Yarn treatment device

Abstract

A yarn processing device easily arranges a plurality of yarns having different intervals between an upstream side and a downstream side in a yarn traveling direction to a plurality of yarn traveling spaces formed in a yarn processing section. The yarn processing device has a first holding guide having a plurality of first holding grooves arranged in an arrangement direction, and a second holding guide arranged on a downstream side in the yarn traveling direction from the first holding guide. The first holding guide can attain a first yarn hooking position at which the plurality of yarns are hooked to the first holding guide, and a first arrangement completion position at which arrangement of the plurality of yarns to the plurality of yarn traveling spaces is completed. The second holding guide can attain a second yarn hooking position at which the plurality of yarns are hooked to the second holding guide, and a second arrangement completion position at which arrangement of the plurality of yarns to the plurality of yarn traveling spaces is completed. The first holding guide at the first yarn hooking position and the second holding guide at the second yarn hooking position are adjacent to each other in the yarn traveling direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a thread processing apparatus for performing a prescribed treatment on thread. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, spinning production equipment was known to be configured to take multiple filaments spun from a spinning device by a take-up device. For example, a spinning production equipment (spinning take-up device cited in document 1) is disclosed in Patent Document 1, which includes a spinning device that spins multiple filaments downward and a feed roller disposed below the spinning device for conveying the multiple filaments.

[0003] In such spinning production equipment, a yarn processing device, such as a moving nozzle, is sometimes arranged in the yarn channel between the spinning unit and the yarn feeding roller. The moving nozzle is a device that applies a bundled effect to the yarn using the jetting action of compressed air. The moving nozzle, for example, has the same configuration as the winding section of the winding device described in Patent Document 2. The moving nozzle forms multiple yarn travel spaces extending along the yarn travel direction. Each yarn travel space is arranged at a predetermined interval in the direction in which the multiple yarns are arranged. The moving nozzle applies a bundled effect to the multiple yarns arranged in each yarn travel space.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-057148

[0005] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-105007

[0006] Here, multiple filaments spun from a spinning device are arranged in a multiple filament travel space, for example, in a gathering section such as a suction gun. However, the spacing between the multiple filaments in the alignment direction gradually narrows towards the gathering section, requiring the multiple filaments to be arranged in the filament travel space with different spacing on the upstream and downstream sides of the filament travel direction. This leads to the following problem.

[0007] As described above, the spacing between the multiple threads gradually narrows towards the convergence point, thus the spacing between the multiple threads in the arrangement direction differs on the upstream and downstream sides of the thread travel direction. On the other hand, each thread travel space extending along the thread travel direction is arranged at a predetermined spacing in the arrangement direction. Therefore, even if the position of the convergence point is adjusted, thereby aligning the spacing between the multiple threads with, for example, the spacing at the upstream ends of the multiple thread travel spaces in the thread travel direction, a situation arises where the spacing is inconsistent with the downstream ends of the multiple thread travel spaces. Consequently, it is impossible to properly arrange multiple threads with different spacing on the upstream and downstream sides of the thread travel direction in each thread travel space. Therefore, currently, when arranging multiple threads with different spacing on the upstream and downstream sides of the thread travel direction into each thread travel space, the operator needs to arrange one thread at a time in each thread travel space, which presents a time-consuming problem.

[0008] Furthermore, this problem not only occurs in thread processing devices that have movable nozzles as thread processing sections, but also in thread processing devices such as those that perform prescribed processing on multiple threads traveling in a space where multiple threads are arranged at a predetermined interval in the arrangement direction (e.g., oil nozzles that apply oil to multiple threads, tension sensors that detect the tension of multiple threads, etc.). Summary of the Invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to easily arrange multiple threads with different spacings on the upstream and downstream sides in the thread travel direction in multiple thread travel spaces formed in the thread processing unit.

[0010] The thread processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a thread processing unit having a plurality of thread travel spaces extending along the thread travel direction and arranged at predetermined intervals in an arrangement direction intersecting the thread travel direction, for performing predetermined processing on a plurality of threads traveling in the plurality of thread travel spaces; and a thread placement unit for placing the plurality of threads in the plurality of thread travel spaces, the thread placement unit having: a first holding unit having a plurality of first holding grooves arranged in the arrangement direction; and a second holding unit disposed at a position downstream of the first holding unit in the thread travel direction, for holding the plurality of threads while maintaining the spacing between the plurality of threads held by the plurality of first holding grooves. The first holding part is capable of obtaining a first hooking position for hooking multiple threads onto the first holding part and a position upstream of the thread travel space in the thread travel direction, and a first configuration completion position for the multiple threads to be configured into the multiple thread travel space. The second holding part is capable of obtaining a second hooking position for hooking multiple threads onto the second holding part and a position downstream of the thread travel space in the thread travel direction, and a second configuration completion position for the multiple threads to be configured into the multiple thread travel space. The first holding part at the first hooking position and the second holding part at the second hooking position are adjacent to each other in the thread travel direction.

[0011] It is difficult to arrange multiple threads with different spacing in the upstream and downstream sides of the thread travel direction into multiple thread travel spaces that extend along the thread travel direction and are arranged at a predetermined spacing in the arrangement direction. In this invention, the first holding part at the first thread-hanging position and the second holding part at the second thread-hanging position are adjacent to each other in the thread travel direction, so multiple threads can be hooked together at the same interval in the arrangement direction for the first holding part and the second holding part. Then, the first holding part with multiple threads hooked reaches the first arrangement completion position, and the second holding part with multiple threads hooked reaches the second arrangement completion position, thereby enabling multiple threads to be arranged in multiple thread travel spaces with the same spacing in the arrangement direction of the multiple threads and the multiple thread travel spaces. Therefore, it is easy to arrange multiple threads with different spacing in the upstream and downstream sides of the thread travel direction into multiple thread travel spaces that are arranged at a predetermined spacing in the arrangement direction.

[0012] Preferably, the thread processing apparatus of the present invention further comprises: a first thread guide having a plurality of first grooves having a spacing in the aforementioned arrangement direction that is the same as that of the plurality of first retaining grooves, and disposed upstream of the thread travel space in the aforementioned thread travel direction, and capable of arranging a plurality of threads hooked on the plurality of first grooves in the plurality of thread travel space; and a second thread guide having a plurality of second grooves having a spacing in the aforementioned arrangement direction that is the same as that of the plurality of first grooves, and disposed downstream of the aforementioned thread travel space in the aforementioned thread travel direction, and capable of arranging a plurality of threads hooked on the plurality of second grooves in the plurality of thread travel space. The first configuration completion position is the position where the first holding part retracts from the thread channel when multiple threads are hooked onto the first and second limiting thread guides. The second configuration completion position is the position where the second holding part retracts from the thread channel when multiple threads are hooked onto the first and second limiting thread guides. The first holding part transfers multiple threads to the first limiting thread guide during its movement from the first thread-hooking position to the first configuration completion position. The second holding part transfers multiple threads to the second limiting thread guide during its movement from the second thread-hooking position to the second configuration completion position.

[0013] A configuration exists in which multiple threads are arranged in multiple thread travel spaces by hooking them to a first limiting guide located upstream of the thread travel space and a second limiting guide located downstream of the thread travel space. In this configuration, when it is desired to hook multiple threads with different spacings on the upstream and downstream sides of the thread travel direction to the first and second limiting guides, the following problem arises: Even if the spacing of the multiple threads is made consistent with the spacing of one of the first and second limiting guides, since the spacing of the multiple threads differs on the upstream and downstream sides of the thread travel direction, the spacing with the other limiting guide will also be inconsistent. Therefore, it is difficult to concentrate multiple threads with different spacings on the upstream and downstream sides of the thread travel direction by hooking them to the first limiting guide located upstream of the thread travel space and the second limiting guide located downstream of the thread travel space. In this invention, after multiple threads are hooked together at the first holding part in the first hooking position and the second holding part in the second hooking position, the first holding part is moved to the first configuration completion position and the second holding part is moved to the second configuration completion position. This facilitates the hooking together of multiple threads at the first and second limiting guides. As a result, it is possible to easily arrange multiple threads with different spacings on the upstream and downstream sides of the thread travel direction in multiple thread travel spaces arranged at a predetermined spacing in the arrangement direction.

[0014] In the thread processing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the second holding portion has a plurality of second holding grooves with the same spacing in the arrangement direction as the plurality of second groove portions.

[0015] According to the present invention, the spacing between the multiple threads hooked onto the second holding groove of the second holding portion is the same as the spacing in the arrangement direction of the multiple second groove portions, thus enabling the multiple threads to be reliably connected to their respective second groove portions. Consequently, the second limiting guide can be accurately attached to the threads, and the multiple threads can be accurately positioned within the multiple thread travel spaces arranged in the arrangement direction.

