley 178b with the pulley 178c. With this arrangement,
as the winding arm motor 30 rotates, the rotation is
transmitted to the pulleys 182 via the speed reducer 17 7,
the pulley 178a to 178c, and the shaft 179, with the
result that the rollers" tc "which the pulleys 182 are
attached are rotated.
[0107]
In other words, in the present embodiment the winding
arm motor 30 functions also as a roller drive motor for
rotating the rollers 171. Note that, in the present
embodiment, all of the rollers 171 may be drive rollers
rotated by the winding arm motor 30, or only some of the
rollers 171 are drive rollers whereas the remaining
rollers may be driven rollers.
[01C8]
The three winding assist members 174 are attached to
the base 172 to surround the lower end portions of the
rollers 171 and to be away from one another at about
angles of 120 degrees. The winding assist member 174 has,
at a part between neighboring rollers 171, a winding
assist surface 174a for smoothly connecting the outer
circumferences of the rollers 171 with each other. The
lower end portions of the rollers 171 and the winding
assist surface 174a form a surface that substantially
continuously extends in the circumferential directions.
The winding assist surface 174a is inclined inward from
bottom to top, with respect to the circumferential
directions.
[C109]
In the present embodiment, as the winding arm motor........
30 rotates the winding arm 29 anticlockwise in plan view,
as shown in FIG. 15, the yarn Y is guided to the lower end
portions of the rollers 171 by the winding arm 29 and
wound onto the lower end portions of the rollers 171.
[0110]
Although the rollers 171 are arranged to be distanced
from each other, the winding assist member 174 is provided
to surround the lower end portions of the rollers 171 as
described above, and the lower end portions of the rollers
171 and the winding assist surface 174a form a surface
extending substantially continuously along the virrual
circumferential directions. The yarn Y is therefore wound
across the rollers 171 and the winding assist surface
174a. For this reason, it is possible to smoothly wind
the yarn Y onto the rollers 171.
[0111]
Furthermore, the rollers 171 rotate at this time, and
hence the yarn Y wound onto the rollers 171 by the winding
arm 29 is conveyed by the rollers 171. In this
connection, because the rollers 171 are inclined in the
virtual circumferential directions as described above, the
yarn Y conveyed by -he rollers 171 moves upward (in the
transportation direction). As such, since in the present
embodiment the yarn Y moves upward by being conveyed by
the rollers 171, the load (friction force) on the yarn Y
is small when moving upward. Furthermore, as the yarn Y
is conveyed on the rollers 171, the broken filaments of
the yarn Y are laid down.
[0112]
In addition to the above, the yarn Y wound across the
lower end portions of the rollers 171 and the winding
assist member 174 moves upward not only by the rotation of
the drive rollers 171 but also by the inclination of the
winding assist surface 174a of the winding assist member
174.
[0113]
(Summary)
(Technical Matter 22)
As described above, the winding unit 2 of the present
embodiment is arranged as below. That is to say, the
accumulator 161 includes a plurality of rollers 171, a
yarn winding mechanism for winding the yarn Y onto the
rollers 171, and a winding arm motor 30 functioning as a
roller drive motor which drives at least one of "the
rollers 171 as a drive roller, the rollers 171 being
rotatabiy disposed so that rotation axes of the respective
rollers 171 are on a virtual circle and the rotation axes
of the respective rollers 171 are inclined with respect to
directions along the virtual circle. According to the
arrangement above, because the rollers 171 on which the " ¦ -
spun yarn is wound are inclined, the parts of the spun
yarn wound on the rollers 171 by the yarn winding
mechanism are serially conveyed and move in the
transportation direction, as the rollers 171 are rotated.
According to this arrangement, since the yarn is conveyed
by the rollers 171, the load (friction force) on the yarn
is small and hence the deterioration of the quality of the
yarn is avoided.
[0114]

Now, referring to FIG. 16, - Sixth Embodiment of the
present invention will be described. The description
below predominantly deals with differences between the
present embodiment and First Embodiment above to avoid
redundancy.
