BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a spun yarn take-up apparatus including a yarn winding
device that winds a yarn onto a bobbin.
Description of the Background Art
[0002] According to the disclosure of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2011-144019, in such a configuration that a plurality of spun yarn take-up apparatuses, each
of which includes a yarn winding device for winding a yarn onto bobbins that are attached
to a bobbin holder configured to allow the bobbins to be attached and removed from
the leading end thereof, a godet roller located upstream of the yarn winding device,
and the like, are installed side by side horizontally in a plane orthogonal to the
axial direction of the bobbin holder; neighboring two of the spun yarn take-up apparatuses
are paired such that corresponding one side surfaces of the two spun yarn take-up
apparatuses are arranged opposed to each other with a narrow gap therebetween. Such
pairs of spun yarn take-up apparatuses are aligned at intervals horizontally in the
plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the bobbin holder.
[0003] In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2011-144019, the godet roller whose rotation axis extends in a direction orthogonal to a bobbin
holder shaft of the yarn winding device is arranged above the yarn winding device.
In order to perform a yarn threading operation onto the godet roller, a space for
the yarn threading operation is ensured on the opposite side-surface side of each
yarn winding device which is opposite to the one side surface thereof. An operator,
on a working platform arranged in this space, performs the yarn threading operation
onto the godet roller of the spun yarn take-up apparatus.
[0004] In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2011-144019, an operation space needs to be ensured on a side-surface side of the yarn winding
device, which requires an increased space for installation of the yarn take-up apparatus.
Even in a case of arranging only one spun yarn take-up apparatus, the need to ensure
an operation space on a side-surface side of the yarn winding device still remains,
which requires an increased space for installation of the yarn take-up apparatus.
[0005] In order to reduce the space required for installation of the spun yarn take-up apparatus,
it is conceivable to arrange the godet roller such that the rotation axis thereof
extends in parallel with the bobbin holder shaft and additionally rollers including
the godet roller are placed on the leading end side of the yarn winding device at
a time of the yarn threading operation, thereby allowing the operator to perform the
yarn threading operation onto the rollers from the leading end side of the bobbin
holder of the yarn winding device. In this case, the operator is able to perform the
yarn threading operation onto the rollers including the godet roller, while being
in a space on the leading end side of the bobbin holder, which is intended for attachment
and removal of bobbins to and from the bobbin holder. Accordingly, it is not necessary
to separately ensure a space for the yarn threading operation. Thus, the space required
for installation of the spun yarn take-up apparatus can be reduced.
[0006] In this case, however, it is necessary that the working platform on which the operator
performs the yarn threading operation is arranged on the leading end side of the bobbin
holder. Therefore, when attachment and removal of bobbins are performed from the leading
end of the bobbin holder, the working platform may be an obstruction. Providing a
common working platform that is shared among a plurality of spun yarn take-up apparatuses
and configuring this working platform to be movable across the plurality of spun yarn
take-up apparatuses enables the working platform to be retracted to a position in
which the working platform does not obstruct the attachment and removal of bobbins.
However, this makes it necessary to, for example, lay a rail for allowing the working
platform to move, which results in a complicated apparatus structure.
[0007] In addition, it is also necessary that a working wagon is moved to a suitable place
in a time period from when the apparatus is stopped to when the yarn threading operation
is started. This not only is troublesome, but also makes it impossible to simultaneously
perform the yarn threading operation in a plurality of spun yarn take-up apparatuses
because the working platform is shared among the plurality of spun yarn take-up apparatuses.
Particularly, an initial yarn threading operation in which a yarn is threaded to the
rollers including the godet rollers of all the spun yarn take-up apparatuses is cumbersome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a spun yarn take-up apparatus configured
to prevent a working platform used for performing a yarn threading operation onto
each roller from being an obstruction in attachment and removal of bobbins to and
from a bobbin holder of a yarn winding device even in a case where a godet roller
is arranged in parallel with the bobbin holder and arranged on the leading end side
of the yarn winding device.
[0009] A first invention provides a spun yarn take-up apparatus including: a yarn winding
device including a bobbin holder that has a winding spindle extending in a horizontal
direction and that allows a bobbin to be attached and removed from a leading end of
the bobbin holder, the yarn winding device being configured to form a package by winding
a yarn onto a bobbin attached to the bobbin holder; a plurality of godet rollers arranged
above the yarn winding device, and configured to take up a yarn discharged from a
spinning machine, draw the yarn, and then feed the yarn to the yarn winding device;
and a working platform used for performing a yarn threading operation onto at least
one of the plurality of godet rollers, the working platform being not shared with
another spun yarn take-up apparatus. The plurality of godet rollers have rotation
axes thereof extending in parallel with an axial direction of the winding spindle.
