Yarn winder

Abstract

 The present invention allows the easy checking of whether or not a set condition agrees with the type of an actual yarn defect. A yarn winder includes a clearer 8. When a yarn defect is detected on the basis of a set condition, the yarn winder cuts a yarn, remove the yarn defect part, and splices a yarn Y on a yarn supplying bobbin B side to a yarn Y on a winding bobbin B side to restart winding. The yarn winder is provided with a yarn defect sample function executed after the yarn has been cut during winding on the basis of the set condition, to stop winding without performing a yarn splicing operation and display the set condition for the cutting to allow checking of the collected yarn defect sample and the displayed yarn defect set condition (Fig.1).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a yarn winder comprising a plurality of winding units each of which rewinds a yarn unwound from a yarn supplying bobbin to a yarn winding bobbin to form a package.

Background of the Invention

[0002] With a yarn winder such as an automatic winder, various yarn defects may occur during yarn winding. Accordingly, in the prior art, a yarn defect detecting device is mounted on a yarn running path to detect the thickness and length of a yarn. If the detected thickness and length correspond to any of the defects indicated by set conditions such as N (extremely large like a nep or the like), S (thin and short), L (thick and long), T (thin and long), and C (relatively thick and very long), the yarn is determined to have a defect and is then cut. Then, information on the cut defect is accumulated as data. Subsequently, the data is used to evaluate yarn supplying bobbins and the grades of wound packages.

[0003] However, in the prior art, owing to the detection sensitivity of the yarn defect detecting device, the detected yarn defect data does not always conform to defects actually occurring in the yarn. Accordingly, estimations are actually executed.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a yarn winder that conveniently allows checking of whether or not a set condition agrees with the type of an actual yarn defect, that is, whether or not a yarn has been cut in accordance with the set condition.

[0005] To accomplish the above object, an aspect of the present invention according to Claim 1 provides a yarn winder comprising a yarn defect detector and operating when a yarn defect is detected on the basis of a set condition, to cut a yarn, remove the yarn defect part, and splices a yarn on a yarn supplying bobbin side to a yarn on a yarn winding bobbin side to restart winding the yarn, being characterized by being provided with a yarn defect sample function executed after the yarn has been cut during winding on the basis of the set condition, to stop winding without performing a yarn splicing operation and display the set condition for the cutting to allow checking of the collected yarn defect sample and the displayed yarn defect set condition.

[0006] With the above configuration, when the yarn defect sample is recovered, the displayed set condition for the cutting (the type of the yarn defect) enables the check to be executed simultaneously with the recovery. This eliminates the time and labor required to bring the yarn defect sample and to go to confirm the yarn defect type. It is thus possible to easily check whether or not the yarn has been cut in accordance with the set condition.

[0007] An aspect of the present invention according to Claim 2 is the yarn winder according to Claim 1, characterized in that the set condition for the cut yarn defect is displayed on an indicator of a winding unit. Thus, the existing indicator can be used to display the type of the yarn defect. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in the parts costs of the winding unit.

[0008] An aspect of the present invention according to Claim 3 is the yarn winder according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cut yarn defect is set so as to be limited to a particular type. Thus, the yarn defect type can be easily selected.

[0009] An aspect of the present invention according to Claim 4 is the yarn winder according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the yarn defect sample function is set for each group, and each unit is provided with a switch that selects whether or not to activate the yarn defect sample function. Thus, the winding unit allows a special mode switch to be operated to select whether or not to execute the yarn defect sample function mode. As a result, it is possible to set, for the individual winding units, whether winding is to be carried out in a normal mode or in a yarn defect sample function mode. Moreover, the setting is made for each group, thus enabling each winding unit to be easily identified.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] 

Figure 1 is a front view of a winding unit.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of a yarn winder.

Figure 3 is a explanation figure of a yarn defect indication table.

