YARN WINDING MACHINE

Abstract

 To provide a yarn winding machine 1 including a contact roller 31 and a traverse device 21. The contact roller 31 rotates in contact with a package 92. The traverse device 21 includes a traverse guide, an upstream guide rail, and a downstream guide rail. The traverse guide contacts a yarn 91 extending from a yarn feed roller 100 to the contact roller 31 to traverse the yarn 91. The upstream guide rail and downstream guide rail allow movement of the traverse guide in a winding width direction and restrict movement of the traverse guide toward an upstream side or a downstream side of a yarn path. The downstream guide rail has a downstream facing surface facing the yarn path, and the downstream facing surface includes a retraction surface progressively separated from the yarn path toward the downstream of the yarn path, as viewed in an axial direction of the package 92.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention mainly relates to a yarn winding machine for winding a yarn on a bobbin to produce a package.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Literature 1 is Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3209831.

[0003] In Patent Literature 1, two winding devices are arranged for one godet roller (yarn feed roller). Therefore, a yarn path extending from the godet roller to the winding device is inclined with respect to a vertical direction. Patent Literature 1 discloses a layout in which a traverse yarn guide device is inclined in accordance with an inclination of the yarn path.

Summary of Invention

[0004] In the winding device of Patent Literature 1, the traverse yarn guide device is inclined, and thus, the traverse yarn guide device protrudes greatly in a horizontal direction as the traverse yarn guide device approaches vertically downward. Therefore, in the layout of Patent Literature 1, due to the inclination of the traverse yarn guide device, during a yarn threading operation of firstly thread a yarn to a bobbin holder of the winding device, depending on a position of the bobbin holder to which the yarn is threaded, the yarn may contact the traverse yarn guide device and as a result, yarn breakage may occur. Thus, in the layout of Patent Literature 1, the degree of freedom in positioning the bobbin holder during the yarn threading operation is decreased.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a primary object of the present invention is to provide, for a yarn winding machine in which a yarn path of a yarn fed from a yarn feed roller is inclined with respect to a vertical direction, a configuration that can secure a degree of freedom in a position of a bobbin holder during yarn threading operation.

[0006] 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.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, a yarn winding machine with the following configuration is provided. That is, the yarn winding machine winds a yarn fed from a yarn feed roller on a bobbin to produce a package. The yarn winding machine includes a bobbin holder, a contact roller, and a traverse device. The bobbin holder holds the bobbin. The contact roller rotates in contact with the package. The traverse device is arranged to face the contact roller and to sandwich, together with the contact roller, the yarn extending from the yarn feed roller to the contact roller. The traverse device includes a traverse guide, an upstream guide rail, and a downstream guide rail. The traverse guide contacts the yarn extending from the yarn feed roller to the contact roller to traverse the yarn. The upstream guide rail allows movement of the traverse guide in a winding width direction and restricts movement of the traverse guide toward an upstream side of a yarn path. The downstream guide rail allows movement of the traverse guide in the winding width direction and restricts movement of the traverse guide toward a downstream side of the yarn path. During winding of the yarn, the yarn path from the yarn feed roller to the contact roller is inclined with respect to a vertical direction. The downstream guide rail has a downstream facing surface facing the yarn path, and the downstream facing surface includes a retraction surface progressively separated from the yarn path toward the downstream of the yarn path, as viewed in an axial direction of the package.

[0008] When the retraction surface is formed in the downstream guide rail, during the yarn threading operation, the bobbin holder on which the yarn is threaded can be located at a position closer to the traverse device side, with respect to the contact roller, and thus the yarn extending from the yarn feed roller to the bobbin holder can be spaced apart from the contact roller. Therefore, the risk of yarn breakage during the yarn threading operation due to contact between the yarn and the contact roller is reduced. As a result, it is possible to secure the degree of freedom in positioning the bobbin holder during the yarn threading operation.

[0009] In the yarn winding machine, it is preferable that in an upstream facing surface is formed along the yarn path, as viewed in the axial direction of the package.

[0010] When the retraction surface is formed only on the downstream guide rail having a high probability of coming into contact with the yarn, it is possible to simplify a shape of the upstream guide rail.

[0011] The yarn winding machine preferably has the following configuration. That is, the yarn winding machine includes a plurality of winding units each including the bobbin holder, the contact roller, and the traverse device. The winding units are arranged vertically or horizontally.

