YARN WINDING MACHINE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention mainly relates to a yarn winding machine
provided with a yarn quality measuring section.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there is known a spinning winder including a
spinning machine adapted to generate a yarn supplying bobbin by
winding a spun yarn, an automatic winder adapted to form a package
by unwinding the yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin, and a bobbin
transport mechanism adapted to automatically transport the yarn
supplying bobbin from a spinning unit of the spinning machine to a
winding unit of the automatic winder. Japanese Unexamined Patent
Application Publication No. 2011-20837 discloses a spinning winder
of this kind.
An automatic winder provide dinthe spinningwinder of Japanese
Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-20837 includes
in every winding unit a fluff detecting section adapted to detect
the amount of fluff of the yarn. The automatic winder detects the
lengthofanunwoundyarnindicatinghowlongthe yarnhasbeenunwound
from the yarn supplying bobbin, based on the number of rotations of
a winding drum, and the like.
It is known that the amount of fluff of the yarn unwound from
the yarn supplying bobbin is likely to increase in accordance with
the length of the unwound yarn (see FIG. 5 described later). In this
respect, the automatic winder of Japanese Unexamined Patent
Application PublicationNo. 2011-20837 associatesthe amount of fluff
with the length of the unwound yarn. Therefore, it can be typically
specifiedwhetherthe amount of fluff is increasedbecausethe length
of the unwound yarn is long or the amount of fluff is increased by
another cause (e.g., humidity or damage in a member).
An automatic winder disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent
Application Publication No. 2009-149404 includes an unwinding
assisting device adapted to assist unwinding of the yarn from the
yarn supplying bobbin. The unwinding assisting device includes an
unwinding member, and a sensor adapted to detect a chase portion,
which is a yarn layer end portion of the yarn supplying bobbin. By
5 this configuration, the unwindingmember can lower in accordance with
a change in a position of the chase portion accompanying the yarn
unwinding.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
10 However, the yarn supplying bobbin to be supplied to the
automatic winder is not always wound with the yarn sufficiently. For
example, when the automaticwinder discharges a yarn supplyingbobbin,
whichisintheprocessofunwinding, andthere isnoprobleminquality
and the like of the yarn supplying bobbin, the yarn supplying bobbin
15 may be supplied again.
In this case, since it cannot be specified in the configuration
of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-20837
that the amount of the remaining yarn of the yarn supplying bobbin
is not sufficient, the yarn supplying bobbin is treated similarly
20 to when a yarn supplying bobbin around which the yarn is sufficiently
wound is supplied. Therefore, in the configuration of Japanese
UnexaminedPatent Application PublicationNo. 2011-20837, a situation
may happen in which even when it is determined that there is a great
amount of fluff, the length of the unwound yarn is merely long. In
25 other words, conventionally, a cause of increase in the amount of
flu.ff could not be accurately specified.
The present invention is made in consideration of the
above-described circumstances, and its object is to provide a yarn
winding machine adapted to accurately inspect the amount of fluff
30 of the yarn supplying bobbin in consideration of the amount of the
remaining yarn, which is estimated from an unwinding position of the
yarn supplying bobbin.
The problemtobe solvedbythepresentinventionis asmentioned
above, andnow, themeans for solving suchproblemand effectsthereof
35 will be described below.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a yarn winding
machine havinga configurationdescribedbelowis provided. That is,
the yarn winding machine includes a bobbin setting section, an
unwinding position detecting section, a yarn quality measuring
5 section, and a yarn quality inspecting section. A yarn supplying
bobbin is set in the bobbin setting section. The unwinding position
detecting section detects an unwinding position of the yarn supplying
bobbin set in the bobbin setting section. The yarn qualitymeasuring
section measures quality of a yarn unwound from the yarn supplying
10 bobbin. The yarn quality inspecting section manages the quality of
the yarn in accordance with the unwinding position detected by the
unwinding position detecting section and the quality of the yarn
measured by the yarn quality measuring section.
15 B R I E F DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
F I G . 1 is a front view illustrating an overall structure of an
automatic winder provided with a winding unit according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
20 F I G . 2 is a front view illustrating a schematic structure of
the winding unit.
F I G . 3 is anenlargedperspective view illustrating a structure
of an unwinding assisting device.
F I G . 4A is a schematic side view illustrating a first state in
25 which a rising and lowering member lowers following a chase portion
of a yarn supplying bobbin.
F I G . 4B is a schematic side view illustrating a second state
in which the rising and lowering member lowers following the chase
portion of the yarn supplying bobbin.
30 F I G . 4C is a schematic side view illustrating a third state in
which the rising and lowering member lowers following the chase
portion of the yarn supplying bobbin.
F I G . 5 i s a g r a p h i l l u s t r a t i n g a s s o c i a t i o n o f t h e a m o u n t o f f l u f f
and an unwinding position.
35 F I G . 6A is a first schematic side view illustrating another
structure of an unwinding position detecting section.
