YARN WINDING MACHINE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
5 The present invention mainly relates to a yarn winding machine
in which a yarn defect detecting section is arranged in every winding
unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
10 Conventionally there is known a spinning winder including a
spinning machine adapted to spin a yarn to wind around a bobbin, an
automatic winder adapted to unwind the yarn from the bobbin to form
a package, and a bobbin transport mechanism adapted to automatically
transport the bobbin by a tray from a spinning unit of the spinning
15 machine to a winding unit of the automatic winder. Japanese
Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-20837 discloses
a spinning winder of this type.
An automatic winder provided in the spinning winder of
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-20837
20 includes a fluff detecting section adapted to detect the amount of
fluff of the yarn in every winding unit. The automatic winder performs
quali ty inspection of the yarn in accordance wi th the amount of fluff
and length of unwound yarn of when the relevant amount of fluff is
detected. Accordingly, a change in the amount of fluff corresponding
25 to the length of unwound yarn can be grasped.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There are various causes for occurrence of the yarn defect such
as a fluff. Specifically, the cause may be the spinning machine, a
30 winding condition of the automatic winder (which is common in each
winding unit), and individual winding unit.
When the yarn defect is frequently detected, the yarn defect
is preferably resolved by specifying its occurrence cause. However,
in a configuration of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
35 Publication No. 2011-20837, at which stage the yarn defect occurred
cannot be specified. Therefore, yarn winding had to be continued in
circumstance where the yarn defect frequently occurs. In
15
.e a
particular, since when the yarn defect occurs by the winding unit,
an abnormality is likely to exist in a part itself (a portion where
5 the yarn makes contact is likely to have a scratch), the yarn defect
frequently occurs unless the part is replaced.
As described above, a configuration capable of detecting at
which stage the yarn defect occurred and a configuration capable of
specifying at an early stage that the yarn defect occurred by the
10 winding unit, have been desired.
The present invention is made in consideration of the
above-described circumstances, and its main object is to provide a
yarn winding machine capable of specifying at an early stage that
the yarn defect occurred by the winding unit.
The problem to be solved by the present invention is as mentioned
above, and now, the means for solving such problem will be described
below.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a yarn winding
machine having a following configuration is provided. That is, the
20 yarn winding machine includes a plurality of winding units, a
plurality of yarn defect detecting sections, and a comparing section.
The plurality of the winding units to which a yarn supplying bobbin
around which a yarn is wound is supplied, is adapted to unwind the
yarn wound around the yarn supplying bobbin to form a package. Each
25 of the plurality of the yarn defect detecting sections is mounted
on each of the plurality of the winding units and adapted to detect
a yarn defect of the yarn wound by each of the winding units. The
comparing section is adapted to compare detection results of the
plurality of the yarn defect detecting sections. The winding unit
ao includes a winding section adapted to form the package, and an
information reading device adapted to read information for specifying
the yarn supplying bobbin. The comparing section is adapted to
calculate a tendency of occurrence of the yarn defect in accordance
wi th the detection resul ts of the plurality of the yarn defect
85 detecting sections and the read information for specifying the yarn
3
supplying bobbin, and to compare the tendency of occurrence wi th the
.4It detection result of the yarn defect detecting section.
Accordingly, since the yarn defects can be compared among the
winding units, the yarn defect that is caused by a setting of the
5 entire automatic winder and the yarn defect that is caused by the
winding unit can be differentiated. Furthermore, by including the
information reading device, even if the yarn defect occurs by the
spinning unit, the relevant spinning unit can be specified.
Therefore, the occurrence cause can be more accurately determined.
10 In the above-described yarn winding machine, the comparing
section preferably obtains average yarn defect data, which is the
tendency of occurrence of the yarn defect that commonly appears in
the plurality of the winding units, using at least an average value
of the detection resul ts of the plurali ty of the yarn defect detecting
15 sections and the read information for specifying the yarn supplying
bobbin, and specifies the yarn defect detecting section in which the
yarn defect having a tendency of occurrence different from the average
yarn defect data has been detected.
Accordingly, the yarn defects can be more accurately compared
20 among the winding units. Furthermore, the winding unit in which an
abnormality is likely to have occurred can be specified.