[0012] When the winding units are arranged vertically or horizontally and the yarns are supplied from a single yarn feed roller, a yarn path from the yarn feed roller to the contact roller needs to be inclined. Thus, it is possible to effectively utilize the configuration where the retraction surface is formed in the downstream guide rail.

[0013] The yarn winding machine preferably has the following configuration. That is, the winding units are arranged vertically. An angle of inclination with respect to the vertical direction of the yarn path from the yarn feed roller to the contact roller arranged on an upper side is larger than an angle of inclination with respect to the vertical direction of the yarn path from the yarn feed roller to the contact roller arranged on a lower side. At least in the winding unit arranged on the upper side, the downstream facing surface of the downstream guide rail includes the retraction surface.

[0014] As a result, it is possible to provide the retraction surface in the downstream guide rail of the winding unit for which an inclined yarn path is set.

[0015] It is preferable that the yarn winding machine includes a lifting and lowering device that moves the traverse guide relative to the contact roller in a height direction, which is a direction in which the yarn feed roller is positioned with respect to the yarn winding machine.

[0016] When the height of the traverse guide relative to the contact roller changes, the angle of inclination of the yarn path with respect to the vertical direction changes. Thus, it is possible to effectively utilize the configuration where the retraction surface is formed in the downstream guide rail.

[0017] In the yarn winding machine, as viewed in an axial direction of the package, it is preferable that a yarn threading position at which the yarn is threaded to the bobbin is on the traverse guide side, with respect to the contact roller.

[0018] When the yarn threading position is on the traverse guide side, the yarn path is close to the downstream guide rail during yarn threading. Thus, it is possible to effectively utilize the configuration where the retraction surface is formed in the downstream guide rail.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0019] 

FIG. 1 is a front view of a yarn winding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the yarn winding machine;

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of a traverse device and the vicinity of the traverse device;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining that a traverse width is shortened depending on a difference in free length; and

FIG. 5 is a front view of an upper winding unit during yarn threading.

Description of Embodiments

[0020] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a yarn winding machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the yarn winding machine 1. In the following description, upstream or downstream in a yarn running direction may simply be referred to as "upstream" or "downstream".

[0021] An unillustrated spinning machine is arranged upstream of the yarn winding machine 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. A yarn 91 produced by the spinning machine is supplied to a yarn winding machine 1 via a yarn feed roller 100. The yarn winding machine 1 winds the yarn 91 on a bobbin 90 and forms a yarn layer on the bobbin 90 to produce a package 92. The yarn 91 is an elastic yarn such as spandex. However, the type of yarn 91 is not limited to such a yarn, and a synthetic yarn such as nylon or polyester may be used.

[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the yarn winding machine 1 includes two winding units 10 arranged vertically. The yarn 91 is individually supplied to each of the winding units 10, and the package 92 is individually produced at each of the winding units 10. The winding units 10 are supplied with a plurality of the yarns 91 arranged in an axial direction of the package 92. The winding units 10 wind each of the plurality of yarns 91 to manufacture the plurality of the packages 92.

[0023] The two winding units 10 each include the same device, and thus, the upper and lower winding units 10 will be collectively described below. As illustrated in FIG. 1, each of the winding units 10 includes a frame 11, a first housing 20, a second housing 30, and a turret plate 40.

[0024] The frame 11 is a member that holds each component provided in the winding unit 10. The first housing 20 is attached with a traverse device 21. When a traverse guide 23 described later reciprocates in a winding width direction (axial direction of the package 92) while being engaged with each yarn 91, the traverse device 21 traverses the yarn 91 fed downstream. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the traverse device 21 includes a traverse cam 22 and the traverse guide 23.

[0025] The traverse cam 22 is a roller-shaped member arranged parallel to the bobbin 90. A spiral cam groove is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the traverse cam 22. The traverse cam 22 is rotationally driven by a traverse motor 51.

[0026] The traverse motor 51 is controlled by a control device 50. The control device 50 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU executes various controls related to the winding unit 10 by reading a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing such a program.

