Yarn winding machine

Abstract

 An automatic winder 10 includes a plurality of winding units 11, a plurality of yarn defect detecting devices 31, and a comparing section 42. The plurality of the winding units 11 forms a package 18 by unwinding a yarn 16 wound around a yarn supplying bobbin 15. Each of the plurality of the yarn defect detecting devices 31 is mounted in each of the plurality of the winding units 11, and detects a yarn defect of the yarn 16 wound by each of the winding units 11. A comparing section 42 compares detection results of the plurality of the yarn defect detecting devices 31. The comparing 42 also calculates a tendency of occurrence of the yarn defect in accordance with the detection results of the plurality of the yarn defect detecting devices 31, and compares the tendency of occurrence with the detection result of the yarn defect detecting device 31.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention mainly relates to a yarn winding machine in which a yarn defect detecting section is arranged in every winding unit.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] Conventionally there is known a spinning winder including a spinning machine adapted to spin a yarn to wind around a bobbin, an automatic winder adapted to unwind the yarn from the bobbin to form a package, and a bobbin transport mechanism adapted to automatically transport the bobbin by a tray from a spinning unit of the spinning machine to a winding unit of the automatic winder. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-20837 discloses a spinning winder of this type.

[0003] An automatic winder provided in the spinning winder of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-20837 includes a fluff detecting section adapted to detect the amount of fluff of the yarn in every winding unit. The automatic winder performs quality inspection of the yarn in accordance with the amount of fluff and length of unwound yarn of when the relevant amount of fluff is detected. Accordingly, a change in the amount of fluff corresponding to the length of unwound yarn can be grasped.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] There are various causes for occurrence of the yarn defect such as a fluff. Specifically, the cause may be the spinning machine, a winding condition of the automatic winder (which is common in each winding unit), and individual winding unit.

[0005] When the yarn defect is frequently detected, the yarn defect is preferably resolved by specifying its occurrence cause. However, in a configuration of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-20837, at which stage the yarn defect occurred cannot be specified. Therefore, yarn winding had to be continued in a circumstance where the yarn defect frequently occurs. In particular, since when the yarn defect occurs by the winding unit, an abnormality is likely to exist in a part itself (a portion where the yarn makes contact is likely to have a scratch), the yarn defect frequently occurs unless the part is replaced.

[0006] As described above, a configuration capable of detecting at which stage the yarn defect occurred and a configuration capable of specifying at an early stage that the yarn defect occurred by the winding unit, have been desired.

[0007] The present invention is made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and its main object is to provide a yarn winding machine capable of specifying at an early stage that the yarn defect occurred by the winding unit.

[0008] The problem to be solved by the present invention is as mentioned above, and now, the means for solving such problem will be described below.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, a yarn winding machine having a following configuration is provided. That is, the yarn winding machine includes a plurality of winding units, a plurality of yarn defect detecting sections, and a comparing section. The plurality of the winding units to which a yarn supplying bobbin around which a yarn is wound is supplied, is adapted to unwind the yarn wound around the yarn supplying bobbin to form a package. Each of the plurality of the yarn defect detecting sections is mounted on each of the plurality of the winding units and adapted to detect a yarn defect of the yarn wound by each of the winding units. The comparing section is adapted to compare detection results of the plurality of the yarn defect detecting sections. The winding unit includes a winding section adapted to form the package, and an information reading device adapted to read information for specifying the yarn supplying bobbin. The comparing section is adapted to calculate a tendency of occurrence of the yarn defect in accordance with the detection results of the plurality of the yarn defect detecting sections and the read information for specifying the yarn supplying bobbin, and to compare the tendency of occurrence with the detection result of the yarn defect detecting section.

[0010] Accordingly, since the yarn defects can be compared among the winding units, the yarn defect that is caused by a setting of the entire automatic winder and the yarn defect that is caused by the winding unit can be differentiated. Furthermore, by including the information reading device, even if the yarn defect occurs by the spinning unit, the relevant spinning unit can be specified. Therefore, the occurrence cause can be more accurately determined.

