Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a yarn winding apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART
[0002] There is known a yarn winding apparatus that applies tension to yarn unwound from a yarn feeding bobbin, and takes up the yarn so as to form a package. The yarn winding apparatus includes a yarn unwind assist device for stabilizing tension of the unwound yarn so as to prevent yarn breakage.
[0003] A yarn unwind assist device described in JP-A-H7-133077 is equipped with an air blow nozzle that blows air to a yarn feeding bobbin so as to prevent yarn from being caught and stretched out. A yarn temporary fixing device described in JP-A-2018-188259 is equipped with an air blow nozzle that blows an end of yarn into the yarn feeding bobbin so as to prevent the yarn from being stretched out.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
TECHNICAL PROBLEM
[0004] The air blown to the yarn feeding bobbin changes its flow direction when it hits an inside wall of the yarn feeding bobbin or a transport tray disposed at a bottom of the yarn feeding bobbin, or other objects. This may cause air turbulence in the inside space of the yarn feeding bobbin. If the air turbulence causes the yarn in a stretched out state in which an end of the yarn hang down outside the bobbin, the end of the yarn may contact a conveyor and wind around a conveying mechanism such as a pulley during conveyance of the bobbin.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to reduce the stretched out state of yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin delivered from the yarn winding apparatus in the yarn winding apparatus.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION
[0006] Hereinafter, as means for solving the problem, a plurality of embodiments are described. These embodiments can be arbitrarily combined as necessary.
[0007] A yarn winding apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a yarn unwind unit having a tray holding unit that holds a transport tray on which a yarn feeding bobbin is placed, so as to unwind yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin, and a winding unit that takes up the yarn unwound from the yarn feeding bobbin so as to form a package. The yarn unwind unit further has a first injection unit that injects gas downward from above the yarn feeding bobbin. The tray holding unit has a first opening at a position where a bottom surface part of the transport tray is disposed when holding the transport tray. The first opening allows the gas injected by the first injection unit to pass through from an upper surface side of the tray holding unit holding the transport tray to a lower surface side.
[0008] In this yarn winding apparatus, the gas injected by the first injection unit passes through the first opening, and hence gas flow is hardly disturbed, so that occurrence of turbulence inside the yarn feeding bobbin can be suppressed.
[0009] The tray holding unit may include a plurality of the first openings.
[0010] In this yarn winding apparatus, even if a position of the transport tray is deviated from the center of a position holding the transport tray of the tray holding unit, the gas injected by the first injection unit passes through the first opening with higher accuracy.
[0011] The plurality of first openings may be arranged on the same circle around the center of the position holding the transport tray of the tray holding unit.
[0012] The first injection unit may inject the gas to blow an end of the yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin into the yarn feeding bobbin.
[0013] In this yarn winding apparatus, the first injection unit blows the end of the yarn into the yarn feeding bobbin.
[0014] This yarn winding apparatus may further includes a tray position adjust mechanism that controls the tray holding unit to adjust a position of a unwind side end of the yarn feeding bobbin placed on the transport tray.
[0015] In this yarn winding apparatus, the position of the unwind side end of the yarn feeding bobbin is adjusted, and hence the first injection unit blows the end of the yarn into the yarn feeding bobbin with higher accuracy.
[0016] Even if the position of the transport tray is moved by the tray position adjust mechanism, it is sufficient that at least one of the plurality of first openings allows the gas injected by the first injection unit to pass through.
[0017] In this yarn winding apparatus, even if the position of the transport tray is deviated from the center of the position where the tray holding unit holds the transport tray, the gas injected by the first injection unit can pass through the first opening. As a result, the gas flow is hardly disturbed, so that occurrence of turbulence inside the yarn feeding bobbin can be suppressed.
[0018] This yarn winding apparatus may further includes a first pipe through which the gas supplied to the first injection unit flows, a tension applying device, a second injection unit, and a second pipe through which the gas supplied to the second injection unit flows. The tension applying device includes a resistance applying part that applies resistance to the yarn, so as to apply tension to the yarn by applying resistance to the yarn. The second injection unit injects cleaning gas to the resistance applying part. In this case, the second pipe may be connected to the first pipe via a branch part that branches a flow path for the gas.
[0019] In this yarn winding apparatus, the first pipe, through which the air supplied to the first injection unit flows, and the second pipe, through which the air supplied to the second injection unit flows, are connected via the branch part.
[0020] The transport tray may have a protrusion, a second opening, and a metal mesh member. The protrusion is inserted in the yarn feeding bobbin so as to fix the yarn feeding bobbin on the transport tray. The second opening penetrates from an upper end part of the protrusion to a lower surface of the transport tray. The metal mesh member is fixed to the second opening so as to allow passing of the gas but restrict passing of the yarn.
[0021] In this yarn winding apparatus, the gas can pass through from the upper end part of the protrusion of the transport tray to the lower surface of the transport tray. In addition, passing of the yarn from the upper end part of the protrusion of the transport tray to the lower surface of the transport tray can be suppressed. As a result, the gas flow is hardly disturbed, so that occurrence of turbulence inside the yarn feeding bobbin can be suppressed.
