Positioning device for joint unit of ring spinning machine and method thereof

Abstract

A positioning device (100) is used for a splicing unit (2) in a ring spinning machine (1), and the ring spinning machine is provided with a yarn fracture detection sensor installed corresponding to each spindle position. The positioning device (100) comprises a sensing unit (6) and a reflector to detect the position of the joint unit (2). The positioning device (100) further comprises a control unit (5) configured to determine the distance the splice unit (2) is to travel and to align the splice unit (2) with the position of the spindle comprising the broken yarn to initiate a yarn splice operation. The positioning device (100) can be adapted to a ring spinning machine (1) having an automatic splicing unit (2) and can be operated without additional construction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a positioning device for an automatic piecing unit in a ring spinning machine, the automatic piecing unit being used for piecing broken yarn ends. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved distance sensing and positioning device and method for an automatic piecing unit in a ring spinning machine. Background Art

[0002] Ring spinning frames are machines that produce yarn in the spinning industry. Globally, the spinning industry faces a long-standing unresolved problem of frequent yarn breaks in ring spinning machines. Yarn breaks are a serious problem that requires regular attention from workers. Today, yarn breaks remain a major drawback of ring spinning machines, forcing a large number of workers to continuously monitor the ring spinning machine on both sides along the entire length of the machine frame, which typically has more than 1,600 spindles and is more than 75 meters long. The broken yarn needs to be manually spliced ​​by the workers, and the spinning sequence must be restarted after the occurrence of yarn breakage to avoid wasting yarn. Today, due to the shortage of skilled manual workers in the spinning industry, there is an urgent need to automate the spinning mills. Even with the limited number of available laborers, the physical fitness and health of the workers are affected as the spinning mills operate 24 / 7 (unless any maintenance or power outage is carried out) and the workers need to walk along the long ring spinning frame all day to manually splice the broken yarn ends.

[0003] As an improvement to the conventional manual piecing method, an automatic piecing unit is being developed. The automatic piecing device involves a robot or a worker located in a piecing vehicle or piecing device, which has a drive unit and a sensing unit built in. This automatic piecing device advances toward the ring spinning machine to perform the piecing operation and returns after completing the piecing operation. It is necessary to reliably position the automatic piecing unit in front of the spindle station before starting the piecing operation.

[0004] In an automatic piecing unit according to German patent publication No. DE4229285, longitudinal positioning rails are arranged along the ring spinning frame. The positioning rails are provided with two or more holes as identification marks in each individual spinning position. When the automatic piecing unit travels back and forth in front of the ring spinning frame, the holes are detected by two inductive sensors arranged in the automatic piecing unit. Based on the modulation of the output signals of the inductive sensors, the number of spindles is calculated and the automatic piecing unit is positioned in front of the spinning station where the broken yarn is located.

[0005] In another known device according to European Patent Publication No. EP0388937, a positioning device for an automatic piecing unit is provided, which is provided with one or more inductive sensors or capacitive sensors for positioning the automatic piecing unit. The device also uses an additional guide rail with multiple pairs of holes as identification marks. The multiple pairs of holes in the guide rail are aligned with the various spinning positions of the ring spinning machine. A pair of sensors installed in the automatic piecing unit detects a pair of holes provided in the guide rail by detecting changes in magnetic permeability or dielectric constant within the sensor detection range. Before positioning the piecing unit relative to the spinning station where the end breakage occurs, the number of spindles to be traveled is calculated.

[0006] The problem with the above-mentioned device is that one or more additional positioning guide rails need to be arranged in front of the ring spinning machine before the automatic joint unit is installed. In addition, the guide rail is provided with a plurality of holes as identification marks in each spinning position. Nowadays, the ring spinning machine is made into a spindle with more than 2000, so the length of the machine extends even more than 75 meters. For the relatively longer ring spinning machine, the required positioning track is more, which leads to a significant increase in the manufacturing cost and operating cost of the automatic joint device for the ring spinning machine. In addition, when positioning based on counting the number of spindles, it is not always possible to achieve accurate positioning in front of the broken yarn spindle. Improper positioning will result in the inability to complete the joint sequence even after multiple attempts, thereby causing the efficiency of the automatic joint unit to decrease. Thus, the reduction in the efficiency of the automatic joint unit can affect the overall production efficiency of the ring spinning machine in the spinning mill.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages, the present invention provides an improved positioning device for an automatic piecing unit of a ring spinning machine.

