BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a yarn winding apparatus and a yarn withdrawal method.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] A yarn winding apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.
2003-261265 is known in the art. The yarn winding apparatus includes a touch roller (support
roller) that is generally in contact with a winding package (cross-wound bobbin),
and a yarn-end catching section (suction nozzle) that performs a sucking operation.
The sucking operation includes sucking and withdrawing a yarn end from the winding
package when a yarn is cut. When the yarn is cut while a yarn winding operation is
being performed, the winding package is uplifted and separated from the touch roller.
Thereafter, the winding package is rotated in a direction opposite to a winding direction
of the yarn (hereinafter, "unwinding direction") and the yarn-end catching section
moves closer to the surface of the winding package and performs the sucking operation.
Once the yarn end trailing from the winding package is sucked and caught by the yarn-end
catching section, the caught yarn end is delivered to a splicer device (yarn twisting
device), and joined to the yarn end from a yarn feeding bobbin. Consequently, the
winding operation of the yarn is resumed.
[0003] Thus, in order to reliably perform catching of the yarn end in such a yarn winding
apparatus, it is necessary to move the yarn-end catching section sufficiently close
to the surface of the winding package. However, in the yarn winding apparatus disclosed
in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.
2003-261265, because the winding package is separated from the touch roller when catching the
yarn end, a position of the winding package varies due to fluctuation in the weight
of the winding package and mechanical variation of a drive mechanism. As a result,
a distance between the surface of the winding package and the yarn-end catching section
is likely to vary and a success rate of catching the yarn end is also likely to reduce.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a yarn winding apparatus and
a yarn withdrawal method by which a yarn end of a winding package can be reliably
caught. This object is achieved by a yarn winding apparatus according to claim 1.
[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a yarn winding apparatus includes
a holding section, a touch roller, a yarn-end catching section, a moving section,
and a control section. The holding section is adapted to rotatably hold a winding
package. The touch roller is arranged to make contact with the winding package. The
yarn-end catching section is adapted to catch a yarn end of a yarn trailing from the
winding package. The moving section is adapted to move the holding section such that
the winding package is held at a first position and a second position, each position
being at a different distance from the touch roller. The control section is adapted
to control the moving section and the yarn-end catching section such that the yarn-end
catching section performs a catching operation when the winding package is held at
each of the first position and the second position.
[0006] According to the yarn winding apparatus, the yarn-end catching section performs the
catching operation while the winding package is held at each of the first position
and the second position. Because the yarn-end catching section performs the catching
operation in each state in which the position of the winding package is changed, the
yarn end is reliably caught.
[0007] The distance between the first position and the touch roller is longer than the distance
between the second position and the touch roller. The control section is adapted to
control the moving section and the yarn-end catching section such that the catching
operation when the winding package is held at the second position is performed after
the catching operation when the winding package is held at the first position is performed.
[0008] With this configuration, the catching operation is performed when the winding package
is held at the first position, and thereafter, the catching operation is performed
when the winding package is held at the second position that is closer to the touch
roller than the first position is from the touch roller. Thus, because the yarn-end
catching section performs the catching operation at each position at which the distance
between the winding package and the touch roller is different, the yarn end is more
reliably caught.
[0009] The control section is adapted to control the moving section such that the winding
package is separated from the touch roller at the first position, and is in contact
with the touch roller at the second position.
[0010] With this configuration, the yarn-end catching section performs the catching operation
at least in two states, that is, when the winding package is in a non-contact state
with the touch roller, and when the winding package is in a contact state with the
touch roller. Therefore, the yarn end is further reliably caught.
[0011] The yarn winding apparatus further includes a package driving section adapted to
drive and rotate the winding package in a winding direction and an unwinding direction.
The package driving section is adapted to drive and rotate the winding package in
the winding direction and the unwinding direction when the winding package is separated
from the touch roller.
[0012] With this configuration, when a situation where the yarn end needs to be caught arises,
the winding package is separated from the touch roller, and thereafter, the winding
package is decelerated and stopped and rotated in the unwinding direction. That is,
there is no need to wait for the winding package to decelerate and stop when the winding
package is in the contact state with the touch roller. Therefore, the yarn end can
be prevented from being pressed by the touch roller and entering into the inner layers
of the winding package.
[0013] The yarn winding apparatus further includes a package driving section adapted to
drive and rotate the winding package in a winding direction and an unwinding direction.
The control section is adapted to control the package driving section such that the
winding package is driven and rotated in the unwinding direction when the winding
package is separated from the touch roller.
[0014] With this configuration, since the winding package is rotated in the non-contact
state with the touch roller, the yarn end is prevented from being pressed between
the winding package and the touch roller 29 and entering into the inner layers of
the winding package. Consequently, the yarn end is caught easily. The catching operation
of the yarn end is performed in a state in which the yarn end is easily caught. Because
the winding package is driven and rotated in the unwinding direction, the yarn end
is easily withdrawn from the winding package and caught. As a result, the yarn end
is reliably caught.
[0015] The yarn winding apparatus further includes a setting section adapted to set number
of rotations of the winding package held at the first position in the unwinding direction.
The control section is adapted to control the package driving section based on the
number of rotations set by the setting section.
[0016] With this configuration, the winding package is rotated a desired number of times
at the first position. Therefore, the yarn-end catching section reliably catches the
yarn end.
[0017] In the yarn winding apparatus, the package driving section can drive and rotate the
winding package in the winding direction and the unwinding direction when the winding
package is separated from the touch roller.
[0018] With this configuration, when a situation where the yarn end needs to be caught arises,
the winding package is separated from the touch roller, and thereafter, the winding
package is decelerated and stopped and rotated in the unwinding direction. That is,
there is no need to wait for the winding package to decelerate and stop when the winding
package is in the contact state with the touch roller. Therefore, the yarn end can
be prevented from being pressed by the touch roller and entering into the inner layers
of the winding package.
