BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a yarn winding machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] Yarn winding machines having plural yarn winding units that, respectively, form a
package by winding a yarn are known in the art. Such a yarn winding machine includes
a yarn joining device that joins a supply-side yarn to a yarn from the package when,
for example, the yarn is cut to remove a yarn defect, and the like. When one yarn
joining device is arranged in a movable manner for plural yarn winding units, the
yarn joining device can be arranged in common for the plural yarn winding units (for
example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.
2005-330596).
[0003] In the spinning machine (yarn winding machine) disclosed in Japanese Patent Application
Laid-open No.
2005-330596, the yarn joining device has a width that extends over three spinning units (yarn
winding units). Therefore, in order to move the yarn joining device to yarn winding
units arranged at either ends of the plural yarn winding units arranged along a predetermined
direction and perform yarn joining in each of the yarn winding units, it is necessary
to secure a space such that the yarn joining device can protrude outside each of the
yarn winding units.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a yarn winding machine that can
suppress widening of the installation space.
[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, a yarn winding machine includes
at least two yarn winding units arranged adjacent to each other along a predetermined
direction and each of which forms a package by winding a yarn; and at least one yarn
joining device that is arranged so as to be movable along the predetermined direction
and that performs yarn joining in each of the yarn winding units. The one yarn joining
device performs yarn joining in at least two of the yarn winding units. Moreover,
a width of the yarn joining device in the predetermined direction is equal to or less
than a width of each of the yarn winding units in the predetermined direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a spinning unit in a spinning machine that is a yarn winding
machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of a spinning unit pair in the spinning machine shown in FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a front view of the spinning unit pair in the spinning machine shown in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the spinning unit when the spinning unit performs a yarn
joining operation in the spinning machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a side view of the spinning unit when the spinning unit performs the yarn
joining operation in the spinning machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a side view of the spinning unit when the spinning unit performs the yarn
joining operation in the spinning machine shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 7 is a side view of the spinning unit when the spinning unit performs the yarn
joining operation in the spinning machine shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail below with
reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals have been given
to the same or similar structural components in the drawings and duplicate explanation
thereof has been omitted.
[0008] As shown FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, a spinning machine (yarn winding machine) 10 includes
plural spinning units (yarn winding units) 1 and a not-shown main control device.
The spinning units 1 are arranged side-by-side along a predetermined direction D.
The main control device centrally manages the plural spinning units 1. Among the plural
spinning units 1, only a spinning unit pair including a first spinning unit (a yarn
winding unit) 1a and a second spinning unit (a yarn winding unit) 1b arranged adjacent
to each other in the predetermined direction D is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. However,
in practice, plural pairs of the first spinning unit 1a and the second spinning unit
1b are arranged along the predetermined direction D by using a frame 17. In this embodiment,
the first spinning unit 1a and the second spinning unit 1b are sometimes collectively
referred to as the spinning unit 1. In FIGS. 2 and 3, some of the components of each
of the first spinning unit 1a and the second spinning unit 1b have been omitted.
[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, in the spinning unit 1, a spinning device 3 forms a yarn Y by
spinning a fiber bundle F supplied from a drafting device 2, and a winding device
4 winds the formed yarn Y to form a package P. In the present embodiment, upstream
in the running direction of the yarn Y is simply called an upstream side and downstream
in the running direction of the yarn Y is simply called a downstream side.
[0010] The spinning unit 1 includes the drafting device 2, the spinning device 3, a yarn
pooling device 5, a yarn monitoring device 6, and the winding device 4 arranged in
this order from the upstream side on a running path of the yarn Y. Each component
of the spinning unit 1 is controlled by a not-shown unit controller arranged in each
of the spinning units 1. The first spinning unit 1a and the second spinning unit 1b
that constitute a pair of yarn winding units share one yarn joining device 90 (See
FIGS. 2 and 3). The yarn joining device 90 is positioned at a joining position (explained
later in detail) and performs the yarn joining in each of the first spinning unit
1a and the second spinning unit 1b.
[0011] The drafting device 2 includes total four pairs of draft roller pairs 21, 22, 23,
and 24. In an order from the upstream side on the running path of the yarn Y, the
four pairs of the draft roller pairs 21, 22, 23, and 24, are a back roller pair, a
third roller pair, a middle roller pair, and a front roller pair, respectively. The
draft roller pair 21 includes a top roller 21a as a driven roller and a bottom roller
21b as a driving roller. The draft roller pair 22 includes a top roller 22aa as a
driven roller and a bottom roller 22b as a driving roller. The draft roller pair 23
includes a top roller 23a as a driven roller and a bottom roller 23b as a driving
roller. The draft roller pair 24 includes a top roller 24a as a driven roller and
a bottom roller 24b as a driving roller. An apron belt 25 is loaded around each of
the top roller 23a and the bottom roller 23b of the draft roller pair 23 that is the
middle roller. In the drafting device 2, a sliver S supplied from a sliver case is
conveyed and stretched while being sandwiched between the four pairs of the draft
roller pairs 21, 22, 23, and 24, and the fiber bundle F is formed. As shown in FIGS.
2 and 3, the top rollers 21a, 22a, 23a, and 24a of the drafting device 2 of the first
spinning unit 1a and the top rollers 21a, 22a, 23a, and 24a of the drafting device
2 of the second spinning unit 1b are supported by a draft cradle 26 that is arranged
in common for the first spinning unit 1a and the second spinning unit 1b.
