Weft detection sensor for weft feeder

Abstract

The present invention provides a weft yarn detection sensor for a weft yarn feeder, which can suppress manufacturing and component costs compared to the prior art in a weft yarn detection sensor including an optical element provided in a tilted state tilted with respect to the surface of a substrate. The weft yarn detection sensor for a weft yarn feeder includes an illumination element and a light receiving element as optical elements mounted to a substrate, and light emitted from the illumination element is reflected by a reflection plate and received by the light receiving element, thereby detecting a weft yarn on a weft yarn feeder of a loom, wherein at least one of the illumination element and the light receiving element is provided as a tilted optical element in a tilted state tilted with respect to the surface of the substrate, characterized in that the illumination element and the light receiving element are surface-mounted optical elements, and a tilt member for tilting the tilted optical element with respect to the substrate to the tilted state is interposed between the tilted optical element and the substrate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a weft detection sensor for a weft feeder, the weft detection sensor for a weft feeder comprising a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element mounted on a substrate as optical elements, wherein light emitted from the light-emitting element is reflected by a reflector and received by the light-receiving element, thereby detecting the weft yarn on the weft feeder of a loom, wherein at least one of the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element is provided as an inclined optical element in an inclined state inclined relative to the surface of the substrate. Background Technology

[0002] In order to store the weft yarn to be fed, a weft yarn detection sensor is known to be provided in the weft yarn feeder of a loom for detecting the weft yarn. This weft yarn detection sensor includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, which are optical elements. Furthermore, the weft yarn detection sensor is configured such that light emitted from the light-emitting element is reflected by a reflector and received by the light-receiving element, thereby detecting the weft yarn on the weft yarn feeder.

[0003] Furthermore, in general weft detection sensors of recent years, the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are mounted on a substrate. Moreover, according to the weft detection sensor, in order to increase the amount of light received by the light-receiving element, at least one of the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element is provided in an inclined state (tilted state) relative to the surface of the substrate (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Microfilm of Japanese Utility Model Application No. Sho 61-101829 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Sho 63-011585)

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-041251 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] However, in existing weft detection sensors, when the optical element is mounted in the aforementioned tilted state relative to the substrate, the optical element is generally an optical element with attached leads.

[0010] Furthermore, in achieving the aforementioned tilt state of the optical element, it is necessary to tilt the optical element, which is mounted on the substrate in the lead wire using solder, and maintain the aforementioned tilt state, using a component for maintaining the aforementioned tilt state.

[0011] Moreover, in existing weft detection sensors that include optical elements that are tilted as described above, the installation of these optical elements and components requires labor and time, and there are problems such as increased manufacturing and component costs.

[0012] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a surface-mount optical element, rather than an optical element with leads, in the weft detection sensor of the weft feeder. The surface-mount optical element is typically mounted on the substrate without tilting relative to the substrate surface; only this structure is disclosed in Patent Document 2.

[0013] The present invention was created in view of the above-mentioned actual situation, and its purpose is to provide a weft detection sensor for a weft feeder, which, compared with the prior art, can suppress the cost of manufacturing and components in a weft detection sensor that includes an optical element in the above-mentioned tilted state.

[0014] Solution for solving the problem

[0015] The present invention is based on a weft detection sensor for a weft feeder, which includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element mounted on a substrate as optical elements. Light emitted from the light-emitting element is reflected by a reflector and received by the light-receiving element, thereby detecting the weft yarn on the weft feeder of a loom. In this invention, at least one of the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element is provided as an inclined optical element in an inclined state that is inclined relative to the surface of the substrate.

[0016] Furthermore, the weft detection sensor for the weft feeder of the present invention is characterized in that the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are surface-mount optical elements, and have an inclined member clamped between the inclined optical element and the substrate, the inclined member being used to make the inclined optical element in the inclined state relative to the substrate.

[0017] The effects of the invention are as follows.

[0018] According to the present invention, a surface-mount optical element is used as the optical element, and the aforementioned tilting state of the optical element is achieved by clamping a tilting member between the optical element and the substrate. Furthermore, since the tilting member is a simple component that can be clamped between the surface-mount optical element and the substrate, the present invention enables a lower cost component compared to conventional weft detection sensors.

