Operating device of loom

Description

Background of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for operating a loom so as to start a loom in stoppage.

Description of the Prior Art

[0002] Among one of loom operating techniques for starting a loom in stoppage, there is an operating method in which, when starting to operate a loom, the main shaft of the loom rotates reversely from the present position to a predetermined position at a low speed prior to the starting, and then the main shaft of the loom is started and made to perform blank beating (i.e., blank weaving) without accompanying weft insertion by an amount corresponding to the amount of the reverse rotation, and thereafter, the loom is switched to so-called ordinary operation accompanying weft insertion (see Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Appln. Public Disclosure No. 61-124651 and EP-A-1 580 308).

[0003] There is another operating technique for starting a loom in stoppage in which, when starting operation, the loom is made to perform blank beating without reversing, and then the loom operation is switched to ordinary one (see Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 3138084).

[0004] According to the operating method according to Patent Document 2, a selection step of shedding selection pattern for a solenoid of an electronic dobby as a warp shedding device is returned beforehand by a value corresponding to a predetermined number of blank beating, and after starting the main shaft of the loom, the loom is made to perform blank beating without accompanying weft insertion while performing shedding motion and reed beating within a blank beating period of a predetermined number of blank beating, and thereafter, with a shedding phase and a fabric texture phase coincided at the first ordinary cycle switched from the blank beating cycle, the loom is switched to an ordinary operation accompanying weft insertion.

[0005] There is still another operating technique for starting a loom in stoppage. However, it has such a problem as, when weft yarns having great stretching properties such as twisted yarns or spandex yarns are used, after removing the weft failed to be inserted, the main shaft of the loom is rotated reversely further by half a rotation or more to the starting position, the woven weft yarns are exposed to a cloth fell, causing the weft to slack. To solve this problem, there is a method of starting, that is, the main shaft is rotated normally, in place of being reversely rotated as mentioned above, to a predetermined starting position and then operated, and after performing blank beating once, the loom is switched to ordinary operation accompanying weft insertion (see Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Appln. Public Disclosure No. 4-241147).

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Appln. Public Disclosure No. 61-124651
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 3138084
Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Appln. Public Disclosure No. 4-241147

[0007] By the operating method of Patent Document 1, however, warp shedding associated with the reverse rotation of the main shaft and, further, force of the selvage yarn to constrain (twist) the weft already woven into are cancelled. As a result, when the weft having great stretching properties is used, the slack is caused to the weft exposed to the cloth fell, which results in a defect of fabric.

[0008] Also, the operating method of Patent Document 2 is not applicable to a device which performs shedding motion by a mechanically predetermined shedding pattern, such as a shedding device (e.g., a crank shedding device, a cam shedding device and the like) other than an electronic dobby.

[0009] Further, in the starting method of Patent Document 3, since the number of blank beatings after starting the loom is limited to once, there is not such a degree of freedom in setting the number of blank beatings as in the cases of the techniques in Patent Documents 1 and 2, and it does not surely eliminate weft bars.

[0010] A further method for preventing weft been from being formed when a loom stops and restarts is known from EP-A-1541731.

Summary of the Invention

[0011] An object of the present invention is to enable to make the loom perform a low-speed normal rotation process and a blank beating operation process at the time of starting the loom, and then, to set the periods respectively of the low-speed normal rotation process and the blank beating operation process properly from the viewpoint of preventing weft bars, in an operating device for shifting the loom to the normal operation.

[0012] The operating device of a loom according to the present invention comprises a setter for setting at least one parameter; and a controller for making the loom carry out a low-speed normal rotation process for normally rotating the main shaft of the loom at a low speed by using the set parameter set in the setter when an operation signal is inputted, and a blank beating operation process without accompanying weft insertion while operating the loom. In the setter, the termination time of at least one of the low-speed normal rotation process and the blank beating operation process is enabled to be manually set as the parameter.

[0013] In the operating device according to the present invention, information on the number of repetitions of a weaving pattern is preset in the setter. In the setter, the termination time of either one of the low-speed normal rotation process and the blank beating operation process can be manually set. It is possible to have the setter or the controller automatically calculate the termination time of the other of the processes, based on the result of subtraction of the rotation amount of the main shaft corresponding to multiples of the number of repetitions and the rotation amount of the main shaft in the process where the termination time is manually set.

[0014] In the operating device according to the present invention, information on the number of repetitions of a weaving pattern is preset in the setter in which the termination time of the blank beating operation process can be manually set. It is possible to make the setter or the controller, when the termination time of the blank beating operation process is set, judge whether or not the rotation amount of the main shaft from the start of the low-speed normal operation process to the termination time of the set blank beating operation process coincides with the rotation amount of the main shaft corresponding to multiples of the number of repetitions, and if the former does not coincide with the latter, output an alarm signal.

[0015] In the operating device according to the present invention, information on the number of repetitions of a weaving pattern is preset in the setter in which the terminations times of both the low-speed normal rotation process and the blank beating operation process can be manually set. It is possible to make the setter or the controller, when the termination times respectively of the low-speed normal rotation process and the blank beating operation process are preset, judge whether or not the sum of the rotation amount of the main shaft in the low-speed normal rotation process based on the preset termination time and the rotation amount of the main shaft in the blank beating operation process coincides with the rotation amount of the main shaft corresponding to multiples of the number of repetitions, and if the former does not coincided with the latter, output an alarm signal.

[0016] In the operating device according to the present invention, information on the number of repetitions of the rotation amount of the main shaft from the start of each of the low-speed normal operation process and the blank beating operation process can be set in the setter as the termination time of the corresponding process. In the controller, a rotation signal of the loom main shaft is inputted. It is possible to make the controller terminate each of the low-speed normal rotation process and the blank beating operation process, when the rotation amount of the loom main shaft from the start of each process reaches the rotation amount based on the set information.

[0017] In the operating device according to the present invention, the number of the times of passing a predetermined angular position of the loom main shaft from the start of each of the low-speed normal rotation process and the blank beating operation process can be set in the setter as the termination time of the corresponding process. In the controller, a rotation signal of the loom main shaft is inputted. The controller may be made to count the number of the times of passing the predetermined angular position of the loom main shaft, in each of the low-speed normal rotation process and the blank beating operation process and, when the counted value reaches the set number of passing, to terminate the process.

[0018] According to the invention claimed in claim 1, since it is possible to perform both low-speed normal rotation process and blank beating operation process and to change the termination time of at least one of both processes according to a state of generation of weft bars, so that the beating force against a cloth at the start can be adjusted, thereby surely preventing weft bars from generating in comparison with conventional devices.

[0019] The following is a concrete example. In a constitution where only the termination time of the low-speed normal rotation can be set (namely, a loom of a type by which the termination time of the blank beating operation process cannot be changed), as a result of changing the time to start blank beating by changing the termination time of the low-speed normal rotation, the length of the period of the blank beating operation process (the rotation amount of the loom main shaft) is changed. On the contrary, in a constitution where only the termination time of the blank beating operation can be set (namely, a loom of a type by which the termination time of the low-speed operation process, that is, the time to start the blank beating operation process cannot be changed), the length of the period of the blank beating operation process is changed by changing the termination time of the blank beating in consideration of the number of repetitions of a weaving pattern. In either case, according to increase or decrease in the length of the period of the low-speed normal rotation process, without spoiling proper beating motion, the length of the period of the blank beating operation process can be changed, so that the number of beating (blank beating) performed during the blank beating operation and the rotation speed (beating force) of the main shaft immediately after resumption of weft insertion can be adjusted to a desired state.

[0020] Also, even in case of using the weft having elasticity (i.e., great stretching properties), the main shaft is rotated normally in the process of blank beating start, so that such inconvenience will not occur as "the weft slacks due to release of twisted selvage yarn by reverse rotation of the main shaft" in the technique of blank beating start which accompanies reverse rotation. Consequently, even when such weft yarns are used, the quality of a fabric is not spoiled.

[0021] According to the invention as claimed in claim 2, if the termination time of one process is set, the termination time of the other process is automatically calculated according to the rotation amount of the main shaft based on the result of subtraction between the rotation amount of the main shaft corresponding to multiples of the number of repetitions and the rotation amount of the main shaft from the start of the process where the termination time is manually set till the termination time. Thus, inconveniences liable to occur immediately after starting the loom due to failure in setting parameters, such as, for example, so-called "double pick" which is a state that in appearance two weft yarns are inserted immediately after resumption of the loom operation when weft insertion is started one pick or more before or after a desired time to start weft insertion (that is, multiples of the number of repetitions); or a blank pick or the like, a state that no weft yarns are inserted.

[0022] In the invention as claimed in claim 2, preferably by manually setting the termination time of the blank beating operation process of the above two processes and automatically computing the termination time of the low-speed normal rotation process, an operator should directly set the termination time of the blank beating operation process in which the termination time of the blank beating operation process has a strong relationship with the beating force. This enables the operator to set the termination time according to a strong or weak state of weft bars.