[0115]
The present embodiment is identical with First
Embodiment except that an accumulator 2 61 is provided in
place of the accumulator 7. The accumulator 261 includes
components such as a rotational storage drum 271, a
rotational storage drum motor 272, a yarn guiding member
273, a blowdown nozzle 274, and a yarn passage forming
member 275.
[0116]
The rotational storage drum 271 is a drum rotated
about the axis E by the rotational storage drum motor 272.
The respective end portions of the drum 271 are tapered
portions 271a and 271b each of which is narrowed toward
the other end portion, and a part of the drum 271 between
the tapered portion 271a and the tapered portion 271b is a
linear portion 271c having a substantially constant
diameter.
[0117]
The yarn guiding member 273 is a linear pipe and is
disposed so that the upper left end portion shown in FIG.
16 opposes the tapered portion 271a. With this, the yarn
Y having reached the yarn guiding member 273 from the yarn
supplying portion 3 side is guided to the tapered portion
271a by the yarn guiding member 273.
[0118]
The blowdown nozzle 274 is attached to the right edge
of the yarn guiding' member" 273. The blowdown nozzle 274
has the same structure as the blowdown nozzle 48 (see FIG.
2), and includes a yarn path 246 similar to the yarn path
46 (see FIG. 2) and a blowdown path 247 which is connected
to a compressed air source 51 via connection pipes 49 and
50 in the same manner as the blowdown path 47 (see FIG.
2). The upper left end portion of the yarn parh 246 in
the figure is connected to the internal space of the yarn
guiding member 273. - - ¦ -
[0119]
The yarn passage forming member 275 forms . a yarn
passage 228 and is provided between the suction port 18b
of the upper yarn guide pipe 18 and the blowdown nozzle
274. The yarn passage 228 extends substantially
vertically upward from its lower end which is immediately
above the suction port 18b of the upper yarn guide pipe
18. The yarn passage 228 bends toward the upper left of
FIG. 16 at its upper end portion, so that the upper end of
the yarn passage 228 opposes the lower right end portion
of the yarn path 246. Furthermore, a yarn drawing sensor
54 is provided at the lower end of the yarn passage
forming member 27 5.
[0120]
In the accumulator 261, as the yarn Y is guided to
the tapered portion 271a by the yarn guiding member 273,
the yarn Y is wound onto the tapered portion 271a by the
rotation of the rotational storage drum 271 and moves
rightward and upward along the slope cf the tapered
portion 271a, with the result that the yarn Y is stored in
the rotational storage drum 271.
[0121]
As such, because in the present embodiment storing
the yarn Y in the rotational storage drum 271 is achieved
only by simply guiding the yarn Y to a point on the
tapered portion 271a, the yarn guiding member 273 is only
required to guide the yarn Y to that point of the tapered
portion 271a. It is therefore possible to relatively
easily dispose the yarn guiding member 273 irrespective of
the position and orientation of the rotational storage
drum 271. For this reason, the rotational storage drum
271 can be disposed with relatively high design freedom in
consideration of an unused space in the winding unit 2.
[0122]
In addition to the above, at the time of yarn
breakage, occurrence of yarn defect, or yarn supplying
bobbin change, the solenoid valve 52 is switched to the
open state so that an airflow flowing from the rotational
storage drum 271 side to the upper yarn guide pipe 18 side
is generated in the internal space of the yarn guiding
member 273, the yarn passage 228, or the like, and the
rotational storage drum 271 is rotated in the direction
opposite to the direction at the time of winding the yarn
Y so that the yarn end of the yarn Y on the rotational
storage drum 271 is sucked into the opening of the yarn
guiding member 273 and drawn cut to the suction port 18b
of the upper yarn guide pipe 18 via the yarn passage 228
or the like.
