False twist texturing machine with air tube supply

Abstract

This invention relates to a false-twist processing machine having an empty paper tube supply device, which prevents forgetting to replenish empty paper tubes to the empty paper tube supply device and prevents the winding device from causing yarn winding failure. The false-twist processing machine (1) has an empty paper tube supply device (23) that is provided to multiple winding devices and supplies empty paper tubes (Bw) to the winding devices, and a control unit. The empty paper tube supply device (23) has a storage unit (51), a first sensor (52), and a second sensor (53). The control unit (40) generates a notification signal indicating that empty paper tubes (Bw) need to be replenished to the storage unit (51) when the first sensor (52) and the second sensor (53) detect that the number of empty paper tubes (Bw) stored in the storage unit (51) is less than a predetermined number.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a false twist processing machine having an empty paper tube supply device for supplying empty paper tubes to a winding device. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a false twisting machine for performing false twisting on yarn. The false twisting machine of Patent Document 1 includes a yarn feeding section, a yarn feeding roller for moving the yarn supplied from the yarn feeding section, a winding device for winding the moving yarn, a heating device, a cooling device, and a false twisting device arranged in the yarn channel from the yarn feeding section to the winding device.

[0003] In a false-twist processing machine, the yarn supplied from the yarn supply unit is false-twist processed by a false-twist device or the like, and then wound onto a paper tube by a winding device, thereby forming a package. After the package, which is now fully wound, is unloaded from the winding device and an empty paper tube without yarn is installed onto the winding device, the yarn is wound up again by the winding device.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses an empty paper tube supply device (boll replacement device) for supplying empty paper tubes (empty tubes) to a winding device such as a false twisting machine. The empty paper tube supply device can hold empty paper tubes, and when the yarn is wound onto the paper tube by the winding device to form a full roll, the full roll is unloaded and empty paper tubes are supplied to the winding device from the empty paper tube supply track.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-47074

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-279188

[0007] Empty paper tubes are replenished appropriately by operators, automated robots, etc. Here, if the empty paper tubes stored in the empty paper tube supply device are used up but are forgotten to be replenished, empty paper tubes cannot be supplied from the empty paper tube supply device to the winding device. In false twisting machines, yarn is continuously supplied from the yarn supply section. Therefore, if empty paper tubes are not supplied to the winding device after a full roll is unloaded from the winding device, the continuous supply of yarn from the yarn supply section may cause defects such as yarn tangling on the winding device.

[0008] Furthermore, in cases where yarn breaks during winding or the winding device fails to attach the yarn, the winding process may be interrupted midway, prompting an early request for the next empty paper tube. In such situations, if the empty paper tube supply device does not contain an empty paper tube, the aforementioned problems may occur, making it crucial to accurately determine the timing for replenishing empty paper tubes to the empty paper tube supply device.

[0009] In particular, in false twist processing machines with multiple take-up units, it is difficult to control the timing of replenishing empty paper tubes for all empty paper tube supply devices corresponding to each take-up unit, and it is easy to forget to replenish empty paper tubes. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to provide a false twist processing machine that can prevent forgetting to replenish the empty paper tube supply device and can prevent the winding device from failing to wind up the yarn.

[0011] The present invention provides a false twist processing machine, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of winding devices for winding yarn onto paper tubes to form a package; a plurality of empty paper tube supply devices, respectively provided opposite to the plurality of winding devices, for supplying empty paper tubes to the winding devices; and a control unit, wherein the empty paper tube supply devices have a storage section capable of storing a plurality of the empty paper tubes, and at least one sensor for detecting when the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage section is less than a predetermined number, and the control unit generates a notification signal to notify that empty paper tubes need to be replenished to the storage section when the at least one sensor detects that the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage section is less than the predetermined number.

[0012] According to the present invention, empty paper tubes can be replenished to the storage unit simply based on a notification signal, thus enabling the timing of replenishing empty paper tubes to all empty paper tube supply devices corresponding to multiple take-up devices to be controlled. This prevents forgetting to replenish empty paper tubes to the empty paper tube supply devices and also prevents take-up failures of the take-up devices.

[0013] In this invention, preferably, the at least one sensor includes a first sensor, which is used to detect when the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage section is less than or equal to the first predetermined number for a number greater than or equal to 1.

[0014] When there are many take-up devices, if empty paper tubes are replenished to the storage unit after the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage unit has reached zero, the empty paper tube supply device may sometimes be unable to supply empty paper tubes to the take-up devices in time. According to the present invention, a notification signal can be generated in advance before the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage unit reaches zero. Therefore, the delay in replenishing empty paper tubes to the storage unit can be suppressed.

[0015] Preferably, in this invention, the at least one sensor includes a second sensor that detects that the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage section is 0.

[0016] According to the present invention, a notification signal can be generated when the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage section becomes 0. Therefore, it is possible to determine the timing when there is a high urgency of needing to quickly replenish empty paper tubes when the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage section becomes 0.

[0017] Preferably, in this invention, the notification signal includes a priority notification signal, which is used to notify the storage unit that has zero empty paper tubes that needs to be replenished with empty paper tubes, prior to other storage units, when the second sensor detects that the number of empty paper tubes stored in any of the storage units of the plurality of empty paper tube supply devices is zero.