The working platform is configured to selectively take an operation posture and a
retracted posture. The working platform taking the operation posture is located on
a leading end side of the bobbin holder relative to the bobbin holder with respect
to the axial direction of the winding spindle. The operation posture is taken when
the yarn threading operation is performed. The working platform taking the retracted
posture is distant from the bobbin holder.
[0010] In the first invention, the working platform can selectively take either one of the
operation posture and the retracted posture. Accordingly, putting the working platform
into the operation posture allows the yarn threading operation onto the godet rollers
to be performed by using the working platform, while putting the working platform
into the retracted posture can prevent the working platform from being an obstruction
in attachment and removal of the bobbin.
[0011] A second invention provides a spun yarn take-up apparatus that is the spun yarn take-up
apparatus according to the first invention, in which: when the working platform takes
the operation posture, the working platform overlaps the package with respect to an
orthogonal plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the winding spindle; and when
the working platform takes the retracted posture, the working platform does not overlap
the package with respect to the orthogonal plane.
[0012] The second invention exerts the following effect. That is, in a case where the working
platform taking the operation posture overlaps the package with respect to the orthogonal
plane, the working platform may be an obstruction particularly in attachment and removal
of the bobbin to and from the bobbin holder. In such a case, however, putting the
working platform into the retracted posture can prevent the working platform from
being an obstruction in attachment and removal of the bobbin to and from the bobbin
holder.
[0013] A third invention provides a spun yarn take-up apparatus that is the spun yarn take-up
apparatus according to the first or second invention, in which: the working platform
includes a footboard swingably supported on a swing shaft extending in parallel with
the axial direction of the winding spindle, the swing shaft being arranged in a position
that is deviated from the bobbin holder with respect to an orthogonal plane orthogonal
to the axial direction of the winding spindle; when the operation posture is taken,
the footboard is arranged to extend in a horizontal direction; and when the retracted
posture is taken, the footboard is arranged to be inclined relative to a horizontal
plane so that a horizontal length of the footboard with respect to the orthogonal
plane is shorter than when the operation posture is taken.
[0014] In the third invention, the horizontal length of the working platform with respect
to the orthogonal plane is shorter in the retracted posture than in the operation
posture. Accordingly, enabling the working platform to selectively take either one
of the operation posture and the retracted posture can suppress a size increase in
the spun yarn take-up apparatus with respect to the horizontal direction within the
orthogonal plane.
[0015] A fourth invention provides a spun yarn take-up apparatus that is the spun yarn take-up
apparatus according to the third invention, further including: a storage for storing
the working platform, the storage being provided in a position deviated from the bobbin
holder in a direction within the orthogonal plane; and a slidable component having
the swing shaft provided thereon, the slidable component being configured to move
in the axial direction of the winding spindle and thereby allow a portion thereof
to which the swing shaft is attached to enter and exit the storage. The working platform
is able to be stored into the storage by, under a state where the working platform
takes the retracted posture, the slidable component being moved in the axial direction
of the winding spindle until the portion to which the swing shaft is attached is received
into the storage.
[0016] In the fourth invention, the working platform can be stored in the storage that is
provided in the position deviated from the bobbin holder in the direction within the
orthogonal plane. Additionally, the working platform is stored in the storage while
taking the retracted posture in which the horizontal length of the working platform
with respect to the orthogonal plane is shortened. Therefore, the horizontal length
(width) of the storage with respect to the orthogonal plane is not so long. Accordingly,
providing the storage can suppress a size increase in the spun yarn take-up apparatus.
[0017] A fifth invention provides a spun yarn take-up apparatus that is the spun yarn take-up
apparatus according to the fourth invention, in which a wall of the storage on the
bobbin holder side with respect to the orthogonal plane extends farther to the leading
end side of the bobbin holder with respect to the axial direction of the winding spindle
than the bobbin holder does.
[0018] In the fifth invention, the wall of the storage on the bobbin holder side with respect
to the orthogonal plane extends further to the leading end side of the bobbin holder
with respect to the axial direction of the winding spindle than the bobbin holder
does. Accordingly, at a time of pulling out the working platform from the storage,
until a portion of the slidable component to which the working platform is attached
comes to a position farther to the leading end side of the bobbin holder in the axial
direction of the winding spindle than the bobbin holder does, the footboard is not
swingable beyond the wall of the storage toward the operation posture (toward the
side closer to the bobbin holder). This can prevent the working platform from interfering
with the bobbin holder in the course of the pull-out of the working platform from
the storage into the operation posture.
