Individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister

Abstract

 To provide an individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister capable of coping with various product types and small-lot productions. The present invention relates to an individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister 1 having a spindle drive motor 6 for every spindle 2 to apply a twist to a yarn Y. The multi-twister drives the spindle drive motors 6 by means of respective rotation speed control apparatuses 44, wherein the means for setting the rotation direction 36, 45, 46, 48 and 51 can freely set and change the rotation direction for each spindle drive motor 6. The multi-twister also contains switching means 44a for switching output to the spindle drive motor according to the set rotation direction, wherein the switching means 44a is provided at each of the rotation speed control apparatuses 44.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-twister for twisting and winding a yarn unwound from a yarn supply package. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for setting the rotation of spindle direction in an individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister.

Background of the Invention

[0002] A conventional multi-twister, as shown in Figure 4, comprises a plurality of multi twisting units that contain a spindle apparatus 101a and a winding apparatus 101b. This multi twisting unit has a drive mechanism 110 for driving a winding drum 106, a traverse guide 107, and a spindle 103. The spindle apparatus 101a is designed to twist yarn by transmitting the driving force of a drive motor 113 to the spindle 103 by means of a belt 104. In addition, the winding apparatus 101b is designed to wind yarn twisted by the spindle apparatus 101a around a winding package 105 while the yarn is traversed by means of the traverse guide 107 via a feed roller 108.

[0003] The above drive mechanism 110 essentially comprises the drive motor 113 and a plurality of pulleys 111, 112, 115, 116, 117 and 119, and belts 104 and 118 so as to permit the winding drum 106, the traverse guide 107 and the spindle 103 to be driven by a single drive motor 113. To drive the spindle 103, the output of the drive motor 113 is transmitted to the belt 104 through an output shaft 114, the third pulley 115, the belt 118, the fifth pulley 117 and the first pulley 111. In addition, to drive the winding drum 106, the output of the drive motor 113 is transmitted via the output shaft 114, the fourth pulley 116, a belt 120, the sixth pulley 119, a speed change belt apparatus 150, a decelerator box 123, and a belt 130. Further, the traverse guide 107 permits rotation of a support shaft 126 to be transmitted to a grooved drum 137 via a belt 134. By the rotation of the grooved drum 137, a cam shoe 139 moves along a groove 138, making it possible for the traverse guide 107 to reciprocate.

[0004] In such a conventional multi-twister, however, when the spindle apparatus 101a and the winding apparatus 101b are driven by means of a single motor 113, a plurality of pulleys are rotated by means of the belts 104 and 120, thus resulting in large mechanical losses and excessive power consumption. Therefore, an individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister has been developed such that the spindle drive system and winding drum drive system are driven by separate motors, and further, a spindle drive motor is provided for each spindle apparatus so that it can be driven independently.

[0005] However, with a conventional individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister, it is not possible to freely set and change the rotation direction of each spindle drive motor. Moreover, such conventional machines are not suitable for various product types or small-lot productions.

[0006] The present invention has been achieved in view of the above problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide an individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister that can cope with various product types and small-lot productions.

Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention relates to an individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister that has a spindle drive motor for each spindle so as to apply a twist to a yarn. The spindle drive motor is driven by means of rotation speed control apparatuses, wherein the means for setting the direction of rotation is provided in a central control apparatus connected to a plurality of rotation speed control apparatuses via a common communication line. This means transmits data for setting the direction of rotation, including data for specifying rotation speed control apparatuses or data for specifying a spindle and data representing a rotation direction from the central control apparatus to each rotation speed control apparatus via the common communication line. As a result, it is possible to freely set and change the rotation direction of each spindle drive motor. A switching means is provided at each rotation speed control apparatus so as to switch the output to the spindle drive motors in accordance with the set rotation direction.