[0019] Moreover, the tilting state can be easily achieved simply by mounting the tilting component to the substrate in a clamping manner as described above. Therefore, according to the present invention, the manufacturing cost of the weft detection sensor can be reduced to a lower level compared to existing weft detection sensors, compared to the prior art. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a side view showing a weft feeder to which the weft detection sensor of the present invention is applied.

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a sectional view of the weft yarn feeder along line AA.

[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged view of the weft yarn detection sensor (opening sensor).

[0023] Figure 4 These are enlarged views of the portion of the substrate surface where tilted optical elements are mounted. (a) is a top view without the light-emitting element installed, (b) is a top view with the light-emitting element installed, and (c) is a BB line sectional view.

[0024] Figure 5 These are enlarged views showing other examples of the structure of the inclined component, (a) is a top view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view along the CC line.

[0025] Figure 6 These are enlarged views showing other examples of the structure of the inclined component, (a) is a top view, and (b) is a sectional view along line DD.

[0026] Symbol Explanation

[0027] 1—Weft yarn detection sensor (opening sensor), 2—Substrate, 3—Light projection element (optical element, tilting optical element), 4—Light receiving element (optical element, tilting optical element), 5—Reflector, 6, 6a, 6b—Tilting component, 21—Electrode pad, 22—Positioning mark, 23—Hole, 31—Light projection part, 32—Electrode, 33—Solder, 61a, 61b—Tilting surface, 100—Weft yarn feeder, 101—Storage roll, 102—Weft guide, 103—Drive motor, 104—Securing pin, 105—Support block, 106—Support bracket, 107—Storage space, 108—Dust cover, B1—Projected light, B2—Reflected light, S—Existence area, Y—Weft yarn. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Figure 1 and Figure 2The illustration shows an example of a weft feeder using the present invention. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the weft detection sensor is an opening sensor 1 used to detect the opening of the weft yarn from the weft feeder.

[0029] Based on this, the weft yarn feeder 100 in this embodiment includes: the aforementioned loosening sensor 1; a storage roll 101 that stores the weft yarn Y in a wound state; a weft guide 102 that rotates along the outer peripheral surface of the storage roll 101 to wind the weft yarn Y onto the storage roll 101; a drive motor 103 that drives the weft guide 102 to rotate; and a locking pin 104 that can be moved forward and backward relative to the outer peripheral surface of the storage roll 101.

[0030] The storage drum 101 is shaped to divide the cylinder into four parts circumferentially, and the weft yarn Y is wound on its outer circumferential surface. The drive motor 103 is located on the rear side of the storage drum 101. Figure 1 (Right side). The weft guide 102 is tubular, its front side ( Figure 1 The left end of the weft guide 102 is located near the outer circumference of the storage drum 101 and is driven by the drive motor 103 to rotate around the storage drum 101. A yarn passage (not shown) is formed on the axis of the drive motor 103, and the weft guide 102 communicates with the yarn passage. The weft yarn Y is supplied from the rear side of the drive motor 103, passes through the yarn passage to the front end of the weft guide 102, and is wound around the storage drum 101 by the rotation of the weft guide 102, and then passes through the storage drum 101 to the weft insertion nozzle (not shown).

[0031] The locking pin 104 is located on the upper side of the storage drum 101 and is driven vertically by a solenoid (not shown). Its front end switches between a locked position in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the storage drum 101 and an open position away from the outer peripheral surface of the storage drum 101. The solenoid is built into (supported by) a support block 105 located on the upper side of the storage drum 101, which is supported by a drive motor 103 via a support bracket 106.

[0032] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the opening sensor 1 and the rotation direction of the weft guide 102 are respectively located on the left and right sides of the locking pin 104. Figure 2 The two parts (left and right) are respectively. Each loosening sensor 1, 1 is disposed on the downstream side relative to the locking pin 104. The left-hand loosening sensor 1, corresponding to the left-hand rotation (arrow L) of the weft guide 102, is disposed on the right side of the locking pin 104, and the right-hand loosening sensor 1, corresponding to the right-hand rotation (arrow R) of the weft guide 102, is disposed on the left side of the locking pin 104. The structures of the left-hand loosening sensor 1 and the right-hand loosening sensor 1 are symmetrical and identical. Therefore, the following description is based on the left-hand loosening sensor 1.