[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the spinning device 3 forms the yarn Y by spinning with a swirling
air current the fiber bundle F that is formed by the drafting device 2. Concretely,
the spinning device 3 includes (although not shown specifically) a fiber guiding section,
a swirling current generating nozzle, and a hollow guide shaft member. The fiber guiding
section guides the fiber bundle F supplied by the drafting device 2 to a spinning
chamber of the spinning device 3. The swirling current generating nozzle is arranged
around the path of the fiber bundle F and generates a swirling air current inside
the spinning chamber. As a result, in the spinning chamber, the direction of the fiber
end is reversed and the fiber end is swirled. The hollow guide shaft member guides
the spun yarn Y from the spinning chamber to the outside of the spinning device 3.
The yarn Y formed by the spinning device 3 is nipped between a delivery roller 7 and
a nip roller 8 and supplied to the yarn pooling device 5. In an alternative configuration,
the delivery roller 7 and the nip roller 8 can be omitted and an arrangement can be
made where the yarn pooling device 5 pulls the yarn Y from the spinning device 3.
[0013] The yarn pooling device 5 includes a yarn pooling roller 51, a driving motor 52,
and a yarn hooking member 53. The driving motor 52 rotates the yarn pooling roller
51. The yarn hooking member 53 winds the yarn Y on the yarn pooling roller 51. The
yarn pooling device 5 temporarily pools the yarn Y by winding the yarn Y on the yarn
pooling roller 51. In the spinning unit 1, the direction of the running path of the
yarn Y is changed greatly between the upstream side and the downstream side of the
yarn pooling device 5. Concretely, on the upstream side of the yarn pooling device
5, the yarn Y is caused to run in a substantially horizontal direction from the front
toward the yarn pooling device 5, and on the downstream side of the yarn pooling device
5, the yarn Y is caused to run obliquely in the front-upper direction from the yarn
pooling device 5. In the present embodiment, the side on which a passage is arranged
for the operator of the spinning machine 10 is referred to as the front side, and
the side opposite to the front side is referred to as the rear side. The side that
is up in the height direction of the spinning machine 10 is simply referred to as
the upper side and the side that is down in the height direction of the spinning machine
10 is simply referred to as the lower side.
[0014] The yarn hooking member 53 is rotatably supported relative to the yarn pooling roller
51. A permanent magnet is attached to one among the yarn pooling roller 51 and the
yarn hooking member 53, and a magnetic hysteresis material is attached to the other.
Because of those magnetic members, a torque that resists rotation of the yarn hooking
member 53 relative to the yarn pooling roller 51 acts on the yarn hooking member 53.
Therefore, the yarn hooking member 53 rotates relative to the yarn pooling roller
51 only when a force greater than this torque acts on the yarn hooking member 53 (i.e.
, when a tension of a predetermined value or higher is applied on the yarn Y), and
the yarn Y that has been wound around the yarn pooling roller 51 is unwound. In contrast,
when the force applied to the yarn hooking member 53 does not exceed this torque,
the yarn hooking member 53 rotates integrally with the yarn pooling roller 51, and
the yarn Y is wound around the yarn pooling roller 51.
[0015] In this manner, in the yarn pooling device 5, the yarn Y is unwound when the tension
on the yarn Y downstream of the yarn pooling device 5 increases, and the yarn Y is
pooled when the tension on the yarn Y downstream of the yarn pooling device 5 decreases
(when the yarn Y is about to slack). Accordingly, the yarn pooling device 5 can eliminate
the slack of the yarn Y by applying an appropriate tension on the yarn Y. Furthermore,
the yarn pooling device 5 absorbs the variations in the tension of the yarn Y downstream
of the yarn pooling device 5 thereby preventing an adverse effect of the variations
in the tension on the running of the yarn Y upstream of the yarn pooling device 5.
[0016] A first guide 11 is arranged upstream of and near the yarn pooling device 5. The
first guide 11 guides the yarn Y to the yarn pooling device 5. A pair of guides including
a second guide 12 and a third guide 13 is arranged downstream of and near the yarn
pooling device 5. The second guide 12 and the third guide 13 stabilize the behavior
of the yarn Y unwound from the yarn pooling device 5. The first guide 11 and the second
guide 12 are arranged in a movable manner such that the first guide 11 and the second
guide 12 move and draw the yarn Y to the yarn pooling device 5 when the yarn joining
and the like are performed.
[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the yarn joining device 90 is arranged in common only for
a pair of yarn winding units including the first spinning unit 1a and the second spinning
unit 1b. The yarn joining device 90 performs joining of the yarn Y in each of the
first spinning unit 1a and the second spinning unit 1b. That is, when the yarn Y is
disconnected between the package P and the spinning device 3 of the first spinning
unit 1a for some reason, the yarn joining device 90 joins the yarn Y from the package
P and the yarn Y from the spinning device 3 at a first joining position (the position
shown by the solid line in FIG. 2) SP1 for the first spinning unit 1a. When the yarn
Y is cut between the package P and the spinning device 3 of the second spinning unit
1b for some reason, the yarn joining device 90 joins the yarn Y from the package P
and the yarn Y from the spinning device 3 at a second joining position (the position
shown by the solid line in FIG. 3) SP2 for the second spinning unit 1b.
[0018] The yarn joining device 90 is arranged so as to be movable along the predetermined
direction D in a region between a first frame 17a and a second frame 17b, and the
yarn joining device 90 is restricted from moving beyond the region between the first
frame 17a and the second frame 17b. The first frame 17a is arranged along an edge
of the first spinning unit 1a that is on the opposite side with respect to the position
of the second spinning unit 1b, and supports at least a part (the winding device 4
and the like) of the first spinning unit 1a. The second frame 17b is arranged along
an edge of the second spinning unit 1b that is on the opposite side with respect to
the position of the first spinning unit 1a, and supports at least a part (the winding
device 4 and the like) of the second spinning unit 1b.
