Doffing device and automatic winder

Abstract

To quickly determine whether air is being supplied to an air cylinder for driving a driving member of a doffing device.SOLUTION: A doffing device 3 comprises: an arm extension air cylinder 52b that can be extended or retracted by a pressure of compressed air; a clamping cutter 53 that is driven by extension or retraction of the arm extension air cylinder 52b; a first sensor 71 that detects operation of the arm extension air cylinder 52b; and a doffing control unit 100 that can output a first signal. The doffing control unit 100 outputs a first operation signal at a timing different from a doffing timing, and can execute a check mode in which it is confirmed whether the operation of the arm extension air cylinder 52b is detected by the first sensor 71.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a doffing device and an automatic winder equipped with a doffing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic winder having a yarn winding unit (the winding unit of Patent Document 1) that winds a yarn pulled out from a yarn supply bobbin onto a winding bobbin to form a package, and a doffing device that doffs the completed package. The doffing device is configured to remove the completed package from the yarn winding unit and set a new, empty winding bobbin on the yarn winding unit.

[0003] Such a doffing device has various drive members driven by an air cylinder. The drive members include, for example, a cradle opener (the cradle release arm in Patent Document 1) for ejecting a package from the yarn winding unit, a bobbin chucker for setting a new winding bobbin on the yarn winding unit, and a yarn catcher for guiding the yarn to the newly set winding bobbin. The air cylinder is configured to be expandable and contractible by air pressure, and the expansion and contraction of the air cylinder causes the above-mentioned drive members to perform predetermined operations. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-56766 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a doffing device such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, an openable / closable valve is provided in a supply path for air to be supplied to an air cylinder. When the valve is open, air is supplied to the air cylinder. The valve is opened and closed manually, for example, by an operator, who opens the valve when turning on the power to the doffing device and closes the valve when turning off the power.

[0006] However, sometimes workers forget to open the valve when turning on the doffing device. In most cases, workers do not immediately realize that they forgot to open the valve, and only realize it when the doffing device is about to start operating in response to a package doffing request. This is because the worker only realizes that air is not being supplied to the air cylinder (i.e., the valve is not open) when he or she sees an error message displayed when the drive members of the doffing device do not move. In this case, even though the package is already completed, the doffing device cannot doff the package until the worker opens the valve, resulting in wasted waiting time until the worker opens the valve and resolves the error. This results in a decrease in packaging production efficiency.

[0007] The above problem can also occur if air is not supplied to the air cylinder due to a cause other than the worker forgetting to open the valve (for example, air leakage from the air supply path). In other words, the worker will not notice that air is not being supplied to the air cylinder until the doffing device is about to start operating.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to quickly determine whether air is being supplied to an air cylinder for driving a drive member of a doffing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The doffing device of the present invention is a doffing device for performing doffing on a yarn winding unit that winds yarn onto a winding bobbin, and is equipped with an air cylinder that can expand and contract by air pressure, a drive member that is driven by the expansion and contraction of the air cylinder, a sensor that detects the operation of the air cylinder or the drive member, and a control unit that can output an operation signal to expand and contract the air cylinder, and is characterized in that the control unit outputs the operation signal at a timing different from when the doffing is performed, and is capable of executing a check mode that confirms whether the operation of the air cylinder or the drive member has been detected by the sensor.

[0010] According to the present invention, by appropriately executing the check mode, it is possible to determine whether air is being properly supplied to the air cylinder before attempting to drive the drive member for doffing, and therefore it is possible to quickly determine whether air is being properly supplied to the air cylinder for driving the drive member.

[0011] In the doffing device of the present invention, it is preferable that the control unit executes the check mode when the doffing device is powered on.

[0012] According to the present invention, by executing the check mode when the doffing device is energized, it is possible to quickly determine whether air is being supplied to the air cylinder. In addition, by limiting the timing for executing the check mode to when the doffing device is energized, it is possible to suppress wear on the air cylinder that is operated when the check mode is executed.

[0013] In the doffing device of the present invention, it is preferable that the control unit is configured to be able to receive a doffing request signal output from the yarn winding unit, which signal requests the doffing, and executes the check mode when the doffing request signal is received.

[0014] Generally, there is a time lag between when the control unit receives a doffing request signal and when the doffing device actually performs doffing. According to the present invention, by executing the check mode immediately after receiving a doffing request signal, it is possible to determine whether air is being supplied to the air cylinder before the doffing is actually performed.

[0015] In the doffing device of the present invention, the sensor is preferably a sensor that detects at least one of the state of the air cylinder when it is extended and the state of the air cylinder when it is retracted.

[0016] According to the present invention, the operation of the air cylinder can be detected by providing at least one sensor, and the device configuration of the doffing device can be simplified.

[0017] In the doffing device of the present invention, it is preferable to include an alarm unit that notifies the user that air is not being supplied to the air cylinder when the sensor does not detect operation of the air cylinder or the drive member.

[0018] According to the present invention, an operator can easily and quickly recognize that air is not being supplied to the air cylinder.

[0019] In the doffing device of the present invention, the air cylinders include a first air cylinder and a second air cylinder that can be extended and retracted by the pressure of air supplied from the same air supply source, the drive members include a first drive member driven by the extension and contraction of the first air cylinder and a second drive member driven by the extension and contraction of the second air cylinder, the sensors include a first sensor that detects the operation of the first air cylinder or the first drive member and a second sensor that detects the operation of the second air cylinder or the second drive member, and the control unit is capable of outputting, as the operation signals, a first operation signal that extends and contracts the first air cylinder and a second operation signal that extends and contracts the second air cylinder, and in the check mode, it is preferable that the control unit, when outputting the first operation signal, checks whether the first sensor has detected the operation of the first air cylinder or the first drive member, and if the first sensor has not detected the operation of the first air cylinder or the first drive member, outputs the second operation signal to check whether the second sensor has detected the operation of the second air cylinder or the first drive member.

[0020] According to the present invention, if operation of the second air cylinder or the second drive member is detected even though operation of the first air cylinder or the first drive member is not detected, it can be determined as follows: That is, since the second air cylinder is operating, air is being supplied normally from the air supply source, but it can be determined that the first air cylinder is malfunctioning for a reason other than the lack of air supply.

[0021] In the doffing device of the present invention, the control unit is capable of outputting, as the operation signal, a short-distance extension / retraction signal that causes the air cylinder to be extended by a predetermined length that is shorter than when the air cylinder is extended to its maximum length and then retracted, and it is preferable that the control unit outputs the short-distance extension / retraction signal in the check mode.

[0022] According to the present invention, in the check mode, the air cylinder is extended and retracted a short distance, so it is possible to quickly determine whether air is being supplied to the air cylinder. In addition, in the check mode, the air cylinder is not extended to its maximum length, so wear on the air cylinder due to extension and retraction can be reduced. Furthermore, the air cylinder can be extended and retracted in a shorter time than if it were extended to its maximum length, so the check mode can be executed quickly.

