YARN WINDING DEVICE

Abstract

 Provided is a yarn winding machine that is able to improve the degree of freedom in a layout, to guide a yam to a yarn joining device in a short time, and also to reduce the amount of a waste yam which is generated in yarn joining. Means therefor is as follows. An automatic winder includes a bobbin support part (7), a winding part (8), a yam joining device (14), a yarn guide part, a yam trap (15), and a yarn trap driver (47). The yam guide part guides a yam of a package (30) side to the yarn joining device (14) under a state where a yarn is disconnected. The yarn trap (15) is arranged so as to face a yarn travel path between the winding part (8) and the yam joining device (14), and configured to catch a yarn of a yam supply bobbin (21) side under a state where a yam is disconnected. The yam trap driver (47) moves the yarn trap in such a direction that the yarn caught by the yam trap is introduced to the yarn joining device (14) while keeping a condition in which the yam is across the yam joining device (14).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a yarn winding machine. In more detail, the present invention relates to a configuration for guiding a yam to a yam joining device at a time of yarn joining.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A yarn winding machine such as an automatic winder is known in which a spun yarn wound on a yarn supply bobbin is rewound on a winding package with removal of defects of the spun yarn.

[0003] When the automatic winder rewinds the yam, a yarn defect detection device (clearer) monitors the presence or absence of a yarn defect of the spun yarn unwound from the yarn supply bobbin, and in this condition, the spun yam is guided through a number of yam guides and the like to a traversing device, and the traversing device traverses the yarn and simultaneously winds the yarn on a surface of the winding package that is rotating. When a yam defect is detected, the yarn is cut and a portion containing the yam defect is removed, and then the yarn having been cut is connected (yarn joining) by a yarn joining device, to restart the winding into the package.

[0004] In order that the yam joining device performs the yarn joining, it is necessary that a yarn of the package side and a yarn of the yam supply bobbin side are guided to the yam joining device. Conventionally, a suction stream is generated at a distal end of a pipe-shaped yam guide member to thereby suck and catch a yam, and then the yarn guide member is swung so that the yam is guided to the yarn joining device.

[0005] A configuration of such a conventional automatic winder will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a side view showing an outline of a winder unit 90 included in a conventional automatic winder. The winder unit 90 is configured to rewind a spun yam 20 of a yam supply bobbin 21 into a package 30. The winder unit 90 includes a yam joining device 14 that performs the yam joining, yam guide pipes (an upper yam guide pipe 91, a lower yarn guide pipe 92), a tension applying device 12 that applies an adequate tension to the yam, a clearer 17, and a cutter 16 arranged at the immediately upstream side of the clearer 17.

[0006] The yam guide pipes 91 and 92 are connected to a negative pressure source (not shown), and configured such that a suction stream is generated at each of a suction port 91a of the upper yarn guide pipe 91 and a suction port 92a of the lower yarn guide pipe 92. The upper yam guide pipe 91 is configured to swing up and down about a pivot point 91b. Likewise, the lower yam guide pipe 92 is configured to swing up and down about a pivot point 92b.

[0007] The clearer 17 is configured to detect a yarn defect (yam fault) by, for example, monitoring the thickness of the yam 20 that is traveling. The cutter 16 is configured to cut the yam 20 immediately upon detection of a yam defect by the clearer 17.

[0008] A yam joining operation performed in a case where a yam defect is detected in the above-described conventional automatic winder will be described. When the clearer 17 detects a yarn defect while the yarn is being wound, the cutter 16 cuts the yam 20. As a result, a yam end existing at the downstream side of the cutter 16 is wound into the package 30 that is rotating. On the other hand, a yam existing at the upstream side of the cutter 16 is sucked and caught by the suction port 92a of the lower yarn catch pipe 92 that stands by at the upstream side of the tension applying device 12. Then, the upper yarn guide pipe 91 is swung up, and additionally the package 30 is rotated in a reverse direction. As a result, the yarn end is pulled out from the package 30 and sucked by the suction port 91a of the upper yarn guide pipe 91. This situation is shown in FIG. 20.

[0009] Then, as shown in FIG. 19, the upper yarn guide pipe 91, which is sucking and holding the yam (upper yam) of the package 30 side, is swung down. Thereby, the upper yarn of the package 30 side is introduced to the yarn joining device 14. Then, as shown in FIG. 20, the lower yam guide pipe 92, which is sucking and holding the yam (lower yarn) of the yam supply bobbin 21 side, is swung up. Thereby, the lower yam of the yarn supply bobbin 21 side is introduced to the yam joining device 14. In this condition, the yam joining device 14 is actuated so that the yam joining is performed between the upper yarn and the lower yam, to thereby achieve a continuous state of the yarn between the package 30 and the yam supply bobbin 21. Performing the yam joining in the above-described manner enables the winding of the yam into the package 30 to be continued.

[0010] In the conventional automatic winder, as described above, the upper yam guide pipe 91 and the lower yam guide pipe 92 are swung up and down at different timings. This is because simultaneously swinging the upper yam guide pipe 91 and the lower yam guide pipe 92 causes interference between the two yam guide pipes 91 and 92 that are swinging.

[0011] When the cutter 16 cuts the yarn 20 as described above, a portion of the yam 20 existing between the cutter 16 and the suction port 92a of the lower yam guide pipe 92 that stands by at the downstream side of the tension applying device 12 is sucked by the lower yam guide pipe 92. At this time, the portion of the yam 20 sucked by the lower yam guide pipe 92 exists at the upstream side of the clearer 17. Therefore, the presence or absence of a yarn defect therein is not checked by the clearer 17. That is, there is a high possibility that the portion sucked by the lower yam guide pipe 92 is a yam having no yam defect (a yarn whose yam quality has no problem). However, in the above-described configuration, a portion of the yam sucked by the lower yam guide pipe 92 is discarded. Therefore, at a time of the yarn joining operation performed in a case where the clearer 17 detects a yam defect, a portion of the yarn 20 existing between the cutter 16 and the suction port 92a of the lower yarn guide pipe 92 that stands by at the downstream side of the tension applying device 12 results in a waste yam.

[0012] In this respect, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a relay pipe (corresponding to the lower yarn guide pipe described above) stands by at the immediately upstream side of a slub catcher (corresponding to the clearer described above). In such a configuration, in a case where the slub catcher detects a yarn defect so that a yarn is cut, only a portion of the yam existing at the immediately upstream side of the slub catcher is sucked by the relay pipe. Thus, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 can reduce the amount of the yam sucked by the relay pipe (lower yam guide pipe) in a case where a yarn defect is detected so that the yam is cut, as compared with the configuration shown in FIG. 17.

PRIOR-ART DOCUMENTS

PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0013] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-192175

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0014] In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, for the yarn joining, it is necessary that, after the relay pipe having caught the lower yam is once swung down and retracted, the upper yam is guided to the yarn joining device by means of a suction mouth (corresponding to the upper yam catch pipe described above) and then the relay pipe is again swung up so that the lower yarn is guided to the yarn joining device. This is because the relay pipe implements both a function for sucking and catching the lower yarn in a case where the slub catcher cuts the yam and a function for sucking and catching a yam of a new yam supply bobbin provided after replacement. Moreover, this is also because the relay pipe is once retracted downward for the purpose of avoiding interference between the relay pipe and the suction mouth that is also swung up and down.

[0015] In this manner, the relay pipe having sucked and caught the lower yam has to be swung up and down. Therefore, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 involves a problem that a time required for the yarn joining operation increases to result in deterioration in the production efficiency of the package.

[0016] Additionally, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to remove loosening of the yarn which occurs when the relay pipe is swung down, the relay pipe sucks the loosened yarn. A portion of the yam sucked at this time is discarded, thus resulting in a waste yam. Therefore, in the configuration disclosed Patent Document 1, the amount of the yam sucked by the relay pipe in a case where the yam is cut is smaller than that in the configuration shown in FIG. 17, but the yarn loosened when the relay pipe is subsequently swung down is also sucked. Eventually, the amount of the lower yam sucked by the relay pipe is not so different from that of the automatic winder shown in FIG. 17 described above. Accordingly, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, an effect of reducing a waste yarn generated when a yarn defect is detected so that the yarn joining is performed cannot be expected.

[0017] Furthermore, the configurations as disclosed in Patent Document 1 or as shown in FIG. 17, in which the yarn end is guided by swinging the yam guide member (the relay pipe of Patent Document 1, or the yam guide pipes 91 and 92 shown in FIG. 17), involves a problem of a complicated mechanism because a mechanism for driving and swinging the yarn guide member is required. Additionally, the complicated mechanism results in less freedom in layout design. Moreover, other configuration parts have to be arranged such that they do not interfere with the yarn guide member that is swinging. In this respect as well, the layout is limited.

[0018] The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and a primary object of the present invention is to provide a yam winding machine that is able to improve the degree of freedom in a layout, to guide a yam to a yam joining device in a short time, and also to reduce the amount of a waste yam which is generated in yam joining.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS AND EFFECTS THEREOF

[0019] Problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above, and next, means for solving the problems and effects thereof will be described.

[0020] In an aspect of the present invention, a yam winding machine having the following configuration is provided. The yarn winding machine includes a bobbin support part, a winding part, a yam joining device, a yam guide part, a yarn catch part, and a driving part. The bobbin support part supports a yam supply bobbin. The winding part winds a yarn from the yarn supply bobbin into a package. The yarn joining device is arranged between the bobbin support part and the winding part, and configured to perform yarn joining between a yam of the yam supply bobbin side and a yam of the package side under a state where a yam extending from the yam supply bobbin to the package is disconnected. The yarn guide part guides the yam of the package side to the yarn joining device under a state where the yarn is disconnected. The yarn catch part is arranged so as to face a yarn travel path between the winding part and the yam joining device, and configured to catch the yam of the yarn supply bobbin side under a state where the yarn is disconnected. The driving part moves the yam catch part in such a direction that the yarn caught by the yarn catch part is introduced to the yam joining device while keeping a condition in which the yarn is across the yarn joining device.

[0021] In this manner, the yam catch part, that is configured to catch the yam of the yarn supply bobbin side under a state where the yarn is disconnected, is arranged at a position facing the yam travel path between the winding part and the yarn joining device. Therefore, when performing the yarn joining, the yarn can be caught at a position where the yam is introduced to the yarn joining device. This can shorten a time cycle of the yam joining. Additionally, since any complicated drive member is not necessary, the entire configuration of the yam winding machine is simple.