In the above-described yarn winding machine, the comparing
section preferably obtains a threshold value from the average yarn
defect data and specifies the yarn defect detecting section in which
25 the yarn defect that exceeds the threshold value has been detected.
Accordingly, by obtaining an appropriate threshold value, the
winding uni t in which the abnormality has occurred can be accurately
specified.
In the above-described yarn winding machine, a following
30 configuration is preferably made. That is, the comparing section
acquires information that the winding unit has replaced the yarn
supplying bobbin. When the yarn defect having the same tendency of
occurrence is detected before and after the replacement of the yarn
supplying bobbin, and the yarn defect exceeds the threshold value
35 obtained from the average yarn defect data, the comparing section
specifies the yarn defect detecting section in which the relevant
.~ yarn defect has been detected.
Accordingly, even if there is a variation in quality of a
supplied yarn supplying bobbin, whether or not there is the
5 abnormality in the winding unit can be accurately determined.
In the above-described yarn winding machine, a following
configuration is preferably made. That is, the yarn winding machine
includes a notifying section adapted to notify the abnormali ty. When
the yarn defect detecting section in which the yarn defect that exceeds
10 the threshold value obtained from the average yarn defect data is
detected, is specified by the comparing section, the notifying section
notifies the abnormality in the winding unit in which the specified
yarn defect detecting section is mounted.
Accordingly, since an operator can immediately grasp the
15 winding unit in which the abnormality has occurred, a measure
according to the occurrence cause can be taken at an early stage.
In the above-described yarn winding machine, a following
configuration is preferably made. That is, the yarn winding machine
includes a winding control section adapted to control the winding
20 uni t . When the yarn defect detecting section in which the yarn defect
that exceeds the threshold value obtained from the average yarn defect
data is detected, is specified by the comparing section, the winding
control section stops yarn winding by the winding unit in which the
specified yarn defect detecting section is mounted.
25 Accordingly, processing of discharging the yarn supplying
bobbin, processing of continuously removing the yarn defect (yarn
cutting), or the like can be prevented from successively being
performed.
In the above-described yarn winding machine, a following
:30 configuration is preferably made. That is, the yarn winding machine
includes a transport mechanism in which a transport body to which
the yarn supplying bobbin is set is transported to the winding unit.
The transport body stores the information for specifying the spinning
unit in which the yarn is wound around the yarn supplying bobbin.
:35 Accordingly, since an information reading section provided in
5
the winding unit reads the information, the relevant spinning unit ·e can be specified. Therefore, the occurrence cause can be more
accurately determined.
In the above-described yarn winding machine, a following
5 configuration is preferably made. That is, the yarn winding machine
includes the transport mechanism in which the transport body to which
the yarn supplying bobbin is set is transported to the winding unit.
The transport body stores lot information of the spinning unit in
which the yarn is wound around the yarn supplying bobbin.
10 Accordingly, since the average yarn defect data, which is the
tendency of occurrence of the yarn defect is calculated in
consideration of the lot information, the average yarn defect data
can be calculated by the lot. Furthermore, since the average yarn
defect data becomes stable by calculating the average yarn defect
15 data by the lot, the yarn defect data having a different tendency
of occurrence is easily specified.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
20 FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an overall configuration
of an automatic winder provided wi th a winding uni t according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electric
configuration of the automatic winder.
25 FIG.3 is a side view of the winding unit.
FIG.4 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a
comparing section.
FIG.5 is a graph illustrating average yarn defect data and a
threshold value that are related to a fluff.
30 FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electric
configuration of an automatic winder according to an alternative
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
:35 Next, an automatic winder according to an embodiment of the
-e
5
10
15
20
25
ao
85
present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of an
automatic winder 10 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block
diagram schematically illustrating an electric configuration of the
automatic winder 10.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the automatic winder (a yarn winding
machine) 10 includes as a main configuration, a plurality of winding
units 11 arranged next to each other, a machine control device 12,
a yarn supplying bobbin supplying device 13, and a doffing device
14.
The machine control device 12 includes, as illustrated in FIG.