FIG. 6B is a second schematic side view illustrating another
structure of the unwinding position detecting section.
FIG. 6C is a third schematic side view illustrating another
5 structure of the unwinding position detecting section.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Next, an automatic winder according to an embodiment of the
present invention will be described with reference to - the drawings.
10 FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a schematic structure of an
automatic winder 10 of the present embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the automatic winder (a yarn winding
machine) 10 includes as main components, a plurality of winding units
11 arranged next to each other, a machine control device (occurrence
15 tendency calculating section) 12, a yarn supplying bobbin supplying
device 13, and a doffing device 14.
The machine control device 12 is configured capable of
communicating with each of the winding units 11. An operator of the
automatic winder 10 can manage the plurality of the winding units
20 11 in an integrated manner by appropriately operating the machine
control device 12.
Each of the winding units 11 is configured to unwind a yarn from
a yarn supplyingbobbin15 andwindan unwound yarn16 aroundawinding
bobbin 22 while traversing the yarn 16. A winding bobbin in a state
25 where the yarn 16 is wound around is referred to as a package 18.
The yarn supplying bobbin 15 around which the yarn is wound by
I
I a spinning unit of a spinning machine (not illustrated) is supplied i to the yarn supplying bobbin supplying device 13.
I Between the yarn supplying bobbin supplying device 13 and each
I 30 of the winding units 11, a yarn supplying bobbin transport path
(transport path) 35, which is configured of a belt conveyer or the
I
1 like, is arranged. The yarn supplying bobbin transport path 35 is
I
capable of transporting a transportation tray (transport body) 39
having the yarn supplying bobbin 15 placed thereon, to each of the
I 35 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. By this configuration, the yarn
5 supplying bobbin 15 can be supplied to each of the winding units 11.
Thedoffingdevice14 is configured, whenthe package18 becomes
full (a state in which a prescribed amount of the yarn has been wound)
i n e a c h w i n d i n g u n i t 1 1 , t o t r a v e l t o a p o s i t i o n o f t h e r e l e v a n t w i n d i n g
unit 11 to remove the full package 18 and set an empty winding bobbin.
10 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. 2. FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a
15 schematic structure of a winding unit.
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
prescribed position the yarn supplying bobbin 15 set on the
20 transportation tray (a bobbin setting section) 39. Accordingly, the
yarn 16 can be appropriately unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin
An RF tag (storage device) 38 in which appropriate information
canbewritten is e m b e d d e d i n t h e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n t r a y 3 9 . Information
25 to be stored in the RF tag 38 may be information for specifying the
spinning unit that has generated the yarn supplying bobbin 15 (e. g.,
a spindle number), doffing execution time, or the like. In a part
below the yarn supplying bobbin transport path 35, an RF reader 37
is arranged in every winding unit 11. The RF reader 37 transmits
I 30 information acquired from the RF tag 38 to the machine ~ control device I 1 2 v i a a u n i t c o n t r o l s e c t i o n ( b o b b i n r e p l a c e m e n t i n s t r u c t i n g s e c t i o n )
I I 50 (or directly).
The winding section 21 includes a cradle 23 and a winding drum
17.
35 The cradle 23 includes a pair of bearing holders, and is
P
configured to rotatably support the winding bobbin 22 (or the package
18) by sandwiching the winding bobbin 22 with the bearing holders.
The cradle 23 is configured so as to cause an outer periphery of the
supported package 18 to make contact with an outer periphery of the
winding drum 17.
The winding drum 17 traverses the yarn 16 on a surface of the
package 18 and rotates the package 18. The winding drum 17 is rotated
by a package drive motor 19. By rotating the winding drum 17 in a
state where the outer periphery of the package 18 is in contact with
the winding drum 17, the package 18 can be rotated. 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 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
notificationlamp 51canreceivea signalfromtheunitcontrolsection
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
in a color which is different from usual.
Each winding unit 11 has a configuration in which an unwinding
assisting device 24, a tension applying device 25, a yarn joining
device 26, anda yarnqualitymeasuringdevice (yarnqualitymeasuring
section) 31are arrangedinthis order fromthe yarn supplying section
20 in a yarn travelling path between the yarn supplying section 20
and the winding section 21. Upstream and downstream in a travelling
direction of the yarn 16 may be simply referred to as "upstream" and
"downstream" respectively in the following description.
The unwinding assisting device 24 includes a movable member
(unwinding member) 72 that is capable of covering a core tube of the
yarn supplying bobbin 15. The movable member 72 is configured to be
substantiallytubularandarrangedsoastomakecontactwithaballoon
formed in an upper part of a yarn layer of the yarn supplying bobbin
15. The balloon is a portion, which is swung by centrifugal force,
of the yarn 16 unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin 16. By causing
the movable member 72 to make contact with the balloon, tension is
applied on the yarn 16, which is a 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.
The unwinding assisting device 24 will be described in detail later.
