YARN WINDER

Abstract

 A yarn winder 1 is configured to form a wound package Pw by unwinding a yarn Y from a yarn supply package (Ps) which is rotating and by winding the yarn onto a winding bobbin Bw which is provided at least on one side of the yarn supply package Ps in an axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps, the yarn winder 1 comprising a direction changing unit 23 which is provided outside the yarn supply package Ps in a radial direction of the yarn supply package Ps and which is configured to guide the yarn to one side in a guide direction having a component in the axial direction,
the direction changing unit 23 being configured to be movable in a moving direction, the moving direction and the guide direction forming an angle θ2 which is 45 degrees or less, and a predetermined power being applied to the direction changing unit 23 at least toward the other side in the guide direction,
characterized in that the direction changing unit 23 is configured to be freely movable in the moving direction and by
further comprising: an unwinding driving unit 22 configured to rotationally drive the yarn supply package Ps;
a winding driving unit 32 configured to rotationally drive the wound package Pw;
a position detection unit 43 configured to detect a position of the direction changing unit 23 in the moving direction; and a controller 13 configured to control at least one of the unwinding driving unit 22 and the winding driving unit 32 based on a detection result provided by the position detection unit 43.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a yarn winder.

[Background]

[0002] Patent Literature 1 is related to the preamble of claim 1 and discloses a yarn winder which is configured to unwind a yarn from a yarn supply package and to wind the yarn onto a winding bobbin so as to form a wound package. To be more specific, the yarn winder includes a motor which is configured to rotationally drive the yarn supply package and a guide roller (direction changing unit) which is provided outside the yarn supply package in the radial direction of the yarn supply package. The rotational shaft of the yarn supply package extends in the vertical direction. The winding bobbin is provided above the yarn supply package (outside the yarn supply package in the axial direction of the yarn supply package). In the yarn winder structured as described above, as the yarn supply package is rotationally driven, the yarn is unwound from the yarn supply package. Then, the yarn is guided upward (toward the wound package) by the direction changing unit.

[0003] In terms of aspects such as the suppression of occurrence of yarn breakage, it is required to maintain the tension of the yarn to be constant. However, the tension of the yarn may frequently vary because, for example, a yarn path from the yarn supply package to the wound package varies in accordance with traversing of the unwound yarn, etc. To solve this problem, the above-described direction changing unit is passively movable in the radial direction (horizontal direction) of the yarn supply package, and is biased by a spring. Because of this, the direction changing unit is moved by the variation in the distance of the yarn path so that the excessive tension of the yarn or the slack of the yarn is suppressed. As a result, the variation in tension is also suppressed.

[Citation List]

[Patent Literatures]

[0004] [Patent Literature 1] EP1445227A1

[Summary of the Invention]

[Technical Problem]

[0005] In a yarn winder recited in Patent Literature 1, a direction changing unit is passively moved in a direction orthogonal to a guide direction in which a yarn is guided by the direction changing unit. Therefore, problems such as the following problem may occur. That is, because a yarn running downstream of the direction changing unit in a yarn running direction is easily and significantly moved in the horizontal direction (i.e., is easily swung in the horizontal direction), a yarn path easily varies. Because of this, when a member is provided in the vicinity of the yarn path, the member may interfere with the yarn. In order to avoid the interference described above, there is a need of ensuring a wide space around the yarn path. This may result in increase of the size of the apparatus.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to suppress the variation of a yarn path due to the passive movement of a direction changing unit.

[Solution to Problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention provides a yarn winder in accordance with claim 1 and configured to form a wound package by unwinding a yarn from a yarn supply package which is rotating and by winding the yarn onto a winding bobbin which is provided at least on one side of the yarn supply package in an axial direction of the yarn supply package, the yarn winder including a direction changing unit which is provided outside the yarn supply package in a radial direction of the yarn supply package and which is configured to guide the yarn to one side in a guide direction having a component in the axial direction, the direction changing unit being configured to be freely movable in a moving direction, the moving direction and the guide direction forming an angle which is 45 degrees or less, and a predetermined power being applied to the direction changing unit at least toward the other side in the guide direction.

[0008] In the present invention, to begin with, the yarn having been unwound from the yarn supply package is guided toward the one side in the guide direction by direction changing unit. To the direction changing unit, power is applied at least toward the other side in the guide direction. The yarn is always pulled by this direction changing unit. Because of this, a predetermined tension is applied to the yarn. Because the direction changing unit is freely movable, the variation in the tension of the yarn is suppressed as follows. For example, when the winding speed of the yarn is relatively fast as compared to the unwinding speed of the yarn, the direction changing unit is pulled to the one side in the guide direction by the yarn and passively moved. A yarn path is therefore short, and hence excessive tension of the yarn due to the difference between the relative speeds is suppressed. Meanwhile, when the winding speed of the yarn is relatively slow, the yarn is about to slacken. However, because power is applied to the direction changing unit as described above, the direction changing unit pulls the yarn Y while passively moving toward the other side in the guide direction. The yarn path is therefore long, and hence the slack of the yarn due to the difference between the relative speeds is suppressed.

[0009] In the present invention, an angle formed between the moving direction of the direction changing unit and the guide direction is 45 degrees or less. Because of this, as compared to a structure in which the moving direction and the guide direction are orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to each other, the large swing (variation of the yarn path) of the yarn due to the passive movement of the direction changing unit is suppressed. In this regard, the yarn runs downstream of the direction changing unit in the yarn running direction. Therefore, the variation of the yarn path due to the passive movement of the direction changing unit is suppressed.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of the first aspect is arranged such that the moving direction has a component in the vertical direction, and the predetermined power is the gravity.

[0011] In the present invention, the direction changing unit moves by means of the gravity. It is therefore possible to simplify the structure and to reduce the cost as compared to a structure in which power is applied to the direction changing unit by, e.g. , a spring. Furthermore, because the stable power provided by the gravity is applied to the direction changing unit, the running yarn is stably pulled. Because of this, tension is stably applied to the running yarn.

[0012] According to a third aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of the first or second aspect further includes a rail member which extends in the moving direction and which is formed to allow the direction changing unit to be freely movable.