2, a winding control section 41 and a comparing section 42.
The winding control section 41 can communicate with an unit
control section 50 adapted to perform an overall control of each of
the winding units 11. An operator of the automatic winder 10 can set
a winding condition and the like of the winding unit 11 in an integrated
manner by appropriately operating the machine control device 12.
The comparing section 42 and a yarn defect detecting device (a yarn
defect detecting section) 31 adapted to detect a yarn defect of each
of the spinning uni ts 11 constitutes a yarn defect detecting system
60. The comparing section 42 can communicate with the yarn defect
detecting device 31. The comparing section 42 receives a detection
result of the yarn defect from each yarn defect detecting device 31
and performs processing in accordance wi th the detection resul t. The
details of the processing performed by the comparing section 42 will
be described later.
Each winding unit 11 is configured to unwind a yarn 16 from a
yarn supplying bobbin 15 and wind the unwound yarn 16 around a winding
bobbin while traversing the unwound yarn 16. The winding bobbin
around which the yarn 16 is wound is referred to as a package 18.
The yarn supplying bobbin 15 around which the yarn 16 is wound
by a spinning unit of a spinning machine, which is not illustrated,
is supplied to the yarn supplying bobbin supplying device 13.
Between the yarn supplying bobbin supplying device 13 and each
of the winding units 11, a yarn supplying bobbin transport path (a
1
transport mechanism) 35 that is configured of a belt conveyor or the
.~ like is arranged. The yarn supplying bobbin transport path 35 is
capable of transporting a transportation tray (a transport body) 39
having the yarn supplying bobbin 15 placed thereon, to each of the
5 winding units 11.
The yarn supplying bobbin supplying device 13 is configured to
feed the yarn supplying bobbin 15 to the yarn supplying bobbin
transport path 35 after placing the yarn supplying bobbin 15 one by
one on the transportation tray 39. In this configuration, the yarn
10 supplying bobbin 15 can be supplied to each of the winding units 11.
The doffing device 14 is configured, when the package 18 becomes
full (a state in which a prescribed amount of yarn has been wound)
in each of the winding units 11, to travel to a position of the relevant
winding uni t 11 to remove the full package 18 and set an empty winding
15 bobbin. The operation of the yarn supplying bobbin supplying device
13 and the doffing device 14 is controlled by the machine control
device 12.
Next, a configuration of the winding unit 11 will be described
with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a side view of the winding unit
20 11.
Each winding unit 11 includes a yarn supplying section 20 and
a winding section 21.
The yarn supplying section 20 is configured to hold in a
predetermined position the yarn supplying bobbin 15 placed (set) on
25 the transportation tray 39. Accordingly, the yarn 16 can be
appropriately unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin 15.
A RF tag 38 in which appropriate information for
specifying the yarn supplying bobbin 15 can be written is embedded
in the transportation tray 39. Information to be stored in the RF
ao tag 38 may be information for specifying the spinning uni t in which
the yarn is wound around the yarn supplying bobbin 15 (e. g., a spindle
number) and/or lot information for indicating that the yarn supplying
bobbin 15 is generated in which manufacturing lot (e.g., a doffing
execution time). Below the yarn supplying bobbin transportation path
35 35, a RF reader (an information reading device) 37 is arranged in
every winding unit 11. The RF reader 37 transmits information
-It acquired from the RF tag 38 to the machine control device 12 via the
unit control section 50 (or directly) .
The winding section 21 includes a cradle 23 and a winding drum
5 17.
The cradle 23 includes a pair of bearing centers so as to
rotatably support the winding bobbin 22 (or the package 18) by
sandwiching the winding bobbin 22 by the bearing centers. The cradle
23 is configured such that an outer periphery of the supported package
10 18 can be in contact with an outer periphery of the winding drum 17.
The winding drum 17 is adapted not only to traverse the yarn
16 on a surface of the package 18, but also to rotate the package
18. The winding drum 17 is rotated by a drive source (e. g., an electric
motor), that is not illustrated. The package 18 can be rotated by
15 rotating the winding drum 17 in a state where the outer periphery
of the package 18 is in contact with the winding drum 17. A
spiral-shaped traverse groove (not illustrated) is formed on an outer
peripheral surface of the winding drum 17. The yarn 16 unwound from
the yarn supplying bobbin 15 is wound onto the surface of the package
20 18 while being traversed by the traverse groove in a predetermined
width. Accordingly, the package 18 having a predetermined winding
width can be formed.