[0022] The second opening may allow the gas injected by the first injection unit to pass through from the upper end part of the protrusion of the transport tray to the lower surface of the transport tray.
[0023] The transport tray may have a protrusion, a second opening, and a metal mesh member. The protrusion is inserted in the yarn feeding bobbin so as to fix the yarn feeding bobbin on the transport tray. The second opening penetrates from an upper end part of the protrusion to a lower surface of the transport tray. The metal mesh member is fixed to the second opening so as to allow passing of the gas but restrict passing of the yarn. In this case, the tray position adjust mechanism may adjust the position of the unwind side end of the yarn feeding bobbin so that the gas injected by the first injection unit passes through the second opening and the first opening.
[0024] In this yarn winding apparatus, the position of the unwind side end of the yarn feeding bobbin can be adjusted so that the gas injected by the first injection unit passes through the second opening and the first opening. As a result, the gas injected by the first injection unit can blow the end of the yarn into the yarn feeding bobbin with higher accuracy.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
[0025] The yarn winding apparatus according to the present invention can reduce the stretched out state of yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin delivered from the yarn winding apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0026] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a yarn winding apparatus.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a yarn unwind assist device.
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the yarn unwind assist device.
Fig. 4 is a side view of a transport tray to which a yarn feeding bobbin is attached.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the transport tray.
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the transport tray.
Fig. 7 is a plan view of a tray holding unit.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the tray holding unit that holds the transport tray.
Fig. 9 is a side view of the yarn unwind unit that holds the transport tray.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0027] 1. First Embodiment
(1) Overall Structure of Yarn Winding Apparatus 1
(1-1) Basic Structure
A yarn winding apparatus 1 of a first embodiment is an apparatus that takes up yarn 11 unwound from a yarn feeding bobbin 30, on a surface of a take-up pipe 22, so as to form a yarn layer. The product of the yarn layer formed on the surface of the take-up pipe 22 is called a package. In other words, the yarn winding apparatus 1 is a package manufacturing apparatus. A traverse drum type winding apparatus is known as the yarn winding apparatus 1, which can take up the yarn 11 around the take-up pipe 22 while traversing the yarn 11. In addition, an arm traverse type winding apparatus and a belt traverse type winding apparatus are also known as the yarn winding apparatus 1 that can control a traverse width and a traverse position. The yarn winding apparatus 1 of this embodiment is the traverse drum type winding apparatus.
[0028] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the yarn winding apparatus 1 includes a yarn unwind unit 2 that unwinds the yarn 11 from the yarn feeding bobbin 30, and a winding unit 3 that takes up the yarn 11 unwound from the yarn feeding bobbin 30, so as to form a package 23. The yarn unwind unit 2 includes a tray holding unit 40 at the lower part. The tray holding unit 40 is in a position to hold the yarn feeding bobbin 30 placed on a transport tray 32 when the yarn 11 is unwound. The winding unit 3 includes a package forming device 20.
[0029] The yarn winding apparatus 1 includes, in order from the yarn feeding bobbin 30 to the take-up pipe 22, a yarn unwind assist device 50, a tension applying device 80, a splicer device 12, a clearer (yarn quality measuring device) 13, a waxing device 14, a cleaning pipe 15, and the package forming device 20.
[0030] The yarn unwind assist device 50 is a device for regulating bulge (balloon) of the yarn 11 that is being unwound so as to stabilize unwind tension. The yarn unwind assist device 50 includes a movable cylinder 51. The yarn unwind assist device 50 moves down the movable cylinder 51 that covers a core tube of the yarn feeding bobbin 30, in an interlocking manner with unwinding of the yarn 11 from the yarn feeding bobbin 30, so as to assist unwinding of the yarn 11 from the yarn feeding bobbin 30. The movable cylinder 51 contacts the balloon formed at an upper part of the yarn feeding bobbin 30 due to rotation and centrifugal force of the yarn 11 unwound from the yarn feeding bobbin 30, and applies appropriate tension to the balloon so as to assist unwinding of the yarn 11. In a vicinity of the movable cylinder 51, there is disposed a detection sensor 53 for detecting a position of the yarn feeding bobbin 30, and a chess part of the yarn feeding bobbin 30 (a tapered end of the yarn layer of the yarn feeding bobbin 30 on a yarn unwind side). When the detection sensor 53 detects descent of the chess part, the movable cylinder 51 can be driven to descend by a stepping motor (not shown), for example, following the descent of the chess part. It may be possible to use an air cylinder instead of the stepping motor.
