TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic winder comprising a management system.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In an automatic winder including a plurality of rewinding units for unwinding spun
yarns from bobbins to form packages having a predetermined length, a configuration
is conventionally known in which the bobbin wound with the yarn is placed on a tray
and automatically transported to a rewinding position in each rewinding unit. In this
type of automatic winder, a textile machine management system for managing bobbin
information is sometimes applied, to improve efficiency in transporting the bobbin.
In this management system, recording means for recording information is attached to
the tray, and the information recorded on the recording means can be accessed through
appropriate means. An automatic winder (fine spinning winder) using such an automatic
winder management system is disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2.
[0003] In the above-described automatic winder, the rewinding unit is configured such that
if yarn breakage or the like occurs, ends of yarns are pieced to each other by a yarn
piecing device and then rewinding is restarted. However, in a case where, for example,
the yarn is wrapped around the bobbin, the end of the yarn of the bobbin cannot be
caught. In this state, a rewinding operation of the package cannot be continued. Therefore,
the rewinding unit discharges the bobbin for which catching of the yarn end has been
failed to a transport path located at the outside of the automatic winder, and receives
supply of a new bobbin, to restart the rewinding.
[0004] Here, in a case where the bobbin is discharged from the automatic winder as described
above, the yarn that should have been rewound onto the package remains on the bobbin.
Therefore, conventionally known is a bobbin transport mechanism configured to transport
the tray in such a manner that the end of the yarn of the bobbin can be processed
so that it can be caught by the rewinding unit and then the bobbin can be returned
to the automatic winder again.
PRIOR-ART DOCUMENTS
PATENT DOCUMENTS
[0006] DE 199 13 736 A1 describes an automatic bobbin winder that takes a length of yarn from the spinning
bobbin to test it for quality and the bobbin is marked and removed on a fault for
transfer to a cop processing station for correction To process spinning bobbins at
an automatic bobbin winder a length of yarn is taken from the spinning bobbin to test
it for quality faults. If a fault is detected, the bobbin is marked at a data storage
chip and removed from the winding station.
[0007] DE 42 17 059 A1 describes a bobbin trace system in which a bar code for distinguishing a bobbin is
affixed on a tray on which the bobbin to be fed from the spindle on the fine spinning
frame to the winder is inserted upright, the bar code is read by a bar code reader
and at the same time the yarn characteristic of the bobbin of the code is detected.
[0008] EP 1 460 016 A1 describes an automatic winder having a frame control device comprising winding units
each of which executes a winding process of unwinding a spun yarn from a supplying
package to wind the yarn into a winding package, a process starting and stopping function
to start and stop the winding process, an interruption information control section
that operates when the winding process in a winding unit is interrupted during a rewinding
operation, to acquire and store operational information provided to this winding unit
immediately before the interruption, and a restoring section that operates when the
interrupted winding process is restarted, to read the operational information to cause
the winding unit to restart the winding process on the basis of the operational information.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present invention is to provide a management system for an
automatic winder, which can reconstruct rewinding conditions that were applied before
a rewinding operation has been interrupted, even in a case where a bobbin on which
the rewinding operation has been interrupted is transported to another rewinding unit.
[0010] This object is achieved by an automatic winder comprising a management system of
claim 1 or 2.
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0011] From the viewpoint of stably maintaining the quality of the yarn, it is preferable
that package rewinding conditions (bobbin unwinding conditions) such as a speed of
drawing the yarn from the bobbin and a tension applied to the yarn are kept as constant
as possible from a start to an end of a bobbin unwinding operation. However, in a
configuration in which the bobbin discharged from the rewinding unit because the yarn
end could not be caught is returned to the automatic winder again, it cannot always
be ensured that the bobbin returned to the automatic winder is transported to the
rewinding unit that has previously performed the rewinding operation (the rewinding
unit that has stopped the rewinding operation). If a different rewinding unit performs
the rewinding operation, the rewinding conditions may greatly change because of individual
variability in the rewinding units. Thus, in terms of stabilization of the yarn quality,
room for improvement remains.
MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS AND EFFECTS THEREOF
[0012] The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above, and next,
means for solving the problem and effects thereof will be described.
[0013] In a first aspect of the present invention, in a management system for an automatic
winder including a plurality of rewinding units and connectable to a bobbin transport
mechanism, the following configuration is provided. The rewinding units unwind yarns
from bobbins, to form packages. The bobbin transport mechanism transports a transporter
on which the bobbin wound with the yarn is set. The transporter includes a data recording
section configured to record information. The rewinding unit includes a data reading
part and a unit control section. The data reading part reads the information from
the data recording section corresponding to the bobbin on which a rewinding operation
is performed. In a case where the rewinding operation is interrupted halfway, the
unit control section records rewinding information indicating a rewinding condition
and a rewinding status obtained at a time when the interruption occurs. When performing
the rewinding operation again using the bobbin on which the rewinding operation has
been interrupted halfway, the unit control section controls the rewinding unit having
the bobbin transported thereto based on the rewinding information of said bobbin.
[0014] Accordingly, even if the bobbin on which the rewinding operation has been interrupted
is transported to the rewinding unit different from the rewinding unit that originally
performed the rewinding operation, the rewinding condition applied prior to the interruption
is reconstructed based on the rewinding information, and the yarn can be drawn from
the bobbin substantially under the same condition. Therefore, the yarn wound on the
same bobbin is rewound under the same rewinding condition, which can stabilize the
yarn quality.
[0015] The management system is configured as follows. That is, the rewinding unit includes
a data writing part for recording the rewinding information into the data recording
section of the transporter. In a case where the rewinding operation is interrupted,
the rewinding information is written into the data recording section. When performing
the rewinding operation again using the bobbin on which the rewinding operation has
been interrupted halfway, the rewinding unit having the bobbin transported thereto
is controlled based on the rewinding information recorded on the data recording section.
[0016] Accordingly, the rewinding information can be obtained and reflected to the rewinding
operation merely by reading the rewinding information from the data recording section
of the transporter. As a result, the process for reconstructing the rewinding operation
that was applied prior to the interruption can be concluded at the rewinding unit
side, which can achieve a simple process.
[0017] Alternatively, the management system for the automatic winder is configured as follows.
That is, the automatic winder includes a storage section configured to store the rewinding
information with respect to each bobbin. The data recording section of the transporter
records thereon identification information for distinguishing this transporter from
other transporters. When performing the rewinding operation again using the bobbin
on which the rewinding operation has been interrupted halfway, the management system
identifies the bobbin based on the identification information recorded on the data
recording section. Then, the management system controls the rewinding unit having
the bobbin transported thereto based on the rewinding information of the bobbin.
[0018] Accordingly, the rewinding information of the bobbin can be collectively managed
by the controller side, and therefore a storage capacity of the data recording section
of the transporter can be reduced. Moreover, from the viewpoint of the rewinding unit
side, it is not necessary to provide any special means for storing data. Therefore,
a simple configuration for reflecting the rewinding information to the rewinding operation
can be achieved.
[0019] In the management system for the automatic winder, it is preferable that the rewinding
information contains remaining yarn length information concerning a yarn remaining
on the bobbin.
[0020] This enables the process by the rewinding unit and the transport by the bobbin transport
mechanism to be performed in accordance with a remaining yarn length of the yarn remaining
on the bobbin.
[0021] It is preferable that the management system for the automatic winder is configured
as follows. That is, the rewinding unit includes tension applying means configured
to apply a tension to a yarn that is rewound into the package. The rewinding information
contains control information of the tension applying means.