[0019] The yarn joining device 90 is movable along the predetermined direction D in a region
between the edge of the first spinning unit 1a that is on the opposite side with respect
to the position of the second spinning unit 1b and the edge of the second spinning
unit 1b that is on the opposite side with respect to the position of the first spinning
unit 1a. The yarn joining device 90, however, is restricted from moving in a region
that is beyond the region between the edge of the first spinning unit 1a that is on
the opposite side with respect to the position of the second spinning unit 1b and
the edge of the second spinning unit 1b that is on the opposite side with respect
to the position of the first spinning unit 1a. The reason why the yarn joining device
90 is movable along the predetermined direction D in a region between the first joining
position SP1 for the first spinning unit 1a and the second joining position SP2 for
the second spinning unit 1b is because a width W1 of the yarn joining device 90 along
the predetermined direction D is equal to or less than a width W2 of each of the first
spinning unit 1a and the second spinning unit 1b along the predetermined direction
D. The width W1 of the yarn joining device 90 along the predetermined direction D
is, for example, equal to or more than 210 millimeters (mm) and equal to or less than
260 mm. The width W2 of each of the first spinning unit 1a and the second spinning
unit 1b along the predetermined direction D is, for example, equal to or more than
215 mm and equal to or less than 270 mm.
[0020] In the present embodiment, the width W1, when viewed from a direction orthogonal
to the predetermined direction D (e.g., when viewed from the front), is "a length
of a side along the predetermined direction D" of a rectangle that is the smallest
rectangle in which one entire yarn joining device 90 will fit. The width W2, when
viewed from the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction D (e.g. , when
viewed from the front), is "a length of a side along the predetermined direction D"
of a rectangle that is the smallest rectangle in which one entire spinning unit 1
will fit. However, when it is assumed that the yarn joining device 90 is positioned
at the same time in each of the two spinning units 1 that are arranged next to each
other, the width W1, when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the predetermined
direction D, can be regarded as "a width along the predetermined direction D" of a
(non-overlapping) portion of one yarn joining device 90 excluding an overlapping portion
of the two yarn joining devices 90. The width W2 can also be regarded as a value obtained
by dividing a distance between an inner side of the first frame 17a and an inner side
of the second frame 17b by the number of the spinning units 1 (two in this embodiment)
arranged between those inner sides. The width W2 can also be regarded as a value obtained
by dividing a distance between a center of width of the first frame 17a and a center
of width of the second frame 17b by the number of the spinning units 1 (two in this
embodiment) arranged between those centers. The width W2 can also be regarded as a
range having a certain length on each side of the predetermined direction D from the
running path of the yarn Y. In this case, the running path of the yarn Y can pass
through a center of the width W2, or need not pass through the center of the width
W2.
[0021] The yarn joining device 90 includes a yarn joining section 91, an upstream-side yarn
conveying section (yarn conveying section) 92, a downstream-side yarn conveying section
(yarn conveying section) 93, a carriage body 97, a driving section 98, and a not-shown
controlling section. The carriage body 97 is movable along a pair of rails including
rails 18a and 18b that is installed between the first frame 17a and the second frame
17b. Concretely, the carriage body 97 includes guide rollers 94, driven rollers 95,
and driving rollers 96. The guide rollers 94 are rotatable in engagement with a groove
provided in the upper rail 18a. The driven rollers 95 are rotatable by being in contact
with the upper rail 18a from the front side. The driving rollers 96 are rotatable
by being in contact with the lower rail 18b from the front side. The driving rollers
96 are rotated by the driving section 98 that is a driving motor mounted on the carriage
body 97. The controlling section controls the operation of the yarn joining section
91, the upstream-side yarn conveying section 92, the downstream-side yarn conveying
section 93, and the driving section 98.
[0022] The yarn joining section 91 is a splicer device that joins the yarn Y from the package
P and the yarn Y from the spinning device 3 by twisting them by using the swirling
air current, in each of the first spinning unit 1a and the second spinning unit 1b.
However, the yarn joining section 91 is not limited to the splicer device, and it
can be a mechanical knotter and the like.
[0023] The yarn joining section 91 is installed in the carriage body 97 so that yarn joining
section 91 can move close to and away from the running path of the yarn Y in the first
spinning unit 1a, as well as can move close to and away from the running path of the
yarn Y in the second spinning unit 1b. When the yarn joining device 90 is positioned
at the first joining position SP1, the yarn joining section 91 is moved forward to
the running path of the yarn Y or near the running path of the yarn Y in the first
spinning unit 1a to perform yarn joining in the first spinning unit 1a. When the yarn
joining device 90 is positioned at the second joining position SP2, the yarn joining
section 91 is moved forward to the running path of the yarn Y or near the running
path of the yarn Y in the second spinning unit 1b to perform yarn joining in the second
spinning unit 1b. When the yarn joining device 90 is positioned at a first standby
position WP1 (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2), when the
yarn joining device 90 is positioned at a second standby position WP2 (the position
indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3), or when the yarn joining device 90
is moved along the predetermined direction D, the yarn joining section 91 is maintained
at a position located away from the running path of the yarn Y or near the running
path of the yarn Y in each of the first spinning unit 1a and the second spinning unit
1b.