[0016] In the thread processing apparatus of the present invention, the second holding part is preferably a rotating roller that can rotate about a rotation axis along the arrangement direction.

[0017] According to the present invention, the friction between the circumferential surface of the rotating roller and each thread causes multiple threads hooked onto the second holding portion of the rotating roller to contact the circumferential surface of the rotating roller orthogonally. Therefore, the spacing between the multiple threads hooked onto the second holding portion is the same as the spacing between the multiple threads hooked onto the first groove of the first holding portion located upstream of the second holding portion in the thread-traveling direction. Furthermore, even if the spacing between the multiple threads traveling downstream of the second holding portion in the thread-traveling direction differs from the spacing of the threads on the second holding portion, the friction between the circumferential surface of the rotating roller and each thread ensures that the spacing between the multiple threads hooked onto the second holding portion is maintained without deviation. Therefore, the spacing between the multiple threads hooked onto the second holding portion is the same as the spacing in the arrangement direction of the multiple first holding grooves, and further the same as the spacing in the arrangement direction of the multiple first grooves and the multiple second grooves. Therefore, multiple threads can be more reliably connected to their respective second grooves. Therefore, the second limiting wire guide can be accurately attached to the wire, and multiple wires can be accurately positioned in the multiple wire travel space arranged in the arrangement direction.

[0018] In the thread processing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the thread arrangement section has a linkage mechanism that links the movement of the first holding section between the first thread hanging position and the first arrangement completion position with the movement of the second holding section between the second thread hanging position and the second arrangement completion position.

[0019] If the transfer of the thread from one holding part to the limiting guide is performed only initially, the thread may float up and detach from the limiting guide on the side where the transfer has already been completed, as the thread is subsequently transferred from the other holding part to the limiting guide. According to the present invention, the transfer of the thread from the first holding part to the first limiting guide and the transfer of the thread from the second holding part to the second limiting guide can be performed at the same timing. Therefore, the thread-hanging operation to both limiting guides can be performed more reliably.

[0020] In the thread processing apparatus of the present invention, the linkage mechanism preferably includes: a first swing arm, which is rotatable about a first swing axis along the arrangement direction and supports the first holding portion to swing; and a second swing arm, which is rotatable about a second swing axis along the arrangement direction and supports the second holding portion to swing. The first swing arm includes a first gear, and the second swing arm includes a second gear. The linkage mechanism causes the first swing arm and the second swing arm to rotate in conjunction through the meshing of the first gear and the second gear, thereby linking the movement of the first holding portion and the movement of the second holding portion.

[0021] According to the present invention, the first swing arm and the second swing arm rotate in conjunction with each other through the meshing of the first gear and the second gear, thereby enabling the first holding part and the second holding part to swing in conjunction. Therefore, complex configuration and control are not required to enable the first holding part and the second holding part to move in conjunction.

[0022] In the thread processing apparatus of the present invention, preferably, the first thread-hanging position is a position in which, when viewed from the arrangement direction, the first holding portion is offset from the thread channel when multiple threads are hooked on the first and second thread-restricting guides in the opening direction of the first groove, and the second thread-hanging position is a position in which, when viewed from the arrangement direction, the second holding portion is offset from the thread channel when multiple threads are hooked on the first and second thread-restricting guides in the opening direction of the second groove.

[0023] According to the present invention, when multiple threads are hooked onto the first holding part in the first thread-hooking position and the second holding part in the second thread-hooking position, it is possible to prevent the threads from accidentally getting caught in the grooves of the plurality of first grooves and the plurality of second grooves that should not be hooked onto the threads. Furthermore, by moving the first holding part to the first configuration completion position while the threads are held in the first holding part and not hooked onto the first limiting guide, the first grooves of the plurality of first grooves that should be hooked onto the threads can be hooked onto the threads more reliably. Similarly, by moving the second holding part to the second configuration completion position while the threads are held in the second holding part and not hooked onto the second limiting guide, the second grooves of the plurality of second grooves that should be hooked onto the threads can be hooked onto the threads more reliably.

[0024] In the thread processing apparatus of the present invention, the first limiting guide is preferably positioned such that, when viewed from the arrangement direction, it does not overlap with the thread channel of the multiple threads hooked to the first holding portion at the first thread hanging position.

[0025] According to the present invention, when the first holding part, which is in the first wire-hanging position, hooks the wire, it is possible to further suppress the wire from accidentally hooking onto the first grooves among the plurality of first grooves that should not be hooked onto the wire. Furthermore, by moving the first holding part to the first configuration completion position while the wire is held in the first holding part and is not hooked onto the first wire-restricting guide, it is possible to more reliably hook the wire onto the first grooves among the plurality of first grooves that should be hooked onto the wire.

[0026] In the thread processing apparatus of the present invention, preferably, when the first holding part is in the first configuration completed position, it is located upstream of the thread travel space in the thread travel direction and is capable of arranging multiple threads held by the plurality of first holding grooves in the plurality of thread travel space; and when the second holding part is in the second configuration completed position, it is located downstream of the thread travel space in the thread travel direction and is capable of arranging multiple threads held by the second holding part in the plurality of thread travel space.

[0027] In this invention, after multiple threads with different spacings on the upstream and downstream sides of the thread travel direction are hooked together and attached to a first holding part at a first thread-hooking position and a second holding part at a second thread-hooking position, the first holding part is moved to a first configuration completion position, and the second holding part is moved to a second configuration completion position. Therefore, even without the aforementioned first and second thread-restricting guides, multiple threads with different spacings on the upstream and downstream sides of the thread travel direction can be arranged in multiple thread travel spaces at predetermined intervals in the arrangement direction. Thus, the number of components required for arranging multiple threads in multiple thread travel spaces can be reduced.

[0028] Preferably, in the thread processing apparatus of the present invention, the thread arrangement section further includes a limiting member capable of switching between a limiting state and a releasing state that restricts multiple threads hooked to the first holding section and the second holding section from being arranged in the thread travel space. During the period when the first holding section moves from the first thread-hanging position to the first arrangement completion position and during the period when the second holding section moves from the second thread-hanging position to the second arrangement completion position, the limiting member acquires the limiting state. When the first holding section moves to the first arrangement completion position and the second holding section moves to the second arrangement completion position, the limiting member acquires the releasing state.

[0029] Multiple threads hooked to the first and second retaining parts may sometimes be positioned in multiple thread travel spaces before the retaining parts move to the configured position. However, in this case, since the retaining parts have not moved to the configured position, the multiple threads may not be properly positioned in the corresponding thread travel spaces. According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the multiple threads from being positioned in the multiple thread travel spaces before the first and second retaining parts move to the configured position. Therefore, it is possible to properly position the multiple threads in the corresponding multiple thread travel spaces.

[0030] In the thread processing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the second holding portion has a plurality of second holding grooves with the same spacing in the arrangement direction as the plurality of first holding grooves.

[0031] According to the present invention, while maintaining the spacing between the multiple threads hooked to the second retaining groove of the second retaining part at the same spacing as the arrangement direction of the multiple first retaining grooves, the first retaining part can be moved to the first configuration completion position and the second retaining part can be moved to the second configuration completion position. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably arrange multiple threads with different spacings on the upstream and downstream sides of the thread travel direction in a multiple thread travel space arranged at a predetermined spacing in the arrangement direction.

[0032] In the thread processing apparatus of the present invention, the second holding part is preferably a rotating roller that can rotate about a rotation axis along the arrangement direction.

[0033] According to the present invention, the friction between the circumferential surface of the rotating roller and each thread causes multiple threads hooked onto the second holding portion of the rotating roller to contact the circumferential surface of the rotating roller orthogonally. Therefore, the spacing between the multiple threads hooked onto the second holding portion is the same as the spacing between the multiple threads hooked onto the first groove portion of the first holding portion located upstream of the second holding portion in the thread travel direction. Furthermore, even if the spacing between the multiple threads traveling downstream of the second holding portion in the thread travel direction differs from the spacing of the threads on the second holding portion, the friction between the circumferential surface of the rotating roller and each thread can maintain the spacing of the multiple threads hooked onto the second holding portion without deviation. In this state, by moving the first holding portion to the first configuration completion position and the second holding portion to the second configuration completion position, multiple threads with different spacings on the upstream and downstream sides of the thread travel direction can be more reliably arranged in a plurality of thread travel spaces arranged at a predetermined spacing in the arrangement direction. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the basic structure of spinning production equipment.

[0035] Figure 2This is a diagram of the wire handling device viewed from the front when the first wire guide is in the first wire-hanging position and the second wire guide is in the second wire-hanging position.