Each winding unit 11 includes a notification lamp (notifying
section) 51 on a front surface of the winding unit 11. The
25 notification lamp 51 can receive a signal from the uni t control section
50 and the machine control device 12. When determining that there
is an abnormality in the winding unit 11, the machine control device
12 or the unit control section 50 lights the notification lamp 51
with a color which is different from usual.
ao Each winding unit 11 has a configuration in which an unwinding
assisting device 24, a tension applying device 25, a yarn joining
device 26, and a yarn defect detecting device 31 are arranged in this
order from the yarn supplying section 20 in a yarn travelling path
between the yarn supplying section 20 and the winding section 21.
:35 Upstream and downstream in a travelling direction of the yarn 16 may
9
be simply referred to as "upstream" and "downstream" respectively .e in the following description.
The unwinding assisting device 24 includes a regulating member
28 that is capable of covering a core tube of the yarn supplying bobbin
5 15. The regulating member 28 is configured to be substantially
tubular and arranged so as to be in contact with a balloon formed
in an upper part of a yarn layer of the yarn supplying bobbin 15.
The balloon is a part, which is swung by centrifugal force, of the
yarn 16 unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin 16. By causing the
10 regulating member 28 to be in contact with the balloon, tension is
applied on the yarn 16, which is the part of the balloon, and the
yarn 16 is prevented from being swung excessively. Accordingly, the
yarn 16 can be appropriately unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin
15.
15 The tension applying device 25 is adapted to apply a
predetermined tension on the travelling yarn 16. In the present
embodiment, the tension applying device 25 is configured of a
gate-type in which movable comb teeth are arranged with respect to
fixed comb teeth. The movable comb teeth are urged such that the comb
20 teeth are engaged with each other. Since the yarn 16 bends and passes
through the comb teeth that are in the state of being engaged with
each other, adequate tension is applied on the yarn 16 and quality
of the package 18 can be improved. However, the tension applying
device 25 is not limited to the above-described gate-type, and may
25 be a disc-type, for example. A yarn guide 27 is arranged between the
unwinding assisting device 24 and the tension applying device 25.
The yarn joining device 26 is adapted, when the yarn 16 between
the yarn supplying bobbin 15 and the package 18 is separated by some
reason, to join a lower yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin 15 and
30 an upper yarn from the package 18. In the present embodiment, the
yarn joining device 26 is configured as a splicer device that twists
yarn ends using whirling airflow generated by compressed air.
However, the yarn joining device 26 is not limited to the
above-described splicer device, and may be a mechanical knotter or
35 the like, for example.
fO
A yarn defect detecting device 31 is configured to detect a yarn .e defect of the yarn 16. Specifically, the yarn defect detecting device
31 includes a measuring section 32 and a processing section 33. The
measuring section 32 is configured of one or a plurali ty of non-contact
5 sensors. The processing section 33 is configured capable of
detecting the yarn defect such as a fluff, a yarn unevenness by
processing a signal from the measuring section 32. The processing
section 33 transmits a detection result to a yarn defect comparing
section 42 in the machine control device 12. For example, when
10 detecting a yarn defect of which amount of fluff is a predetermined
amount or greater than the predetermined amount, the processing
section 33 transmits an instruction to a cutter (not illustrated)
via the unit control section 50, and cuts the yarn 16.
When the yarn 16 is cut by the cutter, a lower yarn catching
15 member 29 and an upper yarn catching member 30 catch the yarn 16,
and the yarn joining device 26 carries out yarn joining.
Specifically, the upper yarn catching member 30 is connected
to a negative pressure source and configured capable of rotating
around an axis. Accordingly, by rotating in a counterclockwise
20 direction from a position in FIG. 3, a yarn end of the yarn 16 from
the package 18 is acquired, and by rotating in a clockwise direction
under this state, the relevant yarn 16 can be introduced into the
yarn joining device 26. Similarly, the lower yarn catching member
29 is connected to the negative pressure source and configured capable
25 of rotating. Accordingly, the yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin
15 (the lower yarn) is caught and guided into the yarn joining device
26.