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. Themovable comb teeth are urged such that the comb
teethare engagedwith each other. Since the yarn16bends andpasses
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
be a disc-type, for example.
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
an upper yarn from the package 18. In the present embodiment, the
yarn joining device 26 is configured as a splicer device for twisting
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
the like, for example.
The yarn quality measuring device 31 is configured to measure
quality of the yarn 16. Specifically, the yarn quality measuring
device 31 includes a measuring section 32 and a processing section
33. The measuring section 32 is configured of one or a plurality of
non-contactsensors. Theprocessingsection 33is configuredcapable
of measuring the quality of the yarn (e.g., the amount of fluff or
the degree of yarn unevenness) by processing a signal from the
measuring section 32. The processing section 33 transmits a
detection result to the machine control device 12. For example, when
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
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 41. Accordingly, a yarn end of the yarn 16 from the
package 18 can be acquired, and the relevant yarn 16 can be introduced
into the yarn joining device 26. Similarly, the lower yarn catching
member 29 is connected tothe negative pressure source and configured
capable of rotating around an axis 42. Accordingly, the yarn from
the yarn supplying bobbin 15 (the lower yarn) is caught and guided
into the yarn joining device 26.
B y d r i v i n g t h e y a r n j o i n i n g d e v i c e 2 6 u n d e r t h i s state, theupper
yarn and the lower yarn are joined, and the yarn 16 becomes connected
betweentheyarnsupplyingbobbin15 andthepackage18. Accordingly,
winding of the yarn 16 into the package 18 can be resumed.
As described above, the package 18 can be formed by winding the
yarn 16 around the winding bobbin 22.
Next, the unwinding assisting device 24 will be described in
detail. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a
structure of the unwinding assisting device 24. FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B and
FIG. 4Care schematic sideviews illustrating states inwhicha rising
and lowering member 73 lowers following a chase portion 15a of the
yarn supplying bobbin 15.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the unwinding assisting device 24
includes a fixed member 71, a movable member 72, the rising and
lowering member 73, and a chase portion detecting sensor 74.
The fixedmember 71is fixed to a unit frame 5 via an appropriate
member. A narrow member (not illustrated) adapted to control the
balloon is formed in a lower part of the fixed member 71. The movable
member 72 is formed to be tubular and arranged so as to cover an outside
of the fixed member 71. The rising and lowering member 73 is formed
in a unified manner with the movable member 72.
I 5 As illustrated in FIG. 2, the automatic winder 10, as a
I configuration to move the rising and lowering member 73, includes
a stepping motor 79, a stepping motor control section 83, and a drive
force conversion mechanism 85.
The steppingmotor 79 is electrically connected tothe stepping
10 motor control section 83. The stepping motor control section 83
controls the stepping motor 79 by transmitting a pulse signal. The
stepping motor control section 83 is connected to the unit control
section 50. The steppingmotor control section 83 includes a counting
section 84. The counting section 84 counts the number of the pulses
15 that have been transmitted by the stepping motor control section 83.
The drive force conversion mechanism 85 converts a force in a
rotationdirectionofthe steppingmotor 79intoa forceinadirection
of a straight line, and includes a mounting member 75 and a screw
shaft77. The screw shaft77 is arrangedtowards avertical direction
20 (axial direction of the yarn supplying bobbin 15) and rotatably
supported.
1 The mounting member 75 is connected to the rising and lowering
I member 73. A screw hole is made in the mounting member 75, ~ and since
the screw shaft 77 is screwed into the screw hole, the mounting member
25 75 is mounted to the screw shaft 77. A motor shaft of the stepping
I , motor 79 is connected to one end portion of the screw shaft 77. The
I movement of the mounting member 75 in a rotation direction is I
controlled by an appropriate measure such that the mounting member
75 does not rotate in a unified manner with the screw shaft 77.
30 By this configuration, when the stepping motor 79 is driven and
I
the screw shaft 77 is rotated, the mounting member 75 and the rising
, and lowering member 73 moves in an upward direction or a downward
direction along an axial line direction of the screw shaft 77.
In this manner, the rising and lowering member 73 is configured
I 35 capable of moving vertically (in the axial direction of the yarn
supplying bobbin 15). Since the movable member 72 is formed in a
unified manner with the rising and lowering member 73, the movable
member 72 and the rising and lowering member 73 move in a unified
manner. As illustrated in F I G . 3, the rising and lowering member 73
5 includes the chase portion detecting sensor 74. adapted to detect the
chase portion 15a of the yarn supplying bobbin 15. The chase portion
15a is a yarn layer end portion of the yarn supplying bobbin 15
following progress of winding operation. The chase portiondetecting
sensor 74 is configured as a transmissive photo sensor including a
10 light projecting section 74a and a light receiving section 74b. A
detection signal detected by the chase portion detecting sensor 74
is input in the unit control section 50.