[0019] In the present invention, the working platform can selectively take either one of
the operation posture and the retracted posture. Accordingly, putting the working
platform into the operation posture allows the yarn threading operation onto each
roller to be performed by using the working platform, while putting the working platform
into the retracted posture can prevent the working platform from being an obstruction
in attachment and removal of the bobbin.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention
will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of spun yarn take-up apparatuses
according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view of the spun yarn take-up apparatus as seen from the leading end side
of a winding spindle with respect to the axial direction thereof;
FIG. 3 is a view of the spun yarn take-up apparatus of FIG. 2 as seen along the arrow
III;
FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a state where a slidable component
is pulled out from a storage;
FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a state where a working platform
takes an operation posture;
FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing the state where the working platform
takes the operation posture;
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a working platform unit, illustrating the state shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3;
FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the working platform unit, illustrating the state
shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the working platform unit, illustrating the state
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6; and
FIG. 8 is a view of a spun yarn take-up apparatus according to one modification as
seen from the leading end side of the winding spindle with respect to the axial direction
thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] In the following, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, a spun yarn take-up machine 1 (spun yarn take-up apparatus) according
to the present embodiment is configured such that, in order to achieve an effective
arrangement of a plurality of spun yarn take-up machines 1 within a limited space
under consideration of, for example, the arrangement of a plurality of spinnerets
that spin out a plurality of yarns Y in spinning machines 2 (see FIG. 2) located upstream
of (i.e., above) the spun yarn take-up machines 1 with respect to a yarn running direction
and the fact that attachment and removal of a plurality of bobbins B to and from bobbin
holders 7 which will be described later are performed from the leading end side of
the bobbin holders 7 that are cantilevered; a plurality of spun yarn take-up machines
1 are aligned in an alignment direction orthogonal to the axes of the bobbin holders
7 which will be described later (in the direction of an orthogonal plane that is horizontal
and orthogonal to the axes of the bobbin holders 7) in a plan view, and a working
space S where an operator performs operations is ensured on the leading end side of
the bobbin holders 7.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, each of the spun yarn take-up machines 1 is configured
such that the plurality of yarns Y that are spun out and serially supplied from the
spinning machine 2 located above the spun yarn take-up machine 1 are fed to a yarn
winding device 3 located in a lower part of the spun yarn take-up machine 1 through
godet rollers 21 to 24 and guide rollers 11, 12, 17, and 18 of a roller unit 4 which
will be described later, so that the plurality of yarns Y are wound in the yarn winding
device 3. In states shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, a door 26b of a thermal insulation box
26 which will be described later is opened.
[0024] The yarn winding device 3 is arranged below the spinning machine 2. The yarn winding
device 3 forms a plurality of packages P by winding, onto the plurality of bobbins
B, the plurality of yarns Y supplied from the spinning machines 2 through the godet
rollers 21 to 24 and the four guide rollers 11, 12, 17, and 18.
[0025] The yarn winding device 3 includes two winding units 3a and 3b. Each of the winding
units 3a and 3b includes a main body frame 5, a disc-shaped turret 6, two bobbin holders
7, traverse guides 8, a contact roller 9, and the like. The disc-shaped turret 6 is
rotatably provided on the main body frame 5. The two bobbin holders 7 are cantilevered
by the turret 6, and their winding spindles extend in a horizontal direction. To the
bobbin holder 7, the plurality of bobbins B are attached in tandem along the axial
direction of the winding spindle. The traverse guides 8 traverse the yarns Y. The
contact roller 9 is vertically movable relative to the main body frame 5, and configured
to move toward and away from the bobbins B attached to the bobbin holder 7. In the
following description, the axial direction of the winding spindle will be referred
to as a winding axis direction, the leading end side of the bobbin holder 7 with respect
to the winding axis direction will be simply referred to as the leading end side in
the winding axis direction, and the base end side of the bobbin holder 7 with respect
to the winding axis direction will be simply referred to as the base end side in the
winding axis direction.
[0026] Each of the winding units 3a and 3b is configured such that the bobbin holder 7 is
driven in rotation by a motor (not shown) to thereby cause a rotation of the plurality
of bobbins B attached to the bobbin holder 7, thus winding the plurality of yarns
Y onto the plurality of rotating bobbins B, respectively. At a time when each of the
yarns Y is wound onto the bobbin B, each of the traverse guides 8 arranged above each
of the plurality of bobbins B traverses the yarn Y in the axial direction of the bobbin
B about a fulcrum guide 13 which will be described later.
[0027] The yarn Y traversed about the fulcrum guide 13 by the traverse guide 8 is wound
onto the bobbin B, to form the package P. At this stage, when the yarn is wound onto
the bobbin B, the contact roller 9 is brought into contact with an outer circumference
of the package P, and rotated while applying a predetermined contact pressure thereto,
for shaping of the package P. After the plurality of packages P attached to the bobbin
holder 7 reach full winding, the packages P are pushed from the base end side to the
leading end side of the bobbin holder 7 by a pusher (not shown), and eventually removed
from the bobbin holder 7 from the leading end side thereof.
