Analysis of textile fiber backs of opening

Abstract

A computer-implemented method is disclosed for analyzing a plurality of textile packages (41) arranged in a row to form a package feed (4) and according to which values of a parameter are measured by a sensor device (2). The measured parameter values are transmitted from the sensor device (2) to a computer (3). Each of the parameter values is assigned a graphic code symbol that depends on the parameter value. Each textile package (41) is assigned an associated symbol of the graphic code and a position of the textile package (41) within the package feed (4). For each fiber package (41), the symbol of the assigned graphic code and the assigned position are sent from the computer (3) to an output unit (31). The symbols of the graphical code are output in a graphical representation (500) according to the associated positions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of quality management in the textile industry. According to the preamble of the independent claim, the present invention relates to a computer-implemented method and a device for analyzing a plurality of textile fiber bales arranged to form a bale feed in an opening section of a spinning preparation system. Background Art

[0002] Contamination is one of the biggest problems faced by textile companies today. These materials are different from the base fiber material (e.g., cotton). They can have various sources, such as residues from transport packaging (e.g., plastic packaging, string), civil contamination (e.g., soot particles, plastic bags, clothing fragments), or residues from living organisms (e.g., human or animal hair, plant components). So-called impurities, i.e., unwanted components of the cotton plant itself, such as leaves, stems, seeds, etc., are also referred to as "contaminants" in this document.

[0003] In the opening section of a spinning preparation system, textile fiber bales are arranged to form a bale feed. They are opened by an automatic bale opener and stripped layer by layer, thus being broken down into fiber bundles. The bale opener has a gantry that can move back and forth along the textile fiber bale. The gantry is provided with crossbars extending transversely to the moving direction, and the crossbars are provided with fiber stripping elements. The height position of the crossbars on the gantry can be adapted to the changing height of the textile fiber bale during the stripping process.

[0004] DE-40'38'685A1 discloses a cleaning device that engages with the surface of the fiber bale and is arranged to be movable relative to the surface of the fiber bale. The cleaning device can have, for example, a cleaning roller. A camera arranged to be movable relative to the surface of the fiber bale is used to detect contamination. In a first embodiment, the cleaning device is arranged on a multi-axis robot in a cleaning station located in the entire bale feed system. In a second embodiment, it is arranged in the opening section on the crossbar or gantry of the bale opener.

[0005] Similarly, US-5,489,028A also provides a foreign object detection unit for detecting foreign objects in the fiber bale on a bale stripping device and a foreign object removal unit for automatically removing the located foreign objects. The foreign object removal unit can include a gripper or a suction device.

[0006] According to US-2001 / 049860A1, the processing process of textile fibers is optimized by successively sending the fibers in a processing plant to different processing stations using a transport system. A sensor system is used to continuously determine at least two different physical measurement variables on the optical fibers. Certain fiber properties are derived from the measurement variables and actual values are formed, and then the actual values are compared with the target values of each fiber property in an evaluation device. If there is a deviation from the target value, the operating state of at least one processing station and / or the transport system is changed.

[0007] US-5,917,591A teaches the stripping of fiber bundles from a row of fiber bales by means of a bale stripping device and their conveyance through a pneumatic duct. An optical sensor system attached to the duct and an image processing device connected thereto detect the brightness, degree of contamination and / or color of the fiber material. The position of each fiber bale within the row of fiber bales is determined. The determined brightness, degree of contamination and / or color is assigned to the fiber bale from which the fiber material is stripped.

[0008] According to WO-2018 / 202390A1, the bale opener detects whether an overload occurs on the bale opener during the milling of the fiber bale. The position of the last detected overload relative to the travel path of the bale opener is displayed on the bale opener and / or on a display device coupled thereto.

[0009] EP-3'757'262A1 proposes optically recording the actual state of a textile machine workstation by taking an image. The image is recorded using a portable device (such as a smartphone or data glasses). It is monitored based on the difference between the target state and the corresponding actual state of the workstation. The portable device can provide the operator with visual instructions on how to correct the detected faults, for example using augmented reality. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for analyzing a plurality of textile fiber bales arranged to form a bale feed in an opening section of a spinning preparation system. The present invention aims to enable an operator to quickly, easily and intuitively obtain an overview of the condition of the bale feed. Another object of the present invention is to indicate the local distribution of parameters in the bale feed to check for anomalies and irregularities. The present invention also aims to optimize the processes occurring in the spinning preparation system. In particular, the results of the analysis should be usable for new applications in the spinning preparation system, including applications other than contaminant cleaning. Another object of the present invention is to provide an indication of critical situations and problems in the opening section, thereby enabling their rapid and targeted elimination.

[0011] These and other objects are solved by the method and device according to the invention as defined in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

[0012] A computer-implemented method according to the present invention is used to analyze a plurality of textile fiber bales arranged to form a bale feed in an opening section of a spinning preparation system. For each textile fiber bale, the value of at least one parameter is measured by a sensor device. The measured parameter values are sent from the sensor device to a computer connected to the sensor device. By the computer, a symbol of a graphical code depending on the parameter value is assigned to each of the parameter values. By the computer, a corresponding symbol of the graphical code and the position of the textile fiber bale within the bale feed are assigned to each textile fiber bale. For each textile fiber bale, the assigned symbol of the graphical code and the assigned position are sent from the computer to an output unit. By the output unit, the symbol of the graphical code is output in a graphical representation according to the associated position.

[0013] The at least one parameter is preferably at least one element from the following set: humidity, color characteristic, quantity of contaminants, color characteristic of contaminants, position of contaminants, size of contaminants, type of contaminants.

[0014] In one embodiment, the position of each textile fiber bale is assigned by processing the bale opener and / or by a positioning device, using the signal sent from the sensor device to the computer.