By causing the rising and lowering member 73 to operate in
accordance with the detection signal of the chase portion detecting
15 sensor 74, the stepping motor control section 83 can position the
movable member 72 in a predetermined distance from the chase portion
15a (see F I G . 4A). Even in a case where the yarn supplying bobbin
15 is unwound and a position of the chase portion 15a is lowered,
the stepping motor control section 83 can always keep the distance
20 between the chase portion 15a and the movable member 72 constant by
lowering the rising and lowering member 73 in accordance with the
detection signal of the chase portion detecting sensor 74 (see F I G .
4B and F I G . 4C) .
Accordingly, the balloon that generates in a position where the
25 yarn16is separated fromthe chaseportion15awhenthe yarn supplying
bobbinlsis unwound, canbe appropriatelycontrolled, and thewinding
operation can be carried out while keeping tension of the yarn 16
unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin 15 constant.
Since the chase portion detecting sensor 74 is mounted in the
30 rising and lowering member 73, the chase portion 15a can be detected
by the chase portion detecting sensor 74. An origin is set in the
stepping motor 79 by an origin sensor, which is not illustrated, or
the like. The counting section 84, from the origin position until
the chase portion detecting sensor 74 detects the chase portion 15a,
35 countsthe number ofpulsestransmittedbythe steppingmotor control
section 83 tomove the rising and lowering member 73. In other words,
the stepping motor control section 83 can grasp the movement amount
of the rising and lowering member 73 based on the number of the pulses
counted by the counting section 84. The stepping motor control
5 section 83 can detect a position where the yarn supplying bobbin 15
is unwound (an unwinding position), based on the movement amount in
which the rising and lowering member 73 has moved from the origin
sensor. In this manner, in the present embodiment, since the
unwinding position is detected by the chase portion detecting sensor
10 74, the stepping motor control section 83 and the counting section
84, an unwinding position detecting section 80 is configured of such
members.
The stepping motor control section 83 transmits to the yarn
quality inspecting section 52 the detected unwinding position ofthe
15 yarn supplying bobbin 15. The yarn quality inspecting section 52
managesthe qualityofthe yarn. The yarn qualityinspecting section
52 inspects whether or not there is a great amount of fluff based
on the unwinding position, and the detection result received from
the processing section 33, for example.
20 A method of inspecting the amount of fluff will be described
below with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating
association between the amount of fluff and an unwinding position.
I 1 As illustrated in FIG. 5, it is known that when the amount of
the remaining yarn of the yarn supplying bobbin 15 becomes less and
I
25 the unwinding position lowers (the length of the unwound yarn becomes
I
1 longer), the amount of fluff is likely to increase (see FIG. 5). 1 Therefore, when inspecting the amount of fluff, without setting a
I ~ constant threshold value, the threshold value is preferably set low
I in a case where there is a great amount of the remaining yarn (the I
30 length of the unwound yarn is short), and the threshold value is
preferably set high in a case where there is a small amount of the
I remaining yarn and the rising and lowering member 73 has lowered (the
length of the unwound yarn is long).
I
I However, as describedabove, a yarn supplyingbobbin15 of which
1
35 amount of the remaining yarn is not sufficient may be supplied. For
example, whena yarn supplyingbobbin15 of which lengthofthe unwound
yarn is B in FIG. 5 is newly supplied, a conventional automatic winder
performs the same control as in a case where a yarn supplying bobbin
15 of which length of the unwound yarn is A is supplied. In other
5 words, a determination is made using a threshold value of when the
length of the unwound yarn is A. As a result, it may be determined
that there is a great amount of fluff despite that the amount of fluff
is within a normal range.
In this respect, in the present embodiment, when the yarn
10 supplying bobbin 15 of which length of the unwound yarn is B is newly
supplied, the unwinding assisting device 24 lowers the rising and
loweringmember 7 3 u n t i l t h e c h a s e p o r t i o n d e t e c t i n g s e n s o r 7 4 detects
the chase portion 15a. Then, the stepping motor control section 83
detects the unwinding position of the yarn supplying bobbin 15 based
15 on the number of the pulses transmitted until the chase portion 15a
is detected (the number of the pulses counted by the counting section
8 4 ) . That is, in the configuration of the present embodiment, even
when the yarn supplying bobbin 15 of which length of the unwound yarn
is B is newly supplied, the unwinding position can be accurately
20 detected.
Therefore, fromirnrnediately after the yarn supplying bobbin 15
is supplied, the yarn quality inspecting section 52 can determine
the amount of fluff using the threshold value corresponding to when
the length of the unwound yarn is B. Therefore, an inspection can
25 be accurately made as to whether or not there is a great amount of
fluff.
When the detected amount of fluff exceeds the threshold value,
the yarn quality inspecting section 52 notifies to the unit control
section 50 and the machine control device 12 accordingly.
30 The unit control section 50 notifies that an abnormality has
occurred, by changing a lighting color of the notification lamp 51.