[0019] The control section is adapted to control the position of the yarn-end catching section
such that a distance between the yarn-end catching section and the surface of the
winding package is a predetermined distance set beforehand when the winding package
is held at the second position.
[0020] In the catching operation, if the yarn-end catching section and the surface of the
winding package are very close to each other, there is a possibility of occurrence
of double picking. On the other hand, if the yarn-end catching section is very far
from the surface of the winding package, the yarn end cannot be caught. However, with
the configuration described above, control is exerted such that a distance between
the yarn-end catching section and the surface of the winding package is a predetermined
distance set beforehand when the winding package is held at the second position. Therefore,
the yarn end is reliably caught.
[0021] The yarn winding apparatus further includes a traverse guide that is provided independently
from the touch roller, and that is adapted to traverse the yarn to be wound on the
winding package.
[0022] In the yarn winding apparatus that includes the traverse guide independent from the
touch roller, because the touch roller does not require a traverse function, the touch
roller does not include a traverse groove. In such a touch roller, almost the entire
surface of the touch roller comes into contact with the winding package. Therefore,
after the yarn is cut or broken, if the rotation is continued in a state in which
the winding package is in contact with the touch roller, there is a greater likelihood
of the yarn end being pressed against the surface of the winding package by the touch
roller and entering into the inner layers of the winding package. Even in such a yarn
winding apparatus, a configuration is adopted in which the yarn-end catching section
performs the catching operation in each state in which the position of the winding
package is changed, and therefore, the yarn end is reliably caught. That is, in the
yarn winding apparatus that includes the traverse guide independent from the touch
roller, the configuration in which the yarn-end catching section performs the catching
operation in each state in which the position of the winding package is changed is
especially effective.
[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a yarn withdrawal method is
a method by which a yarn end of a winding package is withdrawn in a yarn winding apparatus
that includes a holding section that rotatably holds the winding package, a touch
roller arranged to make contact with a surface of the winding package, and a yarn-end
catching section that catches the yarn end of the winding package. The yarn withdrawal
method includes a first step, a second step, a third step, and a fourth step. The
first step includes controlling the holding section to hold the winding package at
a first position. The second step includes controlling the yarn-end catching section
to perform catching of the yarn end trailing from the winding package held at the
first position. The third step includes controlling the holding section to hold the
winding package at a second position that is closer to the touch roller than the first
position is from the touch roller. The fourth step includes controlling the yarn-end
catching section to perform catching of the yarn end trailing from the winding package
held at the second position.
[0024] According to the yarn withdrawal method, the yarn-end catching section performs the
catching operation when the winding package is held at each of the first position
and the second position. Thus, because the catching operation is performed in each
state in which the position of the winding package is changed, the yarn end is reliably
caught.
[0025] The first position is a position of the winding package when not in contact with
the touch roller. The second position is a position of the winding package when in
contact with the touch roller.
[0026] With this configuration, the catching operation is performed in two different states,
that is, when the winding package is in a non-contact state with the touch roller
and when the winding package is in a contact state with the touch roller. Therefore,
the yarn end is more reliably caught.
[0027] In the second step, the winding package is caused to perform approximately one rotation
or less than or equal to one rotation in the unwinding direction.
[0028] If the yarn end of the winding package is in a state in which the yarn end is easily
caught, there is a greater likelihood of the yarn end being caught successfully even
if the winding package performs less than or equal to one rotations. On the other
hand, the success rate of catching the yarn end remains almost the same even if the
winding package performs more than one rotations. Therefore, causing the winding package
to perform approximately one rotation or less than or equal to one rotation in the
unwinding direction is especially effective when the winding package is in the non-contact
state with the touch roller.
[0029] In the fourth step, the yarn-end catching section performs the catching operation
at a position that is at a predetermined distance set beforehand from the winding
package.
[0030] If the yarn-end catching section performs the catching operation at the position
that is very close to the surface of the winding package, double picking of the yarn
is likely to occur. If the catching operation is performed at the position that is
very far from the winding package, the yarn end cannot be caught. However, with the
configuration described above, in the fourth step, the yarn-end catching section performs
the catching operation at a position that is at a predetermined distance set beforehand
from the winding package. Therefore, the yarn end can be reliably caught.
[0031] According to a yarn winding apparatus and a yarn withdrawal method of the present
invention, a yarn end of a winding package can be reliably caught.
[0032] 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
[0033]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an automatic winder that includes a winder unit according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram and a block diagram of the winder unit;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged left-side view of the vicinity of a traverse device of the winder
unit;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged right-side view of the vicinity of a cradle of the winder unit;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a withdrawing operation of an upper yarn performed by the
winder unit; and
FIG. 6 is a left-side view of a package moved to a non-contact position or a contact
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Exemplary embodiments of a yarn winding apparatus and a yarn withdrawal method according
to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0035] First, an overall configuration of an automatic winder 1 that includes a plurality
of winder units (yarn winding apparatuses) 10 according to an embodiment of the present
invention is explained with reference to FIG. 1. In the present specification, "upstream"
and "downstream" signify an upstream side and a downstream side in a running direction
of a yarn in winding the yarn.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic winder 1 includes a plurality of the winder units
10 arranged side-by-side, an automatic doffing device 80, and a machine setting device
90.
[0037] Each of the winder units 10 winds a yarn 20 while causing the yarn 20, which is unwound
from a yarn feeding bobbin 21, to traverse to form a package (winding package) 30.
[0038] When the package 30 in a particular one of the winder units 10 is fully wound, the
automatic doffing device 80 moves to the position of that winder unit 10, collects
the fully wound package 30, and sets an empty bobbin in that winder unit 10.