[0018] According to the present invention, by replenishing empty paper tubes based on a priority notification signal, it is possible to prioritize replenishing empty paper tubes to storage sections where the number of empty paper tubes stored is 0. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation where empty paper tubes are not supplied from the empty paper tube supply device to the winding device.

[0019] In this invention, it is preferable that the control unit controls the winding device corresponding to the storage unit to stop winding after forming a full roll when the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage unit is 0.

[0020] According to the present invention, when the number of empty paper tubes stored in a certain storage section is 0, the winding device corresponding to that storage section will not restart the winding operation after forming a full roll. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the undesirable situation where the thread gets tangled in the winding device that restarts the winding operation when there are no paper tubes.

[0021] Preferably, in this invention, the at least one sensor includes two or more sensors, which are sensors that detect cases below the specified number for different specified numbers.

[0022] According to the present invention, by providing two or more sensors, the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage section can be determined in more detail. Therefore, it is easy to freely adjust the timing of notifications to replenish empty paper tubes based on on-site conditions.

[0023] Preferably, in this invention, the false twist processing machine further includes a notification unit that can perform a notification action to inform the operator that the empty paper tubes need to be replenished in the storage unit, and the control unit performs the notification action by sending the notification signal to the notification unit.

[0024] According to the present invention, when an operator replenishes empty paper tubes to the storage section, the operator can reliably control the timing of replenishing empty paper tubes through the notification action of the notification section.

[0025] Furthermore, in this invention, it is preferred that the false twist processing machine also includes an empty paper tube replenishing robot, which can automatically perform the replenishing action of replenishing the empty paper tubes to the storage unit, and the control unit causes the replenishing action to be performed by sending the notification signal to the empty paper tube replenishing robot.

[0026] According to the present invention, when an empty paper tube is automatically replenished to the storage section by an empty paper tube replenishment robot, the timing of the replenishment action can be appropriately controlled.

[0027] Preferably, in this invention, the at least one sensor includes a third sensor that can detect when the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage section is at its maximum. The control unit controls the empty paper tube replenishment robot to not perform the replenishment action when the third sensor detects that the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage section is at its maximum.

[0028] According to the present invention, when empty paper tubes are automatically replenished to the storage section by the empty paper tube replenishment robot, it is possible to prevent the replenishment operation from being performed when the maximum number of empty paper tubes is stored in the storage section. Therefore, it is possible to prevent empty paper tubes from overflowing from the storage section. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a side view of the false twisting processing machine of this embodiment.

[0030] Figure 2 From Figure 1 The diagram viewed from direction II.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the winding section.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an empty tube supply device.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a false twisting machine.

[0034] Figure 6 This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a modified false twisting machine.

[0035] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a modified empty tube supply device.

[0036] Explanation of symbols:

[0037] 1: False twist processing machine; 21: Winding device; 23: Empty bobbin supply device (empty paper tube supply device); 40: Control unit; 51: Storage unit; 52: First sensor; 53: Second sensor; 101: False twist processing machine; 123: Empty bobbin supply device (empty paper tube supply device); 140: Control unit; 154: Third sensor; 161: Empty bobbin replenishment robot (empty paper tube replenishment robot); Pw: Winding and packaging; Y: Yarn. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] (Overall structure of false twisting processing machine 1)

[0040] Figure 1 This is a side view showing the schematic configuration of the false twisting processing machine 1 according to this embodiment. Hereinafter, Figure 1 The vertical direction of the paper is defined as the length direction of the aircraft body, and the horizontal direction of the paper is defined as the width direction of the aircraft body. The direction orthogonal to the length and width directions of the aircraft body is defined as the vertical direction (up-down direction) of gravity. The above directional terms will be used appropriately in the following explanations.

[0041] The false-twist processing machine 1 is configured to, for example, perform false-twist processing on filaments Y made of synthetic fibers such as nylon (polyamide-based fibers). The false-twist processing machine 1 includes: a feed section 2 for supplying filaments Y; a processing section 3 for performing false-twist processing on the filaments Y supplied from the feed section 2; a winding section 4 for winding the filaments Y processed by the processing section 3 onto a winding bobbin Bw (the paper tube of the present invention); and a control section 40 (see reference 40). Figure 5 The components (described later) of the yarn feeding section 2, processing section 3, and winding section 4 are located on the yarn travel surface. Figure 1 Multiple wire channels are arranged orthogonally along the length of the machine body (on the paper surface), and a wire channel is provided on the traveling surface to reach the winding section 4 from the wire supply section 2 through the processing section 3.

[0042] The yarn feeding section 2 has a bobbin 7 that holds multiple yarn feed packages Ps and supplies multiple yarns Y to the processing section 3. The processing section 3 is configured such that, starting from the upstream side in the yarn travel direction, a first yarn feeding roller 11, a twist guide 12, a first heating device 13, a cooling device 14, a false twisting device 15, a second yarn feeding roller 16, a winding device 17, a third yarn feeding roller 18, a second heating device 19, and a fourth yarn feeding roller 20 are arranged sequentially. The winding section 4 uses the winding device 21 to wind the yarns Y, which have been false twisted by the processing section 3, onto the winding bobbin Bw to form a wound package Pw (the package of the present invention).