[0008] Thereby, the rotation direction of each spindle drive motor can be freely set, thus making it possible to handle various product types and small-lot productions. In addition, the rotation direction can be easily set for each rotation speed control apparatus via a common communication line without having to use complicated wiring. In other words, the data for setting the rotation direction to be transmitted includes data for specifying rotation speed control apparatuses or data for specifying a spindle, and data representing the rotation direction. Therefore, for example, the rotation direction can be set and changed simultaneously for each spindle, each rotation speed control apparatus, and each span including a plurality of spindles, or all of the spindles, making it possible to properly cope with various product types and small-lot productions.

[0009] The present invention is characterized in that the means for setting the rotation direction can be set by inputting a starting spindle unit and an ending spindle unit which set the rotation direction to a central control apparatus.

[0010] Thereby, it is very effective to set grouped rotation directions within a particularly arbitrary range, making it possible to easily handle various product types and small-lot productions.

[0011] The present invention is characterized in that a plurality of relays are connected to the central control apparatus via a communication line, and a plurality of rotation speed control apparatuses are connected to each relay via a communication line.

[0012] Thereby, a plurality of rotation speed control apparatuses can be connected to a single central control apparatus. Even if a number of winding units are provided in series, each rotation speed control apparatus can receive separate data for setting the rotation direction via a relay, thus making it possible to prevent errors when receiving an instruction of the rotation direction.

[0013] The present invention is characterized in that the communication line is used to receive the spindle rotation speed detected by the respective rotation speed control apparatus and monitor the occurrence of errors during operation.

[0014] Thereby, there is no need for specially providing a communication line for setting the rotation direction, and thus it is possible to monitor the spindle rotation speed of each winding spindle unit and monitor the occurrence of errors of each winding spindle unit at the central control apparatus during operation.

Brief Description of the Drawing

[0015] 

Figure 1 is a schematic view of an individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister according to an embodiment.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a winding apparatus and a spindle apparatus.

Figure 3 is a block diagram depicting the system for setting and changing the rotation direction in an individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of a conventional multi-twister.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] A multi-twister 1, as shown in Figure 1, comprises a yarn winding unit U of 80 to 308 spindle units in series. The yarn winding unit U has a spindle apparatus 2 and a winding apparatus 3 successively provided thereon, so as to wind yarn of a single yarn supply package 8 around a winding package P.

[0018] The spindle apparatus 2 has the yarn supply package 8, a stationary plate 31, a tension apparatus 32, a rotary disk 33, and a spindle drive motor 6. The yarn Y is twisted by means of the spindle drive motor 6. This spindle drive motor 6 employs a DC brushless motor BLM, and the rotary disk 33 is provided at its output shaft. In addition, the rotary disk 33 is provided with the stationary plate 31 so that one yarn supply package 8 can be placed on the stationary plate 31. Further, the tension apparatus 32 is provided at the upper part of the yarn supply package 8 so that the tension apparatus 32 applies a predetermined tension to the yarn Y unwound from the yarn supply package 8.

[0019] Thereby, the spindle apparatus 2 is designed to rotate the rotary disk 33 at a high speed by means of the spindle drive motor 6 and balloon the yarn Y to a balloon guide 37 while the yarn Y unwound from the yarn supply package 8 is inserted into the tension apparatus 32 to apply a tension. In addition, the yarn Y is twisted once when passing from the tension apparatus 32 to the rotary disk 33, and is twisted once more between the rotary disk 33 and the balloon guide 37.

[0020] In addition, the winding apparatus 3, as shown in Figure 2, has a winding drum 21, the winding package P, a traverse guide 29, a feed roller 26, and a cradle 40, so as to wind the yarn Y twisted by means of the spindle apparatus 2 around the winding package P. The winding package P pivots around the cradle 40, and the winding drum 21 is brought into pressure contact with the winding package P. Thereby, the winding apparatus 3 is designed to wind the yarn Y, which has been twisted twice as shown above, from the balloon guide 37 around the winding package P while the yarn Y is traversed by means of the traverse guide 29 via the guide rollers 38 and 39 and the feed roller 26.

