BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a yarn joining device and a yarn winding device
that includes the yarn joining device.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] For example, a yarn joining device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
No.
S59-112038. In this yarn joining device, yarn ends of two yarns are introduced into a yarn joining
space formed in a yarn joining nozzle, and then, compressed air is jetted into the
yarn joining space to twist the yarn ends together by a swirling air current generated
in the yarn joining space and join the yarns. A clamp is arranged on one side of the
yarn joining nozzle and a cutter is arranged on the other side. Moreover, a suction
vent of an untwisting pipe is arranged between the yarn joining nozzle and the cutter.
[0003] When the yarn gripped by the clamp is cut by the cutter, the yarn ends are sucked
into the untwisting pipes and untwisted by the action of an air current present in
the untwisting pipes . Thereafter, the untwisted yarn ends are pulled out from the
untwisting pipes, and the yarn ends are joined together in the yarn joining space.
[0004] However, the following problem arises when a yarn having elasticity (hereinafter,
"elastic yarn"), such as Core Spun Yarn (CSY), is joined by using the yarn joining
device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
S59-112038. When the elastic yarn gripped by the clamp is cut by the cutter, the yarn shrinks
vigorously and disadvantageously passes by the suction vent without being sucked into
the untwisting pipes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above discussion. One object of
the present invention is to provide a yarn joining device that can favorably join
even elastic yarns.
[0006] A yarn joining device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a
yarn joining nozzle having a yarn joining space extending in a predetermined direction;
two clamps each arranged on either side of the yarn joining nozzle in the predetermined
direction for gripping a corresponding yarn; two cutters each arranged on either side
of the yarn joining nozzle in the predetermined direction for cutting the corresponding
yarn; two untwisting pipes each having a suction vent arranged between the yarn joining
nozzle and the corresponding cutter in the predetermined direction for sucking a yarn
end of the corresponding yarn gripped by the corresponding clamp and cut by the corresponding
cutter; a control section; and a yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism capable of moving
so as to contact the yarns between the suction vents and the yarn joining nozzle in
the predetermined direction. The control section causes the cutters to cut the yarns
while the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism is in contact with the yarns.
[0007] A yarn winding device according to another aspect of the present invention includes
a yarn supplying unit that supplies a yarn; a winding unit that is arranged at a position
separated from the yarn supplying unit in the predetermined direction and that winds
the yarn supplied from the yarn supplying unit; and the above yarn joining device
arranged between the yarn supplying unit and the winding unit in the predetermined
direction.
[0008] The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance
of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description
of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic winder according to one
embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the automatic winder
according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a winding unit.
FIG. 4A is a front view and FIG. 4B is a side view of a yarn joining device immediately
after yarns are guided to the yarn joining device.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a structure around an attachment member of yarn shrinkage
control levers.
FIG. 6A is a front view and FIG. 6B is a side view of the yarn joining device just
before the yarns are cut by cutters.
FIG. 7A is a front view and FIG. 7B is a side view of the yarn joining device immediately
after the yarns are cut by the cutters.
FIG. 8A is a front view and FIG. 8B is a side view of the yarn joining device in a
state that yarn ends have been introduced into a yarn joining space.
FIG. 9A is a front view and FIG. 9B is a side view of the yarn joining device while
the yarn joining device is joining the yarns.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be explained below with reference
to the drawings.
Automatic Winder
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic winder according to one
embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the automatic
winder according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic winder
1 includes a plurality of winding units (corresponding to a yarn winding device according
to the present invention) 2 arranged in one direction, and a doffing device 3 capable
of moving freely along the direction of arrangement of the winding units 2. In the
following description, the left-right direction of FIG. 1, in which the winding units
2 are arranged, is referred to as a "left-right direction". Moreover, the direction
vertical to the paper on which FIG. 1 has been printed is referred to as a "front-rear
direction" while the side toward the reader is referred to as a "front side" and the
side away from the reader is referred to as a "rear side".
[0012] In the automatic winder 1, each winding unit 2 forms a package P by unwinding a yarn
Y from a yarn supplying bobbin B and winding the yarn Y on a winding tube. When formation
of the package P is completed in a certain winding unit 2, the doffing device 3 moves
to a position facing this winding unit 2, and replaces the formed package P with an
empty winding tube. As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic winder 1 includes a main controller
4, a plurality of unit controllers 5, and a doffing control device 6. The main controller
4 controls the entire automatic winder 1 and issues control signals to each unit controller
5 and the doffing control device 6. One unit controller 5 is provided separately for
each winding unit 2 and controls the operation of each part of the winding unit 2.
The doffing control device 6 is arranged corresponding to the doffing device 3 and
controls the operation of the doffing device 3.
Winding Unit
[0013] A detailed configuration of the winding unit 2 will be explained below. FIG. 3 is
a schematic configuration diagram of the winding unit 2. The winding unit 2 forms
the package P by unwinding the yarn Y from the yarn supplying bobbin B and winding
the yarn Y around a winding tube Q while traversing the yarn Y. In the present embodiment,
the yarn Y is an elastic yarn having elasticity such as a core spun yarn (CSY) . The
CSY is a yarn in which short fibers are twisted around a core polyurethane yarn having
elasticity.
[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, the winding unit 2 includes a yarn supplying unit 11 that holds
a yarn supplying bobbin B such that the yarn Y wound on the yarn supplying bobbin
B can be supplied, a yarn processing execution unit 12 that performs various processes
on the yarn Y unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin B held by the yarn supplying
unit 11, and a winding unit 13 that forms the package P by winding the yarn Y processed
by the yarn processing execution unit 12 around the winding tube Q. The yarn supplying
unit 11, the yarn processing execution unit 12, and the winding unit 13 are arranged
in this order from bottom to top.
[0015] The yarn supplying unit 11 includes a bobbin holding member 15 that holds the yarn
supplying bobbin B, and an unwinding assisting device 16 that assists in unwinding
the yarn Y from the yarn supplying bobbin B. The unwinding assisting device 16 includes
a cylindrical body 29 that caps the yarn supplying bobbin B from above. The cylindrical
body 29 can be raised and lowered by a not shown motor. As the unwinding of the yarn
Y progresses, the cylindrical body 29 of the unwinding assisting device 16 is lowered.
As a result, the bulging (ballooning) of the yarn Y that is being unwound is restricted
and the tension of the yarn Y is stabilized.
[0016] The winding unit 13 includes a cradle 14, which rotatably holds the winding tube
Q, and a traverse drum 18. The traverse drum 18 is rotationally driven by a not shown
drum motor. A spiral traversing groove 18a is formed on an outer peripheral surface
of the traverse drum 18. The yarn Y is traversed by using the traversing groove 18a.
When the traverse drum 18 rotates in a state that the traverse drum 18 is in contact
with the package P formed on the winding tube Q while the yarn Y is traversed by the
traversing groove 18a, the package P rotates in a winding direction because of a contact
friction with the traverse drum 18. As a result, the yarn Y unwound from the yarn
supplying bobbin B is wound on the winding tube Q.