Since the notifying means is any, the abnormality may be notified
by an alarm sound, or a spindle number of the relevant winding unit
11, and the like may be displayed on a display section of the machine
35 controldevice12. Accordingly, an operator specifies anddealswith
an occurrence cause of t h e abnormality. When t h e abnormality i n t h e
amount of f l u f f is n o t i f i e d from t h e yarn q u a l i t y i n s p e c t i n g s e c t i o n
52, t h e u n i t c o n t r o l s e c t i o n 50 i n s t r u c t s discharge of t h e yarn
supplying bobbin 15 i n s t e a d of o r i n a d d i t i o n t o n o t i f y i n g t h e
abnormality.
When t h e abnormality i n t h e amount of f l u f f is n o t i f i e d from
t h e yarn q u a l i t y i n s p e c t i n g s e c t i o n 52, t h e machine c o n t r o l device
12 s p e c i f i e s t h e r e l e v a n t winding u n i t 11. Then, t h e machine c o n t r o l
device 12, based on a v a l u e of t h e RF t a g 38 i n t h e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n
t r a y 39 f o r t h e yarn supplying bobbin 15 t o which t h e winding u n i t
11 is/was c a r r y i n g out winding, s p e c i f i e s and s t o r e s t h e spinning
u n i t t h a t generated t h e y a r n supplying bobbin 15.
Themachine c o n t r o l device12 r e f e r s t o t h e s t o r e d c o n t e n t s and,
when t h e abnormality i n t h e amount of f l u f f is f r e q u e n t l y occurs i n
t h e yarn supplyingbobbin15 g e n e r a t e d b y t h e s p e c i f i e d s p i n n i n g u n i t ,
d e t e r m i n e s t h a t t h e r e is a n a b n o r m a l i t y i n t h e r e l e v a n t s p i n n i n g u n i t .
Then t h e machine c o n t r o l device 12 n o t i f i e s t o t h e operator i n an
a p p r o p r i a t e manner accordingly.
T h e y a r n q u a l i t y i n s p e c t i n g s e c t i o n 5 2 m a y t r a n s m i t t h e d e t e c t e d
amount of f l u f f t o t h e machine c o n t r o l device 12. In t h i s
c o n f i g u r a t i o n , t h e machine c o n t r o l device 12 c a l c u l a t e s an o v e r a l l
occurrence tendency o f t h e amount of f l u f f based on t h e amount of
f l u f f received from a p l u r a l i t y of t h e yarn q u a l i t y i n s p e c t i n g
s e c t i o n s 52. The above-described t h r e s h o l d value may be determined
based on t h i s occurrence tendency. In t h i s c o n f i g u r a t i o n , s i n c e t h e
amount of f l u f f can be compared among t h e winding u n i t s 11, whether
a g r e a t amount of f l u f f occurs by t h e winding u n i t 11 or by a cause
whichis incomrnonwiththeentireautomaticwinder10 ( e - g . , humidity)
can be s p e c i f i e d .
As described above, t h e automatic winder 10 of t h e present
embodiment includes t h e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n t r a y 39, t h e chase p o r t i o n
d e t e c t i n g sensor 74, t h e yarn q u a l i t y measuring device 31, and t h e
yarn q u a l i t y i n s p e c t i n g s e c t i o n 52. The yarn supplying bobbin 15 is
set i n t h e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n t r a y 39. The chase p o r t i o n d e t e c t i n g sensor
74 d e t e c t s t h e unwinding p o s i t i o n of t h e yarn supplying bobbin 15
set in the transportation tray 39. The yarn qualitymeasuring device
31measuresthe qualityofthe yarn16 unwound fromthe yarn supplying
bobbin15. Theyarnqualityinspectingsection 52managesthequality
of the yarn in accordance with the unwinding position detected by
the chase portion detecting sensor 74 and the quality of the yarn
measured by the yarn quality measuring device 31.
Accordingly, even when the yarn supplying bobbin 15 of which
amount of the remaining yarn is not sufficient is supplied, the
unwinding position of the yarn supplying bobbin 15 at the time of
measuring the quality of the yarn can be specified. Therefore, the
quality of the yarn can be appropriately inspected in consideration
of the unwinding position.
The automatic winder 10 of the present embodiment includes the
unwinding assisting device 24 adaptedto assist unwinding ofthe yarn
of the yarn supplying bobbin 15 by moving the movable member 72
according to the change in the position of the chase portion 15a,
which is the yarn layer end portion of the yarn supplying bobbin 15.
The chase portion detecting sensor 74 does not only detects the
unwinding position, but also functions as a sensor adapted to move
with the movable member 72 at the time of the unwinding operation
and to detect the chase portion 15a.
Accordingly, since the chase portiondetecting sensor 74 serves
asanunwindingpositiondetectingsectionandanunwindingassistance,
the number ofthe sensors canbe reduced. Furthermore, the unwinding
position can be detected without adding new equipment to the existing
configuration.
The automatic winder 10 of the present embodiment includes the
machine control device 12 adapted to obtain the occurrence tendency
of the quality of the yarn, based on the inspection result of the
plurality of the yarn quality inspecting sections 52.