[0011] In the above-described yarn winding machine, the comparing section preferably obtains average yarn defect data, which is the tendency of occurrence of the yarn defect that commonly appears in the plurality of the winding units, using at least an average value of the detection results of the plurality of the yarn defect detecting sections and the read information for specifying the yarn supplying bobbin, and specifies the yarn defect detecting section in which the yarn defect having a tendency of occurrence different from the average yarn defect data has been detected.

[0012] Accordingly, the yarn defects can be more accurately compared among the winding units. Furthermore, the winding unit in which an abnormality is likely to have occurred can be specified.

[0013] In the above-described yarn winding machine, the comparing section preferably obtains a threshold value from the average yarn defect data and specifies the yarn defect detecting section in which the yarn defect that exceeds the threshold value has been detected.

[0014] Accordingly, by obtaining an appropriate threshold value, the winding unit in which the abnormality has occurred can be accurately specified.

[0015] In the above-described yarn winding machine, a following configuration is preferably made. That is, the comparing section acquires information that the winding unit has replaced the yarn supplying bobbin. When the yarn defect having the same tendency of occurrence is detected before and after the replacement of the yarn supplying bobbin, and the yarn defect exceeds the threshold value obtained from the average yarn defect data, the comparing section specifies the yarn defect detecting section in which the relevant yarn defect has been detected.

[0016] Accordingly, even if there is a variation in quality of a supplied yarn supplying bobbin, whether or not there is the abnormality in the winding unit can be accurately determined.

[0017] In the above-described yarn winding machine, a following configuration is preferably made. That is, the yarn winding machine includes a notifying section adapted to notify the abnormality. When the yarn defect detecting section in which the yarn defect that exceeds the threshold value obtained from the average yarn defect data is detected, is specified by the comparing section, the notifying section notifies the abnormality in the winding unit in which the specified yarn defect detecting section is mounted.

[0018] Accordingly, since an operator can immediately grasp the winding unit in which the abnormality has occurred, a measure according to the occurrence cause can be taken at an early stage.

[0019] In the above-described yarn winding machine, a following configuration is preferably made. That is, the yarn winding machine includes a winding control section adapted to control the winding unit. When the yarn defect detecting section in which the yarn defect that exceeds the threshold value obtained from the average yarn defect data is detected, is specified by the comparing section, the winding control section stops yarn winding by the winding unit in which the specified yarn defect detecting section is mounted.

[0020] Accordingly, processing of discharging the yarn supplying bobbin, processing of continuously removing the yarn defect (yarn cutting), or the like can be prevented from successively being performed.

[0021] In the above-described yarn winding machine, a following configuration is preferably made. That is, the yarn winding machine includes a transport mechanism in which a transport body to which the yarn supplying bobbin is set is transported to the winding unit. The transport body stores the information for specifying the spinning unit in which the yarn is wound around the yarn supplying bobbin.

[0022] Accordingly, since an information reading section provided in the winding unit reads the information, the relevant spinning unit can be specified. Therefore, the occurrence cause can be more accurately determined.

[0023] In the above-described yarn winding machine, a following configuration is preferably made. That is, the yarn winding machine includes the transport mechanism in which the transport body to which the yarn supplying bobbin is set is transported to the winding unit. The transport body stores lot information of the spinning unit in which the yarn is wound around the yarn supplying bobbin.

[0024] Accordingly, since the average yarn defect data, which is the tendency of occurrence of the yarn defect is calculated in consideration of the lot information, the average yarn defect data can be calculated by the lot. Furthermore, since the average yarn defect data becomes stable by calculating the average yarn defect data by the lot, the yarn defect data having a different tendency of occurrence is easily specified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] 

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an overall configuration of an automatic winder provided with a winding unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electric configuration of the automatic winder.

FIG.3 is a side view of the winding unit.

FIG.4 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a comparing section.

FIG.5 is a graph illustrating average yarn defect data and a threshold value that are related to a fluff.