[0036] Figure 3 This is a diagram of the wire handling device viewed from the front when the first wire guide is in the first configuration complete position and the second wire guide is in the second configuration complete position.

[0037] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view of a part of the thread processing section, parallel to the left-right and front-back directions.

[0038] Figure 5 This is a diagram of the wire handling device viewed from the right side when the first wire guide is in the first wire-hanging position and the second wire guide is in the second wire-hanging position.

[0039] Figure 6 This is a diagram of the wire handling device viewed from the right side when the first wire guide is in the first configuration complete position and the second wire guide is in the second configuration complete position.

[0040] Figure 7 This is a diagram of the wire handling device viewed from the left when the first wire guide is in the first wire-hanging position and the second wire guide is in the second wire-hanging position.

[0041] Figure 8 This is a diagram of the wire handling device viewed from the left when the first wire guide is in the first configuration complete position and the second wire guide is in the second configuration complete position.

[0042] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the wire processing device of the first modified example as viewed from the front.

[0043] Figure 10 This is a diagram of the wire processing apparatus in the second modified example, viewed from the left side with the first wire guide in the first wire-hanging position and the second wire guide in the second wire-hanging position.

[0044] Figure 11 This is a diagram of the wire processing apparatus in the second modified example, viewed from the left side with the first retaining wire guide in the first configuration completed position and the second retaining wire guide in the second configuration completed position.

[0045] Explanation of symbols

[0046] 7: Thread handling device; 21: Thread handling section; 22: First restricting guide; 22a: First groove; 23: Second restricting guide; 23a: Second groove; 24: First holding guide; 24a: First holding groove; 25: Second holding guide; 25a: Second holding groove; 30: Linkage mechanism; 31: Thread travel space; 41: First swing arm; 42: Second swing arm; 50: Thread placement section; 51: First swing shaft; 52: Second swing shaft; 53: First gear; 54: Second gear; 80: Suction gun; 125: Second holding guide; 224: First holding guide; 225: Second holding guide; 231: Restricting component; Y: Thread. Detailed Implementation

[0047] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] (Overall composition of spinning production equipment 1)

[0049] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the general structure of spinning production equipment 1. The following will... Figure 1 The vertical direction on the paper is set as the vertical direction, and the horizontal direction is set as the horizontal direction. Additionally, it will be compared with... Figure 1 The direction perpendicular to the paper is defined as the front-back direction, and the side of the paper closest to the front is defined as the front. The following explanations will use these directional terms appropriately.

[0050] The spinning production equipment 1 is configured such that a winding device 4 winds up multiple filaments Y spun from a spinning device 2. The spinning device 2 is a device that spins molten polymer as filaments Y downwards. Figure 1 As shown, the spinning production equipment 1 includes multiple oiling guides 5 each equipped with an oiling nozzle, multiple guiding guides 6, a yarn handling device 7, two guide rollers 11 and 12, a spinning stretching device 3, and a winding device 4. The spinning device 2, along with the multiple oiling guides 5 and multiple guiding guides 6 arranged below it, is arranged in the upper layer (layer 2). The yarn handling device 7, the two guide rollers 11 and 12, the spinning stretching device 3, and the winding device 4 are arranged in the lower layer (layer 1).

[0051] Multiple oiling guides 5 are arranged below the spinning device 2 to apply oil to the multiple filaments Y spun downwards from the spinning device 2. Multiple guiding guides 6 are arranged at equal intervals in the left-right direction below each of the multiple oiling guides 5, and independently guide the multiple filaments Y that have been coated with oil.

[0052] The thread processing device 7 is disposed below a plurality of thread guides 6 and is a device for applying bundled properties to multiple threads Y, which are independently guided by the plurality of thread guides 6, using the jet action of compressed air. The thread processing device 7 includes a first limiting thread guide 22 and a second limiting thread guide 23 (see reference 23). Figure 2 Multiple threads Y, hooked to the first limiting guide 22 and the second limiting guide 23, travel approximately parallel to each other and at approximately equal intervals in the left-right direction. Details of the thread handling device 7 will be described later.

[0053] like Figure 1 As shown, guide rollers 11 and 12 are positioned downstream of the yarn travel direction in the yarn handling device 7 and are driven by a motor (not shown). Multiple yarns Y spun from the spinning device 2 are wound onto guide roller 11 via oil guide 5, guide guide 6, and yarn handling device 7, and then conveyed to the spinning stretching device 3 via guide roller 11. Multiple yarns Y, heated and stretched by the spinning stretching device 3, are wound onto guide roller 12 and conveyed to the take-up device 4 via guide roller 12. In practice, a winding device and other guide rollers are also positioned downstream of guide roller 12 and upstream of take-up device 4 in the yarn travel direction, but... Figure 1 The text is omitted.

[0054] The spinning and stretching device 3 is a device for heating and stretching multiple filaments Y, and is located below the spinning device 2. The spinning and stretching device 3 has a heat preservation box 60 and five guide rollers 91-95 housed inside the heat preservation box 60. A filament inlet 60a is formed on the lower part of the right side of the heat preservation box 60 for guiding the multiple filaments Y into the heat preservation box 60, and a filament outlet 60b is formed on the upper part of the right side of the heat preservation box 60 for guiding the multiple filaments Y out of the heat preservation box 60.

[0055] The lower three guide rollers 91-93 are preheating rollers used to preheat multiple filaments Y before stretching, while the upper two guide rollers 94 and 95 are heat-setting rollers used to heat-set the stretched filaments Y. The surface temperature of the upper two guide rollers 94 and 95 is set to a higher temperature than that of the lower three guide rollers 91-93. Furthermore, the filament conveying speed of the upper two guide rollers 94 and 95 is faster than that of the lower three guide rollers 91-93.

[0056] Multiple threads Y, introduced into the insulation box 60 via thread inlet 60a, are first preheated to a stretchable temperature during transport by guide rollers 91-93. The preheated threads Y are stretched due to the difference in thread transport speed between guide rollers 93 and 94. Furthermore, the threads Y are heated to an even higher temperature during transport by guide rollers 94 and 95, and their stretched state is heat-set. The stretched threads Y are then discharged from the insulation box 60 via thread outlet 60b.

[0057] The winding device 4 is a device for winding multiple filaments Y and is located below the spinning and stretching device 3. The winding device 4 includes a bobbin holder 13, a contact roller 14, etc. The bobbin holder 13 has a cylindrical shape extending in the front-to-back direction and is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown). Multiple bobbins B are mounted on the bobbin holder 13 in an axial arrangement. The winding device 4 produces multiple packages P by simultaneously winding multiple filaments Y onto the multiple bobbins B by rotating the bobbin holder 13. The contact roller 14 applies a predetermined contact pressure by contacting the surfaces of the multiple packages P, adjusting the shape of the packages P.

[0058] (Thread processing device 7)

[0059] Next, refer to Figures 2-8 The thread processing device 7 will be described in detail. Furthermore, in Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 In this text, for illustrative purposes, a portion of the description of the multiple threads Y has been omitted. Furthermore, in... Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 For illustrative purposes, the description of thread Y is omitted. The thread processing apparatus 7 includes a substrate 20, a thread processing section 21, a first thread guide 22, a second thread guide 23, and a thread placement section 50.

[0060] The substrate 20 is a component with a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. The thread processing unit 21 is a device that uses the jetting action of compressed air to apply a bundle-like effect to multiple threads Y. Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, a filament processing section 21 is formed by arranging a plurality of interlacing sheets 26 along the left-right direction on the front surface of the substrate 20 in the front-rear direction. Figure 1 As shown, the yarn processing unit 21 is positioned below the plurality of yarn guides 6 and above the yarn guide roller 11.

[0061] like Figure 4 As shown, the thread processing unit 21 has multiple thread travel spaces 31, multiple thread guide paths 32, and multiple jet flow paths 33. The multiple thread travel spaces 31 extend along the thread travel direction and are arranged in a direction intersecting the thread travel direction (…). Figure 4The threads are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the spacing of the thread travel spaces 31 refers to the distance between the centers of adjacent thread travel spaces 31. In addition, each of the multiple thread travel spaces 31 has one in each interlacing plate 26. Viewed from the thread travel direction, the thread travel spaces 31 are formed in an approximately elliptical shape with the left-right direction as the major axis. In the thread travel direction, the thread travel spaces 31 extend along the entire length of the interlacing plate 26 and are open at both ends.

[0062] Multiple thread guide paths 32 are independently provided relative to multiple thread travel spaces 31 for guiding threads Y into the thread travel spaces 31. Each thread guide path 32 extends the entire length of the interlacing plate 26 in the thread travel direction and is open at both ends. Furthermore, each thread guide path 32 has a first thread path 36, a second thread path 37, and a third thread path 38.