[0008] Purpose of the Invention

[0009] The main object of the present invention is to provide an improved automatic piecing unit for a ring spinning machine.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved positioning device for an automatic piecing unit of a ring spinning machine.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved positioning device for an automatic piecing unit in a ring spinning machine, which positioning device does not require additional positioning guides. Summary of the invention

[0012] In one aspect, the present invention provides a positioning device for a piecing unit in a ring spinning machine having a yarn break detection sensor installed corresponding to each spindle position. The positioning device includes a sensing unit and a reflector for detecting the position of the piecing unit. The positioning device also includes a control unit configured to determine a distance to be traveled by the piecing unit and align the piecing unit with the position of the spindle including the broken yarn to start a yarn piecing operation.

[0013] According to the present invention, the control unit is configured to cause the piecing unit to travel to the nearest spindle when yarn breakage occurs at two spindles simultaneously.

[0014] According to the present invention, the sensing unit is mounted at the headstock end or tailstock end of the ring spinning machine, either directly on the floor or on the rails of the piecing unit.

[0015] According to the present invention, the sensing unit is installed at the head frame end (gear end) or the tail frame end (exit end) of the ring spinning machine through a bracket device.

[0016] According to the invention, the reflector is a surface of the ring spinning machine, a surface of the piecing unit, a reflecting surface mounted on the ring spinning machine or a reflecting surface mounted on the piecing unit.

[0017] According to the present invention, the sensing unit is a laser sensor, an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor, a vision-based sensor or an electromagnetic sensor.

[0018] According to the present invention, the sensing unit comprises a transmitter and a receiver.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensing unit is installed at the head frame end or the tail frame end of the ring spinning machine, and the reflector is located on the joint unit.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensing unit is mounted on the joint unit, and the reflector is located at the headstock end or the tailstock end of the ring spinning machine.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, two sensing units are located at both ends of the ring spinning machine, and a reflector is provided corresponding to each sensing unit of the ring spinning machine.

[0022] On the other hand, the present invention provides a method for positioning a joint unit in a ring spinning machine having a yarn break detection sensor installed corresponding to each spindle position. The method includes the steps of: when the yarn breaks, sending a signal to a control unit by a sensor installed on the spindle. The method also includes the steps of: detecting the position of the joint unit by a sensing unit and a reflector. The method also includes the steps of: determining the distance to be traveled by the joint unit by the control unit. The method also includes the steps of: aligning the joint unit with the position of the spindle with the yarn break by the control unit to perform a yarn joint operation.

[0023] According to the present invention, the step of aligning the piecing unit includes aligning the piecing unit with the nearest spindle when yarn breakage occurs at a plurality of spindles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 shows a side view of a ring spinning machine according to the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 2 shows a parking position of an automatic piecing unit in a ring spinning machine according to the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 3 A side view showing a sensing unit of a positioning device according to the present disclosure; and

[0027] Figure 4 A logic diagram of a control unit of a positioning device according to the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] These embodiments are provided to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Many details related to specific components are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known equipment structures, and well-known technologies are no longer described in detail.

[0030] References to "one embodiment" or "an implementation" in this disclosure indicate that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described with respect to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. The phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an implementation" appearing in multiple places in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment or implementation.

[0031] The terms used in the present disclosure are only used to illustrate the purpose of specific embodiments, and such terms should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise, the forms "one", "an" and "the" may be intended to also include plural forms. The terms "include", "comprise", "compose", "consist of", "contain" and "have" are open conjunctions, and therefore specify the existence of stated elements, modules, units and / or parts, but do not prohibit the existence or addition of one or more other elements, parts and / or their groups.

[0032] The terms first, second, third, etc. should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure, as these terms may only be used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component or section. Unless explicitly suggested in the present disclosure, terms such as first, second, third, etc. used herein do not imply a particular order or sequence.

[0033] Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 A ring spinning machine 1 according to the present disclosure is shown. The ring spinning machine 1 has a yarn break detection sensor installed for each individual spindle position. The ring spinning machine 1 is provided with a piecing unit 2. The piecing unit 2 is automatic.

[0034] The piecing unit 2 assists in the yarn piecing operation during a yarn break in the ring spinning machine 1. During the piecing operation, the spindle where the broken yarn is located is braked, and the broken yarn end is lifted upstream from the bobbin 3 by a blowing device (not shown). The lifted yarn end is held inside a suction tube (not shown) of the piecing unit 2 located above the bobbin 3. The yarn end held by the suction tube passes / inserts into the inside of a ring traveler (not shown), and then the yarn end is pieced with the delivery yarn from the drafting zone 4. The piecing unit 2 needs to be aligned with the spindle where the broken yarn is located before starting the piecing operation. The present invention provides a positioning device 100 to ensure that the piecing unit 2 can be properly aligned with the spindle where the broken yarn is located.