[0022] Preferably, the above-described yam winding machine is configured as follows. The yam winding machine includes a yam defect detection device and a yam disconnecting part. The yarn defect detection device is arranged between the bobbin support part and the winding part, and configured to detect a yam defect. The yam disconnecting part puts the yam between the yarn supply bobbin and the package into a disconnection state, based on a disconnection signal that is supplied when the yam defect detection device detects a yam defect.

[0023] In this configuration, when a yam defect is detected, the yam disconnecting part disconnects the yam, and the yam of the yarn supply bobbin side thus disconnected is caught by the yam catch part. This can shorten a time cycle required for the yam joining.

[0024] In the above-described yarn winding machine, it is preferable that the yam disconnecting part is a cutter arranged between the yam catch part and the yarn defect detection device.

[0025] Accordingly, disconnection (cutting) of the yam at a predetermined position is reliably achieved by the cutter. Therefore, catching of the yam by the yam catch part is reliably achieved. Furthermore, since the disconnection of the yarn is performed at a predetermined position, the amount of a waste yam which is generated when the yarn of the yarn supply bobbin side is subjected to the yarn joining can be made constant. This makes management of the waste yarn easy.

[0026] In the above-described yam winding machine, it is preferable that the yam catch part is an air suction part configured to catch a yam by means of an air suction force.

[0027] Accordingly, the disconnected yam can be sucked and caught by the air suction force. Additionally, applying the suction force at a time of a winding operation, too, can collect cotton fly generated from the yam.

[0028] In the above-described yarn winding machine, the yarn catch part may be a clamp portion configured to catch a yam by gripping the yam.

[0029] In this case, simultaneously with disconnection of the yam by the cutter, the clamp portion catches the yam. Accordingly, cutting and catching of the yam are reliably achieved.

[0030] The above-described yam winding machine may be configured as follows. The yam catch part is a clamp portion arranged between the yam joining device and the winding part, and the clamp portion also acts as a yam disconnecting part by gripping a yarn that is traveling.

[0031] In this case, the yam catch part simultaneously disconnects and catches the yarn by causing the clamp portion to grip the yarn between the yarn supply bobbin and the winding part. Thus, since disconnection of the yarn is achieved by the clamp portion, the yam end is caught without fail.

[0032] Preferably, the above-described yarn winding machine is configured as follows. The yam guide part is configured to guide the yam of the package side to the yarn joining device by moving from the package side to the yarn supply bobbin side beyond the yarn joining device under a state where the yam of the package side is sucked and caught by the yam guide part. A yarn retraction part is formed in the yam guide part. The yarn retraction part is configured to retract a yam extending from the yam supply bobbin to the yarn catch part, from a trajectory along which the yarn guide part moves so as to guide a yarn to the yam joining device.

[0033] Retracting the yarn existing between the yam supply bobbin and the yarn catch part allows the yarn guide part that is swingable to guide the yarn to the yam joining device.

[0034] In the above-described yarn winding machine, it is preferable that the yam retraction part is an inclined portion formed in an advance surface that advances at a time when the yam guide part moves so as to guide the yarn to the yam joining device.

[0035] In this configuration, the yarn existing between the yarn supply bobbin and the yarn catch part is pushed aside and thus retracted by the inclined portion, and then the yarn guide part is moved. This prevents the yam guide part from being tangled in the yarn. Therefore, the yarn guide part is able to guide the yarn to the yam joining device.

[0036] In the above-described yarn winding machine, it is preferable that a yam accumulation device is arranged between the winding part and the yam joining device.

[0037] Accordingly, the winding of the yam into the package is not interrupted during the yam joining. Therefore, a winding state of the package is not disordered. Moreover, this configuration shortens a time cycle of the yarn joining, which can prevent run-out of the yam accumulated on the yam accumulation device. This allows removal of a yam fault or replacement of a bobbin to be performed without interrupting the winding of the yam into the package.

[0038] Preferably, the above-described yarn winding machine is configured as follows. The yam guide part includes a yarn sucking and ejecting part and a second yarn catch part. The yarn sucking and ejecting part sucks a yam of the winding part side and blows off the yarn to a position at an upstream side of the yarn joining device with respect to a yam winding direction. The second yam catch part is arranged at an upstream side of the yarn joining device, and configured to catch and introduce the yam blown off by the yam sucking and ejecting part to the yam joining device.

[0039] Accordingly, since the yarn is blown off and thereby guided to the yam joining device, the configuration for guiding the yam is simple. As a result, the degree of freedom in a layout of configuration parts is improved. Moreover, since guiding of the yarn to the yarn joining device is completed merely by blowing off the yarn, a time required for the operation for guiding the yam is shortened and thus the production efficiency of the package is improved.

[0040] In the above-described yarn winding machine, it is preferable that the yam guide part includes a deflection guide member that guides the yam blown off by the yarn sucking and ejecting part to the second yam catch part.

[0041] Since the yam blown off by the yam sucking and ejecting part is guided to the second yam catch part by the deflection guide member, the yam sucking and ejecting part and the second yam catch part can be freely arranged. This improves the degree of freedom in a layout.

[0042] Preferably, the above-described yam winding machine is configured as follows. The deflection guide member is a tube-like member, in which a slit is formed along a longitudinal direction of a tube. The deflection guide member is arranged at a position deviated from the yam travel path through which the yam travels at a time of yam winding.

[0043] The deflection guide member having such a tube-like shape allows the yarn to pass through the inside of the tube and thereby reliably guides the yarn to the yam catch part. Since the slit is formed in the deflection guide member having a tube-like shape, the yam having been guided to the yam catch part can be drawn out through the slit. Moreover, since the deflection guide member is not connected with other members, the yarn drawn out through the slit is not in contact with the deflection guide member. In the above-described configuration, at a time of the normal winding, the yarn is able to travel outside the deflection guide member. This can prevent deterioration in the quality of the yam, which may otherwise be caused by contact with the deflection guide member.

[0044] In the above-described yam winding machine, it is preferable that the yarn is wound on a predetermined portion of the yam accumulation device.

[0045] Since the yam is wound on the predetermined portion, the yam end of the yarn wound on the yam accumulation device is also located at the predetermined portion at a time of yam disconnection. Accordingly, by sucking this predetermined portion, the yarn end can be caught for the yam joining. Therefore, a large suction port such as a suction mouth for sucking and catching the yam end from the package is not necessary. This makes the shape of the yam guide part simple, and thus the degree of freedom in a layout is improved. Additionally, since the suction port can be made small, the air consumption is reduced.

[0046] In the above-described yarn winding machine, it is preferable that the yam guide part sucks and blows off the yam of the winding part side that is wound on the yam accumulation device.

[0047] It is easy to catch the yam end of the yarn wound on the yam accumulation device. Therefore, the yarn of the winding part side is able to be reliably sucked and caught, and then blown off.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] 

[FIG. 1] A schematic side view of a winder unit included in an automatic winder according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 2] A diagram illustrating a configuration of a yam accumulation device.

[FIG. 3] A diagram showing a situation where a yam supply bobbin becomes empty.

[FIG. 4] A diagram showing a situation where a new yarn supply bobbin is fed.

[FIG. 5] A diagram showing a situation where a lower yam is introduced to a lower yam blow-up part.

[FIG. 6] A perspective view of an external appearance showing an outline of the lower yarn blow-up part.

[FIG. 7] A partial cross-sectional side view showing a configuration of the lower yarn blow-up part.

[FIG. 8] A diagram showing a situation where a yam trap sucks and catches the lower yam.

[FIG. 9] A diagram showing a situation where the lower yam is introduced to a yam joining device.

[FIG. 10] A perspective view of an external appearance showing a configuration of a deflection guide member.

[FIG. 11] A diagram showing a situation where an upper yarn is guided by the deflection guide member.

[FIG. 12] A diagram showing a situation where the upper yarn is drawn out from the deflection guide member.

[FIG. 13] A diagram showing a situation where the upper yarn is introduced to the yam joining device.

[FIG. 14] A diagram showing a modification of the first embodiment.

[FIG. 15] A schematic side view of a winder unit included in an automatic winder according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 16] A diagram illustrating a configuration of a yam accumulation device included in the winder unit according to the second embodiment.

[FIG. 17] A schematic side view of a winder unit included in a conventional automatic winder.

[FIG. 18] A diagram showing a situation where an upper yam and a lower yam are sucked and caught in a conventional winder unit.

[FIG. 19] A diagram showing a situation where the upper yarn is introduced to a yam joining device in the conventional winder unit.

[FIG. 20] A diagram showing a situation where the lower yam is introduced to the yam joining device in the conventional winder unit.

EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0049] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a side view showing an outline of a winder unit 2 included in an automatic winder (yam winding machine) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The automatic winder of this embodiment is configured with a number of winder units 2 arranged side by side. This automatic winder includes a machine management device (not shown) and a blower box (not shown). The machine management device collectively manages the winder units 2. The blower box includes a compressed air source and a negative pressure source.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the winder unit 2 mainly includes a bobbin support part 7 and a winding part 8. The winder unit 2 is configured to unwind a yam (spun yam) 20 from a yam supply bobbin 21 that is supported on the bobbin support part 7 and rewind the yarn into a package 30. FIG. 1 shows a state of the winder unit 2 at a time of normal winding. In the description herein, the "time of normal winding" indicates a state where the yam is continuous between the yam supply bobbin 21 and the package 30 and additionally the yarn is being unwound from the yarn supply bobbin 21 and wound into the package 30.

[0051] The bobbin support part 7 is configured to hold the yam supply bobbin 21 in a substantially upright state. The bobbin support part 7 is also configured to discharge the yarn supply bobbin 21 that is empty. The winding part 8 includes a cradle 23 and a traverse drum 24. The cradle 23 is configured such that a wound bobbin 22 is mounted thereon. The traverse drum 24 is configured to traverse the yam 20 and drive the wound bobbin 22.

[0052] The traverse drum 24 is arranged opposed to the wound bobbin 22. The traverse drum 24 is driven in rotation, and thereby the wound bobbin 22 is accordingly rotated. This enables the yarn 20 accumulated on a yarn accumulation device 18, which will be described later, to be wound on the wound bobbin 22. A traverse groove (not shown) is formed in an outer circumferential surface of the traverse drum 24. The traverse groove allows the yam 20 to be traversed (cross-wound) with a predetermined width. In the above-described configuration, the yarn 20 is wound on the wound bobbin 22 while being traversed, to form the package 30 having a predetermined length and a predetermined shape. In the following description, the terms "upstream side" and "downstream side" mean the upstream side and the downstream side with respect to a direction of traveling of the yarn.