[0063] The first thread path 36 is formed in the gap between two adjacent interlocking plates 26, extending in the front-rear direction in approximately the front half of the interlocking plate 26, with the front end in the front-rear direction becoming the insertion port 36a of the thread Y.

[0064] The second thread path 37 connects to the rear end of the first thread path 36 in the front-rear direction and extends to the right from the portion connected to the first thread path 36. The third thread path 38 connects to the right end of the second thread path 37 and extends to the front in the front-rear direction from the portion connected to the second thread path 37. Furthermore, the front end of the third thread path 38 in the front-rear direction connects to the thread travel space 31.

[0065] In addition, such as Figure 4 As shown, approximately half of the front surface of the interlocking sheet 26 in the front-rear direction, about half of which is to the left of the approximately central portion, forms an inclined surface 26a. This inclined surface 26a is inclined relative to the left-right direction with its left end further back than the approximately central portion. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the approximately central portion of the front surface of the interlocking sheet 26 is a portion to the right of the actual central portion. Additionally, approximately half of the front surface of the interlocking sheet 26 in the front-rear direction, about half of which is to the right of the approximately central portion, forms an inclined surface 26b. This inclined surface 26b is inclined relative to the left-right direction with its right end further back than the approximately central portion. Therefore, inclined surfaces 26a and 26b are located on both sides of the first thread path 36 in the left-right direction. Thus, each thread Y, traveling approximately parallel to each other by being hooked onto the first limiting guide 22 and the second limiting guide 23 (described later), is guided by inclined surfaces 26a and 26b and inserted into the first thread path 36.

[0066] Multiple jet flow paths 33 are independently provided for each of the multiple thread travel spaces 31. One jet flow path 33 is formed in each of the interlocking plates 26, extending in the front-rear direction, with its front end (front end) forming a jet port 33a opening on the rear wall surface in the front-rear direction at the connection between the second thread path 37 and the third thread path 38. Thus, the jet port 33a is positioned opposite the thread travel space 31 in the front-rear direction via the third thread path 38. Furthermore, the rear end of the jet flow path 33 is connected to a fluid supply source 40 via a fluid supply flow path 43. A valve 39 is provided on the fluid supply flow path 43. When the valve 39 is open, fluid such as air supplied from the fluid supply source 40 is supplied to the jet flow path 33 via the fluid supply flow path 43 and jetted from the jet port 33a of the jet flow path 33 into the thread travel space 31. As a result, a twisting flow is generated within the yarn travel space 31, which applies a bundled property to the filaments forming yarn Y that are traveling in the yarn travel space 31.

[0067] like Figure 2 , Figure 5 As shown, the first restrictive guide 22 is disposed on the front side of the surface of the substrate 20 in the front-rear direction, at a portion upstream of the thread processing section 21 in the thread travel direction. Figure 2 As shown, the first wire guide 22 has a plurality of first grooves 22a arranged at equal intervals in the left-right direction, which is the arrangement direction of the plurality of wires Y. The spacing of the first grooves 22a refers to the distance between the centers of adjacent first grooves 22a. The spacing of the plurality of first grooves 22a is the same as the spacing of the plurality of wire travel spaces 31. The first grooves 22a open towards the front side in the front-back direction. In addition, the direction towards the front side in the front-back direction corresponds to the opening direction of the opening of the first grooves 22a in this invention. Furthermore, as Figure 5 As shown, when viewed from the left-right direction, the first limiting guide 22 is positioned so as not to overlap with the thread channels of the multiple threads Y hooked on the first holding guide 24 (described later) in the first thread-hanging position. In other words, the first limiting guide 22 is positioned in the front-back direction further back than the thread channels of the multiple threads Y hooked on the first holding guide 24 in the first thread-hanging position.

[0068] like Figure 2 , Figure 5 As shown, the second restrictor guide 23 is disposed on the front surface of the substrate 20 in the front-to-back direction, at a portion downstream of the wire processing section 21 in the wire travel direction. Figure 2As shown, the second wire guide 23 has a plurality of second grooves 23a arranged in the left-right direction at the same spacing as the plurality of first grooves 22a. The spacing of the second grooves 23a refers to the distance between the centers of adjacent second grooves 23a. The second grooves 23a open towards the front side in the front-back direction. Furthermore, the direction towards the front side in the front-back direction corresponds to the opening direction of the second grooves 23a of the present invention.

[0069] The positions of the plurality of first grooves 22a and the plurality of second grooves 23a in the left-right direction are approximately the same. Furthermore, the thread Y traveling in the thread travel direction passes between adjacent first grooves 22a and adjacent second grooves 23a, thereby restricting the left-right movement of the thread Y and defining the thread channel. In addition, the first limiting guide 22 and the second limiting guide 23 function to support the thread Y when applying a bundled nature to the thread processing unit 21.

[0070] The thread arrangement unit 50 is used to arrange multiple threads Y in multiple thread travel spaces 31. The thread arrangement unit 50 includes a first retaining guide 24 (the first retaining part of the present invention), a second retaining guide 25 (the second retaining part of the present invention), and a linkage mechanism 30.

[0071] The first retaining wire guide 24 is a wire guide capable of retaining multiple wires Y hooked to the first limiting wire guide 22. The first retaining wire guide 24 is a cylindrical component extending in the left-right direction, having multiple first retaining grooves 24a with a left-right spacing equal to the left-right spacing of the multiple first grooves 22a. The spacing of the first retaining grooves 24a refers to the distance between the centers of adjacent first retaining grooves 24a. The left-right movement of the multiple wires Y hooked to the first retaining grooves 24a is restricted. The left-right positions of the multiple first grooves 22a and the multiple first retaining grooves 24a are approximately the same. The first retaining wire guide 24 is capable of hooking multiple wires Y to the first wire-hanging position (see reference) of the first retaining wire guide 24. Figure 2 as well as Figure 5 The first configuration completion position (refer to) when multiple threads Y are hooked on the first limiting guide 22 and the second limiting guide 23, and the thread channel retraction position (refer to) Figure 3 as well as Figure 6 The wire path moves between the first wire guide 22 and the second wire guide 23. Additionally, when multiple wires Y are hooked onto the first wire guide 22 and the second wire guide 23, the wire path is... Figure 6 The thread channel of thread Y is shown.

[0072] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 5As shown, when the first retaining guide 24 is in the first wire-hanging position, it is located downstream of the first restricting guide 22 in the wire travel direction and in front of the wire processing section 21 in the front-back direction. Furthermore, as Figure 5 As shown, when the first wire guide 24 is in the first wire-hanging position, when viewed from the left-right direction, the wire channel, where multiple wires Y are hooked on the first wire guide 22 and the second wire guide 23, shifts forward in the forward-backward direction. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 as well as Figure 6 As shown, when the first retaining guide 24 is in the first configuration complete position, it is located upstream of the first limiting guide 22 in the wire travel direction and behind the first limiting guide 22 in the front-back direction. During its movement from the first wire-hanging position to the first configuration complete position, the first retaining guide 24 transfers multiple wires Y to the corresponding multiple first grooves 22a.

[0073] The second retaining guide 25 is a guide capable of retaining multiple threads Y hooked onto the first restricting guide 22. The second retaining guide 25 is positioned downstream of the first retaining guide 24 in the thread travel direction. The second retaining guide 25 is a cylindrical component extending in the left-right direction, having multiple second retaining grooves 25a with a left-right spacing equal to the left-right spacing of the multiple second grooves 23a. The spacing of the second grooves 25a refers to the distance between the centers of adjacent second grooves 25a. The left-right movement of the multiple threads Y hooked onto the second retaining grooves 25a is restricted. The left-right positions of the multiple second grooves 23a and the multiple second retaining grooves 25a are approximately the same. The second retaining guide 25 allows multiple threads Y to be hooked onto the second retaining guide 25 at a second hooking position (see reference). Figure 2 as well as Figure 5 The second configuration completion position (refer to) is when multiple threads Y are hooked on the first limiting guide 22 and the second limiting guide 23, and the thread channel retracts. Figure 3 as well as Figure 6 Move between ).

[0074] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 5 As shown, when the second wire-holding guide 25 is in the second wire-hanging position, it is located upstream of the second wire-restricting guide 23 in the wire-traveling direction, downstream of the first wire-holding guide 24, and in front of the wire-processing section 21 in the front-back direction. Furthermore, as... Figure 5 As shown, when the second wire guide 25 is in the second wire-hanging position, when viewed from the left-right direction, the wire channel, where multiple wires Y are hooked on the first wire guide 22 and the second wire guide 23, shifts forward in the forward-backward direction. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 as well as Figure 6 As shown, when the second retaining guide 25 is in the second configuration complete position, it is located downstream of the second restricting guide 23 in the wire travel direction and behind the second restricting guide 23 in the front-back direction. During its movement from the second wire-hanging position to the second configuration complete position, the second retaining guide 25 transfers multiple wires Y to the corresponding multiple second grooves 23a.