[0033] The opening sensor 1 includes two optical elements, a light-emitting element 3 and a light-receiving element 4, a substrate 2 on which the two optical elements are mounted, and a reflector 5 for reflecting the projected light B1 emitted from the light-emitting element 3. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the two optical elements, the light-emitting element 3 and the light-receiving element 4, are tilted optical elements arranged in an inclined state relative to the substrate 2.

[0034] Based on this, the substrate 2 is supported horizontally inside the storage space 107, which has an opening on the lower surface of the support block 105. Furthermore, the light-emitting element 3 and the light-receiving element 4 are both arranged at an angle relative to the surface (lower surface) of the substrate 2, as will be described in detail below. The reflector 5 is also arranged at an angle relative to the substrate 2 and is embedded in the outer peripheral surface of the storage roll 101. A dust cover 108 made of a transparent plate is installed at the opening of the storage space 107.

[0035] Furthermore, according to the opening sensor 1, the projected light B1 emitted from the light-emitting element 3 is reflected by the reflector 5, and the reflected light B2 is received by the light-receiving element 4. Based on this, the weft yarn Y, after being opened from the storage roll 101, traverses the path of the projected light B1 and the reflected light B2, thereby causing a change in the amount of reflected light B2 received by the light-receiving element 4. Therefore, the weft yarn Y is detected based on this change in light amount.

[0036] In the opening sensor (weft detection sensor) 1 used in the weft feeder 100 described above, in this invention, the light-emitting element 3 and the light-receiving element 4 of the opening sensor (weft detection sensor) 1 are surface-mount optical elements 3 and 4.

[0037] Furthermore, the opening sensor (weft detection sensor) 1 has an tilting member 6 clamped between the tilting optical elements 3 and 4 and the substrate 2, which is used to make the tilting optical elements 3 and 4 in the tilted state relative to the substrate 2 as described above.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, regarding the light-emitting element 3 and the light-receiving element 4 provided as tilted optical elements 3 and 4, since the structures for setting them in an tilted state relative to the substrate 2 are basically the same, the structure for setting the light-emitting element 3 in an tilted state relative to the substrate 2 will be specifically described below.

[0039] Figure 4 The image shown is an enlarged view of the portion of the substrate 2 where the light-emitting element 3, which serves as the tilting optical element 3, is mounted. Furthermore, in the actual opening sensor (weft detection sensor) 1, the light-emitting element 3 is provided on the lower surface of the substrate 2, but here... Figure 4As shown in (c), the description is based on the direction in which the light-emitting element 3 is located on the upper side of the substrate 2.

[0040] like Figure 4 As shown in (b) and (c), the light-emitting element 3 has a generally rectangular shape with rectangular upper and lower surfaces. Furthermore, the light-emitting element 3 has a light-emitting portion 31 that emits light, exposed on its upper surface. Additionally, the light-emitting element 3 has electrodes 32, 32 at both ends for energizing the light-emitting portion 31. Moreover, the light-emitting element 3 is mounted on the substrate 2 on its lower surface, with its short side mounted at an angle relative to the substrate 2 as described above (details will be explained below).

[0041] and, Figure 4 (a) shows the surface of the substrate 2 without the light-emitting element 3 installed. Furthermore, in this… Figure 4 In (a), the rectangular portion indicated by the double-dotted line is the area where the light-emitting element 3 exists when viewed from above, assuming that the light-emitting element 3 in this embodiment is mounted on the substrate 2 in the above-described tilted state (details are described below). (Hereinafter referred to as "existence area S").

[0042] Furthermore, regarding the rectangular region S described above, the size of its long side (hereinafter referred to as the "length direction") is naturally the same as the size of the long side of the upper (lower) surface of the light-emitting element 3. On the other hand, since the light-emitting element 3 is installed in the aforementioned inclined state, in the illustrated example, the size of its short side (hereinafter referred to as the "width direction") is slightly larger than the size of the short side of the upper (lower) surface of the light-emitting element 3.

[0043] Furthermore, an tilting member 6 is provided on the surface of the substrate 2 to tilt the light-emitting element 3 relative to the substrate 2. And, in this embodiment, as... Figure 4 As shown, the inclined component 6 is provided in pairs.