[0053] Each of the winder units 2 includes a control part 25. The control part 25 is composed of hardware such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (not shown), and software such as a control grogram accumulated in the RAM. The hardware and the software cooperate with each other, to thereby control each configuration part of the winder unit 2. The control part 25 included in each winder unit 2 is configured to communicate with the machine management device. Accordingly, the machine management device can collectively manage operations of the plurality of winder units 2 included in the automatic winder.

[0054] The winder unit 2 also includes various devices provided in a yarn travel path between the bobbin support part 7 and the winding part 8. More specifically, in the yam travel path, an unwinding assist device 10, a lower yam blow-up part 11, a tension applying device 12, an upper yarn catch part (second yam catch part) 13, a yam joining device 14, a yam trap (yam catch part) 15, a cutter (yam disconnecting part) 16, a clearer (yam defect detection device) 17, an upper yam pull-out part (yam sucking and ejecting part) 48, and a yam accumulation device 18, are arranged in this order from the bobbin support part 7 side toward the winding part 8 side.

[0055] The unwinding assist device 10 assists the unwinding of the yam 20 by bringing a movable member 40 into contact with a balloon, which is generated above the yam supply bobbin 21 as a result of the yam 20 being unwound from the yam supply bobbin 21 and thrown around, and thereby appropriately controlling the size of the balloon.

[0056] The lower yarn blow-up part 11 is an air sucker device, which is configured to blow up a lower yarn of the yam supply bobbin 21 side toward the yam joining device 14 side at a time of replacing the yarn supply bobbin 21 (details will be given later).

[0057] The tension applying device 12 applies a predetermined tension to the yarn 20 that is traveling. In this embodiment, the tension applying device 12 is configured as a gate type in which a movable comb is arranged relative to a fixed comb. The movable comb is configured to be swung by a rotary type solenoid such that the combs are brought into engagement or disengagement. However, a configuration of the tension applying device 12 is not limited to this. For example, a disk type tension applying device is also adoptable.

[0058] The upper yam catch part 13 is arranged near the yarn joining device 14 (to be exact, at the immediately upstream side of the yam joining device 14). The upper yarn catch part 13 is configured to suck and catch an upper yam of the yarn accumulation device 18 side at a time of yarn joining (details will be given later).

[0059] The yam trap 15 is arranged between the winding part 8 and the yam joining device 14 (to be exact, at the upstream side of the cutter 16 and at the immediately downstream side of the yarn joining device 14). A distal end of the yarn trap 15 is formed as a tube-like member, which is provided close to the travel path of the yarn 20. The yam trap 15 is arranged such that the distal end thereof is directed to the yam travel path, and connected to a negative pressure source (not shown). In this configuration, the suction air stream is generated at the distal end of the yarn trap 15, and thereby dusts such as cotton fly adhering to the traveling yarn 20 can be sucked and removed. In this manner, the yam trap 15 is formed as an air suction part. When the cutter 16 cuts the yarn 20, the yam trap 15 sucks and catches the lower yam of the yam supply bobbin 21 side (details will be given later).

[0060] The clearer 17 is configured to detect a yam defect (yarn fault) such as a slub by monitoring a yarn thickness of the yam 20. When the clearer 17 detects a yam defect, the clearer 17 transmits a disconnection signal to, for example, the control part 25. The disconnection signal instructs to cut and remove the yarn defect. The cutter 16 is arranged at the immediately upstream side of the clearer 17, for immediately cutting the yarn 20 in response to the disconnection signal.

[0061] The yam joining device 14 performs yam joining between the lower yam of the yarn supply bobbin 21 side and the upper yam of the yam accumulation device 18 side when the yam is disconnected between the yam supply bobbin 21 and the package 30, which occurs, for example, at a time of yarn cutting in which the clearer 17 detects a yam defect so that the cutter 16 cuts the yam, at a time of yam breakage in which the yarn being unwound from the yarn supply bobbin 21 is broken, or at a time of replacing the yarn supply bobbin 21. As the yarn joining device 14, one using fluid such as compressed air, mechanical one, or the like, is adoptable.

[0062] The upper yam pull-out part 48 is an air sucker device, and configured to pull out the upper yam of the yarn accumulation device 18 side toward the yarn joining device 14 side at a time of the yam joining (details will be given later).

[0063] The yarn accumulation device 18 is configured to wind up and temporarily accumulate the yarn 20 unwound from the yarn supply bobbin 21. In this manner, the yam accumulation device 18 is interposed between the bobbin support part 7 and the winding part 8, and a certain amount of the yam 20 is accumulated on the yam accumulation device 18. Accordingly, even when the unwinding of the yarn from the yarn supply bobbin 21 is interrupted for some reason (for example, during the yarn joining operation), the winding part 8 is able to wind the yam accumulated on the yarn accumulation device 18. Therefore, the winding of the yam 20 into the package 30 can be continued. Thus, since a winding operation of the winding part 8 is not interrupted by the yam joining operation or the like, the package 30 can be produced stably at a high speed. Additionally, unlike the conventional yam winding machine, sucking and catching of the yam from the package 30 is not performed in every yam joining operation. This can prevent occurrence of disorder in a surface of the package 30. Moreover, since occurrence of a yarn breakage in the winding part 8 is reduced, falling of the yam onto an edge surface of the package 30 or occurrence of a failure in the winding shape is prevented.

[0064] A bobbin feeder 26 of magazine type is arranged at the front side of the winder unit 2. The bobbin feeder 26 includes a rotary magazine can 27. The magazine can 27 is configured to hold a plurality of extra yam supply bobbins 21. The bobbin feeder 26 intermittently drives and rotates the magazine can 27, and thereby feeds a new yarn supply bobbin 21 to the bobbin support part 7. The bobbin feeder 26 includes a yarn end holder 28 for sucking and holding a yarn end of the yam supply bobbin 21 held on the magazine can 27.

[0065] Next, the yam accumulation device 18-will be described with reference to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the yam accumulation device 18 mainly includes a yarn accumulation roller 32 and a roller drive motor 33.

[0066] The yam accumulation roller 32 is a substantially cylindrical member and configured to accumulate the yam 20 by winding the yarn 20 on an outer circumferential surface thereof. The roller drive motor 33 is configured to drive and rotate the yarn accumulation roller 32 around the central axis thereof. An operation of the roller drive motor 33 is controlled by the control part 25. Herein, an end portion of the yam accumulation roller 32 at the side where the roller drive motor 33 is arranged will be called a proximal end portion, and the opposite end portion will be called a distal end portion.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 2, a proximal side taper portion 32a is formed in the proximal end portion of the yarn accumulation roller 32. The proximal side taper portion 32a has a tapered shape whose diameter increases toward an end portion. On the other hand, a distal side taper portion 32b is formed in the distal end portion of the yarn accumulation roller 32. The distal side taper portion 32b has a tapered shape whose diameter increases toward an end portion. Forming such taper portions prevents the yam 20 from slipping off from the end portions of the yam accumulation roller 32. In the yarn accumulation roller 32, a portion having a cylindrical shape (a portion having a substantially constant diameter) will be called a cylindrical portion 32c. The cylindrical portion 32c also has an extremely small taper for moving the accumulated yarn toward the downstream side.

[0068] A guide tube 34 of the upper yarn pull-out part 48 is arranged near a boundary portion between the proximal side taper portion 32a and the cylindrical portion 32c of the yarn accumulation roller 32 (a configuration of the upper yam pull-out part 48 will be described later). The guide tube 34 is a tube-like member, and arranged such that one end portion (suction side end portion 34a) thereof is located close to the surface of the yarn accumulation roller 32. At a time of the normal winding, the yarn of the yam supply bobbin 21 side is introduced into the guide tube 34 through the other end portion (ejection side end portion 34b) of the guide tube 34, and then pulled out from the suction side end portion 34a toward the surface of the yarn accumulation roller 32. Thus, at a time of the normal winding, the guide tube 34 guides the yam 20 of the yarn supply bobbin 21 to the surface of the yarn accumulation roller 32.

[0069] The yam accumulation roller 32 having the yarn 20 wound thereon is rotated in one direction, and thereby a tensile force is applied to the yam 20 existing at the upstream side (yam supply bobbin 21 side) of the yam accumulation device 18. This enables the yam 20 to be unwound from the yam supply bobbin 21 and wound on the surface of the yarn accumulation roller 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the yam 20 is guided to the boundary portion between the proximal side taper portion 32a and the cylindrical portion 32c. Therefore, while the yarn 20 is sequentially wound on the cylindrical portion 32c, the yarn 20 pushes up a preceding yam layer from the proximal end portion side. As a result, the yarn 20 accumulated on the yarn accumulation roller 32 is pushed by the newly wound yam 20, and sequentially fed toward the distal end portion side on the surface of the cylindrical portion 32c. In this manner, the yarn 20 is, while being orderly arranged into a spiral shape, regularly wound on the outer circumferential surface of the yarn accumulation roller 32 from the proximal end portion side. In the following description, a rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32 at a time of the normal winding will be called a "positive rotation", and a rotation of the yam accumulation roller 32 in a direction opposite to the positive rotation will be called a "reverse rotation".

[0070] On the other hand, the yam 20 accumulated on the yam accumulation roller 32 is pulled out from the distal side taper portion 32b of the yam accumulation roller 32, and fed toward the downstream side (winding part 8 side). In the distal side taper portion 32b, the yam 20 accumulated on the yam accumulation roller 32 is pulled out toward the downstream side through a pull-out guide 37 that is arranged on an extension of the central axis of the yarn accumulation roller 32. Since the yarn 20 is pulled out toward the extension of the central axis of the yam accumulation roller 32, it is possible to pull out the yam 20 from the yam accumulation roller 32 irrespective of a state of rotation of the yam accumulation roller 32. To be specific, in any of the cases where the yam accumulation roller 32 is in the positive rotation, the yam accumulation roller 32 is in the reverse rotation, and the rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32 is stopped, the winding part 8 is able to unwind the yam 20 from the yarn accumulation roller 32 and wind the yam 20 into the package 30.

[0071] A rubber band (O-ring) 32d is arranged in a boundary portion between the cylindrical portion 32c and the distal side taper portion 32b of the yarn accumulation roller 32. When the yarn 20 is pulled out from the yarn accumulation roller 32, the yarn 20 passes between the rubber band 32d and the surface of the yam accumulation roller 32. Due to the distal side taper portion 32b, the rubber band 32d itself is inhibited from being dragged by the yam and falling off. In the above-described configuration, an adequate tensile force caused by the rubber band 32d fastening the yarn accumulation roller 32 can be applied to the yam 20 unwound from the yam accumulation roller 32. This can stabilize the unwinding of the yarn 20. Furthermore, it is possible to unwind the yarn while untangling a mass of the yarn. This can prevent a trouble called slaffing in which a mass of the yam on the yam accumulation roller 32 wholly falls off at one time. This also exerts an effect of preventing generation of a balloon, which is otherwise generated by a yarn being thrown around when unwound.