[0015] In one embodiment, a fiber bundle is stripped from the textile fiber bale by a bale opener. A fiber bundle stream containing the fiber bundle is transported by connecting the bale opener to a duct in a processing stage adjacent to the bale opener. The sensor device is attached to the duct. Based on an indication of the instantaneous position of the bale opener and the time interval elapsed between stripping the fiber bundle from the bale opener and the fiber bundle reaching the sensor device, the position of each textile fiber bale is assigned.

[0016] The graphical representation may substantially comprise a scaled-down and simplified image of the bale feed.

[0017] In one embodiment, the output unit consists of a mobile electronic device, and the symbol of the graphical code is displayed in the form of augmented reality (AR) in combination with an image of the bale feed.

[0018] In one embodiment, the graphical code is a color code, a brightness code, and / or a fill pattern code.

[0019] In one embodiment, different categories of the at least one parameter are defined by ranges of parameter values. By the computer, the same symbol of the graphical code is assigned to all parameter values within a category.

[0020] In a further embodiment, a signal that depends on the symbol of the graphic code and the associated position is output by a computer, and the signal is used to effect at least one action from the following set: triggering an alarm, removing material from a certain area of the textile fiber bale, removing the textile fiber bale from the bale feed, controlling the bale opener that processes the bale feed, controlling the bale cleaning device that cleans the bale feed, controlling the devices downstream of the bale opener in the spinning preparation system, in particular the foreign object cleaner, evaluating the bale supplier.

[0021] The device according to the invention is for analyzing a plurality of textile fiber bales arranged to form a bale feed in the opening section of a spinning preparation system. It comprises sensor means for measuring the value of at least one parameter of each of the textile fiber bales, a computer connected to the sensor means, and an output unit connected to the computer. The sensor means has sending means for sending the measured parameter values to the computer. The computer has receiving means for receiving the parameter values sent by the sensor means. The computer is arranged to assign to each of the received parameter values a symbol of a graphic code that depends on the parameter value, to assign to each textile fiber bale an associated symbol of the graphic code and the position of the textile fiber bale within the bale feed, and for each textile fiber bale, to send the assigned symbol of the graphic code and the assigned position from the computer to the output unit. The output unit is arranged to output the symbol of the graphic code in a graphical representation according to the associated position.

[0022] In one embodiment, the at least one parameter is preferably at least one element from the following set: humidity, color characteristic, quantity of contaminants, color characteristic of contaminants, position of contaminants, size of contaminants, type of contaminants.

[0023] In one embodiment, the computer is arranged to assign the position of each textile fiber bale based on a signal sent by the sensor means to the computer, by means of the bale opener that processes the bale feed and / or by means of a positioning device.

[0024] In one embodiment, the sensor means comprises at least one digital camera, which is mounted in a fixed manner or movably relative to the bale feed.

[0025] In one embodiment, the device additionally comprises a bale opener for stripping fiber bundles from the textile fiber bales and a duct for transporting the fiber bundle stream containing the stripped fiber bundles away from the bale opener. The sensor means is arranged on the duct. The computer is configured to: assign the position of each textile fiber bale based on an indication of the instantaneous position of the bale opener and the time interval elapsed between stripping the fiber bundle from the bale opener until the fiber bundle reaches the sensor means.

[0026] The graphical representation may substantially comprise a reduced and simplified image of the bale feed.

[0027] In one embodiment, the device comprises a mobile electronic device, which includes an output unit and is arranged to be combined with an image of a bale feed and display a symbol of a graphic code depending on an associated position in the form of augmented reality. The mobile electronic device is designed as, for example, a smartphone, a tablet or augmented reality glasses.

[0028] In one embodiment, the computer is arranged to assign to each of the received parameter values a symbol of a graphic code in the form of a color code, a brightness code and / or a fill pattern code.

[0029] In one embodiment, the computer is arranged to store different categories of at least one parameter by ranges of parameter values and assign the same symbol of a graphic code to all parameter values within a category.

[0030] In a further embodiment, the computer is arranged to output a signal depending on the symbol of the graphic code and the associated position, the signal being suitable for causing at least one action from the following set: triggering an alarm, removing material from a certain area of the textile fiber bale, removing the textile fiber bale from the bale feed, controlling an opener processing the bale feed, controlling a bale cleaning device cleaning the bale feed, controlling a device downstream of the opener in the spinning preparation system, in particular a foreign matter cleaner, evaluating the bale supplier.

[0031] In this document, "graphic code" is understood to mean a mapping rule which unambiguously assigns a graphically displayable symbol to each parameter value measured by a sensor device. The graphic code is preferably a color code, a brightness code and / or a fill pattern code; however, the term also includes other codes which can be graphically represented, such as alphanumeric codes.

[0032] With the present invention, an operator can quickly, easily and intuitively obtain an overview of the condition of the bale feed at the level of the textile fiber bale. It is possible to check by the operator whether there are abnormalities and irregularities in the local distribution of the parameters in the bale feed. The present invention can also optimize the processes taking place in the spinning preparation system. With the present invention, critical situations and problems in the opening section can be quickly identified and corrected specifically if necessary.

[0033] The present invention also allows new applications to be implemented in the spinning preparation system. Based on the analysis according to the present invention, the bale feed can be optimized, the devices in the spinning preparation system can be controlled and the bale supplier can be evaluated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 A schematic side view of an opening section having a device according to the present invention is shown.

[0036] FIG. 2 schematically shows a table for the relational database of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 3 Shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the method according to the present invention.

[0038] Figure 4 Shows various devices used in the textile manufacturing process in a spinning preparation system.

[0039] Figure 5 Shows an example of a graphical representation output according to the present invention.

[0040] Figure 6 Shows an example of a representation of augmented reality according to the present invention.