[0075] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the first retaining guide 24 in the first wire-hanging position and the second retaining guide 25 in the second wire-hanging position are adjacent to each other in the direction of wire travel. Here, "adjacent to each other" means that the distance between the first retaining guide 24 and the second retaining guide 25 is 0 to 10 mm.

[0076] The linkage mechanism 30 links the movement of the first wire-holding guide 24 between the first wire-hanging position and the first configuration-complete position with the movement of the second wire-holding guide 25 between the second wire-hanging position and the second configuration-complete position. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the linkage mechanism 30 has a first swing arm 41 that can rotate about a first swing axis 51 in the left-right direction, and a second swing arm 42 that can rotate about a second swing axis 52 in the left-right direction.

[0077] like Figure 2 As shown, the first swing arm 41 cantileverly supports the left end of the first wire-holding guide 24 via its front end portion. By rotating the first swing arm 41 around the first swing axis 51, the first wire-holding guide 24 can swing between a first wire-hanging position and a first configuration-complete position. When the first wire-holding guide 24 is in the first wire-hanging position, the first swing arm 41 extends in the front-back direction (see reference). Figure 7 When the first retaining wire guide 24 is in the first configured position, the first swing arm 41 extends diagonally forward and upward (see reference). Figure 8 ).

[0078] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown, the second swing arm 42 cantileverly supports the left end of the second wire-holding guide 25 via its front end portion. By rotating the second swing arm 42 around the second swing axis 52, the second wire-holding guide 25 can swing between the second wire-hanging position and the second configuration-complete position. When the second wire-holding guide 25 is in the second wire-hanging position, the second swing arm 42 extends in the front-back direction (see reference). Figure 7 When the second guide wire retainer 25 is in the second configured position, the second swing arm 42 extends diagonally forward and downward (see reference). Figure 8 ).

[0079] Furthermore, such as Figure 7 As shown, the first swing arm 41 includes a first gear 53 consisting of four teeth, and the second swing arm 42 includes a second gear 54 consisting of five teeth. The first gear 53 and the second gear 54 mesh with each other. Alternatively, the number of teeth constituting the first gear 53 may not be four. Furthermore, the number of teeth constituting the second gear 54 may not be five.

[0080] The linkage mechanism 30 causes the first swing arm 41 and the second swing arm 42 to rotate in a linked manner through the meshing of the first gear 53 and the second gear 54. The linkage mechanism 30 may, for example, have a motor (not shown) that drives the rotation of either the first swing shaft 51 or the second swing shaft 52. However, the linkage mechanism 30 is not limited to having a motor; for example, it may also have a lever (not shown) mounted on either the first swing arm 41 or the second swing arm 42. In this case, the operator starts the rotation of either the first swing arm 41 or the second swing arm 42 by pulling the lever. Then, the first gear 53 meshes with the second gear 54, and thus the other of the first swing arm 41 and the second swing arm 42 also rotates in a linked manner.

[0081] (Hanging the wire to the wire processing device 7)

[0082] Next, the specific steps for hooking multiple yarns Y onto the first restricting guide 22 and the second restricting guide 23 of the yarn processing device 7 will be described. In the spinning production equipment 1, after the yarn is hooked onto the guide 6, it is hooked onto the two restricting guides of the yarn processing device 7. The hooking of yarns onto the first restricting guide 22 and the second restricting guide 23 of the yarn processing device 7 is performed, for example, using a suction gun 80 (the gathering part of the present invention). The suction gun 80 attracts multiple yarns Y while gathering the multiple yarns Y together.

[0083] Before the yarn is attached to the yarn handling device 7, the linkage mechanism 30 pre-moves the first holding guide 24 to the first yarn-attaching position and moves the second holding guide 25 to the second yarn-attaching position (see reference). Figure 2 Then, as Figure 5 As shown, the operator hooks multiple threads Y, which are concentratedly attracted by the suction gun 80, onto the first retaining grooves 24a of the first retaining guide 24 and the second retaining grooves 25a of the second retaining guide 25. At this time, the operator adjusts the position of the suction gun 80 so that the spacing of the multiple threads Y attracted by the suction port 81 of the suction gun 80 is consistent with the spacing of the first retaining grooves 24a of the first retaining guide 24 in the first thread hanging position and the spacing of the second retaining grooves 25a of the second retaining guide 25 in the second thread hanging position, while performing the thread hanging.

[0084] Next, the first wire-holding guide 24, located in the first wire-hanging position, is moved toward the first configuration-complete position via the linkage mechanism 30, and in conjunction with this, the second wire-holding guide 25, located in the second wire-hanging position, is moved toward the second configuration-complete position. Specifically, when viewed from the right side in the left-right direction, the first swing arm 41 rotates counterclockwise around the first swing axis 51 ( Figure 7 (Solid arrow in the middle) rotates, thereby causing the first wire guide 24 to swing from the first wire-hanging position toward the first configuration completion position. Furthermore, when viewed from the right side in the left-right direction, the second swing arm 42 rotates clockwise around the second swing axis 52. Figure 7 (Solid arrow in the middle) rotates, thereby causing the second wire guide 25 to swing from the second wire hanging position toward the second configuration completion position.

[0085] During the movement of the first retaining wire guide 24 from the first wire-hanging position to the first configuration completion position, the multiple wires Y held by the first retaining wire guide 24 are transferred to the first grooves 22a of the first limiting wire guide 22. Specifically, after the wires Y hooked on the first retaining groove 24a contact the bottom of the first groove 22a of the first limiting wire guide 22, the first retaining wire guide 24 moves further toward the first configuration completion position, thereby transferring the wires Y hooked on the first retaining groove 24a to the first groove 22a. Thus, the wire-hanging operation to the first limiting wire guide 22 is completed.

[0086] During the movement of the second retaining guide 25 from the second wire-hanging position to the second configuration completion position, the multiple wires Y held by the second retaining guide 25 are transferred to the second grooves 23a of the second limiting guide 23. Specifically, after the wires Y hooked in the second retaining grooves 25a contact the bottom of the second grooves 23a of the second limiting guide 23, the second retaining guide 25 moves further toward the second configuration completion position, thereby transferring the wires Y hooked in the second retaining grooves 25a to the second grooves 23a. Thus, the wire-hanging operation to the second limiting guide 23 is completed.

[0087] Multiple threads Y hooked on the first limiting guide 22 and the second limiting guide 23 are guided by the inclined surfaces 26a and 26b of the thread processing unit 21 and inserted into the first thread path 36.

[0088] (Effect)

[0089] The thread processing apparatus 7 of this embodiment includes a first holding guide 24 capable of achieving a first thread-hanging position and a first configuration completion position, and a second holding guide 25 capable of achieving a second thread-hanging position and a second configuration completion position. The first holding guide 24 in the first thread-hanging position and the second holding guide 25 in the second thread-hanging position are adjacent to each other in the thread travel direction. It is difficult to arrange multiple threads Y that are bundled toward the suction gun 80 and whose spacing in the left-right direction (arrangement direction) is different on the upstream and downstream sides of the thread travel direction, into a plurality of thread travel spaces 31 that extend along the thread travel direction and are arranged at a predetermined spacing in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the first holding guide 24 in the first thread-hanging position and the second holding guide 25 in the second thread-hanging position are adjacent to each other in the thread travel direction, so multiple threads Y can be hooked together relative to the first holding guide 24 and the second holding guide 25 at the same interval in the left-right direction. Then, the first retaining guide 24, with multiple threads Y hooked on, reaches the first configuration completion position, and the second retaining guide 25, with multiple threads Y hooked on, reaches the second configuration completion position. This allows the multiple threads Y to be positioned in the multiple thread travel spaces 31 with consistent spacing in the left-right direction. Therefore, it is possible to easily position multiple threads Y with different spacing on the upstream and downstream sides of the thread travel direction in multiple thread travel spaces 31 arranged at a predetermined spacing in the left-right direction.