Accordingly, a determination can be easily made as to whether
the quality of the yarn degrades in merely some of the winding units
11 or in all of the winding units 11. Therefore, an occurrence cause
of the degradation in the quality of the yarn can be easily found.
Next, an alternative embodiment will be described. FIG.
6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C are schematic side views illustrating another
structure of the unwinding position detecting section. In the
present alternative embodiment, the same or similar members as in
the above-described embodiment receive the same reference numerals
oftheembodiment inthedrawings andelement names toomit description
thereof in some cases.
The unwinding position detecting section 80 of the
above-describedembodimenthas a configuration inwhich the unwinding
position of the yarn supplying bobbin 15 is detected by the chase
portion detecting sensor 74, the stepping motor control section 83,
and the counting section 84. On the contrary, an unwinding position
detecting section 80 of the present alternative embodiment detects
the unwinding position of the yarn supplying bobbin 15 by a plurality
ofremainingyarnamountsensors 91, 92, 93, whichareopticalsensors.
As illustrated in FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C, the remaining
yarn amount sensors 91, 92, 93 are vertically (in the axial direction
and an unwinding direction of the yarn supplying bobbin 15) arranged
next to each other. The remaining yarn amount sensors 91, 92, 93 are
arranged so as to detect a yarn layer portion of the yarn supplying
bobbin 15, but not a core tube portion of the yarn supplying bobbin
15. Therefore, the unwinding position of the yarn supplying bobbin
15 can be detected in accordance with a detection signal of the
remaining yarn amount sensors 91, 92, 93.
For example, in a state illustrated in FIG. 6A, all of the
remaining yarn amount sensors 91, 92, 93 detect a yarn layer.
Accordingly, it can be known that the unwinding position of the yarn
supplying bobbin 15 is relatively high. In a state illustrated in
FIG. 6B, the remaining yarn amount sensors 92, 93 detect the yarn
layer. Accordingly, it can be known that the unwinding position of
the yarn supplying bobbin 15 has lowered. In a state illustrated in
FIG. 6C, only the remaining yarn amount sensor 93 detects the yarn
layer. Accordingly, it can be known that the unwinding position of
the yarn supplying bobbin 15 has further lowered.
In the present alternative embodiment, the above-described
threshold value can be changed according to a case in which all the
three of the remaining yarn amount sensors 91, 92, 93 detect the yarn
layer, a case in which only two of the remaining yarn amount sensors
91, 92, 93 detect the yarn layer, and a case in which only one of
the remaining yarn amount sensors 91, 92, 93 detects the yarn layer,
for example. Accordingly, even when the yarn supplying bobbin 15 of
which amount of the remaining yarn is small is supplied, the amount
of fluff can be determined based on the unwinding position.
In the alternative embodiment, the yarn layer of the yarn
supplying bobbin 15 is detected, but a configuration may be made in
which a position of the movable member 72 of the unwinding assisting
device 24 or a member adapted to move in a unified manner with the
movable member 72 (e. g., the rising and lowering member 73 and the
mounting member 75) can be detected by an equivalent sensor.
A configuration also may be made in which only the remaining
yarn amount sensor 92 is provided, and the amount of fluff is measured
when the remaining yarn amount sensor 92 no longer detects the yarn
layer. Accordingly, since the amount of fluff of the yarn supplying
bobbins 15 of which unwinding positions are the same can be measured,
a determination can be accurately made as to whether or not the amount
of fluff is abnormal.
Preferred embodiments are described above, but the
above-described configuration may be changed as below, for example.
The configuration in which the unwinding position of the yarn
supplying bobbin 15 is detected is not limited to the optical sensor
as describedabove. The unwindingpositionmaybe detectedbytaking
an image by a camera and the like, and by processing the image, for
example.
In the above-describedembodiments, processingdevices such as
the processing section 33, the yarn quality inspecting section 52,
the unit control section 50, the machine control device 12, or the
like are described, but which processing device performs which
processingis not limited tothe examples describedinthe embodiments
above. For example, the amount of fluff may be determined by the
machine control device 12, not by the yarn qualityinspecting section
52. Furthermore, the yarn quality inspecting section 52 is not
limited to a configuration in which the yarn quality inspecting
section 52 is arranged in the unit control section 50, but may be
independently arranged.
In the above-described embodiments, the unwinding assisting
device 24 ismovedbythe steppingmotor 79, the drive force conversion
mechanism 85, or the like, but the unwinding assisting device 24 can
be moved using an air cylinder. Even in this case, by detecting the
yarn layer of the yarn supplying bobbin 15 by a plurality of optical
sensors similar to the above description or by detecting the movable
member 72 orthememberthatmovesina unifiedmannerwiththemovable
member 72 (including a member that constitutes the air cylinder),
the unwinding position can be detected.
In the above-described embodiments, the winding section 21 is
adapted to traverse the yarn 16 by the winding drum 17, but may be
adapted to traverse the yarn 16 by an arm-type traverse mechanism.