[0123]
In this regard, as described above, because the yarn
guiding member 273 guides the yarn Y to the tapered
portion 271a, the yarn Y guided from the yarn guiding
member 273 to the rotational storage drum 271 moves from
the upper right end side toward the lower left end side
with respect to the axial directions of the rotational
storage drum 271. This arrangement prevents the yarn Y
guided to the tapered portion 271a from moving to the
upper right end side of the rotational storage drum 271
due to the inertia generated by the movement from the yarn
guiding member 273 to the rotational storage drum 271.
For this reason, at the time of yarn breakage, occurrence
of yarn defect, or yarn supplying bobbin change, the yarn
end of the yarn Y is certainly placed at around the
tapered portion 271a of the rotational storage drum 271,
strictly speaking, above the lower left end portion of the
linear portion 271c, and hence the yarn Y is certainly
sucked into the opening of the yarn guiding member 273.
[0124]
(Technical Matter 23)
As described above, the winding unit 2 of the present
embodiment is arranged as below. That is to say, the
accumulator 261 includes a rotational storage drum 271
which rotates so that the yarn Y is wound thereon, a motor
272 for rotating the rotational storage drum 271 in both
directions, and a yarn guiding member 273 for guiding the
yarn Y from the yarn supplying portion 3 side to the
rotational storage drum 271. According to this
arrangement, at the time of yarn jointing, the yarn Y
wound on the rotational storage drum 271 is drawn out to
the yarn supplying portion 3 side as the rotational
storage drum 271 is rotated in the direction opposite to
the direction at the time of winding the yarn Y.
[0125]
While preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been described above, the embodiments may be modified
as below.
[0126]
(First Modification)
In Fourth Embodiment, a conveyor is constituted by a
plurality of beam members provided on a circle at
predetermined intervals, a swing member which is provided
between a pair of neighboring beam members to be movable
in the radial directions of the yarn accumulator, and a
swing mechanism which switches the swing member between
the operating state above and a non-operating state.
Alternatively, the conveyor may be provided between two
neighboring' beam members and have a belt member running in
the longitudinal directions of the beam members.
[0127]
(Second Modification)
(Technical Matter 24)
In Second Embodiment, the drawing sensor 54 is
provided at the upper relay pipe 18. Alternatively, the
drawing sensor 54 may be provided between the accumulator
7 and the yarn jointing section 6.
[0128]
(Third Modification)
In addition to the above, in First Embodiment, the
part of the spun yarn Y on the downstream side is fully
wound onto the yarn accumulator 27 when yarn breakage
occurs, when a yarn defect is detected, or 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 2 9
is stopped before the spun yarn Y on the downstream side
is fully wound onto the yarn accumulator 27. For example,
when a yarn defect is detected, a cutter 4a cuts the spun
yarn Y and at the same time the driving of the winding arm
29 is stopped. For the bobbin change, a sensor for
detecting the remaining yarn amount on the yarn supplying
bobbin B is attached to the yarn unwinding assisting
cevice 11 to monitor the remaining yarn amount on the yarn
supplying bobbin B. With this, the occurrence of the
empty state of the yarn supplying bobbin B is detected in
advance and the driving of the winding arm 2 9 is stopped
before the spun yarn Y on the downstream side is fully
wound onto the yarn accumulator 27.
[0129]
As such, by stopping the driving of the winding arm
29 before the yarn Y is fully wound onto the yarn
accumulator 27, the yarn end of the spun yarn Y is stopped
while the yarn end hangs down from the blowdown nozzle 48
of the accumulator 7.
[0130]
Since this allows the upper relay pipe 18 to capture
the yarn end hanging down from the accumulator 7, the step
of drawing out the spun yarn Y by the yarn end drawing
mechanism W is eliminated and hence the yarn jointing
becomes more efficient. According to this arrangement,
since the drawing sensor 54 is provided at the lower end
of the blowdown nozzle 48, it is possible to check whether
the yarn end of the spun yarn Y stored in the accumulator
7 stops in the state of being receivable by the upper
relay pipe 18, i.e., whether the yarn end certainly stops
in the state of hanging down from the accumulator 7. "his
makes it possible to shorten the time required for drawing
out the yarn end of the spun yarn Y from the yarn storage
section to the yarn jointing section side.