[0090] The thread handling apparatus 7 of this embodiment includes a first limiting guide 22 disposed on the upstream side of the thread travel space 31 in the thread travel direction and a second limiting guide 23 disposed on the downstream side. The first configuration completion position is the position where the first holding guide 24 retracts from the thread channel when multiple threads Y are hooked onto the first limiting guide 22 and the second limiting guide 23. The second configuration completion position is the position where the second holding guide 25 retracts from the thread channel when multiple threads Y are hooked onto the first limiting guide 22 and the second limiting guide 23. The first holding guide 24 transfers multiple threads Y to the first limiting guide 22 during its movement from the first thread-hooking position to the first configuration completion position. The second holding guide 25 transfers multiple threads Y to the second limiting guide 23 during its movement from the second thread-hooking position to the second configuration completion position. When attempting to hook multiple threads Y with different spacings on the upstream and downstream sides of the thread travel direction onto the first limiting guide 22 and the second limiting guide 23, the following problem arises. Even if the spacing of the multiple threads Y is made consistent with the spacing of one of the first limiting guide 22 and the second limiting guide 23, the spacing of the multiple threads Y differs on the upstream and downstream sides of the thread travel direction, thus resulting in inconsistencies with the spacing of the other limiting guide. In this embodiment, after hooking the multiple threads Y together onto the first holding guide 24 in the first hooking position and the second holding guide 25 in the second hooking position, the first holding guide 24 is moved to the first configuration completion position, and the second holding guide 25 is moved to the second configuration completion position. This facilitates the concentrated hooking of the multiple threads Y onto the first limiting guide 22 and the second limiting guide 23. As a result, it is possible to easily arrange multiple threads Y with different spacings on the upstream and downstream sides of the thread travel direction in multiple thread travel spaces 31 arranged at a predetermined spacing in the left-right direction.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second retaining guide 25 has a plurality of second retaining grooves 25a with a left-right spacing that is the same as the left-right spacing of the plurality of second grooves 23a. Accordingly, the spacing between the plurality of threads Y hooked onto the second retaining grooves 25a of the second retaining guide 25 is the same as the left-right spacing of the plurality of second grooves 23a, thus enabling more reliable connection of the plurality of threads Y to their respective second grooves 23a. Therefore, the second retaining guide 23 can be accurately attached to the threads, and the plurality of threads Y can be accurately positioned within the plurality of thread travel spaces 31 arranged in the left-right direction.

[0092] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the yarn placement unit 50 has a linkage mechanism 30 that links the movement of the first yarn holding guide 24 between the first yarn hanging position and the first placement completion position with the movement of the second yarn holding guide 25 between the second yarn hanging position and the second placement completion position. If only the yarn Y is transferred from one yarn holding guide to the limiting guide initially, as the yarn Y is subsequently transferred from the other yarn holding guide to the limiting guide, the yarn Y may float up and detach from the limiting guide of the yarn where the transfer has already been completed. According to this embodiment, the transfer of yarn Y from the first yarn holding guide 24 to the first limiting guide 22 and the transfer of yarn Y from the second yarn holding guide 25 to the second limiting guide 23 can be performed at the same timing. Therefore, the yarn hanging operation to the first limiting guide 22 and the second limiting guide 23 can be performed more reliably.

[0093] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the linkage mechanism 30 includes: a first swing arm 41, rotatable about a first swing axis 51 in the left-right direction, supporting the first wire-holding guide 24 for swinging; and a second swing arm 42, rotatable about a second swing axis 52 in the left-right direction, supporting the second wire-holding guide 25 for swinging. The first swing arm 41 includes a first gear 53, and the second swing arm 42 includes a second gear 54. The linkage mechanism 30 causes the first swing arm 41 and the second swing arm 42 to rotate in tandem through the meshing of the first gear 53 and the second gear 54, thereby enabling the movement of the first wire-holding guide 24 to be linked with the movement of the second wire-holding guide 25. Accordingly, the first swing arm 41 and the second swing arm 42 rotate in tandem through the meshing of the first gear 53 and the second gear 54, thereby enabling the first wire-holding guide 24 and the second wire-holding guide 25 to swing in tandem. Therefore, no complex configuration or control is required to enable the first retaining wire guide 24 and the second retaining wire guide 25 to move in tandem.

[0094] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first thread-hanging position is as follows: when viewed from the left-right direction, the first thread-holding guide 24 is offset from the front side of the thread channel in the forward-backward direction, i.e., the opening direction of the first groove 22a, when multiple threads Y are hooked on the first limiting guide 22 and the second limiting guide 23. The second thread-hanging position is as follows: when viewed from the left-right direction, the second thread-holding guide 25 is offset from the front side of the thread channel in the forward-backward direction, i.e., the opening direction of the second groove 23a, when multiple threads Y are hooked on the first limiting guide 22 and the second limiting guide 23. Accordingly, when multiple threads Y are hooked on the first thread-hanging guide 24 in the first thread-hanging position and the second thread-hanging guide 25 in the second thread-hanging position, it is possible to prevent the threads Y from accidentally hooking on grooves in the multiple first grooves 22a and multiple second grooves 23a that should not normally hook threads Y. Furthermore, by moving the first retaining guide 24 to the first configuration completion position while the first retaining guide 24 holds the thread Y and the thread Y is not hooked onto the first limiting guide 22, the first grooves 22a in which the thread Y should be hooked can be hooked onto the thread Y more reliably. Similarly, by moving the second retaining guide 25 to the second configuration completion position while the second retaining guide 25 holds the thread Y and the thread Y is not hooked onto the second limiting guide 23, the second grooves 23a in which the thread Y should be hooked onto the thread Y can be hooked onto the thread Y more reliably.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first limiting guide 22 is positioned such that, when viewed from the left and right, it does not overlap with the thread channels of the multiple threads Y hooked onto the first holding guide 24 in the first thread-hanging position. Accordingly, when the first holding guide 24 in the first thread-hanging position hooks the thread Y, it is possible to further suppress the thread Y from accidentally hooking onto the first groove 22a of the multiple first grooves 22a that should not normally hook the thread Y. Moreover, by moving the first holding guide 24 to the first configuration completion position while the thread Y is held on the first holding guide 24 and is not hooked onto the first limiting guide 22, it is possible to more reliably hook the thread Y onto the first grooves 22a of the multiple first grooves 22a that should hook the thread Y.

[0096] (Modified Example)

[0097] The following describes a modified example of the above-described embodiment. However, the description of components having the same designation as those in the above-described embodiment is omitted as appropriate.

[0098] (First variation)

[0099] In the above embodiment, the second wire-holding guide 25 has a plurality of second holding grooves 25a with a left-right spacing that is the same as the left-right spacing of the plurality of second groove portions 23a. However, the second wire-holding guide may also be configured without grooves. For example, as Figure 9 As shown, in the first variation, the second yarn guide 125 is a rotating roller capable of rotating about a rotation axis in the left-right direction. The rotating roller can be a drive roller electrically rotated by a motor (not shown), or it can be a free roller (driven roller) without driving force. In this case, the first yarn guide 24 included in the yarn handling apparatus 107 has the same configuration as in the embodiment described above. Figure 9 The diagram shows the case where the first retaining guide 24 is in the first wire-hanging position and the second retaining guide 125 is in the second wire-hanging position. According to this configuration, the multiple threads Y hooked onto the second retaining guide 125, which is a rotating roller, are in orthogonal contact with the circumferential surface of the rotating roller due to the friction between the circumferential surface of the rotating roller and each thread Y. Therefore, the spacing of the multiple threads Y hooked onto the second retaining guide 125 is consistent with the spacing of the multiple threads Y hooked onto the first retaining groove 24a of the first retaining guide 24, which is located upstream of the second retaining guide 125 in the wire-traveling direction. Furthermore, due to the friction between the circumferential surface of the rotating roller and each thread Y, even if the spacing of the multiple threads Y traveling downstream of the second retaining guide 125 in the wire-traveling direction becomes narrower due to the use of the suction gun 80, the spacing of the multiple threads Y hooked onto the second retaining guide 125 can be maintained without deviation. Therefore, the spacing between the multiple threads Y hooked onto the second retaining guide 125 is the same as the left-right spacing of the multiple first retaining grooves 24a, and further the same as the left-right spacing of the multiple first groove portions 22a and the multiple second groove portions 23a. Thus, the multiple threads Y can be more reliably connected to their respective second groove portions 23a. Consequently, the thread-hanging operation onto the thread processing device 107 can be performed more accurately.

[0100] Furthermore, in the thread handling apparatus 107 of the first modified example described above, the posture of the second holding guide 125, which serves as the rotating roller, is appropriately adjusted considering the frictional force between the circumferential surface of the rotating roller and the multiple threads Y. Additionally, in the first modified example, the timing for hooking the multiple threads Y onto the first holding guide 24 in the first thread-hanging position and the second holding guide 125 in the second thread-hanging position is not necessarily the same. Specifically, it is also possible to hook the multiple threads Y onto the first holding guide 24 in the first thread-hanging position first, and then immediately hook the multiple threads Y onto the second holding guide 125 in the second thread-hanging position.