[0072] An upper limit sensor 36 and a lower limit sensor 35 are arranged near the yam accumulation roller 32. The upper limit sensor 36 detects that the amount of the yam 20 on the yarn accumulation roller 32 reaches a predetermined upper limit value or more. The lower limit sensor 35 detects that the amount of the yarn 20 on the yarn accumulation roller 32 falls below a predetermined lower limit value. Results of detection obtained by the lower limit sensor 35 and the upper limit sensor 36 are sent to the control part 25.

[0073] When it is detected that the amount of the yam accumulated on the yarn accumulation roller 32 falls below the lower limit value, the control part 25 appropriately controls the roller drive motor 33 to increase the speed of rotation of the yam accumulation roller 32. This increases the speed of winding of the yam 20 onto the yam accumulation roller 32. At a time of the normal winding, the speed of rotation of the traverse drum 24 is substantially constant, and therefore the speed of unwinding of the yarn 20 from the yarn accumulation roller 32 into the package 30 side is substantially constant. The control part 25 controls the roller drive motor 33 such that the speed of winding of the yarn 20 onto the yam accumulation roller 32 is higher than the speed of unwinding of the yarn 20 from the yarn accumulation roller 32. As a result, the amount of the yam 20 accumulated on the yam accumulation roller 32 can be gradually increased.

[0074] On the other hand, when it is detected that the amount of the yam accumulated on the yarn accumulation roller 32 reaches the upper limit value or more, the control part 25 appropriately controls the roller drive motor 33 to reduce the speed of rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32. This reduces the speed of winding of the yam 20 onto the yarn accumulation roller 32. The control part 25 controls the roller drive motor 33 such that the speed of winding of the yam 20 onto the yam accumulation roller 32 is lower than the speed of unwinding of the yam 20 from the yarn accumulation roller 32. Thereby, the amount of the yam 20 on the yam accumulation roller 32 can be gradually reduced. The above-described control enables the amount of the yam 20 accumulated on the yam accumulation roller 32 to be kept in the range from the lower limit value or more and less than the upper limit value.

[0075] Next, an operation for replacing the yarn supply bobbin 21 will be described.

[0076] When the yarn of the yam supply bobbin 21 runs out, the yam remaining on the yarn supply bobbin 21 is fully wound on the yam accumulation device 18. This causes the yarn to be discontinuous between the yarn supply bobbin 21 (empty bobbin) and the yarn accumulation device 18, as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, in order to continue the winding of the yam 20, it is necessary to feed a new yam supply bobbin 21 and then connect a yarn of this new yam supply bobbin 21 to the yam accumulated on the yam accumulation device 18 (yam joining). Even when the yarn supply bobbin 21 becomes empty, a predetermined amount of the yam 20 is accumulated on the yarn accumulation device 18. Therefore, it is not necessary to interrupt the winding of the yarn 20 into the package 30 performed in the winding part 8, until the accumulated yam 20 runs out. In the following, the operation for replacing the yarn supply bobbin 21 will be described in sequence.

[0077] Firstly, the control part 25 drives the bobbin support part 7, to discharge the empty bobbin. Then, the control part 25 drives the magazine can 27 of the bobbin feeder 26, to feed a new yarn supply bobbin 21 to the bobbin support part 7. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the new yam supply bobbin 21 is fed with an inclined attitude. As described above, the yarn end of the yam supply bobbin 21 held on the magazine can 27 is sucked and held by the yam end holder 28. Therefore, a situation is created in which the yam 20 stretches between the yam end holder 28 and the yarn supply bobbin 21 fed from the magazine can 27. In the following description, when particularly needed, the yarn 20 of the yarn supply bobbin 21 side will be referred to as a lower yarn 20a.

[0078] Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the control part 25 drives the bobbin support part 7, to make the new yam supply bobbin 21 stand upright, and also drives a yam displacement member 43 that is arranged near the lower yam blow-up part 11. The yam displacement member 43 is engageable with the lower yarn 20a existing between the yam supply bobbin 21 and the yarn end holder 28, and movable toward the lower yarn blow-up part 11. When the yam displacement member 43 is driven while being engaged with the lower yam 20a, the yam displacement member 43 displaces the lower yam 20a toward the lower yam blow-up part 11, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0079] The lower yarn blow-up part 11 is in the shape of a block as shown in a perspective view of an external appearance of FIG. 6. The block has a yam introduction hole 41 and a slit 42 that communicates with the yam introduction hole 41. The lower yarn 20a is displaced by the yam displacement member 43, and introduced into the yam introduction hole 41 through the slit 42.

[0080] Here, the lower yam blow-up part 11 will be described in more detail with reference to a partial cross-sectional side view of FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, an air ejection nozzle 44 that communicates with the yam introduction hole 41 is formed in the lower yam blow-up part 11. The air ejection nozzle 44 is a circular hole having an elongated shape. The air ejection nozzle 44 is connected to an appropriate compressed air source 46 via an electromagnetic valve 45. The electromagnetic valve 45 is controlled by the control part 25. In the above-described configuration, when the control part 25 puts the electromagnetic valve 45 into an open state, compressed air is supplied through the air ejection nozzle 44 into the yam introduction hole 41.

[0081] An ejection port of the air ejection nozzle 44 is formed such that air is ejected toward the downstream side with respect to the direction of traveling of the yarn 20. Accordingly, when the compressed air is ejected through the air ejection nozzle 44, an air stream flowing toward the downstream side (upward in FIG. 7) with respect to the direction of traveling of the yam 20 is generated in the yarn introduction hole 41. As a result, the lower yarn 20a introduced into the yam introduction hole 41 is blown off toward the downstream side by the air stream.

[0082] Here, the description of the operation for replacing the yam supply bobbin 21 will be resumed. After the yam displacement member 43 introduces the lower yarn 20a into the yam introduction hole 41, the control part 25 cuts the lower yam 20a between the yarn supply bobbin 21 and the yarn end holder 28 by means of a cutter (not shown), and additionally opens the electromagnetic valve 45 to supply the compressed air to the air ejection nozzle 44. As a result, an air stream flowing toward the downstream side is generated in the yam introduction hole 41. This air stream blows off the lower yam 20a toward the downstream side.

[0083] The yarn trap 15 described above is arranged at the downstream side of the lower yam blow-up part 11. The suction stream is generated at the distal end of the yam trap 15. The lower yarn 20a blown off by the lower yarn blow-up part 11 is sucked and caught by the yam trap 15. This situation is shown in FIG. 8. The yarn trap 15 is arranged at the downstream side of the yam joining device 14. Therefore, in a state where the yam trap 15 catches the lower yam 20a, the lower yarn 20a existing between the yam trap 15 and the yam supply bobbin 21 is across the yarn joining device 14.

[0084] A yam trap driver 47 is arranged near the yam trap 15. The yarn trap driver 47 is configured to drive the yarn trap 15 in a direction toward and away from the yam travel path. An operation of the yam trap driver 47 is controlled by the control part 25. After the yam trap 15 sucks and catches the lower yam 20a, the control part 25 actuates the yam trap driver 47 to thereby drive the yarn trap 15 in the direction away from the yarn travel path. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 9, the lower yarn 20a is moved back (to the left in FIG. 9) under the state where the lower yam 20a is across the yam joining device 14. As a result, the lower yam 20a is introduced to the yam joining device 14. In the above-described manner, the lower yam 20a can be introduced to the yam joining device 14 by means of the lower yam blow-up part 11 and the yarn trap 15. Accordingly, it can be considered that the lower yam blow-up part 11 and the yam trap 15 form a lower yam guide part.

[0085] As thus far described, the lower yam 20a is blown off and thereby guided to the downstream side of the yarn joining device 14 by means of the air stream. This enables the lower yam to be quickly guided with a simple configuration, as compared with, for example, a lower yam guide member (the lower yarn guide pipe 92 shown in FIG. 17) included in the conventional winder unit. After an operation for guiding the lower yarn 20a to the yam joining device 14 is completed, the control part 25 puts the electromagnetic valve 45 into a closed state. This can prevent wasteful consumption of the compressed air.

[0086] Around a time of performing the above-described control for guiding the lower yarn 20a to the yam joining device 14, the control part 25 performs a control for guiding the yam of the yam accumulation device 18 side to the yam joining device 14. A specific description will be given below. In the following description, when particularly needed, the yam 20 of the yam accumulation device 18 side will be referred to as an upper yarn 20b.

[0087] Firstly, the upper yam pull-out part 48 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The upper yam pull-out part 48 includes the above-mentioned guide tube 34 and an air ejection nozzle 49 that communicates with the inside of the guide tube 34. The air ejection nozzle 49 is a circular hole having an elongated shape. The air ejection nozzle 49 is connected to the appropriate compressed air source 46 via an electromagnetic valve 51. The electromagnetic valve 51 is controlled by the control part 25. In the above-described configuration, when the control part 25 puts the electromagnetic valve 51 into an open state, compressed air is supplied through the air ejection nozzle 49 into the guide tube 34.

[0088] An ejection port of the air ejection nozzle 49 is formed such that air is ejected toward the ejection side end portion 34b (such that air is ejected in a direction away from the surface of the yam accumulation roller 32). Accordingly, when the compressed air is ejected through the air ejection nozzle 49, an air stream flowing toward the ejection side end portion 34b is generated in the guide tube 34. As a result, air is ejected from the ejection side end portion 34b. On the other hand, along with the air stream generated in the guide tube 34, a suction stream is generated in the opposite end portion (suction side end portion 34a).

[0089] To guide the upper yam 20b of the yam accumulation device 18 side to the yarn joining device 14, the control part 25 puts the electromagnetic valve 51 into the open state so that the compressed air is supplied through the air ejection nozzle 49 into the guide tube 34. Under this condition, the control part 25 appropriately controls the roller drive motor 33, thereby causing a reverse rotation of the yam accumulation roller 32. As a result, a yam end is unwound from the proximal end portion side of the cylindrical portion 32c of the yarn accumulation roller 32. This yam end is sucked by the suction stream generated in the suction side end portion 34a of the guide tube 34, and introduced into the guide tube 34.