[0023] According to the inventions as claimed in claims 3 and 4, failure in setting a parameter is judged. More concretely, it is judged whether or not the rotation amount of the main shaft from the start of the low-speed normal rotation process till the termination time of the set blank beating operation process coincides with the rotation amount of the main shaft corresponding to multiples of the number of repetitions. Or, it is judged whether or not the sum of the rotation amount of the main shaft in the low-speed normal rotation process based on the set termination time and the rotation amount of the main shaft in the blank operation process coincides with the rotation amount of the main shaft corresponding to multiples of the number of repetitions, and an alarm signal is outputted with respect to the result of the above judgment, so that an operator, taking notice of the above failure in setting parameters manually inputted by either way, can correctly set, and thus, can surely prevent such inconveniences caused by failure in setting.

[0024] By the inventions as claimed in claims 5 and 6, the operating device of a loom can be more concretely constituted. Also, by the invention as claimed in claim 6, the termination time of each process can be set as the number of the times passing a predetermined angle (namely, the number of rotation times of the loom of the main shaft) to a value for the operator to easily take as the number of passing, so that a series of setting operations are facilitated to reduce failure in parameter setting.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] 

Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing showing one embodiment of a loom to be started by the operating device according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an electric circuit showing one embodiment of the operating device according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a view showing one embodiment of a setting screen of the setter in the operating device in Fig. 2 and a state where part of parameters required for operating is not yet set.

Fig. 4 is a view showing the setting screen where all the parameters required for operating are set.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart for explaining a method of setting parameters.

Fig. 6 is a view showing a state of the loom for explaining one embodiment of the method of starting by the operating device according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the other method of setting parameters.

Fig. 8 shows one embodiment of the setting screen when set by the method of setting shown in Fig. 7.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Definition of Terms

[0026] In the present invention, the terms "the number of picks" and "the rotation frequency of the main shaft" respectively mean "the rotation number of the main shaft" and the term "period of blank weaving" means "period of operating without accompanying weft insertion from the start of the loom main shaft.

Embodiment 1

[0027] Embodiment of the loom

[0028] Referring to Fig. 1, in the loom 10, plural warp yarns 12 are drawn like a sheet from a warp beam 14 around which they are wound together with plural sets of selvage yarns (not shown) and connected to a cloth fell 22 through plural heald frames 18 and reeds 20.

[0029] The warp 12 is inserted into a heald to be mounted on a plurality of heald frames 18 and is shedded by reciprocating motion of each heald frame. The weft 130 (see Fig. 6) is inserted into a shedding 24 of the warp 12 through a weft inserting device (not shown). The inserted weft 130 is beaten against a cloth fell 22 by a reed 20. Thereby, a cloth 26 is produced.

[0030] Plural sets of selvage yarns respectively disposed in the neighborhood of both ends of the cloth are shedded by a selvage shedding device 28 disposed between a back roller 16 and the heald frames 18. The selvage shedding device 28 is driven to be opened in synchronization with warp shedding motion, and the weft 130 is also inserted into a selvage shedding formed with the warp shedding motion.

[0031] The cloth 26 reaches the cloth roller 32 from the cloth fell 22 through the guide roller 30 and is let off to the cloth beam 36 by the cloth roller 32 and a pair of press rollers 34. The let-off cloth 26 is taken up by the cloth beam 36.

[0032] The heald frame 18, being reciprocated up and down by a motion converter 38, vertically opens the warp 12.

[0033] The motion converter 38, receiving the rotational motion of the main shaft 42 which is rotated by the main shaft motor (prime motor) 40, reciprocates the heald frame 18 vertically, makes the reed 20 swing, and, furthermore, lets the selvage shedding device 28 perform selvage shedding motion.

[0034] Thus, the reed 20, made to swing, beats the weft inserted into the shedding 24 against the cloth fell 22. Subsequently, the shedding motion, picking motion and beating motion of the heald frames 18 and the selvage shedding device 28 are performed one after another, and a cloth having a predetermined textile weave and a predetermined leno selvage weave are successively produced with the weft 130, warp 12 and selvage yarns.

[0035] The heald frames 18 constitute a shedding device together with a part of the motion converter 38. The reed 20 constitutes a beating-up device together with the other part of the motion converter 38.

[0036] The warp beam 14, rotated through a reduction mechanism (not shown) by a let-off motor 44, lets off a plurality of the warp yarns 12 in a sheet form.

[0037] The cloth roller 32 is rotated through a reduction mechanism (not shown) such as a gear which receives the rotation of the take-up motor 46. The cloth roller 32 lets off the cloth 26 to the cloth beam 36 in cooperation with a pair of press rollers 30.

[0038] The main shaft 42 is applied braking by an electromagnetic brake 48 (see Fig. 2) when stopping the loom 10.

[0039] As the selvage shedding device 28, a device for untwisting the selvage yarns can be used when reversing the main shaft 42. As an example of such selvage shedding devices, there is a planetary gear drive type one.

[0040] A selvage shedding device of the planetary gear drive type, as described in the Official Gazettes of Japanese Appln. Publication No. 57-40318, No. 63-2448 and the like, has a pair of planetary gears, each of which has a yarn guide for guiding the selvage yarns, disposed at positions symmetrical to each other in the inside of a built-up gear having internal teeth. The built-up gear revolves in response to the rotation of a support arm, and thereby makes two selvage yarns to be guided individually by the yarn guide perform twisting motion by an extended elliptical orbit.

[0041] The selvage shedding device 28, however, is not necessarily be of a planetary gear drive type. It may be, for example, of a type with a selvage device mounted on a heald frame and with the position of a mail of the selvage device alternately moved in the weaving width direction of the selvage device by reciprocation of the heald frame, thereby forming a leno weave.

[0042] Embodiment of Operating Device

[0043] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, a control block diagram for controlling such a loom is exemplified.

[0044] Referring to Fig. 2, an operating device 50 comprises a setter 52 for manually setting parameters for various weaving, and a main controller 54 for controlling the loom by using the predetermined parameters set in the setter 52 and the other input data.

[0045] The main controller 54 serving as a controller has an input port 56, an output port 58, a central processing unit (CPU) 60 for outputting a control signal to various circuit devices, and a storage means 62 for storing various kinds of information. In the storage means 62, control programs as well as control information prepared by a machine manufacturer are stored, and control data such as the present control status and the like are temporarily stored.

[0046] The operating device 50 also comprises: a drive circuit 64 for operating the main shaft motor 40; a drive circuit 66 for operating the electromagnetic brake 48; a take-up control circuit 68 for operating the take-up motor 46; a let-off control circuit 70 for operating the let-off motor 44; a weft insertion controller 72 for controlling weft insertion; and a weft detection circuit74 for generating a signal representing whether the weft was inserted correctly or not by detecting the inserted weft. These circuit devices 64 through 74 are controlled by signals (S1 through S6) to be outputted from the main controller 54.

[0047] The main controller 54 receives an operation command from an operation command button 76 for operating the loom, an inching command from an inching command button 78 for inching the loom, a reversing command from a reverse command button 80 for reversing the loom, a stopping command from a stop command button 82 for stopping the loom, a picking failure signal S7 from a weft detection circuit 74, and a main shaft angle signal signal θ and the like representing the angular position of the main shaft 42 at each input port 56, and by outputting the signals (S1 through S6) according to the control program to be accumulated, controls the circuit devices 64 through 74.

[0048] The main shaft angle signal θ is generated by a publicly-known angle signal generator (ENC) 84 connected to the main shaft 42 such as an absolute-type encoder and an incremental-type encoder.

[0049] The angle signal generator 84, for example, when using the incremental-type encoder, generates a pulse signal as the main shaft angle signal θ each time the main shaft 42 rotates by a predetermined angle, and the main controller 54 recognizes the angle of the main shaft by counting it. However, as in case of using an absolute-type encoder, it is possible to generate a plurality of electrical signals corresponding to the absolute angle of the loom main shaft as the main shaft angle signal θ and have the main controller 54 recognize the main shaft angle by decoding the plural outputs.

[0050] The main shaft angle signal θ is used, in the main controller 54, for controlling actions of the loom as a whole such as operating or stopping of the loom, and is used for controlling to switch to each process in case where running for a normal rotation blank beating to be mentioned later is selected.

[0051] Parameters to be set in the setter 52 are various parameters for starting as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and various parameters for weaving. The parameters for starting will be explained later with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. As regards the parameters for weaving, not only information on weft density, warp tension, kinds of yarns of the weft and the warp but also preset values and the like for the weft inserting device and the weft detection circuit.

[0052] The setter 52 is enabled to transmit and receive the various set parameters between the setter 52 and various circuit devices 64 through 74 such as take-up control circuit 68, let-off control circuit 70, weft insertion controller 72, and weft detection circuit 74 through the main controller 54.