FIG.6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electric configuration of an automatic winder according to an alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Next, an automatic winder according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of an automatic winder 10 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electric configuration of the automatic winder 10.

[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the automatic winder (a yarn winding machine) 10 includes as a main configuration, a plurality of winding units 11 arranged next to each other, a machine control device 12, a yarn supplying bobbin supplying device 13, and a doffing device 14.

[0028] The machine control device 12 includes, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a winding control section 41 and a comparing section 42.

[0029] The winding control section 41 can communicate with an unit control section 50 adapted to perform an overall control of each of the winding units 11. An operator of the automatic winder 10 can set a winding condition and the like of the winding unit 11 in an integrated manner by appropriately operating the machine control device 12.

[0030] The comparing section 42 and a yarn defect detecting device (a yarn defect detecting section) 31 adapted to detect a yarn defect of each of the spinning units 11 constitutes a yarn defect detecting system 60. The comparing section 42 can communicate with the yarn defect detecting device 31. The comparing section 42 receives a detection result of the yarn defect from each yarn defect detecting device 31 and performs processing in accordance with the detection result. The details of the processing performed by the comparing section 42 will be described later.

[0031] Each winding unit 11 is configured to unwind a yarn 16 from a yarn supplying bobbin 15 and wind the unwound yarn 16 around a winding bobbin while traversing the unwound yarn 16. The winding bobbin around which the yarn 16 is wound is referred to as a package 18.

[0032] The yarn supplying bobbin 15 around which the yarn 16 is wound by a spinning unit of a spinning machine, which is not illustrated, is supplied to the yarn supplying bobbin supplying device 13.

[0033] Between the yarn supplying bobbin supplying device 13 and each of the winding units 11, a yarn supplying bobbin transport path (a transport mechanism) 35 that is configured of a belt conveyor or the like is arranged. The yarn supplying bobbin transport path 35 is capable of transporting a transportation tray (a transport body) 39 having the yarn supplying bobbin 15 placed thereon, to each of the winding units 11.

[0034] The yarn supplying bobbin supplying device 13 is configured to feed the yarn supplying bobbin 15 to the yarn supplying bobbin transport path 35 after placing the yarn supplying bobbin 15 one by one on the transportation tray 39. In this configuration, the yarn supplying bobbin 15 can be supplied to each of the winding units 11.

[0035] The doffing device 14 is configured, when the package 18 becomes full (a state in which a prescribed amount of yarn has been wound) in each of the winding units 11, to travel to a position of the relevant winding unit 11 to remove the full package 18 and set an empty winding bobbin. The operation of the yarn supplying bobbin supplying device 13 and the doffing device 14 is controlled by the machine control device 12.

[0036] Next, a configuration of the winding unit 11 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a side view of the winding unit 11.

[0037] Each winding unit 11 includes a yarn supplying section 20 and a winding section 21.

[0038] The yarn supplying section 20 is configured to hold in a predetermined position the yarn supplying bobbin 15 placed (set) on the transportation tray 39. Accordingly, the yarn 16 can be appropriately unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin 15.

[0039] A RF tag 38 in which appropriate information for specifying the yarn supplying bobbin 15 can be written is embedded in the transportation tray 39. Information to be stored in the RF tag 38 may be information for specifying the spinning unit in which the yarn is wound around the yarn supplying bobbin 15 (e.g., a spindle number) and/or lot information for indicating that the yarn supplying bobbin 15 is generated in which manufacturing lot (e.g., a doffing execution time). Below the yarn supplying bobbin transportation path 35, a RF reader (an information reading device) 37 is arranged in every winding unit 11. The RF reader 37 transmits information acquired from the RF tag 38 to the machine control device 12 via the unit control section 50 (or directly).

[0040] The winding section 21 includes a cradle 23 and a winding drum 17.

[0041] The cradle 23 includes a pair of bearing centers so as to rotatably support the winding bobbin 22 (or the package 18) by sandwiching the winding bobbin 22 by the bearing centers. The cradle 23 is configured such that an outer periphery of the supported package 18 can be in contact with an outer periphery of the winding drum 17.