[0021] The individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister 1, as shown in Figure 1, has, in addition to the yarn winding unit U, a drive system 5 for simultaneously driving each winding apparatus 3 and a control system 7 for controlling each spindle apparatus 2 and each winding apparatus 3. The drive system 5 has a winding-drum drive motor 4, a first pulley 10, a belt 11, a second pulley 12, a decelerator 17, a third pulley 16, a fourth pulley 19, a belt 20, a fifth pulley 22, a sixth pulley 24, a seventh pulley 13, a belt 14, an eighth pulley 15, and a cam box 27, so as to both rotate the winding drum 21 and feed roller 26 of each yarn winding unit U and reciprocate the traverse guide 29 by means of the driving force of the winding-drum drive motor 4.

[0022] The winding-drum drive motor 4 is an induction motor IM. The first pulley 10 is provided at its output shaft, and further the second pulley 12 is provided via the belt 11. The decelerator 17 has a plurality of gears (not shown in the drawings). When the driving force of the winding-drum drive motor 4 is transmitted via the second pulley 12, the decelerator 17 is decelerated at a constant ratio, and at the same time the rotation direction is changed. In addition, the decelerator 17 has two output shafts so that two-shaft output is enabled using single-shaft input. The third pulley 16 engages one of the output shafts, and the seventh pulley 13 engages the other output shaft.

[0023] The third pulley 16 connects to the fourth pulley 19 that engages a support shaft 18 via the belt 20, and at its support shaft 18 a plurality of winding drums 21 are provided at predetermined intervals. In addition, the fifth pulley 22 engages the support shaft 18 in parallel with the fourth pulley 19. The fifth pulley 22 connects to the sixth pulley 24 that engages a support shaft 23 via a belt 25, and at its support shaft 23 a plurality of feed rollers 26 are provided at predetermined intervals. Thereby, the drive system 5 transmits a driving force, which is decelerated by means of the decelerator 17, to each winding drum 21 via the third pulley 16, the belt 20 and the fourth pulley 19. The drive system 5 then transmits the force to the feed rollers 26 via the fifth pulley 22, the belt 25 and the sixth pulley 24.

[0024] In addition, the decelerator 17 is coupled with the cam box 27 via the seventh pulley 13, the belt 14 and the eighth pulley 15. A reciprocating rod 28 is coupled with the cam box 27 so as to convert the rotational force into reciprocating motion. The traverse guide 29 engages the reciprocating rod 28 at a predetermined interval. Thereby, the drive system 5 winds the yarn Y twisted by means of the spindle apparatus 2 around the winding package P which is brought into pressure contact with the winding drum 21 while the yarn Y is traversed by reciprocating the traverse guide 29.

[0025] The control system 7, as shown in Figure 3, has a main control apparatus 42 and a plurality of unit control sections 9 that control each spindle apparatus 2, and thereby constitutes a control system for the individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister 1. The main control apparatus 42 has a converter 35 that converts a voltage from an alternating current power source 34, a host CPU 36 that constitutes a central control apparatus, and rotation speed control apparatuses 41 for use with the winding-drum drive motors. Consequently, the main control apparatus 42 simultaneously outputs various control instructions to each unit control section 9 and each rotation speed control apparatus 41 for the winding-drum drive motor 4.

[0026] The host CPU 36 is designed to simultaneously transmit various parameters and control instructions directly to each unit control section 9 and rotation speed control apparatus 41 for winding-drum drive motors via a communication line 46. In addition, the host CPU 36 is designed to simultaneously transmit start and stop instructions directly to each unit control section 9 and rotation speed control apparatus 41 for winding-drum drive motors via a control signal line 54. Further, the converter 35 has an AC/DC conversion section 35a and a DC/DC conversion section 35b, and the rotation speed control apparatus 41 for winding-drum drive motor 4 is connected to the AC/DC conversion section 35a via a direct current bus 47. The host CPU 36 is connected to the DC/DC conversion section 35b, so that the DC/DC conversion section 35b converts a direct current voltage of 290 volts to a direct current voltage of 24 volts that is used as a control system voltage of the host CPU 36.

