Maintenance device for a ring spinning machine for carrying out and evaluating a status detection of a workstation and / or the maintenance device

Abstract

The invention relates to a maintenance device (1) for carrying out a service operation at a work station of a ring spinning machine, wherein the maintenance device (1) comprises a basic structure (2), wherein at least one handling means (3) and a control unit (4) are attached to the basic structure (2), and wherein at least one lighting means (5) for illuminating at least one sub-area of ​​a work station and a camera (6) that can be positioned on the basic structure, wherein the camera (6) generates image data of both the at least one sub-area of ​​the work station and of the handling means (3) of the maintenance device, and wherein the maintenance device (1) further comprises an evaluation device for evaluating the image data generated by the camera (6).The invention further comprises a method for carrying out condition monitoring and evaluation and / or a maintenance device using a maintenance device according to the invention.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a maintenance device for carrying out service operations at a workstation of a ring spinning machine and for carrying out and evaluating a status detection of a workstation of the ring spinning machine as well as a method for carrying out a status analysis of a workstation of a ring spinning machine according to the preambles of the independent patent claims. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] Ring spinning machines are well known in the art. To maximize the efficiency of a ring spinning machine, flawless operation of each work station on the ring spinning machine must be ensured. Maintenance work and repairs must be carried out promptly so that the work station is not idle for long, and precautions must be taken to prevent a standstill in the first place. In the event of a yarn break, the piecing process must be carried out immediately. For a long time, so-called maintenance trolleys have been used for various maintenance tasks. If necessary, they move towards an abnormal situation (be it due to a defect or a yarn break, etc.) and carry out the appropriate maintenance. An example of this is shown in EP 398 70 90 A1. Maintenance trolleys are also known which can detect work stations for anomalies that could lead to operational disruptions.

[0003] For example, EP 230 40 86 B1 discloses that a service unit is equipped with a camera, which can be used to record conditions such as the positions of moving components at the workstation or the service unit. Furthermore, such condition recording can be used for fault diagnosis. This not only triggers automatic reactions of the service unit or the workstation, but also enables fault diagnosis by an operator located at a greater distance. For this purpose, the camera image can be transmitted to the operator via a data line, for example, the internet.

[0004] The disadvantage of this approach is that it requires an operator to diagnose the problem. Valuable time is lost due to the transmission of camera images to the operator and the operator's misdiagnosis.

[0005] EP 3 628 761 A1 shows a service trolley that approaches a spinning station and determines the status of the spinning station in terms of the feasibility of the service trolley's standard program for remedying a yarn break. For this purpose, at least one sensor, e.g., a camera, is used, which is directly or indirectly connected to a status determination module, where the information is used for image analysis (comparison with reference images). The image analysis can be trained (including self-learning) in order to be able to perform the image analysis in a short time under changing conditions such as production speed, yarn color, etc. If the status of the spinning machine's workstation is suitable for remedying the yarn break using the service trolley's standard program, the decision is made by the service trolley or the ring spinning machine.

[0006] The disadvantage of this solution is that the service trolley only determines whether a thread break can be rectified using a standard program and does not provide any information about the condition of the spinning station and / or the service trolley before, during and after the thread break has been rectified. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The object of the present invention is to propose a maintenance device for performing and evaluating a status assessment of a workstation and / or the maintenance device, which is cost- and time-saving and contributes to the efficient operation of a ring spinning machine and / or the maintenance device. A corresponding method is also proposed.

[0008] According to the invention, the object is achieved by a maintenance device for carrying out service actions at a work station of a ring spinning machine, wherein the maintenance device comprises a basic structure, a control unit and at least one handling means being attached to the basic structure. Furthermore, the maintenance device comprises at least one lighting means for illuminating at least one partial area of ​​the work station of a ring spinning machine at which a service action is to be carried out, and wherein the maintenance device comprises at least one camera which can be positioned on the basic structure of the maintenance device in such a way that image data can be generated both from the at least one partial area of ​​the work station and from the handling means of the maintenance device, and wherein the maintenance device further comprises an evaluation device for evaluating the image data generated by the camera.