[0042] The winding drum 17 is adapted not only to traverse the yarn 16 on a surface of the package 18, but also to rotate the package 18. The winding drum 17 is rotated by a drive source (e. g. , an electric motor), that is not illustrated. The package 18 can be rotated by rotating the winding drum 17 in a state where the outer periphery of the package 18 is in contact with the winding drum 17. A spiral-shaped traverse groove (not illustrated) is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the winding drum 17. The yarn 16 unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin 15 is wound onto the surface of the package 18 while being traversed by the traverse groove in a predetermined width. Accordingly, the package 18 having a predetermined winding width can be formed.

[0043] Each winding unit 11 includes a notification lamp (notifying section) 51 on a front surface of the winding unit 11. The notification lamp 51 can receive a signal from the unit control section 50 and the machine control device 12. When determining that there is an abnormality in the winding unit 11, the machine control device 12 or the unit control section 50 lights the notification lamp 51 with a color which is different from usual.

[0044] Each winding unit 11 has a configuration in which an unwinding assisting device 24, a tension applying device 25, a yarn joining device 26, and a yarn defect detecting device 31 are arranged in this order from the yarn supplying section 20 in a yarn travelling path between the yarn supplying section 20 and the winding section 21. Upstream and downstream in a travelling direction of the yarn 16 may be simply referred to as "upstream" and "downstream" respectively in the following description.

[0045] The unwinding assisting device 24 includes a regulating member 28 that is capable of covering a core tube of the yarn supplying bobbin 15. The regulating member 28 is configured to be substantially tubular and arranged so as to be in contact with a balloon formed in an upper part of a yarn layer of the yarn supplying bobbin 15. The balloon is a part, which is swung by centrifugal force, of the yarn 16 unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin 16. By causing the regulating member 28 to be in contact with the balloon, tension is applied on the yarn 16, which is the part of the balloon, and the yarn 16 is prevented from being swung excessively. Accordingly, the yarn 16 can be appropriately unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin 15.

[0046] The tension applying device 25 is adapted to apply a predetermined tension on the travelling yarn 16. In the present embodiment, the tension applying device 25 is configured of a gate-type in which movable comb teeth are arranged with respect to fixed comb teeth. The movable comb teeth are urged such that the comb teeth are engaged with each other. Since the yarn 16 bends and passes through the comb teeth that are in the state of being engaged with each other, adequate tension is applied on the yarn 16 and quality of the package 18 can be improved. However, the tension applying device 25 is not limited to the above-described gate-type, and may be a disc-type, for example. A yarn guide 27 is arranged between the unwinding assisting device 24 and the tension applying device 25.

[0047] The yarn joining device 26 is adapted, when the yarn 16 between the yarn supplying bobbin 15 and the package 18 is separated by some reason, to join a lower yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin 15 and an upper yarn from the package 18. In the present embodiment, the yarn joining device 26 is configured as a splicer device that twists yarn ends using whirling airflow generated by compressed air. However, the yarn joining device 26 is not limited to the above-described splicer device, and may be a mechanical knotter or the like, for example.

[0048] A yarn defect detecting device 31 is configured to detect a yarn defect of the yarn 16. Specifically, the yarn defect detecting device 31 includes a measuring section 32 and a processing section 33. The measuring section 32 is configured of one or a plurality of non-contact sensors. The processing section 33 is configured capable of detecting the yarn defect such as a fluff, a yarn unevenness by processing a signal from the measuring section 32. The processing section 33 transmits a detection result to a yarn defect comparing section 42 in the machine control device 12. For example, when detecting a yarn defect of which amount of fluff is a predetermined amount or greater than the predetermined amount, the processing section 33 transmits an instruction to a cutter (not illustrated) via the unit control section 50, and cuts the yarn 16.

[0049] When the yarn 16 is cut by the cutter, a lower yarn catching member 29 and an upper yarn catching member 30 catch the yarn 16, and the yarn joining device 26 carries out yarn joining.