[0053] The setter 52 has a function to send the set parameters to those circuit devices and a function to visually indicate states of control, warning messages and the like received from those circuit devices.

[0054] In the illustration, the setter 52 is constituted by a touch panel-type indicator provided with both functions to indicate and to input and capable of graphical indication. An operator, touching an indication field of a displayed screen, can input predetermined information of the parameters or the like.

[0055] Such a setter 52, whose inner constitution is not illustrated, controls a touch panel according to a processing program for processing an input indication function, and in the meanwhile, is controlled by a controller for controlling transmitting and receiving signals among respective circuit devices to be connected.

[0056] A drive circuit 64 supplies power to the main shaft motor 40 corresponding to its operating pattern (such as operating, low-speed normal rotation, low-speed reverse rotation and the like), according to kinds of signals (operation signal S1, normal rotation signal S2, reverse rotation signal S3) to be outputted from the main controller 54.

[0057] For instance, where the main shaft motor 40 is constituted by an induction motor, the drive circuit 64 can be constituted by a publicly known inverter device generating an alternate-current power of the frequency corresponding to the drive mode of the main shaft motor 40. It can also include an inverter device having a low frequency output, a commercial power source, and an electromagnetic switch capable of feeding their outputs selectively to the main shaft motor 40, or changing the voltage for feeding to a primary wiring of the main shaft motor 40 so as to make a starting torque different.

[0058] While operating the loom, the drive circuit 64 normally rotates the main shaft motor 40 by the ON output of the operation signal S1 (operation signal S1 for ON) from the main controller 54.

[0059] The drive circuit 64 makes the main shaft motor 40 normally rotate at a low speed by the ON output of the normal rotation signal S2 (normal rotation signal S2 for ON), and rotates to reverse the main shaft motor 40 at a low speed by the ON output of the reverse signal S3 (reverse signal S3 for ON).

[0060] The drive circuit 66 feeds the power necessary for the electromagnetic brake 48 connected to the main shaft 42 by receiving a control signal S4 generated from the main controller 54 in each of the termination of the low-speed normal rotation, low-speed reverse rotation and operation of the loom. As the electromagnetic brake 48, anything that generates braking force by a braking command will do and is not limited to those adsorbing a disk by excitation and generating the braking force.

[0061] The take-up control circuit 68 drives the take-up motor 46 in response to the signals S1, S5 and S6 to be outputted from the main controller 54.

[0062] Concretely, while the loom is operated (while the operation signal S1 is ON), the take-up control circuit 68 drives the take-up motor 46 in synchronism with the rotation of the main shaft 42 at a speed corresponding to the weft density set in the setter 52.

[0063] Also, when a start preparation signal S5 is generated, the take-up control circuit 68 makes the loom to perform a kick-back action in compliance to the setting by the operator (action to rotate the take-up motor 46 in the direction for normal rotation or reverse rotation by a predetermined amount), and moves the position of the cloth fell position, thereby preventing weft bars.

[0064] Further, during blank weaving period (while a blank weaving signal S6 is ON), the take-up control circuit 68 makes the take-up motor 46 stop even if the operation signal S1 is ON.

[0065] A let-off control circuit 70 drives the let-off motor 44 in response to the signals S1, S5 and S6 to be outputted from the main controller 54.

[0066] In more particular, while the loom is operating, the let-off control circuit 70 drives the let-off motor 44 so as to maintain the warp tension at a predetermined value.

[0067] Also, the let-off control circuit 70, like the take-up control circuit 68, makes the loom perform a kick-back action in compliance with the setting by an operator when the start preparation signal S5 is generated, and during the blank weaving period (while the blank weaving signal S6 is ON), makes the take-up motor 46 stop even if the operation signal S 1 is ON.

[0068] A weft insertion controller 72, for example, in case of an air-jet loom, includes a weft insertion control circuit. The weft insertion control circuit controls the devices such a weft length measuring storage unit, weft inserting nozzles (a main nozzle and plural subnozzles), and fluid jet from the weft inserting nozzle.

[0069] While the loom is operating, the weft insertion controller 72, releasing the weft by the amount of 1 pick from the weft length measuring storage unit, injects the pressure fluid for weft insertion in relay from the main nozzle and plural subnozzles to insert the weft into the warp shedding. During the blank weaving period, however, even if the operation signal S1 is ON, no release of the weft from the weft length measuring storage unit nor jet from the weft inserting nozzle is performed for weft insertion.

[0070] A weft detection circuit 74 is a publicly known circuit which judges whether or not the weft insertion is carried out correctly during regular operating of the loom from a yarn signal by a feeler head such as H1 and H2 feelers provided near the weaving end on the weft arrival side, and, when a failure in weft insertion is judged, generates a weft insertion failure signal S7 representing the failure.

[0071] The weft detection circuit 74 does not perform a weft detecting action during the blank weaving period (while the blank weaving signal S6 is ON) even if the operation signal S1 is ON (namely, it does not generate the weft insertion failure signal S7).

[0072] Figs. 3 and 4 show display screen images to be displayed in the setter 52 when each parameter for starting is inputted. In the illustrated examples, a fabric texture which is one of parameters is already selected and set as 3/1 twill (i.e., 3/1 twill weave), and the operating method of the loom is selected and set as normal rotation blank beating start as assumed by the present invention. And about the following embodiments, details of which will be mentioned later, each termination time of two processes constituting the normal rotation blank beating start, that is, the low-speed normal rotation process and the blank weaving process (i.e., the blank beating drive process) is set in the setter 52 or determined by automatically computing the rotation amount of the main shaft 42 from the start of the process as a barometer in the setter 52 or controller 54. And the Figures show examples that, in the main controller 54, when an operation signal from the operation button 76 is inputted, each process is performed, and the rotation amount of the main shaft in the process is detected on the basis of the angular position signal θ of the main shaft. When the set rotation amount from the starting of the process, where the detection was made, reached the corresponding set rotation amount (the rotation amount set in the setter 52), the loom 10 is switched to the subsequent process by finally shifting the loom to the ordinary operation.

[0073] Embodiment of Setting Screen

[0074] Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, a parameter setting screen 100 has a plurality of setting fields 101 to 114 for respectively setting parameters, a numerical keypad 115, and a key field 116 for returning to a preceding image.

[0075] Field 101 is a menu field to select a starting method for selecting and setting the method of the loom starting.

[0076] Field 102 is a field to input n for setting the number n of picks for normal rotation blank beating to be used as a termination period of the blank beating operation process.

[0077] Entry field 103 is a field to enter the number F of normal rotation picks which is used as the time to terminate the low-speed normal rotation process.

[0078] Field 104 is a field to set θF for setting the blank beating start timing θF which is used as a starting time of the blank beating operation process.

[0079] Field 105 is a field to set a starting torque for setting a rush starting torque of the main shaft motor 40 at the time of starting the loom selected from a plurality of the starting torques.

[0080] Field 106 is a field to set n2 for setting a switching pick n2 which is used as a switching time to return the starting torque of the main shaft motor 40 at the time of starting the loom to an ordinary state.

[0081] Field 107 is a field to input θG, a timing θG for switching the starting torque.

[0082] Field 108 is a fabric texture selection menu field for selecting and setting a fabric texture from plural ones.

[0083] F0 indication field 109 is a field to indicate a normal rotation amount F0 to be used as a period from the start to termination of the low-speed normal rotation process.

[0084] Fb indication field 110 is a field to indicate a blank beating rotation amount Fb to be used as a period from the start to termination of the blank beating operation process.

[0085] k indication field 111 is a field to indicate the number k of blank beating picks from the start to termination of the low-speed normal rotation process.

[0086] θH setting field 112 is a field for setting a braking timing θH as a timing to start braking when stopping the loom under operation.

[0087] ON/OFF setting fields 113 and 114 are fields to set ON/OFF for setting a reverse timing ON and OFF for stopping at a fixed position when reversing the loom.

[0088] A numerical keypad 115 is provided for entering numerals, and a return key field 116 is provided for returning from the present set screen to the preceding screen.

[0089] A method of starting the loom to be entered in the setting field 101 can be selected from the ordinary start (start from the angular position of 300° of the main shaft), reverse rotation blank beating start, starting at 60° (start from the angular position of 60°), start in combination with a single yarn insertion and the like. In the examples, however, the normal rotation blank beating start is already selected.

[0090] Here, the starting method is briefly mentioned. The above-mentioned starting method is to start the loom main shaft from the angular position of 300° of the loom main shaft which is the position to start operation and to start the weft insertion, upon passing a beating timing (angle 0°), from this weft inserting cycle. To the main shaft of the loom, however, mechanical inertia for functioning as a drive shaft for the above-mentioned beating device, warp shedding device and the like becomes a very great load, and several picks or so are required to reach a steady operating speed from the start of the loom main shaft. Depending on kinds of the fabric, one reason for generation of weft bars was attributed to beating of the weft inserted under low beating force in comparison with the steady state.