Figure 4 is a flow chart of a yarn defect sample function mode routine.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] A yarn winder (automatic yarn winder) according to the present embodiment comprises a plurality of winding units 1 arranged in line, and a frame control device 41 placed at one end of the yarn winder in a direction in which the winding units 1 are arranged in line, as shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 1, each winding unit 1 winds a spun yarn (yarn) Y unwound from a yarn supplying bobbin B, around a bobbin Bf while traversing the yarn Y. The winding unit 1 thus forms a package P having a specified length and a specified shape. The winding unit 1 is provided with a unit frame 42 at its right or left side when viewed from its front. A winding unit main body 43 is provided at a side of the unit frame 42 to execute a winding process.

[0013] The winding unit main body 43 comprises a cradle 2 that holds the bobbin Bf and a traverse drum (winding drum) 3 that traverses the yarn Y. The cradle 2 can be pivoted to the traverse drum 3 to contact or separate the package P formed around the bobbin Bf, with or from the traverse drum 3. A lift-up mechanism 2a and a package brake mechanism 2b are attached to the cradle 2, and the lift-up mechanism 2a separates the package P from the traverse drum 3 and the package brake mechanism 2b stops rotation of the package P gripped by the cradle 2 simultaneously with the lifting of the cradle 2. A unit control device 21, shown in Figure 2, controls the activation of the lift-up mechanism 2a and package brake mechanism 2a.

[0014] The traverse drum 3 has a spiral traverse groove 3a formed in its surface to traverse the yarn. The winding unit 1 has an unwinding assist device 4, a tensioning device 5, a yarn splicing device 7, and a clearer (yarn thickness detector) 8 disposed in this order following the yarn supplying bobbin B, in the yarn running path between the yarn supplying bobbin B and the traverse drum 3.

[0015] The unwinding assist device 4 assists the unwinding of the yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin B by lowering a cylinder covering the yarn supplying bobbin B as the yarn is unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin B. The tensioning device 5 applies a predetermined tension to the running yarn,Y. In the illustrated example, the tensioning device 5 is of a gate type in which movable comb teeth 5b are placed with respect to fixed comb teeth 5a. The movable comb teeth 5b can be freely pivoted so as to be engaged with or released from the fixed comb teeth 5a. This pivoting operation is performed by a rotary solenoid.

[0016] When the yarn is cut after detection of a yarn defect or when the yarn is broken during unwinding, the yarn splicing device 7 splices a lower yarn on the yarn supplying bobbin B side to an upper yarn on a package P side. The clearer 8 detects a thickness defect in yarn Y. An analyzer (not shown in the drawings) processes a signal from the clearer 8 which corresponds to the thickness of the yarn Y, to detect a yarn defect such as slab. The clearer 8 is provided with a cutter 8a used when a yarn defect is detected, to cut the yarn. The activation of the cutter 8a is controlled by the analyzer or the unit control device 21.

[0017] Lower yarn catching and guiding means 11, and upper yarn catching and guiding means 12 are provided above and below the yarn splicing device 7, respectively, and the lower yarn catching and guiding means 11 catches and guides the lower yarn on the yarn supplying bobbin B side, and the upper yarn catching and guiding means 12 catches and guides the upper yarn on the package P side. When the yarn is cut or broken, a suction port 11a of the lower yarn catching and guiding means 11 catches the lower yarn at the illustrated position. Then, the suction port 11a pivots upward around a shaft 11b to guide the lower yarn to the splicing device 7. At the same time, a suction mouth 12a of the upper yarn catching and guiding means 12 pivots upward from the illustrated position around a shaft 12b to catch the upper yarn from the reversed package P. The suction mouth 12a further pivots downward around the shaft 12b to guide the upper yarn to the splicing device 7. The splicing device 7 aligns the upper and lower yarns with each other and then splices them to each other using whirling air currents.