[0023] In the doffing device of the present invention, it is preferable that the drive member includes a yarn catching member for catching the yarn pulled out from the yarn supply bobbin and guiding the yarn to the winding bobbin newly set in the yarn winding unit, the air cylinder includes a third air cylinder configured to move the yarn catching member between a yarn catching position for catching the yarn and a yarn guiding position for guiding the yarn to the winding bobbin, and the sensor detects the operation of the third air cylinder or the yarn catching member.

[0024] Generally, the thread catcher is configured to move significantly between the thread catcher position and the thread guide position. The third air cylinder that drives such a thread catcher has a large amount of extension and contraction, making it easier to detect the operation of the third air cylinder or the thread catcher than when detecting the operation of a member with a small amount of extension and reducing the risk of missing an operation. According to the present invention, the sensor can easily detect the operation of the third air cylinder or the thread catcher, which has a large amount of extension and contraction.

[0025] The automatic winder of the present invention is characterized by comprising the above-described doffing device and a yarn winding unit that winds the yarn onto the winding bobbin.

[0026] In a doffing device for an automatic winder, a driving member that operates when doffing a package from a yarn winding unit is generally configured to move significantly. Such a driving member can be moved more efficiently by being driven by an air cylinder rather than a motor or the like. In such a configuration, there is a great need to quickly determine whether air is being supplied to the air cylinder, and the present invention, which is configured to enable a check mode, is effective. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an automatic winder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the automatic winder. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a state in which the lower yarn is caught by the lower yarn catching and guiding portion during the doffing operation. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state when a clamp cutter is lowered in a doffing operation. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a state in which the yarn is gripped by the clamp cutter and the winding bobbin on the stocker is moved to the vicinity of the cradle during the doffing operation. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a state in which the clamp cutter that has caught the yarn is raised in the doffing operation. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a state in which the clamp cutter that has caught the yarn is moved to the vicinity of the cradle during the doffing operation. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing control by a doffing control unit when a check mode is executed. [Figure 13]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state when a check mode is executed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] An embodiment of the present invention will be described. For convenience of explanation, as shown in Fig. 1, the direction in which a plurality of spooling units 2 (described later) are arranged is referred to as the left-right direction. The direction in which gravity acts is referred to as the up-down direction. The direction perpendicular to both the left-right direction and the up-down direction is referred to as the front-rear direction.

[0029] (Outline of automatic winder configuration) First, the schematic configuration of an automatic winder 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a front view of the automatic winder 1. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the automatic winder 1. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the automatic winder 1 includes a plurality of yarn winding units 2, a doffing device 3, and a machine control device 4.

[0030] Each of the multiple yarn winding units 2 is configured to wind the yarn Y, which is pulled out from a yarn supply bobbin Bs, onto a winding bobbin Bw (see FIG. 3), to form a package P. As shown in FIG. 1, the multiple yarn winding units 2 are arranged in the left-right direction. The yarn winding unit 2 finishes winding a package P in which a predetermined length (weight) of yarn Y has been wound, and the package P is considered to be a fully wound package P. This fully wound package P is generally called a "full bobbin" or a "full package." For ease of explanation, such a package P will be called a "full package P" below.

[0031] The doffing device 3 is configured to perform operations such as removing a full package P from the yarn winding unit 2 and attaching an empty winding bobbin Bw to the yarn winding unit 2 (hereinafter also referred to as doffing operations). As shown in FIG. 1, the doffing device 3 is disposed above the plurality of yarn winding units 2. The doffing device 3 is configured to be movable in the left-right direction. When the doffing device 3 receives a doffing request signal from the yarn winding unit 2, which signal indicates that the package P is full and requests doffing of the package P from the yarn winding unit 2, the doffing device 3 moves above the yarn winding unit 2 to perform the above operations.

[0032] 1, the machine control device 4 is disposed, for example, on the left side of the plurality of yarn winding units 2. The machine control device 4 is electrically connected to a unit control unit 15 (see FIG. 2) of the yarn winding unit 2 and a doffing control unit 100 (see FIG. 2) of the doffing device 3, and communicates with these control units.

[0033] (Yarn winding unit) Next, the configuration of the yarn winding unit 2 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 3 is a schematic front view of the yarn winding unit 2. Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the yarn winding unit 2.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the yarn winding unit 2 has a frame 10, a yarn supplying section 11, a yarn processing section 12, a winding section 13, and a unit control section 15. The frame 10 is, for example, a hollow member extending in the vertical direction. The frame 10 is installed in a fixed position. The yarn supplying section 11, the yarn processing section 12, and the winding section 13 are provided on the frame 10 and arranged in this order from upstream to downstream of the yarn path along which the yarn Y travels. The unit control section 15 is housed, for example, inside the frame 10.

[0035] The yarn supplying unit 11 is configured to supply the yarn Y wound around the yarn supplying bobbin Bs as it is unwound. The yarn supplying unit 11 has a yarn supplying bobbin support unit 21 and a yarn unwinding assist device 22. The yarn supplying bobbin support unit 21 supports the yarn supplying bobbin Bs in a substantially upright position. The yarn unwinding assist device 22 uses a regulating tube 23 to regulate the expansion of the yarn Y when it is unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin Bs. The regulating tube 23 is configured to move downward as the amount of yarn wound around the yarn supplying bobbin Bs decreases, thereby maintaining the size of the expansion at a constant level.

[0036] The yarn processing execution unit 12 is for executing various processes related to the yarn Y. The yarn processing execution unit 12 has a yarn feeler 31, a tension applying device 32, a yarn joining device 33, and a yarn clearer .

[0037] The yarn feeler 31 is configured to be able to detect the presence or absence of the yarn Y between the yarn unwinding assisting device 22 and the tension applying device 32. The tension applying device 32 is configured to be able to apply a predetermined tension to the traveling yarn Y. An example of the tension applying device 32 is a so-called gate type. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of fixed gate bodies 32a and a plurality of movable gate bodies 32b are arranged alternately in the vertical direction. By adjusting the horizontal positions of the plurality of movable gate bodies 32b, a predetermined tension is applied to the yarn Y traveling between the fixed gate body 32a and the movable gate body 32b.

[0038] The yarn joining device 33 is configured to join the yarn Y on the yarn supplying unit 11 side and the yarn Y on the winding unit 13 side when the yarn Y is broken between the yarn supplying unit 11 and the winding unit 13. For ease of explanation, the broken yarn Y on the yarn supplying unit 11 side will be referred to as the lower yarn Y1. Similarly, the yarn Y on the winding unit 13 side (i.e., the yarn Y on the package P side) will be referred to as the upper yarn Y2. An example of the yarn joining device 33 is a compressed air type. The yarn joining device 33 blows compressed air supplied from a compressed air source (not shown) onto the lower yarn Y1 and the upper yarn Y2 to temporarily loosen both yarn ends. Thereafter, the yarn joining device 33 blows compressed air again onto both yarn ends to entangle the yarn ends together and perform the yarn joining.

[0039] A lower yarn catching and guiding section 35 that catches the lower yarn Y1 and guides it to the yarn joining device 33 is provided below the yarn joining device 33. The lower yarn catching and guiding section 35 has a shaft 35a, an arm 35b, and a suction port 35c. The shaft 35a extends, for example, in the left-right direction. The arm 35b is a pipe-shaped member that is rotatable around the shaft 35a. The suction port 35c is located at the tip of the arm 35b. The suction port 35c is configured to be able to suck and catch the yarn end of the lower yarn Y1. The arm 35b is driven to rotate by an arm motor (not shown).