[0041] Figure 7 Shows another example of a graphical representation output according to the present invention.

[0042] Figure 8 Shows a schematic side view of the opening section of a further embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

[0043] Figure 9 Schematically shows Figure 8 an embodiment of the sensor device of the device according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Figure 1 Schematically shows in side view the opening section of a spinning preparation system having a device 1 according to the present invention. Wherein, a plurality of textile fiber bales 41 are arranged to form a bale feed 4. The bale opener 5 moves back and forth along the bale feed 4 and strips a fiber bundle composed of textile fibers from the upper exposed bale surface 42. The bale opener 5 generally includes a tower 51 and a height-adjustable boom 52 having fiber stripping elements, the boom being mounted on the tower and protruding above the textile fiber bale 41.

[0045] Each of the textile fiber bales 41 can differ from one another according to various parameters. Examples of such parameters are humidity, color characteristics, quantity of contaminants, color characteristics of contaminants, location of contaminants, size of contaminants, type of contaminants. Other parameters can be mathematical combinations of the foregoing parameters and other parameters. In Figure 1 the schematic diagram, a contaminant 43 is schematically drawn on the bale surface 42 of one of the textile fiber bales 41.

[0046] The device 1 includes a sensor device 2 for measuring the value of at least one parameter in each of the textile fiber bales 41 and a computer 3 connected to the sensor device 2. The connection between the sensor device 2 and the computer 3 is in Figure 1is represented by a first data line 22, where the connection can be wired or wireless.

[0047] In Figure 1 the illustrated embodiment, the sensor device 2 is mounted in a fixed position relative to the bale feed 4. Such a sensor device 2 can be at least one digital camera 2, which is mounted in a fixed manner and monitors the exposed surface 42 of the textile fiber bale 41. The field of view 21 of the camera 2 is schematically shown. Instead of the single camera 2 shown for simplicity, a plurality of cameras can be used, which are preferably mounted at a distance from each other along the bale feed 4 and whose fields of view cover the bale feed 4 without gaps. At least one camera 2 can be mounted on the floor, on the wall or on the ceiling of the spinning preparation system. The image processing and thus the determination of at least one parameter value can be carried out either within the at least one camera 2 itself or externally thereto.

[0048] Alternatively or additionally, the sensor device 2 or a part thereof can be mounted movably in the device 1 according to the invention relative to the bale feed 4. For example, it can be attached to the bale opener 5, as is known from US-5,489,028A. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor device 2 or a part thereof can be carried by at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) 6 flying in the spinning preparation system. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor device 2 or a part thereof can be mounted in a vehicle traveling in the spinning preparation system, where such a vehicle can travel on the floor, on the wall or on the ceiling, for example along at least one track.

[0049] The sensor device can alternatively or additionally be designed differently from a digital camera, for example as a humidity sensor or a metal detector. Such sensor devices as well as digital cameras themselves are known and do not need to be further explained here. Different sensor devices can be used simultaneously, each sensor device being fixed and / or movable relative to the bale feed 4. For example, the device 1 can include a plurality of cameras mounted in a fixed manner and a humidity sensor attached to the bale opener 5.

[0050] The sensor device 2 has a transmitting device for sending at least one measured parameter value to the computer 3. The computer 3 has a receiving device for receiving at least one parameter value sent by the sensor device 2.

[0051] The computer 3 is connected to an output unit 31, such as a computer monitor, for outputting information to an operator. The output unit 31 can be a component of the computer 3. Alternatively, it can be a component of another computer or a mobile electronic device to which the computer 3 can send data.

[0052] The computer 3 is set to receive the parameter values measured by the sensor device 2, assign to each of the parameter values a symbol depending on the graphical code of the parameter value, assign to each textile fiber bale 41 the associated symbol of the graphical code and the position of the textile fiber bale 41 within the bale feed 4, and for each textile fiber bale 41, send the assigned symbol of the graphical code and the assigned position to the output unit 31.

[0053] The output unit 31 is set to display the symbol of the graphical code in a graphical representation according to the associated position.

[0054] Assigning the position of each textile fiber bale 41, for example, is carried out using a signal from the sensor device 2. In an exemplary embodiment having one or more fixed digital cameras 2, the assignment is particularly simple because each textile fiber bale 41 is clearly assigned to each image element (pixel) of at least one digital camera 2. Therefore, it is only necessary to specify the image element for the assignment.

[0055] For a movable sensor device, assigning the position of each textile fiber bale 41 is slightly more complex than using a fixed sensor device, but it is certainly manageable for a person skilled in the art. If the sensor device is attached to the bale opener 5, the assignment can be carried out using a signal sent from the bale opener 5 to the computer 3. For example, the signal can indicate the known position of the bale opener 5 relative to the bale feed 4. In other cases, a positioning device can be used to determine the position of the movable sensor device. Such positioning devices are themselves referred to as "indoor positioning systems" (IPS) and do not need to be discussed in detail here. Various known IPSs function in different ways. One of them includes, for example, radio beacons distributed within the indoor space (in this case the spinning preparation system) and a computer for evaluating the received radio signals. The positioning device in turn can send a signal to the computer 3 that indicates the position of the movable sensor device relative to the bale feed 4.

[0056] In addition to the symbol and position of the graphical code, an identifier of the textile fiber bale 41 can also be assigned to the textile fiber bale 41 by the computer 3. The identifier can be, for example, a serial number or other string. It must clearly identify the textile fiber bale 41 at least within the current bale feed 4, but preferably globally.

[0057] In one embodiment of the invention, different categories are defined for at least one parameter, such as "good", "critical" and "unsatisfactory" categories. The computer 3 assigns the same symbol of the graphical code to all parameter values within a category. For this assignment, a range can be specified for the parameter values, and a category is assigned to each of the parameter ranges. Examples of parameter ranges, categories and symbols are given in Tables 1 and 2 below.