[0043] Furthermore, the false twisting processing machine 1 includes a main body 8 and a winding table 9 arranged at intervals in the width direction of the machine body. The main body 8 and the winding table 9 extend to approximately the same length in the length direction of the machine body and are arranged opposite each other. The upper part of the main body 8 and the upper part of the winding table 9 are connected by a support frame 10. The various devices constituting the processing unit 3 are mainly installed in the main body 8 and the support frame 10. The main body 8, the winding table 9, and the support frame 10 form a working space 22 for the operator to perform operations such as thread loading on the various devices. The thread channel is configured so that the thread Y mainly travels around the working space 22.

[0044] The false twisting machine 1 has a unit unit called a span, comprising a set of main bodies 8 arranged opposite each other and a take-up table 9. Within a span, the devices are configured to simultaneously perform false twisting on multiple yarns Y traveling in a configuration along the length of the machine body. As an example, 12 take-up devices 21 are provided on one take-up table 9 (see reference). Figure 2 Furthermore, the false twisting processing machine 1 is configured such that the span is symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the paper surface with the center line C of the machine width direction of the main body 8 as the axis of symmetry (the main body 8 is common in the left and right spans), and multiple such machines are arranged in the length direction of the machine body.

[0045] (Composition of the machining department)

[0046] Next, the components of the processing unit 3 will be described. The first feed roller 11 is used to feed the yarn Y supplied from the feed unit 2 to the first heating device 13. The first feed roller 11 is positioned above the winding table 9 (see reference). Figure 1 The first wire feeding roller 11 is arranged in a row along the length of the machine body.

[0047] The anti-twist guide 12 is used to prevent the twist imparted to the yarn Y by the false twisting device 15 (described later) from propagating to a position upstream of the anti-twist guide 12 in the yarn travel direction. The anti-twist guide 12 is located downstream of the first yarn feed roller 11 in the yarn travel direction and upstream of the first heating device 13 in the yarn travel direction. For example, the anti-twist guide 12 is provided independently for each of the multiple yarns Y supplied from the yarn feed section 2 and arranged in a row in the length direction of the machine body.

[0048] The first heating device 13 is used to heat the yarn Y fed from the first yarn feeding roller 11, and is mounted on the support frame 10 (see reference). Figure 1 The first heating device 13 is provided with multiple heating elements relative to the multiple filaments Y supplied from the filament supply section 2, and is arranged in a row along the length of the machine body.

[0049] The cooling device 14 is used to cool the yarn Y heated by the first heating device 13. The cooling device 14 is located downstream of the first heating device 13 in the yarn travel direction and upstream of the false twisting device 15 in the yarn travel direction. Multiple cooling devices 14 are provided for the multiple yarns Y supplied from the yarn supply section 2 and are arranged in a row in the length direction of the machine body.

[0050] The false twisting device 15 is used to twist the yarn Y. The false twisting device 15 is located immediately downstream of the cooling device 14 in the yarn travel direction. Multiple false twisting devices 15 are arranged in the length direction of the machine body. For example, 12 false twisting devices 15 are provided for one span.

[0051] The second feed roller 16 is a roller that feeds the yarn Y, twisted by the false twisting device 15, toward the winding device 17. The second feed roller 16 is disposed in the main body 8 downstream of the false twisting device 15 in the yarn travel direction. The feed speed of the second feed roller 16 on the yarn Y is faster than that of the first feed roller 11. Therefore, the yarn Y is stretched between the first feed roller 11 and the second feed roller 16.

[0052] The winding device 17 is a device that performs winding by spraying air onto the yarn Y. The winding device 17 is disposed in the main body 8 below the second feed roller 16.

[0053] The third feed roller 18 is a roller that feeds the yarn Y, which has been twisted by the twisting device 17, toward the second heating device 19. The third feed roller 18 is disposed in the main body 8 below the twisting device 17. The feed speed of the third feed roller 18 to the yarn Y is slower than that of the second feed roller 16 to the yarn Y. Therefore, the yarn Y is slack between the second feed roller 16 and the third feed roller 18.

[0054] The second heating device 19 is used to heat the yarn Y fed from the third feed roller 18. The second heating device 19 is disposed below the third feed roller 18 in the main body 8. The second heating device 19 extends in the vertical direction, with one device provided in each span.

[0055] The fourth feed roller 20 is a roller that feeds the yarn Y, which has been heat-treated by the second heating device 19, toward the winding device 21. The fourth feed roller 20 is located at the lower part of the winding table 9. The feed speed of the fourth feed roller 20 to the yarn Y is slower than that of the third feed roller 18. Therefore, the yarn Y is slack between the third feed roller 18 and the fourth feed roller 20.

[0056] In the processing section 3 configured as described above, the yarn Y stretched between the first feed roller 11 and the second feed roller 16 is twisted by the false twisting device 15. The twist formed by the false twisting device 15 propagates to the anti-twist guide 12, but does not propagate upstream of the anti-twist guide 12 in the direction of yarn travel. The yarn Y, which is twisted while being stretched, is heated and heat-set by the first heating device 13, and then cooled by the cooling device 14. Downstream of the false twisting device 15, the yarn Y is untwisted, but each filament remains falsely twisted into a wavy shape due to the heat setting. The yarn Y, which has been falsely twisted by the false twisting device 15, is relaxed between the second feed roller 16 and the third feed roller 18, while being woven by the woven device 17, and is guided downstream in the direction of yarn travel. Then, while the yarn Y is relaxed between the third feed roller 18 and the fourth feed roller 20, it is heat-set by the second heating device 19. Finally, the yarn Y conveyed from the fourth feed roller 20 is wound by the winding device 21 to form a wound package Pw.