[0022] Accordingly, by considering the control information of the tension applying means
obtained before the rewinding operation has been interrupted, the tension of the yarn
drawn out from the bobbin can be kept substantially within a certain range from a
start to an end of the unwinding operation on this bobbin.
[0023] It is preferable that the management system for the automatic winder is configured
as follows. That is, the rewinding unit includes a yarn defect detection part for
detecting a yarn defect. The rewinding information contains detection information
concerning a detection of the defect by the yarn defect detection part.
[0024] Accordingly, by referring to the detection information, a status of the yarn wound
on the bobbin can be recognized. Therefore, the process by the rewinding unit and
the transport by the bobbin transport mechanism can be performed in accordance with
the status of the yarn.
[0025] It is preferable that the management system for the automatic winder is configured
as follows. That is, the bobbin transport mechanism includes a plurality of paths,
a second data reading part, and a path switching device. The second data reading part
is for reading the information recorded on the data recording section of the transporter.
The path switching device switches a path based on the information read by the second
data reading part.
[0026] Accordingly, a destination of transport of the bobbin can be determined based on
the rewinding information recorded on the data recording section, and therefore efficiency
in transporting the bobbin can be effectively improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027]
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a fine spinning winder including a winder
according to one embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the top side thereof.
FIG. 2 contains a schematic front elevational view and a block diagram showing the
fine spinning winder.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing external appearances of a bobbin and a tray.
FIG. 4 is a side view showing a configuration of a fine spinning unit.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing a configuration of a rewinding unit.
FIG. 6 contains a schematic front elevational view and a block diagram showing a fine
spinning winder according to a modification.
EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0028] Next, an embodiment of the invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan
view showing a fine spinning winder 1 including a winder 3 according to one embodiment
of the present invention, as seen from the top side thereof. FIG. 2 contains a schematic
front elevational view and a block diagram showing the fine spinning winder 1.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the fine spinning winder 1 has a tray transport path 90 for transporting
a tray (transporter) 50 on which a bobbin 23 is set. A spinning frame 2, a winder
3, and an automatic bobbin feed system (bobbin transport mechanism) 6 are arranged
in the tray transport path 90. The tray transport path 90 connects the spinning frame
2 and the winder 3 to each other, and is configured as a loop, so that the bobbin
23 (tray 50) circulates through the tray transport path 90. Although FIG. 1 shows
only one bobbin 23 and one tray 50, actually a plurality of trays 50 are transported
along the tray transport path 90.
[0030] In the following description, regarding a flow of the tray 50 through the tray transport
path 90, an upstream side and a downstream side with respect to a direction of transport
of the tray 50 may be simply referred to as "upstream side" and "downstream side",
respectively.
[0031] Firstly, configurations of the tray 50 and the bobbin 23 transported in the tray
transport path 90 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a
perspective view showing external appearances of the tray 50 and the bobbin 23 used
in the fine spinning winder 1 of this embodiment.
[0032] As shown in the left part of FIG. 3, the tray 50 includes a base portion 50a having
a substantially circular disc shape, and a bobbin insertion portion 50b having a rod-like
shape and protruding from the base portion 50a in a vertical direction. The tray 50
moves along the tray transport path 90 while a side of the tray 50 at which the insertion
portion 50b protrudes faces upward.
[0033] As shown in the middle part of FIG. 3, the bobbin 23 is shaped into a long and thin
cylinder, and allows the insertion portion 50b to be inserted therein. Thereby, the
bobbin 23 is set on the tray 50 with a longitudinal direction of the bobbin 23 extending
in the vertical direction, and can be transported along the tray transport path 90.
[0034] In the following description, a bobbin (bobbin shown in the right part of FIG. 3)
on which a yarn is wound will be sometimes referred to as "actual bobbin". A bobbin
in a state where no yarn is wound thereon (in a state shown in the middle part of
FIG. 3) will be sometimes referred to as "empty bobbin" or "bobbin that is empty"
for the purpose of especially emphasizing such a state.
[0035] In the winder 3 (fine spinning winder 1) of this embodiment, a management system
(textile machine management system) is applied which manages information of the bobbin
23 set on the tray 50 by using a technique of RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification:
individual identification based on a radio wave). More specifically, in each tray
50, an RF tag (data recording section) 60 in which appropriate information can be
written is arranged within the base portion 50a. By writing information concerning
the bobbin 23 into the RF tag 60 (of each tray 50), a status of the bobbin 23 is managed.
[0036] Next, each configuration of the fine spinning winder 1 will be described along the
tray transport path 90. The tray transport path 90 includes an actual bobbin introduction
path 91, an actual bobbin transport path 92, a returned bobbin transport path 93,
a bobbin waiting loop 94, a bobbin supply path 95, an empty bobbin transport path
96, an empty bobbin return path 97, a defective bobbin waiting path 98, and a replaced
bobbin return path 99.
[0037] The actual bobbin introduction path 91 connects the spinning frame 2 and the automatic
bobbin feed system 6 to each other, and transports the tray 50 having the bobbin 23
placed thereon from the spinning frame 2 to the automatic bobbin feed system 6. Hereinafter,
the spinning frame 2 will be described.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the spinning frame 2 includes a large number of fine spinning
units 32 arranged in parallel with one another, and a controller 19 configured to
collectively control the large number of fine spinning units 32. The spinning frame
2 also includes a doffing device (not shown) for doffing the bobbin 23 (actual bobbin)
on which the yarn has been wound by the fine spinning unit 32.
[0039] Next, a detailed description will be given to the fine spinning unit 32 with reference
to FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the fine spinning unit 32 of this embodiment is for
spinning a sliver or a rove having been generated in a prior step by imparting twist
thereto. More specifically, the spinning frame 2 is configured as a ring spinning
frame, and the fine spinning unit 32 is configured as a ring spinning unit including
a drafting mechanism 101 and a twist imparting mechanism 102.
[0040] The drafting mechanism 101 has a plurality of drafting rollers, and the drafting
rollers include top rollers 103 and bottom rollers 104. The top rollers 103 have three
drafting rollers, namely, a back roller 103a, a middle roller 103b having an apron
belt 105 mounted thereon, and a front roller 103c. On the other hand, the bottom rollers
104 have three drafting rollers, namely, a back bottom roller 104a, a middle bottom
roller 104b having an apron belt 105 mounted thereon, and a front bottom roller 104c.
As shown in FIG. 4, the top roller 103 and the bottom roller 104 are arranged so as
to be opposed to each other across a path of travel of the sliver or the rove, and
are configured to nip the sliver or the rove with predetermined pressure. An output
shaft of a driving source (not shown) is connected to each of the bottom rollers 104,
so that the bottom rollers 104 can be driven at different speeds. By the driving of
the bottom rollers 104, the sliver or the rove is, while being drawn, fed to the twist
imparting mechanism 102.
[0041] The twist imparting mechanism 102 includes a spindle shaft 111, a ring rail 112,
a ring 113, and a traveler 114. The spindle shaft 111 is for rotating the bobbin 23
that is set on the spindle shaft 111. The ring rail 112 is connected to a driver (not
shown), and movable in the longitudinal direction of the bobbin 23. The ring 113 is
fixed to the ring rail 112, and has a flange portion for the traveler 114 to be mounted
thereon. The traveler 114 is supported on the flange portion of the ring 113, and
movable in a circumferential direction of the ring 113.
[0042] To perform the fine spinning in the fine spinning unit 32 configured as described
above, firstly, the yarn (sliver or rove having been drawn) fed from the drafting
mechanism 101 is inserted into a gap between the traveler 114 and the ring 113, and
an end portion of the yarn is fixed to the empty bobbin 23 by an appropriate method.