[0024] When the yarn joining section 91 is to perform the yarn joining in each of the first
spinning unit 1a and the second spinning unit 1b, the upstream-side yarn conveying
section 92 conveys the yarn Y from the spinning device 3 to the yarn joining section
91. The upstream-side yarn conveying section 92 is pipe-shaped and mounted on the
carriage body 97 so as to be swingable upward or downward with a base end portion
92a as the center. When the upstream-side yarn conveying section 92 is swung downward
around the base end portion 92a, a tip portion 92b of the upstream-side yarn conveying
section 92 is positioned near downstream of the delivery roller 7 and the nip roller
8, and the upstream-side yarn conveying section 92 can capture the yarn Y from the
spinning device 3 by using the suction air current. When the upstream-side yarn conveying
section 92 is swung upward around the base end portion 92a, the upstream-side yarn
conveying section 92 can convey the yarn Y from the spinning device 3 to the yarn
joining section 91. When the yarn Y from the spinning device 3 is captured and conveyed
by the upstream-side yarn conveying section 92, the delivery roller 7 and the nip
roller 8 may be maintained contacting each other, or the delivery roller 7 and the
nip roller 8 may be separated from each other.
[0025] When the yarn joining section 91 is to perform the yarn joining in each of the first
spinning unit 1a and the second spinning unit 1b, the downstream-side yarn conveying
section 93 conveys the yarn Y from the package P to the yarn joining section 91. The
downstream-side yarn conveying section 93 is pipe-shaped and mounted on the carriage
body 97 so as to be swingable upward or downward with a base end portion 93a as the
center. When the downstream-side yarn conveying section 93 is swung upward around
the base end portion 93a as the center, a tip end portion 93b of the downstream-side
yarn conveying section 93 is positioned near upstream of the winding device 4, and
the downstream-side yarn conveying section 93 can capture the yarn Y from the package
P by the suction air current. When the downstream-side yarn conveying section 93 is
swung downward around the base end portion 93a as the center, the downstream-side
yarn conveying section 93 can convey the yarn Y from the package P to the yarn joining
section 91.
[0026] The yarn joining section 91 is then moved forward or backward relative to the running
path of the yarn Y by a not-shown driving motor. The upstream-side yarn conveying
section 92 and the downstream-side yarn conveying section 93 are coupled by a connecting
mechanism such as a cam, and can be swung upward and downward by a not-shown driving
motor arranged in common for the upstream-side yarn conveying section 92 and the downstream-side
yarn conveying section 93. However, a separate driving motor can be arranged for each
of the upstream-side yarn conveying section 92 and the downstream-side yarn conveying
section 93. Moreover, the yarn joining section 91, the upstream-side yarn conveying
section 92, and the downstream-side yarn conveying section 93 can be driven with one
driving motor.
[0027] When the upstream-side yarn conveying section 92 and the downstream-side yarn conveying
section 93 are connected to a suction duct 19, a suction air current is generated
in the upstream-side yarn conveying section 92 and the downstream-side yarn conveying
section 93 (See FIG. 1). The suction duct 19 extends along all the spinning units
1 and along the pair of rails including the rails 18a and 18b. A not-shown shutter
is arranged on the suction duct 19 for each of the spinning units 1. A shutter arranged
for the first spinning unit 1a is opened only when the yarn joining device 90 is positioned
at the first joining position SP1, and the suction duct 19 is connected to a suction
connector arranged in the yarn joining device 90. As a result, the suction air current
flows in the suction duct 19 from the upstream-side yarn conveying section 92 and
the downstream-side yarn conveying section 93. A shutter arranged for the second spinning
unit 1b is opened only when the yarn joining device 90 is positioned at the second
joining position SP2, and the suction duct 19 is connected to a suction connector
arranged in the yarn joining device 90. As a result, the suction air current flows
in the suction duct 19 from the upstream-side yarn conveying section 92 and the downstream-side
yarn conveying section 93.
[0028] When the yarn joining section 91 is connected to a not-shown air duct (tube) that
branches from a not-shown injection duct through which a compressed air current flows,
an injection air current is generated in the yarn joining section 91. The injection
duct extends along all the spinning units 1 and along the pair of rails including
the rails 18a and 18b. When the yarn joining section 91 is to perform the yarn joining
operation, the air duct is connected to a not-shown solenoid valve arranged in the
yarn joining device 90. The yarn joining section 91 can inject an air current required
for the yarn joining by switching the solenoid valve from off to on at an appropriate
timing.
[0029] In an alternative configuration, a not-shown shutter is arranged for each of the
spinning units 1 on the injection duct. In this configuration, the shutter arranged
for the first spinning unit 1a is opened only when the yarn joining device 90 is positioned
at the first joining position SP1, and the injection duct is connected to a suction
connector arranged in the yarn joining device 90. As a result, the injection air current
flows in the yarn joining section 91 from the injection duct. Moreover, a shutter
arranged for the second spinning unit 1b is opened only when the yarn joining device
90 is positioned at the second joining position SP2, and the injection duct is connected
to a suction connector arranged in the yarn joining device 90. As a result, the injection
air current flows in the yarn joining section 91 from the injection duct.
[0030] A valve for opening or closing a flow path of the air current generated in the yarn
joining section 91 is arranged in the carriage body 97 of the yarn joining device
90. However, a valve for opening or closing a flow path of an air current generated
in each of the upstream-side yarn conveying section 92 and the downstream-side yarn
conveying section 93, or a regulator for regulating a pressure of an air current generated
in each of the yarn joining section 91, the upstream-side yarn conveying section 92,
and the downstream-side yarn conveying section 93 is not arranged in the carriage
body 97. A not-shown regulator that regulates a pressure of air required in the yarn
joining device 90 is arranged in a frame (for example, in a motor box) in common to
plural yarn joining devices 90 of the spinning machine 10. Downsizing of the carriage
body 97 can be achieved with this configuration. If an air current for twisting the
yarn is to be generated in the upstream-side yarn conveying section 92 in addition
to the suction air current, a valve for opening or closing a flow path of an air current
generated in the upstream-side yarn conveying section 92 can be arranged in the carriage
body 97.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the yarn monitoring device 6 monitors a thickness of the running
yarn Y by using an optical sensor. When the yarn monitoring device 6 detects a yarn
defect (place where the thickness and the like of the yarn is anomalous), the yarn
monitoring device 6 transmits a yarn-defect detection signal to the unit controller.