[0090] In the conventional automatic winder as shown in FIG. 17, it is necessary that the suction port 91a of the upper yam guide pipe 91 for sucking and catching a yam end of a yam wound into the package 30 is enlarged with respect to a width direction of the package. The reason therefor is as follows. Since the yam is traversed when being wound on the surface of the package 30, where on the package 30 with respect to the width direction thereof the yam end of the yam wound into the package 30 is positioned is uncertain after the clearer 17 detects a yam defect so that the cutter 16 cuts the yam or after the yarn of the yam supply bobbin 21 is fully wound. Therefore, in order to reliably suck and catch the yarn end, it is necessary to generate the suction stream throughout the entire width of the package 30.

[0091] In this respect, in the automatic winder of this embodiment, the yam 20 is regularly wound on the yam accumulation roller 32 while being orderly arranged from the boundary portion between the cylindrical portion 32c and the proximal side taper portion 32a. This is achieved because, at a time of the normal winding, the guide tube 34 guides the yam of the yarn supply bobbin 21 side to the boundary portion between the cylindrical portion 32c and the proximal side taper portion 32a. Accordingly, after the clearer 17 detects a yam defect so that the cutter 16 cuts the yarn or after the yam of the yam supply bobbin 21 is fully wound, the yam end of the yarn wound on the yarn accumulation roller 32 is always positioned near the boundary portion between the cylindrical portion 32c and the proximal side taper portion 32a. Therefore, by generating the suction stream only in this boundary portion, the yam end can be reliably sucked. That is, by generating the suction stream in the guide tube 34, the yam end can be reliably sucked. Thus, in the automatic winder of this embodiment including the yarn accumulation device 18, unlike the conventional configuration, an enlarged suction port for sucking the upper yam is not required. This enables a suction stream sufficient for sucking the upper yam to be generated by less energy.

[0092] The yam end sucked into the guide tube 34 is, along with the air stream generated in the guide tube 34, blown out from the ejection side end portion 34b. Air ejection from the ejection side end portion 34b is oriented toward a position where a yarn inlet 61 of a deflection guide member 60 is arranged.

[0093] As shown in a perspective view of FIG. 10, the deflection guide member 60 is a curved tube-like member having the yarn inlet 61 at one end side thereof and a yam outlet 62 at the other end side thereof. Air ejected from the ejection side end portion 34b of the guide tube 34 flows through the yam inlet 61 into the deflection guide member 60, and is guided through a curved path while passing through the inside of the curved deflection guide member 60, and then is discharged through the yam outlet 62 to the outside of the deflection guide member 60. Accordingly, the upper yam 20b blown out together with the air ejected from the upper yam pull-out part 48 is, along with an air stream flowing in the curved path inside the deflection guide member 60, guided from the yam inlet 61 to the yam outlet 62, as shown in FIG. 11. In this manner, the upper yam pull-out part 48 is able to blow off the upper yam (the yam of the winding part side) and guides the upper yarn to a position at the upstream side of the yam joining device 14.

[0094] The yarn outlet 62 leads to a position where the upper yam catch part 13 is arranged. The upper yarn catch part 13 is connected to the negative pressure source (not shown) and configured such that a suction stream is generated in a suction stream generation port that is provided at the distal end of the upper yam catch part 13. A movable lid 13a is arranged in the suction stream generation port of the upper yarn catch part 13. The lid 13a is driven by the control part 25, and switched between a state where the suction stream generation port is closed and a state where the suction stream generation port is open.

[0095] Around a time when the upper yam pull-out part 48 pulls out the upper yarn 20b from the yarn accumulation device 18, the control part 25 drives the lid 13a to open the suction stream generation port of the upper yarn catch part 13, so that a suction stream is generated in the upper yam catch part 13. In the above-described configuration, the upper yarn 20b guided to the yarn outlet 62 of the deflection guide member 60 can be sucked and held by the upper yarn catch part 13. When it is not necessary to generate a suction stream in the upper yarn catch part 13, the control part 25 performs a control to close the suction stream generation port with the lid 13a. This can prevent air from flowing into the upper yam catch part 13, and therefore can prevent wasteful consumption of energy. Here, instead of the configuration in which the presence or absence of a suction air stream is controlled by opening and closing a lid, a configuration in which, for example, an air flow is controlled by means of an electromagnetic valve may be also adoptable.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 10, the deflection guide member 60 has a slit 63 through which the outside and inside of the deflection guide member 60 are communicated with each other. The slit 63 is formed along a longitudinal direction of the tube-like deflection guide member 60, and connects the yarn inlet 61 and the yam outlet 62 to each other. In this embodiment, the deflection guide member 60 has a substantially U-like shape, and the slit 63 is formed along an inner portion of this U-like shape.

[0097] Since such a slit 63 is formed in the deflection guide member 60, when the upper yam 20b guided to the yam outlet 62 is sucked and caught by the upper yam catch part 13, the upper yarn 20b is drawn out through the slit 63 to the outside of the deflection guide member 60, as shown in FIG. 12.

[0098] The upper yam 20b drawn out from the deflection guide member 60 is further sucked by the upper yam catch part 13, and thereby the upper yam 20b can be introduced to the yam joining device 14, as shown in FIG. 13. As described above, the upper yarn 20b is guided to a position at the upstream side of the yarn joining device 14 by means of the upper yam pull-out part 48, the deflection guide member 60, and the upper yarn catch part 13. Accordingly, it can be considered that the upper yam pull-out part 48, the deflection guide member 60, and the upper yam catch part 13, form an upper yam guide part (yam guide part).

[0099] As thus far described, the air stream is used to blow off the upper yarn 20b and guide the upper yarn 20b to the upstream side of the yarn joining device 14. This enables the upper yam to be quickly guided with a simple configuration, as compared with, for example, an upper yarn guide member (the upper yam guide pipe 91 shown in FIG. 17) included in the conventional winder unit. Therefore, a time required for the yam joining operation is shortened, and thus the production efficiency of the package 30 is improved.

[0100] After an operation for guiding the upper yam 20b to the yam joining device 14 is completed, the control part 25 stops the reverse rotation of the yam accumulation roller 32 and additionally puts the electromagnetic valve 51 into a closed state. Then, the control part 25 closes the lid 13a of the upper yarn catch part 13. Then, the control part 25 actuates the yarn joining device 14, thus performing yam joining between the upper yarn 20b and the lower yam 20a.

[0101] After the yam joining is completed, the control part 25 starts a positive rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32, thus starting to unwind the yam from the new yarn supply bobbin 21. Around a time of starting the positive rotation of the yam accumulation roller 32, the control part 25 drives the yarn trap 15 to a position close to the yarn travel path, and restarts to suck and remove cotton fly. Additionally, the control part 25 opens the lid 13a of the upper yam catch part 13 for a short time. Thereby, a piece of the yam (the upper yam having been cut in the yam joining) caught by the upper yarn catch part 13 is sucked and removed. Thus, the normal winding operation shown in FIG. 1 can be restarted.

[0102] As described above, the upper yam 20b is drawn out from the inside of the deflection guide member 60. Accordingly, at a time of the normal winding (the state shown in FIG. 1), the yarn 20 does not pass through the inside of the deflection guide member 60. Here, if the yam 20 passed through the inside of the deflection guide member 60 during the normal winding operation, the yarn 20 might be in contact with the deflection guide member 60 and thus damaged to deteriorate the quality of the yam. In this respect, in the above-described configuration, the yam 20 is not in contact with deflection guide member 60 during the normal winding operation. Therefore, deterioration in the quality of the yarn is prevented.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the deflection guide member 60 is not connected with other members. More specifically, the deflection guide member 60 is arranged such that the yarn inlet 61 of the deflection guide member 60 is spaced apart from the upper yarn pull-out part 48. Likewise, the deflection guide member 60 is arranged such that the yam outlet 62 of the deflection guide member 60 is spaced apart from the upper yarn catch part 13. In this manner, a space is formed between the deflection guide member 60 and the other members. Therefore, the yarn 20 drawn out from the deflection guide member 60 is able to travel without any contact with the deflection guide member 60. In this point as well, damage to the yam 20 which may be caused by contact with the deflection guide member 60 is prevented at a time of the normal winding. Thus, deterioration in the quality of the yam is prevented.

[0104] Furthermore, as described above, the yam 20 is blown off and thereby guided. Therefore, a member driven into large movement, such as the yam guide pipes 91 and 92 shown in FIG. 17, is not necessary. Accordingly, the configuration of the automatic winder is simplified, and additionally the degree of freedom in a layout of configuration parts is increased. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a path through which the upper yarn 20b is guided is curved because of the deflection guide member 60. Therefore, even though a direction in which the yam is blown out from the upper yarn pull-out part 48 is not oriented to the position where the upper yarn catch part 13 is arranged, the upper yarn 20b can be guided to the upper yam catch part 13. Thus, devising the shape of the deflection guide member 60 allows a free layout of the positions of the upper yarn pull-out part 48 and the upper yam catch part 13.

[0105] Next, an operation performed in a case where the clearer 17 detects a yam defect will be described.

[0106] When the clearer 17 detects a yam defect at a time of the normal winding as shown in FIG. 1, the control part 25 actuates the cutter 16 to cut the yam 20. At this time, a yam end at the upstream side of the cutter 16 is sucked and caught by the yam trap 15 that is arranged at the immediately upstream side of the cutter 16. On the other hand, a yarn end at the downstream side of the cutter 16 is wound on the yam accumulation roller 32 that is in the positive rotation. As a result, a portion of the yam containing the yarn defect is wound to the proximal end portion side of the yarn accumulation roller 32.

[0107] At this time, the state of the lower yam 20a and the upper yam 20b is similar to the state shown in FIG. 8. However, in a case where the cutter 16 cuts the yam 20, the end of the yarn having been cut is directly sucked and caught by the yarn trap 15. Therefore, the operation for blowing the lower yarn 20a upward by the lower yarn blow-up part 11 is not necessary. In this point, this operation is different from the operation for replacing the yam supply bobbin 21. Accordingly, in the configuration of this embodiment, when the yarn is disconnected between the yam supply bobbin 21 and the package 30, the yam end of the yam supply bobbin 21 side is, at the downstream side of the yam joining device 14, caught by the yam trap 15.