In this state, the spindle shaft 111 rotates the bobbin 23, and thereby the yarn being
wound on the bobbin 23 drags the traveler 114, so that the traveler 114 moves in the
circumferential direction. As a result, the rotation of the traveler 114 is delayed
behind the rotation of the bobbin 23, and twist is imparted to the yarn due to a difference
in the number of rotations thus caused. The twisted yarn is sequentially wound on
the bobbin 23. When a preset length of the yarn is wound on the bobbin 23, the rotation
of the spindle shaft 111 is stopped, to terminate the winding.
[0043] The spinning frame 2 of this embodiment is of so-called simultaneous doffing type.
In the spinning frame 2 of this type, a large number of bobbins 23 transported from
the automatic bobbin feed system 6 through the empty bobbin return path 97 which will
be described later are stocked while being arranged in a line, and when a predetermined
timing comes, the large number of bobbins 23 are simultaneously set on the spindle
shafts 111 of the fine spinning units 32, and yarns are simultaneously wound thereon.
When the winding of the yarns is completed, the doffing device simultaneously doffs
all the bobbins 23 (actual bobbins). Then, bobbins 23 that are empty are pulled away
from the trays 50 having the empty bobbins 23 placed thereon, which are waiting in
appropriate positions. Then, the bobbins 23 (actual bobbins) are inserted into the
trays 50. Then, the pulled bobbins 23 that are empty are set on the spindle shafts
111, and the spinning frame 2 winds yarns thereon. The bobbins 23 doffed by the spinning
frame 2 and placed on the trays 50 are transported through the actual bobbin introduction
path 91, and thereby introduced into the automatic bobbin feed system 6.
[0044] The automatic bobbin feed system 6 receives the trays 50 having the bobbins 23 (actual
bobbins) placed thereon from the spinning frame 2, and then writes appropriate information
into the RF tags 60 of the trays 50. A pick finding device 7 finds pick of the bobbins
23, and then the trays 50 are supplied to the winder 3 side. Hereinafter, a detailed
description will be given.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, an RF writer 4 is arranged at the downstream side of the spinning
frame 2 in the actual bobbin introduction path 91. The RF writer 4 writes, for example,
information identifying the fine spinning unit 32 that has spun the yarn on the bobbin
23, into the RF tag 60. When the tray 50 transported in the actual bobbin introduction
path 91 passes through a writing position of the RF writer 4, the information identifying
the fine spinning unit 32 that has wound the yarn on the bobbin 23 placed on this
tray 50 is recorded on the RF tag 60 by the RF writer 4.
[0046] The fine spinning units 32 are arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction
of the spinning frame 2. The bobbins 23 doffed by the simultaneous doffing are mounted
on the trays 50, and then transported in the actual bobbin introduction path 91 in
the same order as the order in which the fine spinning units 32 are arranged. Accordingly,
by counting the order in which the bobbins 23 are introduced into the actual bobbin
introduction path 91, the fine spinning unit 32 that has spun the yarn on the bobbin
23 can be identified. For example, in the first tray 50 that has passed through a
reading position of the RF writer 4 after the simultaneous doffing was performed,
a station number No.1 of the fine spinning unit 32 arranged most downstream is stored
in the RF tag 60. In the next transported tray 50, the station number No. 2 of the
fine spinning unit 32 adjacent upstream to the fine spinning unit 32 having the station
number No. 1 is stored in the RF tag 60. In the subsequent trays newly transported,
in the same manner, the station numbers No. 3, No. 4, ... are sequentially stored
in the RF tags 60. As a result, the information (station number) identifying the fine
spinning unit 32 that has wound the yarn on the bobbin 23 placed on the tray 50 is
stored in the RF tag 60 of this tray 50 passing through the writing position of the
RF writer 4.
[0047] The RF writer 4 of this embodiment is configured to write doffing information as
well as the station number described above. Here, the doffing information means information
indicating a timing of performing the doffing, such as time when the simultaneous
doffing was performed or how many number of times the doffing was.
[0048] The reason why the doffing information (such as clock time when the doffing was performed)
as well as the station number is recorded on the RF tag 60 is as follows. That is,
in the automatic bobbin feed system 6 and the winder 3 (the downstream side of the
spinning frame 2), there may be the trays 50 in which the same station number is stored
in the RF tags 60. For example, this occurs in a case where, before a rewinding operation
on the bobbin 23 that has been fed to the winder 3 side in the previous doffing is
not completed, the next doffing is performed so that a new group of bobbins 23 are
introduced into the automatic bobbin feed system 6. In such a case, if the doffing
information mentioned above is stored in the RF tag 60, the doffing information is
referred to so that the bobbins 23 having the same station number can be distinctively
recognized as different bobbins 23. The RF writer 4 of this embodiment can also store,
in the RF tag 60, not only the above-described information but also a lot number,
a number of the spinning frame 2 (a number given to each spinning frame 2 in a case
where a plurality of spinning frames 2 are provided), and the like. In the following
description, the information (the station number and the doffing information) identifying
the bobbin 23 which is stored in the RF tag 60 may be referred to as bobbin information.
[0049] A downstream end portion of the actual bobbin introduction path 91 is connected to
an upstream end portion of the actual bobbin transport path 92. The actual bobbin
transport path 92 connects the automatic bobbin feed system 6 and the winder 3 to
each other. The tray 50 in which predetermined information is written in the RF tag
60 thereof by the RF writer 4 is transported to the winder 3 along the actual bobbin
transport path 92.
[0050] The automatic bobbin feed system 6 includes the pick finding device 7. The pick finding
device 7 is arranged on the above-described actual bobbin transport path 92 and at
the upstream side of the winder 3. The pick finding device 7 finds pick of the bobbin
23 in order to make it easy for the winder 3 to catch the yarn of the bobbin 23. A
brief description will be given. The pick finding device 7 applies a suction flow
to the bobbin 23 placed on the tray 50 transported in the actual bobbin transport
path 92, and thereby unwinds the yarn from a surface of the bobbin 23. An end of the
unwound yarn is inserted into the inside of the bobbin 23 having the cylindrical shape.
This makes it easy that the end of the yarn of the bobbin 23 is caught by the winder
3 arranged at the downstream side of the pick finding device 7.
[0051] The pick finding device 7 does not always succeed in the pick-finding, and may sometimes
fail. In this case, the tray 50 having placed thereon the bobbin 23 for which the
pick-finding has been failed is sent out to the returned bobbin transport path 93.
The returned bobbin transport path 93 diverges from the actual bobbin transport path
92 immediately downstream of the pick finding device 7, and is curved in a loop so
as to be connected to the upstream end portion of the actual bobbin transport path
92. Such a configuration enables the bobbin 23 for which the pick-finding has been
failed to be transported along the returned bobbin transport path 93 and thereby returned
to the upstream side of the pick finding device 7 again. Thus, even if the pick-finding
has been failed, a pick-finding process by the pick finding device 7 is automatically
performed again. Therefore, it is not necessary that each time a pick-finding error
occurs, an operator deals with it.
[0052] In this embodiment, the pick finding device 7 includes a pick-finding-device RF writer
42 and a pick-finding-device RF reader 41. The pick-finding-device RF writer 42 is
arranged in the actual bobbin transport path 92, and configured to write, into the
RF tag 60 of the tray 50, pick-finding information indicating a failure in the pick-finding
of the pick finding device 7. The pick-finding-device RF reader 41 is arranged at
the upstream side of the pick-finding-device RF writer 42 in the actual bobbin transport
path 92, and configured to read a storage content of the RF tag 60. Success or failure
in the pick-finding is detected by a sensor (not shown) provided in the pick finding
device 7.