[0039] The machine setting device 90 includes a setting section 91 and a display section
92. The setting section 91 performs setting of various parameters to each winder unit
10 when an operator performs operation of entering various values and selection of
an appropriate control method. The display section 92 displays a yarn winding status
of each winder unit 10 and details of a problem that has occurred.
[0040] A configuration of the winder unit 10 is concretely explained with reference to FIG.
2. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram and a block diagram of the winder unit 10. Each winder
unit 10 includes a winder-unit main body 16 and a unit controller (control section)
50.
[0041] Although not shown specifically, the unit controller 50, for example, includes a
Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM),
an Input-and-Output (I/O) port, and a communication port. A computer program that
controls various components of the winder-unit main body 16 is recorded in the ROM.
Various components (described in detail later) included in the pertinent winder-unit
main body 16 and the machine setting device 90 are connected to the I/O port and the
communication port. Consequently, control information, etc., can be communicated to
those components from the unit controller 50. Thus, the unit controller 50 can control
operations of the various components included in the winder-unit main body 16.
[0042] The winder-unit main body 16 includes a yarn unwinding assisting device 12, a tension
applying device 13, a splicer device (yarn joining device) 14, and a clearer 15 sequentially
arranged from the side of the yarn feeding bobbin 21 in a yarn running path between
the yarn feeding bobbin 21 and a contact roller (touch roller) 29.
[0043] A yarn feeding section 11 is arranged at the bottom of the winder-unit main body
16 to feed the yarn 20 to a winding bobbin 22. The yarn feeding section 11 holds the
yarn feeding bobbin 21 at a predetermined position. The yarn feeding bobbin 21 is
conveyed by a not shown bobbin conveying system.
[0044] The yarn unwinding assisting device 12 includes a regulating member 40 arranged to
cover a core tube of the yarn feeding bobbin 21. The yarn unwinding assisting device
12 lowers the regulating member 40 in conjunction with unwinding of the yarn 20 from
the yarn feeding bobbin 21, thus assisting the unwinding of the yarn 20 from the yarn
feeding bobbin 21. The regulating member 40 comes into contact with a balloon of the
yarn 20, which is formed on an upper portion of the yarn feeding bobbin 21 due to
swinging and centrifugal force of the yarn 20 unwound from the yarn feeding bobbin
21, and controls the balloon to an appropriate size. Consequently, the yarn unwinding
assisting device 12 assists the unwinding of the yarn 20. A not shown sensor is arranged
near the regulating member 40 to detect a chase portion of the yarn feeding bobbin
21. When the sensor detects the lowering of the chase portion, the regulating member
40 is lowered with, for example, a not shown air cylinder following the lowering of
the chase portion.
[0045] The tension applying device 13 applies a predetermined tension to the running yarn
20. A gate-type tension applying device can be used as the tension applying device
13. Movable combs are arranged between fixed combs in the gate-type tension applying
device. The movable combs can be swung by a rotary solenoid such that the movable
combs are engaged with or released from the fixed combs. Apart from the gate-type
tension applying device, for example, a disk-type tension applying device can be used
as the tension applying device 13.
[0046] The splicer device 14 joins a lower yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin 21 and an upper
yarn from the package 30 when the yarn is intentionally cut by the clearer 15 when
the clearer 15 detects a yarn defect, or when the yarn is accidentally broken during
unwinding of the yarn 20 from the yarn feeding bobbin 21. As a yarn joining device
that joins the upper yarn and the lower yarn, a mechanical yarn joining device or
a yarn joining device that uses fluid, such as, compressed air can be used.
[0047] The clearer 15 includes a clearer head 49 and an analyzer 52. The clearer head 49
includes a not shown yarn thickness sensor to detect a thickness of the yarn 20 and
the analyzer 52 processes a yarn thickness signal output from the yarn thickness sensor.
The clearer 15 monitors the yarn thickness signal output from the yarn thickness sensor
to detect a yarn defect, such as, a slub. A cutter 39 is arranged near the clearer
head 49 to immediately cut the yarn 20 when the clearer 15 detects the yarn defect.
[0048] A lower-yarn catching member 25 is arranged below the splicer device 14. The lower-yarn
catching member 25 catches a yarn end from the yarn feeding bobbin 21 to guide the
yarn end to the splicer device 14. An upper-yarn catching member 26 is arranged above
the splicer device 14. The upper-yarn catching member 26 catches a yarn end from the
package 30 to guide the yarn end to the splicer device 14. The lower-yarn catching
member 25 includes a lower-yarn pipe arm 33 and a lower-yarn suction opening 32 formed
at a tip of the lower-yarn pipe arm 33. The upper-yarn catching member 26 includes
an upper-yarn pipe arm 36 and an upper-yarn suction opening (yarn-end catching section)
35 formed at a tip of the upper-yarn pipe arm 36.
[0049] The lower-yarn pipe arm 33 and the upper-yarn pipe arm 36 are, respectively, rotatable
about shafts 34 and 37. A not shown appropriate negative pressure source is connected
to each of the lower-yarn pipe arm 33 and the upper-yarn pipe arm 36. Consequently,
suction flows can be generated in the lower-yarn suction opening 32 and the upper-yarn
suction opening 35, and as a result, the yarn ends of the upper yarn and the lower
yarn can be sucked and caught.
[0050] The winder-unit main body 16 includes a cradle (holding section) 23 and the contact
roller (touch roller) 29. The cradle 23 detachably supports the winding bobbin 22.
The contact roller 29 is rotatable while making contact with a peripheral surface
of the winding bobbin 22 or a peripheral surface of the package 30. In the winder-unit
main body 16, an arm-type traverse device 70 is arranged near the cradle 23 and traverses
the yarn 20. The winder-unit main body 16 winds the yarn 20 onto the package 30 while
traversing the yarn 20 by the traverse device 70. A guide plate 28 is arranged slightly
upstream of a traverse position to guide the upstream yarn 20 to the traverse position.