[0108] On the other hand, in the conventional automatic winder, as shown in FIG. 18 and the like, when the cutter 16 cuts the yam 20, the yam end of the lower yam is sucked and caught at the upstream side of the tension applying device 12. Then, as shown in FIG. 20, the lower yarn guide pipe 92 is swung upward under a state where the lower yam is sucked and caught by the lower yam guide pipe 92. Thereby, the yam end of the lower yam is guided to the downstream side of the yam joining device. Such an operation that involves the large swinging of the lower yam guide pipe 92 requires a time. As a result, in the conventional automatic winder, a total time required for the yam joining operation is increased. In this embodiment, however, the lower yam is caught at the downstream side of the yam joining device 14. Therefore, the operation for guiding the yam end of the lower yarn to the downstream side of the yam joining device 14, which is needed in the conventional automatic winder, is not necessary. Accordingly, a total time required for the yam joining operation can be shortened, and thus the production efficiency of the package 30 is improved.

[0109] Moreover, in this embodiment, when the cutter 16 cuts the yam 20, only a short portion of the lower yam existing between the yarn trap 15 and the cutter 16 is sucked by the yarn trap 15. On the other hand, in the conventional automatic winder shown in FIG. 18 and the like, when the cutter 16 cuts the yam, a portion of the lower yarn extending between the cutter 16 and the upstream side of the tension applying device 12 is sucked by the lower yam catch pipe 92. As described above, the portion sucked by the lower yarn catch pipe 92 is discarded after the yarn joining is completed. Although, in this embodiment as well, a portion of the lower yarn sucked by the yarn trap 15 is also discarded after the yam joining is completed, the portion of the lower yam sucked by the yarn trap 15 is a very short portion as mentioned above. Therefore, the amount of a discard portion of the yam 20 is minimized. Accordingly, the configuration of this embodiment can minimize the amount of a waste yam which is generated when the yam joining operation is performed upon detection of a yarn defect.

[0110] Then, the control part 25 drives the yarn trap 15 in the direction away from the yarn travel path, and thereby the lower yarn 20a sucked and caught by the yarn trap 15 is introduced to the yam joining device 14 (similar to the state shown in FIG. 9). In this respect, for example, in a case of the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary that, in order to avoid interference between the relay pipe (lower yarn guide pipe) and the suction mouth (upper yam guide pipe), the relay pipe having sucked and caught the lower yarn at the downstream side of the yarn joining device is once swung down. Since it is necessary to once swing down the relay pipe, a total time required for the yam joining operation is increased in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1. On the other hand, in this embodiment, there is no yam guide pipe that is swingable. Therefore, the problem of interference of yam guide pipes does not occur in the first place. Accordingly, in this embodiment, as described above, the lower yam 20a can be introduced to the yarn joining device 14 immediately after the yarn trap 15 sucks and catches the lower yam 20a. This can shorten a time required for the yarn joining operation.

[0111] Around the time of driving the yam trap 15 in the direction away from the yarn travel path, the control part 25 causes a reverse rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32, and at the same time puts the electromagnetic valve 51 into the open state. Additionally, the control part 25 opens the lid 13a. Thus, the upper yarn 20b is introduced to the yam joining device 14 (similar to the state shown in FIG. 13). Under this condition, the reverse rotation of the yam accumulation roller 32 is continued for a predetermined time period. Thereby, the portion containing the yarn defect, which has been wound on the yam accumulation roller 32, is pulled out and sucked by the upper yarn catch part 13. Thus, the portion containing the yam defect detected by the clearer 17 can be removed. Then, the control part 25 actuates the yarn joining device 14, to perform yarn joining.

[0112] As described above, also in the yam joining operation performed upon detection of a yam defect, the upper yam 20b is blown off and guided by means of ejected air. This can quickly guide the upper yam 20b with a simple configuration, as compared with the upper yarn guide member (the upper yam guide pipe 91 shown in FIG. 17) included in the conventional winder unit. Moreover, in the yam joining operation performed upon detection of a yam defect, the lower yam 20a can be guided to the yarn joining device 14 simply by driving the yam trap 15 under a state where the lower yarn 20a is sucked and caught by the yarn trap 15. Therefore, in a case where a yarn defect is detected, the lower yam 20a is easily and quickly guided. In this manner, also in a case where a yam defect is detected, a time required for the yam joining operation is shortened, and thus the production efficiency of the package 30 is improved.

[0113] As thus far described, the automatic winder of this embodiment includes the bobbin support part 7, the winding part 8, the yarn joining device 14, the yam guide part, the yarn trap 15, and the yam trap driver 47. The bobbin support part 7 supports the yarn supply bobbin 21. The winding part 8 winds the yarn from the yarn supply bobbin 21 into the package 30. The yam joining device 14 is arranged between the bobbin support part 7 and the winding part 8, and configured to perform yarn joining between the yarn of the yarn supply bobbin 21 side and the yam of the package 30 side under a state where the yarn extending from the yarn supply bobbin 21 to the package 30 is disconnected. The yarn guide part guides the yam of the package 30 side to the yam joining device 14 under a state where the yam is disconnected. The yarn trap 15 is arranged so as to face the yarn travel path between the winding part 8 and the yarn joining device 14, and configured to catch the yam of the yam supply bobbin 21 side under a state where the yarn is disconnected. The yam trap driver 47 moves the yarn trap in such a direction that the yam caught by the yarn trap is introduced to the yam joining device 14 while keeping a condition in which the yam is across the yarn joining device 14.

[0114] In this manner, the yarn trap 15, which is configured to catch the yam of the yarn supply bobbin 21 side under a state where the yarn is disconnected, is arranged at a position facing the yam travel path between the winding part 8 and the yarn joining device 14. Therefore, when performing the yam joining, the yam can be caught at a position where the yam is introduced to the yam joining device 14. This can shorten a time cycle of the yarn joining. Additionally, since any complicated drive member is not necessary, the entire configuration of the automatic winder is simple.

[0115] The automatic winder of this embodiment includes the clearer 17 and the cutter 16. The clearer 17 is arranged between the bobbin support part 7 and the winding part 8, and configured to detect a yam defect. The cutter 16 puts the yam between the yarn supply bobbin 21 and the package 30 into a disconnection state, based on the disconnection signal that is supplied when the clearer 17 detects a yarn defect.

[0116] In this configuration, when a yam defect is detected, the cutter 16 disconnects the yarn, and the yarn of the yarn supply bobbin 21 side thus disconnected is caught by the yarn trap 15. This can shorten a time cycle required for the yam joining. Moreover, since the disconnection (cutting) of the yarn at a predetermined position is reliably achieved by the cutter 16, catching of the yarn by the yarn trap 15 is reliably achieved. Furthermore, since the disconnection of the yarn is performed at a predetermined position, the amount of the waste yarn which is generated when the yam of the yarn supply bobbin 21 side is subjected to the yam joining can be made constant. This makes management of the waste yam easy.

[0117] In the automatic winder of this embodiment, the yarn trap 15 is an air suction part configured to catch a yam by means of an air suction force.

[0118] Accordingly, the disconnected yam can be sucked and caught by the air suction force. Additionally, applying the suction force at a time of the winding operation, too, can collect cotton fly generated from the yarn.

[0119] In the automatic winder of this embodiment, the yarn accumulation device 18 is arranged between the winding part 8 and the yam joining device 14.

[0120] Accordingly, the winding of the yam into the package 30 is not interrupted during the yarn joining. Therefore, a winding state of the package 30 is not disordered. Moreover, this configuration shortens a time cycle of the yam joining, which can prevent run-out of the yam accumulated on the yam accumulation device 18. This allows removal of a yarn fault or replacement of a bobbin to be performed without interrupting the winding of the yarn into the package 30.

[0121] In the automatic winder of this embodiment, the upper yam guide part includes the upper yarn pull-out part 48 and the upper yarn catch part 13. The upper yarn pull-out part 48 sucks the yarn accumulated on the yarn accumulation device 18, and blows off the yam to a position at the upstream side of the yarn joining device 14. The upper yam catch part 13 is arranged at the upstream side of the yarn joining device 14, and configured to catch and introduce the upper yarn 20b thus blown off by the upper yarn pull-out part 48 to the yarn joining device 14.

[0122] Accordingly, since the upper yarn 20b is blown off and thereby guided to the yarn joining device 14, the configuration for guiding the upper yam 20b is simple. As a result, the degree of freedom in a layout of configuration parts is improved. Moreover, since guiding of the upper yarn 20b to the yam joining device 14 is completed merely by blowing off the upper yarn 20b, a time required for the operation for guiding the upper yarn 20b is shortened and thus the production efficiency of the package 30 is improved.

[0123] In the automatic winder of this embodiment, the upper yam guide part further includes the deflection guide member 60 that guides the upper yam 20b, which has been blown off by the upper yam pull-out part 48, to the upper yarn catch part 13.

[0124] Since the upper yarn 20b blown off by the upper yarn pull-out part 48 is guided to the upper yarn catch part 13 by the deflection guide member 60, the upper yam pull-out part 48 and the upper yam catch part 13 can be freely arranged. This improves the degree of freedom in a layout.

[0125] In the automatic winder of this embodiment, the deflection guide member 60 is a tube-like member, in which the slit 63 is formed along a longitudinal direction of a tube. The deflection guide member 60 is arranged at a position deviated from the yam travel path through which the yarn travels at a time of yam winding.

[0126] The deflection guide member 60 having such a tube-like shape allows the upper yarn 20b to pass through the inside of the tube and thereby reliably guides the upper yarn 20b to the upper yam catch part 13. Since the slit 63 is formed in the deflection guide member 60 having a tube-like shape, the upper yam 20b having been guided to the upper yarn catch part 13 can be drawn out through the slit 63. Moreover, since the deflection guide member 60 is not connected with other members, the yam 20 drawn out through the slit 63 is not in contact with the deflection guide member 60. In the above-described configuration, at a time of the normal winding, the yarn 20 is able to travel outside the deflection guide member 60. This can prevent deterioration in the quality of the yarn 20, which may otherwise be caused by contact with the deflection guide member 60.

[0127] In the automatic winder of this embodiment, the yam is wound on a predetermined portion of the yam accumulation device 18 (the boundary portion between the cylindrical portion 32c and the proximal side taper portion 32a).

[0128] Since the yarn is wound on the predetermined portion, the yarn end of the yarn wound on the yam accumulation device 18 is also located at the predetermined portion at a time of yam disconnection. Accordingly, by sucking this predetermined portion, the yarn end can be caught for the yam joining. Therefore, a large suction port such as a suction mouth for sucking and catching the yarn end from the package 30 is not necessary. This makes the shape of the upper yam pull-out part 48 simple, and thus the degree of freedom in a layout is improved. Additionally, since the suction port of the upper yarn pull-out part 48 can be made small, the air consumption is reduced.