[0040] An upper yarn catching and guiding section 36 is provided above (downstream of) the yarn joining device 33 to catch the upper yarn Y2 and guide it to the yarn joining device 33. The upper yarn catching and guiding section 36 has a shaft 36a, an arm 36b, and a suction port 36c. The shaft 36a extends, for example, in the left-right direction. The arm 36b is a pipe-shaped member that is rotatable around the shaft 36a. The suction port 36c is located at the tip of the arm 36b. The suction port 36c is configured to be able to suck and catch the yarn end of the upper yarn Y2. The arm 36b is driven to rotate by an arm motor (not shown).

[0041] The yarn clearer 34 is configured to be able to acquire information on the thickness of the traveling yarn Y. The yarn clearer 34 detects yarn defects based on this information. A cutter 34a is disposed near the yarn clearer 34. When a yarn defect is detected by the yarn clearer 34, the cutter 34a immediately cuts the yarn Y. At approximately the same time, the yarn clearer 34 outputs a detection signal to the unit control unit 15.

[0042] The winding unit 13 is configured to be able to perform a winding operation of winding the yarn Y onto a winding bobbin Bw to form a package P. As shown in FIG. 3 , the winding unit 13 includes a cradle 41, a traverse drum 42, and a drum drive motor 43.

[0043] The cradle 41 is configured to rotatably hold the winding bobbin Bw (package P). As shown in FIG. 3, the cradle 41 supports the winding bobbin Bw at both ends, for example, by a bobbin holder 41a and a bobbin holder 41b. The bobbin holder 41a is disposed on the right side of the winding bobbin Bw. The bobbin holder 41b is disposed on the left side of the winding bobbin Bw. The cradle 41 has, for example, a cradle lever 41c that is operated by the doffing device 3. The cradle 41 is configured to open and close the bobbin holders 41a and 41b in the left-right direction when the cradle lever 41c is operated. For convenience of explanation, the state when the cradle 41 is open is referred to as the released state. For convenience of explanation, the state when the cradle 41 is closed is referred to as the held state. The cradle 41 is configured to be able to swing between a contact position (see FIG. 4) where the package P is brought into contact with the traverse drum 42 and a separation position (not shown) where the package P is separated from the traverse drum 42.

[0044] The traverse drum 42 is configured to rotate the package P and traverse the running yarn Y. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the traverse drum 42 is a substantially cylindrical member. The rotation axis direction of the traverse drum 42 is substantially parallel to the left-right direction. A traverse groove 42a for traversing the yarn Y is formed in the outer peripheral surface 42b of the traverse drum 42. The traverse drum 42 rotates while contacting the surface of the package P, thereby rotating the package P by frictional force. At the same time, the traverse drum 42 rotates while passing the yarn Y through the traverse groove 42a, thereby traversing the yarn Y in the left-right direction. As a result, the yarn Y is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw while being traversed. Furthermore, the traverse drum 42 has a function of shaping the package P. That is, the surface of the package P is pressed against the outer peripheral surface 42b of the traverse drum 42, and the outer peripheral surface 42b applies contact pressure to the surface of the package P.

[0045] The drum drive motor 43 is configured to drive the traverse drum 42 to rotate. The drum drive motor 43 can drive the traverse drum 42 to rotate in both the forward and reverse directions. The forward direction is the rotation direction of the traverse drum 42 when the yarn Y is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw. The reverse direction is the rotation direction of the traverse drum 42 when the upper yarn Y2 is pulled out from the package P during yarn splicing. The drum drive motor 43 is electrically connected to the unit control unit 15 (see FIG. 2). The drum drive motor 43 may have a rotary encoder (not shown) for detecting the rotation speed of the traverse drum 42. Alternatively, a rotation speed sensor (not shown) may be arranged near the traverse drum 42.

[0046] The unit control unit 15 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (not shown). The unit control unit 15 controls each unit using the CPU in accordance with a program stored in the ROM. More specifically, the unit control unit 15 controls the yarn joining device 33, an arm motor (not shown) that drives the arm 35b, an arm motor (not shown) that drives the arm 36b, a drum drive motor 43, etc. (see FIG. 2). The unit control unit 15 also receives signals from the yarn clearer 34, etc. (see FIG. 2). The unit control unit 15 also outputs a doffing request signal to request the doffing device 3 to perform doffing. The signal is sent to a doffing control unit 100 (described later) of the doffing device 3 via the machine control device 4.

[0047] In the yarn winding unit 2 having the above configuration, the unit control section 15 drives the drum drive motor 43 to rotate the traverse drum 42 while the package P is in contact with the traverse drum 42. As a result, the yarn Y unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin Bs is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw, and the package P is formed.

[0048] (Doffing device) Next, the doffing device 3 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 2, 5, and 6. Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the doffing device 3. Figure 6 is a schematic front view of the doffing device 3. The doffing device 3 has a main body 50, a main body frame 51, an index plate 61, a yarn catching arm 52, a clamp cutter 53 (the yarn catching member of the present invention), a cradle opener 54, a chucker 55, a yarn pulling guide 56, and a doffing control unit 100 (the control unit of the present invention, see Figure 2).

[0049] The main body 50 is a generally box-shaped member. A main body frame 51 is formed on the upper part of the main body 50. As shown in FIG. 6, the main body frame 51 is configured to be able to run along a rail 40 arranged above the yarn winding units 2. The rail 40 extends in the direction in which the yarn winding units 2 are lined up (the left-right direction). Positioning blocks 66 are arranged on the rail 40 at positions corresponding to each yarn winding unit 2 (see FIG. 1).

[0050] As shown in Fig. 5, an index plate 61 is provided on the upper part of the main body 50, which can swing between a state in which it is engaged with a positioning block 66 (a state indicated by a solid line in Fig. 5) and a state in which it is disengaged (a state indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 5). The index plate 61 is configured to be swingable by rotating about a rotation axis (not shown) whose axis is in the left-right direction (see the solid arrow in Fig. 5). By engaging the index plate 61 with the positioning block 66, the doffing device 3 can be positioned and stopped at an appropriate position directly above the desired yarn winding unit 2.

[0051] The index plate 61 is driven to swing by a plate-driving air cylinder 101 (see FIG. 2). The plate-driving air cylinder 101 is driven to extend and retract by compressed air supplied from an air supply source 80 (the air supply source of the present invention; see FIG. 1). Specifically, the plate-driving air cylinder 101 has a piston rod (not shown). The piston rod is driven to extend and retract relative to the plate-driving air cylinder 101 by compressed air supplied from the air supply source 80. Please note that when describing other air cylinders below, we may omit the piston rod and simply state, for example, that the air cylinder is "driven to extend and retract." Furthermore, hereinafter, when simply referring to an air cylinder (or each air cylinder), this refers to all of the air cylinders of this embodiment. A compressed air supply path 81 is provided between the air supply source 80 and the plate-driving air cylinder 101 (see FIG. 1). The compressed air supply path 81 is opened and closed, for example, by a solenoid valve (not shown). The compressed air supply paths 81 connecting the other air cylinders to the air supply source 80 are also assumed to be provided with electromagnetic valves, and the following description will be omitted as appropriate. The plate drive air cylinder 101 is controlled by the doffing control unit 100.