A ceramic traverse fulcrum 27 is provided further upstream of the guide plate 28.
The traverse device 70 causes the yarn 20 to traverse in a direction indicated by
a double-headed arrow shown in FIG. 2 with the traverse fulcrum 27 as a fulcrum.
[0051] The cradle 23 is rotatable about a rotating shaft 48. In the winder unit 10, an increase
in a yarn layer diameter of the package 30 associated with the winding of the yarn
20 around the winding bobbin 22 is absorbed with swinging of the cradle 23.
[0052] A package driving motor (package driving section) 41 that is constituted by a servo
motor is coupled to the cradle 23. In the winder unit 10, the package driving motor
41 drives and rotates the winding bobbin 22 to wind the yarn 20. The package driving
motor 41 is capable of driving and rotating the winding bobbin 22 (package 30) in
the winding direction as well as in the unwinding direction. A motor shaft of the
package driving motor 41 is coupled to the winding bobbin 22 so as not to be rotatable
relative to the winding bobbin 22 when the winding bobbin 22 is supported by the cradle
23 (a so-called direct drive system). A package drive controller 42 controls an operation
of the package driving motor 41. The package drive controller 42 receives an operation
signal from the unit controller 50 and controls the package driving motor 41 to operate
or not operate based on the content of the operation signal. Apart from the servo
motor, various other types of motors, namely, a step motor, an induction motor, and
the like can be used as the package driving motor 41.
[0053] An angle sensor 44 is attached to the rotating shaft 48 to detect an angle of the
cradle 23. The angle sensor 44 includes, for example, a rotary encoder, and transmits
an angle signal indicative of the detected angle of the cradle 23 to the unit controller
50. The angle of the cradle 23 changes as the wound diameter of the package 30 increases.
Accordingly, the package diameter of the package 30 can be detected by detection of
the rotation angle of the cradle 23 by the angle sensor 44. Any other configuration
can be used to detect the package diameter. For example, a configuration that employs
a Hall IC or an absolute encoder can be used to detect the package diameter.
[0054] A configuration of the traverse device 70 and a layout of a configuration near the
traverse device 70 are explained with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is an enlarged left-side
view of the vicinity of the traverse device 70. In the present embodiment, the contact
roller 29 is arranged in such a manner that an axial direction thereof is oriented
towards a lateral direction of the winder-unit main body 16. Therefore, FIG. 3 is
a side view when the traverse device 70 is viewed from the axial direction of the
contact roller 29. In FIG. 3, clockwise rotation corresponds to the winding direction
and counter-clockwise rotation corresponds to the unwinding direction of the package
30.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, the traverse device 70 includes a traverse driving motor 76,
an output shaft 77, and a traverse arm (traverse guide) 74.
[0056] The traverse driving motor 76 drives the traverse arm 74. The traverse driving motor
76 is, for example, a servo motor. As shown in FIG. 2, a traverse controller 78 controls
an operation of the traverse driving motor 76. Other motors, such as, a step motor,
a voice coil motor, and the like can be used as the traverse driving motor 76.
[0057] The traverse controller 78 is constituted by hardware having a dedicated microprocessor.
The traverse controller 78 receives a control signal from the unit controller 50 and
controls the traverse driving motor 76 to operate or not operate based on the contents
of the control signal.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 3, a driving force of the traverse driving motor 76 is transmitted
to a base end portion of the traverse arm 74 via the output shaft 77. A rotor of the
traverse driving motor 76 rotates in forward and backward directions to perform a
reciprocating pivoting movement of the traverse arm 74 in a direction perpendicular
to a surface of the paper on which FIG. 3 (horizontal direction of FIG. 2) has been
printed. In FIG. 3, the traverse arm 74 is positioned at a traverse end portion.
[0059] A hook-shaped yarn guiding member 73 is formed at a tip end of the traverse arm 74.
The traverse arm 74 engages with and guides the yarn 20 by the action of the yarn
guiding member 73. The yarn guiding member 73 performs a reciprocating pivoting movement
while being engaged with the yarn 20 to traverse the yarn 20.
[0060] In FIG. 3, a reference symbol L1 denotes a rotational axis line of the traverse driving
motor 76 (a rotational axis line of the traverse arm 74), and a reference symbol L2
denotes a virtual straight line drawn from the base end portion of the traverse arm
74 towards a longitudinal direction on a side surface of the traverse arm 74 (a center
line on the side surface of the traverse arm 74). Accompanying the reciprocating pivoting
movement of the traverse arm 74, the yarn guiding member 73 reciprocates while drawing
an arc locus in a virtual plane perpendicular to the rotational axis line L1 of the
traverse arm 74 (hereinafter, the virtual plane is referred to as "swing plane").
In the present embodiment, the traverse arm 74 is arranged substantially perpendicular
to the rotational axis line L1. Therefore, the virtual line L2 is perpendicular to
the rotational axis line L1. Accordingly, it can be said that the traverse arm 74
performs a reciprocating pivoting movement in the swing plane.
[0061] When a yarn path line L3 is defined as a straight line indicating a yarn path near
the tip end of the traverse arm 74 (the yarn path from the end portion of the guide
plate 28 to the contact roller 29), in the present embodiment, a layout is attained
in which the yarn path line L3 is parallel to the rotational axis line L1 of the traverse
arm 74. In other words, the yarn path line L3 is perpendicular to the swing plane
(and the virtual line L2).
[0062] A system in which traversing is performed such that a longitudinal direction of the
traverse arm 74 is substantially parallel to an installation surface of the winder
unit (yarn winding apparatus) 10 is sometimes called "horizontal traverse system".