[0017] The yarn processing execution unit 12 located between the yarn supplying unit 11
and the winding unit 13 includes a yarn feeler 19, a tension applying device 20, a
yarn joining device 21, and a yarn clearer 22.
[0018] The yarn feeler 19 is arranged between the unwinding assisting device 16 and the
tension applying device 20 and detects the presence or absence of the traveling yarn
Y.
[0019] The tension applying device 20 applies a predetermined tension to the traveling yarn
Y. FIG. 3 shows a so-called gate-type tension applying device 20 as an example. In
the gate-type tension applying device 20, a plurality of fixed gate members 20a and
a plurality of movable gate members 20b are arranged alternately in the up-down direction.
An appropriate tension can be applied to the yarn Y that travels between the fixed
gate members 20a and the movable gate members 20b by adjusting the horizontal positions
of the movable gate members 20b.
[0020] The yarn joining device 21 is a device that joins the broken yarn Y on the yarn supplying
bobbin B side (the yarn supplying unit 11 side) and the broken yarn Y on the package
P side (the winding unit 13 side). The yarn Y may be broken when the yarn Y is cut
by a cutter 22a when a yarn defect is detected by the yarn clearer 22 described later,
when the yarn Y breaks during the winding operation, when the yarn Y on the yarn supplying
bobbin B is exhausted so that the empty yarn supplying bobbin B is replaced with another
yarn supplying bobbin B, or the like.
[0021] A lower yarn catching guiding member 23 that catches the yarn Y on the yarn supplying
bobbin B side and guides the caught yarn Y to the yarn joining device 21 is arranged
below the yarn joining device 21. An upper yarn catching guiding member 24 that catches
the yarn Y on the package P side and guides the caught yarn Y to the yarn joining
device 21 is arranged above the yarn joining device 21. The lower yarn catching guiding
member 23 is pivotable around a shaft 23a. The lower yarn catching guiding member
23 is pivoted up or down by a not shown motor. Similarly, the upper yarn catching
guiding member 24 is pivotable around a shaft 24a. The upper yarn catching guiding
member 24 is pivoted up or down by a not shown motor. The lower yarn catching guiding
member 23 and the upper yarn catching guiding member 24 are respectively connected
to a not shown suction source.
[0022] The lower yarn catching guiding member 23 has a suction member 23b at its tip end
section. The suction member 23b sucks and catches the yarn end of the yarn Y on the
yarn supplying unit 11 side. While the suction member 23b has caught the yarn end
at a lower position, the lower yarn catching guiding member 23 turns upward and guides
the caught yarn Y to the yarn joining device 21.
[0023] The upper yarn catching guiding member 24 has a suction mouth 24b at its tip end
section. The suction mouth 24b sucks and catches the yarn end of the yarn Y on the
winding unit 13 side. The upper yarn catching guiding member 24 is first turned upward
from below, and the suction mouth 24b is positioned near a position where the package
P and the traverse drum 18 contact each other. As a result, a yarn end of the yarn
Y that has stuck to the surface of the package P can be sucked and caught with the
suction mouth 24b. Then, the upper yarn catching guiding member 24 catches the yarn
end of the yarn Y and guides the caught yarn Y to the yarn joining device 21 by turning
downward from above.
[0024] The yarn joining device 21 joins the yarn end of the yarn Y guided thereto by the
lower yarn catching guiding member 23 and the yarn end of the yarn Y guided thereto
by the upper yarn catching guiding member 24 to form a continuous yarn Y. The configuration
and operation of the yarn joining device 21 will be explained in detail later.
[0025] The yarn clearer 22 continuously acquires information on a thickness of the traveling
yarn Y. The yarn clearer 22 detects a yarn defect by using the information on the
thickness of the yarn Y. The yarn defect is an abnormal portion in the yarn Y where
the thickness is larger than a certain value. The yarn clearer 22 includes the cutter
22a. When the yarn defect is detected by the yarn clearer 22, the cutter 22a immediately
cuts the yarn Y.
Yarn Joining Device
[0026] The yarn joining device 21 will be explained in detail below. In the following description,
as necessary, the yarn Y on the yarn supplying unit 11 side will be referred to as
a yarn Y1 and the yarn Y on the winding unit 13 side will be referred to as a yarn
Y2. FIG. 4A is a front view and FIG. 4B is a side view of the yarn joining device
21 immediately after the yarns Y1 and Y2 have been guided to the yarn joining device
21. The yarn joining device 21 includes a support member 30, a yarn joining nozzle
31, two untwisting pipes 32A and 32B, an upper guide plate 33, a lower guide plate
34, two yarn shifting levers 35A and 35B, two twist prevention levers 36A and 36B,
two yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B, and the like.
[0027] The yarn joining nozzle 31 is fixed to a front surface of the box-shaped support
member 30. The yarn joining nozzle 31 twists the yarn end of the yarn Y1 and the yarn
end of the yarn Y2 to join the yarns. The yarn joining nozzle 31 is provided with
a yarn joining space 31a extending in the up-down direction (corresponding to a "predetermined
direction" according to the present invention). The yarn joining space 31a is open
on the front side thereof. The yarns Y1 and Y2 can be introduced into the yarn joining
space 31a from the front side of the yarn joining space 31a. Not shown jetting holes
for jetting compressed air are formed in an inner wall of the yarn joining space 31a.
Then, in a state that the yarn ends of the yarns Y1 and Y2 have been introduced into
the yarn joining space 31a, a swirling air current is generated in the yarn joining
space 31a by jetting compressed air from the jetting holes to cause the yarn ends
of the yarns Y1 and Y2 to be joined.
[0028] The untwisting pipe 32A is arranged above and the untwisting pipe 32B is arranged
below the yarn joining nozzle 31. The untwisting pipes 32A and 32B are cylindrical
members extending in the front-rear direction, and are embedded in the support member
30. The front and rear ends of the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B are open, and the
opening at the front end functions as a suction vent 32a that sucks the yarns Y1 and
Y2. The upper untwisting pipe 32A is arranged between the yarn joining nozzle 31 and
a cutter 41A described later in the up-down direction. The upper untwisting pipe 32A
sucks the yarn Y1 cut by the cutter 41A. On the other hand, the lower untwisting pipe
32B is arranged between the yarn joining nozzle 31 and a later-described cutter 41B
in the up-down direction. The lower untwisting pipe 32B sucks the yarn Y2 cut by the
cutter 41B.
[0029] Not shown jetting holes for jetting compressed air are formed in the inner walls
of the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B. An air current that flows from the front to the
rear is generated in the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B by jetting the compressed air
from these jetting holes. By the action of this air current, the yarn ends of the
yarns Y1 and Y2 can be sucked from the suction vent 32a of each of the untwisting
pipes 32A and 32B. Also, by the action of the air current, the yarn ends of the yarns
Y1 and Y2 introduced into the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B can be untwisted.