[0031] The tension applying device 80 applies a predetermined tension to the yarn 11 that is running. As the tension applying device 80, for example, it may be possible to use a gate type in which a movable comb tooth member 82 is disposed with respect to a fixed comb tooth member 81. The movable comb tooth member 82 can be pivoted by a drive unit 83 so as to form an engaging state or a releasing state between the two comb tooth members. The drive unit 83 is a rotary solenoid, for example. The tension applying device 80 applies a constant tension to the yarn 11 to be taken up, and hence quality of the package 23 can be improved. Note that as the tension applying device 80, it may also be possible to use a disc type, for example, instead of the gate type described above. In addition, it may be possible to use a stepping motor instead of the solenoid.
[0032] The splicer device 12 splices lower yarn on the yarn feeding bobbin 30 side and upper yarn on the package 23 side, when cutting the yarn in case where the clearer 13 detects a yarn defect, or when the yarn that is being unwound from the yarn feeding bobbin 30 is broken. As such a yarn splicing device that splices upper yarn and lower yarn, it may be possible to use a mechanical type or a type using fluid such as compressed air.
[0033] The clearer 13 includes a clearer head 17 and an analyzer (not shown). The clearer head 17 is provided with a sensor to detect thickness of the yarn 11. The analyzer processes a yarn thickness signal from the sensor. The clearer 13 is configured to monitor the yarn thickness signal from the sensor, and to detect yarn defects such as a slub. In a vicinity of the clearer head 17, there is disposed a cutter 16 that cuts the yarn 11 promptly when the clearer 13 detects a yarn defect.
[0034] A lower yarn guide pipe 70 is disposed below the splicer device 12, and an upper yarn guide pipe 60 is disposed above the same. The lower yarn guide pipe 70 catches the lower yarn on the yarn feeding bobbin 30 side and guides the same to the splicer device 12. The upper yarn guide pipe 60 catches the upper yarn on the package 23 side and guides the same to the splicer device 12. In addition, the lower yarn guide pipe 70 and the upper yarn guide pipe 60 are configured to be pivotable about an axis 71 and an axis 61, respectively. A suction inlet 72 is formed at a distal end of the lower yarn guide pipe 70, and a suction mouth 62 is provided to a distal end of the upper yarn guide pipe 60. The lower yarn guide pipe 70 and the upper yarn guide pipe 60 are connected to appropriate negative pressure sources, respectively, and are configured to generate suction air flows at the suction inlet 72 and the suction mouth 62 so that the ends of the upper yarn and the lower yarn can be sucked and caught.
[0035] The waxing device 14 is a device that applies appropriate wax to the yarn 11 that is running.
[0036] The cleaning pipe 15 is a device that sucks and removes foreign objects adhered to the yarn 11 that is running. A proximal end of the cleaning pipe 15 is connected to a blower via a shutter device (not shown), and a suction inlet is formed at a distal end of the cleaning pipe 15. The suction inlet of the cleaning pipe 15 is disposed adjacent to the yarn 11 that is running between the waxing device 14 and the traverse drum 21.
[0037] The package forming device 20 includes a cradle 24, the take-up pipe 22, and the traverse drum 21. The cradle 24 supports the take-up pipe 22 in an attachable and detachable manner. The take-up pipe 22 may be a cardboard tube or a plastic core tube. The traverse drum 21 can be driven to rotate contacting a peripheral surface of the take-up pipe 22 or a peripheral surface of the package 23.
[0038] The cradle 24 is configured to be pivotable about a pivot axis 25, and is configured to be capable of absorbing an increase in yarn layer diameter due to taking up of the yarn 11 around the take-up pipe 22, by pivoting of the cradle 24. In addition, the yarn winding apparatus 1 is configured to be capable of forming the cone-shaped package 23 as illustrated in Fig. 1.
[0039] (1-2) Basic Action
The yarn feeding bobbin 30 placed on the transport tray 32 is supplied to the yarn winding apparatus 1 by a delivery mechanism 41, and is held by the tray holding unit 40. The delivery mechanism 41 includes a swinging plate-like member 44 and a passage panel 45. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the passage panel 45 is disposed substantially horizontally above the swinging plate-like member 44. A tray passage 46 is formed in the passage panel 45. The width of the tray passage 46 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of a middle column part 32c of the transport tray 32. A base part 32a of the transport tray 32 moves while being sandwiched between the swinging plate-like member 44 and the passage panel 45.
[0040] When the yarn feeding bobbin 30 is held by the tray holding unit 40, the package forming device 20 takes up the yarn 11 unwound from the yarn feeding bobbin 30 around the take-up pipe 22, so as to form the package 23. After the yarn take-up operation, the yarn feeding bobbin 30 as well as the transport tray 32 is delivered by the delivery mechanism 41.
[0041] (1-3) Control Structure
As illustrated in Fig. 1, the yarn winding apparatus 1 includes a unit control section 90.
[0042] The unit control section 90 is a computer system including a processor (such as a CPU), storage devices (such as a ROM, a RAM, an HDD, and an SSD), and various interfaces (such as an A/D converter, a D/A converter, and a communication interface). The unit control section 90 executes a program stored in a storage unit (corresponding to a part or the whole of storage area of the storage device), so as to perform various control operations.