In the winder unit 10 according to the present embodiment in which the horizontal
traverse system is adopted, almost no force is applied to pull out or slacken the
yarn 20 in a direction of the yarn path line L3 when traversing the yarn 20. Therefore,
bending of the yarn 20 caused by the yarn guiding member 73, particularly, at a traverse
end portion, can be reduced, and as a result, degradation of the quality of the package
30 can be suppressed.
[0063] A configuration of the cradle 23 is explained in greater detail with reference to
FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is an enlarged right-side view of the vicinity of the cradle 23.
[0064] The winder-unit main body 16 includes a rotating plate 17 that is rotatable about
the rotating shaft 48. The cradle 23 rotates integrally with the rotating plate 17
about the rotating shaft 48. A spring 18 that is configured as a tension spring to
gradually decrease the contact pressure and an air cylinder 60 are coupled to the
rotating plate 17. A predetermined rotational torque is applied to the cradle 23 by
the spring 18 and the air cylinder 60.
[0065] The air cylinder (moving section) 60 is a double-acting cylinder that internally
includes a piston 601. In FIG. 4, compressed air having an air pressure P1 is supplied
to a cylinder chamber that is on the right side of the piston 601 in FIG. 4, and compressed
air having an air pressure P2 is supplied to a cylinder chamber that is on the left
side of the piston 601 in FIG. 4.
[0066] An electro-pneumatic regulator 61 is arranged on a pipe that supplies the compressed
air having the air pressure P2 to the air cylinder 60. The air pressure P2 can be
adjusted steplessly with the electro-pneumatic regulator 61. The electro-pneumatic
regulator 61 regulates the air pressure P2 based on control signals received from
the unit controller 50.
[0067] In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, when the air pressure P2 is reduced, a force
applied by the air cylinder 60 to pull the cradle 23 increases. Therefore, the torque
that causes the cradle 23 to rotate toward the front side of the winder-unit main
body 16 about the rotating shaft 48 increases. Because the contact roller 29 is arranged
more towards the front side of the winder-unit main body 16 than towards the rotating
shaft 48, contact pressure between the package 30 and the contact roller 29 can be
increased by reducing the air pressure P2. In contrast, when the air pressure P2 is
increased, the force applied by the air cylinder 60 to pull the cradle 23 becomes
weak. Therefore, the torque that causes the cradle 23 to rotate toward the back side
of the winder-unit main body 16 about the rotating shaft 48 increases. In this way,
the contact pressure between the package 30 and the contact roller 29 can be decreased.
The package 30 can be separated from the surface of the contact roller 29 by further
increasing the air pressure P2.
[0068] The rotating shaft 48 has an elongated shape and is perpendicular to a surface of
the paper on which FIG. 4 has been printed. The angle sensor 44 is coupled to an end
of the rotating shaft 48 at the distal side from the surface of the paper on which
FIG. 4 has been printed. The angle sensor 44 detects a rotation angle of the cradle
23. The angle sensor 44 is connected to the unit controller 50 and sends the detected
rotation angle to the unit controller 50.
[0069] In the above-described configuration, the air cylinder 60 moves the package 30 by
causing the cradle 23 to rotate. In this manner, the package 30 can be moved to a
non-contact position at which the package 30 is separated from the contact roller
29 (a position at which the package 30 is not in contact with the contact roller 29),
and to a contact position at which the package 30 is in contact with the contact roller
29.
[0070] In the winder unit 10 explained above, when the yarn is intentionally cut due to
detection of a yarn defect by the clearer 15 or when the yarn is accidentally broken
during unwinding of the yarn 20 from the yarn feeding bobbin 21 (hereinafter, referred
to as "yarn cut"), it is necessary to join the lower yarn and the upper yarn with
the splicer device 14. Therefore, it is necessary to catch and withdraw the lower
yarn from the yarn feeding bobbin 21 by the lower-yarn suction opening 32, and the
upper yarn from the package 30 by the upper-yarn suction opening 35.
[0071] Control of the withdrawing operation of the upper yarn and a withdrawing operation
performed in the winder unit 10 when the yarn cut or the like occurs are explained
in detail below with reference to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 4 to 6.
[0072] During the winding operation, before the yarn cut or the like occurs, the surface
of the package 30 is in contact with the contact roller 29. In other words, the package
30 is in the contact position. The contact position is denoted by a reference symbol
Q2.
[0073] Step 1: A drive signal is transmitted from the unit controller 50 to the electro-pneumatic
regulator 61 immediately after the yarn cut or the like occurs during the winding
operation. The electro-pneumatic regulator 61 is driven based on the drive signal
resulting in a change in the air pressure P2 of the compressed air supplied to the
air cylinder 60. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the cradle 23 is driven in a direction
in which it is separated from the contact roller 29. Consequently, the package 30
is separated from the contact roller 29 to the non-contact position (Step S101 in
FIG. 5). The non-contact position is denoted by a reference symbol Q1. Simultaneously,
by transmitting an operation signal from the unit controller 50 to the package drive
controller 42, the rotation of the package 30 is decelerated and stopped, and the
package 30 is rotated in an unwinding direction (in an arrow direction A shown in
FIG. 6) (Step S103 in FIG. 5).
[0074] Step 2: Furthermore, by transmitting a drive signal from the unit controller 50 to
the upper-yarn catching member 26, the upper-yarn pipe arm 36 is pivoted. Consequently,
as shown in FIG. 6, the upper-yarn suction opening 35 moves to a predetermined position
near the contact roller 29. This position of the upper-yarn suction opening 35 is
also close to the surface of the package 30. The upper-yarn suction opening 35 performs
the suction operation when the package 30 held at the non-contact position Q1 is rotating
in the unwinding direction A (Step S105 in FIG. 5). With the suction operation described
above, there is a likelihood of a yarn end 30a of the upper yarn trailing from the
package 30 being sucked and caught by the upper-yarn suction opening 35.