[0027] The rotation speed control apparatuses 41 for winding-drum drive motors receives a direct current voltage of 290 volts via the direct current bus 47, and uses parameters and control instructions received via the communication line 46 so as to provide feedback control to the winding-drum drive motor 4 independently according to a rotation speed generated by a pulse generator PG52.

[0028] Each unit control section 9 has 32 rotation speed control apparatuses 44 for spindle drive motors, a relay 45, and a direct current transformer 43 for spindle apparatus, and is connected in parallel via the communication line 46. The 32 rotation speed control apparatuses 44 are connected in parallel to the relay 45 via a communication line 51, and the relay 45 relays a control instruction output by the host CPU 36 so as to transmit the control instruction to each of the 32 rotation speed control apparatuses 44.

[0029] The direct current transformer 43 for each of the spindle apparatuses is connected in parallel to the direct current bus 47. During normal operation, a direct current voltage of 290 volts supplied via the direct current bus 47 is converted into a direct current voltage of 24 volts. This latter voltage is used as a control system voltage for controlling a spindle drive motor 6.

[0030] The 32 rotation speed control apparatuses 44 for each spindle drive motor are connected to the direct current transformer 43 for spindle apparatuses in parallel via a control power-supply line 49. Between each of the 32 rotation speed control apparatuses 44 and the direct current transformers 43 for spindle apparatuses, a relay connector board 53 is interposed, and the control power-supply line 49 is connected to the group of rotation speed control apparatuses 44 and the relay 45 from the direct current transformers 43 for spindle apparatuses via the relay connector board 53. In addition, two spindle drive motors 2 are connected to each rotation speed control apparatus 44. Each rotation speed control apparatus 44 can receive a control instruction via the communication line 46, the relay 45, and the communication line 51 so as to provide feedback control to each spindle drive motor 6 independently according to the rotation speed from a built-in sensor. That is, two spindle drive motors 6 are driven and stopped by a single rotation speed control apparatus 44. Each of the rotation speed control apparatuses 41 and 44 respectively is designed to drive and stop each of the motors 4 and 6 independently.

[0031] Now, essential features and parts of the individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister according to the embodiment will be described.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the above main control unit 42 is provided with an operation section 48 constituting means for setting the rotation direction, so as to make it possible to freely set and change the rotation direction of the spindle drive motor 6. In addition, the rotation speed control apparatus 44 for each spindle drive motor 6 has a switching section 44a constituting a switching means so as to switch the output to the spindle drive motor 6 according to the rotation direction set by the operation section 48.

[0033] The operation section 48 is connected to the host CPU 36 (means for setting the rotation direction) constituting a central control apparatus so as to make it possible to set and change the rotation direction of the spindle drive motor 6 by keyboard operations. In addition, a range for the rotation direction can easily be set simultaneously for various configurations such as each rotation speed control apparatus 44 for spindle drive motors 6, a span comprising a plurality of spindle drive motors 6, or all spindle drive motors 6. For example, in the case where an attempt is made to twist the 1st to 64th spindle units by an S-twist (left hand twist), the rotation direction is set for the S-twist through keyboard operations of the operation section 48. Then, 1 and 64 are inputted, thereby making it possible to set and change that range.

[0034] Just as when setting and changing the rotation direction, the rotation speed can be set and changed simultaneously for each rotation speed control apparatus 44 for spindle drive motors 6, a span comprising a plurality of spindle drive motors 6, or all spindle drive motors 6. During the winding operation, even if the rotation direction and rotation speed are set and changed, such settings and changes are not accepted.

[0035] The host CPU 36 can transmit the data used in setting the rotation direction which is set and changed by means of the operation section 36, to the switching section 44a via the communication line 46 (means for setting the rotation direction), the relay 45 (means for setting the rotation direction), and the communication line 51 (means for setting the rotation direction). The data for setting the rotation direction includes data for specifying the rotation speed control apparatus 44 (rotation speed control apparatus number), data for specifying a spindle (spindle number), and data representing the rotation direction (S-twist or Z-twist (right hand twist)).