[0043] The unit control section 90 may be constituted of a single processor, or may be constituted of a plurality of independent processors for individual controls.
[0044] A part or the whole of individual elements of the unit control section 90 may be realized as a program that can be executed by the computer system. Other than that, a part of functions of the individual elements of the unit control section 90 may be constituted by a custom IC.
[0045] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the unit control section 90 is connected to the detection sensor 53, an air supply device 91, and a tray position adjust mechanism 92. Although not illustrated, the unit control section 90 is connected to a sensor that detects the position and state of the yarn 11, a sensor and a switch for detecting states of individual devices, and an information input device.
[0046] (2) Detailed Structure
(2-1) Yarn Unwind Assist Device
With reference to Figs. 2 and 3, the yarn unwind assist device 50 is described in detail. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the yarn unwind assist device 50. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the yarn unwind assist device 50.
[0047] The yarn unwind assist device 50 includes the movable cylinder 51 (an example of a movable cylinder member), a retaining cover member 52 that retains the movable cylinder 51, and the detection sensor 53 attached to the retaining cover member 52.
[0048] The movable cylinder 51 is disposed above the yarn feeding bobbin 30 that is retained in an upright posture at a winding position. The movable cylinder 51 has a straight cylinder part 51a whose inner diameter does not change in a cylinder axis direction, and a tapered cylinder part 51b that is formed at the lower end of the straight cylinder part 51a and has an increasing diameter toward the lower end thereof. The movable cylinder 51 is disposed to cover the upper part of the yarn feeding bobbin 30, and moves downward along with downward movement of the yarn layer of the yarn feeding bobbin 30.
[0049] The retaining cover member 52 is configured to be capable of moving upward and downward, and hence the movable cylinder 51 and the detection sensor 53 also move upward and downward together with the retaining cover member 52. The detection sensor 53 detects the chess part of the yarn feeding bobbin 30 (the tapered end of the yarn layer of the yarn feeding bobbin 30 on the yarn unwind side). The detection sensor 53 is a transparent type photosensor including a light emitting element and a light receiving element respectively disposed on both sides of the yarn feeding bobbin 30.
[0050] The yarn unwind assist device 50 further includes a fixed cylinder 54. The fixed cylinder 54 is a member that stops above the yarn feeding bobbin 30 so as to regulate the bulge of the yarn 11. The fixed cylinder 54 is disposed fixedly just above the yarn feeding bobbin 30 at the winding position, and is a member extending in an up and down direction. In other words, the fixed cylinder 54 and the yarn feeding bobbin 30 are disposed in such a manner that their axes agree with each other in a plan view. The diameter of an inner circumferential surface of the fixed cylinder 54 is constant in the cylinder axis direction. In other words, the inner circumferential surface of the fixed cylinder 54 has a straight shape. The outer diameter of the fixed cylinder 54 is smaller than the inner diameter of the movable cylinder 51, and hence the movable cylinder 51 can move in the up and down direction in a state covering the outside of the fixed cylinder 54. As the inner diameter of the fixed cylinder 54 is small, a variation in the balloon state of the yarn 11 unwound from the chess part can be suppressed, and as a result, a size of the formed balloon is stabilized.
[0051] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the lower end of the fixed cylinder 54 is disposed upwardly apart from the upper end of the yarn feeding bobbin 30. A lower end opening 54b of the fixed cylinder 54 has a tapered surface that increases in diameter downwardly.
[0052] The unit control section 90 moves the movable cylinder 51 downward in accordance with the detection result of the detection sensor 53 (whether or not the chess part is detected). More specifically, it is described as follows. The position of the chess part of the yarn layer moves downward along with proceeding unwinding of the yarn 11. When the yarn layer of the chess part becomes not to be detected by the detection sensor 53 due to descent of the chess part, the unit control section 90 moves the movable cylinder 51 downward along the cylinder axis direction thereof until the chess part is detected again by the detection sensor 53. The unit control section 90 controls the movement of the movable cylinder 51 in the up and down direction so that the distance between the chess part position detected by the detection sensor 53 and the movable cylinder 51 becomes constant.
[0053] The yarn unwind assist device 50 includes a yarn temporary fixing device 55. The yarn temporary fixing device 55 is a device that temporary fixes an end of the yarn 11 of the yarn feeding bobbin 30 in an upright posture to the yarn feeding bobbin 30. Before the yarn feeding bobbin 30 is delivered by the delivery mechanism 41 from the yarn unwind unit 2, the yarn temporary fixing device 55 temporary fixes the end of the yarn 11 to the yarn feeding bobbin 30. Therefore, the yarn feeding bobbin 30 does not cause a stretched out state of the yarn (a state where the end of the yarn hang down outside the yarn feeding bobbin 30). Specifically, the yarn temporary fixing device 55 moves the end of the yarn 11 into the yarn feeding bobbin 30, so as to temporary fix the same to the yarn feeding bobbin 30.