[0028] The roller unit 4 includes a frame 14, a thermal insulation box 26, godet rollers
21 to 24, four guide rollers 11, 12, 17, and 18, a plurality of fulcrum guides 13,
a working platform unit 16, and the like.
[0029] The frame 14 is a frame having a frame-like shape arranged at an end portion of the
yarn winding device 3 on the leading end side in the winding axis direction. The frame
14 includes two pillars 14a and a connecting portion 14b. The two pillars 14a each
extending in the vertical direction are arranged on both sides of the yarn winding
device 3 with respect to the alignment direction. The connecting portion 14b extends
in the alignment direction and connects upper end portions of the two pillars 14a
to each other.
[0030] The thermal insulation box 26 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box made
of a thermal insulation material. The thermal insulation box 26 is fixed to the pillar
14a shown left hand in FIG. 2 or to the connecting portion 14b. The thermal insulation
box 26 has a door 26b that is openable to the working space S side. When the door
26b is opened, an internal space 26a of the thermal insulation box 26 is exposed to
the working space S side.
[0031] The godet rollers 21 to 24 are provided in the internal space 26a of the thermal
insulation box 26, and arranged in the mentioned order from the upstream in the yarn
running direction.
[0032] The godet roller 21 is arranged almost immediately below the spinning machine 2.
The godet roller 22 is arranged in a position above the godet roller 21 and deviated
(to the left side in FIG. 2) from the godet roller 21 with respect to the alignment
direction. The godet roller 23 is arranged below the godet roller 22 and in a position
lower than the godet roller 21. The godet roller 24 is arranged in a position above
the godet roller 23 and deviated (to the right side in FIG. 2) from the godet roller
23 with respect to the alignment direction. The position of the godet roller 24 is
lower than the positions of the godet rollers 21 and 22.
[0033] The godet rollers 21 to 24 are drive rollers cantilevered by a frame (not shown)
at their ends on the side opposite to the door 26b. The plurality of yarns Y fed from
the spinning machine 2 are taken up by the most upstream godet roller 21. At this
stage, through a slit 28 formed in an upper wall of the thermal insulation box 26,
the yarns Y fed from the spinning machine 2 are introduced into the internal space
26a of the thermal insulation box 26, and taken up by the godet roller 21.
[0034] The plurality of yarns Y taken up by the godet roller 21 are wound on the godet rollers
21 to 24 sequentially from the upstream, with winding angles of less than or equal
to 360 degrees. When the godet rollers 21 to 24 are driven in rotation by a motor
(not shown), the plurality of yarns Y are fed downstream in the running direction.
At this stage, in general, the godet rollers 21 to 24 are rotated in such a manner
that a downstream godet roller is rotated at a higher peripheral speed than an upstream
godet roller. For example, the two godet rollers 21 and 22 on the upstream side are
rotated substantially at the same peripheral speed, while the two godet rollers 23
and 24 on the downstream side are rotated substantially at the same peripheral speed
that is higher than the peripheral speed of the godet rollers 21 and 22. Thereby,
the plurality of yarns Y are drawn due to a difference in the peripheral speeds of
the rollers.
[0035] The godet rollers 21 to 24 are also heating rollers having heaters provided therein,
and hence the yarns Y wound on the godet rollers 21 to 24 are preheated before being
drawn and thermoset after being drawn. Since the godet rollers 21 to 24 are arranged
in the internal space 26a of the thermal insulation box 26, closing the door 26b prevents
heat generated by the heaters from leaking to the outside of the thermal insulation
box 26. Here, depending on the type of a yarn to be produced, part or all of the godet
rollers 21 to 24 may be unheated by not driving the heaters.
[0036] The guide rollers 11, 12, 17, and 18 are drive rollers arranged above the yarn winding
device 3 and configured to be driven in rotation by a motor (not shown). The guide
rollers 11, 12, 17, and 18 are provided outside the thermal insulation box 26.
[0037] The guide roller 11 is arranged in parallel with the winding axis direction, and
located almost immediately below the most downstream godet roller 24. The guide roller
11 is rotatably supported on the frame 14. The guide roller 12 is arranged in parallel
with the winding axis direction, and located in a position above the guide roller
11 and deviated (to the right side in FIG. 2) from the guide roller 11 with respect
to the alignment direction. The guide roller 12 is rotatably supported on the frame
14. The guide roller 17 is located below the guide roller 12, and arranged perpendicular
to the godet rollers 21 to 24 and the guide rollers 11 and 12, that is, perpendicular
to the winding axis direction.