[0036] In addition, a rotation direction change switch 50, which constitutes a means for setting the rotation direction, is connected to each rotation speed control apparatus 44 for spindle drive motors 6 via an effective change switch 56. The rotation direction change switch 50 has an S-twist switch and a Z-twist switch, so as to transmit the data for setting the rotation direction to the switching section 44a via the effective change switch 56 when an operator presses any of the S-twist switch and the Z-twist switch.

[0037] The effective change switch 56 is designed to set the rotation direction by means of hardware irrespective of the setting made through communication from the host CPU 36. This makes it possible to determine whether switching performed using the rotation direction change switch 50 is valid or not. That is, the data for setting the rotation direction through the rotation direction change switch 50 is transmitted to the switching section 44a when the effective change switch 56 is valid (ON state). When the effective change switch 56 is invalid (OFF state), the data is not transmitted to the switching section 44a.

[0038] The switching section 44a is designed to change a switching order of power elements for driving the spindle drive motor 6 according to the data for setting the rotation direction received from the host CPU 36 or the rotation direction change switch 50. In the case where such switching order is set and changed by means of the rotation direction change switch 50, the rotation direction is changed by taking precedence over the data for setting the rotation direction through the rotation direction change switch 50.

[0039] When the effective change switch 56 is valid (ON state), the switching section 44a is designed to receive the data for setting the rotation direction through the rotation direction change switch 50 and rotate the spindle drive motor 6 in that direction. If the effective change switch 56 is invalid (OFF state), the switching section 44a is designed to rotate the spindle drive motor 6 in the rotation direction set from the host CPU 36 via the communication line 51. Thus, the rotation speed control apparatuses 44 for spindle drive motors 6 is designed to change the rotation direction (output) of the spindle drive motor 6.

[0040] In the above configuration, the operation of the individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister 1 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, an operator sets the operation section 48 of the host CPU 36 to a desired state by keyboard operation. Hereinafter, an example where the 1st to 64th spindle units are set to S-twist and the other spindles are set to Z-twist will be described. The operator sets a rotation direction to S-twist by keyboard operation of the operation section 48, and inputs 1 and 64. When the operator has completed this input, the host CPU 36 transmits the data for setting the rotation direction to each relay 45 via the communication line 64. Then, each relay transmits the data for setting the rotation direction to each rotation speed control apparatus 44. When the switching section 44a of each rotation speed control apparatus 44 receives the data for setting the rotation direction, the setting operation for the rotation direction has been completed.

[0042] Next, when the operator starts operation of the individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister 1, an alternating current power source 34 supplies a direct current voltage of 24 volts to each rotation speed control apparatus 44 via the converter 35, the direct current bus 47, and the direct current transformer 43 for spindle apparatus. In addition, the host CPU 36 transmits a start instruction to each relay connector board 53 via the control signal line 54, and each relay connector board 53 simultaneously transmits the instruction to each rotation speed control apparatus 44 for spindle drive motors 6 via the control signal line 55. Each spindle drive motor 6 is driven based on the start instruction of each rotation speed control apparatus 44, and each rotary disk 33 rotates at a rotation speed identical to that of each spindle drive motor 6. When each rotary disk 33 rotates, the yarn unwound from the yarn supply package 8 enters the tension apparatus 32. The yarn Y is twisted once while tension is applied to it, and further twisted once more to be ballooned to the balloon guide 37.

[0043] On the other hand, the alternating current power source 34 supplies a direct current voltage of 290 volts to the rotation speed control apparatus 41 for winding-drum drive motors 6 via the converter 35 and the direct current bus 47. In addition, the host CPU 36 transmits a start instruction to the rotation speed control apparatuses 41 via the control signal line 54. The winding-drum drive motor 4 is driven based on the start instruction of the rotation speed control apparatuses 41. Its output is transmitted to support shafts 18 and 23 and the reciprocating rod 28 via pulleys 10, 12, 16, 19, 22, 24, the belt 11, 14, 20, 25, the decelerator 17 and the cam box 27. Then while the winding drum 21 of each spindle unit and the feed roller 26 of each spindle unit rotate, the traverse guide 29 of each spindle unit reciprocates.