[0075] The sucking and catching operation performed while the package 30, which is held
at the non-contact position (first position) Q1, is rotating in the unwinding direction
A at a position located away from the contact roller 29 is, hereinafter, referred
to as "first sucking and catching operation".
[0076] The number of rotations of the package 30 during the first sucking and catching operation
is controlled by the operation signal output from the unit controller 50 based on
information set or input beforehand from the setting section 91 (see FIG. 1). That
is, the information of the number of rotations input from the setting section 91 by
key operations, etc., performed by an operator is transmitted to the unit controller
50 of each of the winder units 10 as control information. With this configuration,
the operator can set a desired number of rotations of the package 30. It is preferable
that the number of rotations be set to approximately one or less than or equal to
one. It is more preferable that the number of rotations be set to one. When the yarn
end 30a is in a state in which it can be easily caught, there is a greater likelihood
of the yarn end 30a being caught successfully even if the number of rotations of the
package 30 is less than or equal to one. On the other hand, the success rate for catching
the yarn end 30a remains almost the same even if the package 30 performs more than
one rotations, and there is a disadvantage that the operation time is wasted. It is
preferable that the number of rotations be greater than or equal to 0.5. If the value
is less than 0.5, there is a likelihood that the yarn end 30a cannot reach near the
upper-yarn suction opening 35 to be sucked and caught. A typical example of the state
in which the yarn end 30a can be easily caught is a state in which the yarn end 30a
is floating above the surface of the package 30.
[0077] Step 3: Thereafter, the following operations are performed irrespective of the success
or failure in catching of the yarn end 30a in the first sucking and catching operation.
That is, after the first sucking and catching operation is performed, the cradle 23
is moved toward the contact roller 29 to return the package 30 to the contact position
Q2 where the package 30 is in contact with the contact roller 29 (Step S107 in FIG.
5). Because the package 30 continues to rotate in the unwinding direction A even after
it is returned to the contact position Q2, the package 30 rotates in the unwinding
direction A while in contact with the contact roller 29 and the contact roller 29
rotates following the package 30.
[0078] Step 4: At this time, the upper-yarn suction opening 35 is held at the predetermined
position described above and the suction operation performed by the upper-yarn suction
opening 35 is also continued (Step S109 in FIG. 5). Consequently, the upper-yarn suction
opening 35 performs the suction operation while the package 30 being held at the contact
position Q2 is rotating in the unwinding direction A, and therefore, there is a likelihood
of the yarn end 30a being sucked and caught successfully. The sucking and catching
operation performed while the package 30, which is held at the contact position (second
position) Q2, is rotating in a contact state with the contact roller 29 is, hereinafter,
referred to as "second sucking and catching operation".
[0079] The upper-yarn pipe arm 36 pivots downward and guides the caught yarn end 30a to
the splicer device 14 after completion of Step 4.
[0080] The advantages of both the winder unit 10 that controls the withdrawing operation
described above and the withdrawing operation are explained below.
[0081] In the first sucking and catching operation, the package 30 is separated from the
contact roller 29 immediately after the yarn cut or the like occurs, and the package
30 is decelerated and stopped. Then, the package 30 is rotated in the unwinding direction
A. Therefore, the yarn end 30a of the cut yarn 20 is prevented from being pressed
between the package 30 and the contact roller 29, and entering into inner layers of
the package 30. Therefore, the yarn end 30a floats above the surface of the package
30, and is easily sucked by the suction flow of the upper-yarn suction opening 35.
Even if the yarn end 30a is not floating above the surface of the package 30, the
yarn end 30a is likely to float above the surface of the package 30 by the rotation
of the package 30 in the unwinding direction A. Because the package 30 is rotating
in the unwinding direction A, the yarn end 30a can be easily withdrawn from the package
30 and caught.
[0082] That is, in the first sucking and catching operation, the package 30 is separated
from the contact roller 29 and rotated in the unwinding direction A immediately after
the yarn cut or the like occurs; therefore, the upper-yarn suction opening 35 can
easily suck and catch the yarn end 30a. Consequently, the yarn end 30a is caught successfully.
The yarn end 30a easily floats above the surface of the package 30, and therefore,
the upper-yarn suction opening 35 need not be arranged very close to the surface of
the package 30. Thus, a likelihood of double picking of the yarn 20 is also reduced.
Double picking is a phenomenon that the yarn 20 is caught from the middle of the package
30 and not from the yarn end trailing from the package 30.
[0083] In the second sucking and catching operation, the package 30 is accurately positioned
with respect to the contact roller 29 when the package 30 comes into contact with
the contact roller 29. On the other hand, because driving of the upper-yarn pipe arm
36 is almost not affected by an undefined element like the weight of the package 30,
the position of the upper-yarn suction opening 35 relative to the contact roller 29
is substantially accurately controlled to a pre-set position. Therefore, by causing
the package 30 to come into contact with the contact roller 29, a distance between
the surface of the package 30 and the upper-yarn suction opening 35 can be accurately
matched with a predetermined distance set beforehand. The predetermined distance set
beforehand is a distance that is best suited for sucking and catching the yarn end
30a and, such a predetermined distance varies according to the type, etc., of the
yarn 20. The predetermined distance, for example, is a distance that is regulated
by a not shown stopper, and defined by the upper-yarn pipe arm 36 coming into contact
with the stopper. The operator can set and input the predetermined distance beforehand
from the setting section 91.