[0044] Alternatively, a component specifically manufactured for the tilting component 6 can be used as the tilting component 6, but circuit elements commonly used in general electronic circuits (such as resistors) can also be used as the tilting component 6. Moreover, by using such circuit elements, the cost of manufacturing a dedicated component is eliminated, thus reducing the manufacturing cost of the weft yarn detection sensor.

[0045] In the illustrated example, each inclined member 6, 6 is formed as a plate-shaped component with a narrow (elongated) rectangular end face. Furthermore, each inclined member 6, 6 is arranged on the substrate 2 such that the direction of its long side at its end face aligns with the aforementioned width direction, and a portion of it overlaps with the aforementioned area S. Moreover, as explained below, the arrangement of each inclined member 6, 6 in the width direction is determined by its thickness t and the tilt state of the light-emitting element 3. Furthermore, the pair of inclined members 6, 6 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the aforementioned area S in the length direction.

[0046] Furthermore, a pair of electrode pads 21, 21 (copper foil) are provided on the substrate 2, which has an inclined member 6, for electrically connecting the light-emitting element 3 (electrode 32) to the electronic circuitry on the substrate 2. Figure 4 (a)

[0047] Each electrode pad 21, 21 is a thin plate, generally rectangular in shape. Furthermore, the size of each electrode pad 21, 21 in the short side direction is smaller than the size of the aforementioned region S in the long direction. In the illustrated example, the size of each electrode pad 21, 21 in the long side direction is smaller than the size of the aforementioned region S in the width direction, and larger than half of that size.

[0048] Furthermore, the two electrode pads 21, 21 are arranged such that their long sides are aligned with the width direction and overlap with the existence region S on both sides of the length direction. Additionally, each electrode pad 21, 21 is configured to overlap the existence region S with approximately half of its short side. Moreover, each electrode pad 21, 21 is configured such that one of its two short sides aligns with the edge of the existence region S, i.e., the edge opposite to the side overlapping with the inclined member 6, in the width direction. Thus, the two electrode pads 21, 21 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the existence region S in the length direction, spaced apart in the length direction.

[0049] Furthermore, the width of each electrode pad 21, 21, in the aforementioned configuration, is such that it overlaps with the inclined member 6 in the aforementioned width direction. Based on this, each electrode pad 21, 21 is shaped after chamfering the corner located in the aforementioned area S, i.e., the corner on the side of the inclined member 6. Furthermore, in the aforementioned width direction, the range of this chamfering is, as described above, slightly larger than the range overlapping with the inclined member 6. Therefore, the distance between the two electrode pads 21, 21 in the aforementioned length direction is larger in the chamfered portion than in other portions. As a result, the two inclined members 6, 6 can be arranged on the substrate 2 with a larger distance in the aforementioned length direction, and therefore, as explained below, when mounting the light-emitting element 3 on the substrate 2, the light-emitting element 3 can be placed on the substrate 2 in a more stable state.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a circular pad (positioning mark 22) is provided on the substrate 2 as a marker to confirm the mounting position of the light-emitting element 3 when it is mounted on the substrate 2. Figure 4 (a)

[0051] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, two positioning marks 22 are provided, one on the outside of each of the two inclined members 6, 6, respectively, along the aforementioned length direction. The positions of each positioning mark 22, 22 are such that, in the aforementioned width direction, its center is located at the edge of the existence area S on the side overlapping with the inclined members 6, 6. And, in the aforementioned length direction, the edge of each positioning mark 22, 22 on the side opposite to the inclined member 6 is located at the edge of the existence area S along the aforementioned length direction. Thus, by using each positioning mark 22, 22 as a marker to position the light-emitting element 3, the inclined light-emitting element 3 is positioned within the existence area S.

[0052] Moreover, as described above, a light-emitting element 3 is mounted on a substrate 2 that is provided with a tilting member 6, an electrode pad 21, and a positioning mark 22.

[0053] More specifically, firstly, the light-emitting element 3 is positioned on the substrate 2, with the two electrode pads 21, 21 and the two tilting members 6, 6 in such a manner. Furthermore, in this configuration, the light-emitting element 3 is tilted such that one of the two long sides of its lower surface contacts the substrate 2, and the other long side (partially) is positioned above the two tilting members 6, 6. Additionally, the light-emitting element 3 and the tilting members 6 are positioned such that the lower surface of the light-emitting element 3 contacts one of the two short sides of the upper surface of the tilting member 6 located within the aforementioned area S.