[0027] The traverse guide 23 is a portion that engages with the yarn 91 extending from the yarn feed roller 100 to a contact roller 31 described later. A distal end of the traverse guide 23 includes, for example, a substantially U-shaped guide part that engages with the yarn 91 while sandwiching the yarn 91 in the winding width direction. A proximal end of the traverse guide 23 is positioned in a cam groove of the traverse cam 22. With such a configuration, when the traverse cam 22 is rotationally driven, it is possible to reciprocate the traverse guide 23 in the winding width direction.

[0028] The second housing 30 is rotatably attached with a contact roller 31. When the yarn 91 is wound, the contact roller 31 is driven to rotate with a contact with the yarn layer of the package 92 with a predetermined pressure to arrange a yarn layer shape of the package 92. The traverse device 21 and the contact roller 31 are arranged to face each other with the yarn 91 from the yarn feed roller 100 to the contact roller 31 being interposed therebetween.

[0029] The contact roller 31 is attached to the second housing 30 via an unillustrated arm. With the arm swinging, the contact roller 31 is allowed to move relative to the second housing 30 in a vertical direction. Although the contact roller 31 of this embodiment moves downward by its own weight, the contact roller 31 may be driven downward and upward by an actuator such as a cylinder.

[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the winding unit 10 includes a position sensor 52 configured to detect swinging of the arm. The position sensor 52 is, for example, a contact sensor, and detects whether the contact roller 31 is within a predetermined distance from the second housing 30. A detection result of the contact roller 31 is output to the control device 50.

[0031] An operation panel 32 is provided on the second housing 30. The operation panel 32 is a device operated by an operator. The operator applies an instruction to the winding unit 10 by operating the operation panel 32. Examples of the instruction applied by the operator include starting winding, stopping winding, and changing a winding condition.

[0032] The turret plate 40 is a disk-shaped member. The turret plate 40 is rotatably attached to the frame 11. A rotation axis of the turret plate 40 is at a center position of the turret plate 40. The turret plate 40 is rotationally driven by a turret motor 53 illustrated in FIG. 2. The turret motor 53 is controlled by the control device 50.

[0033] At two locations facing each other across the center position, within the turret plate 40, bobbin holders 41 are provided, respectively. The bobbin holders 41 are attachable with a plurality of bobbins 90 aligned in the axial direction. When the turret plate 40 is rotated, it is possible to change positions of the two bobbin holders 41. Each of the bobbin holders 41 is supported by the turret plate 40 in a cantilevered state.

[0034] Each of the bobbin holders 41 can rotate with respect to the turret plate 40 around the position of the axis of the bobbin holder 41 as the center of rotation. Each of the two bobbin holders 41 is rotationally driven individually by a bobbin holder motor 54 illustrated in FIG. 2. The bobbin holder motor 54 is controlled by the control device 50.

[0035] With the two bobbin holders 41 arranged vertically, the yarn 91 is wound on the upper one of the two bobbin holders 41. Specifically, the yarns are threaded onto the bobbins 90 of one of the bobbin holders 41, and then the other of the bobbin holders 41 contacts the contact roller 31, and the other bobbin holder 41 is rotated in such a state, resulting in winding of the yarns 91 on the bobbins 90 of the other bobbin holder 41 to manufacture the package 92. It is noted that a distal end support member 45 is provided for supporting an end at a free end side of one of the bobbin holders 41 positioned to contact the contact roller 31.

[0036] Once a predetermined amount of yarn 91 has been wound and full winding of the package 92 has been achieved, the turret plate 40 rotates to switch the positions of the two bobbin holders 41. Thereafter, while the package 92 in which the full winding is achieved is collected, the yarn 91 is wound on the bobbin 90 attached to one of the bobbin holders 41.

[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the winding unit 10 includes a lifting and lowering device 60. The lifting and lowering device 60 lifts and lowers the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 all together. Specifically, the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 are attached to an unillustrated lifting and lowering member. A ball nut 61 is attached to the lifting and lowering member. A screw rod 62 is attached to the frame 11. When the screw rod 62 is rotated by using a lifting motor 63, it is possible to lift and lower the first housing 20 and the second housing 30. The lifting motor 63 is controlled by the control device 50. It is noted that the lifting and lowering device 60 may be realized by using a cylinder instead of the ball screw.