[0030] The upper guide plate 33 is arranged above the yarn joining nozzle 31. The upper
guide plate 33 is provided with guide grooves 33a and 33b side by side in the left-right
direction. The front ends of the guide grooves 33a and 33b are open. The yarn Y1 is
introduced into the left guide groove 33a. A clamp 42A is attached to the upper guide
plate 33. The clamp 42A grips the yarn Y2 that has been introduced into the guide
groove 33b. In the present invention, when considering the yarn Y2 as a reference,
the upper guide plate 33 to which the clamp 42A capable of gripping the yarn Y2 is
attached is arranged on one side (corresponding to a "first side" according to the
present invention) of the yarn joining space 31a that extends in the up-down direction
(corresponding to the predetermined direction according to the present invention).
The yarn Y2 is introduced into the right guide groove 33b. The cutter 41A is attached
to the upper guide plate 33. The cutter 41A cuts the yarn Y1 that is introduced into
the guide groove 33a. In the present invention, when considering the yarn Y1 as a
reference, the upper guide plate 33 to which the cutter 41A capable of cutting the
yarn Y1 is attached is arranged on another side (corresponding to a "second side"
according to the present invention) of the yarn joining space 31a that extends in
the up-down direction (corresponding to the predetermined direction according to the
present invention).
[0031] The lower guide plate 34 is arranged below the yarn joining nozzle 31. The lower
guide plate 34 is provided with guide grooves 34a and 34b side by side in the left-right
direction. The front ends of the guide grooves 34a and 34b are open. The yarn Y1 is
introduced into the left guide groove 34a. The yarn Y2 is introduced into the right
guide groove 34b. The guide grooves 34a and 34b are located substantially directly
below the guide grooves 33a and 33b, respectively. A clamp 42B is attached to the
lower guide plate 34. The clamp 42B grips the yarn Y1 that has been introduced into
the guide groove 34a. In the present invention, when considering the yarn Y1 as a
reference, the lower guide plate 34 to which the clamp 42B capable of gripping the
yarn Y1 is attached is arranged on the one side (corresponding to the first side according
to the present invention) of the yarn joining space 31a that extends in the up-down
direction (corresponding to the predetermined direction according to the present invention).
The cutter 41B is attached to the lower guide plate 34. The cutter 41B cuts the yarn
Y2 that has been introduced into the guide groove 34b. In the present invention, when
considering the yarn Y2 as a reference, the lower guide plate 34 to which the cutter
41B capable of cutting the yarn Y2 is attached is arranged on the other side (corresponding
to the second side according to the present invention) of the yarn joining space 31a
that extends in the up-down direction (corresponding to the predetermined direction
according to the present invention) . In summary, the upper guide plate 33 is arranged
on the one side in the up-down direction with respect to the yarn Y2, and the lower
guide plate 34 is arranged on the other side in the up-down direction. The upper guide
plate 33 is arranged on the other side in the up-down direction with respect to the
yarn Y1, and the lower guide plate 34 is arranged on the one side in the up-down direction.
[0032] The yarn shifting lever 35A is arranged above the yarn joining nozzle 31 and the
yarn shifting lever 35B is arranged below the yarn joining nozzle 31. The upper yarn
shifting lever 35A is arranged between the upper untwisting pipe 32A and the upper
guide plate 33 in the up-down direction. On the other hand, the lower yarn shifting
lever 35B is arranged between the lower untwisting pipe 32B and the lower guide plate
34 in the up-down direction. The yarn shifting levers 35A and 35B are arranged on
the right side of the yarn joining nozzle 31. The yarn shifting levers 35A and 35B
pivot integrally around a shaft 43 (corresponding to a second pivot shaft according
to the present invention) that extends in the up-down direction. When the yarn shifting
levers 35A and 35B are pivoted rearward, the yarns Y1 and Y2 are moved (shifted) rearward
by the yarn shifting levers 35A and 35B.
[0033] The twist prevention lever 36A is arranged above the yarn joining nozzle 31 and the
twist prevention lever 36B is arranged below the yarn joining nozzle 31. The upper
twist prevention lever 36A is arranged between the upper untwisting pipe 32A and the
upper yarn shifting lever 35A in the up-down direction. On the other hand, the lower
twist prevention lever 36B is arranged between the lower untwisting pipe 32B and the
lower yarn shifting lever 35B in the up-down direction. The twist prevention levers
36A and 36B pivot integrally around the shaft 43. When applying the twists to the
yarn ends of the yarns Y1 and Y2 in the yarn joining space 31a, the twist prevention
lever 36A is in contact with the yarn Y2 and the twist prevention lever 36B is in
contact with the yarn Y1. This prevents the twists applied to the yarn ends of the
yarns Y1 and Y2 from propagating beyond the twist prevention levers 36A and 36B.
[0034] The yarn shifting levers 35A and 35B and the twist prevention levers 36A and 36B
are pivoted around the shaft 43 by a not shown common driving device. However, a not
shown stopper restricts the pivoting of the twist prevention levers 36A and 36B. Thus,
the twist prevention levers 36A and 36B do not pivot out of a predetermined range.
That is, when the yarn shifting levers 35A and 35B and the twist prevention levers
36A and 36B are pivoted by the common driving device, the yarn shifting levers 35A
and 35B and the twist prevention levers 36A and 36B pivot together in a certain range,
and when the predetermined range is reached, thereafter only the yarn shifting levers
35A and 35B pivot.
[0035] The yarn shrinkage control lever 37A is arranged above the yarn joining nozzle 31
and the yarn shrinkage control lever 37B is arranged below the yarn joining nozzle
31. The upper yarn shrinkage control lever 37A is arranged between the yarn joining
nozzle 31 and the upper untwisting pipe 32A in the up-down direction. On the other
hand, the lower yarn shrinkage control lever 37B is arranged between the yarn joining
nozzle 31 and the lower untwisting pipe 32B in the up-down direction. The yarn shrinkage
control levers 37A and 37B are arranged on the left side of the yarn joining nozzle
31. The yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B pivot integrally around a shaft
44 (corresponding to a first pivot shaft according to the present invention) that
extends in the up-down direction. When the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B
are pivoted rearward until they contact the front surface of the support member 30,
the yarns Y1 and Y2 are gripped between the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and
37B and the support member 30. That is, the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and
37B correspond to a yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism according to the present
invention. As long as the yarns Y1 and Y2 can be gripped and the untwisting pipes
32A and 32B are not hindered from sucking the yarn ends of the yarns Y1 and Y2, the
position of the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B in the up-down direction
when seen from the front side can overlap with the position of the untwisting pipes
32A and 32B.
Yarn Shrinkage Control Lever
[0036] The yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B will be explained in detail below.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a structure around an attachment member of the yarn
shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B. The yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B
are integrally formed via a cylindrical boss 38 that extends in the up-down direction.