[0054] Based on this, the positioning marks 22, 22 are used as markers to position the light-emitting element 3. Regarding this positioning, for example, firstly, in the aforementioned length direction, the positions of the two short sides of the light-emitting element 3 are aligned with the opposite edges of the two positioning marks 22, 22. Secondly, in the aforementioned width direction, the other long side of the lower surface of the light-emitting element 3, visible when viewed from above, is located at the center of the two positioning marks 22, 22. Furthermore, with the light-emitting element 3 positioned in this way, the two positioning marks 22, 22 are as follows... Figure 4 As shown in (b), it becomes a semi-circular state in which the same shape can be seen.

[0055] Furthermore, by positioning it in this way, the light-emitting element 3 is positioned in the aforementioned presence area S with the desired tilt state. Based on this, by using soldering to join each electrode 32, 32 of the light-emitting element 3 to the corresponding electrode pads 21, 21 (solder 33, 33), the light-emitting element 3 is mounted on the substrate 2 with the aforementioned tilt state.

[0056] Furthermore, regarding the aforementioned tilt state of the light-emitting element 3, for example, if the thickness t of the tilting member 6 is determined, the distance from one long side of the lower surface of the light-emitting element 3 to the short side of one of the two short sides of the lower surface of the tilting member 6 that overlaps with the aforementioned area S is set as d. Then, the tilt angle θ of the light-emitting element 3 relative to the substrate 2 is determined by the distance d relative to the thickness t. Moreover, this distance d corresponds to the position of the tilting member 6 relative to the aforementioned area S in the width direction. Therefore, taking into account the thickness of the tilting member 6, the position of the tilting member 6 in the width direction becomes the position of the light-emitting element 3 such that the tilt angle of the tilting member 3 is set to achieve the desired tilt state.

[0057] The desired tilt state is the tilt of the light-emitting element 3 relative to the substrate 2, which is used to maximize the amount of light received by the light-receiving element 4. It is determined by the relationship between the distance from the upper surface of the light-emitting element 3 to the reflector 5 in the opening sensor 1, the tilt of the reflector 5 relative to the substrate 2, and the position of the light-emitting element 3 (light-receiving element 4) on the substrate 2.

[0058] In the opening sensor 1 for the weft feeder 100 described above, surface-mount optical elements 3 and 4 are used as optical elements (light-emitting element 3 and light-receiving element 4). Furthermore, the aforementioned tilting state of the optical elements 3 and 4 is achieved by clamping tilting members 6 and 6 between the optical elements 3 and 4 and the substrate 2. Moreover, since the tilting members 6 and 6 are simple-shaped components that can be clamped between the optical elements 3 and 4 and the substrate 2, the cost of the components in the opening sensor 1 can be reduced compared to the prior art.

[0059] Moreover, by simply clamping such tilting components 6, 6 between optical elements 3, 4 and substrate 2, the aforementioned tilting state can be easily achieved, thus enabling the manufacturing cost of the release sensor 1 to be kept lower compared to the prior art.

[0060] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above (the above embodiments), and can also be implemented in modified embodiments as follows (1) to (5).

[0061] (1) In the above embodiments, the weft detection sensor (opening sensor) is a weft detection sensor in which both the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are tilted optical elements.

[0062] However, the weft yarn detection sensor of the present invention may also use only one of the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element as an inclined optical element.

[0063] (2) In the above embodiment, the weft detection sensor (opening sensor) is a weft detection sensor with a pair (two) tilting parts provided on the substrate so that the optical element is in the above tilted state.

[0064] However, in this invention, the number of tilting components is not limited to two as described in the above embodiments. For example, the number of tilting components can be three or more, or it can be one.

[0065] When there is only one tilting member, the size of the tilting member needs to be such that the optical element can be placed stably on the substrate when it is mounted on the substrate. Therefore, the tilting member is preferably such that, when it is provided on the substrate, its length direction extent occupies, for example, about half the length direction size of the area where it exists.

[0066] (3) In the example described above, the tilting member is formed as a plate-shaped member with the same thickness (the upper surface and the lower surface are parallel) as shown in the figure. Along with it, the weft detection sensor (opening sensor) is configured such that the tilting member supports the optical element in a line contact with the lower surface of the optical element at the corner on its upper surface side, that is, at the corner located in the aforementioned area.