[0053] In this configuration, when the tray having the bobbin 23 set thereon passes through
a reading position of the pick-finding-device RF reader 41, the pick-finding-device
RF reader 41 obtains the pick-finding information of the passing bobbin 23 from the
RF tag 60. After the pick-finding is performed on this bobbin 23, the pick finding
device 7 determines success or failure in the pick-finding based on a signal from
the sensor.
[0054] In this embodiment, the pick-finding information stored in the RF tag 60 contains
the number of consecutive failures in pick-finding. Accordingly, each time the pick
finding device 7 fails in pick-finding, the number of consecutive failures in pick-finding
that is stored in the RF tag 60 is counted up by one, and then stored again. On the
other hand, if the pick finding device 7 succeeds in pick-finding, the number of consecutive
failures in pick-finding stored in the RF tag 60 is reset to zero.
[0055] In this embodiment, if a predetermined number or more of pick-finding errors consecutively
occur, it is determined that the bobbin is a defective bobbin, and the pick-finding-device
RF writer 42 writes into the RF tag 60 a content indicating a defective bobbin. The
tray 50 in which information indicating a defective bobbin is written is not transported
to the returned bobbin transport path 93, but sent to the winder 3 side. Even though
the bobbin 23 (tray 50) sent to the winder 3 side is set in the rewinding position,
the rewinding unit 31 does not perform the rewinding operation thereon, and the bobbin
23 is immediately discharged into the empty bobbin transport path 96.
[0056] Next, the winder 3 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the winder 3 includes
a plurality of rewinding units 31, and a machine controller 11 serving as a controller.
In the winder 3, an RF reader (data reading part) 5 and a rewinding-unit RF writer
(data writing part) 40 are provided for each rewinding unit 31. The winder 3 also
includes a clearer control box (CCB) 12 to which a clearer (yarn defect detection
part) 15 of the rewinding unit 31 which will be described later is connected.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 1, in the winder 3, a plurality of bobbin supply paths 95 diverging
from the actual bobbin transport path 92 are provided. The plurality of bobbin supply
paths 95 are provided corresponding to the plurality of rewinding units 31 of the
winder 3. The plurality of bobbin supply paths 95 allow the bobbins 23 transported
in the actual bobbin transport path 92 to be distributed to the rewinding units 31.
A specific description will be given as follows.
[0058] Each bobbin supply path 95 has a predetermined length, and is configured such that
a plurality of bobbins 23 can be arranged and stocked in the bobbin supply path 95.
A guide member (not shown) or the like is arranged at an upstream end portion of each
bobbin supply path 95, so that the bobbin 23 transported in the actual bobbin transport
path 92 can be introduced into the bobbin supply path 95 by the guide member in the
course of nature. If there is not a space in the bobbin supply path 95 for introduction
of the bobbin 23 (if a maximum number of bobbins 23 are stocked), introduction of
the new bobbin 23 into the bobbin supply path 95 is blocked by the bobbins existing
in this bobbin supply path 95. At this time, the bobbin 23 blocked from being introduced
into the bobbin supply path 95 is transported to the downstream side in the actual
bobbin transport path 92, and introduced into another bobbin supply path 95 having
a space. In this manner, the bobbins 23 fed from the spinning frame 2 can be distributed
to the rewinding units 31.
[0059] On the other hand, if there is no bobbin supply path 95 having a space that allows
the bobbin 23 to be introduced therein, the bobbin 23 is introduced into the bobbin
waiting loop 94, and transported in the bobbin waiting loop 94. The bobbin waiting
loop 94 diverges from a most downstream portion of the actual bobbin transport path
92, and is connected to a portion of the actual bobbin transport path 92 located at
the upstream side of a position where the most upstream bobbin supply path 95 is diverged
from the actual bobbin transport path 92. Accordingly, the bobbin 23 keeps circulating
through a loop path made up of the bobbin waiting loop 94 and the actual bobbin transport
path 92, until a space that allows a bobbin to be stocked therein is made in any bobbin
supply path 95.
[0060] Next, a configuration of the rewinding unit 31 will be described in detail with reference
to FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the rewinding unit 31 is for rewinding the yarn from
the actual bobbin onto a rewinding bobbin 22 to thereby form a package 30. The rewinding
unit 31 includes a rewinding drum (traverse drum) 24 for traversing the yarn and for
driving the rewinding bobbin 22. In the rewinding unit 31 of this embodiment, in a
path of travel of the yarn between the rewinding drum 24 and the bobbin 23 set in
an appropriate position for an unwinding operation to be performed thereon, a tension
applying device 13, a yarn piecing device 14, and a clearer 15 are arranged in the
mentioned order from the bobbin 23 side.
[0061] The tension applying device 13 applies a predetermined tension to the traveling yarn.
As the tension applying device 13, a gate type one is adopted in which a movable comb
is arranged relative to a fixed comb. The movable comb is rotatable by a rotary solenoid
such that the combs can be brought into an engaged state or a disengaged state. The
tension of the yarn to be rewound is made constant by the tension applying device
13, and thereby the quality of the package 30 can be improved.
[0062] For example, at a time of yarn cutting that is performed by the clearer 15 upon detection
of a yarn defect, or at a time of yarn breakage during unwinding of the yarn from
the bobbin 23, the yarn piecing device 14 pieces a lower yarn of the bobbin 23 to
an upper yarn of the package 30. Examples of the yarn piecing device 14 include a
mechanical one, and one using a fluid such as a compressed air. A lower yarn guide
pipe 25 for guiding the lower yarn of the bobbin 23 by sucking and catching the lower
yarn and an upper yarn guide pipe 26 for guiding the upper yarn of the package 30
by sucking and catching the upper yarn are provided at the lower and upper sides of
the yarn piecing device 14, respectively.
[0063] The clearer 15 is for detecting a defect and the amount of fluff in the yarn by detecting
a diameter of the yarn using an appropriate sensor. The clearer 15 can also function
as a sensor for simply detecting presence or absence of the yarn. Cutting means is
provided near the clearer 15, so that if the clearer 15 detects a defect in the yarn,
the defect can be removed.
[0064] The yarn unwound from the bobbin 23 is rewound on the rewinding bobbin 22 that is
arranged at the downstream side of the yarn piecing device 14. The rewinding bobbin
22 is driven by rotational driving of the rewinding drum 24 that is opposed to the
rewinding bobbin 22. A rotation sensor (not shown) is mounted to the rewinding drum
24. Each time the rewinding drum 24 is rotated through a predetermined angle, the
rotation sensor outputs a rotation pulse signal to a unit control section 10. The
rewinding unit 31 of this embodiment measures the number of pulses per a time period,
thereby calculating a speed of rotation of the rewinding drum 24. In this embodiment,
the unit control section 10 is provided for each rewinding unit 31. The unit control
section 10 of each rewinding unit 31 is connected to the machine controller 11, and
communicates various information such as rewinding conditions with the machine controller
11.
[0065] In the above-described configuration, the bobbin 23 transported in the bobbin supply
path 95 is set in an appropriate position (rewinding position) in the rewinding unit
31, and then the rewinding drum 24 is driven, so that the yarn unwound from the bobbin
23 is rewound on the rewinding bobbin 22, to form the package 30 having a predetermined
length.
[0066] An RF reader 5 is arranged in the bobbin supply path 95 so as to read the RF tag
60 of the tray 50 on which the bobbin 23 whose yarn is rewound by the rewinding unit
31 is placed. Information read by the RF reader 5 is transmitted to the unit control
section 10.