[0013] For example, in a structure in which a typical dancer roller connected to a swing type dancer arm is used as the direction changing unit, the structure of a member configured to be passively moved is complex so that the mass (inertial mass) of the member configured to be passively moved is large, and hence the followability of the direction changing unit is deteriorated. In the present invention, because it is possible to cause only the direction changing unit to be passively moved along the rail member, the structure of the member configured to be passively moved is simplified. As a result, the inertial mass of this member is decreased. Therefore, the followability of the direction changing unit is increased.

[0014] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of any one of the first to third aspects is arranged such that the moving direction is parallel to the axial direction.

[0015]  If the moving direction is tilted with respect to the axial direction of the yarn supply package, the direction changing unit moves so that a distance between the direction changing unit and the surface of the yarn supply package varies. As a result, the length of the yarn path varies. In the present invention, because the moving direction is parallel to the axial direction, the variation in length of such a yarn path is suppressed.

[0016] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of any one of the first to fourth aspects is arranged such that the axial direction is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0017] For example, when the yarn supply package is horizontally provided so that the axial direction of the yarn supply package is parallel to the horizontal direction, the rotational shaft of the yarn supply package may be warped downward by the effect of the gravity so that the rotation of the yarn supply package is unstable. In the present invention, the axial direction of the yarn supply package is parallel to the vertical direction. Therefore, the warping of the rotational shaft due to the gravity is prevented. It is therefore possible to suppress the rotation of the yarn supply package from becoming unstable.

[0018] According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of any one of the first to fifth aspects further includes a separation unit which is provided between the yarn supply package and the direction changing unit in a yarn running direction and which is provided outside the yarn supply package in the radial direction, and the separation unit is configured to be passively movable in the axial direction, and/or a contact part of the separation unit making contact with the yarn extends in the axial direction.

[0019] The yarn having been unwound from the rotating yarn supply package runs toward the direction changing unit while being traversed in the axial direction of the yarn supply package about the direction changing unit. At this stage, when a traverse angle at which the yarn is traversed about the direction changing unit is large, the yarn path from the surface of the yarn supply package to the direction changing unit significantly varies during the traversing of the yarn. However, when the direction changing unit is provided to be apart from the yarn supply package so that the traverse angle is small, size of the device is disadvantageously increased. In the present invention, the yarn having been unwound from the yarn supply package runs toward the direction changing unit via the separation unit. Because of this, even when the direction changing unit is not set apart from the yarn supply package, the yarn path from the surface of the yarn supply package to the direction changing unit is long. Because the separation unit is passively movable and/or the contact part of the separation unit making contact with the yarn extends in the axial direction, the yarn is smoothly slid in the axial direction. Therefore, the traverse angle of the unwound yarn is arranged to be small while increase in size of a device is suppressed.

[0020] According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of any one of the first to sixth aspects further includes a yarn feed roller which is provided downstream of the direction changing unit in the yarn running direction.

[0021] In a structure in which the yarn feed roller sends the yarn further toward the downstream side in the yarn running direction, when the yarn is slackened immediately upstream of the yarn feed roller in the yarn running direction, the yarn may slip on the circumferential surface of the yarn feed roller and may not be able to properly run. In the present invention, because the yarn is always pulled toward the other side (i.e., upstream side) in the guide direction by the direction changing unit, it is possible to suppress the yarn from being slackened on the upstream side of the yarn feed roller in the yarn running direction.

[0022]  According to an eighth aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of any one of the first to seventh aspects further includes: a package supporting portion which rotatably supports the yarn supply package; and a base which vertically extends on one side of the package supporting portion in an intersecting direction intersecting with the vertical direction, wherein the package supporting portion is movable between an unwinding position where the yarn is unwound from the yarn supply package and a replacement position which is at least on the other side in the intersecting direction of the unwinding position.

[0023] Typically, yarn winders each of which is like the above-described yarn winder are often aligned in the horizontal direction. In addition to that, in each yarn winder, a working space which is used at the time of the replacement of the yarn supply package is typically provided on the other side in the intersecting direction of the base. Provided that the package supporting portion is immovable in this structure, when the yarn winders are aligned, it may be difficult to ensure a space for the replacement of the yarn supply package in each yarn winder. In the present invention, at least in the intersecting direction, because the package supporting portion is moved to the replacement position which is far (i.e., on the working space side) from the base as compared to the unwinding position, a wide space for the replacement is ensured. It is therefore possible to facilitate the replacement of the yarn supply package.

[0024] According to a ninth aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of any one of the first to eighth aspects further includes: an unwinding driving unit configured to rotationally drive the yarn supply package; a winding driving unit configured to rotationally drive the wound package; a position detection unit configured to detect a position of the direction changing unit in the moving direction; and a controller configured to control at least one of the unwinding driving unit and the winding driving unit based on a detection result provided by the position detection unit.

[0025] For example, when the diameter of the yarn supply package is gradually decreased as the unwinding of the yarn advances in a state in which the rotation speed of the yarn supply package is constant, the winding speed of the yarn is relatively increased because the unwinding speed of the yarn is decreased. Therefore, the direction changing unit may be pulled toward one side in the guide direction and may significantly move. In this regard, when the direction changing unit moves outward of the end face of the yarn supply package in the axial direction, the yarn may drop off from the end face of the yarn supply package and may not be able to properly run. In the present invention, the controller is configured to control at least one of the unwinding driving unit and the winding driving unit based on the detection result provided by the position detection unit. With this arrangement, by actively changing the difference between the winding speed of the yarn and the unwinding speed of the yarn, it is possible to actively move the direction changing unit. Because of this, the position of the direction changing unit is controlled. For example, the feedback control is performed to move the position of the direction changing unit close to the target position. It is therefore possible to suppress the large movement of the direction changing unit.

[0026] According to a tenth aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of any one of the first to ninth aspects is arranged such that the position detection unit is an optical sensor configured to optically detect the position of the direction changing unit in the moving direction.

[0027] For example, in a structure in which a magnetic sensor is used to magnetically detect the position of the direction changing unit, the direction changing unit is required to be formed of a conductor made of metal, etc. or to have such a conductor thereon. Therefore, the mass of the direction changing unit may be increased to obstruct the passive movement of direction changing guide. For example, in a structure in which a contact type position sensor is used, the sensor is easily worn away because the direction changing unit frequently moves. This may lead to an early deterioration of the sensor. In the present invention, because the position of the direction changing unit is optically detected, the increase in the mass of the direction changing unit and the early deterioration of the position detection unit, etc., are suppressed.