[0057] (The structure of the winding section 4)

[0058] Next, refer to Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The structure of the winding section 4 will be explained. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the take-up unit 4 includes multiple take-up devices 21 for winding yarn Y onto a take-up bobbin Bw to form a take-up package Pw, multiple empty bobbin supply devices 23 (empty paper tube supply devices of the present invention), and multiple storage units 24. Each of the multiple empty bobbin supply devices 23 and multiple storage units 24 is provided with one opposite to each of the multiple take-up devices 21. Each take-up device 21 has a single cradle 31 that supports the take-up bobbin Bw for rotation. The take-up bobbin Bw supported on the cradle 31 is driven to rotate, for example, by a motor (not shown). By rotating the take-up bobbin Bw, the take-up device 21 winds the yarn Y onto the take-up bobbin Bw to form a take-up package Pw.

[0059] The empty bobbin supply device 23 is a device for supplying an empty take-up bobbin Bw in a state where the unwound yarn Y is not in the take-up device 21. Furthermore, the empty take-up bobbin Bw (hereinafter referred to as empty bobbin Bw) corresponds to the empty paper tube of the present invention. Details regarding the empty bobbin supply device 23 will be described later.

[0060] The storage section 24 stores the fully wound package Pw formed by the winding device 21. When the wound package Pw becomes fully wound, the cradle 31 rotates about the rotation axis along the length of the machine body, thereby unloading the winding bobbin Bw supported on the cradle 31 from the winding device 21 and supplying it to the storage section 24. For example, the storage section 24 can store up to 3 wound packages Pw. In addition, even if a wire break occurs during the winding of the yarn Y by the winding device 21, the wound package Pw can still be supplied to the storage section 24 even if it is not fully wound.

[0061] (Composition of the empty tube supply device 23)

[0062] Next, refer to Figure 4 The configuration of the empty tube supply device 23 will be described. The empty tube supply device 23 is a device for supplying empty tubes Bw to the winding device 21 after the wound roll Pw is unloaded from the winding device 21 and supplied to the storage section 24. Each empty tube supply device 23 has a storage section 51 capable of accommodating four empty tubes Bw, a first sensor 52, a second sensor 53, and a front end component 54.

[0063] The storage section 51 includes a support member 51a and a side wall 51b. The support member 51a is a member that supports the empty tube Bw from below and slopes downward toward the side where the winding device 21 is arranged in the width direction of the machine body. The support member 51a is formed such that its length in the length direction of the machine body is a certain amount longer than the length of the empty tube Bw along its axis. The side wall 51b is a member that extends upward from one end and the other end of the support member 51a in the length direction of the machine body. Furthermore, in Figure 4 The diagram only shows the sidewall 51b on the inner side of the paper surface of the empty tube Bw supported by the support member 51a, but in reality, a sidewall 51b is also provided on the front side of the paper surface of the empty tube Bw. In this embodiment, the storage section 51 can hold up to four empty tubes Bw. In this embodiment, the operator manually replenishes the storage section 51 with empty tubes Bw. The empty tubes Bw replenished by the operator to the storage section 51 move along the downwardly inclined support member 51a toward the side where the winding device 21 is arranged in the width direction of the machine body. The first empty tube Bw stored in the storage section 51 moves along the inclination of the support member 51a and is located at the end of the storage section 51 on the side where the winding device 21 is arranged in the width direction of the machine body. With the first empty tube Bw stored in the storage section 51, the second to fourth empty tubes Bw are moved along the inclined surface of the storage section 51, with the second, third, and fourth empty tubes Bw located next to the first empty tube Bw in sequence. From then on, they are referred to sequentially as the first empty tube Bw, the second empty tube Bw, the third empty tube Bw, and the fourth empty tube Bw, starting from the side closest to the winding device 21.

[0064] The first sensor 52 is a microswitch having a detection piece 52a protruding slightly upward from the bottom surface of the support member 51a. Similarly, the second sensor 53 is a microswitch having a detection piece 53a protruding slightly upward from the bottom surface of the support member 51a. The first sensor 52 is activated when the empty tube Bw contacts the detection piece 52a and deactivated when the empty tube Bw is not in contact with the detection piece 52a. The second sensor 53 is activated when the empty tube Bw contacts the detection piece 53a and deactivated when the empty tube Bw is not in contact with the detection piece 53a. However, the first sensor 52 and the second sensor 53 are not limited to microswitches; they can also be infrared sensors that detect the empty tube Bw by irradiating it with infrared light.

[0065] The detection element 52a of the first sensor 52 is positioned at a location accessible to the third empty tube Bw. Therefore, when the first sensor 52 is activated, it indicates that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage section 51 is three or more. Furthermore, when the first sensor 52 is deactivated, it indicates that the number of empty tubes Bw stored is two or less. In other words, the first sensor 52 of this embodiment can detect when the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage section 51 is two or less, which corresponds to the first sensor of the present invention.