[0091] Also, the reverse blank beating start as one of selectable starting methods is a starting method in which the beating force can be substantially restored to a steady operation state when the loom main shaft passes the present operating position and aims to settle disadvantages in the ordinary starting method. In more particular, when starting the loom operation, the loom main shaft is reversed by a predetermined amount (one rotation or more) at a low speed, and then, starting the loom main shaft, so-called blank beating operation without accompanying weft inserting is performed. Thereafter, by passing the initial operating position, the operation is switched to the ordinary operation accompanying weft insertion. However, where elastic weft yarns are used, such a problem arises as constraining force with respect to the weft is released and the weft is slacked due to warp or selvage shedding accompanying the reverse rotation.

[0092] On the other hand, the normal rotation blank beating start of the present invention is to perform a low-speed normal rotation in place of the above-mentioned low-speed reverse rotation, and to settle the disadvantage due to the reverse blank beating start. More particularly, when starting the loom operation, the loom main shaft is normally operated by a predetermined amount (one rotation or more) at a low speed (low-speed normal rotation process). Then, a blank beating operation (blank beating operation process) without accompanying weft insertion is performed from the position of the initial operation until a rotation amount corresponds to a multiple of the number of repetitions of the weaving pattern; thereafter, the operation is switched to the ordinary one accompanying weft insertion. In this starting method, it is necessary to switch to the ordinary operation for starting weft insertion after the rotation of the main shaft (namely, after a rotation corresponding to the number n of the normal rotation blank beating picks) corresponding to a multiple of the number of repetitions of the weaving pattern from the initial operating position. The reason for this will be mentioned later.

[0093] A fabric texture can be selected from plain weave, twill weave (2/1, 1/2, 1/3, 2/2, 3/1, 4/1, 3/2 and so forth), satin weave (5 harness satin, 7 harness satin and so forth), dobby pattern, and jacquard pattern. In the illustrations, however, 3/1 twill weave is already selected.

[0094] As the above-mentioned fabric texture was selected and set, the setter 52 can recognize the reference number n0 of repetitions of a weaving pattern. The reference number of repetitions is the rotation frequency of the main shaft for the weaving pattern to take a round (i.e., the number of picks), and more particularly, such as "2" in case of the plain weave, "3" in case of the twill weave (2/1, 1/2), and "4" in case of the twill weave (1/3, 2/2, 3/1), the reference number of repetitions is made to correspond to a kind of fabric texture in one-to-one correspondence. Such correspondence information is prestored as part of the control program. Thus, it is possible to perform an error judgment process (to be explained later) as to whether the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks to be set is not inputted erroneously. In case of the dobby pattern and jacquard pattern, however, since the reference number n of repetitions cannot be specified, the above-mentioned error judgment process is not performed unless the reference number of repetitions is manually inputted.

[0095] The starting torque means a torque to be applied to the main shaft motor 40 at the start of the loom, and it can be changed in two stages of 400 % and 1200 %. In the illustrations, the starting torque is already selected to be a high starting torque of 1200 %.

[0096] Such a two-stage changeover is done, generally in case where the main shaft motor 40 is an induction motor constituted by a so-called rush-start motor, in order to change the voltage to be supplied to its primary winding, by using a Y-connection at the time of normal operation, while by using a Δ-connection when starting. This enhances the starting torque.

[0097] Besides the above-mentioned methods, however, it is possible to change the starting torque in plural stages or without stage by a publicly known device such as an inverter capable of changing the current or voltage to be supplied to the motor to an arbitrary value.

[0098] As the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks (the termination time of the blank beating operation process), the rotation frequency of the main shaft from the starting position of operation (in this case, the starting time of blank beating operation process, usually 300°) till the termination of the blank beating operation process (i.e., the rotation number of the main shaft) is used as a barometer and set.

[0099] As the number F of normal rotation pick (the termination time of the low-speed normal rotation process), the rotation number of the main shaft from the starting position of operation (in this case, the normal rotation blank beating start; eventually, the starting time of the low-speed normal rotation process) until the termination of the low-speed normal rotation process is used as a barometer and set.

[0100] As the timing θF to start blank beating (the timing to start blank beating operation process), the angular position of the main shaft for terminating the low-speed normal rotation process when the number F of the above-mentioned normal rotation picks is reached is used as a barometer and set. In the illustrations, this timing θF is already set to be the same as starting position of operation, but it may be changed within a range from 20° to 350°.

[0101] As the changeover pick n2 and the timing θG, the number of picks to return the torque to the ordinary torque of 400 % (i.e., the rotation number of the main shaft) and the angular position of the main shaft are used as a barometer and set.

[0102] As the amount F0 of normal rotation, the angular position of the main shaft at the termination of the low-speed normal rotation process is used as a barometer and set.

[0103] As the rotation amount Fb of blank beating, the rotation amount of the main shaft at the termination of the blank beating operation process (i.e., the rotation number of the main shaft) is used as a barometer.

[0104] As the number k of blank beating picks, the rotation number of the main shaft at the termination of the low-speed normal rotation process is used as a barometer.

[0105] As the brake θH, the angular position of the main shaft to generate the brake signal S4 is used as a barometer and set.

[0106] As ON and OFF for reverse rotation, the timings (the angular positions of the main shaft) of the start (ON) and the termination (OFF) of reverse rotation in case where the loom is actuated by manual reverse operation are used as barometers and set respectively.

[0107] First Embodiment of Setting Method

[0108] In the following are explained with reference to the drawings a sequence of processes where the setter 52 calculates values necessary for judgment and control of the set parameters relative to the normal blank beating start until the parameters are sent to the controller. Referring to Fig. 5, an operator begins with operating the screen of the setter 52, sets such values relative to the normal rotation blank beating start as the starting method, the fabric texture, the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks, the number F of normal rotation picks and the timing θF for starting blank beating as well as the starting torque, changeover timing n2, timing θG, brake timing, ON and OFF timings for reverse rotation. The setter 52 firstly selects from the set fabric texture the reference number n0 of repetitions among the above-mentioned storage information and temporarily stores the information to display the set values in the above on the display screen 100 (step 120).

[0109] In Figs. 3 and 4, the normal rotation blank beating start and "3/1 twill weave" are set, and as the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks and the start timing θF for blank beating, respectively, "4," "2," and "300" are set. Also, the reference number n0 of repetitions is "4" corresponding to the set "3/1 twill weave.

[0110] When all the associated values are set, the setter 52 judges whether the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks is a multiple of the reference number n0 of repetitions (n = n0) or not (step 121). Here, since the reference number of repetitions is "4," the multiples of the reference number n0 of repetitions are "4," "8," " 12" and so on.

[0111] As a result of the judgment in step 121, if the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks does not correspond to the above multiple of n0, the setter 52 returns to step 120, indicating on the display screen 100 that the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks is a setting error, by blinking the parameters set in the n-setting field 102.

[0112] As in step 121 above, if judgment is made during the series of process flows as to whether or not the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks coincides with a multiple of the reference number n0 of repetitions, any setting failure in a period when no weft insertion is made in the so-called normal rotation blank beating start (namely, a setting failure of the rotation amount of the main shaft from the starting time of the low-speed normal rotation process up to the termination time of the blank beating operation process) can be prevented.

[0113] As a result of the judgment in step 121, when the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks coincides with a multiple of the above n0 (that is, a correct preset value n is set), the setter 52 proceeds to the next process step and, based on the number n of the set normal rotation blank beating picks, the number F of normal rotation picks as the parameter relative to the termination time of low-speed normal rotation process, and the start timing θF of blank beating operation, calculates the rotation amount F0 of normal rotation which is the rotation amount of the main shaft in the low normal rotation process, the number k of blank beating picks which is the rotation frequency of the main shaft in the blank beating operation process, and the rotation amount Fb of blank beating operation which is the rotation amount of the main shaft in the process (step 123).

[0114] The normal rotation amount F0, the blank beating rotation amount Fb, and the number k of blank beating picks, respectively, can be calculated from the following formulae (1), (2) and (3). By using the values calculated in such a manner, they can be accurately set.

[0115] 

[0116] 

[0117] 

[0118] In formula (1), θS can be a position for an operator to operate a button after restoring so-called weft insertion failure and broken warp, that is, an operation angle (actually, 300°). In formula (2), θ0 can be a angular position 60° from the operating position (actually, 300° as mentioned above) up to a beating timing (0°). These values are previously set.

[0119] Next, the setter 52 indicates in a row the calculated normal rotation amount F0, blank beating rotation amount Fb, and the number k of blank beating picks, together with the set parameters n, F and θF, on the screen 100 and switches these preset values to the main controller 54 as the controller (step 124). By such indication, the operator can confirm whether setting with respect to starting is in a desired state or not.