That is, the yarn shrinkage control lever 37A is fixed to an upper end of the boss
38 and the yarn shrinkage control lever 37B is fixed to a lower end of the boss 38.
The boss 38 is attached to the shaft 44 via a not shown bearing. The shaft 44 is fixed
to a base member 45. The base member 45 is fixed to the support member 30 of the yarn
joining device 21. With such a configuration, the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A
and 37B can pivot integrally around the shaft 44.
[0037] A torsion spring 46 (corresponding to a biasing member according to the present invention)
is arranged in a portion of the shaft 44 between the lower yarn shrinkage control
lever 37B and the base member 45. A not shown lower end of the torsion spring 46 is
fixed to the base member 45, and an upper end 46a of the torsion spring 46 is fixed
to the yarn shrinkage control lever 37B. The torsion spring 46 biases the yarn shrinkage
control levers 37A and 37B toward the front surface of the support member 30 (the
direction of an arrow F in FIG. 5) (hereinafter, "biasing direction F"). A plurality
of attachment holes 37a for inserting the upper end 46a of the torsion spring 46 are
formed in the yarn shrinkage control lever 37B in the circumferential direction of
the shaft 44. The biasing force by the torsion spring 46 can be adjusted by inserting
the upper end 46a of the torsion spring 46 in a desired one of the attachment holes
37a. That is, these attachment holes 37a correspond to an adjustment member according
to the present invention.
[0038] A rotary member 47 capable of rotating around a central axis of the shaft 44 is arranged
below the base member 45. The rotary member 47 has the shape of English letter L when
viewed from the up-down direction. The rotary member 47 has a first arm 47a and a
second arm 47b that are substantially perpendicular to each other. A regulating pin
48 (corresponding to a regulating member according to the present invention) that
extends upward is fixed to the first arm 47a. A cylinder 49 is connected to the second
arm 47b. An upper end of the regulating pin 48 is passed through a through hole 37b
formed in the yarn shrinkage control lever 37B. As a result, the regulating pin 48
can revolve around the shaft 44 while restricting the yarn shrinkage control lever
37B from moving in the biasing direction F. The through hole 37b has a larger diameter
than that of the regulating pin 48. Accordingly, the yarn shrinkage control lever
37B and the regulating pin 48 can relatively move together in the biasing direction
F.
[0039] When the yarn joining device 21 is not performing the yarn joining, the yarn shrinkage
control levers 37A and 37B are biased in the biasing direction F by the torsion spring
46; however, the movement in the biasing direction F of the yarn shrinkage control
levers 37A and 37B is regulated by the regulating pin 48. To operate the yarn shrinkage
control levers 37A and 37B, the rotary member 47 is rotated by the cylinder 49 in
the same direction as the biasing direction F. Then, the regulating pin 48 revolves
in the same direction as the biasing direction F, and the yarn shrinkage control levers
37A and 37B also pivot in the biasing direction F together with the regulating pin
48. The cylinder 49 stops the rotation of the rotary member 47 at the timing when
the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B contact the front surface of the support
member 30. The yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B press the yarns Y1 and Y2
against the front surface of the support member 30. As a result, the yarns Y1 and
Y2 are gripped by being sandwiched between the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and
37B and the support member 30.
Yarn Joining Operation
[0040] The yarn joining operation when the yarns Y1 and Y2 are joined by the yarn joining
device 21 will be explained in detail below with reference to FIG. 6A to FIG. 9B.
FIG. 6A is a front view and FIG. 6B is a side view of the yarn joining device 21 just
before the yarns Y1 and Y2 are cut by the cutters 41A and 41B. FIG. 7A is a front
view and FIG. 7B is a side view of the yarn joining device 21 immediately after the
yarns Y1 and Y2 are cut by the cutters 41A and 41B. FIG. 8A is a front view and FIG.
8B is a side view of the yarn joining device 21 in a state that the yarn ends of the
yarns Y1 and Y2 have been introduced into the yarn joining space 31a. FIG. 9A is a
front view and FIG. 9B is a side view of the yarn joining device 21 while the yarn
joining device 21 is joining the yarns.
[0041] When the yarn Y is broken for some reason, first, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the
yarns Y1 and Y2 are guided to the yarn joining device 21 by the lower yarn catching
guiding member 23 and the upper yarn catching guiding member 24. At this time, the
yarn Y1 is introduced also into the guide grooves 33a and 34a, and the yarn Y2 is
introduced also into the guide grooves 33b and 34b.
[0042] In this state, the unit controller 5 (corresponding to a control section according
to the present invention) causes the yarns Y1 and Y2 to be moved rearward by pivoting
the yarn shifting levers 35A and 35B rearward. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 6A and
6B, the yarns Y1 and Y2 are introduced into the yarn joining space 31a of the yarn
joining nozzle 31. Moreover, the yarn Y1 is pushed into the interior of the guide
grooves 33a and 34a and gripped by the clamp 42B, and the yarn Y2 is pushed into the
interior of the guide grooves 33b and 34b and gripped by the clamp 42A.
[0043] The unit controller 5 pivots the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B rearward
at the same time or immediately after causing the yarn shifting levers 35A and 35B
to pivot rearward. Then, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the yarn shrinkage control lever
37A contacts the front surface of the support member 30 between the yarn joining nozzle
31 and the untwisting pipe 32A. As a result, the yarn Y1 is sandwiched between the
yarn shrinkage control lever 37A and the support member 30 whereby the yarn Y1 is
gripped. Also, the yarn shrinkage control lever 37B contacts the front surface of
the support member 30 between the yarn joining nozzle 31 and the untwisting pipe 32B.
As a result, the yarn Y2 is sandwiched between the yarn shrinkage control lever 37B
and the support member 30 whereby the yarn Y2 is gripped. The force with which the
yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B grip the yarns Y1 and Y2 is such that when
the yarn ends of the yarns Y1 and Y2 are pulled out from the untwisting pipes 32A
and 32B in the subsequent process, the yarn ends slip through between the yarn shrinkage
control levers 37A and 37B and the support member 30.
[0044] Next, the unit controller 5 causes the cutter 41A to cut the yarn Y1 and causes the
cutter 41B to cut the yarn Y2. At the same time or just before cutting the yarns Y1
and Y2, an air current is generated in the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B from the front
to the rear. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the cut yarn end of the yarn
Y1 is sucked into the upper untwisting pipe 32A, and the cut yarn end of the yarn
Y2 is sucked into the lower untwisting pipe 32B. The yarn ends of the yarns Y1 and
Y2 are untwisted by the air current generated in the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B.
The unnecessary portions of the cut yarns Y1 and Y2 are sucked by the lower yarn catching
guiding member 23 and the upper yarn catching guiding member 24.