[0067] The rewinding-unit RF writer 40 is arranged at a portion where the bobbin supply
path 95 is connected to the empty bobbin transport path 96 such that the rewinding-unit
RF writer 40 can write rewinding information into the RF tag 60 of the tray 50 having
the bobbin 23 placed thereon which is sent out from the rewinding unit 31. The rewinding-unit
RF writer 40 is connected to the unit control section 10, and can write, into the
RF tag 60, the rewinding information obtained from the unit control section 10.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 2, the machine controller 11 includes a display 16 serving as display
means, and input keys 17 serving as operation means. The display 16 is for displaying
a status of each rewinding unit 31. The input keys 17 allow the operator to set rewinding
conditions and the like.
[0069] As described above, the bobbin information (the station number and the doffing information)
read by the RF reader is inputted into the machine controller 11. Therefore, which
of the fine spinning units 32 has wound the yarn on the bobbin 23 whose yarn is currently
rewound by the rewinding unit 31 can be identified.
[0070] The CCB 12 performs a determination process for determining, for example, whether
or not a yarn defect is occurring, based on information transmitted from the clearer
15. As shown in FIG. 2, the CCB 12 has a display 18 serving as display means, so that
various information, such as information concerning a yarn defect and information
generated based on a yarn defect, can be displayed on the display 18. The CCB 12 is
electrically connected to the machine controller 11, and communicates various information
with the machine controller 11.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 5, the bobbin supply path 95 is laid under the rewinding unit 31.
The bobbin 23 supplied to the rewinding unit 31 is transported to the above-mentioned
rewinding position by this bobbin supply path 95. During the rewinding of the yarn,
the bobbin 23 is stopped in the rewinding position, and therefore the transport of
the tray 50 by the bobbin supply path 95 is temporarily stopped.
[0072] As described above, the bobbin supply path 95 is configured such that a plurality
of bobbins 23 can be stocked therein. As shown in FIG. 5, the stocked bobbins 23 are
arranged in a line on the bobbin supply path 95. The most downstream one of the bobbins
23 in the bobbin supply path 95 is an object of yarn rewinding performed by the rewinding
unit 31. In FIG. 5, the position of the rightmost one of the plurality of bobbins
is the above-mentioned rewinding position.
[0073] The unwinding of the yarn from the bobbin 23 is performed with the bobbin 23 being
placed on the tray 50, as shown in FIG. 5. If the yarn of the bobbin 23 runs out and
the bobbin 23 becomes empty, the bobbin supply path 95 transports the tray 50. Thereby,
the bobbin 23 that is empty is fed to the downstream side while being placed on the
tray 50, and discharged into the empty bobbin transport path 96 (which will be described
later).
[0074] Along with the bobbin 23 that is empty and placed in the rewinding position being
fed to the downstream side, each bobbin 23 stocked in the bobbin supply path 95 is
also fed to the downstream side. As a result, a new bobbin 23 is set in the rewinding
position, and the yarn is unwound from the new bobbin 23. Thus, the rewinding can
be restarted. By discharging the empty bobbin 23 from the bobbin supply path 95, a
new space allowing the bobbin 23 to be stocked therein is made in the bobbin supply
path 95. Thus, the bobbin supply path 95 is replenished with the bobbin 23 transported
in the actual bobbin transport path 92.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 1, a downstream end portion of each of the plurality of bobbin supply
paths 95 joins the empty bobbin transport path 96. The empty bobbin transport path
96 connects the winder 3 and the automatic bobbin feed system 6 to each other. The
empty bobbin 23 discharged from each rewinding unit 31 is transported through the
empty bobbin transport path 96, and thereby returned to the automatic bobbin feed
system 6.
[0076] In the automatic bobbin feed system 6, the empty bobbin transport path 96 is connected
to a middle of the returned bobbin transport path 93. In the returned bobbin transport
path 93, the empty bobbin return path 97 diverges therefrom at a position downstream
of a position where the empty bobbin transport path 96 is connected to the returned
bobbin transport path 93. The empty bobbin returned to the automatic bobbin feed system
6 through the empty bobbin transport path 96 passes through a part of the returned
bobbin transport path 93, and then is introduced into the empty bobbin return path
97 by a path switching mechanism (not shown) which will be described later. The empty
bobbin return path 97 connects the automatic bobbin feed system 6 and the spinning
frame 2 to each other. In the automatic bobbin feed system 6, the bobbin 23 that is
empty is transported in the empty bobbin return path 97, and thereby the bobbin 23
that is empty is returned to the spinning frame 2.
[0077] As described above, due to the loop-shaped tray transport path 90 that connects the
spinning frame 2 and the winder 3 to each other, the bobbin 23 can circulate between
the spinning frame 2 and the winder 3.
[0078] Actually, bobbins transported in the empty bobbin transport path 96 include not only
the empty bobbins, but the actual bobbins and defective bobbins are randomly mixed
therein. Therefore, a configuration is required that sorts and appropriately processes
the empty bobbin, the actual bobbin, and the defective bobbin that are mixed in transport.
In the following, this point will be described in detail.
[0079] Firstly, a description will be given to a case where the actual bobbin (bobbin on
which the yarn remains) is transported in the empty bobbin transport path 96. For
example, if yarn breakage occurs during rewinding of the yarn in the rewinding unit
31, the yarn piecing device 14 performs yarn piecing. At this time, the rewinding
unit 31 causes a suction flow to occur in a distal end portion of the lower yarn guide
pipe 25, thereby sucking and catching an end of the yarn of the bobbin 23, then guiding
the end of the yarn to the yarn piecing device 14. Then, the yarn piecing device 14
pieces the yarn to the upper yarn.
[0080] However, in a case where the end of the yarn of the bobbin 23 cannot be sucked and
caught by the lower yarn guide pipe 25, for example, in a case where the end of the
yarn is wrapped around the bobbin 23 or in a case where the yarn is broken at a position
near the bobbin 23, the lower yarn guide pipe 25 cannot catch the end of the yarn,
and therefore the yarn piecing device 14 cannot perform the yarn piecing. In such
a case, the rewinding unit 31 abandons catching the end of the yarn of the bobbin
23, and discharges the bobbin 23 whose yarn end could not be caught, to the empty
bobbin transport path 96. In a description given below, a bobbin on which the rewinding
by the rewinding unit 31 is interrupted and that is thus discharged may be referred
to as "interrupted bobbin". In this embodiment, at a time of discharging the interrupted
bobbin, predetermined information (rewinding information which will be described below)
is written into the RF tag 60 of the tray 50.
[0081] Next, rewinding information will be described. In this embodiment, the rewinding
information written into the RF tag 60 by the rewinding-unit RF writer 40 contains
remaining yarn information, rewinding speed information, tension information, and
yarn defect information.
[0082] The remaining yarn information is information indicating a remaining yarn length
of the yarn that remains on the bobbin 23. The remaining yarn length is calculated
by subtracting an unwound yarn length from the length of the yarn wound on the bobbin
23 in the fine spinning unit 32.
[0083] The unwound yarn length herein means the length of the yarn unwound from the actual
bobbin (the length of the yarn rewound from the actual bobbin into the package 30),
which can be calculated by the following method. As described above, the rotation
sensor mounted to the rewinding drum 24 inputs the rotation pulse signal to the unit
control section 10 (see FIG. 5). The unit control section 10 counts the rotation pulse
signal, and based on a count value, calculates the unwound yarn length. This count
value is reset at a timing when a new actual bobbin on which the rewinding operation
is not yet performed is transported or at a timing when the yarn is entirely unwound
from the actual bobbin. The counting is started based on a timing of unwinding the
yarn from a new actual bobbin.