[0018] The components of the winding unit main body 43 configured as described above are supported by the unit frame 42. As shown in Figure 2, the unit control device 21 is built in the unit frame 42. Further, a display panel 22 is provided on a front surface of the unit frame 42 and is connected to the unit control device 21 so as to output and receive signals to and from it. The unit control device 21 has a storage section 23 that stores a yarn defect indication table 31, shown in Figure 3, and various programs so that the table and programs can be arbitrarily rewritten, an arithmetic section 24 that can execute the programs, an input/output section 25 connected to the winding unit main body 43 and the display panel 22 so as to output and receive signals to and from them, and a communication section 26 connected to the frame control device 41 so as to transmit and receive data to and from it.

[0019] The yarn defect indication table 31, stored in the storage section of each winding unit 1, has a yarn defect type section and a display section as shown in Figure 3. The yarn defect type section contains six types of yarn defects including "T-cut", "C-cut", "F-cut", "Splice-cut", "Additional-cut", and "Other-cut". The types of yarn defects in the yarn defect indication table 31 are illustrative. The table may contain seven or more types of yarn defects. The display section is provided in association with the yarn defect type section. The data in the display section is configured using combinations of the segments of a 7-segment LED. The data is configured so that for example, "A" is lighted for "Additional-cut".

[0020] Further, as shown in Figure 2, the programs stored in the storage section 23 of each winding unit 1 include an operation routine that allows the winding unit 1 to perform a normal winding operation and a yarn defect sample function mode routine that collect a desired yarn defect sample and displays the type of the yarn defect. The execution of the yarn defect sample function mode routine and operation routine can be switched depending on whether or not a special mode switch 60, described later, is turned on. Specific operations of the yarn defect sample function mode routine will be described later.

[0021] The special mode switch 60 is provided on the above described display panel 22, connected to the input/output section 25. The display panel 22 is provided in the upper part of a front surface of the unit frame 42 as shown in Figure 1.

[0022] A display section 52 is placed in the display panel 22. The display section 52 comprises a higher digit indicator 54 and a lower digit indicator 55. The indicators 54, 55 are each composed of a 7-segment LED. The display section 52 can display the equipment number of input/output equipment provided in the winding unit main body 43. It can also display the type of a yarn defect when the yarn defect function mode routine is executed. Alternatively, the display section 52 may be configured to indicate the type of a yarn defect and an equipment number using a liquid crystal. In this case, the specific names of the type of a yarn defect and the input/output equipment can be directly displayed.

[0023] The special mode switch 60 is provided in the lower part of the display section 52. The special mode switch 60 is composed of a single dip switch. When the special mode switch 60 is turned on, the winding unit 1 performs a winding operation in a special mode. When the special mode switch 60 is turned off, the winding unit 1 operates in a normal mode. The special mode includes the yarn defect sample function mode, in which a yarn defect sample is collected while indicating the type of the yarn defect on the display section 52.

[0024] A start switch 61 is placed in the lower part of the display panel 22, comprising the various switches as described above. The characters "ON" and " OFF" are displayed above the start switch 61 and at a side of it, respectively. The start switch 61 has a switch gripped portion 61a that can be switched between an "ON" position and an "OFF" position. Further, the start switch 61 is used to repeat collecting yarn defect samples, by being turned on and off and on again to instruct on restarting of an operation during the execution of the yarn defect sample function mode. The start switch 61 may be of a depressed type instead of a rotative movement type. If the start switch 61 is of the depressed type, it can be switched between an on state and an off state every time it is depressed.

[0025] The winding unit 1 configured as described above has its own unit number. The winding unit 1 is connected to the frame control device 41 so as to transmit and receive data from it. The frame control device 41 comprises an external operation mode setting section 62 and an internal information processing section connected to the operation mode setting section 62. The operation mode setting section 62 comprises an operation section such as switches and a display section such as an LCD (not shown in the drawings). The frame control device 41 is adapted to set, for each group (yarn type), an operation mode in which the winding unit 1 is operated as well as a lot.

[0026] A description will be given of operations of the automatic yarn winder configured as described above.