[0050] Specifically, the upper yarn catching member 30 is connected to a negative pressure source and configured capable of rotating around an axis. Accordingly, by rotating in a counterclockwise direction from a position in FIG. 3, a yarn end of the yarn 16 from the package 18 is acquired, and by rotating in a clockwise direction under this state, the relevant yarn 16 can be introduced into the yarn joining device 26. Similarly, the lower yarn catching member 29 is connected to the negative pressure source and configured capable of rotating. Accordingly, the yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin 15 (the lower yarn) is caught and guided into the yarn joining device 26.

[0051] By driving the yarn joining device 26 under this state, the upper yarn and the lower yarn are joined, and the yarn 16 becomes connected between the yarn supplying bobbin 15 and the package 18. Accordingly, winding the yarn 16 into the package 18 can be resumed.

[0052] If the yarn defect is detected again by the yarn defect detecting device 31 after the winding is resumed, the unit control section 50 may discharge the yarn supplying bobbin 15. In this case, after a new yarn supplying bobbin 15 is supplied, the above-described yarn joining is carried out and the winding is resumed.

[0053] As described above, the package 18 can be formed by winding the yarn 16 around the winding bobbin 22.

[0054] Next, the processing performed by the comparing section 42 to specify whether or not an occurrence cause of the yarn defect is located in the individual winding unit 11 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the comparing section 42. FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating average yarn defect data and a threshold value that are related to a fluff.

[0055] Firstly, a specific example in which the yarn defect occurs by the winding unit 11 will be described. For example, when a position of the yarn supplying bobbin 15 is not accurately adjusted, the unwinding of the yarn 16 becomes unstable and the amount of fluff may become large.

[0056] The yarn 16, as described above, makes contact with various members between when being unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin 15 and when being wound around the winding bobbin 22. If a member has a scratch or if the member and the yarn 16 strongly rub against each other, the amount of fluff of the yarn 16 may become large. A member that makes contact with (or may make contact with) the yarn 16 may be the regulating member 28, the yarn guide 27, the cutter (not illustrated), the tension applying device 25, or the like. The yarn defect may occur by making contact with a member other than the members described herein.

[0057] In this manner, when the yarn defect is detected by the abnormality in the winding unit 11, unless the cause is removed, a similar yarn defect frequently occurs. That is, when the yarn defect occurs by the same cause, the yarn defect of the same type (the yarn unevenness or the amount of fluff) and the same degree (a degree of the yarn unevenness or the amount of fluff) occurs. Such a yarn defect occurs only in the corresponding winding unit 11, and not occurs in another winding unit 11 as a matter of course. In the present embodiment, whether or not the yarn defect is caused by the winding unit 11 is specified by focusing on this point.

[0058] Specifically, the comparing section 42 obtains a tendency of occurrence of the entire yarn defect (hereinafter referred to as average yarn defect data) of the automatic winder 10 in accordance with the detection results received from the plurality of the winding units 11. Specifically, by using an average value of a plurality of the detection results or the like, an average value of the degree of the yarn defect (e.g., the degree of the yarn unevenness and the amount of fluff) is calculated. Since the amount of fluff varies by length of the unwound yarn, the average yarn defect data of the yarn defect is preferably obtained in consideration of this respect (see FIG. 5). Since the yarn defect varies by quality of the yarn supplying bobbin 15 to be supplied, temperature, humidity, or the like, the average yarn defect data is preferably updated on a moment-to-moment basis.

[0059] Typically, the yarn supplying bobbin 15 around which the same spinning unit winds the yarn 16 indicates the same quality. In a case where the lot of the yarn supplying bobbin 15 is the same, the quality is likely to become the same. Therefore, by using an average value of the yarn defect that is calculated for every same spinning unit or every same lot in consideration of the spindle number or the lot information that are read by the RF reader 37, more appropriate average yarn defect data can be obtained as the tendency of occurrence of the yarn defect.