[0009] The control unit of the maintenance device serves to control the maintenance device itself as well as the at least one handling device attached to the base structure of the maintenance device. The maintenance device is guided to the work station of the ring spinning machine that requires servicing and positioned in front of it in such a way that the at least one handling device attached to the base structure can perform the servicing at the work station or on the spinning components (e.g., ring, traveler, yarn guide, balloon constriction ring, drafting system, etc.). The handling device is controlled by the control unit of the maintenance device. The control unit represents a so-called embedded system and is configurable.

[0010] One service action is, for example, the attachment of the thread (short attachment procedure) after a thread breakage.

[0011] The presence of a yarn break is detected, for example, by the ISM (Individual Spindle Monitoring System) or a third-party system. The ISM reports to the control unit of the ring spinning machine, which informs the maintenance facility. Further actions that can be carried out by the maintenance facility are maintenance work such as cleaning the respective spinning components using, for example, compressed air or mechanical handling equipment, whereby fiber residue or flyaways are removed, or closing open spinning components (e.g. yarn guides). This maintenance work can be carried out more or less simultaneously with the service action (e.g. the piecing process). Changing travelers or rovings, etc. is also conceivable. In the context of the invention, service action is understood to mean the action for which the maintenance facility is called to the corresponding spinning station.This is why the maintenance equipment initially stops at the corresponding spinning station. This is usually a thread break, but could also be, for example, the need to clean a spinning component, a traveller that needs to be replaced, or something similar, which was discovered, for example, during the performance of a service by the maintenance equipment and reported to the maintenance equipment or machine control system, but was not carried out by the maintenance equipment performing the service. In this case, the service action for the maintenance equipment called to the corresponding spinning station is cleaning the corresponding spinning component.

[0012] A basic structure of a maintenance device can, for example, be designed as a housing to protect the at least one handling means attached to it as well as the other components of the maintenance device, such as the control unit, power supply, data lines, etc. The basic structure of a maintenance device, in the form of a housing, is, when the maintenance device is positioned in front of the work station of the ring spinning machine requiring servicing, at least partially open towards the work station of the ring spinning machine, so that the at least one handling means can reach the respective spinning components of the work station of the ring spinning machine in order to be able to carry out the respective servicing. The basic structure offers space for accommodating / attaching all components of the maintenance device, such as the handling means, control unit, power supply, data lines, operating unit (e.g.in the form of a touchscreen) and other components known from the prior art, as well as at least one lighting device, at least one camera, at least one evaluation device, and further data transmission lines. Alternatively, the basic structure can be a platform, a base plate, on which at least one handling device and other components of the maintenance device as listed above are mounted. The basic structure can be designed to be movable.

[0013] The at least one lighting means is designed in such a way that it illuminates at least a partial area of ​​the work station (as defined below). If at least a partial area of ​​the work station or the entire work station is illuminated, the thread / fibre structure to be processed as well as thread remnants or other dirt or signs of wear can be more easily recorded by the camera - regardless of their nature or colour. For example, in normal spinning operations, the thread / fibre structure to be processed is difficult to see with the naked eye or with a camera. Illuminating at least a partial area of ​​the work station enables the camera to record the thread / fibre structure to be processed and thus enables the thread path to be recorded. Likewise, illuminating at least a partial area of ​​the work station (or the entire work station) can detect dirt in the form of, for example,Thread remnants or fly-aways on the respective spinning components can be detected by the camera. Furthermore, the camera can use illumination to detect signs of wear or damage (e.g., wear on the rollers, the traveler, etc.) on spinning components, as well as missing or incorrectly positioned spinning components. Adequate illumination also eliminates any image noise. At least one light source is designed to either occupy a fixed position in or on the maintenance device, or to be pivotable (possibly controlled by the maintenance device's control unit).

[0014] The at least one illuminant may consist of a plurality of illuminants arranged in a formation (also fixed or pivotable).

[0015] In this context, a sub-area of ​​a workstation on a ring spinning machine is defined as follows: A workstation on a ring spinning machine comprises spinning components such as, among others, the output roller, drafting system, yarn guide, balloon constriction ring, ring and traveler, spindle, tube (or cop). In addition, the fiber structure to be processed runs along the spindle axis between the pair of output rollers and the spindle in the form of a thread. A sub-area of ​​a workstation on a ring spinning machine is therefore understood to mean one or more spinning components, including the thread to be processed running along the spindle axis in the area of ​​this spinning component (if present).