[0058] Instead of a fixed parameter range, the limit values of the parameter range can be continuously adjusted according to the measured parameter values and are defined, for example, as the quantiles of all values of the relevant parameters determined so far in the current bale feed.

[0059] Figure 2 schematically shows an example of tables 201 and 202 of a relational database implemented in a computer 3 for storing parameter values, the symbols of the graphical codes assigned to them, and the positions of textile fiber bales 41. Each row 211, 212,...; 221, 222,... of tables 201 and 202 contains a data tuple related to a specific textile fiber bale 41. The first column 250 of tables 201 and 202 each contains an identifier of the textile fiber bale 41 under discussion. The identifiers serve as the primary keys of the database. They link the rows of the respective tables 201 and 202 to each other.

[0060] The second column 271 of table 201 in Figure 2(a) contains the value of a first parameter, such as the quantity of contaminants detected so far in the corresponding textile fiber bale 41. The third column 281 of table 201 contains the symbol of a first graphical code, which is assigned to the corresponding parameter value. The first graphical code can be, for example, a color code with symbols such as "white", "yellow", "red", etc. The fourth column 291 of table 201 contains information about the position of the textile fiber bale 41 within the bale feed 4. For example, two-dimensional coordinates can be used to specify the position.

[0061] For at least one parameter, different categories can be defined by a range of parameter values, and the same symbol of a graphical code can be assigned to all parameter values within a category by the computer 3. Table 1 gives an example of the first parameter "quantity of contaminants detected so far in the textile fiber bale 41".

[0062] Parameter range Category Symbol of color code <1000 Slight pollution White 1000 to 2000 Moderate pollution Yellow >2000 Severe pollution Red

[0063] Table 1

[0064] The second column 272 of table 202 in Figure 2(b) contains the value of a second parameter, such as the humidity of the corresponding textile fiber bale 41. The third column 282 of table 202 contains the symbol of a second graphical code, which is assigned to the corresponding parameter value. The fourth column 292 of table 202 again contains information about the position of the textile fiber bale 41 within the bale feed 4.

[0065] Table 2 gives an example of the second parameter "humidity of the textile fiber bale 41".

[0066]

[0067]

[0068] Table 2

[0069] Similarly, the database may contain other tables of symbols with other parameters, categories, and / or graphic codes.

[0070] Figure 3 An embodiment of the method according to the present invention is shown. Thus, in each case, a textile fiber bale 41 is considered (see Figure 1 ), which is denoted by reference numeral 311 in Figure 3 . The value of at least one parameter of the textile fiber bale 41 is measured 312 by the sensor device 2. The measured parameter value is transmitted 313 by the sensor device 2 to the computer 3. The computer 3 assigns 314 to each of the parameter values a symbol depending on the graphic code of the parameter value. The computer 3 assigns 315 to each textile fiber bale 41 the associated symbol of the graphic code and the position of the textile fiber bale 41 within the bale feed 4. The assigned symbol of the graphic code and the assigned position are transmitted 316 from the computer 3 to the output unit 31. The output unit 31 outputs 317 the symbol of the graphic code in a graphic representation according to the associated position. Figures 5 to 7 An example of the graphic representation is given. The foregoing method steps 311 - 317 are repeated 318 for each textile fiber bale 41.

[0071] In other embodiments, the order of the individual steps may be different from the order in Figure 3 . For example, steps 311 - 315 may be performed for all textile fiber bales 41, and then the transmission 316 and the display 317 may be performed.

[0072] In one embodiment, the computer 3 may output a signal depending on the symbol of the graphic code and the associated position. The signal output by the computer 3 may be used to cause, in particular, trigger and / or control at least one of the following actions. A plurality of these actions may be performed simultaneously or successively.

[0073] If the parameter value exceeds the allowable range, the signal output by the computer 3 may trigger an alarm. The alarm output may be issued, for example, in a known manner on the device 1 in a sound or visual form. Alternatively or additionally, the alarm may be output to the operator via a mobile electronic device.

[0074] The signal output by the computer 3 may cause a material, such as a contaminant 43, to be specifically removed from a certain area of the textile fiber bale 41. After indicating the position of the contaminant 43 to the operator, the operator may manually perform the removal; see Figure 7Alternatively, contaminants 43 can be automatically removed from the bale of textile fibers 41 by means of a suitable bale cleaning device. Such a bale cleaning device can be designed, for example, as a multi-axis robot according to DE-40'38'685A1, a gripper or a vacuum cleaner on a branch of an opener according to US-5,489,028A, or an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) with a corresponding gripper or vacuum cleaner. Figure 1 An unmanned aerial vehicle 6 as a bale cleaning device is schematically shown in Figure 1 , where the arrow 61 indicates the removal of the contaminants 43.

[0075] If a bale of textile fibers 41 with significantly insufficient parameter values is detected, the signal output by the computer 3 can cause the bale of textile fibers 41 in question to be removed from the bale feed 4. The operator can manually remove the bale of textile fibers after being indicated of its position; see Figure 5 and 7 . Figure 5 and 7 Alternatively, the bale of textile fibers 41 can be automatically removed from the bale feed 4 by means of a suitable device.

[0076] Figure 4 In Figure 4 , the individual devices 401 - 405 of the textile processing process in the spinning preparation system are shown by arrows, namely the opener 401, the coarse cleaner 402, the mixer 403, the fine cleaner 404, and the foreign matter cleaner 405. The device 1 according to the invention is installed in the area of the opener 401. The signal output by the computer 3 can be used to control the openers 5, 401, indicated by the arrow 411. Such control 411 can, for example, cause a bale of textile fibers 41 with insufficient parameter values to be skipped by the opener 5, i.e., not to be stripped.