[Brief Description of Drawings]

[0028] 

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a re-winder of an embodiment.

FIG. 2(a) is a side view of a yarn supplying unit, and FIG. 2(b) shows a state in which a direction changing guide is passively moved.

FIG. 3(a) is a plan view of the yarn supplying unit, and FIG. 3(b) shows a state in which a yarn is guided by bar guides.

FIG. 4 (a) is a graph regarding a moving speed of the direction changing guide, and FIG. 4(b) is a graph showing variations over time of the position of the direction changing guide.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a yarn supplying unit of a modification.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a yarn supplying unit of another modification.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a re-winder of another modification.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a yarn supplying unit of another modification.

[Preferred Embodiment of Invention]

[0029] The following will describe an embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4. An up-down direction and a left-right direction shown in FIG. 1 will be referred to as an up-down direction (vertical direction in which the gravity acts) and a left-right direction of a re-winder 1. A front-rear direction shown in FIG. 2 will be referred to as a front-rear direction of the re-winder 1. A direction in which a yarn Y runs will be referred to as a yarn running direction.

(Structure of Re-Winder)

[0030] To begin with, the structure of the re-winder 1 (yarn winder of the present invention) of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the re-winder 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the re-winder 1 includes members such as a yarn supplying unit 11, a winding unit 12, and a controller 13 (control unit of the present invention). The re-winder 1 is configured to unwind a yarn Y from a yarn supply package Ps supported by the yarn supplying unit 11 and to wind the yarn Y onto a winding bobbin Bw by means of the winding unit 12, so as to form a wound package Pw. To be more specific, the re-winder 1 is used for, for example, re-winding a yarn Y wound on a yarn supply package Ps in a more beautiful manner, and for forming a wound package Pw with desired density.

[0031] The yarn supplying unit 11 is configured to rotationally drive a yarn supply package Ps formed by winding a yarn Y onto the yarn supplying bobbin Bs, so as to unwind the yarn Y from the yarn supply package Ps. The yarn supplying unit 11 is provided (see FIG. 2 (a)) in front of a lower portion of a base 14 which vertically extends. The yarn supplying unit 11 mainly includes a supporting table 21, an unwinding motor 22 (unwinding driving unit of the present invention), a direction changing guide 23 (direction changing unit of the present invention), and a yarn guide 24. The yarn supplying unit 11 unwinds the yarn Y in such a way that the unwinding motor 22 rotationally drives the yarn supply package Ps supported to be rotatable by the supporting table 21, and guides the yarn Y toward the downstream side in the yarn running direction via the direction changing guide 23 and the yarn guide 24.

[0032] This supporting table 21 is a table fixed to a front surface of the lower portion of the base 14. The supporting table 21 rotatably supports the yarn supply package Ps so that an axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps is parallel to the up-down direction. The unwinding motor 22 rotationally drives the yarn supply package Ps in a direction in which the yarn Y is unwound. The unwinding motor 22 is, e.g., a typical AC motor in which the rotation number is variable. Because of this, the unwinding motor 22 is able to change the rotation speed of the yarn supply package Ps. The unwinding motor 22 is electrically connected to the controller 13. The direction changing guide 23 is configured so that the yarn Y having been unwound from the yarn supply package Ps is guided upward. The direction changing guide 23 is provided outside the yarn supply package Ps in a radial direction of the yarn supply package Ps. The yarn guide 24 is configured to guide the yarn Y having been guided by the direction changing guide 23 further toward the downstream side in the yarn running direction. The yarn guide 24 is provided immediately above, e.g., the direction changing guide 23.

[0033] The winding unit 12 is provided at an upper portion (i.e., at least above the yarn supplying unit 11; in other words, at least on one side of the yarn supply package Ps in the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps) of the base 14. The winding unit 12 includes members such as a cradle arm 31, a winding motor 32 (winding driving unit of the present invention), and a traverse guide 33. In the winding unit 12, the winding motor 32 rotationally drives the winding bobbin Bw supported to be rotatable by the cradle arm 31 while the traverse guide 33 traverses the yarn Y, so that the winding unit 12 winds the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw. For example, a cheese package is formed (see FIG. 1) by winding the yarn Y onto a cylindrical winding bobbin Bw.

[0034] The cradle arm 31 supports the winding bobbin Bw to be rotatable . The cradle arm 31 is supported at the upper portion of the base 14. To the cradle arm 31, a bobbin holder (not illustrated) is attached to be rotatable and to hold the winding bobbin Bw. The bobbin holder supports the winding bobbin Bw so that the rotational shaft of the winding bobbin Bw extends in the left-right direction (i.e., direction intersecting with the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps). The winding motor 32 rotationally drives the bobbin holder so that the winding bobbin Bw (wound package Pw) is rotated. The winding motor 32 is, for example, a typical AC motor in which the rotation number is variable. The winding motor 32 is therefore able to change the rotation speed of the winding bobbin Bw. The winding motor 32 is electrically connected to the controller 13. The traverse guide 33 is reciprocated in an axial direction of the winding bobbin Bw by an unillustrated driving device, and traverses the yarn Y running toward the winding bobbin Bw. A contact roller 34 is provided downstream of the traverse guide 33 in the yarn running direction. The contact roller 34 applies a contact pressure to the surface of the wound package Pw to adjust the shape of the wound package Pw.

[0035] In the yarn running direction, a yarn guide 35 and a tension sensor 36 are provided between the yarn supplying unit 11 and the winding unit 12. The yarn guide 35 is provided downstream of the yarn guide 24 in the yarn running direction, and provided on an extension of the rotational shaft of the yarn supply package Ps. By the yarn guide 35, the yarn Y is guided upward. The sensor 36 is provided between the yarn guide 35 and the wound package Pw in the yarn running direction, and is configured to detect the tension applied to the yarn Y. The tension sensor 36 is electrically connected to the controller 13.

[0036] The controller 13 includes members such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The controller 13 controls components by using the CPU and a program stored in the ROM, based on the parameters stored in the RAM etc.