[0129] In the automatic winder of this embodiment, the yarn guide part sucks and blows off the yam (upper yarn) of the winding part 8 side that is wound on the yarn accumulation device 18.

[0130] It is easy to catch the yarn end of the yam wound on the yarn accumulation device 18. Therefore, the yam of the winding part 8 side is able to be reliably sucked and caught, and then blown off.

[0131] Next, a modification of the above-described first embodiment will be described. In a description of the modification given below, configuration parts identical or similar to those of the above-described first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. In this modification, as shown in FIG. 14, the yarn accumulation device 18 is not provided.

[0132] In this modification, instead of the upper yarn guide part (the upper yarn pull-out part 48, the deflection guide member 60, and the upper yarn catch part 13) of the first embodiment, an upper yarn guide pipe 91 is provided as the upper yarn guide part (yam guide part). In this modification, the upper yam guide pipe 91 guides the upper yarn 20b of the package 30 side to the yarn joining device 14. A configuration of the upper yarn guide pipe 91 is similar to the configuration of the upper yam guide pipe 91 included in the conventional automatic winder shown in, for example, FIG. 17. Therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0133] FIG. 14 shows a situation where, in a case where the clearer 17 detects a yarn defect so that the cutter 16 cuts the yam 20, the lower yam 20a is sucked and held by the yarn trap 15 while the upper yam guide pipe 91 is swung up to suck and catch the upper yarn 20b. In this state, if the upper yarn guide pipe 91 is swung down in order to guide the upper yam 20b to the yarn joining device 14, the upper yarn guide pipe 91 would move in a trajectory on which the lower yam 20a between the yam trap 15 and the yam supply bobbin 21 exists. Thus, if the upper yarn guide pipe 91 having the conventional configuration is swung down, this upper yam guide pipe 91 would be tangled in the lower yarn 20a, which may hinder introduction of the upper yam 20b to the yarn joining device 14.

[0134] Therefore, in this embodiment, a yam retraction part is formed in the upper yam guide pipe 91. The yarn retraction part temporarily retracts the lower yam 20a extending to the yam trap 15 from the yarn supply bobbin 21. More specifically, an advance surface 91c that advances at a time when the upper yam guide pipe 91 is swung down is configured as an inclined portion. Accordingly, when the upper yarn guide pipe 91 is swung down, the lower yam 20a can be pushed aside by the advance surface 91c that is configured as the inclined portion. This allows the upper yam guide pipe 91 to pass without being tangled in the lower yam 20a. As a result, the upper yarn 20b can be introduced to the yam joining device 14. Here, it may be also acceptable that a mechanism for retracting the lower yam 20a at a time when the upper yarn guide pipe 91 is swung down is provided independently of the upper yarn guide pipe 91.

[0135] As described above, a configuration is also possible in which the upper yarn 20b is guided to the yarn joining device 14 by means of the conventional yarn guide member (upper yam guide pipe 91). In this configuration as well, when the cutter 16 cuts the yam 20, the lower yarn 20a is sucked and caught by the yam trap 15, and then directly introduced to the yam joining device 14. Therefore, as compared with the conventional configuration (the configuration shown in FIG. 17) in which both the upper yarn 20b and the lower yarn 20a are guided by means of the yam guide pipes 91 and 92, a simple configuration is achieved and additionally a time required for the yam joining is shortened.

[0136] As thus far described, the automatic winder of this modification is configured as follows. The upper yarn guide pipe 91 serving as the yarn guide part is configured to guide the yarn of the package 30 side to the yam joining device 14 by swinging from the package 30 side to the yarn supply bobbin 21 side beyond the yam joining device 14 under a state where the yarn of the package 30 side is sucked and caught by the upper yarn guide pipe 91. Moreover, the yam retraction part is formed in the yarn guide part. The yam retraction part is configured to retract the yarn extending from the yam supply bobbin to the yam catch part, from the trajectory along which the upper yarn guide pipe 91 is swung so as to guide the upper yam 20b to the yam joining device 14.

[0137] Retracting the yam existing between the yam supply bobbin 21 and the yarn trap 15 allows the upper yarn guide pipe 91 that is swingable to guide the yam to the yam joining device 14.

[0138] In the automatic winder of the modification described above, the yarn retraction part is an inclined portion formed in the advance surface that advances at a time when the yarn guide part is swung so as to guide the yam to the yam joining device.

[0139] In this configuration, the lower yarn 20a existing between the yam supply bobbin 21 and the yam trap 15 is pushed aside and thus retracted by the inclined portion, and then the upper yam guide pipe 91 is swung. This prevents the upper yam guide pipe 91 from being tangled in the lower yam 20a. Therefore, the upper yam guide pipe 91 is able to guide the upper yarn 20b to the yam joining device 14.

[0140] Next, another modification of the embodiment described above will be described. A configuration of this modification is the same as that of the winder unit 100 shown in FIG. 14, except that a clamp portion is provided instead of the yam trap 15.

[0141] The clamp portion is configured to grip the yam. The clamp portion is arranged such that it is not in contact with a yarn path at a time of the normal winding. The clamp portion is configured to grip the yarn between the clearer 17 and the yarn joining device 14 in response to a control signal supplied from the control part 25. Similarly to the yarn trap 15 of the embodiment described above, the clamp portion is configured to be moved in the direction away from the yam path by the driving part.

[0142] In this configuration, when the clearer 17 detects a yam fault, the control part 25 causes the cutter 16 to cut the yarn, and simultaneously transmits the control signal to the clamp portion to thereby cause the clamp portion to grip the yarn end of the lower yarn after the cutting. Under this condition, the control part 25 causes the driving part to retract the clamp portion. As a result, the yarn end gripped by the clamp portion is directly introduced to the yarn joining device 14.

[0143] As described above, in the automatic winder of this modification, the yarn catch part is the clamp portion configured to catch the yarn by gripping the yarn.

[0144] In this case, simultaneously with disconnection of the yarn by the cutter, the clamp portion catches the yam. Accordingly, cutting and catching of the yam are reliably achieved.

[0145] Next, still another modification of the embodiment described above will be described. A configuration of this modification is the same as that of the winder unit 100 shown in FIG. 14, except that the clamp portion is provided instead of the yam trap 15 and that the cutter 16 is not provided.

[0146] In this configuration, when the clearer 17 detects a yam fault, the control part 25 transmits the control signal to the clamp portion, to cause the clamp portion to grip the yarn that is traveling. As a result, the yam is torn at a position between the clamp portion and the winding part 8. Under this condition, the control part 25 causes the driving part to retract the clamp portion. As a result, the yam end gripped by the clamp portion is directly introduced to the yarn joining device 14. In this manner, the yam can be disconnected by the clamp portion. Therefore, it can be said that the clamp portion of this modification also acts as the yam disconnecting part.

[0147] In this manner, the clamp portion serves as both the yam disconnecting part and the yam catch part, thereby enabling the disconnected yam to be reliably caught. That is, in a configuration in which the yarn is cut by a cutter, gripping of the yam may be failed if a timing when the cutter cuts the yarn and a timing when the clamp portion grips the yarn are not in synchronization. In this respect, in the above-described configuration in which the yam is disconnected by causing the clamp portion to grip and tear the yarn, the yarn has been already gripped at the time point when the yam is disconnected, and therefore no failure in gripping the yam occurs. Accordingly, the yam disconnected upon detection of a yam defect can be reliably introduced to the yam joining device 14.

[0148] As thus far described, in the automatic winder of this modification, the yam catch part is the clamp portion arranged between the yarn joining device and the winding part, and the clamp portion also acts as the yam disconnecting part by gripping the yarn that is traveling.

[0149] In this case, the yarn catch part simultaneously disconnects and catches the yarn by causing the clamp portion to grip the yam between the yam supply bobbin and the winding part. Thus, since disconnection of the yarn is achieved by the clamp portion, the yarn end is caught without fail.

[0150] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In a description of the modification given below, configuration parts identical or similar to those of the above-described first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 15, a winder unit 100 included in an automatic winder according to this embodiment includes a yam accumulation device of different type from that of the above-described first embodiment. In the following, this yarn accumulation device 64 will be described with reference to FIG. 16.

[0152] As shown in FIG. 16, the yam accumulation device 64 includes a rotation shaft casing 70, a yam accumulation part 71, and a yam guide part 72. The rotation shaft casing 70 includes a cylindrical tube portion 78 that is open at the upper side thereof, and a flange portion 79 that is formed at an open end portion of the tube portion 78. The upper yam pull-out part 48 is arranged at the immediately upstream side of the yarn accumulation device 64.

[0153] The yarn accumulation part 71 is arranged above the flange portion 79. The yarn accumulation part 71 includes a support plate 81 having a disk shape, a plurality of rod members 82 that protrude upward from the support plate 81, and a mounting plate 83 having a disk shape to which distal end portions of the plurality of rod members 82 are connected. The yarn accumulation part 71 is arranged such that there is a gap between the support plate 81 and the flange portion 79. A winding tube 75, which will be described later, is rotatable within the gap.

[0154] The plurality of rod members 82 are arranged side by side at regular intervals on the circumference of a circle that is perpendicular to the vertical direction. These rod members 82 define a substantially cylindrical shape of the yam accumulation part 71. The yarn 20 is wound on an outer circumferential portion of the yam accumulation part 71 having a substantially cylindrical shape defined by the plurality of rod members 82. Thereby, the yam 20 is accumulated on the yam accumulation part 71.

[0155] The yarn guide part 72 is arranged within the rotation shaft casing 70. In the rotation shaft casing 70, an introduction hole 80 is formed in a lower portion (at the end opposite to the yam accumulation part 71 side) of the tube portion 78. The guide tube 34 of the upper yarn pull-out part 48 is connected to the introduction hole 80. The yarn 20 pulled out from the yam supply bobbin 21 is guided to the introduction hole 80 by the guide tube 34, and led through the introduction hole 80 to the yam guide part 72.

[0156] Within the tube portion 78, the rotation shaft casing 70 and a rotation shaft 73 are arranged. The rotation shaft 73 is mounted to the yam accumulation part 71 in a relatively rotatable manner. A servomotor (yam accumulation driving part) 55 is incorporated between the rotation shaft 73 and the tube portion 78, and thus the positive rotation and the reverse rotation of the rotation shaft 73 are allowed. A yam passage 74 in the shape of an axial hole is provided at the center of the rotation shaft 73.