[0077] Furthermore, the signal output by the computer 3 can be used to control the bale cleaning device for cleaning the bale feed 4, as known from DE-40'38'685A1. This is indicated by the arrow 412 in Figure 4 . The control 412 can, for example, cause a bale of textile fibers 41 that is particularly severely contaminated to be cleaned more thoroughly than other bales of textile fibers 41. Figure 4

[0078] Furthermore, the signal output by the computer 3 can also be used to control 413 the devices downstream of the openers 5, 401 in the spinning preparation system. The downstream devices can be, for example, the foreign matter cleaner 405. An example of the foreign matter cleaner 405 is the device JOSSI VISION SHIELD 2, which is described in the brochure “ JOSSI VISION SHIELD 2 - The perfect starting point for TotalContamination Control” of Uster Technologies AG in 2021. In​Figure 4 In the example shown, the signal output by computer 3 controls the foreign object cleaner 405. For example, if device 1 detects that the bale feed 4 contains an unusually large amount of red contaminants 43, the sensitivity of the foreign object cleaner 405 can be adjusted by the signal output by computer 3, so as to detect and remove more red contaminants 43 than usual. This ensures that no more red contaminants 43 than usual enter the subsequent processing stage.

[0079] Alternatively, the signal output by computer 3 can control devices located downstream of the bale opener 5, 401 other than the foreign object cleaner 405, such as the coarse cleaner 402, the mixer 403, and / or the fine cleaner 404.

[0080] The signal output by computer 3 can also be used to evaluate bale suppliers. For this purpose, an identifier of the supplier supplying the textile fiber bale 41 is assigned to each textile fiber bale 41 by computer 3. The assignment can be recorded in a table as shown in, for example, Figure 2. Based on the assignment, all or part of the textile fiber bales 41 from a specific supplier can be sorted out, and their parameter values can be statistically evaluated. The statistical evaluation can generate a location measure (such as an average value) and / or a dispersion measure (such as a standard deviation). For example, STATISTICS can be used to evaluate the results of the statistical evaluation, so as to evaluate bale suppliers. STATISTICS is a globally recognized benchmark for the quality of textile materials in the textile industry; see NEWS BULLETIN No. 49 and No. 51 of Uster Technologies Ltd in November 2012 and October 2018 respectively, and https: / / www.uster.com / value-added-services / uster-statistics. STATISTICS essentially provides percentile values, which compare the bale suppliers under discussion with all bale suppliers globally, so as to evaluate them. Alternatively, the bale suppliers can be compared with any other group of bale suppliers, for example, with all bale suppliers of the spinning mill under discussion, or with the suppliers who have supplied the textile fiber bales 41 contained in the bale feed 4. In addition, batches from a single supplier can be compared with each other. For example, based on the results of the statistical evaluation, a ranking list of all these bale suppliers can be created; the position of the bale supplier in the ranking list also represents an evaluation.

[0081] Other information related to the quality of the textile fiber bales 41 can also be linked to the identifier of the bale supplier and stored. For example, this can be an image of the contaminants, a distribution map of the quantity, frequency, and type (size, length, color, material, category, etc.) of the contaminants, or information about the quantity of textile fiber bales 41 that are particularly affected. Such information can be made available to the bale supplier to help it improve the quality of the textile fibers in the future.

[0082] Figure 5 An example of the graphical representation 500 output by the output unit 31 is shown. It essentially includes a reduced and simplified image 504 of the bale feed 4, such as a view seen from above.

[0083] In Figure 5 the example, the bale feed 504 consists of four rows of textile fiber bales 541 arranged in a row, which are shown as rectangles. In the center, the bale opener 505 moves back and forth and opens two rows of the bale feed 504 each time. The current movement direction of the bale opener 505 can be indicated by an arrow 553 in the graphical representation 500.

[0084] Without limiting generality, it is assumed that Figure 5 in the exemplary embodiment considered, the parameter is the quantity of contaminants determined in the respective textile fiber bale 541.

[0085] The graphical representation 500 contains symbols of the codes of the parameter values, such as color codes, brightness codes, or fill pattern codes. For the coding in this example, various categories are defined for the parameter in question, and the computer 3 assigns one of the categories to each parameter value according to the corresponding parameter value. All parameter values within a category use the same symbol. In Figure 5 the example, there are three categories, and each category is assigned a color as the symbol of the color code: "lightly contaminated", represented by a white rectangle 543, "moderately contaminated", represented by a yellow rectangle 544, and "heavily contaminated", represented by a red rectangle 545. This results in a "heat map" of the bale feed 504 related to the contamination.

[0086] When displaying (only in this example) the severely contaminated textile fiber bale 545, a warning 546 can also be displayed, which can include details such as the detected degree of contamination and / or suggestions for action. A sound or other alarm triggered by the computer 3 by a signal can alert the operator to the detection of the severely contaminated textile fiber bale 545.

[0087] Using a suitable graphical code, other parameters such as the humidity or color characteristics of the textile fiber bales 41 can be represented in a manner similar to Figure 5 the above. The color characteristics are, for example, hue, color saturation, and / or brightness.

[0088] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the symbols of the graphical code are sent to a mobile electronic device. The symbols of the graphical code are displayed in the form of augmented reality in combination with an image of the bale feed 4 by the mobile electronic device, according to the associated position. Thus, the mobile electronic device outputs a representation of augmented reality to the operator. The mobile electronic device can be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet or augmented reality glasses.