[0060] As described above, the comparing section 42 receives the detection result from each yarn defect detecting device 31 (S101). The comparing section 42 compares a received yarn defect with the average yarn defect data (S102). The comparing section 42 determines by the comparison in step S102 whether or not the received yarn defect indicates a tendency of occurrence different from the average yarn defect data (S103).

[0061] Specifically, the comparing section 42, for example, in a case of the amount of fluff, as illustrated in FIG. 5, when a received amount of the fluff is greater than a predetermined threshold value that is determined by the average yarn defect data (an average amount of the fluff), determination is made that the both indicate different tendencies of occurrence. This method of determination may be changed to a condition that "a value remains the threshold value or greater than the threshold value over a predetermined time".

[0062] When determining that the received yarn defect is located in a range similar to the average yarn defect data (S103), the comparing section 42 does not perform any processing in particular. This is because when the received yarn defect is located in the range similar to the average yarn defect data, the yarn defect is not likely to be caused by the winding unit 11.

[0063] On the other hand, when the received yarn defect exceeds the threshold value, the comparing section 42 determines whether or not the yarn defect indicates the similar tendency of occurrence even after the yarn supplying bobbin 15 is replaced(that is, whether or not the tendency of occurrence of the yarn defect exceeds the threshold value) (S104). In other words, as described above, if the yarn defect successively occurs in the same yarn supplying bobbin 15, the unit control section 50 discharges the yarn supplying bobbin 15 to resume winding with a new yarn supplying bobbin 15. The comparing section 42 determines whether or not the yarn defect of the new yarn supplying bobbin 15 indicates the tendency of occurrence similar to the tendency of occurrence of the yarn defect of the yarn supplying bobbin before being replaced (S104).

[0064] When the yarn defect having the tendency of occurrence similar to the tendency of occurrence before the replacement is not detected by replacing the yarn supplying bobbin 15, the comparing section 42 notifies to the winding control section 41 that there is a high possibility that the yarn supplying bobbin 15 before the replacement was a defective bobbin (S107). The winding control section 41 that received this notification, stores the spindle number of the spinning unit stored in the RF tag 38 of the yarn supplying bobbin 15 before the replacement. Accordingly, in which spinning unit a defective bobbin is likely to generate also can be grasped.

[0065] When the yarn defect having the tendency of occurrence similar to the tendency of occurrence before the replacement is detected even if the yarn supplying bobbin 15 has been replaced, the comparing section 42 specifies the relevant yarn defect detecting device 31. The comparing section 42 then determines that the yarn defect is occurring by the winding unit 11 to which the yarn defect detecting device 31 is attached. In a case where the yarn unevenness that is equal to the threshold value or greater than the threshold value is generated before replacing the yarn supplying bobbin 15, and the amount of fluff that is the threshold value or greater than the threshold value is generated after replacing the yarn supplying bobbin 15, since the types of the generated yarn defects are different, the comparing section 42 does not determine that the yarn defect is occurring by the winding unit 11.

[0066] Next, when determining that the yarn defect is occurring by the winding unit 11, the comparing section 42 issues an instruction to the unit control section 50 to stop winding the yarn 16 (S105).

[0067] Next, the comparing section 42 issues an instruction to the unit control section 50 to notify by changing a color of the notifying lamp 51 that the abnormality is occurring in the relevant winding unit 11 (S106). A method of notification is any, and the abnormality may be notified with an alarm sound, or a relevant spindle number and the like of the winding unit 11 may be displayed in a display section of the machine control device 12.

[0068] By sequentially performing the above-described processing for the detection result of all of the yarn defect detecting devices 31, the yarn defect caused by the winding unit 11 can be found at an early stage to notify to an operator. The operator, upon learning of the abnormality of the winding unit 11 by the notifying lamp 51 or the like, checks a position adjustment of the yarn supplying bobbin 15, and a scratch or the like of the yarn guide 27, and carries out readjustment, replacement of parts, or the like. Accordingly, the yarn defect is prevented from frequently occurring.