[0045] Since the yarn Y is the elastic yarn, such as CSY, when the yarn Y is cut by the
cutters 41A and 41B into the yarns Y1 and Y2 respectively, the yarns Y1 and Y2 shrink
vigorously whereby the yarns Y1 and Y2 may not be sucked by the untwisting pipes 32A
and 32B. However, since the yarns Y1 and Y2 have been gripped by the yarn shrinkage
control levers 37A and 37B, the shrinkage of the yarns Y1 and Y2 is stopped near the
suction vent 32a by the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B. Therefore, the
yarn ends of the yarns Y1 and Y2 can be reliably sucked by the untwisting pipes 32A
and 32B.
[0046] Subsequently, the unit controller 5 pivots the yarn shifting levers 35A and 35B further
rearward. Then, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the untwisted yarn ends of the yarns
Y1 and Y2 are pulled out from the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B and introduced into
the yarn joining space 31a of the yarn joining nozzle 31. That is, the yarn shifting
levers 35A and 35B correspond to pulling members according to the present invention.
At this moment, the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B are gripping the yarns
Y1 and Y2 (while pressing the yarns against the support member 30). However, as mentioned
above, when the yarn ends of the yarns Y1 and Y2 are pulled out from the untwisting
pipes 32A and 32B by the yarn shifting levers 35A and 35B, the gripping force with
which the yarns Y1 and Y2 have been gripped is such that the yarn ends slip through
between the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B and the support member 30. Therefore,
the yarn ends of the yarns Y1 and Y2 are introduced into the yarn joining space 31a
without any problem.
[0047] The unit controller 5 returns the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B to their
respective initial positions almost simultaneously (this timing may be slightly changed)
with the jetting of the compressed air into the yarn joining space 31a. By doing so,
the yarn ends of the yarns Y1 and Y2 are joined together by the action of the swirling
air current present in the yarn joining space 31a. At this time, the twist prevention
lever 36A contacts the yarn Y2 and the twist prevention lever 36B contacts the yarn
Y1. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the twists of the yarns from being propagated
over the twist prevention levers 36A and 36B at the time of yarn joining. When the
yarn joining is completed, the yarn shifting levers 35A and 35B and the twist prevention
levers 36A and 36B are returned to their respective initial positions, and the winding
of the yarn Y by the winding unit 13 is resumed.
Advantageous Effects
[0048] The yarn joining device 21 of the present embodiment includes the yarn shrinkage
suppression mechanism (the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B) that can operate
in a predetermined direction (up-down direction) so as to contact the yarns Y1 and
Y2 between the suction vent 32a of the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B and the yarn joining
nozzle 31, and the control section (the unit controller 5) causes the cutters 41A
and 41B to cut the yarns Y1 and Y2 while the yarns Y1 and Y2 are in contact with the
yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B. Therefore, even if the yarns Y1 and Y2
are elastic yarns that shrink vigorously when cut with the cutters 41A and 41B, because
the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B grip the yarns Y1 and Y2 between the
suction vent 32a of the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B and the yarn joining nozzle 31,
the shrinkage of the yarns Y1 and Y2 is stopped by the yarn shrinkage control levers
37A and 37B. Therefore, even the yarn ends of the elastic yarns Y1 and Y2 can be easily
sucked by the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B, and the yarns Y1 and Y2 can be favorably
joined.
[0049] In the present embodiment, the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B grip the
yarns Y1 and Y2. If the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B are configured to
grip the yarns Y1 and Y2, the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B can reliably
stop the shrinkage of the yarns Y1 and Y2, and the success rate of joining of the
elastic yarns can be increased.
[0050] The present embodiment includes the pulling member (the yarn shifting levers 35A
and 35B) for pulling the yarn ends of the yarns Y1 and Y2 sucked by the untwisting
pipes 32A and 32B from the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B, and when the yarn ends of
the yarns Y1 and Y2 are pulled out from the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B by the pulling
members 35A and 35B, the control section 5 causes the yarn shrinkage control levers
37A and 37B to grip the yarns Y1 and Y2. When joining the elastic yarns Y, shrinkage
occurs not only when the yarns Y1 and Y2 are cut by the cutters 41A and 41B, but also
when the yarn ends of the yarns Y1 and Y2 are pulled out from the untwisting pipes
32A and 32B. When shrinkage occurs, there is a possibility that the yarn ends of the
yarns Y1 and Y2 are not positioned at the predetermined positions in the yarn joining
space 31a, leading to failure in the yarn joining. Therefore, as mentioned above,
by griping the yarns Y1 and Y2 with the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B
at the time of pulling out the yarn ends of the yarns Y1 and Y2 from the untwisting
pipes 32A and 32B, shrinkage of the yarns Y1 and Y2 can be stopped by the yarn shrinkage
control levers 37A and 37B. As a result, the yarn ends of the yarns Y1 and Y2 can
be surely positioned at the predetermined positions in the yarn joining space 31a,
and the yarn joining can be performed favorably.
[0051] In the present embodiment, the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B grip the
yarns Y1 and Y2 with a force of such a magnitude that allows the yarn ends of the
yarns Y1 and Y2 pulled out by the pulling members 35A and 35B from the untwisting
pipes 32A and 32B to slip through the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B. As
mentioned above, when the yarn ends of the yarns Y1 and Y2 are pulled out from the
untwisting pipes 32A and 32B, favorable joining is achieved if the yarn shrinkage
control levers 37A and 37B grip the yarns Y1 and Y2. However, if the yarn shrinkage
control levers 37A and 37B grip the yarns Y1 and Y2 strongly, the yarn ends of the
yarns Y1 and Y2 cannot be pulled out from the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B in the
first place. Accordingly, when the yarn ends are pulled out from the untwisting pipes
32A and 32B, a delicate control needs to be performed to weaken the gripping force
of the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B. In this respect, when the gripping
force with which the yarns Y1 and Y2 are gripped by the yarn shrinkage control levers
37A and 37B is such that the yarn ends of the yarns Y1 and Y2 pulled out from the
untwisting pipes 32A and 32B can slip through the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A
and 37B, the delicate control of the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B becomes
unnecessary. Therefore, this structure is preferable.
[0052] In the present embodiment, the yarns Y1 and Y2 are sandwiched between the yarn shrinkage
control levers 37A and 37B and the support member 30 that supports the yarn joining
nozzle 31 thereby gripping the yarns Y1 and Y2. By adopting such a configuration,
the configuration of the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B can be simplified.
[0053] In the present embodiment, the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism is realized by
the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B that can pivot around a first pivot
shaft (the shaft 44) that extends in a predetermined direction. By adopting such a
configuration, the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism can be easily realized even
in the yarn joining device 21 in which not much empty space is available.
[0054] The present embodiment includes the biasing member (the torsion spring 46) that biases
the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B toward the support member 30. By adopting
such a biasing member 46, the yarns Y1 and Y2 can be sandwiched between the yarn shrinkage
control levers 37A and 37B and the support member 30 and can be securely gripped therebetween.