[0120] In step 121, the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks is made a multiple of the reference number n0 of repetitions for the following reason.

[0121] The number n of normal rotation blank beating picks is the rotation amount of the main shaft for starting the normal rotation blank beating (the sum of the rotation amount of the main shaft in the low-speed operation process and the rotation amount of the main shaft in the blank beating operation process). During this period, no weft insertion is made. Consequently, in order to conduct the ordinary operation accompanying weft insertion from the cycle (pick No.) where the weft causing the previous stoppage is removed, it is necessary to make the number n of normal rotation blank picking picks a multiple of the number of repetitions of a weaving pattern.

[0122] The reason is that, for instance, at the time of plain weaving, the reference number of repetitions is "2," but even in case of such a small number, the preset value of the rotation amount Fb of blank beating operation process is often made to be a value twice as much as or more than the reference number n0 of repetitions for prevention of weft bars, that is, "4," "6," "8" and so on, which are multiples of "2."

[0123] Therefore, in case of setting the rotation number Fb of blank beating operation process at "3," the number n of the entire normal rotation blank beating picks is set at "4," and the number F of normal rotation picks at "1." Such a process can be surely reset by an error indication in step 122.

[0124] Incidentally, troubles generated by a failure in setting are described below in more detail. For instance, if the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks is less than a multiple of the reference number n0 of repetitions by "1," a so-called double pick (two weft yarns are inserted into the same warp shedding) trouble is resulted.

[0125] On the contrary, if the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks is larger than a multiple of the reference number n0 of repetitions by "1," a blank pick trouble (no weft yarn is inserted in a certain warp shedding) occurs.

[0126] Also, in step 123, the setter 52 automatically calculates the number k of blank beating picks as the rest of set parameters in the normal rotation blank beating start, and the rotation amount Fb of blank beating which is the rotation amount of the main shaft in the process, based on the number n of normal rotation picks as previously set, on the number F of normal rotation picks as a parameter concerning the termination time of low-speed normal rotation process, and on the start timing θF of blank beating operation, according to the rotation amount (the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks) in the whole process in starting the normal rotation blank beating. Thus, as in case of step 121 above, defects in weaving such as blank picks and the double picking due to failure in setting are apt to happen when these values are individually set manually (namely, while the rotation amount of the main shaft in the whole starting process should coincide with the rotation amount corresponding to the number of repetitions of the weaving pattern, they are erroneously set so as not to coincide).

[0127] The number n of normal rotation blank beating picks becomes a multiple of the above reference number of repetitions, actually between two picks and a little over ten picks, according to the reference number n0 of repetitions. Also, the number k of blank beating picks and the number F of normal rotation picks which are inputted according to a state of generation of weft bars are between one pick and a little over ten picks, and are respectively set such that the sum of the two values coincide with the number n of normal rotation blank beating.

[0128] Though not concretely shown in Fig. 5, it is possible to add a step for having the setter 52 or the main controller 54 judge whether the number F of normal rotation picks and the number k of blank beating picks are within the above-mentioned allowance range or not after the parameters are set, so that those numbers can be surely set, and if they are out of the range, for having the setter 52 or the main controller 54 deal with errors to prompt resetting of the set parameters n and F.

[0129] Instead of having the setter 52 perform such setting processes as steps 120 through 124, it is possible to have the main controller 54 connected to the setter 52 perform them, because the setter 52 may have such a constitution as to indicate the information received from the main controller 54 without change and to transmit the information inputted by an operator as it is without discrimination to the main controller 54, and that the main controller 54 is of a type to partially share processes for checking whether the preset values are appropriate or not and for setting of automatic calculation or the like of other preset values.

[0130] Embodiment of Operating Method

[0131] The action of the operating device 50 at the starting time is explained in the following with reference to Fig. 6, taking a case where a failure in weft insertion occurs during operation of the loom 10 and a failure signal S7 is outputted, as an example. Such an action, however, can be realized by the main controller 54 as a controller for controlling to switch to the following process by measuring the rotation amount of the main shaft in each process on the basis of the angle signal of the main shaft to be inputted as an electric signal and the above-determined rotation amount is reached as the termination time of each process.

[0132] Fig. 6 shows the operation method at the time of starting the loom when various parameters having such values as shown in Fig. 4 are set. According to this, the warp shedding motion takes a round at the pick "4" which is the reference number n0 of repetitions of "3/1" twill weave (in other words, when the main shaft 42 of the loom makes four rounds).

[0133] Fig. 6 shows a sequence of movements from removal of mis-inserted weft yarns when a failure in weft insertion occurs at pick No. 4 to shifting to an ordinary operation, as an example, in which pick Nos. are indicated by the numerals from 1 to 4 as the step Nos. of the weaving patterns.

[0134] Fig. 6 further indicates, together with a warp shedding curve drawn simply, correctly inserted weft yarns 130 by a solid circle, weft yarns 130a failed to be inserted (mis-inserted weft yarns) by a dotted circle, and weft yarns 130b not inserted by a solid x-mark.

[0135] If failure in weft insertion occurs at pick No. 4, the signal S7 of weft insertion failure is outputted from the weft detection circuit 74. By this, the main controller 54 first turns off the operation signal S1 and turns on the brake signal S4. By this, power feeding to the main shaft motor 40 is stopped, and the electromagnetic brake 48 is actuated, thereby swiftly stopping the loom 10. The main shaft 42 of the loom 10 is stopped, for example, at the angular position of 250° of the cycle following the cycle where the failure in weft insertion occurred.

[0136] Next, the main controller 54 turns off the brake signal S4 and turns on the reverse signal S3. By this, the main shaft of the loom 10 is automatically reversed at a low speed to a position in readiness (e.g., 300°) for removing the mis-inserted weft yarn 130a. The position in readiness of the loom 10 can be the angular position of the main shaft 42 (e.g., 300°) where the warp is in a closing state. Also, in the loom, it is indicated in the display screen 100 of the setter 52 that the loom 10 is in a stopped state (a state of readiness), and the main controller 54 informs the state to an operator by operating an indication lamp (not shown) or a buzzer.

[0137] When the operator arrives at the loom 10 at the position in readiness and presses a reverse command button 78 to remove the mis-inserted weft 130a inserted immediately before stopping, the main controller 54 turns on the reverse signal S3. By this, the main shaft 42 of the loom 10 is reversed at a low speed by a predetermined amount and stopped at a predetermined position (e.g., 180°).

[0138] The angle of the main shaft 42 to stop the loom 10 (actually, the main shaft 42) at the time of the first manual reversal is a position in readiness (the angular position of 180°) where the mis-inserted yarn 130a is exposed to the cloth fell 22 and can be removed. By this, preparation for weft removal is completed, and in this state, the mis-inserted weft is removed. The mis-inserted weft 130a may be removed by the operator himself, or it is possible to have the main controller 54 automatically do a sequence of actions from when the failure in weft inserting occurs until when the mis-inserted weft yarns are removed.

[0139] Then, when the operator presses the reverse command button 78 to return the loom 10 to the starting position (operating position), the main controller 54 turns on the reverse signal S3 to reverse the loom 10 by a predetermined amount, and thereafter turns off the reverse signal S3, and turns on the brake signal, thereby stopping the loom 10 at the starting position of normal rotation blank beating start. The starting position of this normal rotation blank beating start is the blank beating operation start timing θF (300°) set on the display screen 100.

[0140] Then, when the operator presses the operation button 76 which is made effective to start the loom 10, the main controller 54 makes the loom start the normal rotation blank beating drive of two-pick low-speed normal rotation and two-pick blank beating.

[0141] In the normal rotation blank beating start, the main controller 54 first turns off the brake signal S4 until the main shaft is rotated to reach the rotation amount F0 which is the above-determined termination time and turns on the normal rotation signal S2. By this, the loom 10, without accompanying weft insertion, performs the low-speed normal rotation process to normally rotate at a low speed in a blank-beating state for reed beating.

[0142] The low-speed normal rotation process above is performed until the rotation amount of the main shaft 42 reaches the normal rotation amount F0, i.e., 720° as preset in the display screen 100 (until the main shaft makes two turns from 300°).

[0143] When the low-speed normal rotation process is performed and the rotation amount of the main shaft from the start of the low-speed normal rotation of the loom main shaft 42 reaches 720°, the main controller 54 turns off the normal rotation signal S2 to stop the loom 10, thereby terminating the above low-speed normal rotation, and thereafter turns on the start preparation signal S5. Thereby, the loom 10 performs an action to correct the cloth fell position prior to the subsequent blank beating operation process.

[0144] The action to correct the cloth fell position is performed, for example, by a publicly known method called kickback action; more concretely, by rotating the take-up motor 46 or the let-off motor 44 in the normal or reverse direction by a predetermined amount to move the warp 26 and the cloth 12 back and forth in their moving direction to move the cloth fell 22. These actions to correct the cloth fell position can be set by an operator and performed according to the actual state of weft bars.