[0027] If yarn defect samples are to be collected, an operator operates switches in the operation mode setting section 62 of the frame control device 41 to select the yarn defect sample function mode from the operation modes. The operator also selects a yarn defect type in the same manner. Subsequently, the operator performs a communication instructing operation to transmit a mode signal containing the yarn defect sample function mode and the yarn defect type to the winding unit 1 for each group (yarn type).

[0028] Specifically, it is assumed that the single automatic yarn winder is composed of 60 winding units 1 (Nos. 1 to 60) and is rewinding three types of yarns; for example, the winding units Nos. 1 to 20 are rewinding a yarn type A, the winding units Nos. 21 to 40 are rewinding a yarn type B, and the winding units Nos. 41 to 60 are rewinding a yarn type C. Then, when the frame control device 41 sets the yarn defect sample function mode for the yarn type A, the mode signal is transmitted to the winding units 1 Nos. 1 to 20.

[0029] When the mode signal is transmitted to the winding units 1 of the predetermined group, each of these winding units 1 first determines whether or not the special mode switch 60 is on (S1), as shown in Figure 4. If the special mode switch 60 is not on (S1, NO), the winding unit 1 is activated in the normal (standard) mode (S2) to re-execute the step S1. Then, it is assumed that the winding unit 1 to which the mode signal has been transmitted is performing a normal winding operation with the special mode switch 60 turned off. Then, even if the frame control device 41 transmits the mode signal to this winding unit 1, the settings in the mode signal are invalidated. As a result, even if the frame control device 41 is operated to set the winding unit 1 in the yarn defect sample function mode, the winding unit 1 continues a normal winding operation unless the special mode switch 60 is switched on.

[0030] Then, if the special mode switch 60 is switched on (S1, YES), it is subsequently determined whether or not the mode signal instructs on the yarn defect sample function mode (S3). If the mode signal does not instruct on the yarn defect sample function mode (S3, NO), the winding unit 1 is operated in another special mode contained in the mode signal (S4). On the other hand, if the mode signal instructs on the yarn defect sample function mode (S3, YES), a unit indicator (not shown in the drawings) on the display panel 22 is blinked to notify the operator that the winding unit is to be operated in the special mode (S5).

[0031] Then, the winding unit 1 is operated on the basis of the operational conditions contained in the mode signal to collect a yarn defect sample (S6). Subsequently, the yarn defect type data indicative of the yarn defect type is acquired from the mode signal (S7). Then, on the basis of the yarn defect type data and the yarn defect indication table 31, shown in Figure 3, display data corresponding to the yarn defect type data is acquired (S8). Subsequently, in the higher digit indicator 54, shown in Figure 1, the segments corresponding to the display data are lighted. As a result, the display section 52 displays the symbol corresponding to the yarn defect type data (S9).

[0032] In this state, the operator moves to the winding unit 1 to observe the collected yarn defect sample. At this time, even if the operator has forgotten the yarn defect type or mistakes it for a different one, operator can immediately confirm the type of the yarn defect sample by viewing the symbol displayed on the display section 52. Consequently, it is possible to reliably, easily, and promptly produce diagnosis results based on the observation of the yarn defect sample (S10).

[0033] Then, it is determined whether or not the start switch 61 has been operated (S11). If the start switch 61 has not been operated (S11, NO), the step S11 is repeated with the yarn defect sample collected, to wait until the mode start switch 61 is operated.

[0034] Subsequently, when the start switch 61 is operated (S11, YES), it is determined whether or not this operation instructs on restarting (S12). If the operation does not instruct on restarting (S12, NO), the step S12 is re-executed to bring the winding unit 1 in a standby state. On the other hand, if the operation instructs on restarting (S12, YES), the process is re-executed starting with the step S6 to collect a new yarn defect sample. Thus, if the yarn defect sample is inappropriate for observation or a plurality of samples are required, a yarn defect sample can be easily added and obtained by operating the start switch 61 so as to instruct on restarting.