[0037] In the re-winder 1 structured as described above, as the yarn supply package Ps is rotationally driven by the unwinding motor 22, the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps. An unwinding speed (referred to as V1) at which the yarn Y is unwound is mainly determined in accordance with the rotation speed of the yarn supply package Ps and the diameter of the yarn supply package Ps. The yarn Y having been unwound from the yarn supply package Ps is guided upward from the direction changing guide 23 (toward one side in a guide direction of the present invention), i.e., toward the yarn guide 24 side via the direction changing guide 23. In the present embodiment, a guide direction in which the yarn Y is guided by the direction changing guide 23 is parallel to the up-down direction (see FIG. 2(a)). Subsequently, the yarn Y runs toward the winding unit 12 via the yarn guides 24 and 35 and the tension sensor 36. While being traversed by the traverse guide 33, the yarn Y is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw rotationally driven by the winding motor 32. A winding speed (referred to as V2) at which the yarn Y is wound is mainly determined in accordance with the rotation speed of the wound package Pw and the diameter of the wound package Pw. As described above, the wound package Pw is formed (winding operation).

(Details of Yarn Supplying Unit)

[0038] The following will describe the details of the arrangement of the yarn supplying unit 11 with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. FIG. 2(a) is a left side view of the yarn supplying unit 11. FIG. 2(b) shows a state in which the direction changing guide 23 is passively moved. FIG. 3(a) is a plan view of the yarn supplying unit 11. FIG. 3(b) shows a state in which the yarn Y is guided by bar guides 42, and is a schematic diagram in which FIG. 2(a) is expanded along a circumferential direction of the yarn supply package Ps.

[0039]  As shown in FIG. 2(a), the yarn supplying unit 11 further includes a rail member 41, bar guides 42 (separation units of the present invention), and a position sensor 43 (position detection unit of the present invention) in addition to the supporting table 21, the unwinding motor 22, the direction changing guide 23, and the yarn guide 24 which are described above.

[0040] The rail member 41 is formed to allow the direction changing guide 23 to be freely movable. As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the rail member 41 is a member extending to be linear in the up-down direction. The rail member 41 is provided outside the yarn supply package Ps in the radial direction of the yarn supply package Ps, and the lower end of the rail member 41 is fixed to the supporting table 21. For example, the rail member 41 extends between a position below a lower end face of the yarn supply package Ps and a position above an upper end face of the yarn supply package Ps. An extending direction of the rail member 41 is a moving direction in which the direction changing guide 23 moves.

[0041] The direction changing guide 23 will be further detailed. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the direction changing guide 23 includes a main body portion 44 moving along the rail member 41 and a contact portion 45 making contact with the yarn Y and guides the yarn Y. In the main body portion 44, a through hole 46 having a similar shape to a cross section orthogonal to the extending direction of the rail member 41 is formed. Into the through hole 46, the rail member 41 is inserted. In other words, the main body portion 44 is loosely fitted to, e. g., the rail member 41, and is freely movable in the extending direction of the rail member 41. Alternatively, for example, the main body portion 44 may be configured to be smoothly slid relative to the rail member 41 and an inner circumferential surface of the through hole 46 of the main body portion 44 may be in contact with an entire circumferential surface of the rail member 41. For example, the contact portion 45 is integrally formed with the main body portion 44 or fixed to the main body portion 44, and moves together with the main body portion 44. Because of this, the direction changing guide 23 is movably guided (see FIG. 2 (b)) along the rail member 41. The details will be given later.

[0042] Each bar guide 42 is provided for ensuring a long yarn path between the yarn supply package Ps and the direction changing guide 23 in the yarn running direction. The bar guide 42 is a cylindrical rod-shaped member extending in, e.g., the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, two bar guides 42 (bar guide 47 and bar guide 48 in this order from the upstream side in the yarn running direction) are provided. However, the number of the bar guides 42 is not limited to this. Each bar guide 42 is provided outside the yarn supply package Ps in the radial direction of the yarn supply package Ps. The lower end of the bar guide 42 is fixed to the supporting table 21. An extending direction of the bar guide 42 is parallel to the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps. The contact part of the bar guide 42, i.e., the part of the bar guide 42 which makes contact with the yarn Y extends (see FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 3(b)) in the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps. The bar guide 42 extends between a position below the lower end face of the yarn supply package Ps and a position above the upper end face of the yarn supply package Ps. In other words, the bar guide 42 extends at least from a height of one end of the yarn supply package Ps to a height of the other end of the yarn supply package Ps in the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps.

[0043] Because these bar guides 42 are provided, the yarn Y having been unwound from the yarn supply package Ps runs (see FIG. 3(a)) to draw a tangent connecting the surface of the yarn supply package Ps with one of the bar guides 42 (the upstream bar guide 47 in the yarn running direction). To be more specific, the yarn Y runs from a take-up point 102 toward the bar guide 47. The yarn Y reaches the direction changing guide 23 via the bar guides 47 and 48.

[0044] The yarn Y running between the yarn supply package Ps and the direction changing guide 23 in the yarn running direction is traversed (indicated by an arrow 103 in FIG. 3 (b)) in the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps about the direction changing guide 23 functioning as a fulcrum. An angle at which the yarn Y is traversed about the direction changing guide 23 functioning as a fulcrum is referred to as a traverse angle Θ1. If the bar guides 42 are not provided, the position of the take-up point 102 is close to the direction changing guide 23 and the traverse guide Θ1 is increased. As a result, the variation in the length of the yarn path from the yarn supply package Ps to the direction changing guide 23 is large. Because the bar guides 42 are provided in the present embodiment, the yarn path from the yarn supply package Ps to the direction changing guide 23 is long so that the traverse angle Θ1 is small. Therefore, the variation in the length of the yarn path described above is suppressed.

[0045] The position sensor 43 is configured to detect a position of the direction changing guide 23 in the moving direction. The position sensor 43 is, e.g., an optical sensor including an unillustrated light emitter and an unillustrated light receiver. The position sensor 43 is provided outside the traveling range of the direction changing guide 23, and fixed to the supporting table 21. The position sensor 43 emits light by using the light emitter and detects the light which is reflected by the direction changing guide 23 by using the light receiver, so as to detect a distance (referred to as D; see FIG. 2(a)) between the direction changing guide 23 and the position sensor 43. The position sensor 43 is electrically connected to the controller 13, and sends the information regarding the distance to the controller 13.