Upon receiving the yarn-defect detection signal, the unit controller operates a cutter
14 arranged near the yarn monitoring device 6 on the upstream side and causes the
cutter 14 to cut the yarn Y. The yarn monitoring device 6 can use an electrostatic
capacitance sensor, for example, instead of the optical sensor. The yarn monitoring
device 6 can be configured to detect foreign matter contained in the yarn Y. Moreover,
the cutter 14 can be integrated in the yarn monitoring device 6 instead of arranging
separately from the yarn monitoring device 6. The cutter 14 can even be omitted, and
the yarn Y can be cut after stopping the spinning operation being performed by the
spinning device 3.
[0032] The winding device 4 forms the package P by winding the yarn Y formed by the spinning
device 3. The winding device 4 includes a cradle arm 41, a winding drum 42, and a
yarn pulling device 43.
[0033] The cradle arm 41 rotatably supports a winding tube T on which the yarn Y is to be
wound. The cradle arm 41 is arranged so as to be swingable upward or downward with
a base end portion as the center and is urged so as to be swung downward with the
base end as the center. Thus, even when the diameter of the package P gradually increases
as the yarn Y is wound around the winding tube T, the cradle arm 41 can cause the
package P to contact the winding drum 42 at an appropriate pressure.
[0034] A driving force of a not-shown driving motor is conveyed to the winding drum 42 whereby
the winding drum 42 is rotated while being in contact with an outer peripheral surface
of the winding tube T or the package P. A traverse groove is formed on an outer peripheral
surface of the winding device 4 to traverse the yarn Y at a predetermined width. Thus,
the winding device 4 can form the package P by winding the yarn Y around the winding
tube T while traversing the yarn Y. In the present embodiment, a driving motor that
rotates the winding drum 42 is arranged separately for each of the spinning units
1. Accordingly, the package P can be rotated in a reverse direction by independently
operating the winding drum 42 of the spinning unit 1 in which the yarn joining becomes
necessary.
[0035] The yarn pulling device 43 is arranged near upstream of the winding drum 42. A fourth
guide 16 is arranged near the upstream side of the yarn pulling device 43. When performing
the yarn joining and the like, the yarn pulling device 43 generates an air current
that flows downward along the outer peripheral surface of the package P. With this
arrangement, the yarn pulling device 43 can pull the yarn Y from the package P and
guide the pulled yarn Y to the fourth guide 16. The downstream-side yarn conveying
section 93 is swung upward with the base end portion 93a as the center such that the
tip end portion 93b is positioned near the upstream side of the fourth guide 16. Then,
the downstream-side yarn conveying section 93 captures the yarn Y from the package
P by using the suction air current.
[0036] A yarn joining operation performed in the spinning machine 10 will be explained below
by focusing on the spinning unit pair including the first spinning unit 1a and the
second spinning unit 1b.
[0037] When the yarn Y is disconnected in the first spinning unit 1a (concretely, when the
yarn Y breaks during winding of the package P, or when the yarn Y is cut by the cutter
14), as shown in FIG. 2, the yarn joining device 90 is moved to and stops at the first
joining position SP1 for the first spinning unit 1a. Subsequently, as shown in FIG.
4, the winding operation of the package P by the winding device 4, the drafting operation
by the drafting device 2, and the spinning operation by the spinning device 3 are
stopped, and the first guide 11 and the second guide 12 are moved from a position
near the yarn pooling device 5 to a position above the nip roller 8 and the delivery
roller 7. In the yarn joining device 90, the yarn joining section 91 is moved forward
to the running path of the yarn Y or near the running path of the yarn Y of the first
spinning unit 1a.
[0038] Subsequently, the downstream-side yarn conveying section 93 is swung upward, and
captures the yarn Y that is pulled from the package P and guided to the fourth guide
16 by the yarn pulling device 43. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the downstream-side yarn
conveying section 93 is swung downward, and conveys the yarn Y from the package P
to the yarn joining section 91. At this time, the package P is rotated in the reverse
direction by controlling the winding drum 42. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4, the
upstream-side yarn conveying section 92 is swung downward to a position where the
upstream-side yarn conveying section 92 captures the yarn Y from the spinning device
3. Then, the drafting operation by the drafting device 2 and the spinning operation
by the spinning device 3 are resumed, and the yarn Y output from the spinning device
3 is captured by the upstream-side yarn conveying section 92. Thereafter, as shown
in FIG. 5, the upstream-side yarn conveying section 92 is swung upward, and conveys
the yarn Y from the spinning device 3 to the yarn joining section 91. In an alternative
configuration, the capturing and the conveying of the yarn Y from the spinning device
3 by the upstream-side yarn conveying section 92 can be performed prior to the capturing
and the conveying of the yarn Y from the package P by the downstream-side yarn conveying
section 93.
[0039] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6, while capturing the yarn Y from the spinning device
3, the first guide 11 is moved near the upstream side of the yarn pooling device 5.
Then, as shown in FIG. 7, while capturing the yarn Y from the spinning device 3, the
second guide 12 is moved near the downstream side of the yarn pooling device 5. By
following the above method, it is possible to hook the yarn Y with the yarn hooking
member 53 of the yarn pooling device 5 and pool the yarn Y on the yarn pooling roller
51 thereby eliminating a slack in the yarn Y that may be generated during the yarn
joining.