[0066] The detection element 53a of the second sensor 53 is positioned at a location accessible to the second empty tube Bw. Therefore, when the second sensor 53 is activated, it indicates that two or more empty tubes Bw are stored in the storage section 51. Furthermore, when the second sensor 53 is deactivated, it indicates that one or fewer empty tubes Bw are stored. In other words, in this case, the second sensor 53 can detect when the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage section 51 is a predetermined number, i.e., one or fewer, and can be considered as the first sensor of the present invention.

[0067] Furthermore, the control unit 40 can determine whether the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is 1 or 0 based on the switching timing of the second sensor 53. The structure by which the control unit 40 determines the number of empty tubes Bw stored based on the detection of the second sensor 53 will be described below.

[0068] One empty bobbin Bw is supplied from the empty bobbin supply device 23 to the winding device 21 at a time. Once an empty bobbin Bw has been supplied from the empty bobbin supply device 23 to the winding device 21, the next empty bobbin Bw is not supplied until the wound roll Pw is fully wound and unloaded from the winding device 21. For example, the control unit 40 pre-calculates the time from the supply of empty bobbin Bw from the empty bobbin supply device 23 to the winding device 21, until the wound roll Pw is fully wound and unloaded from the winding device 21, and the next empty bobbin Bw is supplied to the winding device 21. However, the pre-calculated time is not limited to calculation by the control unit 40; it can also be pre-input by the operator.

[0069] When the second sensor 53 is disconnected and the switch from on to off occurs within a predetermined time immediately preceding the disconnection, the control unit 40 determines that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 has decreased from 2 to 1 within the predetermined time immediately preceding the disconnection. Therefore, the control unit 40 can determine that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is 1.

[0070] On the other hand, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the second sensor 53 is disconnected, the control unit 40 determines that after the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 has decreased from 2 to 1, further supply of empty tubes Bw to the winding device 21 results in a storage count of 0. Therefore, the control unit 40 can determine that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is 0. Thus, the second sensor 53 of this embodiment can detect when the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is 0, which corresponds to the second sensor of the present invention.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the first sensor 52 does not detect an empty tube Bw but the second sensor 53 detects an empty tube Bw, it is possible to detect that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage section 51 is two.

[0072] The front end component 54 is located at the front end of the storage section 51 on the side where the winding device 21 is located, in the width direction of the body. The empty tube Bw, which moves along the downwardly inclined support member 51a, is restricted from being supplied to the winding device 21 from the front end of the storage section 51 on the side where the winding device 21 is located by contacting the front end component 54.

[0073] The following describes the structure of supplying empty bobbin Bw from the empty bobbin supply device 23 to the winding device 21. During the winding operation of the yarn Y by the winding device 21, the empty bobbin supply device 23 is in a standby position where the front end member 54 can restrict the movement of the empty bobbin Bw (see reference). Figure 3When the fully wound roll Pw formed by the winding device 21 is unloaded from the winding device 21 by the rotation of the cradle 31, the empty tube supply device 23 moves to the supply position for supplying empty tubes Bw to the winding device 21. Specifically, the empty tube supply device 23 moves to the supply position where the cradle 31 is located by rotating about a rotation axis (not shown) along the length of the machine body, which is located below the storage section 51. By moving the empty tube supply device 23 to the supply position, the restriction of the front end member 54 on the empty tube Bw is released, and the empty tube Bw reaches the cradle 31 through the front end of the storage section 51 on the side where the winding device 21 is located. Then, the empty tube Bw is supported on the cradle 31. Through the above, the supply of empty tube Bw from the empty tube supply device 23 to the winding device 21 is completed. In addition, the rotation of the empty tube supply device 23 is driven by a motor (not shown).

[0074] Furthermore, the false twisting processing machine 1 of this embodiment has a notification unit 61 (see reference). Figure 5 The notification unit 61 is capable of notifying the operator that empty bobbins Bw need to be replenished to the storage unit 51. The notification unit 61 is, for example, a monitor electrically connected to each empty bobbin supply device 23. The notification unit 61 performs the notification action by displaying a message on the monitor indicating that empty bobbins Bw need to be replenished to the storage unit 51. The timing of the notification action performed by the notification unit 61 will be described later.

[0075] (Electrical Configuration)

[0076] Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the false twisting machine 1. The control unit 40 controls the operation of each component of the yarn feeding unit 2, the processing unit 3, and the winding unit 4. Figure 5 In this paper, due to the limitations of the paper size, the control unit 40 is connected to one of the multiple take-up devices 21 and one of the multiple empty tube supply devices 23, but in reality, it is also connected to the other take-up devices 21 and empty tube supply devices 23. Alternatively, the control unit 40 can be provided for each of the multiple take-up devices 21 and the multiple empty tube supply devices 23.

[0077] Furthermore, the control unit 40 is electrically connected to the first sensor 52, the second sensor 53, and the notification unit 61. Information regarding whether the first sensor 52 and the second sensor 53, which are installed on the empty bobbin supply device 23, are on or off, i.e., whether the first sensor 52 and the second sensor 53 have detected an empty bobbin (Bw), is sent to the control unit 40. Based on the information sent from the first sensor 52 and the second sensor 53, the control unit 40 causes the notification unit 61 to perform a notification action at a preset time.

[0078] (Notification action)

[0079] The timing of the notification action performed by the notification unit 61 due to the control unit 40 will be explained below.