[0089] Figure 6 An embodiment 600 of augmented reality according to the invention is shown. In this exemplary embodiment, the mobile electronic device is (without limiting generality) a smartphone 610, which an operator in the spinning preparation system points at the bale feed 4. The smartphone 610 continuously records images of the bale feed 4 using its built-in camera and displays them in real time on its built-in screen in such a way that they form a continuation of the scene presented to the operator. The images displayed on the smartphone 610 are supplemented by the symbols of the graphical code.

[0090] In Figure 6 the exemplary embodiment, as in Figure 5 the exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the parameter under consideration is the amount of contaminants in the respective textile fiber bale 41. The signs displayed on the smartphone 610 can be the colors of the color code as explained in Figure 5 the case: "lightly contaminated", represented by the white area 643, "moderately contaminated", represented by the yellow area 644, and "heavily contaminated", represented by the red area 645. Furthermore, in the representation of the augmented reality 600 according to Figure 6 a warning 646 can alert the operator to a severely contaminated textile fiber bale.

[0091] The additional information displayed on the smartphone 610 can indicate what proportion of the bale feed 4 has already been stripped and thus taken into account for determining at least one parameter value. This information can be displayed graphically, for example using a cube 647, a bar chart, a pie chart, etc., and / or numerically, for example as a percentage. In Figure 6 the example, the upper part of the cube 647 represents the part of the bale feed 4 that has already been stripped (about 33%). Such information and other information can also be included in the graphical representation 500 according to Figure 5 the invention.

[0092] Figure 7 Similar to Figure 5 , shown in the output unit 31 (see Figure 1)Another example of the graphical representation 700 output above. In this exemplary embodiment, the parameter considered is not the quantity of contaminants in the corresponding textile fiber bale 41, but the position of each individual contaminant 43 in each case. Thus, the determined parameter value is the coordinate of the contaminant 43 within the bale feed 4. The position of the contaminant 43 is indicated in the graphical representation 700 by graphical symbols as symbols of the graphical code, i.e., "x" indicates the determined contaminant to be removed, and "o" indicates the contaminant that has already been removed. Additionally, in this embodiment, a warning 746 can be displayed on the textile fiber bale 41 with an excessive quantity of contaminants and / or an alarm can be output. Using the graphical representation 700, the operator can easily locate the contaminant 43 to be removed and manually remove it from the bale feed 4.

[0093] Alternatively, the position of the contaminant 43 can be output to the operator as a representation similar to Figure 6 of augmented reality, which makes it even easier to locate the contaminant to be removed.

[0094] Using a suitable graphical code, the color characteristics of the contaminant 43, the size of the contaminant 43, and / or the type of the contaminant 43 (e.g., material) can be represented at the corresponding position in a manner similar to that in Figure 7 .

[0095] According to Figure 5 and Figure 7 the graphical representations 500, 700 or according to Figure 6 the augmented reality representation 600 enable the operator to quickly, easily, and intuitively obtain an overview of the condition of the bale feed 4. Additionally, it indicates the local distribution of the parameter considered within the bale feed 4, and whether there are abnormalities and irregularities can be checked. It also provides information about critical situations, thus enabling their quick and targeted correction.

[0096] Figure 8 A further embodiment of the opening section of the device 1 according to the present invention is schematically shown in a side view similar to Figure 1 . In Figure 1 and Figure 8 , the corresponding elements have the same reference signs and do not need to be described again here.

[0097] The device 1 additionally includes an opener 5 for stripping fiber bundles from the textile fiber bale 41 and a duct 8 for transporting the fiber bundle stream containing the stripped fiber bundles away from the opener 5. A fan 81 conveys the fiber bundle stream from the opener 5 through the duct 8 to a processing stage (not shown) adjacent to the opener 5 in the spinning preparation system, such as a coarse cleaner. The conveying direction of the fiber bundle stream 83 is indicated by an arrow 82 in Figure 8 and Figure 9 .

[0098] A sensor device 2 for determining the value of at least one parameter of the fiber bundle flow 83 is attached to the pipeline 8. Examples of at least one parameter are velocity, color characteristics, fluff size, the number of contaminants per unit time, the size of contaminants, the type of contaminants. The cross-section of the pipeline 8 in the area of the sensor device 2 can be rectangular, circular, oval or other shapes.

[0099] The device 1 further includes a computer 3 connected to the sensor device 2. The connection between the sensor device 2 and the computer 3 is represented by a second data line 23 in Figure 8 wherein the connection can be wired or wireless. The determined parameter value is sent from the sensor device 2 to the computer 3 via the second data line 23 and is received and stored at the computer.

[0100] Figure 9 is schematically shown Figure 8 an embodiment of the sensor device 2 of the device 1. The sensor device 2 is arranged on the pipeline 8 for transporting the fiber bundle flow 83 containing the stripped fiber bundles 84. The conveying direction of the fiber bundle flow 83 is again indicated by the arrow 82. In this embodiment, the pipeline 8 has a rectangular cross-section.

[0101] Four light sources 902 are arranged near the windows 901 on the opposite walls of the pipeline 8. The light sources 902 irradiate the fiber bundle flow 83 in the pipeline 8 from different directions. The light sources 902 can be designed as fluorescent tubes or LED arrays, for example. The advantage of the latter is that it is smaller in size and can better adapt to the cross-sectional shape of the pipeline 8. The number of light sources 902 can alternatively be less than or greater than four.

[0102] In Figure 9 the embodiment shown, the sensor device 2 includes a plurality of cameras 904, such as CCD cameras, which record images of the fiber bundle flow 83 through the windows 901 from two different directions. The light emitted by the light sources 902 can be deflected between the windows 901 and the cameras 904 by appropriately tilted mirrors 903 after interacting with the fiber bundle flow 83. The number of cameras 904 can be two or more. For example, 30 micro cameras facing the axis of the pipeline 8 can be installed along the circumference of the pipeline 8.