[0035] As described above, the automatic yarn winder (yarn winder) according to the present embodiment comprises the clearer (yarn defect detector) as shown in Figure 1. Accordingly, when a yarn defect is detected on the basis of the set condition, the automatic yarn winder cuts the yarn, remove the yarn defect part, and splices the yarn Y on the yarn supplying bobbin B side to the yarn Y on the winding bobbin B side to restart winding. The automatic yarn winder is provided with the yarn defect sample function executed after the yarn has been cut during winding on the basis of the set condition, to stop winding without performing a yarn splicing operation and display the set condition for the cutting to allow checking of the collected yarn defect sample and the displayed yarn defect set condition.

[0036] With the above configuration, when the yarn defect sample is recovered, the displayed set condition for the cutting (the type of the yarn defect) enables the check to be executed simultaneously with the recovery. This eliminates the time and labor required to bring the yarn defect sample and to go to confirm the type of the yarn defect. It is thus possible to easily check whether or not the yarn has been cut in accordance with the set condition.

[0037] Specifically, the set condition for the cut yarn defect is displayed on the display section (indicator) 52 of the winding unit 1. Thus, the existing display section 52 can be used to display the type of the yarn defect. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in the parts costs of the winding unit 1.

[0038] Further, in the present embodiment, the cut yarn defect is set so as to be limited to a particular type as shown in Figure 3. Thus, the yarn defect type can be easily selected.

[0039] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the yarn defect sample function is set for each group, and each unit is provided with the special mode switch 60 that selects whether or not to activate the yarn defect sample function. Thus, the winding unit 1 allows the special mode switch 60 to be operated to select whether or not to execute the yarn defect sample function mode. As a result, it is possible to set, for the individual winding units 1, whether winding is to be carried out in the normal mode or in the yarn defect sample function mode. Moreover, the setting is made for each group, thus enabling each winding unit 1 to be easily identified.

[0040] In the above description of the present embodiment, the operator is notified of the yarn defect type on the basis of the manner in which the higher digit indicator 54 of the display section 52, composed of the 7-segment LED, displays the corresponding symbol.

[0041] However, the present invention is not limited to this aspect. The operator may be notified of the yarn defect type by using an LCD or the like to display appropriate characters or using a sound or a combination of the character display and the sound.

[0042] Furthermore, in the above description of the present embodiment, the frame control device 41 sets and operates the winding unit so as to collect one type of yarn defect samples. However, the present invention is not limited to this aspect. Provided that the yarn winder is adapted to indicate the yarn defect type corresponding to the collected yarn defect sample, plural types of yarn defect samples can be consecutively collected. In this case, to clearly identify the relationship between the collected yarn defect sample and the type, it is preferable to set the lower digit indicator 55 so as to indicate the ordinal collection number of each yarn defect sample and to enable the simultaneous display of the yarn defect type on the higher digit indicator 54 and the connection number on the lower digit indicator 55.

[0043] The present invention is effective in easily checking whether or not the set condition agrees with the type of an actual yarn defect, that is, whether or not the yarn has been cut in accordance with the set condition.

Claims

1. A yarn winder comprising a yarn defect detector and operating when a yarn defect is detected on the basis of a set condition, to cut a yarn, remove the yarn defect part, and splices a yarn on a yarn supplying bobbin side to a yarn on a winding bobbin side to restart winding the yarn, being characterized by being provided with a yarn defect sample function executed after the yarn has been cut during winding on the basis of the set condition, to stop winding without performing a yarn splicing operation and display the set condition for the cutting to allow checking of the collected yarn defect sample and the displayed yarn defect set condition.

2. A yarn winder according to Claim 1, characterized in that the set condition for the cut yarn defect is displayed on an indicator of a winding unit.

3. A yarn winder according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the cut yarn defect is set so as to be limited to a particular type.

4. A yarn winder according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the yarn defect sample function is set for each group, and each unit is provided with a switch that selects whether or not to activate the yarn defect sample function.

Drawing