[0038] The control device 50 controls the lifting and lowering device 60 according to a thickness of the winding of the package 92 as follows. As described above, the contact roller 31 can move upward and downward with respect to the second housing 30. Therefore, increase in the thickness of the winding of the package 92 as a result of winding the yarn 91 causes upward movement of the contact roller 31 relative to the second housing 30. Based on a detection result from the position sensor 52, the control device 50 determines whether the contact roller 31 is within a predetermined distance from the second housing 30. When the control device 50 determines that the contact roller 31 is within a predetermined distance from the second housing 30, the control device 50 controls the lifting and lowering device 60 to move the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 upward. By repeating such a process, it is possible to move the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 upward according to the thickness of the winding of the package 92.

[0039] Next, a yarn path of the yarn 91 supplied to each winding unit 10 will be described. In the following description, one of the winding units 10 arranged on an upper side is referred to as "upper winding unit 10", and the other one of the winding units 10 arranged on a lower side is referred to as "lower winding unit 10".

[0040] In this embodiment, in order that the yarn 91 supplied to the lower winding unit 10 does not interfere with the upper winding unit 10, the upper and lower winding units 10 are offset from each other in a horizontal direction. The direction of the offset between the upper winding unit 10 and the lower winding unit 10 coincides with a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the package 92 in a horizontal plane.

[0041] As described above, in this embodiment, the yarns 91 are supplied from the single yarn feed roller 100 to the upper winding unit 10 and the lower winding unit 10. Therefore, at least one of the upper and lower winding units 10 cannot be supplied with the yarn 91 along a yarn path parallel to a vertical direction. Specifically, the yarn path of the yarn 91 supplied to the lower winding unit 10 is set parallel to the vertical direction, and the yarn path of the yarn 91 supplied to the upper winding unit 10 is inclined relative to the vertical direction. In other words, an angle of inclination with respect to the vertical direction of the yarn path of the yarn 91 supplied to the upper winding unit 10 is greater than an angle of inclination with respect to the vertical direction of the yarn path of the yarn 91 supplied to the lower winding unit 10.

[0042] In this embodiment, the term "parallel" may not only be strictly parallel but also substantially parallel (may also include slightly different angles). The same is true for "vertical". The yarn path may change depending on the progress of winding, the position of the traverse device 21, and the like, but unless otherwise specified, the yarn path indicates the position of the yarn path at the time of a start of winding.

[0043] The upper winding unit 10 preferably has a layout corresponding to an inclined yarn path. For example, if all devices related to the winding the yarn 91 are inclined, the upper winding unit 10 increases in size, hence not preferable. Therefore, in this embodiment, only the first housing 20 of the upper winding unit 10 is arranged to be inclined along the yarn path. As a result, the traverse device 21 is arranged along the yarn path, so that it is possible to appropriately traverse the yarn 91 by using the traverse guide 23. As compared to a configuration where all the devices related to the winding are inclined, it is possible to reduce the size of the yarn winding machine 1.

[0044] Next, the influence caused by inclining the traverse device 21 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 illustrates a front sectional view of the traverse device 21 and the vicinity of the traverse device 21.

[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the traverse device 21 includes an upstream guide rail 24 and a downstream guide rail 25. The upstream guide rail 24 and the downstream guide rail 25 contact the traverse guide 23 and guide movement of the traverse guide 23. The upstream guide rail 24 and the downstream guide rail 25 allow movement of the traverse guide 23 in the winding width direction (traverse direction). Specifically, a slide space is formed by the upstream guide rail 24 and the downstream guide rail 25. A part of the traverse guide 23 is located in the slide space. Therefore, the traverse guide 23 can slide in the winding width direction.

[0046] The upstream guide rail 24 is in contact with and interferes with a top surface of the traverse guide 23 to restrict movement of the traverse guide 23 toward an upstream side of the yarn path. The downstream guide rail 25 is in contact with and interferes with a bottom surface of the traverse guide 23 to restrict movement of the traverse guide 23 toward a downstream side of the yarn path. Such a configuration allows the traverse guide 23 to move only in the winding width direction without moving in a direction along the yarn path.

[0047] Here, a surface facing the yarn path of the upstream guide rail 24 is referred to as "upstream facing surface 24a". A surface facing the yarn path of the downstream guide rail 25 is referred to as "downstream facing surface 25a". In this embodiment, the traverse device 21 is inclined according to the inclination of the yarn path, and thus, the upstream facing surface 24a is formed to run along the yarn path. More specifically, the upstream facing surface 24a has a two-tiered shape and includes two surfaces at different positions, both of which surfaces are formed along the yarn path.