[0052] The yarn catching arm 52 is a member for catching and guiding the yarn Y. The yarn catching arm 52 extends and retracts to support a clamp cutter 53, which will be described later. The yarn catching arm 52 has a swing shaft 52a and an arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b. The swing shaft 52a has an axis in the left-right direction. The swing shaft 52a supports the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b so that it can swing in the front-rear direction. The arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b is driven to swing by an arm swing air cylinder 102 (see Figure 2). The arm swing air cylinder 102 is driven to extend and retract by compressed air supplied from the air supply source 80 (see Figure 1). The arm swing air cylinder 102 is controlled by a doffing control unit 100.

[0053] The arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b has a piston rod 52c and a cylinder body 52d. As shown in FIG. 5, the piston rod 52c and the cylinder body 52d extend generally in the vertical direction. The cylinder body 52d is a generally cylindrical member. The piston rod 52c is inserted into the cylinder body 52d. The piston rod 52c is configured to be able to extend and retract in the vertical direction relative to the cylinder body 52d. The piston rod 52c is driven to extend and retract relative to the cylinder body 52d by compressed air supplied from the air supply source 80. In other words, the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b is driven to extend and retract by compressed air supplied from the air supply source 80. Hereinafter, the extension and retraction of the piston rod 52c of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b may be simply referred to as the extension and retraction of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b. The arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b is controlled by the doffing control unit 100.

[0054] The clamp cutter 53 is configured to be able to capture and cut the yarn Y. The clamp cutter 53 is fixed to the tip of the piston rod 52c. The clamp cutter 53 has a clamp portion 53a that can capture the yarn Y and a cutter portion 53b that can cut the yarn Y. The clamp portion 53a and the cutter portion 53b are driven to open and close simultaneously. More precisely, the clamp portion 53a first grips the yarn Y, and then the cutter portion 53b cuts the yarn Y. The clamp portion 53a and the cutter portion 53b are driven to open and close by a first opening / closing air cylinder 103 (see FIG. 2). The first opening / closing air cylinder 103 is driven to extend and retract by compressed air supplied from the air supply source 80. The clamp portion 53a and the cutter portion 53b open and close as the first opening / closing air cylinder 103 extends and retracts. The first opening / closing air cylinder 103 is controlled by the doffing control unit 100.

[0055] The clamp cutter 53 is configured to be movable between a yarn capturing position (see FIG. 9) where it captures the yarn Y and a yarn guiding position (see FIG. 11) where it guides the yarn Y to the winding bobbin Bw by extension and contraction and swinging of the arm extension air cylinder 52b. In other words, the arm extension air cylinder 52b corresponds to the third air cylinder of the present invention configured to move the clamp cutter 53 between the yarn capturing position and the yarn guiding position.

[0056] The cradle opener 54 is configured to be able to open and close the cradle 41. In other words, the cradle opener 54 is configured to switch the state of the cradle 41 between a release state and a holding state. The cradle opener 54 has, for example, a swing shaft 54a and an opener lever 54b. The swing shaft 54a swingably supports the opener lever 54b. The swing shaft 54a has an axis, for example, in the left-right direction. The cradle opener 54 is driven to swing by, for example, an opener swing motor 104 (see FIG. 2). The opener swing motor 104 is controlled by the doffing control unit 100.

[0057] The opener lever 54b is configured to operate the cradle lever 41c (see FIG. 4, etc.). More specifically, the cradle 41 is configured so that the distance between the bobbin holder 41a and the bobbin holder 41b in the left-right direction changes when the cradle lever 41c is operated. The operation of the cradle lever 41c by the opener lever 54b is driven by an opener drive air cylinder 105 (see FIG. 2). The opener drive air cylinder 105 is driven to expand and contract by compressed air supplied from the air supply source 80. The expansion and contraction of the opener drive air cylinder 105 drives the opener lever 54b in a direction that pushes the cradle lever 41c. The opener drive air cylinder 105 is controlled by the doffing control unit 100.

[0058] The chucker 55 is configured to grip an empty winding bobbin Bw and position the winding bobbin Bw near the cradle 41. The empty winding bobbin Bw is supported, for example, by a stocker 44 (see FIG. 7) arranged above the yarn winding unit 2. FIG. 7 shows only one winding bobbin Bw supported by the stocker 44. However, multiple winding bobbins Bw may be supported by the stocker 44, for example, lined up in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the chucker 55 has a swing shaft 55a, an arm 55b, and a gripping portion 55c. The swing shaft 55a swingably supports the arm 55b. The swing shaft 55a has an axis extending, for example, in the left-to-right direction. The arm 55b extends diagonally upward and forward, as shown in FIG. 7, for example. A gripping portion 55c is attached to the tip of the arm 55b. The arm 55b is driven to swing by, for example, an arm swing motor 106 (see FIG. 2). The gripper 55c is configured to be able to grip the winding bobbin Bw. The gripper 55c is driven to open and close by, for example, a second opening / closing air cylinder 107 (see FIG. 2). The second opening / closing air cylinder 107 is driven to extend and retract by compressed air supplied from the air supply source 80. The extension and retraction of the second opening / closing air cylinder 107 opens and closes the gripper 55c. The arm swing motor 106 and the second opening / closing air cylinder 107 are controlled by the doffing control unit 100. Note that the second opening / closing air cylinder 107 may be an air cylinder separate from the first opening / closing air cylinder 103 described above, but is not limited to this. For example, one air cylinder may function as both the first opening / closing air cylinder 103 and the second opening / closing air cylinder 107. In this case, the clamp portion 53a and the cutter portion 53b and the grip portion 55c are opened and closed almost simultaneously in conjunction with each other.

[0059] The yarn shifting guide 56 is configured to be able to guide the yarn Y toward the clamp cutter 53 fixed to the tip of the yarn catch arm 52. As shown in FIG. 6, the yarn shifting guide 56 has a swing shaft 56a and a lever member 56b. The swing shaft 56a swingably supports the lever member 56b. The swing shaft 56a extends, for example, in the vertical direction. The lever member 56b extends, for example, in the substantially horizontal direction. The lever member 56b is configured to be able to hook the yarn Y at the tip of the lever member 56b. The yarn shifting guide 56 is swingably driven, for example, by a yarn shifting guide drive motor 108 (see FIG. 2). The yarn shifting guide drive motor 108 is controlled by the doffing control unit 100.

[0060] The compressed air supply path 81 between the air supply source 80 and each of the air cylinders described above branches along the way. In other words, the compressed air supply path 81 connected to the air supply source 80 branches along the way and is connected to each of the air cylinders. That is, the compressed air supply path 81 has one main path 81a (see FIG. 1) on the air supply source 80 side and multiple branch paths (not shown) on the air cylinder side. The above-mentioned solenoid valves (not shown) are provided on each of the branch paths. Here, the main path 81a on the air supply source 80 side is provided with a manual valve 82 (see FIG. 1) that can be opened and closed manually, separate from the solenoid valve. When an operator opens the manual valve 82, compressed air can be supplied from the air supply source 80 to each of the air cylinders.