The configuration in which the yarn supplying bobbin 15 is
supplied to the automatic winder 10 is not limited to the tray-type,
and a magazine-type bobbin supplying device may be arranged in every
winding unit 11.
The present invention, in a configuration where the quality of
the yarn wound around the yarn supplying bobbin is measured, may be
applied to another yarn winding machine without being limited to the
automatic winder 10.
Accordingly, evenwhentheyarnsupplyingbobbinofwhichamount
of a remaining yarn is not sufficient is supplied, the unwinding
position of the yarn supplying bobbin at the time of measuring the
quality of the yarn can be specified. Therefore, the quality of the
yarn canbe appropriatelyinspectedin consideration ofthe unwinding
position. Measuringthe qualityofthe yarnoutsideaproduction line
thus can be omitted.
In the above-described yarn winding machine, the unwinding
position detecting section preferably includes a chase portion
detecting sensor adapted to move following a change in a position
of the chase portion, which is a yarn layer end portion of the yarn
supplying bobbin, at the time of unwinding operation, and to detect
t h e chase p o r t i o n .
Accordingly, s i n c e t h e chase p o r t i o n d e t e c t i n g s e n s o r s e r v e s
as a p a r t of t h e unwinding p o s i t i o n d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n , a new sensor
and t h e l i k e is not required t o be provided a s t h e unwinding p o s i t i o n
d e t e c t i n g s e c t i o n . Therefore, c o s t c a n b e reducedby s i m p l i f y i n g t h e
c o n f i g u r a t i o n of t h e yarn winding machine.
In t h e above-described yarn winding machine, a n o t i f y i n g
s e c t i o n adapted t o n o t i f y an abnormality i n t h e q u a l i t y of t h e yarn
i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h a n i n s p e c t i o n r e s u l t o f t h e y a r n q u a l i t y i n s p e c t i n g
s e c t i o n , is p r e f e r a b l y provided.
Accordingly, s i n c e a n o p e r a t o r cangraspawindingunitinwhich
t h e abnormality has occurred, an countermeasure according t o a cause
of degradation i n t h e q u a l i t y of t h e yarn can be taken a t an e a r l y
s t a g e .
In t h e above-described yarn winding machine, a bobbin
replacement i n s t r u c t i n g s e c t i o n adapted t o i n s t r u c t replacement of
t h e yarn supplying bobbin i n accordance with t h e i n s p e c t i o n r e s u l t
of t h e yarn q u a l i t y i n s p e c t i n g s e c t i o n , is p r e f e r a b l y provided.
Accordingly, continuous winding of a yarn having low q u a l i t y
can be prevented.
In t h e above-described yarn winding machine, a c o n f i g u r a t i o n
describedbelowispreferablymade. That is, t h e yarnwindingmachine
includes anoccurrencetendencycalculating s e c t i o n a d a p t e d t o obtain
an occurrence tendency of t h e q u a l i t y of t h e yarn i n accordance with
t h e i n s p e c t i o n r e s u l t s of a p l u r a l i t y of t h e yarn q u a l i t y i n s p e c t i n g
s e c t i o n s . The yarn q u a l i t y i n s p e c t i n g s e c t i o n i n s p e c t s t h e q u a l i t y
of t h e yarn based on t h e occurrence tendency.
Accordingly, a determination can be made a s t o whether t h e
q u a l i t y of t h e yarn degrades i n merely some of t h e winding u n i t s or
i n a l l of t h e winding u n i t s . Therefore, an occurrence cause of the
degradation i n t h e q u a l i t y of t h e yarn can be e a s i l y found.
In t h e above-described yarn winding machine, a c o n f i g u r a t i o n
describedbelowispreferablymade. That is, t h e yarnwindingmachine
includes an unwinding a s s i s t i n g device adapted t o a s s i s t unwinding
o f t h e yarn o f t h e yarn supplying bobbin by moving an unwindingmernber
according to the change in the position of the chase portion. The
unwinding assisting device includes a stepping motor adapted to move
the unwinding member, and a stepping motor control section adapted
to control driving ofthe stepping motor. The stepping motor control
5 section includes a counting section adapted to count the number of
pulses transmitted to drive the stepping motor. The unwinding
position detecting section is configured further including the
I stepping motor control section and the counting section.
I
I I Accordingly, the unwinding position can be detected based on
1 10 the number of pulses transmitted until the chase portion detecting
1
sensor detects the chase portion. Furthermore, since the unwinding
position can be detected by merely counting the number of pulses,
processing can be simplified.
In the above-described yarn winding machine, the unwinding
position detecting sectionpreferablyincludes remaining yarn amount
sensors arranged in plurality in an unwinding direction and adapted
to detect the unwinding position of the yarn supplying bobbin.