[0054] The yarn temporary fixing device 55 includes a first injection unit 56 and a first pipe 86. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the first injection unit 56 is fixed diagonally to the fixed cylinder 54. The first injection unit 56 is fixed to the fixed cylinder 54 so as to inject air downward from diagonally above. The yarn temporary fixing device 55 blows the end of the yarn 11 into the yarn feeding bobbin 30. The first pipe 86 is a passage for air supplied from the air supply device 91 to the first injection unit 56.
[0055] The yarn temporary fixing device 55 allows the air supplied from the air supply device 91 to inject from the first injection unit 56, so as to blow the end of the yarn 11 into the yarn feeding bobbin 30. As a result, the stretched out state of yarn can be securely suppressed by a simple method.
[0056] In addition, the yarn temporary fixing device 55 includes a cutter 58. The cutter 58 is disposed above the fixed cylinder 54, and is capable of cutting the yarn 11 extending upward from the yarn feeding bobbin 30. For instance, if it is determined that the yarn of the yarn feeding bobbin 30 has bad quality and that it is not appropriate to continue winding the yarn of the yarn feeding bobbin 30 onto the package 23, the cutter 58 cuts the yarn 11. Before or at the same time as a moment when the cutter 58 cuts the yarn 11, the first injection unit 56 injects the air diagonally downward into the fixed cylinder 54, and hence the end of the yarn 11 is inserted into the yarn feeding bobbin 30.
[0057] The first injection unit 56 is disposed adjacent to the cutter 58, and hence the end of the yarn 11 can be securely guided into the yarn feeding bobbin 30.
[0058] As described above, the timing when the first injection unit 56 starts the injection is before or at the same time as the moment when the cutter 58 cuts the yarn 11. In other words, at the moment when the cutter 58 cuts the yarn 11, the first injection unit 56 is injecting air, and hence the end of the yarn 11 is securely enters into the yarn feeding bobbin 30. However, the timing when the first injection unit 56 starts the injection is not limited to the above timing. For instance, the yarn 11 may be broken because an excessive tension is applied, and the lower yarn guide pipe 70 may not be able to catch the lower yarn to guide to the splicer device 12 because the lower yarn of the broken yarn 11 on the yarn feeding bobbin 30 side has insufficient length. In this case, too, the unit control section 90 injects air from the first injection unit 56 so as to insert the end of the yarn 11 into the yarn feeding bobbin 30, and then discharges the yarn feeding bobbin 30 from the yarn winding apparatus 1. In this case, the timing when the first injection unit 56 starts the injection is after occurrence of the yarn breakage is detected, and after it is confirmed that the lower yarn guide pipe 70 cannot catch the lower yarn.
[0059] (2-2) Transport Tray and Yarn Feeding Bobbin
With reference to Figs. 4 to 6, the transport tray 32 and the yarn feeding bobbin 30 are described. Fig. 4 is a side view of the transport tray 32 to which the yarn feeding bobbin 30 is attached, when it is conveyed. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the transport tray 32. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the transport tray 32. The transport tray 32 is a transporting body that is used for transporting the yarn feeding bobbin 30. As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the transport tray 32 includes the base part 32a having a disc shape, and a column-like attachment part (protrusion) 32b that protrudes from the center of the upper surface of the base part 32a. The transport tray 32 has the middle column part 32c between the base part 32a and the attachment part 32b. The middle column part 32c has a seating surface 33 on which the yarn feeding bobbin 30 is seated, and an outer circumference surface 34. The transport tray 32 transports the yarn feeding bobbin 30 in a state where the yarn feeding bobbin 30 is engaged with the attachment part 32b.
[0060] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the yarn feeding bobbin 30 is a cylindrical member having the outer circumference surface around which the yarn 11 is wound, and has an axial through hole 31. The bottom part of the yarn feeding bobbin 30 is engaged with the attachment part 32b of the transport tray 32 and is seated on the seating surface 33, so that the yarn feeding bobbin 30 is set on the transport tray 32.
[0061] With reference to Fig. 6, an inner structure of the transport tray 32 is described. The transport tray 32 is a member to which the yarn feeding bobbin 30 with the yarn 11 wound is attached, and includes a tray main body 35 and a metal mesh member 37. As described above, the tray main body 35 includes the base part 32a, the attachment part 32b that is inserted in the yarn feeding bobbin 30 so that the yarn feeding bobbin 30 can stand, and a recess 38. The tray main body 35 has a second opening 36 formed to penetrate from the upper end to the lower surface. Specifically, the second opening 36 penetrates the base part 32a and the attachment part 32b. The diameter of the recess 38 is larger than the diameter of the mesh member 37.
[0062] The mesh member 37 is fixed in the second opening 36, so as to allow passing of air but restrict passing of the yarn 11. Therefore, even if the end of the yarn passes through the second opening 36 of the tray main body 35 and moves downward, it is possible to prevent the end of the yarn from passing through the transport tray 32 to move downward.