[0145] Incidentally, in the illustrated embodiment, reed beating is not always required in the low-speed normal process. More concretely, it is possible to dispose a connection member such as a clutch between the main shaft and the reed beating device and release the connection between the reed beating device and the main shaft in this process. Also, if it is not necessary, the action to correct the cloth fell position may be omitted, and the loom may be adapted to perform the following blank beating operation process without stopping the loom.

[0146] When the cloth fell correcting action is terminated, the main controller 54 turns on the operation signal S1 as well as the blank weaving signal S6 until the main shaft is rotated by the rotation amount Fb which is the termination period as determined above. By this, the loom is activated, and starts a so-called normal rotation blank beating operation process for beating without accompanying weft insertion.

[0147] With this, the main shaft motor 40 is started at the starting torque (1200 %) as indicated in the torque setting field 105 of the display screen 100. As a result, the loom main shaft 42 is driven at a high torque.

[0148] In the normal rotation blank beating operation process, when the rotation amount of the main shaft 42 reaches the value (780°) set as the blank beating rotation amount Fb in the display screen 100, the blank weaving signal S6 is turned off. By this, the main controller 54, after passing the reed beating timing 0°, switches the loom 10 to the ordinary operation process for weft insertion.

[0149] Meanwhile, the main controller 54 counts the number of passing the changeover timing θG (30°) on the basis of the main shaft angle signal and, when the count value of the number of passing reaches the value of the changeover pick n2 indicated in the n2 setting field 106 of the display screen 100, changes the starting torque from the high torque (1200 %) at the starting time to the torque (400 %) at the time of ordinary operation.

[0150] As mentioned above, by making the loom perform both low-speed normal rotation process and blank beating operation process in place of the blank beating start accompanying reverse rotation which had been performed for prevention of weft bars, even when using elastic weft yarns, normal rotation is made in the process of blank beating start. Hence, no occurrence of inconveniences such as "slacks are resulted in the weft from untwisting of selvage yarns because of the reverse rotation of the main shaft" which tends to occur in a technique of blank beating start accompanying reverse rotation, so that the quality of the woven fabric is not impaired. Furthermore, since the setter is enabled to manually set the termination time of the low-speed operation process of both those processes, it is possible to adjust the reed beating force against the cloth at the starting time by adjusting the termination timing (more particularly, the number F of normal rotation picks and the blank beating start timing θF) according to the state of weft bar generation. As a result, weft bars can be more surely prevented than heretofore.

[0151] In the above-mentioned example, the loom which sets the termination timing of the low-speed operation process (in other words, the start timing of the blank beating operation) is illustrated, but it is applicable to other looms than that. For example, in a constitution capable of setting only the termination timing of blank beating (namely, a loom of a type incapable of changing the termination timing of the low-speed operation process, that is, incapable of changing the start timing of blank beating operation), it is possible to change the length of the blank beating operation period by changing the termination timing of the blank beating operation to its multiples in consideration of the number of repetitions of the weaving patterns, thereby adjusting the reed beating force against the cloth at the starting time. That is to say, according to the present invention, it is possible to have the loom perform both low-speed normal rotation process and blank beating operation process by constituting to enable to manually set the termination time of at least one of both processes and change the termination timing of one process according to the state of weft bar generation, so that the reed beating force against the cloth at the starting time can be adjusted. As a result, weft bars can be more surely prevented than heretofore.

[0152] In the above embodiment, each preset value to be used for starting normal rotation blank beating as set in the setter 52 may be determined as follows.

[0153] 1a: In place of inputting the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks, the number F of normal rotation picks and the operation start timing θF to compute the number F0 of normal rotation picks, the number Fb of normal rotation picks and the number k of blank beating picks, it is possible to input the normal rotation amount F0, the blank beating rotation amount Fb and the number k of blank beating picks to compute the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks, the number F of normal rotation picks and the operation start timing θF and to indicate them.

[0154] 2a: It is also possible to manually set all of the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks, the number F of normal rotation picks, blank beating operation start timing θF, normal rotation amount F0, blank beating operation amount Fb and the number k of blank beating picks.

[0155] 3a: If no problem arises by roughing the accuracy, a function for setting the angle of the main shaft may be omitted without setting variably the start timing θF of blank beating operation. In this case, the start timing θF of blank beating operation is made a fixed value such as 300°, and an operator is to set the number F of normal rotation picks.

[0156] 4a: In case a shedding device, wherein the number n0 of weaving pattern repetitions falls within the range in selection menu of the fabric texture, is provided (namely, a cam shedding device solely used for plain weave or twill or satin weaves without any editing function like a dobby device is provided), it is possible to automatically set the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks instead of manually setting the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks, based on the number of repetitions derived from input or selection of a fabric texture.

[0157] 5a: In place of setting the number F of normal rotation picks which is the termination time of the low-speed normal rotation process and calculating the rotation amount F of blank beating operation process from the relationship between this value and the number of repetitions (the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks), it is possible to set the rotation amount of blank beating operation process to calculate the termination time of the low-speed operation process from this value and the number of repetitions. In this case, an operator can directly input a period of blank beating operation process having a strong relation with the reed beating force according to the state of weft bars, thereby facilitating the setting work.

[0158] In the above embodiment, it is possible to modify as follows a shifting control from the low-speed normal rotation process at the time of normal rotation blank beating start to the blank beating operation process, and further, a shifting control (detection of termination of each process) to ordinary operation thereafter.

[0159] 1b: In place of terminating those processes when the main shaft rotated by a predetermined rotation amount in each process on the basis of the main shaft signal θ to be generated consecutively, it is possible to constitute the controller (main controller 54) so as to count timing signals to be generated whenever the main shaft passes a certain passage angle and to terminate those processes when the count value reaches a predetermined value.

[0160] In the above-mentioned case, the control program of the main controller 54 may be constituted so as to input a timing signal for counting separately and to terminate each process by counting the number of inputs of this signal, thereby terminating each process, or so as to terminate each process by another timing signal to be generated after counting at another angular position of the main shaft.

[0161] 2b: If the main shaft is stably driven without any dispersion in the rotation amount rotation amount (speed) of the main shaft per unit hour during operating of the main shaft in each process, it is possible to change the form of controlling for shifting to each process, in place of controlling the rotation amount, to a form of controlling by the elapsed time. Such a form to set the termination time of each process with the time as a barometer is also included in the present invention. In other words, in the present invention, the form of controlling is not limited to one for shifting each process according to the angle of the main shaft.

[0162] Second Embodiment of Method of Setting

[0163] Fig. 7 shows an example in which all of the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks, the number F of normal rotation picks and the number k of blank beating picks are manually inputted as parameters to be set, and moreover, it is judged whether a relation among these preset values is abnormal or not. If abnormal, it is indicated as abnormal on the setting screen 100. In this embodiment, an operator manually sets the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks, the number k of blank beating picks, blank beating operation start timing θF of blank beating operation, as well as the number k of blank beating picks.

[0164] Referring to Fig. 7, when the starting method, fabric texture, the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks, the number F of normal rotation picks, the blank beating operation start timing θF and the number k of blank beating picks are set, the setter 52 first selects the reference number n0 of repetitions as in case of the foregoing embodiment from the selected fabric texture corresponding thereto and displays the reference number n0 selected from the set parameters n, F, θF and k as well as the selected reference number n0 of repetitions on the display screen 100 (step 130).

[0165] Then, the setter 52 judges whether the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks coincides with a multiple of the reference number of repetitions n0 (n = n0) or not (step 131).

[0166] As a result of the judgment in step 131, if the number n is not a multiple, the setter 52, blinks the parameter set in n-setting column 102 to indicate on the display screen 100 that the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks is a setting error and returns to step 130 in that state.

[0167] As a result of judgment in step 131, when the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks is a multiple of the above n0 (namely, when the correct value n is set), the setter 52 advances to the next processing step and judges whether the set number n of normal blank beating picks coincides with the result of addition of the set number F of normal rotation picks and the number k of blank beating picks (step 135).

[0168] As explained in the foregoing embodiment, setting should be made such that the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks is, according to the reference number of repetitions n0, actually a value, between 2 picks and a little over 10 picks, of a multiple of the reference number of repetitions, that the number k of blank beating picks to be inputted according to a generating state of weft bars and that the number F of normal rotation picks are respectively values between 1 pick and a little over 10 picks and the sum of the two values is coincident with the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks. Therefore, as a result of judgment in step 135, when the sum of the number k of blank beating picks and the number F of normal rotation picks do not coincide with the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks, the setter 52 blinks the parameters set in the setting columns 102, 103 and 111, indicates on the display screen 100 that it is a setting error and returns in that state to step 130 in that state. This enables an operator to notice the setting error and to set each parameter correctly.