[0035] The positioning device 100 includes a sensing unit 6. The sensing unit 6 is a laser sensor fixedly mounted at the headstock end (gear end) or the tailstock end (exit end) of the ring spinning machine 1. It should be noted that, without limiting the scope of the disclosure, the sensing unit 6 can be arranged at both ends of the ring spinning machine 1. It should be noted that, without limiting the scope of the disclosure, the sensing unit 6 can be installed at the headstock end or the tailstock end of the ring spinning machine 1, or directly on the floor or on the track 9 of the joint unit 2. According to the disclosed embodiment, the sensing unit 6 is a laser sensor. It should be noted that, without limiting the scope of the disclosure, the sensing unit 6 can be an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor, a vision-based sensor, or an electromagnetic sensor.

[0036] The positioning device 100 further comprises a control unit 5. The control unit 5 is configured to determine the distance that the piecing unit 2 is to travel, and align the piecing unit 2 with the spindle position where the broken yarn is located to start the yarn piecing operation.

[0037] The sensing unit 6 has a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter of the sensing unit 6 is configured to emit a laser beam toward the joint unit 2. The reflector on the joint unit 2 reflects the emitted laser beam toward the receiver of the sensing unit 6. Therefore, the reflector is always installed opposite to the sensing unit 6. It should be noted that, without limiting the scope of the disclosed content, the reflector can be the surface of the joint unit 2, or the surface of the ring spinning machine 1, or a reflective surface installed on the joint unit 2 or the ring spinning machine 1. The sensing unit 6 determines the distance between the sensing unit 6 and the automatic joint unit 2 by at least one of the following techniques: travel time, multi-frequency phase shift, interferometry, light attenuation caused by atmospheric absorption, triangulation.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensing unit 6 is mounted at the headstock end or the tailstock end, and the reflector is located on the joint unit 2. In another embodiment, the sensing unit 6 is mounted on the joint unit 2, and the reflector is located at the headstock end or the tailstock end. The sensing unit 6 is mounted with a bracket device 7. It should be noted that any other mounting method 200 can be used to mount the sensing unit 6 without limiting the scope of the disclosed content.

[0039] In another embodiment, the ring spinning machine 1 is provided with at least two sensing units 6 (not shown), which are both located at both ends of the track 9 / ring spinning machine 1, such as one sensing device is located at the head frame and the other sensing device is located at the tail frame. Accordingly, the joint unit 2 is provided with two reflectors (not shown) on both sides, each of which is used for the corresponding sensing unit 6, or the structure of the joint unit 2 itself is used as a reflective element. The joint unit 2 is positioned in front of the broken yarn spindle based on the detection distance values ​​received from the two sensing units 6. The detected distance between the sensing unit 6 and the automatic joint unit 2 is displayed in a display unit (not shown) provided in the sensing unit 6. The distance can also be displayed in the display of the joint unit 2 and / or the ring spinning machine 1.

[0040] like Figure 4 As shown in , the control unit 5 controls the speed of the drive motor 8 of the piecing unit 2 based on the detected distance between the sensing unit 6 and the reflector. The control unit 5 is configured to increase the speed of the drive motor 8 when the distance required for the automatic piecing unit 2 to reach the broken yarn spindle position is greater than a predetermined distance. The control unit 5 is also configured to reduce the travel speed of the piecing unit 2 by reducing the speed of the drive motor 8 of the piecing unit 2 when the distance required for the piecing unit 2 to reach the broken yarn spindle position is less than a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance can be manually set by an operator in a display of the piecing unit 2 or in a display of the ring spinning machine 1.

[0041] In one embodiment, the ring spinning machine 1 with the piecing unit 2 is provided with at least one parking sensor (not shown). The parking sensor is installed in at least one end of the structure of the piecing unit 2 or the ring spinning machine 1 close to the track 9. The end may be the headstock or tailstock of the ring spinning machine 1. The parking sensor ensures the parking position of the automatic piecing unit 2 at the headstock side or tailstock side of the ring spinning machine 1.

[0042] In one embodiment, the automatic joint unit 2 is provided with at least one light emitting device, such as an LED lamp, on the outer cover. The LED lamp can emit light of different colors corresponding to various movements of the automatic joint unit 2, such as green, orange, and red. For example, a green LED light indicates that a traveling movement is in progress. Orange indicates that the automatic joint unit 2 is performing a joint action on a broken yarn spindle. Red indicates that an object interferes between the light of the sensing unit 6 and the automatic joint unit 2. The automatic joint unit 2 is provided with at least one stop element (not shown), which is located on the track 9 at the head frame end (gear end) or the tail frame end (departure end) of the ring spinning machine 1 through a connecting device. The stop element prevents the automatic joint unit from derailing from the end of the track.