[0061] Furthermore, the doffing device 3 has a first sensor 71 (see FIGS. 2 and 5) that detects the operation of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b, and a second sensor 72 (see FIG. 2) that detects the operation of the plate drive air cylinder 101. The first sensor 71 is a sensor that can detect, for example, the state of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b when it is contracted. Specifically, the first sensor 71 detects the extension / retraction operation of the piston rod 52c of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b. The second sensor 72 is a sensor that can detect, for example, the state of the plate drive air cylinder 101 when it is contracted. The first sensor 71 and the second sensor 72 are, for example, proximity sensors.

[0062] 5, the first sensor 71 includes, for example, a base-end first sensor 71a attached to the base end in the extension direction of the cylinder body 52d, and a tip-end first sensor 71b attached to the tip end in the extension direction of the cylinder body 52d (i.e., the end opposite the oscillation shaft 52a). In other words, the base-end second sensor 71a is disposed near the base end of the piston rod 52c. The tip-end first sensor 71b is disposed near the tip end of the piston rod 52c when the piston rod 52c is fully contracted.

[0063] The two first sensors 71 are configured to be able to detect a magnet 75 (see FIG. 5) built in near the base end of the piston rod 52c. Specifically, the base end first sensor 71a detects the magnet 75 when the piston rod 52c is fully contracted. The tip end first sensor 71b detects the magnet 75 when the piston rod 52c is fully extended. In summary, in this embodiment, the first sensors 71 are configured so that the base end first sensor 71a detects the contracted state of the piston rod 52c of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b, and the tip end first sensor 71b detects the extended state of the piston rod 52c.

[0064] The second sensor 72 is attached, for example, to the tip of the plate driving air cylinder 101 in the extension / retraction direction (attachment position not shown). The second sensor 72 is configured to be able to detect, for example, a magnet built into a piston rod (not shown) of the plate driving air cylinder 101. However, the second sensor 72 is not limited to this configuration, and may be configured to be able to detect the operation of the plate driving air cylinder 101 by other means. The detection results by the first sensor 71 and the second sensor 72 are sent to the doffing control unit 100.

[0065] The doffing device 3 has an alarm unit 73 (see FIG. 2) capable of reporting information. The alarm unit 73 is, for example, an alarm, a lamp, a monitor, etc. The alarm unit 73 is connected to the doffing control unit 100, and reports predetermined information upon receiving output from the doffing control unit 100. The information reported by the alarm unit 73 will be explained appropriately in the description of the check mode to be described later.

[0066] The doffing control unit 100 is electrically connected to the plate drive air cylinder 101, the arm swing air cylinder 102, the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b, the first opening / closing air cylinder 103, the opener swing motor 104, the opener drive air cylinder 105, the arm swing motor 106, the second opening / closing air cylinder 107, the yarn pulling guide drive motor 108, the first sensor 71, the second sensor 72, and the alarm unit 73. The doffing control unit 100 is configured to be able to output operation signals for extending and retracting each air cylinder. The doffing control unit 100 is configured to be able to output operation signals for driving each motor.

[0067] In this embodiment, the members driven by the extension and retraction of the air cylinders correspond to the driving members of the present invention. Specifically, the driving members of the present invention include the index plate 61 driven to swing by the plate driving air cylinder 101, the arm extension air cylinder 52b driven to swing by the arm swinging air cylinder 102, the clamp cutter 53 driven to move in the extension and retraction direction of the piston rod 52c by the arm extension air cylinder 52b, the clamp cutter 53 driven to open and close by the first opening and closing air cylinder 103, the cradle opener 54 driven to open and close by the opener driving air cylinder 105, and the chucker 55 driven to open and close by the second opening and closing air cylinder 107. Hereinafter, when simply referring to the driving members (or each driving member), this refers to each of the above driving members. Note that the arm extension air cylinder 52b corresponds to both the air cylinder and the driving member of the present invention.

[0068] (Doffing operation) Next, the doffing operation by the doffing device 3 will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 11. The doffing operation is an operation performed from when the package P becomes full until the winding of the yarn Y onto the next winding bobbin Bw begins. Figs. 7 to 11 are schematic side views of the yarn winding unit 2 and the doffing device 3 for explaining doffing.

[0069] When the unit control unit 15 of a certain yarn winding unit 2 (hereinafter referred to as the target yarn winding unit 2) determines that the package P is full, it outputs a doffing request signal. The doffing request signal is sent directly to the doffing control unit 100. However, the doffing request signal may also be sent to the doffing control unit 100 via the machine control device 4. Upon receiving the doffing request signal, the doffing control unit 100 moves the doffing device 3 to just in front of the target yarn winding unit 2.

[0070] The unit control unit 15 causes the cutter 34a of the yarn clearer 34 to cut the yarn Y simultaneously with or after the output of the doffing request signal. Of the cut yarn Y, the yarn Y on the package P side is wound onto the package P. The unit control unit 15 also controls the drum drive motor 43 to stop the rotation of the traverse drum 42. Of the cut yarn Y, the yarn Y on the yarn supplying bobbin Bs side (lower yarn Y1) is sucked and caught by the suction port 35c of the lower yarn catching and guiding unit 35 (see FIG. 7). The unit control unit 15 also controls the arm motor (not shown) to rotate the arm 35b upward with the lower yarn Y1 caught by the suction port 35c (see FIG. 8).

[0071] After the doffing device 3 arrives above the target yarn winding unit 2, the doffing control unit 100 performs the following control. First, the doffing control unit 100 controls the arm extension air cylinder 52b to extend the piston rod 52c of the yarn catch arm 52 and lower the clamp cutter 53 (see FIG. 8). At this time, the doffing control unit 100 may detect whether the piston rod 52c is normally extended, for example, by the first sensor 71. In this case, it can be determined that the piston rod 52c is normally extended when the detection of the magnet 75 (see FIG. 5) by the base end first sensor 71a turns off and the detection of the magnet 75 by the tip end first sensor 71b turns on. The doffing control unit 100 also controls the opener drive air cylinder 105 to open the cradle 41 to a released state. As a result, the full package P is released from the bobbin holders 41a and 41b by its own weight and is delivered to a collection lane (not shown).

[0072] Next, the doffing control unit 100 controls the arm swinging air cylinder 102 to swing the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b, and swings the clamp cutter 53 to the vicinity of the suction port 35c of the lower yarn catching and guide unit 35 (see FIG. 9). The doffing control unit 100 controls the first opening / closing air cylinder 103 to make the clamp cutter 53 grip and cut the yarn Y. As a result, the lower yarn Y1 is transferred from the lower yarn catching and guide unit 35 to the clamp cutter 53.

[0073] In parallel with the operation of the clamp cutter 53, the doffing control unit 100 controls the arm swing motor 106 to swing the arm 55b and move the gripper 55c to the vicinity of the winding bobbin Bw on the stocker 44. Thereafter, the doffing control unit 100 controls the second opening / closing air cylinder 107 to make the gripper 55c grip the winding bobbin Bw. Furthermore, the doffing control unit 100 controls the arm swing motor 106 to swing the arm 55b and move the gripper 55c to the vicinity of the cradle 41 (see FIG. 9).