(Details of Direction Changing Guide)

[0046] The details of the direction changing guide 23 will be described. If the moving direction of the direction changing guide 23 is significantly tilted with respect to the above-described guide direction (direction in which the yarn Y is guided by the direction changing guide 23), problems such as the following problem may occur. When the direction changing guide 23 significantly moves, the yarn Y provided downstream of the direction changing guide 23 in the yarn running direction is easily and significantly swung by the passive movement of the direction changing guide 23. Because of this, when a member is provided in the vicinity of the yarn path, the member may interfere with the yarn Y. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the moving direction of the direction changing guide 23 is parallel to the guide direction (up-down direction) . In other words, the rail member 41 extends in the up-down direction, and the direction changing guide 23 is movable in the up-down direction along the rail member 41. Because of this, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the horizontal movement of the yarn Y running downstream of the direction changing guide 23 in the yarn running direction is suppressed even when the direction changing guide 23 moves. In other words, the horizontal swing of the yarn Y (i.e., variation of the yarn path) provided downstream of the direction changing guide 23 in the yarn running direction is suppressed.

[0047] The gravity (a predetermined power of the present invention; indicated by an arrow 101 in FIGs. 2(a) and 2(b)) acts on the direction changing guide 23. As described above, the direction changing guide 23 is movable in the up-down direction along the rail member 41. In other words, the direction changing guide 23 hangs down from the intermediate part of the yarn Y in the yarn running direction. The yarn Y provided above the direction changing guide 23 (provided downstream of the direction changing guide 23 in the yarn running direction) is always pulled downward (toward the other side in the guide direction of the present invention) . Because of this, tension is applied to the yarn Y. The strength in the tension of the yarn Y is substantially determined by the weight of the direction changing guide 23. In other words, the strength in tension varies in accordance with the weight of the direction changing guide 23. For example, by attaching a spindle (not illustrated) to the direction changing guide 23, the magnitude of the gravity acting on the direction changing guide 23 is changed so as to change the magnitude of the tension applied to the yarn Y.

[0048] As described above, the direction changing guide 23 includes the main body portion 44 and the contact portion 45, and is freely movable along the rail member 41. In other words, the direction changing guide 23 has a simple structure as compared to, e.g., a typical dancer roller connected to a dancer arm. Therefore, the mass (inertial mass) of a member configured to be passively moved is small, and hence followability is good. The weight of the direction changing guide 23 is, e.g., 5 to 10 g.

[0049] The moving direction of the direction changing guide 23 is parallel to the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps. If the moving direction is tilted with respect to the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps, the direction changing guide 23 moves so that a distance between the direction changing guide 23 and the surface of the yarn supply package Ps varies. As a result, the length of the yarn path varies. In this regard, because the moving direction is parallel to the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps in the present embodiment, the variation in the length of the yarn path described above is suppressed.

[0050] In the structure described above, the yarn Y having been unwound from the yarn supply package Ps is guided upward by the direction changing guide 23. The gravity acts on the direction changing guide 23, and the yarn Y is always pulled downward by the direction changing guide 23 so that tension is applied to the yarn Y. If the position of the direction changing guide 23 is fixed, the tension varies in accordance with the difference between the winding speed and the unwinding speed. However, in the present embodiment, the tension is substantially determined by the magnitude of power in which the yarn Y is pulled downward by the direction changing guide 23. Because the direction changing guide 23 is freely movable, the variation in the tension of the yarn Y is suppressed as follows. For example, because of traversing (traversing at the time of yarn unwinding or yarn winding) of the yarn Y, when the winding speed (V2) of the yarn Y is relatively fast as compared to the unwinding speed (V1) of the yarn Y, the direction changing guide 23 is pulled upward by the yarn Y and passively moved. The yarn path is therefore arranged to be short. As a result, the excessive tension of the yarn Y due to increase in tension is suppressed. Meanwhile, when the winding speed of the yarn Y is relatively slow, the yarn Y is about to slacken. However, because the gravity acts on the direction changing guide 23 as described above, the direction changing guide 23 pulls the yarn Y while passively moving downward. As a result, the slack of the yarn Y due to decrease in tension is suppressed.

(Positional Control of Direction Changing Guide)

[0051] The following will describe an example of the positional control of the direction changing guide 23 by the controller 13, mainly with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4(a) is a graph showing a relationship between a difference (V2-V1) between the winding speed (V2) of the yarn Y and the unwinding speed (V1) of the yarn Y and the moving speed of the direction changing guide 23. FIG. 4(b) is a graph showing variations over time of the position (to be precise, distance between the direction changing guide 23 and the position sensor 43 in the moving direction) of the direction changing guide 23.

[0052] For example, when the diameter of the yarn supply package Ps is gradually decreased as the unwinding of the yarn Y advances in a state in which the rotation speed (rotation number) of the yarn supply package Ps is constant, the winding speed of the yarn Y is relatively increased because the unwinding speed of the yarn Y is decreased. Therefore, the direction changing guide 23 is pulled upward by the yarn Y and passively moved. As shown in FIG. 4(a), when a value calculated by subtracting V1 from V2 is large, the moving speed (ΔD/Δt) of the direction changing guide 23 is also large. In this regard, when the direction changing guide 23 moves outward (upward) of the upper end face of the yarn supply package Ps in the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps, the yarn Y may drop off from the upper end face of the yarn supply package Ps and may not be able to properly run. In other words, when the distance (D) between the position sensor 43 and the direction changing guide 23 is longer than a distance (Da) between the position sensor 43 and the upper end face of the yarn supply package Ps in the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps, the above-described problem occurs. In addition to that, when the distance between the position sensor 43 and the direction changing guide 23 is shorter than a distance (Db) between the position sensor 43 and the lower end face of the yarn supply package Ps, the same problem occurs. In order to solve this problem, the direction changing guide 23 is controlled to be always positioned inside the yarn supply package Ps in the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps. To achieve this, the controller 13 (see FIG. 1) controls, for example, the unwinding motor 22 as described below so as to control the position of the direction changing guide 23. For example, a typical PID control may be used as a control method.