By driving the yarn joining device 26 under this state, the upper
yarn and the lower yarn are joined, and the yarn 16 becomes connected
:30 between the yarn supplying bobbin 15 and the package 18. Accordingly,
winding the yarn 16 into the package 18 can be resumed.
If the yarn defect is detected again by the yarn defect detecting
device 31 after the winding is resumed, the unit control section 50
may discharge the yarn supplying bobbin 15. In this case, after a
35 new yarn supplying bobbin 15 is supplied, the above-described yarn
'I
joining is carried out and the winding is resumed .
. _ As described above, the package 18 can be formed by winding the
yarn 16 around the winding bobbin 22.
Next, the processing performed by the comparing section 42 to
5 specify whether or not an occurrence cause of the yarn defect is
located in the individual winding unit 11 will be described. FIG.
4 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the comparing
section 42. FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating average yarn defect data
and a threshold value that are related to a fluff.
10 Firstly, a specific example in which the yarn defect occurs by
the winding unit 11 will be described. For example, when a position
of the yarn supplying bobbin 15 is not accurately adjusted, the
unwinding of the yarn 16 becomes unstable and the amount of fluff
may become large.
15 The yarn 16, as described above, makes contact with various
members between when being unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin
15 and when being wound around the winding bobbin 22. If a member
has a scratch or if the member and the yarn 16 strongly rub against
each other, the amount of fluff of the yarn 16 may become large. A
20 member that makes contact with (or may make contact with) the yarn
16 may be the regulating member 28, the yarn guide 27, the cutter
(not illustrated), the tension applying device 25, or the like. The
yarn defect may occur by making contact wi th a member other than the
members described herein.
25 In this manner, when the yarn defect is detected by the
abnormality in the winding unit 11, unless the cause is removed, a
similar yarn defect frequently occurs. That is, when the yarn defect
occurs by the same cause, the yarn defect of the same type (the yarn
unevenness or the amount of fluff) and the same degree (a degree of
:30 the yarn unevenness or the amount of fluff) occurs. Such a yarn defect
occurs only in the corresponding winding unit 11, and not occurs in
another winding unit 11 as a matter of course. In the present
embodiment, whether or not the yarn defect is caused by the winding
unit 11 is specified by focusing on this point.
:35 Specifically, the comparing section 42 obtains a tendency of
,Z--
"
occurrence of the entire yarn defect (hereinafter referred to as
-tit average yarn defect data) of the automatic winder 10 in accordance
wi th the detection resul ts received from the plurali ty of the winding
units 11. Specifically, by using an average value of a plurality of
5 the detection results or the like, an average value of the degree
of the yarn defect (e.g., the degree of the yarn unevenness and the
amount of fluff) is calculated. Since the amount of fluff varies by
length of the unwound yarn, the average yarn defect data of the yarn
defect is preferably obtained in consideration of this respect (see
10 FIG. 5) . Since the yarn defect varies by quali ty of the yarn supplying
bobbin 15 to be supplied, temperature, humidity, or the like, the
average yarn defect data is preferably updated on a moment-to-moment
basis.
Typically, the yarn supplying bobbin 15 around which the same
15 spinning uni t winds the yarn 16 indicates the same quali ty. In a case
where the lot of the yarn supplying bobbin 15 is the same, the quali ty
is likely to become the same. Therefore, by using an average value
of the yarn defect that is calculated for every same spinning unit
or every same lot in consideration of the spindle number or the lot
20 information that are read by the RF reader 37, more appropriate average
yarn defect data can be obtained as the tendency of occurrence of
the yarn defect.
As described above, the comparing section 42 receives the
detection result from each yarn defect detecting device 31 (S101).
25 The comparing section 42 compares a received yarn defect with the
average yarn defect data (S102). The comparing section 42 determines
by the comparison in step S102 whether or not the received yarn defect
indicates a tendency of occurrence different from the average yarn
defect data (S103).