[0084] In the second sucking and catching operation, by causing the package 30 to come into
contact with the contact roller 29, the distance between the surface of the package
30 and the upper-yarn suction opening 35 can be accurately controlled to the predetermined
distance suitable for sucking and catching the yarn end 30a. The distance (degree
of approximation) between the surface of the package 30 and the upper-yarn suction
opening 35 is reliably secured; therefore, the yarn end 30a is sucked and caught by
the upper-yarn suction opening 35 with high probability even in a situation where
the yarn end 30a is pressed between the package 30 and the contact roller 29. Consequently,
there is a greater likelihood of the yarn end 30a being caught successfully. Because
a distance between the surface of the package 30 and the upper-yarn suction opening
35 that is suitable for sucking and catching the yarn end 30a is realized, a likelihood
of double picking of the yarn 20 is reduced.
[0085] As described above, the first sucking and catching operation is performed in which
the package 30 is rotated in the non-contact state with the contact roller 29, and
the second sucking and catching operation is performed in which the package 30 is
rotated in the contact state with the contact roller 29. Because the first and second
sucking and catching operations with different conditions are consecutively performed,
there is a very high likelihood of the yarn end 30a being caught successfully in at
least one of the sucking and catching operations. That is, when the package 30 is
moved to the non-contact position Q1 after the yarn cut or the like occurs, a case
where the yarn end 30a is floating above the surface of the package 30 and a case
where the yarn end 30a is not floating above the surface of the package 30 can occur.
In the first case where the yarn end 30a is floating above the surface of the package
30, there is a greater likelihood of the yarn end 30a being caught successfully in
the first sucking and catching operation. In the second case where the yarn end 30a
is not floating above the surface of the package 30, there is a greater likelihood
of the yarn end 30a being caught successfully in the second sucking and catching operation.
Therefore, by controlling the withdrawing operation and the withdrawing operation
described above, the yarn end 30a of the package 30 can be reliably caught.
[0086] Because the package 30 is in the non-contact state with the contact roller 29 in
the first sucking and catching operation, the distance between the surface of the
package 30 and the upper-yarn suction opening 35 is also likely to vary due to the
weight of the package 30 and the mechanical variation, etc., of the winder unit 10.
However, because the first and second sucking and catching operations are consecutively
performed as described above, there is a greater likelihood of the yarn end 30a being
caught successfully, and the necessity for precisely controlling a distance for moving
the package 30 to the non-contact position Q1 and the distance between the surface
of the package 30 and the upper-yarn suction opening 35 is relatively low. Therefore,
by omitting such a control, a complexity of the configuration and an increase in the
cost of the winder unit 10 can be avoided.
[0087] Because the second sucking and catching operation is performed irrespective of the
success or failure in catching of the yarn end 30a in the first sucking and catching
operation, there is no need to detect the success or failure in catching of the yarn
end 30a. Therefore, a sensor that detects the yarn 20 sucked by the upper-yarn suction
opening 35 can be omitted leading to a simpler configuration and lower cost of the
winder unit 10.
[0088] In the winder unit 10, because the package driving motor 41 is attached to the cradle
23, the package 30 can be driven and rotated in the winding direction and the unwinding
direction A even if the package 30 is in the non-contact state with the contact roller
29. With this configuration, when the yarn cut or the like occurs, the package 30
is separated from the contact roller 29, and thereafter, the package 30 is decelerated
and stopped and rotated in the unwinding direction A. Therefore, when the package
30 is being decelerated and stopped, the yarn end 30a can be prevented from being
pressed between the package 30 and the contact roller 29 and entering into the inner
layers of the package 30.
[0089] In other yarn winding apparatuses, there is a system in which the yarn is guided
through a traverse groove provided on the surface of the contact roller, and traversed
(hereinafter, referred to as "traverse drum system"). On the other hand, in the winder
unit 10, a system is adopted in which the yarn 20 is traversed by the traverse arm
74 that is an independent traverse guide from the contact roller 29 (hereinafter,
referred to as "arm traverse system"); therefore, the traverse groove is not provided
on the surface of the contact roller 29. The entire surface of such a contact roller
29 that does not include the traverse groove comes into contact with the package 30.
Therefore, if the rotation of the package 30 is continued in a state in which the
package 30 is in contact with the contact roller 29 even after occurrence of the yarn
cut or the like, there is a greater likelihood of the yarn end 30a being pressed against
the surface of the package 30 by the contact roller 29 and entering into the inner
layers of the package 30.
[0090] In contrast, in the winder unit 10, the yarn end 30a can be reliably caught by consecutively
performing the first and second sucking and catching operations. In a yarn winding
apparatus that includes a traverse guide independent from the contact roller, it is
more difficult to catch the yarn end. Therefore, the configuration of the winder unit
10 described above is especially effective. Apart from the arm traverse system described
above, a so-called belt traverse system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open
No.
2001-299791, and a so-called rotary traverse system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application
Laid-open No.
2002-104729 can be used as the system in which the traverse guide independent from the contact
roller is used.
[0091] The horizontal traverse system adopted in the winder unit 10 as well as a so-called
perpendicular traverse system can be used as the arm traverse system. The perpendicular
traverse system is a system in which the traversing is performed by a traverse device
in which a longitudinal direction of the traverse arm is substantially perpendicular
to the installation surface of the yarn winding apparatus. The perpendicular traverse
system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.
2010-13259.
[0092] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example,
in the above-explained embodiments, the non-contact position Q1 where the package
30 is separated from the contact roller 29 and the contact position Q2 where the package
30 comes into contact with the contact roller 29 are set as the positions of the package
30 for performing the first and second sucking and catching operations, respectively.
However, the non-contact position Q1 and the contact position Q2 are merely examples
of the first and second positions. That is, two positions, each being at a different
distance from the contact roller 29, can be suitably set as the first and second positions.