[0080] The control unit 40 generates a notification signal to notify the storage unit 51 that it needs to replenish the storage unit 51 when the first sensor 52 detects that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is two or less. Then, the control unit 40 sends the notification signal to the notification unit 61, thereby causing the notification unit 61 to perform a notification action.

[0081] Furthermore, the control unit 40 regenerates a notification signal when the second sensor 53 detects that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is one or less. Then, the control unit 40 sends this notification signal to the notification unit 61, causing the notification unit 61 to perform a notification action again. In this case, the control unit 40 may also make the notification action of the notification unit 61 different when it detects that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is two or less, compared to the notification action of the notification unit 61 when it detects that the number is one or less. Specifically, the control unit 40 adjusts the display of the notification unit 61, which acts as a monitor, based on the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51.

[0082] Furthermore, the control unit 40 generates a priority notification signal when the second sensor 53 detects that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is 0. The priority notification signal is a notification signal that, when it is detected that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in any one of the storage units 51 of the plurality of empty tube supply devices 23 is 0, it notifies the storage unit 51 that it needs to replenish empty tubes Bw to the storage unit 51 with 0 empty tubes Bw, prioritizing it over other storage units 51. Then, the control unit 40 sends the priority notification signal to the notification unit 61, thereby causing the notification unit 61 to perform a notification action.

[0083] The control unit 40 controls the notification actions of the notification unit 61 so as to distinguish between the notification actions performed by the notification unit 61 when a priority notification signal is sent and the notification actions performed by the notification unit 61 when a normal notification signal (which is not a priority notification signal) is sent. For example, the control unit 40 makes the display of the notification unit 61, which acts as a monitor, different when a priority notification signal is sent and when a normal notification signal is sent.

[0084] Furthermore, as described above, when the first sensor 52 does not detect an empty tube Bw but the second sensor 53 detects an empty tube Bw, it is possible to detect that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is two. The control unit 40 can also control the operation of the notification unit 61 to display information indicating that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is two, in addition to a notification operation. Alternatively, the control unit 40 can also control the operation of the notification unit 61 to display information indicating that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is three or more, in addition to a notification operation, when the first sensor 52 detects that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is three or more.

[0085] Furthermore, the control unit 40 controls the winding operation to cease after the winding device 21 corresponding to the storage unit 51 has formed a full roll of winding package Pw when the second sensor 53 detects that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is 0.

[0086] (Effect)

[0087] In the false twisting machine 1 of this embodiment, when the first sensor 52 and the second sensor 53 detect that the number of empty bobbins Bw stored in the storage section 51 is less than a predetermined number, the control unit 40 generates a notification signal indicating that empty bobbins Bw need to be replenished to the storage section 51. In this embodiment, the predetermined number is 2, 1, or 0. Then, the control unit 40 sends the notification signal to the notification unit 61, thereby causing the notification unit 61 to perform a notification action to the operator indicating that empty bobbins Bw need to be replenished to the storage section 51. Accordingly, when the operator replenishes the empty bobbins Bw to the storage section 51, the operator can keep track of the timing of replenishing the empty bobbins Bw for all empty bobbin supply devices 23 corresponding to the multiple winding devices 21 through the notification action of the notification unit 61. As a result, it is possible to prevent forgetting to replenish the empty bobbins Bw to the storage section 51 of the empty bobbin supply device 23, and it is possible to prevent the winding device 21 from failing to wind up the yarn Y.

[0088] In this embodiment, the empty tube supply device 23 includes a first sensor 52 that detects when the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage section 51 is two or less, and a second sensor 53 that detects when the number is one or less. Accordingly, the control unit 40 can generate a notification signal in advance before the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage section 51 becomes zero. Therefore, the delay in replenishing empty tubes Bw to the storage section 51 can be suppressed.

[0089] In this embodiment, the empty tube supply device 23 includes a second sensor 53 that detects when the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage section 51 is zero. Accordingly, a notification signal can be generated when the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage section 51 becomes zero. Therefore, it is possible to determine when there is a high urgency in replenishing empty tubes Bw when the number stored in the storage section 51 becomes zero.

[0090] In this embodiment, the control unit 40 generates a priority notification signal for the storage unit 51 that has zero empty tubes Bw when it detects that any one of the multiple storage units 51 has zero empty tubes Bw. Accordingly, by replenishing empty tubes Bw based on the priority notification signal, it is possible to prioritize replenishing empty tubes Bw to the storage unit 51 that has zero empty tubes Bw. Therefore, it is possible to suppress situations where empty tubes Bw cannot be supplied from the empty tube supply device 23 to the winding device 21.

[0091] In this embodiment, the control unit 40 controls the winding device 21 corresponding to the storage unit 51 to cease winding after forming a full roll Pw when the number of empty bobbins Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is zero. Therefore, when the number of empty bobbins Bw stored in a certain storage unit 51 is zero, the winding device 21 corresponding to that storage unit 51 will not restart the winding operation after forming a full roll Pw. Thus, the undesirable situation of the yarn Y becoming entangled in the winding device 21, which restarts the winding operation when there are no empty bobbins Bw, can be avoided.

[0092] In this embodiment, two sensors (a first sensor 52 and a second sensor) are provided to detect when the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage section 51 is less than a predetermined number, depending on the different predetermined numbers stored in each sensor. Therefore, by providing two sensors, the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage section 51 can be determined in more detail. Consequently, the timing of notifications to replenish empty tubes Bw can be easily adjusted according to the situation on site.