:30 Specifically, the comparing section 42, for example, in a case
of the amount of fluff, as illustrated in FIG. 5, when a received
amount of the fluff is greater than a predetermined threshold value
that is determined by the average yarn defect data (an average amount
of the fluff), determination is made that the both indicate different
:35 tendencies of occurrence. This method of determination may be
changed to a condition that "a value remains the threshold value or .e greater than the threshold value over a predetermined time".
When determining that the received yarn defect is located in
a range similar to the average yarn defect data (8103), the comparing
5 section 42 does not perform any processing in particular. This is
because when the received yarn defect is located in the range similar
to the average yarn defect data, the yarn defect is not likely to
be caused by the winding unit 11.
On the other hand, when the received yarn defect exceeds the
10 threshold value, the comparing section 42 determines whether or not
the yarn defect indicates the similar tendency of occurrence even
after the yarn supplying bobbin 15 is replaced(that is, whether or
not the tendency of occurrence of the yarn defect exceeds the threshold
value) (8104). In other words, as described above, if the yarn defect
15 successively occurs in the same yarn supplying bobbin 15, the unit
control section 50 discharges the yarn supplying bobbin 15 to resume
winding with a new yarn supplying bobbin 15. The comparing section
42 determines whether or not the yarn defect of the new yarn supplying
bobbin 15 indicates the tendency of occurrence similar to the tendency
20 of occurrence of the yarn defect of the yarn supplying bobbin before
being replaced (8104).
When the yarn defect having the tendency of occurrence similar
to the tendency of occurrence before the replacement is not detected
by replacing the yarn supplying bobbin 15, the comparing section 42
25 notifies to the winding control section 41 that there is a high
possibili ty that the yarn supplying bobbin 15 before the replacement
was a defective bobbin (8107). The winding control section 41 that
received this notification, stores the spindle number of the spinning
unit stored in the RF tag 38 of the yarn supplying bobbin 15 before
30 the replacement. Accordingly, in which spinning unit a defective
bobbin is likely to generate also can be grasped.
When the yarn defect having the tendency of occurrence similar
to the tendency of occurrence before the replacement is detected even
if the yarn supplying bobbin 15 has been replaced, the comparing
35 section 42 specifies the relevant yarn defect detecting device 31.
\'1
The comparing section 42 then determines that the yarn defect is
·tIt occurring by the winding unit 11 to which the yarn defect detecting
device 31 is attached. In a case where the yarn unevenness that is
equal to the threshold value or greater than the threshold value is
5 generated before replacing the yarn supplying bobbin 15, and the
amount of fluff that is the threshold value or greater than the
threshold value is generated after replacing the yarn supplying bobbin
15, since the types of the generated yarn defects are different, the
comparing section 42 does not determine that the yarn defect is
10 occurring by the winding unit 11.
Next, when determining that the yarn defect is occurring by the
winding unit 11, the comparing section 42 issues an instruction to
the unit control section 50 to stop winding the yarn 16 (S105).
Next, the comparing section 42 issues an instruction to the uni t
15 control section 50 to notify by changing a color of the notifying
lamp 51 that the abnormality is occurring in the relevant winding
unit 11 (S106). A method of notification is any, and the abnormality
may be notified with an alarm sound, or a relevant spindle number
and the like of the winding unit 11 may be displayed in a display
20 section of the machine control device 12.
By sequentially performing the above-described processing for
the detection result of all of the yarn defect detecting devices 31,
the yarn defect caused by the winding unit 11 can be found at an early
stage to notify to an operator. The operator, upon learning of the
25 abnormality of the winding unit 11 by the notifying lamp 51 or the
like, checks a position adjustment of the yarn supplying bobbin 15,
and a scratch or the like of the yarn guide 27, and carries out
readjustment, replacement of parts, or the like. Accordingly, the
yarn defect is prevented from frequently occurring.