[0101] (Second variation)

[0102] In the above embodiment, the thread processing apparatus 7 is configured to arrange multiple threads Y in multiple thread travel spaces 31 by transferring multiple threads Y from the first holding guide 24 to the first limiting guide 22 and from the second holding guide 25 to the second limiting guide 23. However, the thread processing apparatus of the present invention may also not have the first limiting guide 22 and the second limiting guide 23. For example, as Figure 10 As shown, the yarn processing apparatus 207 includes a yarn arrangement section 150 having a first yarn retainer 224 and a second yarn retainer 225.

[0103] The first wire guide 224 has multiple first holding grooves (not shown) with a left-right spacing that is the same as the left-right spacing of the multiple wire travel spaces 31. The first wire guide 224 can achieve a first wire hanging position. Figure 10 (location) and the first configuration completed location ( Figure 11 (Position). The first wire-hanging position is where multiple wires are hooked onto the first wire-holding guide 224. For example... Figure 10 As shown, when the first wire guide 224 is in the first wire-hanging position, it is positioned upstream of the wire travel space 31 in the wire travel direction. Figure 11 As shown, when the first retaining guide 224 is in the first configuration complete position, it is positioned upstream of the wire travel space 31 in the wire travel direction and is capable of arranging multiple wires Y held by the multiple first retaining slots in the multiple wire travel spaces 31. Furthermore, in the second variation, the first wire hanging position of the first retaining guide 224 is the same as the first configuration complete position.

[0104] The second wire guide 225 has multiple second holding grooves (not shown) with a left-right spacing that is the same as the left-right spacing of the multiple wire travel spaces 31. The second wire guide 225 can achieve a second wire hanging position. Figure 10 The location of the second configuration completion (and the location of the second configuration completion) Figure 11 (Position). The second wire-hanging position is where multiple wires are Y-hooked and hung on the second wire-holding guide 225. For example... Figure 10 As shown, when the second wire guide 225 is in the second wire-hanging position, it is positioned upstream of the wire travel space 31 in the wire travel direction. Figure 11 As shown, when the second retaining guide 225 is in the second configuration completed position, it is positioned downstream of the wire travel space 31 in the wire travel direction and is capable of arranging multiple wires Y held by the multiple second retaining slots in the multiple wire travel spaces 31. Furthermore, the first retaining guide 224 in the first wire hanging position and the second retaining guide 225 in the second wire hanging position are adjacent to each other in the wire travel direction.

[0105] The movement of the second wire guide 225 between the second wire-hanging position and the second configuration-complete position can be performed, for example, by a motor-driven moving mechanism (not shown) or manually by the operator.

[0106] The second modification of the wire arrangement section 150 further includes a limiting member 231, a support member 232, and a rotating shaft 233. The limiting member 231 is a member capable of switching between a limiting state and a releasing state. When the limiting member 231 is in the limiting state, multiple wires Y hooked to the first retaining wire guide 224 and the second retaining wire guide 225 are limited and arranged in the wire travel space 31 (see reference). Figure 10 When the limiting component 231 is in the released state, the restriction is released (see reference). Figure 11 The limiting member 231 is positioned downstream of the thread travel space 31 in the thread travel direction. The rotating shaft 233, which is a rotating shaft in the left-right direction, is formed on the substrate 20. The base portion of the support member 232 is connected to the rotating shaft 233, and the front portion is connected to the limiting member 231. In other words, the limiting member 231 is connected to the rotating shaft 233 via the support member 232. The limiting member 231 can switch between a limiting state and a releasing state by oscillating about the rotating shaft 233.

[0107] Next, the steps for arranging multiple threads Y in the thread travel space 31 of the thread processing unit 21 will be described below. The thread hanging to the first holding guide 224 and the second holding guide 225 is performed, for example, using a suction gun 80. First, as... Figure 10 As shown, the first retaining wire guide 224 is moved to the first wire-hanging position, and the second retaining wire guide 225 is moved to the second wire-hanging position. At this time, the limiting member 231 is in a limiting state. Then, the operator hooks the multiple wires Y-hooked by the suction gun 80 onto the first retaining slots of the first retaining wire guide 224 and the second retaining slots of the second retaining wire guide 225.

[0108] Next, as Figure 11 As shown, the second wire-holding guide 225 is moved to the second configuration-complete position. During the process of the second wire-holding guide 225 moving from the second wire-hanging position to the second configuration-complete position, the limiting member 231 is in a limiting state. When the second wire-holding guide 225 moves to the second configuration-complete position, as... Figure 11 As shown, the limiting member 231 rotates downward in the vertical direction around the rotation axis 233, thus reaching a released state. As a result, multiple threads Y hooked to the first retaining guide 224 and the second retaining guide 225 are arranged in multiple thread travel spaces 31.

[0109] In the second variation, after multiple yarns Y with different spacings on the upstream and downstream sides in the yarn travel direction are hooked together and attached to the first holding guide 224 at the first hooking position and the second holding guide 225 at the second hooking position, the first holding guide 224 is moved to the first configuration completion position, and the second holding guide 225 is moved to the second configuration completion position. Therefore, even without the first limiting guide 22 and the second limiting guide 23 as described above, multiple yarns Y with different spacings on the upstream and downstream sides in the yarn travel direction can be arranged in multiple yarn travel spaces 31 arranged at a predetermined spacing in the arrangement direction. Thus, the number of components required for arranging multiple yarns Y in multiple yarn travel spaces can be reduced.

[0110] On the other hand, sometimes multiple threads Y hooked to the first retaining guide 224 and the second retaining guide 225 may be positioned in multiple thread travel spaces 31 before each retaining guide moves to the positioned position. However, in this case, since each retaining guide has not moved to the positioned position, the multiple threads Y may not be properly positioned in the corresponding thread travel spaces 31. According to the second modification, it is possible to prevent the multiple threads Y from being positioned in the multiple thread travel spaces 31 before the first retaining guide 224 and the second retaining guide 225 move to the positioned position. Therefore, it is possible to properly position the multiple threads Y in the corresponding multiple thread travel spaces 31.

[0111] Furthermore, in the second modification described above, the first wire-hanging position of the first wire-holding guide 224 is the same as the first configuration-complete position, but the first wire-holding guide 224 can also move between the first wire-hanging position and the first configuration-complete position. In this case, for example, the first wire-holding guide 224 can move between the first wire-hanging position and the first configuration-complete position. The first wire-hanging position is downstream of the wire travel space 31 in the wire travel direction, and the first configuration-complete position is upstream of the wire travel space 31 in the wire travel direction. In this case, for example, the second wire-hanging position and the second configuration-complete position of the second wire-holding guide 225 are both the same position downstream of the wire travel space 31 in the wire travel direction. Furthermore, in the second modification described above, both the first wire-holding guide 224 and the second wire-holding guide 225 can be configured to move.

[0112] Furthermore, in the second modification described above, the second retaining guide 225 is configured to have a plurality of second retaining grooves. However, the second retaining guide 225 may also be configured not to have a plurality of second retaining grooves. For example, the second retaining guide 225 may also be a rotating roller capable of rotating about a rotation axis in the left-right direction, just like in the first modification described above.

[0113] (Other variations)

[0114] In the above embodiment, the thread processing device 7 is a device for applying a bundled effect to multiple threads Y using the jetting action of compressed air. However, the thread processing device is not limited to this. The thread processing device may also include other devices that provide thread guides (first thread guide and second thread guide) on the upstream and downstream sides of the thread processing section in order to perform a prescribed treatment on multiple threads Y that are traveling approximately parallel and at approximately equal intervals to each other through the thread processing section. For example, the thread processing device may include devices that, as the thread processing section, have an oil nozzle for applying oil to the multiple threads Y, a tension sensor for detecting the tension of the multiple threads Y, etc.

[0115] In the above embodiment, the first retaining wire guide 24 causes the first swing arm 41 to swing, and the second retaining wire guide 25 causes the second swing arm 42 to swing. However, the first retaining wire guide 24 and the second retaining wire guide 25 are not limited to swinging types. For example, the first retaining wire guide 24 can also move between the first wire-hanging position and the first configuration completion position by moving in the vertical direction and in the front-back direction. Similarly, the second retaining wire guide 25 can also move between the second wire-hanging position and the second configuration completion position by moving in the vertical direction and in the front-back direction. Specifically, the first retaining wire guide 24 in the first wire-hanging position moves upward and then backward, thereby moving to the first configuration completion position. Furthermore, the second retaining wire guide 25 in the second wire-hanging position moves downward and then backward, thereby moving to the second configuration completion position. In addition, the first retaining wire guide 24 can also move between the first wire-hanging position and the first configuration completion position by moving obliquely. Similarly, the second wire-holding guide 25 can also be moved between the second wire-hanging position and the second configuration-complete position by moving obliquely.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the thread processing apparatus 7 has a linkage mechanism 30 that links the movement of the first thread-holding guide 24 and the second thread-holding guide 25. However, the thread processing apparatus 7 may also lack the linkage mechanism 30. In this case, the movement of the first thread-holding guide 24 between the first thread-hanging position and the first configuration-complete position, and the movement of the second thread-holding guide 25 between the second thread-hanging position and the second configuration-complete position, are performed independently.