[0053] For example, the controller 13 stores the information regarding a target position (target distance) of the direction changing guide 23 in the up-down direction. The target distance is, e.g., a medium value (see FIG. 4(b)) between the distances Da and Db described above. An initial state is a state in which the unwinding speed of the yarn Y and the winding speed of the yarn Y are substantially identical with each other, the direction changing guide 23 is in substantially stationary at the target position, and the winding operation of the yarn Y is performed. After that, the unwinding speed of the yarn Y is decreased (a value calculated by subtracting V1 from V2 is larger than 0) due to decrease in the diameter of the yarn supply package Ps. Because of this, when the position sensor 43 detects that the direction changing guide 23 moves above the target position, the controller 13 controls the unwinding motor 22 to increase the rotation speed of the yarn supply package Ps. Because of this, the unwinding speed of the yarn Y is relatively fast (a value calculated by subtracting V1 from V2 is smaller than 0), and hence the direction changing guide 23 moves downward. Meanwhile, when the position sensor 43 detects that the direction changing guide 23 moves below the target position, the controller 13 decreases the rotation speed of the yarn supply package Ps to decrease the unwinding speed of the yarn Y. Because of this, the unwinding speed of the yarn Y is relatively slow, and hence the direction changing guide 23 moves upward. As such, the controller 13 controls the unwinding motor 22 based on the detection result of the position sensor 43, and performs feedback control of the position of the direction changing guide 23. Because of this, the position of the direction changing guide 23 is arranged to be close (see FIG. 4(b)) to the target position.

[0054] As described above, the angle formed between the moving direction of the direction changing guide 23 and the guide direction is small. Because of this, as compared to a structure in which the moving direction and the guide direction are orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to each other, the swing (variation of the yarn path) of the yarn Y due to the passive movement of the direction changing guide 23 is suppressed. In this regard, the yarn Y runs downstream of the direction changing guide 23 in the yarn running direction. Therefore, the variation of the yarn path due to the passive movement of the direction changing guide 23 is suppressed.

[0055] The moving direction of the direction changing guide 23 is parallel to the up-down direction. Because of this, the direction changing guide 23 is moved by means of the gravity. It is therefore possible to simplify the structure and to reduce the cost as compared to a structure in which power is applied to the direction changing guide 23 by, e.g., a spring. Furthermore, because the stable power provided by the gravity is applied to the direction changing guide 23, the running yarn Y is stably pulled. Because of this, tension is stably applied to the running yarn Y.

[0056] The direction changing guide 23 is movably guided by the rail member 41. It is therefore possible to simplify the structure of the direction changing guide 23 and to decrease the inertial mass of the direction changing guide 23 as compared to cases where, e.g., a typical dancer roller connected to a dancer arm is used as the direction changing guide 23. As a result, the followability of the direction changing guide 23 is improved.

[0057] In the structure in which the rail member 41 extends in the up-down direction and the direction changing guide 23 is configured to be passively movable in a direction parallel to the up-down direction, the yarn Y is pulled straight downward by the gravity acting on the direction changing guide 23. It is therefore possible to substantially determine the tension applied to the yarn Y in accordance with the weight of the direction changing guide 23, and hence a desired tension is easily applied to the yarn Y with a simple structure.

[0058] The moving direction of the direction changing guide 23 is parallel to the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps. This suppresses the variation of the distance between the direction changing guide 23 and the surface of the yarn supply package Ps at the time of moving of the direction changing guide 23. It is therefore possible to suppress the variation in the length of the yarn path.

[0059] The axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps is parallel to the up-down direction. It is therefore possible to prevent the warping of the rotational shaft of the yarn supply package Ps due to the gravity. It is therefore possible to suppress the rotation of the yarn supply package Ps from becoming unstable.

[0060] The bar guides 42 are provided between the yarn supply package Ps and the direction changing guide 23 in the yarn running direction. In other words, the yarn Y having been unwound from the yarn supply package Ps runs toward the direction changing guide 23 via the bar guides 42. Because of this, even when the direction changing guide 23 is not set apart from the yarn supply package Ps, the yarn path from the surface of the yarn supply package Ps to the direction changing guide 23 is long. Because the contact part of each bar guide 42 making contact with the yarn Y extends in the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps, the yarn Y is smoothly slid in the axial direction. Therefore, the traverse angle Θ1 of the unwound yarn Y is arranged to be small while increase in size of a device is suppressed.

[0061]  The controller 13 controls the unwinding motor 22 based on the detection result of the position sensor 43. It is therefore possible to actively move the direction changing guide 23 by actively changing the difference between the winding speed of the yarn Y and the unwinding speed of the yarn Y. Because of this, the position of the direction changing guide 23 is controlled. For example, the feedback control is performed to move the position of the direction changing guide 23 close to the target position. It is therefore possible to suppress the large movement of the direction changing guide 23.

[0062] The position sensor 43 is an optical sensor, and configured to optically detect the position of the direction changing guide 23. If a magnetic sensor is used to magnetically detect the position of the direction changing guide 23, the direction changing guide 23 is required to be formed of a conductor made of metal, etc. or to have such a conductor thereon. Therefore, the mass of the direction changing unit 23 may be increased to obstruct the passive movement of direction changing guide 23. For example, in a structure in which a contact type position sensor is used, the sensor is easily worn away because the direction changing guide 23 frequently moves. This may lead to an early deterioration of the sensor. In the present embodiment, increase in the mass of the direction changing guide 23 and the early deterioration of the sensor, etc., are suppressed.

[0063] The following will describe modifications of the above-described embodiment. The members identical with those in the embodiment above will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the explanations thereof are not repeated.

(1) While in the embodiment above the moving direction is parallel to the guide direction, the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the guide direction and the moving direction may be tilted with respect to each other in a yarn supplying unit 11a of a re-winder 1a. An angle θ2 formed between the moving direction and the guide direction may be, e.g., 45 degrees or less. With this structure, as compared to a structure in which the moving direction and the guide direction are orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to each other, the large swing (variation of the yarn path) of the yarn Y due to the passive movement of the direction changing guide 23 is suppressed.

(2) While in the embodiment above the moving direction of the direction changing guide 23 is parallel to the up-down direction, the disclosure is not limited to this arrangement. The moving direction may be tilted with respect to the up-down direction. That is, in the structure in which the direction changing guide 23 is moved by utilizing the gravity acting on the direction changing guide 23, the moving direction may be differently arranged as long as it has a component in the up-down direction. Alternatively, power may be applied to the direction changing guide 23 by using, e. g., a spring. With this structure, even when the moving direction is substantially parallel to the horizontal direction, power is applied to the direction changing guide 23.