[0016] The illumination of at least one sub-area of ​​a workstation on a ring spinning machine automatically illuminates the corresponding handling device of the maintenance device as soon as a service operation is performed by the maintenance device. Thus, the at least one handling device can be recorded by the camera at least during the service operation (e.g., the thread path from the illuminated sub-area of ​​the workstation to the handling device with the aim of determining whether the thread has been captured by the handling device or not).

[0017] A maintenance facility typically includes at least one manual handling device. This device—possibly in cooperation with other handling devices—performs the service operation (e.g., the piecing process) at the spinning station and moves along the work station of the ring spinning machine in a coordinated manner. The handling device can be designed as a multi-axis robot arm. If only one handling device is present, it fulfills several functions within the scope of a service operation (e.g., searching for the thread during the piecing process, guiding the thread / replacement thread along the work station, etc.). If multiple handling devices are present, each handling device fulfills at least one function within the scope of the service operation.

[0018] A camera in the context of the invention is a commercially available camera for generating moving and / or still image data. In one embodiment of the invention, this can be a high-speed camera. The camera can be mounted in or on the housing of the maintenance device. The camera is to be positioned such that its image area covers either the entire workstation of the ring spinning machine or at least one partial area of ​​the workstation, preferably illuminated. In addition, the camera can zoom in on specific partial areas of the workstation, spinning components, or relevant parts of spinning components. Relevant areas of spinning components are those parts that are prone to contamination, wear, or damage, thereby increasing the risk of thread breakage or the need for repair.A resulting downtime of the ring spinning machine's workstation reduces the efficiency of the ring spinning machine and, as already mentioned, should be avoided.

[0019] In the context of the invention, image data is preferably moving but also still image data generated by the camera in the form of videos or photos.

[0020] The evaluation unit is a computer (general purpose computer) equipped with a processor (complex CPU), persistent memory, and RAM, as well as (freely programmable) interfaces for, among other things, the camera (e.g., Camera Serial Interface or USB). The evaluation unit also has data transmission cable(s) (serial or parallel - USB cable, network cable, BUS) from an interface on the computer to the control unit of the maintenance device. Alternatively, the image data can also be transmitted wirelessly. The persistent memory is used to store the operating system and the software for automatic image recognition (image recognition process), as well as any image data. The software is configurable / parameterizable / trainable.

[0021] Advantageously, the at least one lighting means can be positioned on the maintenance station in such a way that the at least one handling means of the maintenance device is also illuminated. The lighting means therefore additionally illuminates the at least one handling means of the maintenance device. By illuminating at least a partial area of ​​the work station of the ring spinning machine as well as the at least one handling means of the maintenance device, the camera can take images before, during and / or after the servicing operation, which also clearly show the at least one handling means. By illuminating the at least one handling means, the camera can see, for example, whether the thread (or replacement thread, if applicable) is actually in the at least one handling means and is being guided by it along the spinning station.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is possible to change the light color of the at least one illumination device. The at least one illumination device comprises different, selectable light colors. This has the advantage that different objects can be made more easily recognizable. Possible colors correspond to the entire color spectrum – from ultraviolet (UV) to infrared (IR). For example, it is advantageous to use UV light to detect flying debris or the path of a white thread. The use of different colors has a positive effect on the quality of the condition detection and, consequently, the evaluation. The light color can be freely selected.

[0023] It is also advantageous if at least one lighting source offers different, selectable light intensities. This also has the positive effect of making different conditions more easily recognizable for the at least one camera, thus making the analysis more accurate. The light intensity can be measured in lumens, watts, or Kelvin and selected accordingly.

[0024] To further optimize condition detection and analysis, it is advantageous if at least one camera has a variety of electronically adjustable color filters. For example, it has been shown that a white thread is more easily visible without the use of an infrared filter. Depending on the design, the color filters also encompass all colors of the color spectrum.

[0025] In summary, the more detailed and accurate the camera images are, the higher the quality of the condition recording and evaluation.