[0131]
(Fourth Modification)
In the embodiments above, the yarn end drawing
mechanism W sucks the yarn end of the spun yarn Y stored
in the accumulator 7 by an airflow generated in the
winding arm 29 by the airflow generator X so as to draw
out the yarn end to the yarn jointing section 6 side (yarn
supplying portion 3 side). The yarn end drawing mechanism
W may be arranged differently, e.g., the yarn end of the
spun yarn Y stored in the accumulator 7 may be grabbed out
by an operable arm component such as a robot arm.
CLAIMS
[Claim 1]
A yarn winder comprising:
a yarn supplying portion for unwinding a spun yarn
from a yarn supplying bobbin;
a winding section for winding the spun yarn so as to
form a package;
a yarn storage section including a yarn accumulator
which is provided between the yarn supplying portion and
the winding section to store the spun yarn as the spun
yarn is wound onto the yarn accumulator;
a yarn jointing section for performing a yarn
jointing operation of jointing a yarn end of the spun yarn
on the yarn supplying portion side with a yarn end of the
spun yarn on the yarn storage section side; and
a yarn end drawing mechanism for drawing out the yarn
end of the spun yarn wound onto the yarn accumulator to
the yarn supplying portion side, when the yarn jointing
section performs the yarn jointing operation.
[Claim 2]
The yarn winder according to claim 1, wherein, the
yarn end drawing mechanism draws out -he yarn end of the
spun yarn wound onto the yarn accumulator to the yarn
supplying portion side, by means of an airflow.
[Claim 3]
The; yarn winder according to claim 2, wherein, the
yarn end drawing mechanism includes therein a yarn passage
where the spun yarn is able to run, and further includes a
yarn guide unit for guiding a part of the spun yarn on the
yarn supplying portion side to a predetermined winding
position of the yarn accumulator.
[Claim 4]
The yarn winder according to claim 3, wherein,
the predetermined winding position of the yarn
accumulator where the spun yarn is guided by the yarn
guide unit is, in directions in parallel to a rotation
axis of the yarn accumulator, identical with a position
where the yarn end drawing mechanism draws out the yarn
end of the spun yarn wound onto the yarn accumulator to
the yarn supplying portion side by the airflow.
[Claim 5]
The yarn winder according to claim 3 or 4, further
comprising:
a gas flow generator for generating, in the yarn
guide unit, a gas flow flowing from the yarn accumulator
side to the yarn supplying portion side.
[Claim 6]
The yarn winder according to claim 5, wherein,
the yarn guide unit is arranged to be rotatable about
a winding center axis of the yarn accumulator and guides
the part of the spun yarn on the yarn supplying portion
side to the outer circumference of the yarn accumulator,
and
the yarn end drawing mechanism includes the yarn
guide unit and the gas flow generator.
[Claim 7]
The yarn winder according to claim 6, wherein, the
yarn storage section further includes: a driving unit
which is arranged to rotate the yarn guide unit about the
winding center axis of the yarn accumulator; and a
controller for controlling the driving unit so that the
yarn guide unit rotates in a direction opposite to a
rotating direction at the time of storing the yarn, when
the yarn end drawing mechanism draws out the yarn end of
the spun yarn on the outer circumference of the yarn
accumulator to the yarn jointing section side.
[Claim 8]
The yarn winder according to any one of claims 1 to
7, further comprising a drawing detection unit which is
capable of detecting that the yarn end of the spun yarn
wound onto the yarn storage section has been drawn to the
yarn supplying portion, side.
[Claim 9]
The yarn winder according to claim 8, wherein, the
drawing detection unit is provided in the yarn storage
section.
[Claim 10]
The yarn winder according to any one of claims 1 to
9, wherein, the yarn storage section is capable of storing
the yarn for an amount equal to or larger than an amount
of the yarn wound by the winding section at a normal
winding speed, during a time interval from the start of
bobbin change of the yarn supplying bobbin to at least one
yarn jointing by the yarn jointing section.