(3) While in the embodiment above the direction changing guide 23 is used as a direction changing unit of the present invention, the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, a typical dancer roller connected to a dancer arm may be used. In this case, the dancer roller corresponds to the direction changing unit of the present invention.

(4) While in the embodiment above the moving direction of the direction changing guide 23 is parallel to the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps, the disclosure is not limited to this arrangement. The moving direction may be tilted with respect to the axial direction.

(5) While in the embodiment above the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps is parallel to the up-down direction, the disclosure is not limited to this. The axial direction may be tilted with respect to the up-down direction.

(6) While in the embodiment above the bar guides 42 are provided between the yarn supply package Ps and the direction changing guide 23 in the yarn running direction, the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, instead of the bar guides 42, guide rollers (not illustrated) each of which extends at least from a height of one end of the yarn supply package Ps to a height of the other end of the yarn supply package Ps in the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps may be provided. Alternatively, instead of the gar guides 42, guide rails 51 each of which extends along the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps and driven rollers 52 each of which is passively movable along the corresponding guide rail 51 may be provided in a yarn supplying unit 11b of a re-winder 1b as shown in FIG. 6. In other words, the yarn Y may be guided by the driven rollers 52 from the yarn supply package Ps to the direction changing guide 23. Also in this arrangement, it is possible to ensure a long yarn path from the yarn supply package Ps to the direction changing guide 23 and to smoothly slide the yarn Y in the axial direction. In this modification, the driven rollers 52 correspond to separation units of the present invention. Alternatively, each driven roller 52 may extend in the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps (i.e., may be configured so that the yarn Y moves along the circumferential surface of the driven roller 52 in the axial direction of the driven roller 52). As described above, the separation units of the present invention may be configured to be passively movable in the axial direction of a yarn supply package and/or the contact parts of the separation units of the present invention making contact with a yarn may extend in the axial direction.

(7) While in the embodiment above the controller 13 controls the unwinding motor 22 so as to move the direction changing guide 23 close to the target position, the disclosure is not limited to this. In other words, the controller 13 may be differently arranged as long as it controls the position of the direction changing guide 23 so that the direction changing guide 23 is inside the yarn supply package Ps in the axial direction of the yarn supply package Ps. For example, the controller 13 may store an allowable range within which the direction changing guide 23 moves. Furthermore, for example, when the direction changing guide 23 moves outside the allowable range, the controller 13 may control the unwinding motor 22 so as to change the difference between the winding speed and the unwinding speed. As a result, the direction changing guide 23 falls in the allowable range.

(8) While in the embodiment above the controller 13 controls the unwinding motor 22 so as to change the difference between the winding speed and the unwinding speed, the disclosure is not limited to this. The controller 13 may change the above-described difference by controlling the winding motor 32. Alternatively, the controller 13 may control both of the unwinding motor 22 and the winding motor 32.

(9) While in the embodiment above an optical sensor is used as the position sensor 43, the disclosure is not limited to this. A magnetic sensor, a contact type sensor, or the like may be used as the position sensor.

(10) As shown in FIG. 7, a feed roller 61 (yarn feed roller of the present invention) and a roller drive motor 62 which rotationally drives the feed roller 61 may be provided in a re-winder 1c. The feed roller 61 is provided between, e.g., the yarn guide 35 and the tension sensor 36 in the yarn running direction (i.e., provided downstream of the direction changing guide 23 in the yarn running direction). The feed roller 61 is rotationally driven by the roller drive motor 62 so as to send the yarn Y to the downstream side in the yarn running direction. In a structure in which the above-described feed roller 61 is provided, when the yarn Y is slackened immediately upstream of the feed roller 61 in the yarn running direction, the yarn Y may easily slip on the circumferential surface of the feed roller 61, with the result that the yarn Y may not be properly sent toward the downstream side in the yarn running direction. Even in such a structure, because the yarn Y is always pulled downward (i.e., toward the upstream side in the yarn running direction) by the direction changing guide 23, it is possible to suppress the yarn Y from being slackened on the upstream side of the feed roller 61 in the yarn running direction.

(11) As shown in FIG. 8, a supporting table 70 (package supporting portion of the present invention) may be configured to be movable in, e.g., front-rear direction (intersecting direction of the present invention) in a yarn supplying unit 11d of a re-winder 1d. In other words, the yarn supplying unit 11d may include two side plates 71 and 72 which protrude forward from the left and right end portions of the base 14 and sliding rails 73 and 74 which are respectively attached to the side plates 71 and 72. The supporting table 70 is provided in front of the base 14, and supported to be movable in the front-rear direction by the sliding rails 73 and 74. To put it differently, the base 14 is provided behind the supporting table 70 (on one side in the intersecting direction of the present invention) . Because of this, the supporting table 70 is movable between an unwinding position (indicated by solid lines in FIG. 8) where the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps and a replacement position (indicated by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 8) which is in front of the unwinding position (on the other side in the intersecting direction of the present invention) . Therefore, because a wide space for the replacement of the yarn supply package Ps is ensured, the replacement of the yarn supply package Ps is facilitated. In this regard, the intersecting direction may not necessarily be substantially orthogonal to the up-down direction (vertical direction). For example, the supporting table 70 may be movable in forward and oblique directions.

(12) The present invention can be applied to a yarn winder other than the re-winder. In other words, the present invention is applicable to various yarn winders each of which is configured to form a wound package by unwinding a yarn from a yarn supply package and by winding the yarn onto a winding bobbin.

(13) While in the embodiment above a cheese package is formed by winding the yarn Y onto the cylindrical winding bobbin Bw, the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, a cone package may be formed in such a way that the yarn Y is wound onto a winding bobbin Bw which is conical or circular frustum in shape. When the wound package Pw like a cone package in which the diameter of the package is not constant in the axial direction of the winding bobbin Bw is formed, the controller 13 controls the unwinding motor 22 or/and the winding motor 32 so as to control the position of the direction changing guide 23. This is advantageous as described below. That is, in a structure in which the winding bobbin Bw is rotationally driven by the winding motor 32, the winding speed of the yarn Y differs between a large diameter portion of a cone package and a small diameter part of a cone package. Therefore, the position of the direction changing guide 23 easily varies. Because of this, the yarn Y may easily drop off from the end face of the yarn supply package Ps. Therefore, controlling the position of the direction changing guide 23 at the time of the formation of a cone package, in which the diameter of the package is not constant, in order to suppress the large movement of the direction changing guide 23 is further advantageous in that the yarn Y is prevented from dropping off from the end face of the yarn supply package Ps.