30 As described above, the automatic winder 10 according to the
present embodiment includes the plurality of the winding units 11,
a plurality of the yarn defect detecting devices 31, and comparing
section 42. The plurali ty of the winding uni ts 11, to which the yarn
supplying bobbin 15 around which the yarn 16 is wound is supplied,
35 forms the package 18 by unwinding the yarn 16 that is wound around
the yarn supplying bobbin 15. Each of the plurality of the yarn defect
. _ detecting device 31 is mounted in each of the plurali ty of the winding
units 11 and detects the yarn defect of the yarn 16 that is wound
by each of the winding units 11. The comparing section 42 compares
5 the detection results of the plurality of the yarn defect detecting
devices 31. The winding unit 11 includes the winding section 21
adapted to form the package 18, and the RF reader 37 adapted to read
the information for specifying the yarn supplying bobbin 15. The
comparing section 42 also calculates the tendency of occurrence of
10 the yarn defect in accordance with the detection results of the
plurality of the yarn defect detecting devices 31 and the information
for specifying the yarn supplying bobbin 15, which is read by the
RF reader 37, and compares the tendency of occurrence and the detection
result of the yarn defect detecting device 31.
15 Accordingly, since the tendencies of the yarn defects can be
compared among the winding units 11, the yarn defect caused by a
setting of the entire automatic winder 10 and the yarn defect caused
by the winding unit 11 can be di fferentia ted. Furthermore, by
including the RF reader 37, even if the yarn defect occurs by the
20 spinning unit, the relevant spinning unit can be specified.
Therefore, the occurrence cause of the yarn defect can be more
accurately determined.
In the automatic winder 10 according to the present embodiment,
the yarn defect detecting device 31 calculates the average yarn defect
25 data using at least the average value of the detection results of
the plurality of the yarn defect detecting devices 31 and the
information for specifying the yarn supplying bobbin 15, which is
read by the RF reader 37, and specifies the yarn defect detecting
device 31 in which the yarn defect having a tendency of occurrence
30 different from the average yarn defect data has been detected.
Accordingly, the yarn defects can be more accurately compared
among the winding uni ts 11. Furthermore, the winding uni t 11 in which
the abnormality is likely to have occurred can be specified.
In the automatic winder 10 according to the present embodiment,
35 the comparing section 42 acquires information that the winding unit
)b
1 has replaced the yarn supplying bobbin 15. When the yarn defect .e having the same tendency of occurrence is detected before and after
the replacement of the yarn supplying bobbin 15, and the yarn defect
exceeds the threshold value obtained from the average yarn defect
5 data, the comparing section 42 specifies the yarn defect detecting
device 31 in which the relevant yarn defect has been detected.
Accordingly, even if there is a variation in the quality of the
yarn supplying bobbin 15, determination can be made whether or not
the detected yarn defect is caused by the winding unit 11.
10 Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention is
described, the above-described configuration may be changed as
follows, for example.
The machine control device 12 according to the above-described
embodiment includes two processing sections (the winding control
15 section 41 and the comparing section 42) having different functions,
but as illustrated in FIG. 6, the machine control device 12 may include
a machine control section 43 that performs the both of processing.
In the above-described embodiment, a communication path from
the yarn defect detecting device 31 to the comparing section 42 and
20 a communication path from the unit control section 50 to the winding
control section 41 are described as different paths, but a same cable
may be used. Furthermore, the yarn defect detecting device 31 may
perform communication via the unit control section 50 (see FIG. 6).
In the above-described embodiment, processing devices such as
25 the processing section 33, the unit control section 50, the winding
control section 41, the comparing section 42 are described, but which
processing device performs which processing is not limited to the
example described in the above-described embodiment. For example,
the winding control section 41 may perform a part of the processing,
30 which the comparing section 42 performs above. The average yarn
defect data calculated by the comparing section 42 may be transmi tted
to the unit control section 50, and the unit control section 50 may
perform processing of comparing the yarn defects.
The method of comparing the yarn defects according to the
35 above-described embodiment is an example, and a method of calculating
t1
the average yarn defect data or the like may be changed on an
.~ appropriate basis. Furthermore, a method may be employed in which
without calculating the average yarn defect data, one yarn defect
received by the comparing section 42 is individually compared with
5 a plurality of other yarn defects.