[0038] The guide roller 18 is arranged in parallel with the guide roller 17, that is, perpendicular
to the winding axis direction. The guide roller 18 is attached to a guide rail 19
that extends downward from a position almost immediately above a substantially central
portion of the bobbin holder 7 with respect to the axial direction thereof toward
the leading end side of the bobbin holder 7. As indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 3,
the guide roller 18 is movable on the guide rail 19.
[0039] At a time of yarn winding, the guide roller 18 is moved to a position that is between
the two winding units 3a and 3b with respect to the alignment direction and that is
almost immediately above a position coincident with the substantially central portion
of the bobbin holder 7 with respect to the winding axis direction, as indicated by
the solid line in FIGS. 2 and 3. On the other hand, at a time of performing a yarn
threading operation onto the rollers, the guide roller 18 is moved to a position near
the guide roller 17 and closer to the leading end side in the winding axis direction
than at a time of yarn winding, as indicated by the dashed line in FIGS. 2 and 3.
This allows yarn threading to be performed from the leading end side of the bobbin
holder 7 in the winding axis direction.
[0040] The guide roller 17 and the guide rail 19 having the guide roller 18 attached thereto
described above are attached to an apparatus frame (not shown).
[0041] The guide roller 11 takes up the yarns Y fed from the godet roller 24, and then feeds
these yarns Y to the guide roller 12. At this stage, through a slit 29 formed in a
side wall of the thermal insulation box 26, the yarns Y fed from the guide roller
11 arranged in the internal space 26a of the thermal insulation box 26 are supplied
to the guide roller 12 arranged outside the thermal insulation box 26. The guide roller
12 takes up the yarns Y fed from the guide roller 11, and then feeds these yarns Y
to the guide roller 17. The guide roller 17 feeds the yarns Y to the guide roller
18. The guide roller 18 takes up the yarns Y, and then feeds these yarns Y to the
plurality of fulcrum guides 13.
[0042] The plurality of fulcrum guides 13 are provided below the guide roller 18 and above
the plurality of traverse guides 8, and arranged immediately above the plurality of
traverse guides 8 and the plurality of bobbins B attached to the bobbin holder 7.
The plurality of fulcrum guides 13 are aligned along the winding axis direction at
the same intervals as those of the plurality of bobbins B.
[0043] The working platform unit 16 includes a storage 31, a slidable component 32, a working
platform 33, and the like. The storage 31 is provided in a position deviated (to the
left side in FIG. 2) from the yarn winding device 3 including the bobbin holders 7
with respect to the alignment direction. The storage 31 is fixed to a portion of the
pillar 14a shown lefthand in FIG. 2, almost at the same height as the yarn winding
device 3. The storage 31 has a storage space 31a that extends in the winding axis
direction. A wall 31b of the storage 31 on the bobbin holder 7 side extends farther
to the leading end side in the winding axis direction than the bobbin holder 7 does.
[0044] The slidable component 32 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member elongated
in the winding axis direction. The slidable component 32 is arranged within the storage
space 31a, and movable along the storage space 31a in the winding axis direction.
This allows a leading end portion of the slidable component 32 in the winding axis
direction to enter and exit the storage space 31a.
[0045] The working platform 33 includes two footboards 41 and 42 and three leg portions
43, 44, and 45. The footboard 41 is formed of a substantially rectangular plate-like
member whose both end portions with respect to the winding axis direction are bent
toward the same direction at substantially 90 degrees. The footboard 41 is swingably
supported on a swing shaft 32a extending in the winding axis direction. The swing
shaft 32a is provided in an upper end region of a surface of the slidable component
32 facing the yarn winding device 3 side.
[0046] Similarly to the footboard 41, the footboard 42 is formed of a substantially rectangular
plate-like member whose both end portions with respect to the winding axis direction
are bent toward the same direction as the direction in which both end portions of
the footboard 41 are bent. The footboard 42 is swingably supported on a swing shaft
32b extending in the winding axis direction. The swing axis 32b is provided in a lower
end region of the surface of the slidable component 32 facing the yarn winding device
3 side. The region where the swing shaft 32b is provided is on the leading end side
relative to the footboard 41.
[0047] The leg portion 43 supports an end portion of the footboard 41 on the base end side
with respect to the winding axis direction. The leg portion 43 is, at the upper end
thereof, swingably supported on a swing shaft 41a extending in the winding axis direction.
The swing shaft 41a is provided in an end portion of the footboard 41 on the side
opposite to the side where the swing shaft 32a is provided.