[0063] The mesh member 37 may have a structure in which metal wires are welded to each other by heating, or a structure in which metal wires are rolled by a rolling process (calendering process) using a rolling machine, so that intersections of wires are deformed to engage each other.
[0064] (2-3) Tray Holding Unit
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the tray holding unit 40. The tray holding unit 40 includes a movable support member (not shown) for moving the transport tray 32. For instance, the support member contacts with the outer circumference surface 34 of the middle column part 32c of the transport tray 32, so as to support the transport tray 32. When the yarn feeding bobbin 30 placed on the transport tray 32 is supplied to the tray holding unit 40 by the delivery mechanism 41, the tray position adjust mechanism 92 (described later) appropriately control a stepping motor (not shown) so as to drive the support member, and adjusts a position of the yarn feeding bobbin 30 placed on the transport tray 32. The transport tray 32 is retained at the adjusted position, and hence the yarn 11 can be appropriately unwound from the yarn feeding bobbin 30 placed on the transport tray 32.
[0065] The tray holding unit 40 includes a plurality of first openings 42 arranged on the same circle around the center 43 at the position for holding the transport tray 32 (the tray holding unit 40 at a position vertically downward from the center of the fixed cylinder 54). The first opening 42 is an opening that penetrates from the upper surface that supports the transport tray 32 to the lower surface side. In Fig. 7, the three first openings 42 are formed at intervals of 120 degrees on the same circle around the center 43 at the position for holding the transport tray 32. It is preferred that three or more first openings 42 are formed in different directions, and even if one opening is closed, air flow is secured through at least two openings. However, if too many openings are formed, a problem may occur in the strength of the tray holding unit 40. Therefore, the number of the first openings 42 is preferably 5 or less.
[0066] Fig. 8 is a plan view of the tray holding unit 40 in a case where the transport tray 32 is held by the tray holding unit 40. The first opening 42 is covered with the base part 32a of the transport tray 32.
[0067] As a result, the air injected from the first injection unit 56 passes inside the yarn feeding bobbin 30, the second opening 36 of the attachment part 32b, the mesh member 37, and the recess 38 in order, and then flows from the first opening 42 to the lower surface part of the tray holding unit 40. In this embodiment, as described above, there is a path secured for the air injected from the first injection unit 56 to flow from an unwind side end 30a of the yarn feeding bobbin 30 to a lower surface side of the tray holding unit 40. In this way, it can be prevented that the air enclosed inside the yarn feeding bobbin 30 injects from the unwind side end 30a of the yarn feeding bobbin 30. As a result, the end of the yarn is retained in the state guided into the yarn feeding bobbin 30, and the stretched out state of yarn hanging down outside the yarn feeding bobbin 30 can be easily avoided.
[0068] Further, in this embodiment, the yarn winding apparatus 1 includes the tray position adjust mechanism 92, and moves the position of the transport tray 32 on a horizontal plane with respect to the tray holding unit 40. In this case, the lower surface of the base part 32a of the transport tray 32 may close the first opening 42 of the tray holding unit 40. However, in this embodiment, as the plurality of the first openings 42 are formed in different directions from the center 43 of the tray holding unit 40, at least one of the first openings 42 is not closed, and the path for the air from the upper side to the lower side of the tray holding unit 40 is secured.
[0069] (2-4) Tension Applying Device
With reference to Fig. 1, the tension applying device 80 is described in detail.
[0070] The tension applying device 80 includes a resistance applying part 88 and the drive unit 83. The resistance applying part 88 includes the fixed comb tooth member 81 and the movable comb tooth member 82. The drive unit 83 receives a drive signal from the unit control section 90 and drives the movable comb tooth member 82, so as to switch between the state where the two comb tooth members are engaged and the state where they are released.
[0071] The tension applying device 80 further includes a second injection unit 84 and a second pipe 85 that is a passage for air supplied from the air supply device 91 to the second injection unit 84. When winding yarn, in order to apply appropriate tension to the yarn 11, the yarn 11 is sandwiched between the fixed comb tooth member 81 and the movable comb tooth member 82 in the resistance applying part 88. As the yarn 11 contacts with the fixed comb tooth member 81 and the movable comb tooth member 82, cotton dust is easily generated in the resistance applying part 88. If the cotton dust clings to the fixed comb tooth member 81 or the movable comb tooth member 82, a malfunction may occur in various devices, or quality of the package 23 may be deteriorated. In the yarn winding apparatus 1 of this embodiment, cleaning air is injected from the second injection unit 84 so as to remove cotton dust from the resistance applying part 88.
[0072] For instance, after occurrence of yarn breakage is detected, when it is confirmed that the lower yarn guide pipe 70 cannot catch the lower yarn, and further when the fixed comb tooth member 81 and the movable comb tooth member 82 are separated from each other, the second injection unit 84 injects the cleaning air. At the timing described above, the yarn 11 does not exist in the tension applying device 80, and hence there is no possibility that the yarn 11 will come off the tension applying device 80 due to the cleaning air. Alternatively, it may be possible that the second injection unit 84 injects the cleaning air before or at the same time as the moment when the cutter 58 cuts the yarn 11. The timing described above is the timing when the first injection unit 56 starts the air injection for temporary fixing the yarn.