[0048] In contrast, the downstream facing surface 25a according to this embodiment includes a retraction surface 25b progressively separated from the yarn path toward the downstream of the yarn path. More specifically, the downstream facing surface 25a has a two-tiered shape, and a surface closer to the yarn path is the retraction surface 25b.

[0049] It is noted that the retraction surface 25b in this embodiment is an inclined surface (flat surface) and may include a curved surface. The retraction surface 25b of this embodiment extends along the vertical direction. However, depending on the yarn path of the yarn winding machine 1, the retraction surface 25b may be on a yarn path side or a traverse cam 22 side with respect to the vertical direction. In most cases, the retraction surface may not be provided on the upstream facing surface 24a. However, for reasons of the symmetry of components, for example, a surface symmetrical with the retraction surface 25b (a surface progressively retracting from the yarn path, toward the upstream side of the yarn path) may be provided in the upstream facing surface 24a. In this embodiment, one tier of the two-tiered downstream facing surface 25a is the retraction surface 25b, but the entire downstream facing surface 25a may be the retraction surface 25b.

[0050] The winding unit 10 of this embodiment has a function of adjusting the shape of the package 92 by performing control to temporarily change a height of the traverse guide 23 with respect to the contact roller 31. It is possible to change the height of the traverse guide 23 with respect to the contact roller 31 by controlling the lifting and lowering device 60 described above, for example. This is because if the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 are lifted by the lifting and lowering device 60, the height of the traverse guide 23 increases while the height of the contact roller 31 does not change due to its own weight.

[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 4, if the height of the traverse guide 23 with respect to the contact roller 31 is increased, a free length of the yarn 91 is increased (from FL1 to FL2 in FIG. 4). This lengthens a traverse delay (from D1 to D2 in FIG. 4) and shortens a traverse width. Therefore, when the height of the traverse guide 23 with respect to the contact roller 31 is temporarily increased, it is possible to suppress an increase in thickness of the yarn layer at ends in the winding width direction (a high edge) of the package 92.

[0052] Changing the height of the traverse guide 23 with respect to the contact roller 31 causes a change of the yarn path. Thus, if the retraction surface 25b is not provided, the yarn 91 and the downstream guide rail 25 may come into contact with each other. However, the downstream guide rail 25 of this embodiment is provided with the retraction surface 25b, and thus, during such a control, it is possible to suppress the contact between the yarn 91 and the downstream guide rail 25.

[0053] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the position of the bobbin 90 during yarn threading will be described. Yarn threading refers to threading (fixing) the yarn 91 on the bobbin 90 of one of the bobbin holders 41 before the yarn 91 is wound by the yarn winding machine 1. In this embodiment, an operator uses a suction gun or the like to catch the yarn 91 and winds the yarn 91 around the bobbin 90 a plurality of times to perform the yarn threading. It is noted that instead of the operator, the yarn winding machine 1 may perform the yarn threading.

[0054] The operator operates, for example, the operation panel 32 to perform input of performing the yarn threading. In response to the input by the operator, the control device 50 controls the turret motor 53 to rotate the turret plate 40. As a result, the bobbin holder 41 reaches a yarn threading position. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the yarn threading position of the bobbin holder 41 of this embodiment is on a traverse guide side, with respect to the contact roller 31. Thereafter, yarn threading is performed by the operator.

[0055] Here, if the yarn threading position of the bobbin holder 41 is on the traverse guide side with respect to the contact roller 31, the yarn path is shifted to the traverse guide side. Thus, the yarn 91 comes close to the downstream guide rail 25. Therefore, if the downstream guide rail 25 has a conventional shape, the yarn 91 may possibly come into contact with the downstream guide rail 25. However, the downstream guide rail 25 of this embodiment is formed with the retraction surface 25b, and thus, the yarn 91 is less likely to contact the downstream guide rail 25. In contrast, if the downstream guide rail 25 has the conventional shape, to prevent the yarn 91 from contacting the downstream guide rail 25, it is necessary that the bobbin holder 41 is arranged at a yarn threading position such that the yarn path is shifted to the contact roller 31 side. However, if such a yarn threading position of the bobbin holder 41 is selected, the yarn 91 may possibly come into contact with the contact roller 31, resulting in an error in the yarn threading operation. Moreover, if the distal end support member 45 is provided as in this embodiment, it is difficult to execute the yarn threading operation. Thus, when the downstream guide rail 25 is formed with the retraction surface 25b, it is possible to select the yarn threading position of the bobbin holders 41 such that the error in the yarn threading operation hardly occurs and the yarn threading operation is easily performed.