[0048] The leg portion 44 supports an end portion of the footboard 41 on the leading end
side with respect to the winding axis direction and an end portion of the footboard
42 on the base end side with respect to the winding axis direction. The leg portion
44 is, at the upper end thereof, swingably supported on the swing shaft 41a mentioned
above, and at a substantially central portion thereof, swingably supported on a swing
shaft 42a extending in the winding axis direction. The swing shaft 42a is provided
in an end portion of the footboard 42 on the side opposite to the side where the swing
shaft 32b is provided.
[0049] The leg portion 45 supports an end portion of the footboard 42 on the leading end
side with respect to the winding axis direction. The leg portion 45 is, at the upper
end thereof, swingably supported on the swing shaft 42a mentioned above.
[0050] The leg portion 43 and the leg portion 44 are connected to each other by a single
connection member 46. The leg portion 44 and the leg portion 45 are connected to each
other by two connection members 46. As a result, while the leg portions 43 to 45 are
swinging, the positional relationship among them is maintained.
[0051] In the working platform 33 having the above-described configuration, the footboards
41 and 42 and the leg portions 43 to 45 are swingable to enable the working platform
33 to selectively take a posture (operation posture) in which the footboards 41 and
42 extend in the horizontal direction while the leg portions 43 to 45 support the
end portions of the footboards 41 and 42 on the side opposite to the side where the
swing axes 32a and 32b are provided as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7C, and a posture
(retracted posture) in which the footboards 41 and 42 extend in the vertical direction
(being inclined relative to a horizontal plane) while the leg portions 43 to 45 extend
downward from portions thereof supported on the swing axes 41a and 42a as shown in
FIGS. 4 and 7B.
[0052] Stoppers 32c are arranged beneath the swing axes 32a and 32b of the slidable component
32, respectively, to prevent the footboards 41 and 42 from swinging beyond their positions
in the operation posture when they swing in a direction (the clockwise direction in
FIG. 5) away from their positions in the retracted posture.
[0053] A notch 42b is formed in the end portion of the footboard 42 on the side opposite
to the side where the footboard 42 is supported on the swing shaft 32b. When the above-mentioned
operation posture is taken, the leg portion 44 extends vertically through the footboard
42 while passing through the notch 42b.
[0054] A notch 42c is formed in the bent end portion of the footboard 42 on the base end
side in the winding axis direction. When the above-mentioned retracted posture is
taken, the lower one of the two connection members 46 connecting the leg portion 43
and the leg portion 44 to each other is placed in the notch 42c. This prevents occurrence
of interference of this connection member 46 with the footboard 42.
[0055] When the working platform 33 takes the operation posture, the footboards 41 and 42
and the leg portions 43 to 45 overlap the packages P with respect to the alignment
direction. When the working platform 33 takes the retracted posture, the working platform
33 does not overlap the bobbin holder 7 with respect to the alignment direction and
locates within a range where the storage space 31a of the storage 31 is arranged with
respect to the alignment direction.
[0056] Next, operations of the slidable component 32 and the working platform 33 of the
working platform unit 16 will be described. At a time of not performing the yarn threading
operation onto the godet rollers 21 to 24, for example, at a time of winding the yarns
Y, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7A, the working platform 33 takes the retracted posture,
so that the working platform 33 as well as the slidable component 32 is stored in
the storage space 31a of the storage 31.
[0057] At a time of performing the yarn threading operation onto the godet rollers 21 to
24 and the guide rollers 11, 12, 17, and 18, firstly, the leading end portion of the
slidable component 32 is pulled out together with the working platform 33 from the
storage space 31a to the working space S, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7B. Then, as shown
in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7C, the footboards 41 and 42 and the leg portions 43 to 45 are
swung to put the working platform 33 into the operation posture. Then, for performing
the yarn threading operation, an operator W climbs up, one by one, upper surfaces
of the footboards 42 and 41 of the working platform 33 taking the operation posture.
Then, the operator W, resting on the upper surface of the footboard 41, performs the
yarn threading operation.
[0058] After the yarn threading operation is completed, the footboards 41 and 42 and the
leg portions 43 to 45 are swung in the manner opposite to that described above. Thereby,
the working platform 33 taking the operation posture as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7C
is put into the retracted posture as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7B, and then the slidable
component 32 is moved toward the base end side in the winding axis direction. As a
result, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7A, the slidable component 32 and the working
platform 33 are stored in the storage space 31a of the storage 31.
[0059] Here, it is not necessary that the operator W is constantly on the working platform
during the whole of the yarn threading operation performed onto the godet rollers
21 to 24 and the guide rollers 11, 12, 17, and 18. Instead, it may be acceptable that,
when performing the yarn threading operation onto part of the rollers, the operator
W climbs down the working platform 33 and stands on a floor, as appropriate.