[0026] Advantageously, the maintenance device comprises a data transmission means for transmitting the evaluated image data from the evaluation device to the control unit.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the basic structure of the maintenance device, when positioned in front of the workstation of the ring spinning machine, is designed to be at least partially open towards the workstation of the ring spinning machine. This is particularly advantageous if the basic structure is designed in the form of a housing. This design offers the possibility of operating the workstation of the ring spinning machine or performing the servicing operation using the at least one handling device. It is also possible to illuminate partial areas of the workstation, spinning components, or even the entire workstation in order to ensure optimal conditions for camera recordings.The at least one lighting means can be positioned on the area of ​​the basic structure of the maintenance device opposite the work station of the ring spinning machine in such a way that both the at least one handling means and at least partial areas of the work station can be illuminated / illuminated. It is entirely possible for one lighting means to be positioned in such a way that only at least partial area of ​​the work station is illuminated and for a second lighting means to be positioned in the maintenance device (e.g. on the rear wall of the housing of a maintenance device) that the at least one handling means is illuminated. Regardless of how many lighting means are present / positioned, care must be taken to ensure that no shadows are cast in the partial areas / components of the work station to be detected (incl.Thread path) with respect to the camera's image area—this would negatively impact the state detection and, consequently, the evaluation. The position of the at least one camera as well as the at least one illumination means can be changed / controlled during the process. Corresponding means are provided within the scope of the invention.

[0028] Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by a method for carrying out a status detection and evaluation of a workstation of a ring spinning machine and / or the maintenance device using a maintenance device according to the invention, wherein the method comprises the following steps and wherein the method steps are partially carried out simultaneously: Positioning a maintenance device in front of a work station on a ring spinning machine that requires servicing. Illuminating at least a partial area of ​​the work station on a ring spinning machine that requires servicing. Generating image data before, during and / or after the service operation has been carried out. Transmitting the image data to the evaluation unit. Evaluating the image data in the evaluation unit. Classifying an evaluation result by the evaluation unit. Generating a command based on the classification of the evaluation result, which command is transmitted to the control unit of the maintenance device.

[0029] In the context of the invention, the method for performing condition detection essentially enables the monitoring of a workstation and / or a maintenance facility before, during, and / or after performing a service operation. The condition of both the moving and stationary spinning components (including the yarn to be processed) at a workstation of a ring spinning machine, as well as, depending on the embodiment, of the at least one handling device of the maintenance facility, is detected. Possible conditions are present / not present, open / closed, contaminated / not contaminated, correct position / incorrect position, functional operation / non-functional operation, etc.

[0030] This requires, as a first step, the precise positioning of the maintenance device in front of the work area of ​​the ring spinning machine requiring service. The need for service is usually determined by the ring spinning machine's control system (e.g., ISM informs the ring spinning machine's control system; the ring spinning machine's control system calls the maintenance device). Alternatively, this can be done by an operator or a third-party resource.

[0031] The positioning in front of the working station of the ring spinning machine - usually centered in relation to the spindle axis - is controlled by the control unit of the maintenance device.

[0032] At the latest when the maintenance equipment has assumed the required position in front of the work station of the ring spinning machine, at least a partial area or alternatively the entire work station is illuminated using the at least one lighting device of the maintenance equipment. Now at least one camera is activated to generate image data. The camera or its image area can capture a specific partial area of ​​the work station of the ring spinning machine (e.g. the illuminated partial area), which can be zoomed in on by the camera if necessary. Capturing the entire work station using the camera's image area is also conceivable. Depending on the position of the camera within the maintenance equipment, the at least one handling device of the maintenance equipment is also captured.

[0033] The image data generated is transmitted either directly or via a data transmission line to the evaluation device, where the image data is evaluated.

[0034] Image recognition software is provided to evaluate the image data. The software is essentially based on comparing the actual state with the target state of the respective sub-areas of the workstation or spinning components, or of the entire workstation. Initially, this comparison is performed by an expert and fed into the software (generating expert knowledge). As the number of images and evaluations increases, the software is trained and subsequently recognizes the states of the sub-areas of the workstation or spinning components. It can subsequently detect errors (faulty spinning component, incorrect execution of a service action, faulty handling equipment). Machine learning methods (e.g., deep learning algorithms such as neural networks) are used for this purpose.