[0040] When the yarn joining by the yarn joining section 91 is completed, the winding operation
of the package P by the winding device 4 is resumed. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the
yarn joining device 90 is moved to and stopped at the first standby position WP1 that
is closer to the first joining position SP1 for the first spinning unit 1a.
[0041] When the yarn Y is disconnected in the second spinning unit 1b, as shown in FIG.
3, the yarn joining device 90 is moved to and stopped at the second joining position
SP2 for the second spinning unit 1b, and similar to the above, the yarn joining operation
is performed in the second spinning unit 1b. When the yarn joining operation is completed,
the yarn joining device 90 is moved to and stopped at the second standby position
WP2 that is closer to the second joining position SP2 for the second spinning unit
1b. As explained above, the yarn joining device 90 does not stand by at a central
position that bisects the first joining position SP1 and the second joining position
SP2. That is, the standby position of the yarn joining device 90 is a position offset
from the central position toward the position where the yarn joining operation was
performed. Accordingly, when a necessity arises to perform the yarn joining operation
in both the first spinning unit 1a and the second spinning unit 1b, the yarn joining
device 90 can be moved to a joining position that is closer to the current standby
position making it possible to perform the yarn joining operation efficiently.
[0042] As explained above, in the spinning machine 10, the width W1 of the yarn joining
device 90 in the predetermined direction D is equal to or less than the width W2 of
each of the spinning units 1 in the predetermined direction D. Accordingly, when performing
the yarn joining in each of the spinning units 1 arranged at either ends in the predetermined
direction D among the plural spinning units 1 arranged along the predetermined direction
D, it is prevented that the yarn joining device 90 protrudes outside each of those
spinning units 1. Therefore, in the spinning machine 10, it is possible to suppress
widening of the installation space.
[0043] Furthermore, two different yarn joining devices 90 can be simultaneously positioned
with respect to the first spinning unit 1a and the second spinning unit 1b that are
arranged adjacent to each other via the frame 17 (the first frame 17a and the second
frame 17b), and the yarn joining of the yarn Y can be performed in each of those first
spinning unit 1a and second spinning unit 1b.
[0044] In the spinning machine 10, the width W1 of the yarn joining device 90 along the
predetermined direction D is, for example, equal to or more than 210 millimeters (mm)
and equal to or less than 260 mm. Accordingly, a structure can be appropriately realized
in which the width W1 of the yarn joining device 90 is equal to or less than the width
W2 of the spinning unit 1.
[0045] In the spinning machine 10, one yarn joining device 90 is arranged in common only
for the first spinning unit 1a and the second spinning unit 1b that are arranged adjacent
to each other along the predetermined direction D, and this yarn joining device 90
performs yarn joining in each of the first spinning unit 1a and the second spinning
unit 1b. Therefore, even if the frequency of yarn joining in each of the spinning
units 1 is low, in comparison with the case where one yarn joining device 90 is arranged
for one spinning unit 1, the number of the yarn joining devices 90 required for the
yarn joining hardly becomes excessive. Furthermore, even if the frequency of yarn
joining in each of the spinning units 1 is high, in comparison with the case where
one yarn joining device 90 is arranged in common for 20 or more to 40 or less spinning
units 1, the number of the yarn joining devices 90 required for the yarn joining hardly
becomes insufficient (in short, waiting time from generation of a requirement for
performing the yarn joining until the yarn joining is actually started is shortened).
Therefore, in the spinning machine 10, it is possible to suppress both the reduction
of cost performance and the reduction in the productivity of the package P.
[0046] In the spinning machine 10, one regulator that regulates an air pressure required
in the yarn joining device 90 is arranged in common for plural yarn joining devices
90. Because a dedicated regulator is not arranged for the yarn joining device 90,
it is possible to simplify the structure of the yarn joining device 90. Moreover,
the weight of the yarn joining device 90 can be reduced and the working life of the
components of the yarn joining device 90 can be prolonged. In addition, attachment
and detachment operation of the yarn joining device 90 with respect to the pair of
rails including the rails 18a and 18b can be performed easily, thereby facilitating
the maintenance of the yarn joining device 90. Furthermore, in the spinning machine
10, as the movement distance of the yarn joining device 90 is shorter, the range of
selection of the driving section 98 becomes wider. For example, it is possible to
use an actuator, such as an air cylinder, as the driving section 98 instead of a driving
motor.
[0047] In the spinning machine 10, the yarn joining device 90 includes the driving section
98 for moving along the predetermined direction D. Therefore, the yarn joining device
90 can be easily moved to an appropriate position.
[0048] In the spinning machine 10, the yarn joining device 90 includes the yarn joining
section 91 that performs the yarn joining in each of the first spinning unit 1a and
the second spinning unit 1b. Therefore, the yarn joining can be performed properly
in each of the first spinning unit 1a and the second spinning unit 1b.
[0049] In the spinning machine 10, the yarn joining section 91 is arranged so that the yarn
joining section 91 can move close to and away from the running path of the yarn Y
in the first spinning unit 1a, as well as can move close to and away from the running
path of the yarn Y in the second spinning unit 1b. With this arrangement, at times
other than when the yarn joining is to be performed in each of the first spinning
unit 1a and the second spinning unit 1b, the yarn joining section 91 can be moved
to such a position where it does not come in the way of other components. Moreover,
when performing yarn joining in each of the first spinning unit 1a and the second
spinning unit 1b, the yarn joining section 91 can properly perform the yarn joining
on the running path of the yarn Y or near the running path of the yarn Y. Furthermore,
at times other than when the yarn joining is to be performed in each of the first
spinning unit 1a and the second spinning unit 1b, by moving the yarn joining section
91 to such a position where it does not come in the way of other components, it is
possible to increase the degree of freedom of movement trajectories of the upstream-side
yarn conveying section 92 and the downstream-side yarn conveying section 93.