[0084] In this embodiment, a predetermined length of the yarn wound on one bobbin 23 by
the fine spinning unit 32 is preliminarily stored as a set yarn length in the unit
control section 10. Therefore, the remaining yarn length can be obtained by subtracting
the unwound yarn length from the set yarn length. In this embodiment, the remaining
yarn length calculated in this manner is written as the remaining yarn information
into the RF tag 60.
[0085] The rewinding speed information is information indicating a speed of rotation of
the rewinding drum 24 until the rewinding operation has been interrupted. The rewinding
speed information can be expressed as, for example, data in which a change in a rewinding
speed until the rewinding operation has been interrupted is chronologically arranged.
The rewinding speed information may be data indicating an average value of the rewinding
speed at a time when the speed has reached a steady speed so that a change in the
speed can fall within a certain range. In this manner, the rewinding speed information
is set based on information concerning the rewinding speed of the rewinding drum 24.
[0086] The tension information is information indicating the tension applied to the traveling
yarn by the tension applying device 13. The tension applying device 13 of this embodiment
is configured such that the tension applied to the yarn can be changed depending on
the magnitude of a current value. The tension information is set based on the current
value. For example, if a change in the current value until the rewinding operation
is interrupted is stored as the tension information in the RF tag 60, the degree of
tension the tension applying device 13 has applied to the yarn unwound from the bobbin
23 can be recognized. The rewinding unit 31 of this embodiment can control the tension
applied to the yarn by the tension applying device 13, based on the storage content
of the RF tag 60.
[0087] The yarn defect information (detect information) is information indicating a defect
in the yarn that was drawn out from the bobbin 23 until the rewinding operation has
been interrupted. By referring to the yarn defect information, a state (quality) of
the yarn unwound from the bobbin 23 can be recognized. For example, the number of
times the clearer 15 detected a yarn defect and the yarn was cut, or the number of
times yarn breakage occurred, can be contained as the yarn defect information. In
this manner, the yarn defect information is information concerning clearing, and is
data indicating the quality of the yarn wound on the bobbin 23. The yarn defect information
is used for determination of a defective bobbin. For example, in a case where a combination
of a yarn defect portion obtained until the rewinding operation has been interrupted
and a yarn defect portion obtained after the rewinding operation has been restarted
exceeds a certain percentage of the set yarn length, it is determined that the bobbin
is a defective bobbin.
[0088] As described above, the rewinding information is information containing control information
of the rewinding unit 31 at the time when the yarn drawn out from the bobbin 23 is
unwound, and information indicating a status of the yarn wound on the bobbin 23. The
rewinding information is not limited to the above-described information. Depending
on circumstances, appropriate information may be added to the rewinding information.
The unwinding operation on the bobbin 23 using this rewinding information will be
described later.
[0089] In the rewinding position, a new bobbin 23 that has been stocked is set so as to
replace the bobbin 23 on which the rewinding operation is interrupted. Since this
new bobbin 23 has been subjected to the pick-finding in the pick finding device 7,
an end of the yarn can be easily caught, so that the yarn piecing can be performed.
In this manner, even if the end of the yarn cannot be caught at the time of yarn breakage,
the bobbin 23 whose yarn end could not be caught is discharged, and instead, a new
bobbin 23 can be set, thereby enabling the yarn piecing and restarting the rewinding.
[0090] The bobbin 23 whose yarn end could not be caught is transported in the empty bobbin
transport path 96. In the empty bobbin transport path 96, as described above, the
empty bobbins sent out from the other rewinding units 31 are also transported. Accordingly,
the bobbin 23 whose yarn end could not be caught is transported together with the
empty bobbins in the empty bobbin transport path 96, and then introduced into the
returned bobbin transport path 93.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 1, in the returned bobbin transport path 93, an empty bobbin determination
device 8 is provided at a position upstream of the position where the empty bobbin
return path 97 diverges from the returned bobbin transport path 93. The empty bobbin
determination device (third data reading part) 8 of this embodiment can read a storage
content of the RF tag 60, and by reading the rewinding information (remaining yarn
information) stored in the RF tag 60, can determine whether or not a bobbin is an
empty bobbin. Additionally, a path switching mechanism (not shown) is provided at
the position where the empty bobbin return path 97 diverges from the returned bobbin
transport path 93. The path switching mechanism sends out a bobbin 23 to the empty
bobbin return path 97 side if the empty bobbin determination device 8 determines that
the bobbin 23 is an empty bobbin, and keeps a bobbin 23 transported in the returned
bobbin transport path 93 if the empty bobbin determination device 8 determines that
the bobbin 23 is not an empty bobbin.
[0092] In the above-described configuration, only the empty bobbin can be returned to the
spinning frame 2. The bobbin 23 (bobbin on which the yarn remains) determined to be
not an empty bobbin by the empty bobbin determination device 8 is transported in the
returned bobbin transport path 93. The bobbin 23 having a sufficient amount of remaining
yarn is subjected to the pick-finding process in the pick finding device 7. In the
bobbin 23 for which it is determined that the amount of remaining yarn is extremely
small based on the rewinding information (remaining yarn information) in the RF tag
60, the extremely small amount of remaining yarn is removed by a remaining yarn processing
device (not shown). In this manner, even if the end of the yarn of the bobbin 23 could
not be caught in the rewinding unit 31, the bobbin 23 is subjected to the pick-finding
in the pick finding device 7, and thereby the rewinding unit 31 can perform unwinding
again. The configuration may further include a remaining yarn amount detection device,
so that the amount of remaining yarn is measured by the remaining yarn amount detection
device.
[0093] Next, a description will be given to the unwinding operation on the bobbin 23 (rewinding
operation on the package 30) using the rewinding information stored in the RF tag
60.
[0094] When a new bobbin 23 is supplied in the rewinding position, the RF reader 5 reads
the bobbin information and the rewinding information from the RF tag 60 of the tray
50. Based on these information, the unit control section 10 determines whether or
not this bobbin is an interrupted bobbin.
[0095] If the bobbin 23 is an interrupted bobbin and additionally the yarn remains on this
bobbin, the RF reader 5 transmits the remaining yarn information, the rewinding speed
information, and the tension information that are read from the RF tag 60, to the
unit control section 10. Then, the unit control section 10 reflects the received rewinding
information to the control of each part. For example, based on the rewinding speed
information stored in the RF tag 60, a target rewinding speed is set, and drive means
of the rewinding drum 24 is controlled such that the steady speed can reach this rewinding
speed. Based on the tension information, the tension applied to the yarn unwound from
the bobbin 23 is controlled so as to reach the same tension as the tension applied
before the rewinding operation has been interrupted.
[0096] In a configuration including a large number of rewinding units 31 as in this embodiment,
it cannot always be ensured that, when the interrupted bobbin is transported to the
winder 3 side again, the interrupted bobbin is transported to the same rewinding unit
31 as the rewinding unit 31 that has originally performed the rewinding operation.
On the other hand, from the viewpoint of achieving a uniform quality, it is preferable
that the bobbins 23 whose yarns are spun by the same fine spinning unit 32 are subjected
to the unwinding operation under the same conditions. In this respect, the configuration
of this embodiment allows the rewinding conditions to be reconstructed by reading
the rewinding information stored in the RF tag 60 of the tray 50 that is transporting
the bobbin 23. Therefore, even if the interrupted bobbin is transported to the rewinding
unit 31 different from the rewinding unit 31 that originally performed the rewinding
operation, the rewinding information can be obtained from the RF tag 60 without the
need to exchange information between the unit control sections 10.
[0097] Next, a description will be given to a case where a defective bobbin (bobbin from
which a defective yarn is rewound) is transported in the empty bobbin transport path
96.