[0055] The present embodiment includes the regulating member (the regulating pin 48) that
can revolve around the first pivot shaft 44 while restricting the movement of the
yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B in the biasing direction F of the biasing
member 46, and the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B and the regulating member
48 are relatively movable in the biasing direction F. In this configuration, by rotating
the regulating member 48 to the support member 30 side, the yarn shrinkage control
levers 37A and 37B, whose movement in the biasing direction F is regulated by the
regulating member 48, can be moved to the biasing direction (the support member side)
. Also, because the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B and the regulating member
48 can move relatively in the biasing direction F, when the yarn shrinkage control
levers 37A and 37B abut against the support member 30 and can no longer move in the
biasing direction F, only the regulating member 48 moves to the biasing direction
F. Therefore, even if there is an error in the rotation control of the regulating
member 48, the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B can be controlled to prevent
from being strongly pressed against the support member 30 by the regulating member
48, and a control by using the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B of the biasing
force for gripping the yarns Y1 and Y2 to a certain value becomes easy.
[0056] The present embodiment includes the adjustment member (the attachment holes 37a)
for adjusting the biasing force exerted by the biasing member 46. By adopting such
an adjustment member, for example, the gripping force for gripping the yarns Y1 and
Y2 can be adjusted according to the elasticity of the yarn Y.
[0057] The present embodiment includes the yarn shifting levers 35A and 35B that can pivot
around the second pivot shaft (the shaft 43) extending in a predetermined direction
to introduce the yarns Y1 and Y2 into the yarn joining space 31a, and the first pivot
shaft 44 of the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B and the second pivot shaft
43 of the yarn shifting levers 35A and 35B are arranged on opposite sides with respect
to the yarn joining nozzle 31. With such an arrangement, a driving device such as
the cylinder 49 for driving the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B can be easily
arranged.
Other Embodiments
[0058] Other embodiments that are the modifications of the above embodiment are explained
below.
[0059] In the above embodiment, when the yarn ends of the yarns Y1 and Y2 are pulled out
from the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B by the yarn shifting levers 35A and 35B, the
yarns Y1 and Y2 are held by the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B. However,
when the elasticity of the elastic yarn Y is not so high, the shrinkage of the yarns
Y1 and Y2 when the yarn ends are pulled out from the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B
may not be a problem. In this case, the gripped state of the yarns Y1 and Y2 by the
yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B can be released before the yarn ends are
pulled out from the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B. By adopting such a configuration,
when pulling out the yarn ends of the yarns Y1 and Y2 from the untwisting pipes 32A
and 32B, there is no need for delicate adjustment and control so that the yarn ends
can slip through the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B.
[0060] In the above embodiment, the gripping force with which the yarn shrinkage control
levers 37A and 37B grip the yarns Y1 and Y2 can be maintained to a certain force by
which the yarn ends that are pulled out from the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B by the
yarn shifting levers 35A and 35B slip through the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A
and 37B. However, it is allowable to perform a control such that the yarn shrinkage
control levers 37A and 37B grip the yarns Y1 and Y2 firmly when cutting the yarns
Y1 and Y2 with the cutters 41A and 41B, and the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A
and 37B grip the yarns Y1 and Y2 weakly when pulling out the yarn ends of the yarns
Y1 and Y2 from the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B.
[0061] In the above embodiment, the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B function as
the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism according to the present invention. However,
specific examples of the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism are not limited to the
yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B. For example, the technology disclosed in
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2005-112550 can be used. Specifically, a movable cover mechanism (a shielding mechanism 61) that
covers the yarn joining nozzle can be provided, and a gripping member that grips the
yarns Y1 and Y2 between itself and the support member 30 can be arranged in the cover
mechanism. Also, the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism is not limited to the one
that grips the yarns Y1 and Y2 by sandwiching between itself and the support member
30 but can be a clamp that itself can grip the yarns Y1 and Y2.
[0062] The above embodiment includes the torsion spring 46 for biasing the yarn shrinkage
control levers 37A and 37B and the regulating pin 48 for regulating the movement of
the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B to the biasing direction F; however,
the torsion spring 46 and the regulating pin 48 can be omitted. Further, in order
to adjust the biasing force of the torsion spring 46, a plurality of the attachment
holes 37a is provided as the adjustment member of the present invention; however,
it is allowable to provide only one attachment hole 37a.
[0063] In the above embodiment, the shaft 43 that is the second pivot shaft for the yarn
shifting levers 35A and 35B and the twist prevention levers 36A and 36B, and the shaft
44 that is the first pivot shaft for the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B
are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the yarn joining nozzle 31. However,
the second pivot shaft can be used in common by the yarn shifting levers 35A and 35B,
the twist prevention levers 36A and 36B, and the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A
and 37B. In such a configuration, appropriate stoppers and the like can be provided
to cause each of those levers to be driven with a common driving device as desired.
[0064] The above embodiment includes the twist prevention levers 36A and 36B separately
from the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B. However, the yarn shrinkage control
levers 37A and 37B can also be configured as the twist prevention levers.
[0065] In the above embodiment, the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B prevent the
yarns Y1 and Y2 from shrinking by gripping the yarns Y1 and Y2 so that the yarn ends
of even the elastic yarns can be easily sucked by the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B
and favorably joined. However, a rubber member can be attached to the distal ends
of the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B, or the distal ends of the yarn shrinkage
control levers 37A and 37B can be made uneven thereby increasing the friction property
thereof. When the distal ends have high friction property, the shrinking of the yarns
Y1 and Y2 can be suppressed by touching the yarns Y1 and Y2 with the distal ends of
the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B instead of gripping the yarns Y1 and
Y2 with the yarn shrinkage control levers 37A and 37B. Accordingly, even the yarn
ends of the elastic yarn can be easily sucked with the untwisting pipes 32A and 32B,
and it is possible to perform the yarn joining favorably.
[0066] In the above embodiment, the present invention was applied to the yarn joining device
21 provided in the winding unit 2 of the automatic winder 1. However, it is possible
to apply the present invention to a yarn joining device of other textile machines
(for example, a pneumatic spinning frame).
[0067] In the above embodiment, the predetermined direction is described as the up-down
direction; however, the predetermined direction is not limited to the up-down direction.
Specifically, the predetermined direction is the direction in which the yarn joining
space of the yarn joining nozzle 31 extends, and the direction is generally the direction
perpendicular to a surface on which the winding unit is installed; however, this direction
can be inclined with respect to the direction perpendicular to the surface on which
the winding unit is installed. The inclination angle can be changed (set) as desired
by the layout of the yarn joining nozzle 31, the clamps 42A and 42B, the upper yarn
catching guiding member 24, and the lower yarn catching guiding member 23.