[0050] In the spinning machine 10, the yarn joining device 90 includes the upstream-side
yarn conveying section 92 that conveys the yarn Y from the spinning device 3 to the
yarn joining section 91 when performing the yarn joining, and the downstream-side
yarn conveying section 93 that conveys the yarn Y from the package P to the yarn joining
section 91 when performing the yarn joining. Therefore, when performing the yarn joining,
it is possible to properly convey the yarn Y from the spinning device 3 and the yarn
Y from the package P to the yarn joining section 91.
[0051] An embodiment of the present invention has been explained above; however, the present
invention is not intended to be limited to this embodiment. For example, one yarn
joining device 90 can be used to perform yarn joining in each of two or more to 15
or less spinning units 1 arranged adjacent to each other along the predetermined direction
D. Moreover, one yarn joining device 90 can be used to perform yarn joining in each
of two or more to 10 or less spinning units 1 arranged adjacent to each other along
the predetermined direction D. In these cases, even if the frequency of yarn joining
in each of the spinning units 1 is low, in comparison with the case where one yarn
joining device 90 is arranged for one spinning unit 1, the number of the yarn joining
devices 90 required for the yarn joining hardly becomes excessive. Furthermore, even
if the frequency of yarn joining in each of the spinning units 1 is high, in comparison
with the case where one yarn joining device 90 is arranged in common for 20 or more
to 40 or less spinning units 1, the number of the yarn joining devices 90 required
for the yarn joining hardly becomes insufficient (in short, waiting time from generation
of a requirement for performing the yarn joining until the yarn joining is actually
started is shortened). Therefore, in the spinning machine 10, it is possible to suppress
both the reduction of cost performance and the reduction in the productivity of the
package P.
[0052] A suction mouth having an elongated suction port of a length corresponding to the
length of the package P can be used as the downstream-side yarn conveying section
93. If this configuration is adopted, the yarn pulling device 43 and the fourth guide
16 can be omitted. Moreover, at least one of the upstream-side yarn conveying section
92 and the downstream-side yarn conveying section 93 can be arranged in the spinning
unit 1. This configuration leads to further reduction in the weight of the yarn joining
device 90.
[0053] The yarn joining section 91 is not limited to the one that can move close to and
away from the running path of the yarn Y. That is, the yarn joining section 91 can
be fixed at a position where it can perform the yarn joining in the yarn joining device
90. Furthermore, a mechanism for operating the first guide 11 and the second guide
12 can be included in the yarn joining device 90. Moreover, a configuration required
for performing the yarn joining operation can be included in the yarn joining device
90. The draft cradle 26 can be arranged in each of the spinning units 1.
[0054] The yarn winding machine according to the present invention is not to be limited
to a spinning machine. That is, the yarn winding machine can be any other yarn winding
machine such as an automatic winder. Furthermore, the first yarn winding unit and
the second yarn winding unit according to the present invention are not to be limited
to spinning units. That is, the first spinning unit and the second yarn winding unit
can be any other yarn winding unit such as a winder unit. Moreover, the first yarn
winding unit and the second yarn winding unit according to the present invention can
have a configuration in which the yarn runs from up to down in the height direction
of the yarn winding machine.
[0055] According to an aspect of the present invention, a yarn winding machine includes
at least two yarn winding units arranged adjacent to each other along a predetermined
direction and each of which forms a package by winding a yarn; and at least one yarn
joining device that is arranged so as to be movable along the predetermined direction
and that performs yarn joining in each of the yarn winding units. The one yarn joining
device performs yarn joining in at least two of the yarn winding units. Moreover,
a width of the yarn joining device in the predetermined direction is equal to or less
than a width of each of the yarn winding units in the predetermined direction.
[0056] In the above yarn winding machine, when performing the yarn joining in each of the
spinning units arranged at either ends in the predetermined direction among the plural
spinning units arranged along the predetermined direction, it is prevented that the
yarn joining device protrudes outside each of those spinning units. Accordingly, in
the spinning machine, it is possible to suppress widening of the installation space.
[0057] According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above yarn winding machine,
the yarn winding units include at least three yarn winding units and the yarn joining
devices include at least two yarn joining devices. Moreover, each of at least the
two yarn joining devices performs yarn joining in each of at least the two yarn winding
units among at least the three yarn winding units arranged adjacent to each other
along the predetermined direction. In this configuration, two different yarn joining
devices can be simultaneously positioned with respect to two winding units that are
arranged adjacent to each other, and the yarn joining of the yarn Y can be performed
in each of those two winding units.
[0058] According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the above yarn winding
machine, a width of the yarn joining device along the predetermined direction is equal
to or more than 210 mm and equal to or less than 260 mm. Therefore, a configuration
where a width of the yarn joining device in the predetermined direction is equal to
or less than a width of each of the yarn winding units in the predetermined direction
can be appropriately realized.