[0035] The result of the evaluation describes, at the time t of the generation of the image data (before, during and / or after the execution of the service action), the state of the object captured by the camera or its image area (e.g. spinning component (including thread to be processed), part of the work station of the ring spinning machine, entire work station of the ring spinning machine, handling equipment of the maintenance facility) in the sense of target state given or not or, in layman's terms: is there a problem or not.

[0036] If the target state is not met or is met alternatively, the results are classified, which leads to corresponding commands to the control unit of the maintenance facility.

[0037] Examples of this are: If no thread is visible before execution, e.g., in the traveler (=status), it is confirmed that a thread break has occurred (=classification). The resulting command is "Monitor / Continue process."

[0038] In the next process step, still before the service action is performed, additional image data is generated and transmitted to the evaluation unit, which evaluates and classifies whether all conditions for a successful application procedure are met or whether maintenance work (e.g., by the maintenance equipment) needs to be performed at the work site. Depending on the design, image data from the maintenance equipment's handling equipment is also generated and transmitted. For example, the evaluation results in the following states: Contamination of the drafting system (upper or lower roller or cylinder), the yarn guide, the balloon constriction ring, the traveller, the spindle brake or the suction system or the compressed air system present or not Roving present or not Drafting system unit / lever closed or not Tube or cop present or not Traveller present or not Spindle brake present or not Spindle rotates properly or not Contamination of handling equipment or not

[0039] For the purposes of the invention, contamination includes residual threads, wrapping around rotating and non-rotating spinning components, fly-aways, etc.

[0040] In the evaluation unit, these states are classified as "service action feasible," "maintenance work necessary," or "no action possible." This classification justifies the corresponding command to the control unit of the maintenance device, such as: carry out service action carry out maintenance work e.g. "cleaning thread guide" or "cleaning handling device" by removing from work site

[0041] Additionally, information about the need for maintenance work that cannot be performed by the maintenance equipment can be sent to the ring spinning machine. The maintenance work can then be performed by an operator or a suitable unit.

[0042] If the command "Perform service action" is issued, the service action is performed in the next process step. During the service action, additional image data is generated and transmitted to the evaluation unit. Image data from the maintenance equipment's handling equipment is usually also generated and transmitted. These states could include, for example: Handling device operates correctly or not. Thread is grasped by handling device or not. Roving is delivered or not. Re-contamination of the drafting device (top or bottom roller or cylinder). Trajectories of at least one handling device are correct or not. Spindle rotates correctly or not. etc.

[0043] These determined states provide information on whether the thread break is successfully remedied and / or whether the at least one handling device requires maintenance work (including changes in the control program of the maintenance device or of the at least one handling device for carrying out the piecing process), and / or whether the work station (partial areas of the work station or spinning components) requires further maintenance work.

[0044] In the evaluation unit, these states are classified into “perform service action” or “maintenance work necessary” or “no action possible”, etc.

[0045] This classification justifies the corresponding command to the control unit of the maintenance facility such as carry out service action carry out maintenance work e.g. "cleaning thread guide" or "adaptation control program" by removing from work station report to ring spinning machine

[0046] At this point, i.e., during the execution of the service action, the method provides for, for example, the control of at least one handling device according to the evaluation results. This allows the trajectories of the at least one handling device to be determined in real time. For example, based on the evaluation result, it is known exactly where the roving is located in the drafting system, and the trajectories of the at least one handling device can be adjusted such that the thread-guiding handling device directly controls the roving and deposits the thread there for splicing.

[0047] If the maintenance device remains at the spinning station, i.e. after a service operation has been carried out, image data continues to be generated and transmitted to the evaluation unit where it is evaluated.

[0048] After a service operation (or maintenance work, if applicable) has been carried out, the following conditions can be determined: Thread / fibre structure runs over the entire spinning position or not. Soiling on the drafting system (top or bottom roller or cylinder), on the thread guide, on the balloon constriction ring, on the traveller, on the spindle brake or on the suction system or on the compressed air system is present or not. Roving is delivered or not. Drafting system unit / lever is closed or not. Traveller rotates on the ring correctly or not. Spindle rotates correctly or not. Handling equipment of the maintenance device is functional or not. Handling equipment of the maintenance device is dirty or not, etc.