[0043] In another embodiment, when yarn breakage occurs at a plurality of spindles, the control unit 5 is configured to move the piecing unit 2 to the spindle closest to the piecing unit 2 to perform a yarn piecing operation.

[0044] The positioning of the piecing unit 2 is performed by the method 200. The method 200 includes the step of sending a signal to the control unit 5 through a sensor mounted on the spindle when the yarn breaks. The method 200 also includes the step of detecting the position of the piecing unit 2 through the sensing unit 6 and the reflector. The method 200 also includes the step of determining the distance to be traveled by the piecing unit 2 through the control unit 5. The method 200 also includes the step of aligning the piecing unit 2 with the spindle position where the broken yarn is located through the control unit 5 to perform a yarn piecing operation.

[0045] The step of aligning the piecing unit 2 in the method 200 includes aligning the piecing unit 2 with the nearest spindle when yarn breaks occur at multiple spindles. The alignment of the piecing unit 2 with the nearest spindle improves the efficiency of the piecing unit 2.

[0046] The sensing unit 6 of the present invention can be installed in an existing ring spinning machine 1 already in operation in a spinning mill. Before starting the piecing sequence, the piecing unit 2 is always accurately positioned in front of the broken yarn spindle based on the distance measurements received from the sensing unit 6. The present invention also has the advantage that there is no need to provide a separate sensing rail over the entire length of the ring spinning machine 1, so that the manufacturing cost and the operating cost are greatly reduced when implementing the present invention.

[0047] In the appended claims, various embodiments and various features and advantageous details thereof will be described herein with reference to non-limiting embodiments. Descriptions of known components and processing techniques are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended only to help understand the manner in which the embodiments herein can be implemented, and also to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Therefore, these examples should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0048] Any discussion of devices, articles and the like included in this specification is for the purpose of providing a context for the present disclosure only. Such discussion should not be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as they existed before the priority date of the present application.

Claims

1. A positioning device (100) for a piecing unit (2) in a ring spinning machine (1), the ring spinning machine having a yarn breakage detection sensor installed corresponding to each spindle position, the positioning device (100) comprising: A sensing unit (6) and a reflector, used to detect the position of the joint unit (2); as well as A control unit (5) is configured to determine the distance that the piecing unit (2) is to travel and align the piecing unit (2) with the position of the spindle including the broken yarn to start the yarn piecing operation.

2. The positioning device (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit (5) is configured to move the piecing unit (2) to the spindle closest to the piecing unit (2) when yarn breakage occurs at a plurality of spindles.

3. The positioning device (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The sensing unit (6) comprises a transmitter and a receiver.

4. The positioning device (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The reflector is a surface of the ring spinning machine, a surface of the piecing unit, a reflective surface mounted on the ring spinning machine, or a reflective surface mounted on the piecing unit.

5. The positioning device (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The sensing unit (6) is mounted at the head frame end or the tail frame end of the ring spinning machine, or directly on the floor or on the track (9) of the joint unit (2).

6. The positioning device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The sensing unit (6) is installed at the head frame end (gear end) or the tail frame end (exit end) of the ring spinning machine through a bracket device (7).

7. The positioning device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The sensing unit (6) is a laser sensor, an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor, a vision-based sensor or an electromagnetic sensor.

8. The positioning device (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The sensing unit (6) is installed at the head frame end or the tail frame end of the ring spinning machine, and the reflector is located on the joint unit (2).

9. The positioning device (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The sensing unit (6) is mounted on the joint unit (2), and the reflector is located at the head frame end or the tail frame end of the ring spinning machine.

10. The positioning device (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The two sensing units (6) are respectively located at two ends of the ring spinning machine, and the reflector is provided corresponding to each sensing unit (6) of the ring spinning machine.

11. A method (200) for positioning a piecing unit (2) in a ring spinning machine (1), the ring spinning machine having a yarn breakage detection sensor installed corresponding to each spindle position, the method (200) comprising the following steps: When the yarn breaks, a signal is sent to a control unit (5) via the sensor mounted on the spindle; Detecting the position of the joint unit (2) by means of a sensing unit (6) and a reflector; determining, by means of the control unit (5), the distance to be travelled by the joint unit (2); and The control unit (5) is used to align the joint unit (2) with the position of the spindle with the broken yarn to perform a yarn joint operation.

12. The method (200) according to claim 11, wherein: The step of aligning the piecing unit (2) comprises: when yarn breakage occurs at a plurality of spindles, aligning the piecing unit (2) with the nearest spindle.

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