[0060] The above-described embodiment enables the yarn threading operation onto the godet
rollers 21 to 24 and the guide rollers 11, 12, 17, and 18 to be performed in the working
space S which is intended for attachment and removal of the bobbins B to and from
the bobbin holder 7. Therefore, a space intended for the yarn threading operation
does not have to be ensured between neighboring spun yarn take-up machines 1. Accordingly,
a space required for installation of the spun yarn take-up machine 1 is reduced.
[0061] In performing the yarn threading operation onto the godet rollers 21 to 24 and the
guide rollers 11, 12, 17, and 18, yarn threading is also performed onto, for example,
the plurality of fulcrum guides 13 and the plurality of traverse guides 8 aligned
in the winding axis direction. The yarn threading onto them can be automatically performed
by using a well-known yarn threading device (for example, see Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open Nos.
2008-297078 and
2011-102174).
[0062] At this stage, unlike the disclosure of the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
No.
2011-162927 and the like, the yarns Y threaded onto the godet rollers 21 to 24 do not run back
and forth between the rollers. Therefore, a range where the yarns Y are threaded is
not so long in the axial direction of the godet rollers 21 to 24. Thus, the operator
W on the working platform 33 (footboard 41) can readily perform the yarn threading
operation.
[0063] In addition, the working platform 33 used for the yarn threading operation is able
to selectively take either one of the operation posture and the retracted posture
described above. Accordingly, putting the working platform 33 into the operation posture
allows the yarn threading operation to be performed, while putting the working platform
33 into the retracted posture can prevent the working platform 33 from being an obstruction
in attachment and removal of the bobbins B to and from the bobbin holder 7.
[0064] Moreover, the working platform 33 is provided individually for each of the spun yarn
take-up machines 1. This makes it possible to simultaneously perform the yarn threading
operation in the plurality of spun yarn take-up machines 1.
[0065] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the working platform 33 takes the operation
posture, the footboards 41 and 42 extend in the horizontal direction, while when the
working platform 33 takes the retracted posture, the footboards 41 and 42 extend in
the vertical direction and therefore the length thereof with respect to the alignment
direction is smaller than in the operation posture. Accordingly, enabling the working
platform 33 to selectively take either one of the operation posture and the retracted
posture can suppress a size increase in the spun yarn take-up machine 1 with respect
to the alignment direction.
[0066] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, at a time of not performing the yarn threading
operation, for example, at a time of yarn winding, the working platform 33 can be
stored in the storage space 31a of the storage 31 which is provided in the position
deviated from the yarn winding device 3 in the alignment direction. Additionally,
as described above, the length of the working platform 33 taking the retracted posture
is short with respect to the alignment direction. Therefore, providing the storage
31 in the position deviated from the yarn winding device 3 in the alignment direction
can suppress a size increase in the spun yarn take-up machine 1.
[0067] Furthermore, the wall 31b of the storage 31 on the yarn winding device 3 side extends
farther to the leading end side in the winding axis direction than the bobbin holder
7 does. Accordingly, at a time of pulling out the slidable component 32 and the working
platform 33 from the storage 31, until the working platform 33 comes to a position
farther to the leading end side in the winding axis direction than the bobbin holder
7 does, the vertically extending footboards 41 and 42 of the working platform 33 taking
the retracted posture is restricted from falling over into a horizontal state by the
wall 31b of the storage 31. This can prevent the footboards 41 and 42 from falling
over and interfering with the bobbin holder 7 in the course of the pull-out of the
slidable component 32 and the working platform 33.
[0068] Next, various modifications of the present embodiment will be described. Note that
the same configurations as those of the present embodiment may not be described as
appropriate.
[0069] Although in the above-described embodiment the storage 31 and the slidable component
32 are provided individually for each of the spun yarn take-up machines 1, this is
not limiting. For example, in one modification, as shown in FIG. 8, two neighboring
spun yarn take-up machines 1 are configured symmetrically to each other in the alignment
direction, and the storage 31 and the slidable component 32 are arranged between the
two spun yarn take-up machines 1 and fixed to the pillars 14a of the spun yarn take-up
machines 1. The same working platform 33 as the above-described one is provided to
each of the surfaces of the slidable component 32 with respect to the alignment direction.
[0070] In this case, one storage 31 and one slidable component 32 are shared between two
spun yarn take-up machines 1, which can reduce the number of component parts of the
apparatus. In this case as well, the working platform 33 is provided individually
for each of the spun yarn take-up machines 1, and therefore it is possible to simultaneously
perform the yarn threading operation in the plurality of spun yarn take-up machines
1.