It is not necessary to select a position similar to the position where the winding
package comes into contact with the contact roller. Furthermore, in the above-explained
embodiments, the first sucking and catching operation is executed at the non-contact
position Q1 before the second sucking and catching operation is executed at the contact
position Q2. However, the sequence for execution of the first and second sucking and
catching operations can be reversed.
[0093] The present invention is applicable to the winder unit 10 in which the horizontal
traverse system is adopted; however, the present invention is also applicable to a
yarn winding apparatus in which the perpendicular traverse system is adopted. Furthermore,
the application of the present invention is not limited to a yarn winding apparatus
in which the arm traverse system is adopted, but is also equally applicable to a yarn
winding apparatus in which the belt traverse system or the rotary traverse system
is adopted. The present invention is also applicable to a yarn winding apparatus in
which the traverse drum system is adopted.
[0094] In the winder unit 10 according to the above-explained embodiments, the package driving
motor (package driving section) 41 directly drives and rotates the package 30. Alternatively,
a system can be used in which the contact roller is driven and rotated, and the package
is caused to follow the rotation of the contact roller. In this case, the contact
roller is decelerated and stopped and reverse rotated when the yarn cut or the like
occurs, and the package following the contact roller is rotated in the unwinding direction.
Thereafter, by causing the package to separate from the contact roller, the package
can be rotated in the unwinding direction by virtue of inertia when the package is
in the non-contact state with the contact roller.
[0095] Although the invention has been described 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 basic teaching herein
set forth.
1. A yarn winding apparatus comprising:
a holding section (23) adapted to rotatably hold a winding package (30);
a touch roller (29) arranged to make contact with the winding package (30);
a yarn-end catching section (35) adapted to catch a yarn end (30a) of a yarn (20)
trailing from the winding package (30);
a moving section (60) adapted to move the holding section (23) such that the winding
package (30) is held at a first position (Q1) and a second position (Q2), each position
being at a different distance from the touch roller (29); and
a control section (50) adapted to control the moving section (60) and the yarn-end
catching section (35) such that the yarn-end catching section (35) performs a catching
operation when the winding package (30) is held at each of the first position (Q1)
and the second position (Q2).
2. The yarn winding apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein
a distance between the first position (Q1) and the touch roller (29) is longer than
a distance between the second position (Q2) and the touch roller (29), and
the control section (50) is adapted to control the moving section (60) and the yarn-end
catching section (35) such that the catching operation when the winding package (30)
is held at the second position (Q2) is performed after the catching operation when
the winding package (30) is held at the first position (Q1) is performed.
3. The yarn winding apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the control section
(50) is adapted to control the moving section (60) such that the winding package (30)
is separated from the touch roller (29) at the first position (Q1), and is in contact
with the touch roller (29) at the second position (Q2).
4. The yarn winding apparatus according to Claim 3, further comprising:
a package driving section (41) adapted to drive and rotate the winding package (30)
in a winding direction and an unwinding direction,
wherein the package driving section (41) is adapted to drive and rotate the winding
package (30) in the winding direction and the unwinding direction when the winding
package (30) is separated from the touch roller (29).
5. The yarn winding apparatus according to Claim 3, further comprising:
a package driving section (41) adapted to drive and rotate the winding package (30)
in a winding direction and an unwinding direction,
wherein the control section (50) is adapted to control the package driving section
(41) such that the winding package (30) is driven and rotated in the unwinding direction
when the winding package (30) is separated from the touch roller (29).
6. The yarn winding apparatus according to Claim 5, further comprising:
a setting section (91) adapted to set number of rotations in the unwinding direction
of the winding package (30) held at the first position (Q1),
wherein the control section (50) is adapted to control the package driving section
(41) based on the number of rotations set by the setting section (91).
7. The yarn winding apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein the package driving
section (41) is adapted to drive and rotate the winding package (30) in the winding
direction and the unwinding direction when the winding package (30) is separated from
the touch roller (29).
8. The yarn winding apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the control
section (50) is adapted to control a position of the yarn-end catching section (35)
such that a predetermined distance set beforehand is provided between the yarn-end
catching section (35) and a surface of the winding package (30) when the winding package
(30) is held at the second position (Q2).
9. The yarn winding apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, further comprising
a traverse guide (74) that is provided independently from the touch roller (29), and
that is adapted to traverse the yarn (20) to be wound on the winding package (30).
10. A yarn withdrawal method by which a yarn end (30a) of a winding package (30) is withdrawn
in a yarn winding apparatus (10) that includes
a holding section (23) that rotatably holds the winding package (30),
a touch roller (29) arranged to make contact with the winding package (30), and
a yarn-end catching section (35) that catches the yarn end (30a) of the winding package
(30),
the yarn withdrawal method comprising:
a first step of controlling the holding section (23) to hold the winding package (30)
at a first position (Q1);
a second step of controlling the yarn-end catching section (35) to perform catching
of the yarn end (30a) trailing from the winding package (30) held at the first position
(Q1);
a third step of controlling the holding section (23) to hold the winding package (30)
at a second position (Q2) that is closer to the touch roller (29) than the first position
(Q1) is from the touch roller (29); and
a fourth step of controlling the yarn-end catching section (35) to perform catching
of the yarn end (30a) trailing from the winding package (30) held at the second position
(Q2).
11. The yarn withdrawal method according to Claim 10,
wherein
the first position (Q1) is a position of the winding package (30) when separated from
the touch roller (29), and
the second position (Q2) is a position of the winding package (30) when in contact
with the touch roller (29).
12. The yarn withdrawal method according to Claim 11, wherein at the second step, the
winding package (30) is caused to perform approximately one rotation or less than
or equal to one rotation in an unwinding direction.
13. The yarn withdrawal method according to any one of Claims 10 to 12, wherein at the
fourth step, the yarn-end catching section (35) performs a catching operation while
being positioned at a predetermined distance set beforehand from the winding package
(30).