[0059] According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the above yarn winding
machine, the one yarn joining device performs yarn joining in each of two or more
to 15 or less yarn winding units arranged adjacent to each other along the predetermined
direction. Moreover, according to still another aspect of the present invention, in
the above yarn winding machine, the one yarn joining device performs yarn joining
in each of two or more to 10 or less yarn winding units arranged adjacent to each
other along the predetermined direction. Moreover, according to still another aspect
of the present invention, in the above yarn winding machine, the one yarn joining
device is arranged in common only for the two yarn winding units arranged adjacent
to each other along the predetermined direction and performs yarn joining in each
of the two yarn winding units. In these configurations, even if the frequency of yarn
joining in each of the yarn winding units is low, in comparison with the case where
one yarn joining device is arranged for one yarn winding unit, the number of the yarn
joining devices required for the yarn joining hardly becomes excessive. Furthermore,
even if the frequency of yarn joining in each of the yarn winding unit is high, in
comparison with the case where one yarn joining device is arranged in common for 20
or more to 40 or less yarn winding unit, the number of the yarn joining devices required
for the yarn joining operation hardly becomes insufficient. Therefore, it is possible
to suppress both the reduction of cost performance and the reduction in the productivity
of the package.
[0060] According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the above yarn winding
machine, when the yarn joining devices include at least two yarn joining devices,
the yarn winding machine further includes a regulator arranged in common for the two
yarn joining devices that regulates an air pressure required in each of the yarn joining
devices. In this configuration, because a dedicated regulator is not arranged for
the yarn joining device, it is possible to simplify the structure of the yarn joining
device.
[0061] According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the above yarn winding
machine, the yarn joining device includes a driving section that moves the yarn joining
device along the predetermined direction. In this configuration, it is possible to
easily move the yarn joining device to an appropriate position.
[0062] According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the above yarn winding
machine, the yarn joining device includes a yarn joining section that performs yarn
joining in each of the yarn winding units. In this configuration, the yarn joining
of each of the yarns can be appropriately performed.
[0063] According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the above yarn winding
machine, the yarn joining section is arranged so that yarn joining section can be
moved close to and away from a running path of the yarn in each of the yarn winding
units. In this configuration, at times other than when performing the yarn joining
of the yarns, the yarn joining section can be moved to such a position where it does
not come in the way of the other components, and when performing the yarn joining
of the yarns, the yarn joining section can be moved to a running path or near the
running path of each of the yarns allowing proper yarn joining of the yarns.
[0064] According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the above yarn winding
machine, the yarn joining device further includes a yarn conveying section that conveys
the yarn to the yarn joining section when performing yarn joining in each of the yarn
winding units. In this configuration, when performing the yarn joining, it is possible
to properly convey the yarns to the yarn joining sections.
1. A yarn winding machine (10) comprising:
at least two yarn winding units (1) arranged adjacent to each other along a predetermined
direction (D) and each of which is adapted to form a package (P) by winding a yarn
(Y); and
at least one yarn joining device (90) arranged so as to be movable along the predetermined
direction (D),
wherein the at least one yarn joining device (90) is adapted to perform yarn joining
in at least two of the yarn winding units (1), and
a width (W1) of the at least one yarn joining device (90) in the predetermined direction
(D) is equal to or less than a width (W2) of each of the yarn winding units (1) in
the predetermined direction (D).
2. The yarn winding machine (10) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the at least one yarn
joining device (90) is adapted to perform yarn joining in each of the yarn winding
units (1).
3. The yarn winding machine (10) as claimed in Claim 1 or 2,
wherein
the yarn winding machine (10) comprises at least three yarn winding units (1), and
the yarn winding machine (10) comprises at least two yarn joining devices (90), and
each of the at least two yarn joining devices (90) is adapted to perform yarn joining
in each of at least two yarn winding units (1) among the at least three yarn winding
units (1) arranged adjacent to each other along the predetermined direction (D).
4. The yarn winding machine (10) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the
width (W1) of the at least one yarn joining device (90) along the predetermined direction
(D) is equal to or more than 210 mm and equal to or less than 260 mm.
5. The yarn winding machine (10) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the
at least one yarn joining device (90) is adapted to perform yarn joining in each of
two or more to 15 or less yarn winding units (1) arranged adjacent to each other along
the predetermined direction (D).
6. The yarn winding machine (10) as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the at least one yarn
joining device (90) is adapted to perform yarn joining in each of two or more to 10
or less yarn winding units (1) arranged adjacent to each other along the predetermined
direction (D).
7. The yarn winding machine (10) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the
at least one yarn joining device (90) is arranged in common only for two yarn winding
units (1) arranged adjacent to each other along the predetermined direction (D) and
is adapted to perform yarn joining in each of the two yarn winding units (1).
8. The yarn winding machine (10) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the
yarn winding machine (10) comprises at least two yarn joining devices (90) and the
yarn winding machine (10) further includes a regulator arranged in common for the
at least two yarn joining devices (90) and adapted to regulate an air pressure required
in each of the yarn joining devices (90).
9. The yarn winding machine (10) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the
at least one yarn joining device (90) includes a driving section (98) adapted to move
the yarn joining device (90) along the predetermined direction (D).
10. The yarn winding machine (10) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the
at least one yarn joining device (90) includes a yarn joining section (91) adapted
to perform yarn joining in each of the yarn winding units (1).
11. The yarn winding machine (10) as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the yarn joining section
(91) is arranged so as to be movable to be close to and away from a running path of
the yarn (Y) in each of the yarn winding units (1).
12. The yarn winding machine (10) as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, wherein the at least one
yarn joining device (90) further includes a yarn conveying section (92, 93) adapted
to convey the yarn (Y) to the yarn joining section (91) when performing yarn joining
in each of the yarn winding units (1).
13. The yarn winding machine (10) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein each
of the yarn winding units (1) includes
a spinning device (3) adapted to form the yarn (Y); and
a winding device (4) adapted to wind the yarn (Y) formed by the spinning device (3)
into the package (P).