[Reference Signs List]

[0064] 

1

re-winder (yarn winder)

13

controller (control unit)

14

base

22

unwinding motor (unwinding driving unit)

23

direction changing guide (direction changing unit)

32

winding motor (winding driving unit)

41

rail member

42

bar guide (separation unit)

43

position sensor (position detection unit)

61

feed roller (yarn feed roller)

70

supporting table (package supporting portion)

Bw

winding bobbin

Ps

yarn supply package

Pw

wound package

θ2

angle

Further Embodiments

[0065] 

[1] A yarn winder configured to form a wound package by unwinding a yarn from a yarn supply package which is rotating and by winding the yarn onto a winding bobbin which is provided at least on one side of the yarn supply package in an axial direction of the yarn supply package,

the yarn winder comprising a direction changing unit which is provided outside the yarn supply package in a radial direction of the yarn supply package and which is configured to guide the yarn to one side in a guide direction having a component in the axial direction,

the direction changing unit being configured to be freely movable in a moving direction, the moving direction and the guide direction forming an angle which is 45 degrees or less, and a predetermined power being applied to the direction changing unit at least toward the other side in the guide direction.

[2] The yarn winder according to 1, wherein, the moving direction has a component in the vertical direction, and the predetermined power is the gravity.

[3] The yarn winder according to 1 or 2, further comprising a rail member which extends in the moving direction and which is formed to allow the direction changing unit to be freely movable.

[4] The yarn winder according to any one of 1 to 3, wherein, the moving direction is parallel to the axial direction.

[5] The yarn winder according to any one of 1 to 4, wherein, the axial direction is parallel to the vertical direction.

[6] The yarn winder according to any one of 1 to 5, further comprising a separation unit which is provided between the yarn supply package and the direction changing unit in a yarn running direction and which is provided outside the yarn supply package in the radial direction, wherein,
the separation unit is configured to be passively movable in the axial direction, and/or a contact part of the separation unit making contact with the yarn extends in the axial direction.

[7] The yarn winder according to any one of 1 to 6, further comprising a yarn feed roller which is provided downstream of the direction changing unit in the yarn running direction.

[8] The yarn winder according to any one of 1 to 7, further comprising: a package supporting portion which rotatably supports the yarn supply package; and

a base which vertically extends on one side of the package supporting portion in an intersecting direction intersecting with the vertical direction, wherein

the package supporting portion is movable between an unwinding position where the yarn is unwound from the yarn supply package and a replacement position which is at least on the other side in the intersecting direction of the unwinding position.

[9] The yarn winder according to any one of 1 to 8, further comprising: an unwinding driving unit configured to rotationally drive the yarn supply package;

a winding driving unit configured to rotationally drive the wound package;

a position detection unit configured to detect a position of the direction changing unit in the moving direction; and a controller configured to control at least one of the unwinding driving unit and the winding driving unit based on a detection result provided by the position detection unit.

[10] The yarn winder according to 9, wherein, the position detection unit is an optical sensor configured to optically detect the position of the direction changing unit in the moving direction.

Claims

1. A yarn winder (1) configured to form a wound package (Pw) by unwinding a yarn (Y) from a yarn supply package (Ps) which is rotating and by winding the yarn onto a winding bobbin (Bw) which is provided at least on one side of the yarn supply package (Ps) in an axial direction of the yarn supply package (Ps), the yarn winder (1) comprising a direction changing unit (23) which is provided outside the yarn supply package (Ps) in a radial direction of the yarn supply package (Ps) and which is configured to guide the yarn to one side in a guide direction having a component in the axial direction,

the direction changing unit (23) being configured to be movable in a moving direction, the moving direction and the guide direction forming an angle (θ2) which is 45 degrees or less, and a predetermined power being applied to the direction changing unit (23) at least toward the other side in the guide direction,

characterized in that the direction changing unit (23) is configured to be freely movable in the moving direction and by

further comprising: an unwinding driving unit (22) configured to rotationally drive the yarn supply package (Ps);

a winding driving unit (32) configured to rotationally drive the wound package (Pw);

a position detection unit (43) configured to detect a position of the direction changing unit (23) in the moving direction; and

a controller (13) configured to control at least one of the unwinding driving unit (22) and the winding driving unit (32) based on a detection result provided by the position detection unit (43).

2. The yarn winder (1) according to claim 1, wherein
the controller (13) is configured to control the unwinding driving unit (22) based on the detection result provided by the position detection unit (43).

3. The yarn winder (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the position detection unit (43) is an optical sensor configured to optically detect the position of the direction changing unit (23) in the moving direction.

4. The yarn winder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a separation unit (42) which is provided between the yarn supply package (Ps) and the direction changing unit (23) in a yarn running direction and which is provided outside the yarn supply package (Ps) in the radial direction, wherein, the separation unit (42) is configured to be passively movable in the axial direction, and/or a contact part of the separation unit (42) making contact with the yarn extends in the axial direction.

5. The yarn winder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the moving direction has a component in the vertical direction, and the predetermined power is the gravity.

6. The yarn winder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a rail member (41) which extends in the moving direction and which is formed to allow the direction changing unit (23) to be freely movable.

7. The yarn winder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, the moving direction is parallel to the axial direction.

8. The yarn winder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, the axial direction is parallel to the vertical direction.

9. The yarn winder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a yarn feed roller (61) which is provided downstream of the direction changing unit (23) in the yarn running direction.

10. The yarn winder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: a package supporting portion (70) which rotatably supports the yarn supply package (Ps); and

a base (14) which vertically extends on one side of the package supporting portion (70) in an intersecting direction intersecting with the vertical direction, wherein

the package supporting portion (70) is movable between an unwinding position where the yarn is unwound from the yarn supply package (Ps) and a replacement position which is at least on the other side in the intersecting direction of the unwinding position.

Drawing