[0044] When the winding drum 21 of each spindle unit and the feed roller of each spindle unit 26 rotate, and the traverse guide 29 of each spindle reciprocates, the yarn Y, which has been twisted twice by means of the spindle apparatus 2, is wound around the winding package P while the yarn Y is traversed by means of the traverse guide 29. During the traversing operation, a winding angle is corrected by means of the decelerator 17.

[0045] Thereby, the rotation direction of each spindle drive motor is freely set, and the yarn Y can be wound, thus making it possible to produce various types of winding packages P. In addition, when the rotation direction is set and changed, the data for setting the rotation direction is transmitted to a plurality of rotation speed control apparatuses 44 via the relay 45, thus making it possible to simply set the rotation direction simultaneously via the operation section 48 connected to the host CPU 36. Further, even if a number of winding units U are provided in series, each rotation speed control apparatus 44 can receive the data for setting the rotation direction via the relay 45, thus making it possible to prevent errors in receiving the instruction of the rotation direction.

[0046] On the other hand, in the case that the rotation speed control apparatuses 44 of the 1st to 16th spindle units cannot receive the data for setting the rotation direction set by keyboard operation of the operation section 48 due to trouble in the communication lines 46 and 51, the operator sets effective change switches 56 of the 1st to 16th spindle units to be valid (ON state), and then sets the direction to the S-twist direction by means of the rotation direction change switch 50.

[0047] Thus, even if a communication system fails, the effective change switch 56 is switched to be valid (ON state), making it possible to perform settings and changes through the rotation direction change switch 50. In the case where the rotation direction is normally set by keyboard operation of the operation section 48, the effective change switch 56 is invalid (OFF state).

[0048] The control power-supply line 49 of the multi-twister 1 according to this embodiment is designed to supply a control system voltage (24 volts) for controlling the spindle drive motor 6 to each rotation speed control apparatus 44. In addition, the control signal lines 54 and 55 are designed to transmit a start instruction or a stop instruction to all rotation speed control apparatuses 41 and 44 and transmit a simultaneous start signal or a simultaneous stop signal for ordinary machines. Further, the communication lines 46 and 51 are designed to monitor the rotation speed of each motor 6 and instruction values to each motor 6 or the like by means of the host CPU 36, as well as to set parameters for control from the host CPU 36 to each of the rotation speed control apparatuses 41 and 44.

[0049] In this embodiment, since two spindle drive motors 6 are connected to the rotation speed control apparatuses 44 for spindle drive motors 6, the minimum unit in which the rotation direction can be set and changed depends on each of the rotation speed control apparatuses 44 for spindle driving motors 6. Therefore, although the rotation direction is usually set and changed in units of two spindle units, the rotation direction may also be set and changed in units of single spindles, if necessary. During operation, the communication line 46 is used to receive the detected rotation speed of the spindle apparatus 2 from each winding spindle unit (rotation speed control apparatus) and monitor the occurrence of a failure.

[0050] In this embodiment, 32 rotation speed control apparatuses 44 for spindle drive motors 6 constitute each unit control section 9, but in general the number of rotation speed control apparatuses 44 is not limited to 32. In addition, although it is described that two spindle drive motors 6 are connected to the rotation speed control apparatuses 44 for spindle drive motors 6 in this embodiment, the number of spindle drive motors is not limited to 2. Moreover, although it is described that a single yarn supply package 8 is provided for each yarn winding unit U, a plurality of such yarn supply packages may be provided instead. Finally, note that the above DC brushless motor incorporates a sensor for detecting its rotation speed (not shown in the drawings).