[0093] (Modified Example)

[0094] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to these examples, and various modifications can be made as long as they are within the scope of the patent claims. Hereinafter, variations of the above embodiments are described. However, for components having the same structure as those in the above embodiments, the same reference numerals are used, and their descriptions are appropriately omitted.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the control unit 40 performs a notification action by sending a notification signal to the notification unit 61. However, the control unit 40 may also send the notification signal to a different device than the notification unit 61. For example, in the false twist processing machine 101, the control unit 140 sends the notification signal to the empty tube replenishment robot 161 (the empty paper tube replenishment robot of the present invention) (see...). Figure 6 The empty tube replenishing robot 161 is a device capable of automatically replenishing empty tubes Bw to the storage section 51. The empty tube replenishing robot 161 is, for example, a robot capable of reciprocating along the length of its body and automatically replenishing empty tubes Bw to each storage section 51 by moving its robot arm, conveyor, etc. The control unit 140 sends a notification signal to the empty tube replenishing robot 161 to cause it to perform the empty tube Bw replenishing action. With this configuration, when the empty tube replenishing robot 161 automatically replenishes empty tubes Bw to the storage section 51, the timing of the replenishing action can be appropriately controlled.

[0096] Furthermore, in the false twisting processing machine 101 with the empty tube replenishment robot 161, the empty tube supply device 123 may also have a third sensor 154 (see reference) that detects when the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage section 51 is the maximum number that the storage section 51 can store. Figure 7 The detection element 154a of the third sensor 154 is positioned at a location accessible to the fourth empty tube Bw. When the third sensor 154 is turned on, it indicates that four empty tubes Bw are stored in the storage section 51. Furthermore, when the third sensor 154 is turned off, it indicates that three or fewer empty tubes Bw are stored. That is, in this case, the third sensor 154 can detect that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage section 51 is a predetermined number, i.e., three, and can be considered as the first sensor of the present invention. Furthermore, the third sensor 154 can detect that the number of empty tubes Bw stored is four, the maximum number that can be stored, and is equivalent to the third sensor of the present invention.

[0097] The control unit 140 controls the empty tube replenishment robot 161 to refrain from replenishing when the third sensor 154 detects that the maximum number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 has been reached. With this configuration, when the empty tube replenishment robot 161 automatically replenishes empty tubes Bw to the storage unit 51, it prevents the replenishment operation from being performed when the storage unit 51 already contains the maximum number of empty tubes Bw. This prevents empty tubes Bw from overflowing from the storage unit 51.

[0098] Furthermore, the control unit 140 can also be configured to continuously perform the replenishment operation when the empty tube replenishment robot 161 performs the replenishment operation until the third sensor 154 detects that the number of empty tubes Bw stored is the maximum. Thus, when the empty tube replenishment robot 161 automatically replenishes the storage unit 51 with empty tubes Bw, the maximum number of empty tubes Bw can be replenished in a single replenishment operation.

[0099] In the above embodiment, a third sensor 154 may also be provided. In this case, the control unit 40 may also be configured to notify the notification unit 61 that it is impossible to replenish the storage unit with empty tubes Bw when the third sensor 154 detects that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is the maximum number.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the second sensor 53 may also be configured to detect the position of the first empty tube Bw when one or more empty tubes Bw are stored in the storage section 51. In this case, the second sensor 53 is a sensor that detects both the case where the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage section 51 is one or more and the case where there are zero empty tubes Bw. That is, the second sensor 53 in this case is equivalent to the second sensor of the present invention.

[0101] Furthermore, in this invention, the empty tube supply device 23 may also have four sensors. In this case, the four sensors are configured such that one sensor is installed at each of the four positions of the first to fourth empty tubes Bw when four empty tubes Bw are stored in the storage section 51. Alternatively, the empty tube supply device 23 may also have only one sensor.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the control unit 40 may generate a notification signal only when the first sensor 52 detects that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is 2 or less. Furthermore, the control unit 40 may generate a notification signal only when the second sensor 53 detects that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is 1 or less. Moreover, the control unit 40 may generate a notification signal only when the second sensor 53 detects that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is 0. In summary, the control unit 40 generates a notification signal and causes the notification unit 61 to perform a notification action when one or both of the first sensor 52 and the second sensor 53 detect that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is 50 or less. Regarding the timing of the notification signal generated by the control unit 40, the timing is preset based on the on-site conditions such as the number of empty tube supply devices 23 set for each false twisting machine 1 and the number of personnel replenishing the empty tubes Bw, in order to minimize the chance of forgetting to replenish the empty tubes Bw.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the control unit 40 generates a priority notification signal when the second sensor 53 detects that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is 0. However, the control unit 40 may also generate a normal notification signal instead of a priority notification signal when the second sensor 53 detects that the number of empty tubes Bw stored in the storage unit 51 is 0.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the storage unit 51 can hold four empty tubes Bw. However, the storage unit 51 can hold two or three empty tubes Bw, or even five or more empty tubes Bw. Furthermore, the number of sensors can be adjusted according to the number of empty tubes Bw that the storage unit 51 can hold. For example, if the storage unit 51 can hold two or more, i.e., n empty tubes Bw, then n sensors can be provided. In this case, the n sensors are provided one at each of the n positions that can detect the first to the nth empty tubes Bw when n empty tubes Bw are stored in the storage unit 51. Furthermore, if the storage unit 51 can hold n empty tubes Bw, any number of sensors from 1 to n-1 can be provided.