[0068] A yarn joining device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a
yarn joining nozzle having a yarn joining space extending in a predetermined direction;
two clamps each arranged on either side of the yarn joining nozzle in the predetermined
direction for gripping a corresponding yarn; two cutters each arranged on either side
of the yarn joining nozzle in the predetermined direction for cutting the corresponding
yarn; two untwisting pipes each having a suction vent arranged between the yarn joining
nozzle and the corresponding cutter in the predetermined direction for sucking a yarn
end of the corresponding yarn gripped by the corresponding clamp and cut by the corresponding
cutter; a control section; and a yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism capable of moving
so as to contact the yarns between the suction vents and the yarn joining nozzle in
the predetermined direction. The control section causes the cutters to cut the yarns
while the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism is in contact with the yarns.
[0069] According to the above yarn joining device, even if the elastic yarn shrinks vigorously
when cut with the cutter, because the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism contacts
the yarns between the suction vents of the untwisting pipes and the yarn joining nozzle,
the shrinkage of the yarns is stopped by the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism.
Therefore, even the yarn ends of the elastic yarns can be easily sucked by the untwisting
pipes, and the yarns can be favorably joined.
[0070] In the above yarn joining device, it is preferable that the yarn shrinkage suppression
mechanism grips the yarns.
[0071] Because the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism is configured to grip the yarns,
the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism can reliably stop the shrinkage of the yarns,
and the success rate of joining of the elastic yarns is increased.
[0072] It is preferable that the above yarn joining device further includes a pulling member
that pulls out from the untwisting pipes the yarn ends sucked into the untwisting
pipes, and the control section causes the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism to
grip the yarns while the yarn ends are pulled out from the untwisting pipes by the
pulling member.
[0073] When joining the elastic yarns, shrinkage occurs not only when the yarns are cut
by the cutters, but also when the yarn ends of the yarns are pulled out from the untwisting
pipes . When shrinkage occurs, there is a possibility that the yarn ends of the yarns
are not positioned at the predetermined positions in the yarn joining space, leading
to failure in the yarn joining. Therefore, as mentioned above, by griping the yarns
with the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism at the time of pulling out the yarn
ends of the yarns from the untwisting pipes, shrinkage of the yarns can be stopped
by the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism. As a result, the yarn ends of the yarns
can be surely positioned at the predetermined position in the yarn joining space,
and the yarn joining can be performed favorably.
[0074] In the above yarn joining device, it is preferable that the yarn shrinkage suppression
mechanism grips the yarns with such a force that the yarn ends pulled out from the
untwisting pipes by the pulling member slip through the yarn shrinkage suppression
mechanism.
[0075] As mentioned above, when the yarn ends of the yarns are pulled out from the untwisting
pipes, favorable joining is achieved if the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism grips
the yarns. However, if the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism grips the yarns strongly,
the yarn ends of the yarns cannot be pulled out from the untwisting pipes in the first
place. Accordingly, when the yarn ends are pulled out from the untwisting pipes, a
delicate control needs to be performed to weaken the gripping force of the yarn shrinkage
suppression mechanism. In this respect, when the gripping force with which the yarns
are gripped by the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism is such that the yarn ends
of the yarns pulled out from the untwisting pipes can slip through the yarn shrinkage
suppression mechanism, the delicate control of the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism
becomes unnecessary, and this structure is preferable.
[0076] It is preferable that the above yarn joining device further includes a pulling member
that pulls out from the untwisting pipes the yarn ends sucked into the untwisting
pipes, and the control section causes the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism to
release the grip on the yarns before causing the pulling member to pull out the yarn
ends from the untwisting pipes.
[0077] When the elasticity of the elastic yarn is not so high, the shrinkage of the yarn
when the yarn end is pulled out from the untwisting pipe may not be a problem. In
this case, the gripped state of the yarn can be released before the yarn end is pulled
out from the untwisting pipe. By adopting such a configuration, because there is no
need for delicate adjustment and control so that the yarn end can slip through the
yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism, this structure is preferable.
[0078] In the above yarn joining device, it is preferable that the yarn shrinkage suppression
mechanism grips the yarns by sandwiching the yarns between itself and a support member
that supports the yarn joining nozzle.
[0079] By adopting such a configuration, the configuration of the yarn shrinkage suppression
mechanism can be simplified.
[0080] In the above yarn joining device, it is preferable that the yarn shrinkage suppression
mechanism includes two yarn shrinkage control levers that can pivot around a first
pivot shaft that extends in the predetermined direction.
[0081] By adopting such a configuration, the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism can be
easily realized even in the yarn joining device in which not much empty space is available.
[0082] It is preferable that the above yarn joining device further includes a biasing member
that biases the yarn shrinkage control levers toward the support member.
[0083] By adopting such a biasing member, the yarn can be sandwiched between the yarn shrinkage
control lever and the support member and can be securely gripped therebetween.
[0084] It is preferable that the above yarn joining device further includes a regulating
member capable of rotating around the first pivot shaft while regulating a movement
of the yarn shrinkage control levers in a biasing direction of the biasing member,
and the yarn shrinkage control levers and the regulating member are relatively movable
in the biasing direction.
[0085] In this configuration, by rotating the regulating member to the support member side,
the yarn shrinkage control levers, whose movement in the biasing direction is regulated
by the regulating member, can be moved to the biasing direction (the support member
side). Also, because the yarn shrinkage control levers and the regulating member can
move relatively in the biasing direction, when the yarn shrinkage control levers abut
against the support member and can no longer move in the biasing direction, only the
regulating member moves to the biasing direction. Therefore, even if there is an error
in the rotation control of the regulating member, the yarn shrinkage control levers
can be controlled to prevent from being strongly pressed against the support member
by the regulating member, and a control by using the yarn shrinkage control levers
of the biasing force for gripping the yarns to a certain value becomes easy.
[0086] It is preferable that the above yarn joining device further includes an adjustment
member capable of adjusting a biasing force of the biasing member.
[0087] By adopting such an adjustment member, for example, the gripping force for gripping
the yarn can be adjusted according to the elasticity of the yarn.
[0088] It is preferable that the above yarn joining device further includes two yarn shifting
levers each capable of pivoting around a second pivot shaft that extends in the predetermined
direction and that introduce the yarns into the yarn joining space, and the first
pivot shaft of the yarn shrinkage control levers and the second pivot shaft of the
yarn shifting levers are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the yarn joining
nozzle.
[0089] With such an arrangement, a driving device such as a cylinder for driving the yarn
shrinkage control lever can be easily arranged.
[0090] A yarn winding device according to another aspect of the present invention includes
a yarn supplying unit that supplies a yarn; a winding unit that is arranged at a position
separated from the yarn supplying unit in the predetermined direction and that winds
the yarn supplied from the yarn supplying unit; and the above yarn joining device
arranged between the yarn supplying unit and the winding unit in the predetermined
direction.
[0091] According to the above yarn winding device, even when winding the elastic yarn, because
the yarn end of the yarn cut by the cutter when performing yarn joining can be easily
sucked with the untwisting pipe, it is possible to perform the yarn joining favorably.