[0051] In the multi-twister 1 according to this embodiment, although a double-twister in which double twists are applied by a single rotation of the spindle apparatus 2 is described, a triple- or quadruple-twister may be used instead. In addition, in this embodiment, although the rotation direction switched by the switching section 44a is described as either an S-twist or a Z-twist, the switching section 44a may be switched in the forward or backward directions.

[0052] The present invention relates to an individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister having a spindle drive motor for every spindle to apply a twist to a yarn and drive its spindle drive motor by means of respective rotation speed control apparatuses. A means for setting the rotation direction is provided at a central control apparatus connected to a plurality of rotation speed control apparatuses via a common communication line. This configuration makes it possible to freely set and change the rotation direction of each spindle drive motor by transmitting the data for setting the rotation direction including data for specifying the rotation speed control apparatuses or data for specifying the spindle and data representing a rotation direction. Moreover, a switching means is provided at each rotation speed control apparatus. This switching means switches an output to the spindle drive motor according to the set rotation direction.

[0053] As a result, the rotation direction of each spindle drive motor can be freely set, making it possible to properly cope with various product types and small-lot productions. In addition, it is possible to simply set the rotation direction for each rotation speed control apparatus via a common communication line without the need for complicated wiring. That is, because the data for setting the rotation direction to be transmitted includes data for specifying the rotation speed control apparatuses or data for specifying the spindle and data representing a rotation direction, another advantage of the present invention is that the rotation direction can be set and changed for each spindle, each rotation speed control apparatus, a span containing a plurality of spindles, or all spindles simultaneously. The simultaneous setting and changing of the rotation direction makes it possible to more properly cope with various product types and small-lot production.

[0054] The present invention is characterized in that the means for setting the rotation direction can be set by inputting a starting spindle unit and an ending spindle unit which set the rotation direction to the central control apparatus.

[0055] Thereby, in particular, the present invention is very effective when setting the rotation direction for a range of grouped spindles, making it possible to more properly cope with various product types and small-lot productions.

[0056] The present invention is characterized in that a plurality of relays are connected to the central control apparatus via a communication line, and a plurality of rotation speed control apparatuses are connected to each relay via a communication line.

[0057] Thereby, a plurality of rotation speed control apparatuses can be connected to a single central control apparatus. Even if a number of winding units are provided in series, each rotation speed control apparatus can receive the rotation direction setting data via a relay, thus making it possible to prevent errors in receiving the instruction of the rotation direction.

[0058] The present invention is characterized in that the communication line is used to receive the detected rotation speed for a spindle from each rotation speed control apparatus and to monitor the occurrence of a failure during operation.

[0059] As a result, in the central control apparatus it is possible to monitor the spindle rotation speed of each winding spindle unit and monitor the occurrence of a failure of each winding spindle unit during operation, without requiring the special provision of a communication line for setting the rotation direction.

Claims

1. An individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister that has spindle drive motors for each spindle to apply a twist to a yarn and that drives the spindle drive motors respectively by means of a rotation speed control apparatus, wherein: a means for setting a rotation direction is provided in a central control apparatus connected to a plurality of rotation speed control apparatuses via a common communication line and the means transmits data for setting the rotation direction including data for specifying rotation speed control apparatuses or data for specifying a spindle and data representing the rotation direction, from the central control apparatus to each rotation speed control apparatus via the common communication line, thereby making it possible to freely set and change the rotation direction of each spindle drive motor; and wherein a switching means is provided at each rotation speed control apparatus so as to switch the output to the spindle-drive motors in accordance with the set rotation direction.

2. An individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister as in claim 1, characterized in that said means for setting the rotation direction can be set by inputting a starting spindle unit and an ending spindle unit which set the rotation direction to a central control apparatus.

3. An individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister as in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that a plurality of relays are connected to said central control unit via a communication line, and a plurality of rotation speed control apparatuses are connected to each relay via a communication line.

4. An individual-spindle-drive type multi-twister as in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said communication line is used to receive the spindle rotation speed detected by the respective rotation speed control apparatus and monitor the occurrence of errors during operation.

Drawing