[0105] In the above embodiment, the notification unit 61 is a monitor electrically connected to each empty bobbin supply device 23. However, the notification unit 61 could also be, for example, a lamp installed on each empty bobbin supply device 23. In this case, the control unit 40 sends a notification signal to the notification unit 61, thereby illuminating the lamp of the notification unit 61 corresponding to the storage section 51 where the number of empty bobbins Bw stored is less than a predetermined number. The operator can then know when it is necessary to replenish the storage section 51 of the empty bobbin supply device 23 corresponding to the illuminated lamp. Furthermore, the control unit 40 can also set different colors for the lamps of the notification unit 61 when a priority notification signal is sent to the notification unit 61 and when a normal notification signal (not a priority notification signal) is sent. Thus, the notification action of the notification unit 61 can be distinguished between actions performed upon receiving a priority notification signal and actions performed upon receiving a normal notification signal (not a priority notification signal).

[0106] Furthermore, the notification unit 61 may also be a sound-emitting device. In this case, the notification unit 61 may be installed in each empty tube supply device 23, or it may be a single notification unit 61 shared by multiple empty tube supply devices 23. When the notification unit 61 is installed in each empty tube supply device 23, the control unit 40 sends a notification signal to the notification unit 61, thereby causing the notification unit 61 corresponding to the storage compartment 51 where the number of empty tubes Bw is less than a predetermined number to generate a sound. When the notification unit 61 is a single notification unit 61 shared by multiple empty tube supply devices 23, the control unit 40 sends a notification signal to the notification unit 61, thereby causing the notification unit 61 to generate a sound to notify which storage compartment 51 has a number of empty tubes Bw less than a predetermined number. In addition, the control unit 40 may also make the sound pattern emitted by the notification unit 61 different when a priority notification signal is sent to the notification unit 61 and when a normal notification signal that is not a priority notification signal is sent. Therefore, the notification action of the notification unit 61 can be distinguished as either being triggered by receiving a priority notification signal or by receiving a normal notification signal that is not a priority notification signal.

Claims

1. A false twist processing machine, characterized in that, have: Multiple winding devices wind the filaments onto a paper tube to form a roll; Multiple empty paper tube supply devices are respectively provided relative to the aforementioned multiple take-up devices, and supply empty paper tubes to the aforementioned take-up devices; and Control Department The aforementioned empty paper tube supply device includes a storage section capable of accommodating multiple empty paper tubes, and at least one sensor for detecting when the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage section is less than a predetermined number. The control unit generates a notification signal indicating that the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage unit needs to be replenished when at least one sensor detects that the number is less than the predetermined number. The aforementioned at least one sensor includes a first sensor, which detects a situation where the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage section is less than or equal to the aforementioned predetermined number (i.e., the first predetermined number) for any number greater than or equal to 1. The aforementioned at least one sensor includes a second sensor that detects when the number of empty paper tubes stored in the aforementioned storage section is 0. The aforementioned notification signal includes a priority notification signal, which is used to notify the storage unit that has zero empty paper tubes to replenish the empty paper tubes when the second sensor detects that the storage unit of each of the plurality of empty paper tube supply devices has zero empty paper tubes.

2. The false twisting processing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The notification signals mentioned above include general notification signals that are different from the priority notification signals mentioned above.

3. The false twisting processing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit controls the process so that when the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage section is 0, the winding device corresponding to the storage section will not perform a winding operation after a full roll is formed.

4. The false twisting processing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control unit controls the process so that when the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage section is 0, the winding device corresponding to the storage section will not perform a winding operation after a full roll is formed.

5. The false twisting processing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned at least one sensor includes two or more sensors. The two or more sensors mentioned above are sensors that detect cases below the specified number for different specified numbers.

6. The false twisting processing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The aforementioned at least one sensor includes two or more sensors. The two or more sensors mentioned above are sensors that detect cases below the specified number for different specified numbers.

7. The false twisting processing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The aforementioned at least one sensor includes two or more sensors. The two or more sensors mentioned above are sensors that detect cases below the specified number for different specified numbers.

8. The false twisting processing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The aforementioned at least one sensor includes two or more sensors. The two or more sensors mentioned above are sensors that detect cases below the specified number for different specified numbers.

9. The false twisting processing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, It also has a notification department, which can notify operators of the need to replenish the aforementioned empty paper tubes in the storage department. The control unit executes the notification action by sending the notification signal to the notification unit.

10. The false twisting processing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, It also includes an empty paper tube replenishment robot, which can automatically replenish the empty paper tubes in the storage area. The control unit sends the notification signal to the empty paper tube replenishment robot to cause it to perform the replenishment action.

11. The false twisting processing machine according to claim 10, characterized in that, At least one of the aforementioned sensors includes a third sensor, which is capable of detecting when the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage section is at its maximum. The control unit controls the paper tube replenishment robot to prevent it from performing the replenishment action when the third sensor detects that the number of empty paper tubes stored in the storage compartment is at its maximum.

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