[0056] As described above, the yarn winding machine 1 of this embodiment includes the bobbin holder 41, the contact roller 31, and the traverse device 21. The bobbin holder 41 holds the bobbin 90. The contact roller 31 rotates in contact with the package 92. The traverse device 21 faces the contact roller 31 and is arranged to sandwich the yarn 91 extending from the yarn feed roller 100 to the contact roller 31, between the traverse device 21 and the contact roller 31. The traverse device 21 includes the traverse guide 23, the upstream guide rail 24, and the downstream guide rail 25. The traverse guide 23 contacts the yarn 91 extending from the yarn feed roller 100 to the contact roller 31 to traverse the yarn 91. The upstream guide rail 24 allows movement of the traverse guide 23 in a winding width direction and restricts movement of the traverse guide 23 toward an upstream side of a yarn path. The downstream guide rail 25 allows movement of the traverse guide 23 in the winding width direction and restricts movement of the traverse guide 23 toward a downstream side of the yarn path. During winding of the yarn 91, the yarn path from the yarn feed roller 100 to the contact roller 31 is inclined with respect to a vertical direction. The downstream guide rail 25 has the downstream facing surface 25a facing the yarn path, and the downstream facing surface 25a includes the retraction surface 25b progressively separated from the yarn path toward the downstream of the yarn path, as viewed in an axial direction of the package 92.

[0057] When the retraction surface 25b is formed in the downstream guide rail 25, during the yarn threading operation, the bobbin holder 41 on which the yarn 91 is threaded can be located at a position closer to the traverse device 21 side, with respect to the contact roller 31, and thus the yarn 91 extending from the yarn feed roller 100 to the bobbin holder 41 can be spaced apart from the contact roller 31. Therefore, the risk of yarn breakage during the yarn threading operation due to contact between the yarn 91 and the contact roller 31 is reduced. As a result, it is possible to secure the degree of freedom in positioning the bobbin holder 41 during the yarn threading operation.

[0058] In the yarn winding machine 1 of this embodiment, the upstream facing surface 24a is formed along the yarn path, as viewed in the axial direction of the package 92.

[0059] When the retraction surface 25b is formed only on the downstream guide rail 25 having a high probability of coming into contact with the yarn 91, it is possible to simplify a shape of the upstream guide rail 24.

[0060] The yarn winding machine 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of winding units 10 each including the bobbin holder 41, the contact roller 31, and the traverse device 21. The winding units 10 are arranged vertically or horizontally.

[0061] When the winding units 10 are arranged vertically or horizontally and the yarns 91 are supplied from a single yarn feed roller 100, a yarn path from the yarn feed roller 100 to the contact roller 31 needs to be inclined. Thus, it is possible to effectively utilize the configuration where the retraction surface 25b is formed in the downstream guide rail 25.

[0062] In the yarn winding machine 1 of this embodiment, the winding units 10 are arranged vertically. An angle of inclination with respect to the vertical direction of the yarn path from the yarn feed roller 100 to the contact roller 31 arranged on an upper side is larger than an angle of inclination with respect to the vertical direction of the yarn path from the yarn feed roller 100 to the contact roller 31 arranged on a lower side. At least in the winding unit 10 arranged on the upper side, the downstream facing surface 25a of the downstream guide rail 25 includes the retraction surface 25b.

[0063] As a result, it is possible to provide the retraction surface 25b in the downstream guide rail 25 of the winding unit 10 for which an inclined yarn path is set.

[0064] The yarn winding machine 1 of this embodiment includes the lifting and lowering device 60 that moves the traverse guide 23 relative to the contact roller 31 in the height direction, which is a direction in which the yarn feed roller 100 is positioned with respect to the yarn winding machine 1.