[0157] A winding tube (winding means) 75 having a cylindrical shape is fixed to one end of the rotation shaft 73 (an end portion thereof opposite to the introduction hole 80 side). The winding tube 75 is slightly inclined upward, and obliquely extends out through the gap between the rotation shaft casing 70 (flange portion 79) and the support plate 81. A part of a distal end portion of the winding tube 75 slightly protrudes out from the rotation shaft casing 70. The winding tube 75 is rotatable integrally with the rotation shaft 73. The inside of the winding tube 75 is connected to the yarn passage 74.

[0158] In the above-described configuration, the yarn 20 is led through the introduction hole 80 of the yarn guide part 72 into the rotation shaft casing 70, and then passes through the yarn passage 74 and the inside of the winding tube 75, and then is discharged from the distal end of the winding tube 75. As a result, the yarn 20 is guided to a side surface portion of the yarn accumulation part 71. Accordingly, when the servomotor 55 is driven in a positive direction, the winding tube 75 is rotated together with the rotation shaft 73, thus winding the yarn 20 around the side surface portion.

[0159] In the yarn accumulation part 71, each of the plurality of rod members 82 is arranged such that it is inclined more inward of the yam accumulation part 71 at a location farther from its end at the support plate 81 side and closer to its end at the mounting plate 83 side. Such inclination of the rod member 82 causes the yam wound on the yarn accumulation part 71 to move upward in a sliding manner. Accordingly, when the winding tube 75, which will be described later, continuously wind the yam 20, the yarn wound on the inclined portion moves upward. Thus, in the side surface portion formed of the rod members 82, the yam 20 is accumulated while being orderly arranged into a spiral shape.

[0160] Similarly to the above-described first embodiment, the upper yam pull-out part 48 includes the guide tube 34 and the air ejection nozzle 49. As shown in FIG. 16, the air ejection nozzle 49 is connected to the electromagnetic valve 51 that is controlled by the control part 25. The electromagnetic valve 51 is connected to the compressed air source 46. An air ejection port of the air ejection nozzle 49 is formed such that air is ejected toward the upstream side with respect to the direction of traveling of the yarn.

[0161] In the second embodiment, to pull out the yarn from the yam accumulation device 64, the control part 25 stops the servomotor 55 and puts the electromagnetic valve 51 into the open state, to generate an air stream in the guide tube 34. Thereby, the yarn can be pulled out from the yam accumulation device 64.

[0162] As shown in FIG. 16, in this embodiment as well, a direction in which air is ejected from the upper yarn pull-out part 48 is oriented to a position where the yarn inlet 61 of the deflection guide member 60 is arranged. In this second embodiment as well, the above-described configuration enables the upper yam of the yam accumulation device 64 side to be guided to the yarn joining device 14.

[0163] Next, a modification of the above-described second embodiment will be described. In the yarn accumulation device 64 of the second embodiment, the rod members 82 are inclined in order that the yarn is wound while being orderly arranged in the yam accumulation part 71. However, such a configuration causes a problem that the yam wound on the rod members 82 is loosened as the yam moves upward. Accordingly, instead of inclining the rod members, a member that actively transfers the yam upward may be provided. For example, it may be acceptable that a yam in a yam accumulation part is actively transferred upward by means of a roller member.

[0164] While some preferred embodiments of the present invention and modifications thereof have been described above, the above-described configurations can be changed, for example, as follows.

[0165] In the above-described first embodiment, to pull out the yam from the yarn accumulation device 18, the roller drive motor 33 causes a reverse rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32. However, in a case where the upper yam pull-out part 48 pulling out the upper yarn 20b exerts a sufficiently strong force, it may be acceptable to merely put the roller drive motor 33 into a neutral mode.

[0166] In the foregoing description of the embodiments, because the description is given based on the drawings, the lower yarn 20a is firstly guided and then the upper yarn 20b is guided. However, this is not limiting. The upper yarn 20b may be firstly guided. In the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 17, if the lower yarn 20a and the upper yarn 20b are simultaneously guided, a problem arises that the two yarn guide pipes 91 and 92 interfere with each other. Therefore, the upper yarn and the lower yarn cannot be simultaneously guided. However, in the configurations of the above-described embodiments or modifications thereof, the number of yarn guide pipes is at most one. Therefore, the problem of interference between yam guide pipes does not occur. Accordingly, in the automatic winders according to the above-described embodiments or modifications thereof, the lower yarn 20a and the upper yam 20b can be simultaneously guided.

[0167] In the above, the yam trap 15 can be driven in the direction toward and away from the yarn travel path. However, this configuration may be omitted, and instead the yarn trap 15 may be fixed at a position away from the yarn travel path (position that allows the lower yam 20a to be introduced to the yam joining device 14). However, such a configuration cannot bring the yam trap 15 close to the yam travel path at a time of the normal winding. Therefore, it is difficult to strongly apply the suction stream to the yam 20, and there is a possibility that cotton fly adhering to the yam 20 cannot be reliably removed. Such a configuration also involves a possibility that, when a yarn defect is detected so that the yarn 20 is cut, a yarn end of the lower yam cannot be caught. Accordingly, it is preferable that the yam trap 15 can be driven in the direction toward and away from the yarn travel path, as described in the embodiments above.

[0168] The shape of the deflection guide member 60 is not limited to the one adopted in the above-described embodiments. Any appropriate shape is adoptable, as long as the air ejected from the upper yam pull-out part 48 can be appropriately guided to the upper yarn catch part 13. For example, in a case where it is possible to arrange the upper yam catch part 13 at a position to which air ejected from the upper yarn pull-out part 48 is oriented, the upper yam 20b can be guided to the upper yam catch part 13 without the deflection guide member 60. In such a case, therefore, the deflection guide member 60 can be omitted.

[0169] It is not always necessary that each winder unit 2 includes the control part 25, and instead a plurality of winder units may be controlled by a single control part. In the description given above, the single control part 25 collectively controls a plurality of members. However, this is not limiting. For example, an individual control part may be provided corresponding to each member to be controlled.

[0170] The control part 25 is composed of hardware and software. However, it may be acceptable that the function of the control part 25 is partially or wholly implemented by hardware dedicated therefor.

[0171] In the above-described embodiments, the yam supply bobbin 21 is fed to the winder unit 2 by means of the bobbin feeder 26 of magazine type. However, this configuration is not limiting. For example, in a possible alternative configuration, a tray having the yam supply bobbin 21 set thereon may be transported along an appropriate path, to thereby feed the yarn supply bobbin 21 to the winder unit 2.

[0172] In the above-described embodiments, the winding part 8 is configured to traverse the yarn 20 by means of the traverse drum 24. Instead, for example, an arm-type traverse mechanism may be adopted to traverse the yarn 20.

[0173] The present invention is not limited to an automatic winder, and the present invention is applicable to other types of yarn winding machines including a yam joining device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0174] 

2	winder unit
7	bobbin support part
8	winding part
11	lower yarn blow-up part
12	upper yam catch part
14	yarn joining device
15	yarn trap (yarn catch part)
16	cutter
17	clearer (yarn fault detection device)
18	yarn accumulation device
25	control part
34	guide tube
49	air ejection nozzle
48	upper yam pull-out part
60	deflection guide member

Claims

1. A yarn winding machine comprising:

a bobbin support part that supports a yam supply bobbin;

a winding part that winds a yam from the yam supply bobbin into a package;

a yarn joining device arranged between the bobbin support part and the winding part, and configured to perform yam joining between a yam of the yam supply bobbin side and a yarn of the package side under a state where a yam extending from the yam supply bobbin to the package is disconnected;

a yam guide part that guides the yarn of the package side to the yam joining device under a state where the yam is disconnected;

a yam catch part arranged so as to face a yam travel path between the winding part and the yam joining device, and configured to catch the yam of the yam supply bobbin side under a state where the yarn is disconnected; and

a driving part that moves the yarn catch part in such a direction that the yarn caught by the yam catch part is introduced to the yarn joining device while keeping a condition in which the yam is across the yam joining device.

2. The yam winding machine according to claim 1, comprising:

a yam defect detection device arranged between the bobbin support part and the winding part, and configured to detect a yarn defect; and

a yam disconnecting part that puts the yarn between the yarn supply bobbin and the package into a disconnection state, based on a disconnection signal that is supplied when the yam defect detection device detects a yam defect.

3. The yam winding machine according to claim 2, wherein
the yarn disconnecting part is a cutter arranged between the yarn catch part and the yarn defect detection device.

4. The yam winding machine according to claim 3, wherein
the yam catch part is an air suction part configured to catch a yam by means of an air suction force.

5. The yam winding machine according to claim 3, wherein
the yam catch part is a clamp portion configured to catch a yam by gripping the yarn.

6. The yarn winding machine according to claim 2, wherein
the yarn catch part is a clamp portion arranged between the yarn joining device and the winding part, and the clamp portion also acts as a yam disconnecting part by gripping a yam that is traveling.

7. The yam winding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein
the yarn guide part is configured to guide the yam of the package side to the yam joining device by moving from the package side to the yam supply bobbin side beyond the yam joining device under a state where the yarn of the package side is sucked and caught by the yarn guide part,
a yarn retraction part is formed in the yarn guide part, the yarn retraction part being configured to retract a yam extending from the yam supply bobbin to the yam catch part, from a trajectory along which the yarn guide part moves so as to guide a yam to the yarn joining device.

8. The yarn winding machine according to claim 7, wherein
the yarn retraction part is an inclined portion formed in an advance surface that advances at a time when the yam guide part moves so as to guide the yam to the yarn joining device.

9. The yam winding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein
a yam accumulation device is arranged between the winding part and the yarn joining device.

10. The yam winding machine according to claim 9, wherein
the yam guide part includes:

a yam sucking and ejecting part that sucks a yarn of the winding part side and blows off the yam to a position at an upstream side of the yam joining device with respect to a yarn winding direction; and

a second yam catch part arranged at an upstream side of the yam joining device, and configured to catch and introduce the yam blown off by the yam sucking and ejecting part to the yam joining device.

11. The yam winding machine according to claim 10, wherein
the yam guide part includes a deflection guide member that guides the yam blown off by the yarn sucking and ejecting part to the second yarn catch part.

12. The yarn winding machine according to claim 11, wherein
the deflection guide member is a tube-like member, in which a slit is formed along a longitudinal direction of a tube,
the deflection guide member is arranged at a position deviated from the yam travel path through which the yarn travels at a time of yam winding.

13. The yarn winding machine according to claim 12, wherein
the yam is wound on a predetermined portion of the yarn accumulation device.

14. The yam winding machine according to claim 13, wherein
the yam guide part sucks and blows off the yarn of the winding part side that is wound on the yam accumulation device.

Drawing