[0103] The camera 904 is just an example of the sensor of the sensor device 2; other or additional sensors can be used in the sensor device 2. Such alternative or additional sensors can detect the characteristics of the fiber bundle flow 83 caused by electromagnetic waves (including ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, microwaves, sound waves, etc.) in the visible or invisible range. Depending on the type of sensor, a light source is not required.

[0104] The camera 904 is connected to the image processing unit 905 for processing the output signal from the camera 904. The image processing unit 905 is connected to the computer 3 via the second data line 23. Alternatively, the image processing can be performed in the camera 904 itself or in the computer 3.

[0105] The sensor device 2 is used to determine the value of at least one parameter of the fiber bundle stream 83. The parameters are, for example, speed, color characteristics, bundle size, the number of contaminants per unit time, the size of the contaminants, or the type of contaminants. These parameters can be determined based on the image of the fiber bundle stream 83 recorded by the camera 904 and processed by the image processing unit 905. For example, to determine the speed of the fiber bundle stream 83, two consecutive recorded images of the same fiber bundle at different times are required. The distance Δs covered by the fiber bundle can be determined from the two images. The time interval Δt between the two images is known. According to v = Δs / Δt, the speed v can be obtained.

[0106] In Figure 8 the embodiment, the assignment of position information to each received parameter value can be carried out based on an indication of the instantaneous position of the bale opener 5. For this purpose, the bale opener 5 can be connected to the computer 3 via a wired or wireless third data line 24 (see Figure 8 ), and send an indication of its current position to the computer 3 via the third data line 24. Alternatively, the device 1 can include an internal position determination system (not shown), which is connected to the computer 3 via a data line and sends an indication of the instantaneous position of the bale opener 5 to the computer 3 via the data line.

[0107] A specific known time interval Δt elapses from when the fiber bundle 84 is peeled off from the bale opener 5 (see Figure 9 ) until the fiber bundle 84 reaches the sensor device 2. When assigning the position of the textile fiber bale 3 within the bale feed 4 to the textile fiber bale 3, this time interval Δt can be taken into account, that is, the position of the associated partial area of the bale feed 4 where the bale opener 5 is located at time t1 = t2 - Δt is assigned to the parameter value determined at time t2.

[0108] The embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are only a selection of some examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments discussed above. With the understanding of the present invention, those skilled in the art will be able to derive further variants that also form part of the subject matter of the present invention.

[0109] List of reference numerals

[0110] 1 Device according to the invention

[0111] 2 Sensor device, camera

[0112] 21 Field of view of the camera

[0113] 22 First data line

[0114] 23 Second data line

[0115] 24 Third data line

[0116] 3 Computer

[0117] 31 Output unit, screen

[0118] 4 Bale feeder

[0119] 41 Bale of textile fibers

[0120] 42 Exposed surface of the bale of textile fibers

[0121] 43 Contaminant

[0122] 5 Bale opener

[0123] 51 Tower

[0124] 52 Boom

[0125] 6 Unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV

[0126] 61 Remove contaminants

[0127] 201, 202 Tables of the relational database

[0128] 211, 212,...... Rows of Table 201

[0129] 221, 222,...... Rows of Table 202

[0130] 250 First column of Tables 201 and 202

[0131] 271, 281, 291 Other columns in Table 201

[0132] 272, 282, 292 Other columns in Table 202

[0133] 311 Consider a new bale of textile fibers

[0134] 312 Measure at least one parameter value

[0135] 313 Transmit the parameter value to the computer

[0136] 314 Assign a symbol to the parameter value

[0137] 315 Assign a symbol and a location to the bale of textile fibers

[0138] 316 Send the symbol and the location to the output unit

[0139] 317 Display the symbol depending on the location

[0140] 318 Repeat the previous method steps

[0141] 401 Unwrapper

[0142] 402 Coarse cleaner

[0143] 403 Mixer

[0144] 404 Fine cleaner

[0145] 405 Foreign object cleaner

[0146] 411 Control the unwrapper

[0147] 412 Control the bale cleaning device

[0148] 413 Control the device downstream of the unwrapper

[0149] 500,700 Graphic representation

[0150] 504,704 Shown bale feed

[0151] 505,705 Shown unwrapper

[0152] 541,741 Shown textile fiber bale

[0153] 543 White rectangle

[0154] 544 Yellow rectangle

[0155] 545 Red rectangle

[0156] 546,746 Warning

[0157] 553,753 Movement direction of the unwrapper

[0158] 600 Augmented reality representation

[0159] 610 Mobile electronic device, smartphone

[0160] 641 Shown textile fiber bale

[0161] 643 White area

[0162] 644 Yellow area

[0163] 645 Red area

[0164] 746 Warning

[0165] 647 Graphic representation of the peeled part of the fiber bale, cube

[0166] 8 Pipeline

[0167] 81 Fan

[0168] 82 Conveying direction of fiber bundle flow

[0169] 83 Fiber bundle flow

[0170] 84 Fiber bundle

[0171] 901 Window on the pipe wall

[0172] 902 Light source

[0173] 903 Mirror

[0174] 904 Camera

[0175] 905 Evaluation unit

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for analyzing a plurality of textile fiber bales (41) arranged to form a bale feed (4) in an opening section of a spinning preparation system, wherein for each textile fiber bale (41) a value of at least one parameter is measured by a sensor device (2), and the measured parameter value is sent from the sensor device (2) to a computer (3) connected to the sensor device (2), characterized in that by the computer (3), a symbol of a graphic code depending on the parameter value is assigned to each of the parameter values, by the computer (3), a corresponding symbol of the graphic code and the position of the textile fiber bale (41) within the bale feed (4) are assigned to each textile fiber bale (41), for each textile fiber bale (41), the assigned symbol of the graphic code and the assigned position are sent from the computer (3) to an output unit (31), and by the output unit (31), the symbol of the graphic code is output in a graphic representation (500) according to the associated position.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter is at least one element of the following set: humidity, color characteristic, quantity of contaminants (43), color characteristic of contaminants (43), position of contaminants (43), size of contaminants (43), type of contaminants (43).