[0074] After the lower yarn Y1 is transferred from the lower yarn catching and guiding unit 35 to the clamp cutter 53, the doffing control unit 100 controls the arm swinging air cylinder 102 to swing the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b, thereby moving the clamp cutter 53 away from the lower yarn catching and guiding unit 35. Thereafter, the doffing control unit 100 controls the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b to retract the piston rod 52c and raise the clamp cutter 53 (see FIG. 10). This causes the lower yarn Y1 to be pulled out from the yarn supplying bobbin Bs. At this time, the doffing control unit 100 may detect whether the piston rod 52c is normally retracted, for example, by the first sensor 71. In this case, when the detection of the magnet 75 (see FIG. 5) by the base end first sensor 71a is turned on and the detection of the magnet 75 by the tip end first sensor 71b is turned off, it can be determined that the piston rod 52c is normally retracted.

[0075] Furthermore, the doffing control unit 100 controls the arm swinging air cylinder 102 to swing the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b, and positions the clamp cutter 53 near the cradle 41 (see FIG. 11). At the same time, the doffing control unit 100 controls the yarn pulling guide drive motor 108 to make the yarn pulling guide 56 assist the clamp cutter 53 in guiding the lower yarn Y1. As a result, the yarn catch arm 52 and the yarn pulling guide 56 position the leading end of the lower yarn Y1 between the winding bobbin Bw and the bobbin holder 41a.

[0076] Thereafter, the doffing control unit 100 controls the opener drive air cylinder 105 to drive the opener lever 54b and close the cradle 41 (the holding state described above). As a result, the winding bobbin Bw is held by the cradle 41, and the lower yarn Y1 is sandwiched between the winding bobbin Bw and the bobbin holder 41a. As a result, the yarn Y is wound around the winding bobbin Bw. After this, although a detailed description will be omitted, the unit control unit 15 and the doffing control unit 100 usually cooperate to perform well-known bunch winding and tail winding processes on the winding bobbin Bw.

[0077] In this way, the exchange of the full package P with the empty winding bobbin Bw is completed in the yarn winding unit 2. Thereafter, the unit control section 15 rotates the traverse drum 42, thereby starting the winding operation.

[0078] Here, when turning on the power of the doffing device 3, an operator may forget to open the manual valve 82 provided in the main compressed air path 81a. However, in most cases, the operator does not immediately realize that the manual valve 82 has been forgotten to be opened, and only realizes that the manual valve 82 has been forgotten to be opened after the doffing device 3 has started operating in response to a request to doff a package P. This is because the operator only realizes that compressed air is not being supplied to each air cylinder (i.e., the manual valve 82 is not open) when he or she recognizes an error message displayed when each drive member driven by an air cylinder does not move. In this case, even though the package P is already completed, the doffing device 3 cannot doff the package P until the operator opens the manual valve 82. This results in wasted waiting time until the operator opens the manual valve 82 and resolves the error. As a result, the production efficiency of the package P decreases. The above problem can also occur when compressed air is not supplied to each air cylinder for reasons other than the operator forgetting to open the manual valve 82 (for example, air leakage from the compressed air supply path 81).

[0079] Therefore, in order to quickly determine whether compressed air is being supplied to each air cylinder of the doffing device 3, the doffing control unit 100 of this embodiment performs the following control. In summary, the doffing control unit 100 is configured to be able to execute a check mode in which it outputs an operation signal to extend or retract the air cylinder at a timing different from when doffing is performed, and checks the operation of the air cylinder.

[0080] (Check mode) The check mode executed by the doffing control unit 100 will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the operation of the doffing device 3 when the check mode is executed. The doffing control unit 100 executes the check mode at a timing different from when doffing is executed, for example, when the doffing device 3 is energized.

[0081] First, the doffing control unit 100 outputs a first operation signal to extend or retract the arm extension air cylinder 52b (step S1). The arm extension air cylinder 52b, which is driven to extend or retract by the first operation signal, corresponds to the first air cylinder of the present invention. That is, the arm extension air cylinder 52b corresponds to the third air cylinder of the present invention and also corresponds to the first air cylinder of the present invention. Furthermore, the clamp cutter 53, which is driven to move in the extension or retraction direction of the piston rod 52c by the arm extension air cylinder 52b (first air cylinder), corresponds to the first driving member of the present invention. The first operation signal is a short-distance extension / retraction signal for extending and then retracting the arm extension air cylinder 52b by a predetermined length shorter than the maximum extension length (see the solid arrow in FIG. 13). More specifically, the first operation signal is a short-distance extension / retraction signal for extending or retracting the piston rod 52c of the arm extension air cylinder 52b by a short distance. The predetermined length is, for example, a length preset by the operator. The maximum length of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b is the length of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b when the piston rod 52c is fully extended.

[0082] Next, the doffing control unit 100 determines whether or not the operation of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b has been detected by the first sensor 71 (step S2). Specifically, the doffing control unit 100 determines whether or not the base-end first sensor 71a has detected the short-distance extension / retraction of the piston rod 52c. If the first sensor 71 (base-end first sensor 71a) has detected the operation of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b (S2: YES), the doffing control unit 100 determines that compressed air is being supplied from the air supply source 80 to each air cylinder, and ends the check mode.

[0083] If the first sensor 71 (base-end first sensor 71a) does not detect the operation of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b (S2: NO), the doffing control unit 100 outputs a second operation signal to extend or retract the plate driving air cylinder 101 (step S3). The plate driving air cylinder 101, which is driven to extend or retract by the second operation signal, corresponds to the second air cylinder of the present invention. Furthermore, the index plate 61, which is driven by the plate driving air cylinder 101 (second air cylinder), corresponds to the second driving member of the present invention.

[0084] Next, the doffing control unit 100 determines whether or not the second sensor 72 has detected the operation of the plate driving air cylinder 101 (step S4). If the second sensor 72 has detected the operation of the plate driving air cylinder 101 (S4: YES), the doffing control unit 100 causes the alarm unit 73 to notify the malfunction of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b (step S5). If the second sensor 72 has not detected the operation of the plate driving air cylinder 101 (S4: NO), the doffing control unit 100 causes the alarm unit 73 to notify the malfunction of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b (step S6).

[0085] The notification unit 73 issues the notification in step S5 and the notification in step S6 so that it is clear that the notification contents are different from each other. For example, the notification unit 73 may use different alarm sounds for the notification in step S5 and the notification in step S6. Alternatively, the notification unit 73 may use different colors for the lamp that is lit, switch between lighting and blinking the lamp, or change the display on the monitor for the notification in step S5 and the notification in step S6.

[0086] The above control is performed by the doffing control section 100 when the check mode is executed.

[0087] If the alarm unit 73 reports a malfunction of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b (step S5), for example, the worker turns off the power to the doffing device 3 and repairs or replaces the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b. If the alarm unit 73 reports a malfunction of the compressed air supply to each air cylinder (step S6), the worker checks whether the manual valve 82 has been left open. If the manual valve 82 has been left open, the worker opens it and causes the doffing control unit 100 to execute the check mode again. If the manual valve 82 has not been left open, air leakage from the air supply source 80 or the supply path 81 is suspected. Therefore, for example, the worker turns off the power to the doffing device 3 and performs maintenance on the air supply source 80 or the supply path 81.