[0169] As a result of the judgment in step 135, when the sum of the number k of blank beating picks and the number F of normal rotation picks coincides with the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks, the setter 52 can subsequently carry out the same process as in the above embodiment. More particularly, the setter 52 calculates the normal rotation amount F0 which is the rotational angle of the main shaft at the termination of the low-speed normal rotation process and the blank beating rotation amount Fb which is the rotation amount of the main shaft at the termination of blank beating operation process (step 133), indicates these values side by side on the screen and sends these values to the controller (step 134).

[0170] Fig. 8 shows an example of indication on the display screen 100 at the time when, as a result of judgment in step 135, the sum of the number k of blank beating picks and the number F of normal rotation picks does not coincide with the number n of normal rotation blank beating picks.

[0171] In Fig. 8, characters reading "Setting error. The sum of the number of rotation picks and the number of blank beating picks does not coincide with the number of normal rotation blank beating picks. Please correct the error in the preset value" are shown in the display column 117 over plural lines. In Fig. 8, the θF setting column 104 is omitted for convenience in screen display.

[Industrial Applicability]

[0172] As a constitution of the controller of the loom, it is possible to organize in a form of a single or plural common circuit devices in place of constituting the control circuits such as the main controller 54, the take-up controller 68, the let-off controller 70 and the weft insertion controller, separately according to their purposes.

[0173] The present invention can be applied not only to an air-jet loom but also to other shuttleless looms such as a water-jet loom and a rapier loom.

[0174] The present invention can also be applied to a loom using a dobby or a jacquard device having no function to return the warp shedding selection step as a shedding device of a loom when starting the loom for blank beating operation as described in Patent Document 2.

[0175] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments but can be varied without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An operating device (50) of a loom (10) comprising:

a setter (52) for setting at least one parameter and

a controller (54) for controlling the loom (10) to perform a normal rotation blank beating start using preset parameters set in said setter in accordance with an input of a signal instructing the normal rotation blank beating start,

wherein the normal rotation blank beating start is a starting method in which the loom (10) performs, after stopping of the loom at a starting position of normal rotation blank beating start,

a low speed normal rotation process without accompanying weft insertion and subsequently, at or after a termination time of the low speed normal rotation process,

a blank beating operation process without accompanying weft insertion and thereafter said controller switches the loom to an ordinary operation process accompanying weft insertion , wherein

at least one of a parameter (F) for a termination time of said low-speed normal rotation process and a parameter (n) for a termination time of said blank beating operation process is settable manually in said setter (52) as said parameters.

2. The operating device of a loom as claimed in claim 1, wherein information on the reference number of repetitions of a weaving pattern is preset in said setter,
wherein is a termination time of either one of said low-speed normal rotation process and said blank beating operation process is manually settable in said setter; and
wherein said setter or said controller automatically calculates a termination time in the other of said processes on the basis of the result of subtraction of a rotation amount of a main shaft corresponding to a multiple of said number of repetitions and the rotation amount of the main shaft in said process where the termination time was manually set.

3. The operating device of a loom as claimed in claim 1, wherein information on the reference number of repetitions of a weaving pattern is preset in said setter,
wherein the termination time of said blank beating operation process is manually settable in said setter and
wherein said setter or said controller, when the termination time of said blank beating operation process is set, judges whether or not the rotation amount of the main shaft from the start of said low-speed normal rotation process until the termination of said set blank beating operation process coincides with the rotation amount of the main shaft corresponding to a multiple of said number of repetitions and, if the former does not coincide with the latter, outputs an alarm signal.

4. The operating device of a loom claimed in claim 1, wherein information on the reference number of repetitions of a weaving pattern is preset in said setter,
wherein the termination times of both said low-speed normal rotation process and said blank beating operation process are manually settable in said setter, and
wherein said setter or said controller, when the termination time of each of said low-speed normal rotation process and said blank beating operation process is set, judges whether or not the sum of the rotation amount of the main shaft in said low-speed normal rotation process based on the set termination time and the rotation amount of the main shaft in said blank beating operation process coincides with the rotation amount of the main shaft corresponding to a multiple of said number of repetitions and, if the former does not coincide with the latter, outputs an alarm signal.

5. The operating device of a loom as claimed in any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein the termination times of both said low-speed normal rotation process and said blank beating operation process are manually settable in said setter and information on the rotation amount of the main shaft from the start of each of said low-speed normal rotation process and said blank beating operation process as said termination time of the corresponding process are manually settable in said setter, and
wherein a rotation signal of the main shaft of the loom is inputted in said controller, and wherein said controller terminates said process when the rotation amount of the main shaft of the loom from the start of each process reaches the rotation amount based on said set information, in each of said low-speed rotation process and said blank beating operation process.

6. The operating device of a loom as claimed in any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein the frequency that the main shaft of the loom passes a predetermined rotational angle from the starting time of each of said low-speed normal rotation process and said blank beating operation process as said termination time of the corresponding process is manually settable in said setter; and
wherein a rotation signal of the main shaft of the loom is inputted in said controller, and wherein said controller counts the frequency that said main shaft of the loom passes the predetermined rotational angle in each of said low-speed normal rotation process and said blank beating operation process and, when said counted value reached said set frequency of passing, terminates the process.

Ansprüche

1. Bedieneinrichtung (50) einer Webmaschine (10), aufweisend:

eine Einstelleinrichtung (52) zum Einstellen wenigstens eines Parameters und

eine Steuerung (54) zum Steuern der Webmaschine, so dass diese einen Leeranschlagstart bei normaler Drehrichtung unter Verwendung voreingestellter Parameter ausführt, die in der Einstelleinrichtung eingestellt sind, auf die Eingabe eines Signals hin, welches den Leeranschlagstart bei normaler Drehrichtung anweist,

wobei der Leeranschlagstart bei normaler Drehrichtung ein Startverfahren ist, bei welchem die Webmaschine nach dem Anhalten der Webmaschine in einer Startstellung zum Leeranschlagstart bei normaler Drehrichtung ausführt,
einen Normaldrehvorgang bei niedriger Geschwindigkeit ohne begleitenden Schusseintrag und anschließend, zum oder nach einem Zeitpunkt zum Beenden des Normaldrehvorgangs bei niedriger Geschwindigkeit
einen Leeranschlagsbetriebszustand ohne begleitenden Schusseintrag und die Steuerung danach die Webmaschine in einen Normalbetriebszustand mit begleitendem Schusseintrag umschaltet, wobei
wenigstens der Parameter (F) für den Beendigungszeitpunkt des Normaldrehvorgangs bei niedriger Geschwindigkeit und/oder der Parameter (n) für den Beendigungszeitpunkt des Leeranschlagsbetriebszustands manuell in der Einstelleinrichtung (52) als Parameter einstellbar ist.

2. Bedieneinrichtung einer Webmaschine gemäß Anspruch 1, bei welchem Informationen die Referenzzahl von Wiederholungen eines Webmusters betreffend in der Einstelleinrichtung eingestellt sind,
wobei ein Beendigungszeitpunkt des Normaldrehvorgangs bei niedriger Geschwindigkeit und/oder des Leeranschlagsbetriebszustands manuell in der Einstelleinrichtung einstellbar ist, und
wobei die Einstelleinrichtung oder die Steuerung automatisch den Beendigungszeitpunkt im jeweils anderen der Betriebszustände berechnet, und zwar auf der Grundlage des Ergebnisses einer Subtraktion eines Rotationsbetrags der Hauptwelle entsprechend einem Vielfachen der Anzahl von Wiederholungen und des Rotationsbetrags der Hauptwelle in dem Betriebszustand, in dem der Beendigungszeitpunkt manuell eingestellt wurde.

3. Bedieneinrichtung einer Webmaschine nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher die Information bezüglich der Referenzanzahl von Wiederholungen eines Webmusters in der Einstelleinrichtung voreingestellt ist,
wobei der Beendigungszeitpunkt des Leeranschlagsbetriebszustands manuell in der Einstelleinrichtung einstellbar ist, und
wobei die Einstelleinrichtung oder die Steuerung bestimmt, wenn der Beendigungszeitpunkt des Leeranschlagsbetriebszustands eingestellt ist, ob der Rotationsbetrag der Hauptwelle vom Beginn des Normaldrehvorgangs bei niedriger Geschwindigkeit bis zum Beenden des Leeranschlagsbetriebszustands mit dem Rotationsbetrag der Hauptwelle übereinstimmt, der einem Vielfachen der Anzahl von Wiederholungen entspricht, und, wenn Ersteres mit Letzterem nicht übereinstimmt, ein Alarmsignal ausgibt.