[0069] As described above, the automatic winder 10 according to the present embodiment includes the plurality of the winding units 11, a plurality of the yarn defect detecting devices 31, and comparing section 42. The plurality of the winding units 11, to which the yarn supplying bobbin 15 around which the yarn 16 is wound is supplied, forms the package 18 by unwinding the yarn 16 that is wound around the yarn supplying bobbin 15. Each of the plurality of the yarn defect detecting device 31 is mounted in each of the plurality of the winding units 11 and detects the yarn defect of the yarn 16 that is wound by each of the winding units 11. The comparing section 42 compares the detection results of the plurality of the yarn defect detecting devices 31. The winding unit 11 includes the winding section 21 adapted to form the package 18, and the RF reader 37 adapted to read the information for specifying the yarn supplying bobbin 15. The comparing section 42 also calculates the tendency of occurrence of the yarn defect in accordance with the detection results of the plurality of the yarn defect detecting devices 31 and the information for specifying the yarn supplying bobbin 15, which is read by the RF reader 37, and compares the tendency of occurrence and the detection result of the yarn defect detecting device 31.

[0070] Accordingly, since the tendencies of the yarn defects can be compared among the winding units 11, the yarn defect caused by a setting of the entire automatic winder 10 and the yarn defect caused by the winding unit 11 can be differentiated. Furthermore, by including the RF reader 37, even if the yarn defect occurs by the spinning unit, the relevant spinning unit can be specified. Therefore, the occurrence cause of the yarn defect can be more accurately determined.

[0071] In the automatic winder 10 according to the present embodiment, the yarn defect detecting device 31 calculates the average yarn defect data using at least the average value of the detection results of the plurality of the yarn defect detecting devices 31 and the information for specifying the yarn supplying bobbin 15, which is read by the RF reader 37, and specifies the yarn defect detecting device 31 in which the yarn defect having a tendency of occurrence different from the average yarn defect data has been detected.

[0072] Accordingly, the yarn defects can be more accurately compared among the winding units 11. Furthermore, the winding unit 11 in which the abnormality is likely to have occurred can be specified.

[0073] In the automatic winder 10 according to the present embodiment, the comparing section 42 acquires information that the winding unit 1 has replaced the yarn supplying bobbin 15. When the yarn defect having the same tendency of occurrence is detected before and after the replacement of the yarn supplying bobbin 15, and the yarn defect exceeds the threshold value obtained from the average yarn defect data, the comparing section 42 specifies the yarn defect detecting device 31 in which the relevant yarn defect has been detected.

[0074] Accordingly, even if there is a variation in the quality of the yarn supplying bobbin 15, determination can be made whether or not the detected yarn defect is caused by the winding unit 11.

[0075] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention is described, the above-described configuration may be changed as follows, for example.

[0076] The machine control device 12 according to the above-described embodiment includes two processing sections (the winding control section 41 and the comparing section 42) having different functions, but as illustrated in FIG. 6, the machine control device 12 may include a machine control section 43 that performs the both of processing.

[0077] In the above-described embodiment, a communication path from the yarn defect detecting device 31 to the comparing section 42 and a communication path from the unit control section 50 to the winding control section 41 are described as different paths, but a same cable may be used. Furthermore, the yarn defect detecting device 31 may perform communication via the unit control section 50 (see FIG. 6).

[0078] In the above-described embodiment, processing devices such as the processing section 33, the unit control section 50, the winding control section 41, the comparing section 42 are described, but which processing device performs which processing is not limited to the example described in the above-described embodiment. For example, the winding control section 41 may perform a part of the processing, which the comparing section 42 performs above. The average yarn defect data calculated by the comparing section 42 may be transmitted to the unit control section 50, and the unit control section 50 may perform processing of comparing the yarn defects.

[0079] The method of comparing the yarn defects according to the above-described embodiment is an example, and a method of calculating the average yarn defect data or the like may be changed on an appropriate basis. Furthermore, a method may be employed in which without calculating the average yarn defect data, one yarn defect received by the comparing section 42 is individually compared with a plurality of other yarn defects.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, the winding section 21 causes the winding drum 17 to traverse the yarn 16, but the winding section 21 may cause, for example, an arm-type traverse mechanism to traverse the yarn 16.