In the above-described embodiment, the winding section 21
causes the winding drum 17 to traverse the yarn 16, but the winding
section 21 may cause, for example, an arm-type traverse mechanism
to traverse the yarn 16.
10 A configuration in which the yarn supplying bobbin 15 is
supplied to the automatic winder 10 is not limited to a tray-type,
and a magazine-type bobbin supplying device may be arranged in every
winding unit 11.
13

We Claim: .e 1. A yarn winding machine characteri zed by comprising:
a plurality of winding units to which a yarn supplying bobbin
around which a yarn is wound is supplied, adapted to unwind the yarn
5 wound around the yarn supplying bobbin to form a package;
a plurality of yarn defect detecting sections, each of the
plurality of the yarn defect detecting sections is mounted in each
of the plurality of the winding units and adapted to detect a yarn
defect of the yarn that is wound by each of the winding units; and
10 a comparing section adapted to compare detection resul ts of the
plurality of the yarn defect detecting sections, wherein the winding
unit includes a winding section adapted to form the package and an
information reading device adapted to read information for specifying
the yarn supplying bobbin; and
15 the comparing section adapted to calculate a tendency of
occurrence of the yarn defect in accordance wi th the detection resul ts
of the plurality of the yarn defect detecting sections and the read
information for specifying the yarn supplying bobbin, and to compare
the tendency of occurrence wi th the detection resul t of the yarn defect
20 detecting section.
2. The yarn winding machine according to claim 1, wherein
the comparing section is adapted to obtain average yarn defect data,
which is the tendency of occurrence of the yarn defect that commonly
25 appears in the plurality of the winding units, using at least an
average value of the detection results of the plurality of the yarn
defect detecting sections and the read information for specifying
the yarn supplying bobbin, and to specify the yarn defect detecting
section in which the yarn defect having a tendency of occurrence
30 different from the average yarn defect data has been detected.
3. The yarn winding machine according to claim 2, wherein the
comparing section is adapted to obtain a threshold value from the
average yarn defect data and to specify the yarn defect detecting
35 section in which the yarn defect that exceeds the threshold value
has been detected.
4. The yarn winding machine according to claim 3, wherein
the comparing section is adapted to acquire information that the
5 winding unit has replaced the yarn supplying bobbin; and
when the yarn defect having the same tendency of occurrence is
detected before and after the replacement of the yarn supplying bobbin
and the yarn defect exceeds the threshold value obtained from the
average yarn defect data, the comparing section is adapted to specify
10 the yarn defect detecting section in which the relevant yarn defect
has been detected.
5. The yarn winding machine according to claim 3 or claim 4,
comprising a notifying section adapted to notify an abnormality,
15 wherein when the yarn defect detecting section in which the yarn defect
that exceeds the threshold value obtained from the average yarn defect
data is detected, is specified by the comparing section, the notifying
section notifies the abnormality in the winding unit in which the
specified yarn defect detecting section is mounted.
20
6. The yarn winding machine according to anyone of claim 3
through claim 5, comprising a winding control section adapted to
control the winding unit, wherein when the yarn defect detecting
section in which the yarn defect that exceeds the threshold value
25 obtained from the average yarn defect data is detected, is specified
by the comparing section, the winding control section is adapted to
stop yarn winding by the winding unit in which the specified yarn
defect detecting section is mounted.
30 7. The yarn winding machine according to anyone of claim 2
through claim 6, comprising a transport mechanism adapted to transport
to the winding unit, a transport body to which the yarn supplying
bobbin is set, wherein the transport body stores the information for
specifying the spinning unit in which the yarn is wound around the
35 yarn supplying bobbin.
·tIt 8. The yarn winding machine according to anyone of claim 2
through claim 6, comprising a transport mechanism adapted to transport
to the winding unit, the transport body to which the yarn supplying
5 bobbin is set, wherein the transport body stores lot information of
the spinning uni t in which the yarn is wound around the yarn supplying
bobbin.
9. A yarn winding machine, sUbstantially as herein described
10 with reference to accompanying drawings and examples.
15
Dated this 19t h day of June 2013
Of Anand and Anand Advocates
Agent for the Applicant