[0088] (effect) As described above, the doffing device 3 of this embodiment includes an air cylinder (e.g., the arm-extending air cylinder 52b) that can be extended and retracted by compressed air pressure, a drive member (e.g., the clamp cutter 53) that is driven by the extension and retraction of the air cylinder, a first sensor 71 that detects the operation of the arm-extending air cylinder 52b, and a doffing control unit 100 that can output a first signal. The doffing control unit 100 outputs the first operation signal at a timing different from when doffing is performed, and can execute a check mode in which it is confirmed whether the first sensor 71 has detected the operation of the arm-extending air cylinder 52b. By appropriately executing the check mode, it is possible to determine whether compressed air is being properly supplied to the air cylinder (e.g., the arm-extending air cylinder 52b) before attempting to move the drive member (e.g., the clamp cutter 53) in the extension / retraction direction of the piston rod 52c for doffing. This makes it possible to quickly determine whether air is being supplied to the air cylinder.

[0089] Furthermore, in the doffing device 3 of this embodiment, the doffing control unit 100 executes the check mode when the doffing device 3 is powered on. By executing the check mode when the doffing device 3 is powered on, it is possible to quickly determine whether compressed air is being supplied to the air cylinder. In addition, by limiting the timing for executing the check mode to when the doffing device 3 is powered on, it is possible to suppress wear on the air cylinder that is moved when the check mode is executed.

[0090] Furthermore, in the doffing device 3 of this embodiment, the base end first sensor 71a is a sensor that detects the state of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b when it is retracted. This allows the operation of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b to be detected by a single base end first sensor 71a, thereby simplifying the device configuration of the doffing device 3. Note that in this embodiment, the first sensor 71 includes the base end first sensor 71a and the tip end first sensor 71b, but in order to detect the operation of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b, it is sufficient to provide only the base end first sensor 71a, and the tip end first sensor 71b does not have to be provided. This allows the device configuration of the doffing device 3 to be simplified.

[0091] Furthermore, the doffing device 3 of this embodiment has an alarm unit 73. The alarm unit 73 has an alarm unit 73 that notifies that air is not being supplied to each air cylinder when the first sensor 71 does not detect the operation of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b. This allows the operator to easily and quickly know that air is not being supplied to each air cylinder.

[0092] In the doffing device 3 of this embodiment, the air cylinders include an arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b (first air cylinder) and a plate drive air cylinder 101 (second air cylinder), both of which are extendable and retractable by the pressure of compressed air supplied from the same air supply source 80. The drive members include a clamp cutter 53 (first drive member) whose movement in the extension / retraction direction of the piston rod 52c is driven by the extension and retraction of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b, and an index plate 61 (second drive member) driven by the extension and retraction of the plate drive air cylinder 101. The doffing device 3 also includes a first sensor 71 that detects the operation of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b and a second sensor 72 that detects the operation of the plate drive air cylinder 101. The doffing control unit 100 is capable of outputting a first operation signal that extends or retracts the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b and a second operation signal that extends or retracts the plate drive air cylinder 101. In the check mode, when the doffing control unit 100 outputs the first operation signal, it checks whether the operation of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b is detected by the first sensor 71 (step S2). If the operation of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b is not detected by the first sensor 71 (S2: NO), the doffing control unit 100 outputs a second operation signal and checks whether the operation of the plate drive air cylinder 101 is detected by the second sensor 72 (step S4).

[0093] According to this, if operation of the plate drive air cylinder 101 is detected even though operation of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b is not detected, it can be determined as follows: That is, because the plate drive air cylinder 101 is operating, compressed air is being supplied normally from the air supply source 80, but it can be determined that the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b is malfunctioning for a reason other than the lack of compressed air supply.

[0094] Furthermore, in the doffing device 3 of this embodiment, the doffing control unit 100 can output, as the first operation signal, a short-distance extension / retraction signal that causes the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b to perform a short-distance extension / retraction. The doffing control unit 100 outputs the short-distance extension / retraction signal in the check mode. This allows the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b to perform a short-distance extension / retraction in the check mode, making it possible to quickly determine whether compressed air is being supplied to the air cylinder. Additionally, since the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b is not extended to its maximum length in the check mode, wear on the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b that accompanies extension / retraction can be reduced. Furthermore, the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b can be extended / retracted in a shorter time than when it is extended to its maximum length, allowing the check mode to be executed quickly.

[0095] In the doffing device 3 of this embodiment, the driving member includes the clamp cutter 53, and the air cylinder includes an arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b (third air cylinder) configured to move the clamp cutter 53. The first sensor 71 detects the operation of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b. Specifically, the first sensor 71 detects the operation of the piston rod 52c, which is driven to extend and retract by compressed air supplied from the air supply source 80. The clamp cutter 53 is configured to move significantly between the yarn capturing position and the yarn guiding position. The arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b that drives the clamp cutter 53 has a large extension amount, which makes operation detection easier and reduces the occurrence of missed detections compared to detecting the operation of a member with a small extension amount. According to this embodiment, the first sensor 71 can easily detect the operation of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b, which has a large extension amount.

[0096] The automatic winder 1 of this embodiment also includes the above-described doffing device 3 and a yarn winding unit 2 that winds the yarn Y onto a winding bobbin Bw. In the doffing device 3 of the automatic winder 1, a driving member that operates when doffing a package P from the yarn winding unit 2 is generally configured to move significantly. Such a driving member can be moved more efficiently by driving it with an air cylinder rather than a motor or the like. In such a configuration, there is a great need to quickly determine whether compressed air is being supplied to the air cylinder, and this embodiment, which is configured to enable a check mode, is effective.

[0097] (Variation) The following describes modifications of the above embodiment, but the same reference numerals are used to designate components having the same configuration as the above embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the doffing control unit 100 executes the check mode when the doffing device 3 is powered on. However, the timing at which the doffing control unit 100 executes the check mode may be any timing different from the timing at which doffing is performed, and is not limited to the timing at which the doffing device 3 is powered on. For example, the doffing control unit 100 may be configured to execute the check mode when it receives a doffing request signal output from the yarn winding unit 2. Generally, there is a time lag between when the doffing control unit 100 receives a doffing request signal and when doffing is actually performed by the doffing device 3. According to this modification, by executing the check mode immediately after receiving a doffing request signal, it is possible to determine whether compressed air is being supplied to the air cylinder before doffing is actually performed.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the first sensor 71 includes a base-end first sensor 71a capable of detecting the retracted state of the piston rod 52c of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b, and a tip-end first sensor 71b capable of detecting the extended state of the piston rod 52c. However, the first sensor 71 may be a sensor capable of detecting only either the extended state or the retracted state of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b. Also, in the above embodiment, the second sensor 72 is a sensor capable of detecting the retracted state of the plate drive air cylinder 101. However, the second sensor 72 may be a sensor capable of detecting the extended state of the plate drive air cylinder 101, or a sensor capable of detecting both the extended and retracted states of the plate drive air cylinder 101.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the doffing control unit 100 causes the alarm unit 73 to notify the malfunction of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b (step S5), or causes the alarm unit 73 to notify the malfunction of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b (step S6). However, the doffing control unit 100 does not have to cause the alarm unit 73 to notify the malfunction of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b. Alternatively, the doffing control unit 100 does not have to cause the alarm unit 73 to notify the malfunction of the air cylinder 52b (step S6). Furthermore, the doffing control unit 100 may be configured ...