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein assigning the position of each textile fiber bale (41) is performed by processing an opener (5) of the bale feed (4) and / or by a positioning device, using signals sent from the sensor device (2) to the computer (3).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a fiber bundle (84) is stripped from the textile fiber bale (41) by an opener (5), a fiber bundle stream (83) containing the fiber bundle (84) is transported by connecting the opener (5) to a duct (8) of a processing stage adjacent to the opener (5), the sensor device (2) is attached to the duct (8), and based on an indication of the instantaneous position of the opener (5) and a time interval elapsed between stripping the fiber bundle (84) from the opener (5) until the fiber bundle (84) reaches the sensor device (2), the position of each textile fiber bale (41) is assigned.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphic representation (500) substantially comprises a reduced and simplified image of the bale feed (4).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the output unit (31) consists of a mobile electronic device (610), and the symbol of the graphic code depending on the associated position is combined with an image of the bale feed (4) and displayed in the form of augmented reality.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphic code is a color code, a brightness code, and / or a fill pattern code.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein different categories of the at least one parameter are defined by ranges of the parameter values, and the same symbol of the graphical code is assigned to all parameter values within a category by the computer (3).

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a signal depending on the symbol of the graphical code and the associated position is output by the computer (3), and the signal is used to effect at least one action from the following set: triggering an alarm, removing material from a certain area of the textile fiber bale (41), removing the textile fiber bale (41) from the bale feed (4), controlling (411) the bale opener (401) processing the bale feed (4), controlling (412) the bale cleaning device cleaning the bale feed (4), controlling (413) the devices (402 - 405) downstream of the bale opener (401) in the spinning preparation system, in particular the foreign object cleaner (405), evaluating the bale supplier 10. A device (1) for analyzing a plurality of textile fiber bales (41) arranged to form a bale feed (4) in an opening section of a spinning preparation system, having a sensor device (2) for measuring the value of at least one parameter of each of the textile fiber bales (41), a computer (3) connected to the sensor device (2), and an output unit (31) connected to the computer (3), wherein the sensor device (2) has a transmitting device for sending the measured parameter values to the computer (3), the computer (3) has a receiving device for receiving the parameter values sent by the sensor device (2), and characterized in that the computer (3) is additionally arranged to assign to each of the received parameter values a symbol of a graphical code depending on the parameter value, assign to each textile fiber bale (41) the associated symbol of the graphical code and the position of the textile fiber bale (41) within the bale feed (4), for each textile fiber bale (41), send the assigned symbol of the graphical code and the assigned position from the computer (3) to the output unit (31), and the output unit (31) is arranged to output the symbol of the graphical code in a graphical representation (500) according to the associated position.

11. The device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the at least one parameter is at least one element from the following set: humidity, color characteristic, quantity of contaminants (43), color characteristic of contaminants (43), position of contaminants (43), size of contaminants (43), type of contaminants (43).

12. The device (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the computer (3) is arranged to assign to each textile fiber bale (41) the position of the textile fiber bale (41) based on signals sent by the sensor device (2) to the computer (3) by means of the bale opener (5) of the bale feed (4) and / or by means of a positioning device.

13. The device (1) according to any one of claims 10 - 12, wherein the sensor device (2) comprises at least one digital camera, which is mounted in a fixed manner or is movably mounted relative to the bale feed (4).

14. The device (1) according to any one of claims 10 - 13, additionally comprising an opener (5) for stripping a fiber bundle (84) from the textile fiber bale (41), and a duct (8) for transporting a fiber bundle stream (83) containing the stripped fiber bundle (84) away from the opener (5), wherein the sensor device (2) is arranged on the duct (8), and the computer (3) is configured to: assign a position of each textile fiber bale (41) based on an indication of the instantaneous position of the opener (5) and a time interval elapsed between stripping the fiber bundle (84) from the opener (5) until the fiber bundle (84) reaches the sensor device (2).

15. The device (1) according to any one of claims 10 - 14, wherein the graphical representation (500) substantially comprises a reduced and simplified image of the bale feed (4).

16. The device (1) according to any one of claims 10 - 15, additionally comprising a mobile electronic device (610), which comprises the output unit (31) and is arranged to be combined with an image of the bale feed (4) to display a symbol of the graphical code depending on the associated position in the form of augmented reality.

17. The device (1) according to claim 16, wherein the mobile electronic device (610) is designed as a smartphone, a tablet computer or augmented reality glasses.

18. The device (1) according to any one of claims 10 - 17, wherein the computer (3) is arranged to assign a symbol of the graphical code in the form of a color code, a brightness code and / or a fill pattern code to each of the received parameter values.

19. The device (1) according to any one of claims 10 - 18, wherein the computer (3) is arranged to store different categories of the at least one parameter by ranges of the parameter values, and to assign the same symbol of the graphical code to all parameter values within a category.

20. The device (1) according to any one of claims 10 - 19, wherein the computer (3) is arranged to output a signal depending on the symbol of the graphical code and the associated position, the signal being adapted to cause at least one action from the following set: triggering an alarm, removing material from a certain area of the textile fiber bale (41), removing the textile fiber bale (41) from the bale feed (4), controlling (411) an opener (401) processing the bale feed (4), controlling (412) a bale cleaning device cleaning the bale feed (4), controlling (413) devices (402 - 405) downstream of the opener (401) in the spinning preparation system, in particular a foreign object cleaner (405), evaluating a bale supplier.

Images