4. Bedieneinrichtung einer Webmaschine nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher die Information bezüglich der Referenzzahl von Wiederholungen eines Webmusters in der Einstelleinrichtung voreingestellt ist,
wobei die Beendigungszeitpunkte sowohl des Normaldrehvorgangs bei niedriger Geschwindigkeit als auch des Leeranschlagsbetriebszustandes manuell in der Einstelleinrichtung einstellbar sind, und
wobei die Einstelleinrichtung oder die Steuerung, wenn der Beendigungszeitpunkt sowohl des Normaldrehvorgangs bei niedriger Geschwindigkeit und des Leeranschlagsbetriebszustands eingestellt ist, bestimmt, ob die Summe des Rotationsbetrags der Hauptwelle beim Normaldrehvorgang bei niedriger Geschwindigkeit, basierend auf dem eingestellten Beendigungszeitpunkt, und des Rotationsbetrages der Hauptwelle im Leeranschlagsbetriebszustand mit dem Rotationsbetrag der Hauptwelle übereinstimmt, die einem Vielfachen der Anzahl von Wiederholungen entspricht, und, wenn ersteres nicht mit dem letzteren übereinstimmt, ein Alarmsignal ausgibt.

5. Bedieneinrichtung einer Webmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, bei welchem Informationen zum Rotationsbetrag der Hauptwelle vom Beginn jedes Normaldrehvorgangs bei niedriger Geschwindigkeit an und dem Leeranschlagsbetriebszustand als Beendigungszeitpunkt des zugehörigen Betriebszustands manuell in der Einstelleinrichtung einstellbar sind, und
wobei das Rotationssignal der Hauptwelle der Webmaschine in die Steuerung eingegeben wird, und wobei die Steuerung den Betriebszustand beendet, wenn der Rotationsbetrag der Hauptwelle der Webmaschine vom Beginn jedes Betriebszustandes den Rotationsbetrag zurücklegt, der auf den eingestellten Informationen beruht, und zwar beim Normaldrehvorgang bei niedriger Geschwindigkeit und beim Leeranschlagsbetriebszustand.

6. Bedieneinrichtung eines Webstuhls gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, bei welchem die Frequenz mit dem die Hauptwelle der Webmaschine einen vorbestimmten Rotationswinkel passiert, und zwar vom jeweiligen Startzeitpunkt des Normaldrehvorgangs bei niedriger Geschwindigkeit und dem Leeranschlagsbetriebszustand an gesehen, als Beendigungszeitpunkt des jeweiligen Betriebszustandes manuell in der Einstelleinrichtung einstellbar ist, und
wobei ein Rotationssignal der Hauptwelle der Webmaschine in die Steuerung eingegeben wird, und wobei die Steuerung die Frequenz zählt, mit welcher die Hauptwelle der Webmaschine einen vorbestimmten Rotationswinkel zurücklegt, und zwar beim Normaldrehvorgang bei niedriger Geschwindigkeit und im Leeranschlagsbetriebszustand, und, wenn der gezählte Wert die eingestellte Frequenz erreicht, den Vorgang beendet.

Revendications

1. Dispositif d'actionnement (50) d'un métier à tisser (10) comprenant :

un dispositif de réglage (52) pour régler au moins un paramètre ; et

un dispositif de commande (54) pour commander le métier à tisser (10) pour mettre en oeuvre un démarrage de tassage à blanc en rotation normale en utilisant des paramètres préétablis réglés dans ledit dispositif de réglage conformément à l'entrée d'un signal donnant l'instruction du démarrage de tassage à blanc en rotation normale ;

dans lequel le démarrage du tassage à blanc en rotation normale est un procédé de démarrage dans lequel le métier à tisser (10) met en oeuvre, après l'arrêt du métier à tisser dans une position de démarrage du tassage à blanc en rotation normale,

un processus à petite vitesse en rotation normale qui ne s'accompagne pas d'une insertion de fil de trame et, par la suite, au moment de l'achèvement du processus à petite vitesse en rotation normale ou après l'achèvement dudit processus,

un processus d'actionnement du tassage à blanc, qui ne s'accompagne pas d'une insertion de fil de trame, et, par la suite, ledit dispositif de réglage fait passer par commutation le métier à tisser à un processus d'actionnement ordinaire qui s'accompagne d'une insertion de fil de trame ;

au moins un paramètre parmi le paramètre (F) concernant le temps d'achèvement dudit processus à petite vitesse en rotation normale et le paramètre (n) concernant le temps d'achèvement dudit processus d'actionnement du tassage à blanc peut être réglé manuellement dans ledit dispositif de réglage (52), au titre desdits paramètres.

2. Dispositif d'actionnement d'un métier à tisser selon la revendication 1, dans lequel des informations concernant la valeur de référence des répétitions d'un motif de tissage sont préréglées dans ledit dispositif de réglage ;
dans lequel un temps d'achèvement, que ce soit dudit processus à petite vitesse en rotation normale ou dudit processus d'actionnement du tassage à blanc, peut être réglé manuellement dans ledit dispositif de réglage ; et
dans lequel ledit dispositif de réglage ou ledit dispositif de commande calcule de manière automatique le temps d'achèvement concernant l'autre processus parmi lesdits processus sur base du résultat de la soustraction d'une valeur de rotation d'un arbre principal correspondant à un multiple dudit nombre de répétitions et d'une valeur de rotation de l'arbre principal dans ledit processus dans lequel le temps d'achèvement a été réglé manuellement.

3. Dispositif d'actionnement d'un métier à tisser selon la revendication 1, dans lequel des informations concernant la valeur de référence des répétitions d'un motif de tissage sont préréglées dans ledit dispositif de réglage ;
dans lequel le temps d'achèvement dudit processus d'actionnement du tassage à blanc peut être réglé manuellement dans ledit dispositif de réglage ; et
dans lequel ledit dispositif de réglage ou ledit dispositif de commande, lorsque le temps d'achèvement dudit processus d'actionnement du tassage à blanc a été réglé, évalue le fait de savoir si oui ou non la valeur de rotation de l'arbre principal depuis le démarrage dudit processus à petite vitesse en rotation normale jusqu'à l'achèvement dudit processus réglé d'actionnement du tassage à blanc coïncide avec la valeur de rotation de l'arbre principal correspondant à un multiple dudit nombre de répétitions et, lorsque le premier cité ne coïncide pas avec le dernier cité, émet un signal d'alarme.

4. Dispositif d'actionnement d'un métier à tisser selon la revendication 1, dans lequel des informations concernant la valeur de référence des répétitions d'un motif de tissage sont préréglées dans ledit dispositif de réglage ;
dans lequel les temps d'achèvement à la fois dudit processus à petite vitesse en rotation normale et dudit processus d'actionnement du tassage à blanc peuvent être réglés manuellement dans ledit dispositif de réglage ; et
dans lequel ledit dispositif de réglage ou ledit dispositif de commande, lorsque le temps d'achèvement respectivement dudit processus à petite vitesse en rotation normale et dudit processus d'actionnement du tassage à blanc a été réglé, évalue le fait de savoir si oui ou non la somme de la valeur de rotation de l'arbre principal depuis le démarrage dudit processus à petite vitesse en rotation normale en se basant sur le temps d'achèvement réglé et de la valeur de rotation de l'arbre principal dans ledit processus d'actionnement du tassage à blanc coïncide avec la valeur de rotation de l'arbre principal correspondant à un multiple desdits nombres de répétitions et, lorsque le premier cité ne coïncide pas avec le dernier cité, émet un signal d'alarme.

5. Dispositif d'actionnement d'un métier à tisser selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel des informations concernant la valeur de rotation de l'arbre principal depuis le démarrage de respectivement ledit processus à petite vitesse en rotation normale et dudit processus d'actionnement du tassage à blanc audit temps d'achèvement du processus correspondant peuvent être réglés manuellement dans ledit dispositif de réglage ; et
dans lequel un signal de rotation de l'arbre principal du métier à tisser est entré dans ledit dispositif de commande et dans lequel ledit dispositif de commande met fin audit processus lorsque la valeur de rotation de l'arbre principal du métier à tisser depuis le démarrage de chaque processus atteint la valeur de rotation se basant sur lesdites informations réglées, dans respectivement ledit processus à petite vitesse en rotation normale et ledit processus d'actionnement du tassage à blanc.

6. Dispositif d'actionnement d'un métier à tisser selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel la fréquence à laquelle l'arbre principal du métier à tisser passe par un angle de rotation prédéterminée à partir du temps de départ respectivement dudit processus à petite vitesse en rotation normale et dudit processus d'actionnement du tassage à blanc, au titre dudit temps d'achèvement du processus correspondant, peut être réglée manuellement dans ledit dispositif de réglage ; et
dans lequel un signal de rotation de l'arbre principal du métier à tisser est entré dans ledit dispositif de commande, et dans lequel ledit dispositif de commande calcule la fréquence de passage dudit arbre principal du métier à tisser par l'angle de rotation prédéterminée dans respectivement ledit processus à petite vitesse en rotation normale et ledit processus d'actionnement du battage à blanc et, lorsque ladite valeur calculée atteint ladite fréquence de passage, met fin au processus.

Drawing