[0073] In this embodiment, the first pipe 86, through which the air supplied from the air supply device 91 flows to the first injection unit 56, and the second pipe 85, through which the air supplied from the air supply device 91 flows to the second injection unit 84, are connected via a branch part 87. As the timing when the air injects from the first injection unit 56 is the same as the timing when the air injects from the second injection unit 84, there is no need for special control, and cost reduction can be achieved.
[0074] The gas supplied from the air supply device 91 is not limited to air but may be an inert gas such as nitrogen gas.
[0075] (2-5) Tray Position Adjust Mechanism
Fig. 9 is a side view of the yarn unwind unit 2 that holds the transport tray 32. An extension of the center axis of the movable cylinder 51 and the fixed cylinder 54 is regarded as a center line 4. The tray position adjust mechanism 92 drives the support member of the tray holding unit 40, so as to move the transport tray 32 in a direction so that the center of the unwind side end 30a of the yarn feeding bobbin 30 is positioned just below the movable cylinder 51 and the fixed cylinder 54.
[0076] Specifically, when the yarn feeding bobbin 30 placed on the transport tray 32 is supplied to the yarn winding apparatus 1 by the delivery mechanism 41, the detection sensor 53 detects the unwind side end 30a of the yarn feeding bobbin 30. On the basis of a detection result of the detection sensor 53 (whether or not the unwind side end 30a of the yarn feeding bobbin 30 is detected), the unit control section 90 calculates a position of the unwind side end 30a. If the unit control section 90 determines that the calculated position of the unwind side end 30a is deviated from the center line 4, it calculates a distance and a direction to move the transport tray 32 on the basis of the calculated position of the unwind side end 30a, and controls the tray position adjust mechanism 92 to move the transport tray 32 by the distance in the direction. In other words, the unit control section 90 controls the tray position adjust mechanism 92 to move the transport tray 32 in a direction so that the center in a plan view of the movable cylinder 51 and the fixed cylinder 54 agrees with that of the yarn feeding bobbin 30. In accordance with a command from the unit control section 90, the tray position adjust mechanism 92 appropriately controls a stepping motor (not shown), so as to drive the support member to move the transport tray 32.
[0077] As a result, as illustrated in Fig. 9, even if the yarn feeding bobbin 30 is engaged with the transport tray 32 in a slanting direction, the yarn feeding bobbin 30 can be moved to an appropriate position for unwinding of the yarn 11. In addition, accuracy in injecting the air into the yarn feeding bobbin 30 from the first injection unit 56 is improved. In addition, as the plurality of the first openings 42 are formed in different directions from the center 43 of the tray holding unit 40, at least one of the first openings 42 is not closed, and the air injected from the first injection unit 56 can pass downward from the upper part of the tray holding unit 40.
[0078] 2. Features of Embodiment
The yarn winding apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes the yarn unwind unit 2 and the winding unit 3. The yarn unwind unit 2 includes the tray holding unit 40 that holds the transport tray 32 on which the yarn feeding bobbin 30 is placed, and unwinds the yarn 11 from the yarn feeding bobbin 30. The winding unit 3 takes up the yarn 11 unwound from the yarn feeding bobbin 30 so as to form the package 23.
[0079] The yarn unwind unit 2 includes the first injection unit 56 that injects air downward from above the yarn feeding bobbin 30. The tray holding unit 40 includes the first opening 42 at a position where the bottom surface part of the transport tray 32 is disposed when holding the transport tray 32. The first opening 42 allows the air injected by the first injection unit 56 to pass through from the upper surface side of the tray holding unit 40 that holds the transport tray 32 to the lower surface side.
[0080] In this yarn winding apparatus 1, the air injected by the first injection unit 56 passes through the first opening 42 and flows from the upper surface side to the lower surface side of the transport tray 32. Therefore, it can be prevented that the air enclosed inside the yarn feeding bobbin 30 injects from the unwind side end 30a of the yarn feeding bobbin 30. Therefore, the end of the yarn is guided into the yarn feeding bobbin 30, and the stretched out state of yarn hanging down outside the yarn feeding bobbin 30 can be reduced.
[0081] Further in this embodiment, the yarn winding apparatus 1 includes the tray position adjust mechanism 92. The tray position adjust mechanism 92 moves the position of the transport tray 32 on a horizontal plane with respect to the tray holding unit 40. In this way, the position of the unwind side end 30a of the yarn feeding bobbin 30 placed on the transport tray 32 can be adjusted with respect to the yarn unwind assist device 50. As a result, even if the position where the yarn feeding bobbin 30 is attached to the transport tray 32 is varied, the position of unwinding of the yarn 11 from the yarn feeding bobbin 30 can be appropriately maintained, and accuracy in injecting the air into the yarn feeding bobbin 30 from the first injection unit 56 is improved.