[0098] In the fine spinning unit 32, if damage, abrasion, or the like, occurs in the apron
belt 105 for example, the yarn manufactured by the fine spinning unit 32 may have
a non-uniform diameter. Additionally, there is a tendency that the amount of fluff
in the yarn increases as the traveler 114 is abraded away. In a description given
below, it is considered that a yarn having a non-uniform diameter and a yarn having
a large amount of fluff is a defective yarn of low commercial value, and a bobbin
23 having such a defective yarn wound thereon may be referred to as "defective bobbin".
It is desired that the rewinding unit 31 automatically detects and removes the defective
bobbin, in order to prevent the defective yarn to be mixed into the package 30.
[0099] In this embodiment, therefore, the diameter and the fluff of the yarn unwound from
the bobbin 23 are detected by the clearer 15, as described above. In this embodiment,
if the magnitude of variation in the yarn diameter or the amount of fluff, which is
detected by the clearer 15 of the rewinding unit 31, is beyond a predetermined allowable
range, it is determined that the bobbin on which the rewinding unit 31 currently performs
rewinding is a defective bobbin.
[0100] If a defective bobbin is detected, the rewinding unit 31 does not unwind the yarn
any longer, and discharges the defective bobbin as it is (with the yarn left thereon)
to the empty bobbin transport path 96, and then starts unwinding the yarn from another
bobbin 23 stocked in the bobbin supply path 95. This can prevent the yarn having a
non-uniform diameter or the yarn having a large amount of fluff from being mixed into
the package 30.
[0101] Here, if the defective bobbin sent out from the rewinding unit 31 into the empty
bobbin transport path 96 was introduced into the returned bobbin transport path 93,
the empty bobbin determination device 8 would determine that this defective bobbin
is not an empty bobbin (because the yarn remains on this defective bobbin), and this
defective bobbin would be supplied through the pick finding device 7 to the winder
3 again. Therefore, the automatic bobbin feed system 6 is configured such that when
the defective bobbin is transported in the empty bobbin transport path 96, the defective
bobbin is not introduced into the returned bobbin transport path 93 and escaped into
the defective bobbin waiting path 98:
[0102] A specific description is as follows. If a defective bobbin is detected in a certain
rewinding unit 31, the machine controller 11 stores, in the RF tag 60, information
indicating that this bobbin 23 is a defective bobbin. As described above, when the
rewinding unit 31 rewinds the yarn from the bobbin 23, the storage content of the
RF tag 60 of the tray 50 having this bobbin 23 mounted thereon is read, and if the
information indicating a defective bobbin is detected, this bobbin 23 is discharged
from the rewinding position into the empty bobbin transport path 96. Whether or not
a bobbin is a defective bobbin can be determined based on the yarn defect information,
too. For example, it may be acceptable that a bobbin in which a predetermined amount
or more of yarn defects are detected during the rewinding operation is determined
to be a defective bobbin.
[0103] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the defective bobbin waiting path 98 is provided
so as to diverge from the empty bobbin transport path 96 at a position upstream of
a position where the empty bobbin transport path 96 joins the returned bobbin transport
path 93. In this diverging position, a path switching mechanism (path switching device)
43 is provided, so that a path of transport of the bobbin 23 transported in the empty
bobbin transport path 96 can be switched by the path switching mechanism 43. Additionally,
in the empty bobbin transport path 96, an RF reader 9 (second data reading part) is
arranged at a position upstream of the position where the defective bobbin waiting
path 98 diverges from the empty bobbin transport path 96. The RF reader 9 reads a
storage content of the RF tag 60 of the tray 50 that is transported in the empty bobbin
transport path 96, and transmits the information to the path switching mechanism 43.
Based on the content stored in the RF tag 60, the path switching mechanism 43 determines
whether or not the bobbin 23 transported in the empty bobbin transport path 96 is
a defective bobbin.
[0104] If the information indicating a defective bobbin is stored in the RF tag 60, it is
determined that the bobbin 23 transported in the empty bobbin transport path 96 is
a defective bobbin. Based on a result of this determination, the bobbin 23 is sent
out to the defective bobbin waiting path 98 side. If it is determined that the bobbin
23 is not a defective bobbin, the bobbin 23 is kept transported in the empty bobbin
transport path 96.
[0105] The defective bobbin waiting path 98 has a certain length, and a downstream end portion
of the defective bobbin waiting path 98 is a closed end. Therefore, a plurality of
trays 50 having defective bobbins placed thereon can wait in the defective bobbin
waiting path 98.
[0106] When the trays 50 having the defective bobbins placed thereon are reserved to a certain
extent in the defective bobbin waiting path 98, the operator removes the defective
bobbins from the trays 50, and replaces them with empty bobbins. Then, the operator
performs an appropriate operation, to thereby drive the defective bobbin waiting path
98 in reverse. As a result, the trays 50 reserved in the defective bobbin waiting
path 98, on which the replacing empty bobbins are placed, are introduced into the
replaced bobbin return path 99.
[0107] As shown in FIG. 1, the replaced bobbin return path 99 diverges from a middle of
the defective bobbin waiting path 98, and is connected to the empty bobbin return
path 97. The tray 50 on which the defective bobbin has been replaced with the empty
bobbin is introduced through the replaced bobbin return path 99 into the empty bobbin
return path 97, and then returned to the spinning frame 2.
[0108] As described above, the winder 3 of this embodiment can distinguish the transported
bobbin 23 into any of the empty bobbin, the actual bobbin, and the defective bobbin,
based on the storage content of the RF tag 60. Thereby, even if the empty bobbin,
the actual bobbin, and the defective bobbin are mixed in the automatic bobbin feed
system 6 and the winder 3, each bobbin can be appropriately distributed so that the
bobbin 23 can be appropriately transferred between the fine spinning frame 2 and the
winder 3, without stopping the transport of the tray 50.
[0109] As shown above, the winder 3 of this embodiment is configured as follows. That is,
the winder 3 includes the plurality of rewinding units 31, and is connected to the
automatic bobbin feed system 6. The rewinding unit 31 unwinds the yarn wound on the
bobbin 23, to form the package 30. The automatic bobbin feed system 6 transports the
tray 50 on which the bobbin 23 wound with the yarn is set. The tray 50 has a RF tag
60 capable of recording information. The rewinding unit 31 includes the RF reader
5 and the unit control section 10. The RF reader 5 reads the information from the
RF tag 60 of the tray 50 having set thereon the bobbin 23 on which the rewinding operation
is being control section 10 records the rewinding information indicating the rewinding
conditions and a rewinding status obtained at a time when the interruption occurs.
When performing the rewinding operation again using the bobbin 23 on which the rewinding
operation has been interrupted halfway, the unit control section 10 controls the rewinding
unit 31 having the bobbin transported thereto, based on the rewinding information
of this bobbin 23.
[0110] Accordingly, even if the bobbin 23 on which the rewinding operation has been interrupted
is transported to the rewinding unit 31 different from the rewinding unit 31 that
originally performed the rewinding operation, the rewinding conditions applied prior
to the interruption are reconstructed based on the rewinding information, and the
yarn can be drawn from the bobbin 23 substantially under the same conditions. Therefore,
the yarn wound on the same bobbin 23 is rewound under the same rewinding conditions,
which can stabilize the yarn quality.
[0111] In the management system for the winder 3 of this embodiment, the rewinding information
contains remaining yarn length information concerning the yarn remaining on the bobbin
23.
[0112] This enables the process by the rewinding unit 31 and the transport by the automatic
bobbin feed system 6 to be performed in accordance with the remaining yarn length
of the yarn remaining on the bobbin 23.