[0049] These states provide information about whether the service action was successfully completed and also indicate whether further maintenance work is necessary or whether another thread break is expected soon. Furthermore, based on the evaluated states of the workstation and / or maintenance equipment, strategies for the next service action can be developed – for example, if an incorrectly positioned thread guide is detected, the trajectories of at least one handling unit are adjusted accordingly.

[0050] The classification of conditions at this time are, for example: Service action successfully completed Maintenance work required Replacement of a spinning component required Workstation prone to errors

[0051] This results in the following commands, for example: Distance from work site Carrying out maintenance work Notification to machine control of the ring spinning machine

[0052] If a message is sent to the machine control of the ring spinning machine, this initiates further actions such as: monitoring the work station (maintenance equipment passes the work station frequently) or initiating an order for spare parts via a maintenance system, etc.

[0053] Advantageously, the method provides that the method step of illuminating at least one partial area of ​​the workstation additionally includes illuminating at least one handling device of the maintenance facility. This ensures that the generated images of the partial areas of the workstation as well as the handling devices are of high quality and thus contribute to the quality of condition recording and evaluation. If multiple lighting devices are used, each of which only illuminates partial areas of the workstation and the maintenance facility, shadows can be cast, which leads to blurred or poorly detailed image data being generated from objects captured by the camera's image field, which negatively impacts condition recording and evaluation.The lighting must prevent this accordingly, which is possible by means of a maintenance device according to the invention (see pivotable arrangement of the lighting means, which can be controlled by the control unit of the maintenance device).

[0054] It is also advantageous if the lighting process step includes the adjustment of selectable light colors and / or light brightness. As already mentioned, different light colors and / or light brightnesses make different objects in the camera's image field more visible. This ensures that high-quality image data of the desired object (part of the work area, spinning components, handling equipment) is generated for the best possible evaluation.

[0055] The method according to one embodiment offers a further advantage, wherein the method step of generating image data includes adjusting the filters of at least one camera. Depending on the filter, different objects are captured by the camera. This depends not only on the light color and brightness but also on the selected filters. Adjusting the filters can also mean, within the scope of the invention, that all filters are omitted.

[0056] Advantageously, the method comprises the additional step of generating a command to the control unit of the maintenance device and / or the machine control of the ring spinning machine based on a classified condition. The type of command has already been explained. BRIEF EXPLANATIONS OF THE FIGURES

[0057] Further advantages of the invention are described in the following embodiments: Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a maintenance device according to the invention; and Fig. 2 schematically shows the basic method steps for carrying out a condition detection; and Fig. 3 schematically shows an embodiment of the method according to the invention for carrying out a condition detection; and Fig. 4 schematically shows a further embodiment of the method according to the invention for carrying out a condition detection; and Fig. 5 schematically shows a third embodiment of the method according to the invention for carrying out a condition detection.

[0058] Fig. 1 shows schematically an embodiment of a maintenance device 1 according to the invention. Several handling means 3 are attached to a base structure 2, here in the form of a housing open towards the work station. The handling means 3 are intended to carry out the service action and, if necessary, maintenance work at the work station of the ring spinning machine. The maintenance device 1 further comprises a control unit 4, a lighting means 5, a camera 6, an evaluation device 7 and a data transmission means 8. The control unit 4 serves to control the maintenance device 1 as such as well as to control the handling means 3 for carrying out a service action and / or maintenance work. The lighting means 5 serves to illuminate both the work station of the ring spinning machine which requires service or its components (including thread) and - depending on the design - the handling means 3 of the maintenance device 1. As can be seen from Fig. 1 As can be seen, the lighting means 5 is positioned in the rear upper area of ​​the basic structure 2 of the maintenance device 1 and can thus illuminate both the work station and the handling means 3, so that the camera 6, which is arranged next to the lighting means 5 (or in its vicinity), illuminates all components of the work station of the ring spinning machine (not visible here) as well as the handling means 3 of the maintenance device 1.