[0101] In the above embodiment, if the first sensor 71 does not detect the operation of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b in the check mode (S2: NO), the doffing control unit 100 outputs a second operation signal to extend or retract the plate drive air cylinder 101 (step S3). However, in the check mode, the doffing control unit 100 does not have to output the second operation signal. In this case, for example, if the first sensor 71 does not detect the operation of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b, the doffing control unit 100 causes the alarm unit 73 to alarm that compressed air is not being supplied from the air supply source 80 to each air cylinder.

[0102] In the above embodiment, in the check mode, the doffing control unit 100 outputs a short-distance extension / retraction signal as the first signal. However, the doffing control unit 100 may be configured not to output the short-distance extension / retraction signal. In this case, in the check mode, the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b extends to its maximum length and then retracts.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the first sensor 71 includes a base end first sensor 71a attached to the base end in the extension direction of the cylinder body 52d and a tip end first sensor 71b attached to the tip end in the extension direction of the cylinder body 52d. However, the first sensor 71 is not limited to this configuration. The position where the first sensor 71 is disposed may be different from that in the above embodiment as long as it is a position where the operation of the arm extension air cylinder 52b can be detected. Also, in the above embodiment, the first sensor 71 is configured to be able to detect the magnet 75 built into the piston rod 52c. However, the first sensor 71 may be configured to be able to detect the operation of the piston rod 52c by another means.

[0104] The air cylinder provided in the doffing device 3 is not limited to the aspect of the above embodiment. For example, the index plate 61 may be driven to swing by a motor, and the yarn catch arm 52 may be driven to extend, retract, and swing by a motor. However, the doffing device 3 of the present invention is configured to have at least one air cylinder and a drive member that is driven by the extension and retraction of the air cylinder.

[0105] In the above embodiment, the first sensor 71 is a sensor that detects the operation of the arm extension / retraction air cylinder 52b (to be precise, the piston rod 52c). However, the first sensor 71 may also be a sensor that detects the operation of the clamp cutter 53 that moves in the extension / retraction direction of the piston rod 52c. Also, in the above embodiment, the second sensor 72 is a sensor that detects the operation of the plate drive air cylinder 101. However, the second sensor 72 may also be a sensor that detects the swinging operation of the index plate 61. In other words, the sensor of the present invention may be a sensor that detects the operation of an air cylinder, or may be a sensor that detects the operation of the drive member itself that is driven by the air cylinder.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the lower thread Y1 is transferred between the lower thread catching and guiding portion 35 and the thread catching arm 52. However, this is not limited to this. A mechanism (not shown, for example, including the upper thread catching and guiding portion 36) that can guide the lower thread Y1 above the lower thread catching and guiding portion 35 may be provided. In this case, the lower thread Y1 may be transferred between this mechanism (for example, the upper thread catching and guiding portion 36) and the thread catching arm 52.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the cradle opener 54 operates the cradle 41. However, this is not limiting. For example, each yarn winding unit 2 may have an opening / closing mechanism (not shown) that can open and close the cradle 41.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the yarn pulling guide 56 is provided to perform auxiliary operations when the yarn catcher arm 52 guides the yarn Y between the winding bobbin Bw and the bobbin holder 41a. However, the yarn pulling guide 56 does not have to be provided. In this case, for example, the yarn catcher arm 52 may move left and right to guide the yarn Y between the winding bobbin Bw and the bobbin holder 41a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1 Automatic winder 2 Yarn winding unit 3 Doffing device 52 Thread catch arm 52b Arm telescopic air cylinder 53 Clamp cutter 61 Index Plate 71 First Sensor 72 Second Sensor 73 Information Department 80 Air supply source 81 Supply Channel 81a Main Route 82 Manual valve 100 Doffing control section 101 Plate drive air cylinder Bs Yarn supply bobbin Bw Winding bobbin P Package Y thread

Claims

1. A doffing device for performing doffing on a yarn winding unit that winds a yarn onto a winding bobbin, an air cylinder that can expand and contract using air pressure; a driving member that is driven by the expansion and contraction of the air cylinder; a sensor that detects the operation of the air cylinder or the driving member; a control unit capable of outputting an operation signal for expanding and contracting the air cylinder; Equipped with The control unit a doffing device capable of executing a check mode in which the operation signal is output at a timing different from that when the doffing is performed, and it is confirmed whether or not the operation of the air cylinder or the drive member is detected by the sensor.

2. 2. The doffing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the check mode when the doffing device is powered on.

3. 2. The doffing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to receive a doffing request signal output from the yarn winding unit, the doffing request signal being sent to the control unit, and executes the check mode when the control unit receives the doffing request signal.

4. 4. The doffing device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor detects at least one of an extended state and a retracted state of the air cylinder.

5. The doffing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an alarm unit that notifies the user that air is not being supplied to the air cylinder when the sensor does not detect the operation of the air cylinder or the drive member.

6. The air cylinder includes a first air cylinder and a second air cylinder that can expand and contract by air pressure supplied from the same air supply source, the driving member includes a first driving member driven by the extension and contraction of the first air cylinder, and a second driving member driven by the extension and contraction of the second air cylinder, the sensors include a first sensor that detects operation of the first air cylinder or the first driving member, and a second sensor that detects operation of the second air cylinder or the second driving member, the control unit is capable of outputting, as the operation signal, a first operation signal that expands and contracts the first air cylinder and a second operation signal that expands and contracts the second air cylinder, The control unit In the check mode, When the first operation signal is output, it is confirmed whether or not the operation of the first air cylinder or the first drive member is detected by the first sensor; 6. The doffing device according to claim 1, wherein when the first sensor does not detect the operation of the first air cylinder or the first drive member, the second operation signal is output, and it is confirmed whether the second sensor detects the operation of the second air cylinder or the second drive member.

7. The control unit As the operation signal, a short-distance extension / retraction signal can be output which performs a short-distance extension / retraction in which the air cylinder is extended by a predetermined length shorter than when the air cylinder is extended to its maximum length and then retracted, 7. The doffing device according to claim 1, wherein the short distance extension / retraction signal is output in the check mode.

8. the driving member includes a yarn catching member for catching the yarn pulled out from a yarn supplying bobbin and guiding the yarn to the winding bobbin newly set in the yarn winding unit, the air cylinder includes a third air cylinder configured to move the yarn catcher between a yarn catch position where the yarn is caught and a yarn guiding position where the yarn is guided to the winding bobbin, 8. The doffing device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor detects the operation of the third air cylinder or the yarn catcher.

9. The doffing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a yarn winding unit that winds the yarn onto the winding bobbin; An automatic winder comprising:

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