[0117] In the above embodiment, the thread handling device 7 is loaded with a suction gun 80. However, a hook-shaped thread guide that gathers multiple threads Y together can also be used for loading.

[0118] In the above embodiment, the first retaining guide 24 in the first wire-hanging position and the second retaining guide 25 in the second wire-hanging position are positioned downstream of the first limiting guide 22 and upstream of the second limiting guide 23 in the wire-tracing direction. However, the first retaining guide 24 in the first wire-hanging position and the second retaining guide 25 in the second wire-hanging position can be positioned upstream of the first limiting guide 22 in the wire-tracing direction, or they can be positioned downstream of the second limiting guide 23 in the wire-tracing direction.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the first retaining guide 24, which moves from the first wire-hanging position toward the first configuration completion position, stops when it reaches the first configuration completion position. However, the first retaining guide 24 may also move further beyond the first configuration completion position after reaching it. For example, the first retaining guide 24 may move to the rear side of the wire processing section 21 after passing the first configuration completion position. The same applies to the second retaining guide 25. That is, in the above embodiment, the second retaining guide 25, which moves from the second wire-hanging position toward the second configuration completion position, stops when it reaches the second configuration completion position. However, the second retaining guide 25 may also move further beyond the second configuration completion position after reaching it. For example, the second retaining guide 25 may move to the rear side of the wire processing section 21 after passing the second configuration completion position.

[0120] In the above embodiments, the first retaining groove 24a may be formed over the entire circumference of the first retaining guide 24, or it may be formed only on a portion of the circumferential surface of the first retaining guide 24. However, the first retaining groove 24a needs to be configured such that, during the movement of the first retaining guide 24 from the first wire-hanging position to the first configuration-complete position, each wire Y will not detach from the first retaining groove 24a. Similarly, the second retaining groove 25a may be formed over the entire circumference of the second retaining guide 25, or it may be formed only on a portion of the circumferential surface of the second retaining guide 25. However, the second retaining groove 25a needs to be configured such that, during the movement of the second retaining guide 25 from the second wire-hanging position to the second configuration-complete position, each wire Y will not detach from the second retaining groove 25a.

[0121] In the above embodiment, the yarn handling device 7 is disposed below the plurality of yarn guides 6 in the spinning production equipment 1 and above the yarn guide roller 11. However, the position of the yarn handling device 7 is not limited to this. When the spacing of multiple yarns on the upstream and downstream sides of the yarn travel direction is different due to the use of a suction gun 80 or the like for yarn hanging operations, the configuration of the present invention can be effective when it is desired to hook yarn Y onto two restricting yarn guides (first restricting yarn guide and second restricting yarn guide) of multiple grooves (first groove and second groove) that are separately arranged in the yarn travel direction and have the same spacing in the arrangement direction.

[0122] In the above embodiment, multiple threads Y, which are gathered toward the suction gun 80 serving as a gathering portion, are arranged in multiple thread travel spaces 31 formed in the thread processing unit 21. That is, regarding the spacing of the multiple threads Y in the arrangement direction, the spacing on the upstream side of the thread travel direction is wider than the spacing on the downstream side. However, regarding the spacing of the multiple threads Y arranged in the multiple thread travel spaces 31 in the arrangement direction, the spacing on the upstream side of the thread travel direction may be narrower than the spacing on the downstream side.

Claims

1. A thread processing device, characterized in that, have: The thread processing unit has multiple thread travel spaces that extend along the thread travel direction and are arranged at a predetermined interval in an arrangement direction that intersects the thread travel direction, and performs predetermined processing on multiple threads traveling in the multiple thread travel spaces. as well as The thread arrangement section is used to arrange multiple threads in the aforementioned multiple thread travel spaces. The aforementioned thread configuration section has: The first retaining portion has a plurality of first retaining grooves arranged in the aforementioned arrangement direction; and The second holding part is positioned downstream of the first holding part in the direction of thread travel, and holds the multiple threads while maintaining the spacing between the multiple threads held by the multiple first holding grooves. The first holding part can obtain a first hooking position for hooking multiple threads onto the first holding part and a position upstream of the thread travel direction from the thread travel space, and a first configuration completion position for the multiple threads to be configured into the multiple thread travel space. The second holding part described above can obtain a second hooking position for hooking multiple threads onto the second holding part, and a position downstream of the thread travel space in the thread travel direction, and a second configuration completion position in which the multiple threads are configured into the multiple thread travel space. The first holding part at the first wire hanging position and the second holding part at the second wire hanging position are adjacent to each other in the direction of wire travel.

2. The thread processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also has: The first limiting guide has a plurality of first grooves with the same spacing in the aforementioned arrangement direction as the plurality of first retaining grooves, and is disposed upstream of the aforementioned wire travel space in the aforementioned wire travel direction, and is positioned such that multiple wires hooked on the plurality of first grooves can be disposed in the aforementioned multiple wire travel space; and The second wire guide has a plurality of second grooves with the same spacing in the aforementioned arrangement direction as the plurality of first grooves. It is disposed downstream of the wire travel space in the aforementioned wire travel direction and is positioned such that multiple wires hooked on the plurality of second grooves can be arranged within the plurality of wire travel spaces. The first configuration completion position described above is the position where the first retaining part retracts from the wire channel when multiple wires have been hooked onto the first and second wire guides. The second configuration completion position described above is the position where the second retaining part retracts from the wire channel when multiple wires have been hooked onto the first and second wire guides. The first holding part transfers multiple wires to the first limiting wire guide during its movement from the first wire hanging position to the first configuration completion position. The second holding part transfers multiple wires to the second limiting wire guide during its movement from the second wire hanging position to the second configuration completion position.

3. The thread processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second retaining portion has a plurality of second retaining grooves with the same spacing in the aforementioned arrangement direction as the plurality of second groove portions.

4. The thread processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second holding part described above is a rotating roller that can rotate about a rotation axis along the above-described arrangement direction.

5. The thread processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The aforementioned thread arrangement section has a linkage mechanism that links the movement of the first holding section between the first thread hanging position and the first arrangement completion position with the movement of the second holding section between the second thread hanging position and the second arrangement completion position.

6. The thread processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The above-mentioned linkage mechanism has: The first swing arm is rotatable about a first swing axis along the aforementioned arrangement direction, supporting the first holding part so that it can swing; and The second swing arm is rotatable about a second swing axis along the aforementioned arrangement direction, supporting the second holding part so that it can swing. The aforementioned first swing arm includes a first gear. The aforementioned second swing arm includes a second gear. The aforementioned linkage mechanism causes the first swing arm and the second swing arm to rotate in a linked manner through the meshing of the first gear and the second gear, thereby linking the movement of the first holding part with the movement of the second holding part.

7. The thread processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, The first wire-hanging position is as follows: when viewed from the above arrangement direction, the first holding part is offset from the wire channel when multiple wires are hooked onto the first and second wire-restricting guides towards the opening direction of the first groove. The second wire-hanging position is as follows: when viewed from the above arrangement direction, the second holding part is offset from the wire channel when multiple wires are hooked onto the first wire guide and the second wire guide, towards the opening direction of the second groove.

8. The thread processing apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first limiting guide is positioned such that, when viewed from the above arrangement direction, it does not overlap with the thread channel of the multiple threads hooked to the first holding part at the first thread hanging position.

9. The thread processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the first holding part is in the first configuration completed position, it is positioned upstream of the thread travel space in the thread travel direction, and is capable of arranging the multiple threads held by the multiple first holding grooves in the multiple thread travel space. When the second holding part is in the second configuration completed position, it is located downstream of the thread travel space in the thread travel direction and is capable of arranging the multiple threads held by the second holding part in the multiple thread travel spaces.

10. The thread processing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The aforementioned thread arrangement section also includes a limiting component that can switch between a limiting state and a releasing state that restricts the multiple threads hooked to the first and second retaining portions from being arranged in the thread travel space. During the period when the first retaining part moves from the first wire-hanging position to the first configuration completion position, and during the period when the second retaining part moves from the second wire-hanging position to the second configuration completion position, the limiting member acquires the limiting state. When the first retaining part moves to the first configuration completed position and the second retaining part moves to the second configuration completed position, the limiting member obtains the release state.

11. The thread processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The second retaining part has a plurality of second retaining grooves with the same spacing in the aforementioned arrangement direction as the plurality of first retaining grooves.

12. The thread processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The second holding part described above is a rotating roller that can rotate about a rotation axis along the above-described arrangement direction.

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