[0059] Fig. 2 shows schematically in the form of a flowchart the basic method steps for carrying out, according to the invention, a status recording and evaluation of a work station of a ring spinning machine and / or a maintenance device 1 using a maintenance device 1 according to the invention. In a first step, the maintenance device 1 called to the work station of the ring spinning machine (by ISM, by the central control, etc.) is positioned exactly (e.g. centered in front of the spindle axis of the work station) in front of the work station of the ring spinning machine in order to carry out a service action.Already during positioning or after the maintenance device 1 has been positioned, at least a partial area of ​​the work station of the maintenance device 1 that requires servicing and / or at least one handling means 3 of the maintenance device 1 is illuminated by the lighting means 5 in one of the selected different light colors and one of the selected different light intensities. Now, after a specific color filter has been set (preferably electronically), for example, the camera 6 generates image data. The data can be generated before, during and / or after the service action has been carried out. The generated image data is transmitted directly or via a data transmission means 8 to the evaluation unit 7, where the image data is evaluated using image recognition software and the result determines the status of the object viewed by the camera ordescribes the image area of ​​the object captured at time t and determines whether a target state exists or not. A classification now takes place. These evaluation results are now classified. This classification is carried out using machine learning methods and describes the type of error (= if the target state is not present) or confirms that the target state exists. Based on this, a command or commands are generated for the control unit of the maintenance facility. If necessary, the command (or an additional command) is also sent to the ring spinning machine or its central control system. According to the invention, all steps or individual steps can be repeated or carried out simultaneously - for exampleThe illumination of the workstation and the generation of image data can occur simultaneously, just as the evaluation, classification, and generation of a command can be performed while the workstation and / or at least one handling device of the maintenance equipment remains illuminated and image data continues to be generated. After a command has been generated, the maintenance equipment can move away from the workstation (this would be the corresponding command), or the steps of illumination, image data generation, evaluation, classification, and command generation can be repeated.

[0060] Fig. 3 also shows a further embodiment of the method according to the invention in the form of a flowchart. In this exemplary embodiment, too, the maintenance device is precisely positioned in front of the work station of a ring spinning machine requiring servicing (here: rectification of thread breakage / piecing). Already during or after positioning, the work station or parts thereof and / or at least one handling means of the maintenance device are illuminated by means of lighting. It has already been mentioned that the different colors and the light brightness of the lighting are selectable. Before the servicing begins, image data of at least one part of the work station (if necessary also of at least one handling means of the maintenance device) is generated. The image data is transmitted to the evaluation unit and evaluated there. If it is determined that, for example,If the target state is not present (here: the thread runs along the work station of the ring spinning machine), this evaluation result is classified accordingly. Therefore, if no thread is visible, e.g., in the traveler (=state) before the service action is performed, it is confirmed that a thread break has occurred (=classification). This results in the generation of the command "Repeat from step: Generate image data before the service action is performed." However, if a thread is present, e.g., in the traveler (=state) before the service action is performed, this is to be classified as "no service action necessary," which generates the command "Leave the spinning station."

[0061] Fig. 4 shows, also in flowchart form, a further embodiment of the method according to the invention. The embodiment is described starting with the step of generating image data during the execution of the service action. The maintenance device is already positioned in front of the workstation, the presence of a thread break is confirmed, and it is also confirmed that the conditions for a successful piecing process are met, at least a partial area of ​​the workstation and / or of at least one handling means of the maintenance direction are illuminated, and a service action (e.g., repairing a thread break / pinning) is performed. During the execution of the service action, image data of partial areas of the workstation and / or of at least one handling means 3 of the maintenance device 1 are generated. For example, the following states can be evaluated by the evaluation unit 7: Handling device operates correctly or not. Thread is grasped by handling device or not. Roving is delivered or not. Re-contamination of the drafting device (top or bottom roller or cylinder). Trajectories of at least one handling device are correct or not. Spindle rotates correctly or not. etc.

[0062] These states are classified in the evaluation unit 7 and result, for example, in the generation of the commands "Carry out a maintenance task" if such a task is necessary and can be carried out by the maintenance facility itself (e.g., correction of trajectories of at least one handling device; contamination) or the command "Repeat from step Generation of image data after the service action has been carried out".