[0081] A configuration in which the yarn supplying bobbin 15 is supplied to the automatic winder 10 is not limited to a tray-type, and a magazine-type bobbin supplying device may be arranged in every winding unit 11.

Claims

1. A yarn winding machine (10) comprising:

a plurality of winding units (11) to which a yarn supplying bobbin around which a yarn is wound is supplied, adapted to unwind the yarn wound around the yarn supplying bobbin to form a package;

a plurality of yarn defect detecting sections (31), each of the plurality of the yarn defect detecting sections (31) is mounted in each of the plurality of the winding units (11) and adapted to detect a yarn defect of the yarn that is wound by each of the winding units (11); and

a comparing section (42, 43) adapted to compare detection results of the plurality of the yarn defect detecting sections (31), wherein the winding unit (11) includes a winding section (21) adapted to form the package and an information reading device (37) adapted to read information for specifying the yarn supplying bobbin; and

the comparing section (42, 43) adapted to calculate a tendency of occurrence of the yarn defect in accordance with the detection results of the plurality of the yarn defect detecting sections (31) and the read information for specifying the yarn supplying bobbin, and to compare the tendency of occurrence with the detection result of the yarn defect detecting section (31).

2. The yarn winding machine (10) according to claim 1, wherein the comparing section (42, 43) is adapted to obtain average yarn defect data, which is the tendency of occurrence of the yarn defect that commonly appears in the plurality of the winding units (11), using at least an average value of the detection results of the plurality of the yarn defect detecting sections (31) and the read information for specifying the yarn supplying bobbin, and to specify the yarn defect detecting section (31) in which the yarn defect having a tendency of occurrence different from the average yarn defect data has been detected.

3. The yarn winding machine (10) according to claim 2, wherein the comparing section (42, 43) is adapted to obtain a threshold value from the average yarn defect data and to specify the yarn defect detecting section (31) in which the yarn defect that exceeds the threshold value has been detected.

4. The yarn winding machine (10) according to claim 3, wherein the comparing section (42, 43) is adapted to acquire information that the winding unit (11) has replaced the yarn supplying bobbin; and
when the yarn defect having the same tendency of occurrence is detected before and after the replacement of the yarn supplying bobbin and the yarn defect exceeds the threshold value obtained from the average yarn defect data, the comparing section (42, 43) is adapted to specify the yarn defect detecting section (31) in which the relevant yarn defect has been detected.

5. The yarn winding machine (10) according to claim 3 or claim 4, comprising a notifying section (51) adapted to notify an abnormality, wherein when the yarn defect detecting section (31) in which the yarn defect that exceeds the threshold value obtained from the average yarn defect data is detected, is specified by the comparing section (42, 43), the notifying section (51) notifies the abnormality in the winding unit (11) in which the specified yarn defect detecting section (31) is mounted.

6. The yarn winding machine (10) according to any one of claim 3 through claim 5, comprising a winding control section (41, 43) adapted to control the winding unit (11), wherein when the yarn defect detecting section (31) in which the yarn defect that exceeds the threshold value obtained from the average yarn defect data is detected, is specified by the comparing section (42, 43), the winding control section (41, 43) is adapted to stop yarn winding by the winding unit (11) in which the specified yarn defect detecting section (31) is mounted.

7. The yarn winding machine (10) according to any one of claim 2 through claim 6, comprising a transport mechanism (35) adapted to transport to the winding unit (11), a transport body (39) to which the yarn supplying bobbin is set, wherein the transport body (39) stores the information for specifying the spinning unit in which the yarn is wound around the yarn supplying bobbin.

8. The yarn winding machine (10) according to any one of claim 2 through claim 6, comprising a transport mechanism (35) adapted to transport to the winding unit (11), the transport body (39) to which the yarn supplying bobbin is set, wherein the transport body (39) stores lot information of the spinning unit in which the yarn is wound around the yarn supplying bobbin.

Drawing