Accordingly, a position of the yarn layer end portion of the
yarn supplying bobbin can be estimated in accordance with the number
of the remaining yarn amount sensors that have detected a yarn layer
of the yarn supplying bobbin, for example. Therefore, even in a
configuration where the unwinding assisting device does not follow
thechange inthepositionofthechaseportion, theunwindingposition
can be detected.
In the above-described yarn winding machine, a configuration
describedbelowispreferablymade. That is, the yarnwindingmachine
includes the unwinding assisting device adapted to assist the
unwinding of the yarn of the yarn supplying bobbin by moving the
unwinding member according to the change in the position of the chase
portion, which is the yarn layer end portion of the yarn supplying
bobbin. The remaining yarn amount sensor detects the unwinding
position of the yarn supplying bobbin by detecting a position of the
unwinding member or a member that moves in a unified manner with the
unwinding member.
Accordingly, by detecting the position of the unwinding member
or the member, which moves in a unified manner with the unwinding
member, the unwinding position can be directly detected.
In the above-described yarn winding machine, a configuration
describedbelowis preferablymade. That is, the yarn is wound around
5 the yarn supplying bobbin by a spinning machine including a plurality
of spinning units. The bobbin setting section is capable of moving
along atransport pathunder a state inwhich the yarn supplyingbobbin
is set. The bobbin setting section includes a storage device adapted
to store information for specifying the spinning unit that has wound
10 the yarn around the yarn supplying bobbin.
Accordingly, since it can be detected that degradation in the
quality of the yarn is caused by a specific spinning unit, a cause
of the degradation in the quality of the yarn can be more accurately
found.

We Claim:
1. A yarn winding machine characterized by comprising:
a bobbin setting section in which a yarn supplying bobbin is
set;
5 an unwinding position detecting section adapted to detect an
unwinding position of the yarn supplying bobbin set in the bobbin
setting section;
a yarn quality measuring section adapted to measure quality of
a yarn unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin; and
10 a yarn quality inspecting section adapted to manage the
qualityofthe yarninaccordancewiththeunwindingpositiondetected
by the unwinding position detecting section and the quality of the
yarn measured by the yarn quality measuring section.
15 2. The yarn winding machine according to claim 1, wherein the
unwinding position detecting section includes a chase portion
detecting sensor adapted to move following a change in a position
of a chase portion, which is a yarn layer end portion of the yarn
supplying bobbin, at the time of unwinding operation, and to detect
20 the chase portion.
3. The yarn winding machine according to claim 1 or claim 2,
comprising a notifying section adapted to notify an abnormality in
the quality of the yarn in accordance with an inspection result of
25 the yarn quality inspecting section.
4. The yarn winding machine according to any one of claim 1
through claim 3, comprising a bobbin replacement instructing section
adapted to instruct replacement of the yarn supplying bobbin in
30 accordance with the inspection result of the yarn quality inspecting
section.
5. The yarn winding machine according to any one of claim 1
through claim 4, comprising an occurrence tendency calculating
35 section adapted to obtain an occurrence tendency of the quality of
the yarn in accordance with the inspection result of the yarn quality
@ inspecting section;
wherein the yarn quality inspecting section inspects the
quality of the yarn based on the occurrence tendency.
5
6. The yarn winding machine according to any one of claim 2
through claim 5, comprising an unwinding assisting device adapted
to assist unwinding ofthe yarn ofthe yarn supplyingbobbinbymoving
an unwinding member according to the change in the position of the
10 chase portion;
wherein the unwinding assisting device includes a stepping
motor adapted to move the unwinding member, and a stepping motor
control section adapted to control driving of the stepping motor;
the stepping motor control section includes a counting section
15 adaptedtocountthenumberofpulsestransmittedtodrivethe stepping
motor; and
the unwinding position detecting section is configured further
includingthe steppingmotorcontrolsectionandthecountingsection.
20 7 . The yarn winding machine according to claim 1, wherein the
unwinding position detecting section includes remaining yarn amount
sensors arranged in plurality in an unwinding direction and adapted
to detect the unwinding position of the yarn supplying bobbin.
25 8 . The yarn winding machine according to claim 7, comprising
the unwinding assisting device adapted to assist the unwinding of
the yarn of the yarn supplying bobbin by moving the unwinding member
according to the change in the position of the chase portion, which
is the yarn layer end portion of the yarn supplying bobbin;
30 wherein the remaining yarn amount sensors detect the unwinding
position of the yarn supplying bobbin by detecting a position of the
unwinding member or a member that moves in a unified manner with the
unwinding member.
35 9. The yarn winding machine according to any one of claim 1
through claim 8, wherein a yarn is wound around the yarn supplying
bobbin by a spinning machine including a plurality of spinning units;
the bobbin setting section is capable of moving along a
transport path under a state in which the yarn supplying bobbin is
5 set; and
the bobbin setting section includes a storage device adapted
to store information for specifying the spinning unit that has wound
the yarn around the yarn supplying bobbin.
10. A yarn winding machine, substantially as herein described with
reference to accompanying drawings and examples.