[0092] In the above explanation, the meaning of "a plurality of" also includes "a predetermined
number of".
[0093] Although the invention has been explained with respect to specific embodiments for
a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but
are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that
may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the scope of the claims.
One object is to provide a yarn joining device that can favorably join even elastic
yarns. Yarn ends of two yarns (Y1, Y2) held by corresponding clamps (42A, 42B) and
cut by corresponding cutters (41A, 41B) are sucked with corresponding untwisting pipes
(32A, 32B) each having a suction vent (32a) arranged between a yarn joining nozzle
(31) and the cutter (41A, 41B) in an up-down direction. When doing so, the cutters
(41A, 41B) are caused to cut the yarns (Y1, Y2) while the yarns (Y1, Y2) are in contact
with a yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism (37A, 37B) that can move so as to contact
the yarns (Y1, Y2) between the suction vents (32a) and the yarn joining nozzle (31)
in the up-down direction.
1. A yarn joining device (21) comprising:
a yarn joining nozzle (31) having a yarn joining space (31a) extending in a predetermined
direction;
two clamps (42A, 42B) each arranged on either side of the yarn joining nozzle (31)
in the predetermined direction for gripping a corresponding yarn;
two cutters (41A, 41B) each arranged on either side of the yarn joining nozzle (31)
in the predetermined direction for cutting the corresponding yarn;
two untwisting pipes (32A, 32B) each having a suction vent (32a) arranged between
the yarn joining nozzle (31) and the corresponding cutter (41A, 41B) in the predetermined
direction for sucking a yarn end of the corresponding yarn gripped by the corresponding
clamp (42A, 42B) and cut by the corresponding cutter (41A, 41B);
a control section (5); characterized by
a yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism (37A, 37B) capable of moving so as to contact
the yarns between the suction vents (32a) and the yarn joining nozzle (31) in the
predetermined direction, wherein
the control section (5) is adapted to cause the cutters (41A, 41B) to cut the yarns
while the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism (37A, 37B) is in contact with the yarns.
2. The yarn joining device (21) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the yarn shrinkage suppression
mechanism (37A, 37B) is adapted to grip the yarns.
3. The yarn joining device (21) as claimed in Claim 2,
further comprising a pulling member (35A, 35B) that is adapted to pull out from the
untwisting pipes (32A, 32B) the yarn ends sucked into the untwisting pipes (32A, 32B),
wherein the control section (5) is adapted to cause the yarn shrinkage suppression
mechanism (37A, 37B) to grip the yarns while the yarn ends are pulled out from the
untwisting pipes (32A, 32B) by the pulling member (35A, 35B).
4. The yarn joining device (21) as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the yarn shrinkage suppression
mechanism (37A, 37B) is adapted to grip the yarns with such a force that the yarn
ends pulled out from the untwisting pipes (32A, 32B) by the pulling member (35A, 35B)
slip through the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism (37A, 37B).
5. The yarn joining device (21) as claimed in Claim 2,
further comprising a pulling member (35A, 35B) that is adapted to pull out from the
untwisting pipes (32A, 32B) the yarn ends sucked into the untwisting pipes (32A, 32B),
wherein the control section (5) is adapted to cause the yarn shrinkage suppression
mechanism (37A, 37B) to release the grip on the yarns before causing the pulling member
(35A, 35B) to pull out the yarn ends from the untwisting pipes (32A, 32B).
6. The yarn joining device (21) as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the yarn
shrinkage suppression mechanism (37A, 37B) is adapted to grip the yarns by sandwiching
the yarns between itself and a support member (30) that supports the yarn joining
nozzle (31) .
7. The yarn joining device (21) as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the yarn shrinkage suppression
mechanism (37A, 37B) includes two yarn shrinkage control levers (37A, 37B) that are
adapted to pivot around a first pivot shaft (44) that extends in the predetermined
direction.
8. The yarn joining device (21) as claimed in Claim 7, further comprising a biasing member
that is adapted to bias the yarn shrinkage control levers (37A, 37B) toward the support
member (30).
9. The yarn joining device (21) as claimed in Claim 8,
further comprising a regulating member capable of rotating around the first pivot
shaft (44) while regulating a movement of the yarn shrinkage control levers (37A,
37B) in a biasing direction of the biasing member,
wherein the yarn shrinkage control levers (37A, 37B) and the regulating member are
relatively movable in the biasing direction.
10. The yarn joining device (21) as claimed in Claim 8 or 9, further comprising an adjustment
member capable of adjusting a biasing force of the biasing member.
11. The yarn joining device (21) as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 10,
further comprising two yarn shifting levers (35A, 35B) each capable of pivoting around
a second pivot shaft (43) that extends in the predetermined direction and adapted
to introduce the yarns into the yarn joining space (31a),
wherein the first pivot shaft (44) of the yarn shrinkage control levers (37A, 37B)
and the second pivot shaft (43) of the yarn shifting levers (35A, 35B) are arranged
on opposite sides with respect to the yarn joining nozzle (31).
12. A yarn winding device comprising:
a yarn supplying unit (11) adapted to supply a yarn;
a winding unit (13) that is arranged at a position separated from the yarn supplying
unit (11) in the predetermined direction and adapted to wind the yarn supplied from
the yarn supplying unit (11) ; and
the yarn joining device (21) according to any one of Claims 1 to 11 arranged between
the yarn supplying unit (11) and the winding unit (13) in the predetermined direction.
13. Method of operating a yarn joining device (21) comprising:
a yarn joining nozzle (31) having a yarn joining space (31a) extending in a predetermined
direction;
two clamps (42A, 42B) each arranged on either side of the yarn joining nozzle (31)
in the predetermined direction for gripping a corresponding yarn;
two cutters (41A, 41B) each arranged on either side of the yarn joining nozzle (31)
in the predetermined direction for cutting the corresponding yarn;
two untwisting pipes (32A, 32B) each having a suction vent (32a) arranged between
the yarn joining nozzle (31) and the corresponding cutter (41A, 41B) in the predetermined
direction for sucking a yarn end of the corresponding yarn gripped by the corresponding
clamp (42A, 42B) and cut by the corresponding cutter (41A, 41B);
a control section (5); characterized by the following steps:
moving a yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism (37A, 37B) so as to contact the yarns
between the suction vents (32a) and the yarn joining nozzle (31) in the predetermined
direction; and
cutting the yarns while the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism (37A, 37B) is in
contact with the yarns.
14. The method as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the yarn shrinkage suppression mechanism
(37A, 37B) grips the yarns.
15. The method as claimed in Claim 14,
further comprising pulling out from the untwisting pipes (32A, 32B) the yarn ends
sucked into the untwisting pipes (32A, 32B), and
gripping the yarns while the yarn ends are pulled out from the untwisting pipes (32A,
32B) by the pulling member (35A, 35B).