[0065] When the height of the traverse guide 23 relative to the contact roller 31 changes, the angle of inclination of the yarn path with respect to the vertical direction changes. Thus, it is possible to effectively utilize the configuration where the retraction surface 25b is formed in the downstream guide rail 25.

[0066] In the yarn winding machine 1 of this embodiment, as viewed in the axial direction of the package 92, a yarn threading position at which the yarn 91 is threaded to the bobbin 90 is on the traverse guide 23 side, with respect to the contact roller 31.

[0067] When the yarn threading position is on the traverse guide side, the yarn path is close to the downstream guide rail 25 during yarn threading. Thus, it is possible to effectively utilize the configuration where the retraction surface 25b is formed in the downstream guide rail 25.

[0068] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above-described configuration can be modified, for example, as follows.

[0069] In the yarn winding machine 1 according to the above embodiment, the winding units 10 are arranged vertically. Alternatively, the winding units 10 may be arranged horizontally. Also in this case, the yarn path of the yarn 91 supplied from the yarn feed roller 100 to at least one of the winding units 10 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and thus, the present invention is applicable. The present invention is applicable to any yarn winding machine in which the yarn path of the yarn 91 supplied from the yarn feed roller 100 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

[0070] Although the traverse device 21 of the above embodiment is of cam drum type, the traverse device 21 may have a different configuration as long as it is possible to reciprocate the traverse guide 23 in the winding width direction. For example, instead of the traverse device 21, a belt-type traverse device may be used.

[0071] In the traverse device 21 of the above embodiment, the upstream facing surface 24a and the downstream facing surface 25a of the lower winding unit 10 may be formed along the yarn path.

Claims

1. A yarn winding machine (1) for producing a package (92) by winding a yarn (91) fed from a yarn feed roller (100) on a bobbin (90), the yarn winding machine (1) comprising:

a bobbin holder (41) configured to hold the bobbin (90);

a contact roller (31) configured to rotate in contact with the package (92); and

a traverse device (21) arranged to face the contact roller (31) and to sandwich, together with the contact roller (31), the yarn (91) extending from the yarn feed roller (100) to the contact roller (31), wherein

the traverse device (21) comprises,

a traverse guide (23) configured to contact the yarn (91) extending from the yarn feed roller (100) to the contact roller (31) to traverse the yarn (91),

an upstream guide rail (24) configured to allow movement of the traverse guide (23) in a winding width direction and restrict movement of the traverse guide (23) toward an upstream side of a yarn path, and

a downstream guide rail (25) configured to allow movement of the traverse guide (23) in the winding width direction and restrict movement of the traverse guide (23) toward a downstream side of the yarn path,

during winding of the yarn (91), the yarn path from the yarn feed roller (100) to the contact roller (31) is inclined with respect to a vertical direction, and

the downstream guide rail (25) has a downstream facing surface facing the yarn path, and the downstream facing surface includes a retraction surface progressively separated from the yarn path toward the downstream of the yarn path, as viewed in an axial direction of the package (92).

2. The yarn winding machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein
the upstream guide rail (24) has an upstream facing surface facing the yarn path, and the upstream facing surface is formed along the yarn path, as viewed in the axial direction of the package (92).

3. The yarn winding machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a plurality of winding units (10) each including the bobbin holder (41), the contact roller (31), and the traverse device (21), wherein
the plurality of winding units (10) are arranged vertically or horizontally.

4. The yarn winding machine (1) according to claim 3, wherein

the plurality of winding units (10) are arranged vertically,

an angle of inclination with respect to the vertical direction of the yarn path from the yarn feed roller (100) to the contact roller (31) arranged on an upper side is larger than an angle of inclination with respect to the vertical direction of the yarn path from the yarn feed roller (100) to the contact roller (31) arranged on a lower side, and

at least in the winding unit (10) arranged on the upper side, the downstream facing surface of the downstream guide rail (25) includes the retraction surface.

5. The yarn winding machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein

when a direction in which the yarn feed roller (100) is positioned with respect to the yarn winding machine (1) is a height direction,

the yarn winding machine (1) includes a lifting and lowering device (60) configured to move the traverse guide (23) relative to the contact roller (31) in the height direction.

6. The yarn winding machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
as viewed in the axial direction of the package (92),a yarn threading position at which the yarn is threaded to the bobbin (90) is on the traverse guide (23) side, with respect to the contact roller (31).

Drawing