[0082] Further, the tray holding unit 40 of this embodiment includes a plurality of the first openings 42. When the position of the transport tray 32 is moved on a horizontal plane with respect to the tray holding unit 40, any of the first openings 42 may be closed by the transport tray 32. Even in this case, the other first openings 42 secure the air flow downward from the upper side of the tray holding unit 40, so that the end of the yarn can be guided into the yarn feeding bobbin 30, and the possibility of occurrence of the stretched out state of yarn hanging down outside the yarn feeding bobbin 30 can be suppressed low.
[0083] 3. Other Embodiment
Although an embodiment of the present invention is described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but can be variously modified within the scope of the invention without deviating from the spirit thereof. In particular, a plurality of embodiments and variations described in this specification can be arbitrarily combined as necessary.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0084] The yarn winding apparatus of the present disclosure can be applied to an automatic winder in which a plurality of yarn winding apparatuses are arranged and used. In addition, the yarn winding apparatus of the present disclosure can be widely applied to textile machines for producing textile products.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0085] 1 yarn winding apparatus
2 yarn unwind unit
3 winding unit
11 yarn
12 splicer device
13 clearer
14 waxing device
15 cleaning pipe
16 cutter
17 clearer head
20 package forming device
21 traverse drum
22 take-up pipe
23 package
24 cradle
25 pivot axis
30 yarn feeding bobbin
32 transport tray
32a base part
32b attachment part, protrusion
32c middle column part
36 second opening
37 mesh member
40 tray holding unit
41 delivery mechanism
42 first opening
44 plate-like member
45 passage panel
46 tray passage
50 yarn unwind assist device
51 movable cylinder
52 retaining cover member
53 detection sensor
54 fixed cylinder
55 yarn temporary fixing device
56 first injection unit
58 cutter
60 upper yarn guide pipe
61 axis
62 suction mouth
70 lower yarn guide pipe
71 axis
72 suction inlet
80 tension applying device
81 fixed comb tooth member
82 movable comb tooth member
83 drive unit
84 second injection unit
85 second pipe
86 first pipe
87 branch part
88 resistance applying part
90 unit control section
91 air supply device
92 tray position adjust mechanism
, Claims:We claim:

1. A yarn winding apparatus comprising:
a yarn unwind unit including a tray holding unit that holds a transport tray on which a yarn feeding bobbin is placed, so as to unwind yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin; and
a winding unit that takes up the yarn unwound from the yarn feeding bobbin so as to form a package, wherein
the yarn unwind unit further includes a first injection unit that injects gas downward from above the yarn feeding bobbin,
the tray holding unit has a first opening at a position where a bottom surface part of the transport tray is disposed when holding the transport tray, and
the first opening allows the gas injected by the first injection unit to pass through from an upper surface side of the tray holding unit holding the transport tray to a lower surface side.

2. The yarn winding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tray holding unit includes a plurality of the first openings.

3. The yarn winding apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of first openings are disposed on the same circle around a center of position holding the transport tray of the tray holding unit.

4. The yarn winding apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first injection unit injects the gas so as to blow an end of the yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin into the yarn feeding bobbin.

5. The yarn winding apparatus as claimed in claim 2, comprising a tray position adjust mechanism that controls the tray holding unit to adjust a position of a unwind side end of the yarn feeding bobbin placed on the transport tray.

6. The yarn winding apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one of the plurality of first openings allows the gas injected by the first injection unit to pass through, even if the position of the transport tray is moved by the tray position adjust mechanism.

7. The yarn winding apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising:
a first pipe through which the gas supplied to the first injection unit flows;
a tension applying device that including a resistance applying part that applies resistance to the yarn, so as to apply tension to the yarn by applying resistance to the yarn;
a second injection unit that injects cleaning gas to the resistance applying part; and
a second pipe through which the gas supplied to the second injection unit flows, wherein
the second pipe is connected to the first pipe via a branch part that branches a flow path for the gas.

8. The yarn winding apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 5, wherein the transport tray includes a protrusion that is inserted in the yarn feeding bobbin so as to fix the yarn feeding bobbin on the transport tray, a second opening that penetrates from an upper end part of the protrusion to a lower surface of the transport tray, and a metal mesh member fixed to the second opening so as to allow passing of the gas but restrict passing of the yarn.

9. The yarn winding apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second opening allows the gas injected by the first injection unit to pass through from the upper end part to the lower surface of the transport tray.

10. The yarn winding apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein
the transport tray includes a protrusion that is inserted in the yarn feeding bobbin so as to fix the yarn feeding bobbin on the transport tray, a second opening that penetrates from an upper end part of the protrusion to a lower surface of the transport tray, and a metal mesh member fixed to the second opening so as to allow passing of the gas but restrict passing of the yarn, and
the tray position adjust mechanism adjusts a position of an unwind side end of the yarn feeding bobbin, so that the gas injected by the first injection unit passes through the second opening and the first opening.