[0067] However, in this invention, the inclined member is not limited to being formed with its upper surface parallel to its lower surface. For example, as Figure 5 As shown in the figure (the same symbols are used for the same components as in the above embodiment), the tilting member 6a may also be formed such that, when it is disposed on the substrate 2 in a manner that it is in face contact with the lower surface of the optical element (in the case of the light-emitting element 3 shown in the figure, and the same applies in the case of the light-receiving element 4), its upper surface has an inclined surface 61a that is inclined relative to the surface of the substrate 2.

[0068] Furthermore, in the case where the inclined member 6a is configured in this way, the inclined member 6a can be as follows: Figure 5 As shown in (b), the inclined surface 61a is formed with its entire upper surface as the inclined surface, or it can be formed with only a portion of its upper surface, i.e., the portion on the side of the area in the width direction, as the inclined surface. Furthermore, in this inclined member 6a, the angle formed between the inclined surface 61a and the lower surface (the surface of the substrate 2) is... Figure 5 In example (b), θ') becomes the same angle as the desired tilt angle in such a way that the optical element 3 is positioned to form the aforementioned tilt angle. Moreover, in the case where the tilting member 6a is configured in this way, since the tilting member 6a is in a state of supporting the optical element 3 with a surface, the optical element 3 is placed on the substrate 2 in a more stable state.

[0069] Furthermore, the shape of the end face of the tilting member (the shape when viewed along the thickness direction of the plate) is not limited to the rectangle of the above embodiment. As long as the range in the length direction that abuts against the lower surface of the optical element is large enough to support the optical element in a stable state, it can be any shape.

[0070] (4) In the example described above, the weft yarn detection sensor (opening sensor) is configured such that an inclined member is disposed on the surface (wiring surface) where the conductor is laid in the substrate. That is, the surface on the substrate where the inclined member is disposed forms the same plane as the wiring surface.

[0071] However, in this invention, the weft detection sensor is not limited to being configured such that the inclined member is disposed on the same plane as the aforementioned wiring surface. For example, it can also be configured as follows: Figure 6(The same symbols are used to denote the same components as in the above embodiments) The weft yarn detection sensor is configured as shown, that is, a hole 23 is formed in the substrate 2 to embed the inclined member 6b, and the inclined member 6b is disposed on the substrate 2 in such a way as to be embedded in the hole 23. Furthermore, Figure 6 An example is a weft yarn detection sensor configured such that the tilting member 6b has the aforementioned tilted surface 61b on its upper surface, and the optical elements (showing the case of the light-emitting element 3 in the figure, and the same applies to the case of the light-receiving element 4) are entirely placed on the tilting member 6b (the entire lower surface of the optical elements 3 and 4 abuts against the aforementioned tilted surface 61b). Furthermore, when the tilting member is disposed in a recessed state on the substrate, the component formed on the substrate may also be a recess (a hole with a bottom) rather than the hole shown in the figure.

[0072] (5) In the example described above, the weft yarn detection sensor is set as an opening sensor.

[0073] However, the weft detection sensor of the present invention is not limited to an opening sensor. For example, the weft detection sensor may also be a yarn breakage sensor that detects yarn breakage (including yarn breakage in the yarn feeder) in the weft feeder, or a roll weight sensor that detects the roll weight of the weft yarn wound on the storage roll in the weft feeder.

[0074] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and implementation methods, and can be appropriately modified without departing from its spirit.

Claims

1. A weft detection sensor for a weft feeder, comprising a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element mounted on a substrate, wherein light emitted from the light-emitting element is reflected by a reflector and received by the light-receiving element, thereby detecting the weft yarn on the weft feeder of a loom, wherein... At least one of the aforementioned light-emitting element and the aforementioned light-receiving element is configured as an inclined optical element in an inclined state relative to the surface of the aforementioned substrate. The weft detection sensor used in the aforementioned weft yarn feeder is characterized by the following features: The aforementioned light-emitting element and the aforementioned light-receiving element are surface-mount optical elements, and have a tilting member sandwiched between the aforementioned tilted optical element and the aforementioned substrate. The tilting member is used to make the aforementioned tilted optical element in the aforementioned tilted state relative to the aforementioned substrate.

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