[0071] In the above-described embodiment, the wall 31b of the storage 31 on the yarn winding
device 3 side extends farther to the leading end side in the winding axis direction
than the bobbin holder 7 does. However, this is not limiting, and it may be acceptable
that the wall 31b extends merely to a position located on the base end side in the
winding axis direction relative to the leading end of the bobbin holder 7. Even in
such a case, occurrence of interference of the working platform 33 with the bobbin
holder 7 can be prevented by, for example, enabling the working platform 33 to be
fixed to the slidable component 32 when the retracted posture is taken and, after
the pull-out of the slidable component 32 is completed, unfixing the working platform
33 so that the working platform 33 takes the operation posture.
[0072] In the above-described embodiment, the slidable component 32 having the working platform
33 attached thereto is moved in the winding axis direction, and thereby the working
platform 33 is storable in the storage space 31a of the storage 31. However, the working
platform 33 may not be storable. For example, in a possible configuration, a plate-like
member fixed to the frame 14 is arranged in the same position as the position where
the slidable component 32 locates when pulled out from the storage 31 (that is, in
the same position as the position of the slidable component 32 shown in FIGS. 4 and
7B), and the working platform 33 is attached to this plate-like member.
[0073] In such a case as well, putting the working platform 33 into the retracted posture
avoids overlap between the working platform 33 and the packages P with respect to
the winding axis direction, and therefore can prevent the working platform 33 from
being an obstruction in attachment and removal of the bobbins B to and from the bobbin
holder 7. In this case, for example, enabling the working platform 33 to be fixed
to the above-mentioned plate-like member while taking the retracted posture can prevent
the footboards 41 and 42 from falling over and thus putting the working platform 33
into the operation posture at a time of, for example, attaching and removing the bobbins
B to and from the bobbin holder 7.
[0074] In the above-described embodiment, the working platform 33 includes the footboards
41 and 42 and the leg portions 43 to 45, and is configured such that the footboards
41 and 42 extend in the horizontal direction when the operation posture is taken while
the footboards 41 and 42 extend in the vertical direction when the retracted posture
is taken. However, this is not limiting. For example, it may be acceptable to configure
the working platform 33 such that, when the retracted posture is taken, the footboards
41 and 42 are inclined relative to both a horizontal plane and the vertical direction.
[0075] Moreover, such a configuration that the orientation of the footboards 41 and 42 changes
depending on whether the working platform 33 takes the operation posture or the retracted
posture is not limiting, either. For example, the working platform 33 may be configured
to be movable in the alignment direction while keeping a state where the footboards
41 and 42 extend in the horizontal direction.
[0076] In the above-described embodiment, the working platform 33 overlaps the packages
P with respect to the alignment direction when the working platform 33 takes the operation
posture. However, this is not limiting. The working platform 33 may be located in
a position deviated from the packages P with respect to the alignment direction when
the working platform 33 takes the operation posture.
[0077] In such a case as well, the working platform 33, when taking the operation posture,
is located in a position that is on the leading end side in the winding axis direction
relative to the bobbin holder 7 and closer to the bobbin holder 7 with respect to
the alignment direction. Thus, in a case where the working platform 33 is fixed in
the operation posture, the working platform 33 may undesirably obstruct, for example,
an operator performing the operation of attaching and removing the bobbins B to and
from the bobbin holder 7. Therefore, putting the working platform 33 into the retracted
posture can prevent the working platform 33 from being an obstruction in attachment
and removal of the bobbins B to and from the bobbin holder 7.
[0078] In the above-described embodiment, when the working platform 33 takes the retracted
posture, the working platform 33 is located in a position retracted from its position
in the operation posture in the alignment direction. However, this is not limiting.
For example, in a possible configuration, a working platform is movable up and down,
so that the working platform is vertically retracted from its position in the operation
posture by being moved to a position below the packages P such as a position under
the floor on which the spun yarn take-up machine 1 is installed, or by being moved
to a position above the packages P. In this case, the posture of the working platform
located below or above the packages P corresponds to the retracted posture according
to the present invention.
[0079] In the case illustrated in the above-described embodiment, one spun yarn take-up
machine 1 includes the yarn winding device 3 having two winding units 3a and 3b. However,
the present invention is applicable to a spun yarn take-up apparatus including a yarn
winding device having either one of the winding units 3 a and 3b or to a spun yarn
take-up apparatus including a yarn winding device having three or more winding units.
[0080] Furthermore, instead of providing the winding units 3a and 3b as two separate winding
units, they may be provided as a single winding unit by forming their main body frames
5 as one piece or connecting their main body frames 5 into an integrated body. In
this case, parts of the component members, such as a driving unit (not shown) for
driving the turret 6 and a controller (not shown), may be shared.
While the invention has been described in detail, the foregoing description is in
all aspects illustrative and not restrictive. It is understood that numerous other
modifications and variations can be devised without departing from the scope of the
invention.