[Claim 11]
The yarn winder according to any one of claims 1 to
9, further comprising: a yarn defect detection section
capable of detecting a yarn defect of the spun yarn
supplied from the yarn supplying portion; and a cutting
member for cutting a part of the yarn on the upstream of
the detected yarn defect, the yarn storage section being
capaole of storing the yarn for an amount equal to or
larger than an amount of the yarn wound by the winding
section at a normal winding speed, during a time interval
from yarn cutting executed by the cutting member when the
yarn defect is detected by the yarn defect detection
section to at least one yarn jointing by the yarn jointing
section.
[Claim 12]
The yarn winder according to 'any one of claims 1 to
9, wherein, the yarn storage section is capable of storing
the yarn for an amount equal to or larger than an amount
of the yarn wound by the winding section at a normal
winding speed, during a time interval from the occurrence
of yarn breakage to at least one yarn jointing by the yarn
jointing section.
[Claim 13]
The yarn winder according to any one of claims 1 to
12, wherein, the yarn storage section is arranged to be
capable to storing the spun yarn at speed faster than the
normal winding speed at which the winding section winds
the spun yarn.
[Claim 14]
The yarn winder according to any one of claims 1 to
6, wherein, the yarn storage section i.s provided with a
storage amount detector for detecting an amount of the
stored spun yarn, and a controller is provided in the yarn
winder to reduce winding speed at which the winding
section winds the spun yarn, when the amount detected by
the storage amount detector becomes equal to or lower than
a predetermined amount.
[Claim 15]
The yarn winder according to claim 14, wherein, the
controller reduces the winding speed so that yarn layers
of the package are not disrupted.
[Claim 16]
The yarn winder according to claim 5 or 6, wherein,
the yarn accumulator includes a first end on the yarn
supplying portion side and a second end on the winding
section side and has an inclined portion between the first
end to the second end as the yarn accumulator is narrowed
from the first end to the second end in an outer
circumference, and the yarn guide unit guides the part of
the spun yarn on the yarn supplying portion side to the
first end side of the outer circumference of the yarn
accumulator.
[Claim 17]
The yarn winder according to claim 16, wherein, the
inclined portion of the yarn accumulator is constituted by
at least two different slopes, and the slope on the first
end side is arranged to be steeper than the slope on the
second end side.
[Claim 18]
The yarn winder according to any one of claims 5 to
15, wherein, the yarn storage section includes a plurality
of rollers, a yarn winding mechanism for winding the spun
yarn onto the rollers, and a roller drive motor which
drives at least one of the rollers as a drive roller, the
rollers being rotatably disposed so that rotation axes of
the respective rollers are on a. virtual circle and the
rotation axes or the respective rollers are incllneu with
respect to directions along the virtual circle.
[Claim 19]
• The yarn winder according to claim 5, 16, or 17,
wherein, the yarn storage section includes a rotational
storage drum which is arranged to rotate so that the spun
yarn is wound thereon, a motor for rotating the rotational
storage drum in both directions, and a guide member for
guiding the spun yarn from the yarn supplying portion side
'to the rotational storage drum.
[Claim 20] '
The yarn winder according to any one of claims 1 to
19, wherein, the yarn supplying portion is provided with a
yarn unwinding assisting device for lowering a regulator
covering a core of the yarn supplying bobbin in sync with
unwinding of the spun yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin
to assist the unwinding of the spun yarn from the yarn
supplying, bobbin.

ABSTRACT

A technology for making it possible to continue
winding while yarn jointing is carried out is provided. A yarn supplying portion 3 for unwinding a spun yarn Y from a yarn supplying bobbin B, a winding section 5 for winding
the spun yarn Y to form a package P, an accumulator 7 provided between the yarn supplying portion 3 and the winding section 5 to store the spun yarn Y, and a yarn end
drawing mechanism W for drawing out the yarn end of the stored spun yarn Y to the yarn supplying portion 3 side at the time of bobbin change of the yarn supplying bobbin B, yarn cutting, or yarn breakage are provided.