[0113] The rewinding unit 31 provided in the winder 3 of this embodiment includes the tension
applying device 13 configured to apply a tension to the yarn that is being rewound
into the package 30. The rewinding information contains the tension information in
the tension applying device 13.
[0114] Accordingly, by considering the tension information concerning the tension that was
applied by the tension applying device 13 before the rewinding operation has been
interrupted, the tension of the yarn drawn out from the bobbin 23 can be kept substantially
within a certain range from the start to the end of the unwinding operation on this
bobbin 23.
[0115] The rewinding unit provided in the winder 3 of this embodiment includes the clearer
15 for detecting a yarn defect. In the management system of this embodiment, the rewinding
information contains the yarn defect information concerning a detection of the defect
by the clearer 15.
[0116] Accordingly, by referring to the yarn defect information, the status of the yarn
wound on the bobbin 23 can be recognized. Therefore, the process by the rewinding
unit 31 and the transport by the automatic bobbin feed system 6 can be performed in
accordance with the status of the yarn. The yarn defect information of this embodiment
also contains cutting data concerning yarn cutting and the like (information indicating
the number of times the clearer 15 detected a yarn defect and the yarn was cut).
[0117] The automatic bobbin feed system 6 connected to the winder 3 of this embodiment includes
the plurality of paths (tray transport path 90), the RF reader 9, and the path switching
mechanism 43. The RF reader 9 is for reading information recorded on the RF tag 60
of the tray 50. The path switching mechanism 43 switches a path based on the information
read by the RF reader 9.
[0118] Accordingly, a destination of transport of the bobbin 23 can be determined based
on the rewinding information recorded on the RF tag 60, and therefore efficiency in
transporting the bobbin 23 can be effectively improved.
[0119] The rewinding unit provided in the winder 3 of this embodiment includes the rewinding-unit
RF writer 40 for recording the rewinding information on the RF tag 60 of the tray
50. In a case where the rewinding operation is interrupted, the rewinding information
is written into the RF tag 60. When performing the rewinding operation again using
the bobbin 23 on which the rewinding operation has been interrupted halfway, the management
system of this embodiment controls the rewinding unit 31 having the bobbin transported
thereto, based on the rewinding information recorded on the RF tag 60.
[0120] Accordingly, the rewinding information can be obtained and reflected to the rewinding
operation merely by reading the rewinding information from the RF tag 60 of the tray
50. As a result, the process for reconstructing the rewinding operation that was applied
prior to the interruption can be concluded at the rewinding unit 31 side, which can
achieve a simple process.
[0121] While the fine spinning winder 1 including the winder 3 according to one embodiment
of the present invention has been described above, the configuration of the winder
3 can be appropriately modified depending on circumstances, as long as the management
system of the present invention is applied thereto. In a possible modification, for
example, the rewinding-unit RF writer 40 arranged for each rewinding unit 31 of the
winder 3 may be omitted, and instead the machine controller 11 may manage the rewinding
information of each bobbin 23. Next, a modification in which the machine controller
11 manages the rewinding information of each bobbin 23 will be described with reference
to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 contains a schematic front elevational view and a block diagram
showing the fine spinning winder 1 according to the modification. Since the modification
which will be described below is identical to the above-described embodiment except
that the machine controller 11 manages the rewinding information of each bobbin 23
and that the rewinding-unit RF writers 40 are omitted, the identical parts will not
be described.
[0122] The machine controller 11 provided in a winder 203 according to the modification
includes a storage section (not shown), and is configured to store in this storage
section the bobbin information for identifying the bobbin in association with the
rewinding information of the bobbin 23 corresponding to this bobbin information. As
shown in FIG. 6, the information read by the RF reader 5 is inputted to the machine
controller 11 with respect to each rewinding unit 31.
[0123] In the following, a specific description will be given by taking, as an example,
a case where the defective bobbin is detected. If a defective bobbin is detected in
a certain rewinding unit 31, the machine controller 11 stores information indicating
the detection of the defective bobbin in the certain rewinding unit 31. As described
above, while the yarn is rewound from the bobbin 23 in the rewinding unit 31, the
information (including the information for identifying the bobbin 23) recorded on
the RF tag 60 of the tray 50 having this bobbin 23 mounted thereon is read by the
RF reader 5, and the information is inputted to the machine controller 11. If a defective
bobbin is detected in the rewinding unit 31, the machine controller 11 stores the
information indicating the detection in association with the bobbin information of
the bobbin 23 (the defective bobbin described above) on which the rewinding unit 31
currently performs rewinding. As a result, information indicating which bobbin 23
is a defective bobbin is stored in the machine controller 11.
[0124] The machine controller 11 checks the information transmitted from the RF reader 9
against the information stored in the machine controller 11 itself (the information
indicating which bobbin 23 is a defective bobbin), and thereby determines whether
or not the bobbin 23 placed on the tray 50 that is passing through the position of
the RF reader 9 is a defective bobbin. The path switching mechanism 43 sends out a
bobbin 23 to the defective bobbin waiting path 98 side if the machine controller 11
determines that the bobbin 23 is a defective bobbin, and keeps a bobbin 23 transported
in the empty bobbin transport path 96 if the machine controller 11 determines that
the bobbin 23 is not a defective bobbin. A subsequent route for transporting the defective
bobbin is the same as that of the embodiment described above, and therefore a description
thereof will be omitted.
[0125] As shown above, the machine controller 11 provided in the winder 203 according to
the modification includes the storage section that can store the rewinding information
with respect to each bobbin 23. The RF tag 60 of the tray 50 records thereon the bobbin
information (the station number and the doffing information) for distinguishing the
tray 50 from other trays 50. When performing the rewinding operation again using the
bobbin 23 on which the rewinding operation has been interrupted halfway, the management
system identifies the bobbin 23 based on the identification information recorded on
the RF tag 60. Then, based on the rewinding information of the bobbin 23, the management
system controls the rewinding unit 31 having the bobbin 23 transported thereto.
[0126] Accordingly, the rewinding information of the bobbin 23 can be collectively managed
by the machine controller 11 side, and therefore a storage capacity of the RF tag
60 of the tray 50 can be reduced. Moreover, from the viewpoint of the rewinding unit
31 side, it is not necessary to provide any special means for storing data. Therefore,
a simple configuration for reflecting the rewinding information to the rewinding operation
can be achieved.
[0127] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above-described
configuration may be modified as follows.
[0128] Although in the embodiment described above, the station number and the doffing information
are stored in the RF tag 60 so that the fine spinning unit is identified, this configuration
may be appropriately modified depending on circumstances. For example, a unique identification
number may be given to the tray 50, so that the bobbin 23 is identified based on the
identification number.
[0129] In a possible configuration, notification means such as a warning light or a buzzer
may be provided in the automatic bobbin feed system 6, so that if the automatic bobbin
feed system 6 determines that pick-finding in the bobbin cannot be performed, the
notification means is actuated to give notification to the operator.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0130]
- 1
- fine spinning winder
- 2
- spinning frame
- 3
- winder (automatic winder)
- 4
- RF writer
- 5
- RF reader (data reading part)
- 6
- automatic bobbin feed system (bobbin transport mechanism)
- 9
- RF reader (second data reading part)
- 11
- machine controller
- 15
- clearer (yarn defect detection part)
- 16
- display (notification means)
- 23
- bobbin
- 31
- rewinding unit
- 32
- fine spinning unit
- 40
- rewinding-unit RF writer (data writing part)
- 43
- path switching mechanism (path switching device)
- 50
- tray (transporter)
- 60
- RF tag (data recording section)