[0063] Fig. 5shows, also in flowchart form, a further embodiment of the method according to the invention. After the service action has been performed, according to this embodiment, image data can be generated from sub-areas of the workstation of the spinning station and / or the at least one handling device of the maintenance device. The image data transmitted to the evaluation device are evaluated, for example, in the following states: Thread / fibre strand runs over the entire spinning position or not Soiling on the drafting system (top or bottom roller or cylinder), on the thread guide, on the balloon constriction ring, on the traveller, on the spindle brake or on the suction system or on the compressed air system is present or not Roving is being delivered or not Drafting system unit / lever is closed or not Traveller rotates on the ring correctly or not Spindle rotates correctly or not Handling equipment of the maintenance device is functional or not Handling equipment of the maintenance device is dirty or not

[0064] These states provide information about whether the service action was successfully completed and also indicate whether further maintenance work is necessary or whether another thread break is expected soon. Furthermore, based on the evaluated states of the workstation and / or maintenance equipment, strategies for the next service action can be developed – for example, if an incorrectly positioned thread guide is detected, the trajectories of at least one handling unit are adjusted accordingly.

[0065] The classification of conditions at this time are, for example: Service action successfully completed Maintenance work required Replacement of a spinning component required Workstation prone to errors

[0066] According to the illustrated embodiment, the following commands result: Distance from work site carrying out maintenance work

[0067] The command "Perform maintenance work" is sent to the ring spinning machine (its control system) if necessary to call another maintenance device or to stop the maintenance device the next time it passes the corresponding spinning station.

[0068] The present invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments. Modifications within the scope of the patent claims are possible, as is any combination of the described features, even if they are illustrated and described in different parts of the description or the claims or in different embodiments, provided that no contradiction arises with the teaching of the independent claims.

Claims

1. Maintenance device for performing a service operation at a workstation of a ring spinning machine, wherein - the maintenance device comprises a basic structure, at least one handling means and a control unit being attached to the basic structure; and wherein - the maintenance device comprises at least one lighting means for illuminating at least one partial area of ​​a workstation of a ring spinning machine at which a service operation is to be performed; and wherein - the maintenance device comprises at least one camera which can be positioned on the basic structure of the maintenance device in such a way that image data can be generated both from the at least one partial area of ​​the workstation and from the handling means of the maintenance device; and wherein - the maintenance device further comprises an evaluation device for evaluating the image data generated by the camera.

2. Maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one lighting means can be positioned on the maintenance device such that at least one handling means of the maintenance device is illuminated.

3. Maintenance device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one lighting means comprises different, selectable light colors.

4. Maintenance device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one lighting means comprises different, selectable light intensities.

5. Maintenance device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one camera has a plurality of electronically adjustable color filters.

6. Maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance device comprises a data transmission means for transmitting the evaluated image data from the evaluation device to the control unit.

7. Maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein the housing of the maintenance device is designed to be at least partially open towards the working station of the ring spinning machine when positioned in front of the working station of the ring spinning machine.

8. A method for carrying out a condition detection and evaluation of a workstation of a ring spinning machine and / or a maintenance device using a maintenance device according to claims 1-7, wherein the method comprises the following steps and the method steps are partially carried out simultaneously: - Positioning a maintenance facility in front of a work station of a ring spinning machine that requires service - lighting at least one part of the work area of ​​a ring spinning machine that requires servicing - Generating image data before, during and / or after the performance of the service action - transmission of the image data to the evaluation unit - Evaluationthe image data in the evaluation unit - Classification an evaluation result by the evaluation unit - Generating a command based on the classification of the evaluation result.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the method step of illuminating at least one partial area of ​​the workstation additionally includes illuminating at least one handling means of the maintenance device.

10. Method according to one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the illumination step includes adjusting the selectable light colors and / or the light brightness.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of generating image data includes adjusting the filters of the at least one camera.

12. The method according to claim 8, comprising the additional step of generating a command to the control unit of the maintenance device or the machine control of the ring spinning machine based on a classified condition.

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