Analysing textile bales in the opener of a spinning preparation system

Abstract

Disclosed is a computer-implemented method, which serves to analyse multiple textile bales (41) arranged in a row to form a bale feed (4) and according to which a value of a parameter is 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 is dependent on the parameter value. Each textile bale (41) is assigned the associated symbol of the graphic code and a position of the textile bale (41) within the bale feed (4). For each textile bale (41), the assigned symbol of the graphic code and the assigned position are transmitted from the computer (3) to an output unit (31). The symbols of the graphic code are output in a graphic representation (500) according to the associated positions.

Description

[0001] EXAMINATION OF TEXTILE FIBER BALES IN THE OPENING ROOM OF A SPINNING PREPARATION PLANT

[0002] FIELD OF EXPERTISE

[0003] The present invention lies in the field of quality management in the textile industry. It relates to a computer-implemented method and a device for examining several textile fiber bales arranged in a bale pattern in the opening area of ​​a spinning preparation plant, according to the preambles of the independent patent claims.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] Contamination represents one of the major problems facing today's textile industries. These materials differ from the basic fiber, e.g., cotton. They can have various origins, such as residues from transport packaging (e.g., plastic packaging, string), pollution from civilization (e.g., soot particles, plastic bags, scraps of clothing), or residues from living organisms (e.g., human or animal hair, plant parts). So-called trash, i.e., unwanted components such as leaves, stems, seeds, etc. of the cotton plant itself, are also referred to as "contaminants" in this document.

[0006] In the opening area of ​​a spinning preparation plant, textile fiber bales are lined up to form a bale. They are opened by an automatic bale opener, removed layer by layer, and thus broken down into fiber flakes. The bale opener has a tower that can be moved back and forth along the textile fiber bales and supports a boom extending transversely to the direction of movement and equipped with a fiber removal device. The height of the boom on the tower can be adjusted to the changing height of the textile fiber bales during removal. DE-40'38'685 A1 discloses a cleaning device that engages the surface of the fiber bale and is arranged so that it can move relative to the surface of the fiber bale. The cleaning device can, for example, have a cleaning roller. A camera that is arranged so that it can move relative to the surface of the fiber bale is used to detect contamination.In a first embodiment, the cleaning device is mounted on a multi-axis robot located in a cleaning station of a complete bale processing system. In a second embodiment, it is mounted in the opening area on the boom or tower of the bale opener.

[0007] Similarly, US Pat. No. 5,489,028 A also provides a foreign body detection unit for detecting foreign bodies in the fiber bale, as well as a foreign body removal unit for automatically removing detected foreign bodies, on a bale removal device. The foreign body removal unit may include a gripper or suction device.

[0008] According to US-2001 / 049860 A1, a treatment process for textile fibers is optimized by sequentially feeding the fibers to various treatment stations in a treatment plant using a transport system. A sensor system continuously measures at least two different physical parameters of the fibers. Specific fiber properties are derived from the measured parameters, and actual values ​​are created, which are compared with a target value for each fiber property in an evaluation device. If deviations from a target value occur, the operating state of at least one treatment station and / or the transport system is changed.

[0009] US Pat. No. 5,917,591 A teaches removing fiber flakes from a row of fiber bales using a bale removal device and conveying them through a pneumatic pipeline. An optical sensor system mounted on the pipeline and a connected image processing device detect the brightness, contamination, and / or color of the fiber material. The location of each fiber bale within the row of fiber bales is determined. The determined brightness, contamination, and / or color is assigned to the fiber bale from which the fiber material was removed.

[0010] According to WO-2018 / 202390 A1, an overload is detected when the bale opener is milling the fiber bale. The position of the last detected overload in relation to the bale opener's travel path is displayed on the bale opener and / or on a display device coupled to it.

[0011] EP-3,757,262 A1 proposes optically recording the actual state of a workstation on a textile machine by means of an image. The image is captured using a portable device, e.g., a smartphone or data glasses. It is monitored for a difference between the target state of the workstation and the respective actual state. The portable device can provide an operator with visual instructions for correcting a detected error, e.g., using augmented reality.

[0012] PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a device for examining several textile fiber bales arranged in a row in the opening section of a spinning preparation plant to form a bale. The invention is intended to enable an operator to quickly, easily, and intuitively obtain an overview of the condition of the bale. A further object of the invention is to specify the spatial distribution of a parameter within the bale in order to check it for anomalies and irregularities. The invention is also intended to enable optimization of the process taking place in the spinning preparation plant. In particular, the results of the examination are intended to be usable for novel applications in the spinning preparation plant, even for those outside of foreign matter cleaning.A further object of the invention is to provide information about critical situations and problems in the opening shop, thus enabling their rapid, targeted resolution. These and other objects are achieved by the method and device according to the invention, as defined in the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0014] The computer-implemented method according to the invention is used to examine several textile fiber bales arranged in a bale pattern in the opening area of ​​a spinning mill preparation plant. For each textile fiber bale, a value of at least one parameter is measured by a sensor device. The measured parameter values ​​are transmitted from the sensor device to a computer connected to the sensor device. Each of the parameter values ​​is assigned a character of a graphic code that depends on the parameter value. The computer assigns the corresponding character of the graphic code and a position of the textile fiber bale within the bale pattern to each textile fiber bale. For each textile fiber bale, the assigned character of the graphic code and the assigned position are transmitted from the computer to an output unit.The characters of the graphic code are output by the output unit in a graphic representation depending on the corresponding layers.

[0015] The at least one parameter is preferably at least one element from the following set: humidity, color property, number of contaminants, color property of a contaminant, location of a contaminant, size of a contaminant, type of contaminant.

[0016] In one embodiment, the position of the textile fiber bale is assigned to each textile fiber bale based on a signal transmitted to the computer by the sensor device, by a bale opener processing the bale template, and / or by locating means.

[0017] In one embodiment, fiber flakes are removed from the textile fiber bales by a bale opener. A fiber flake stream containing the fiber flakes is transported through a pipeline connecting the bale opener to a process stage downstream of the bale opener. The sensor device is attached to the pipeline. The position of the textile fiber bale is assigned to each textile fiber bale based on an indication of the current position of the bale opener and a time interval that elapses between the removal of a fiber flake by the bale opener and the fiber flake reaching the sensor device.

[0018] The graphic representation may essentially contain a reduced and simplified image of the bale template.

[0019] In one embodiment, the output unit is comprised of a mobile electronic device, and the characters of the graphic code are displayed in conjunction with an image of the bale template as augmented reality (AR).

[0020] In one embodiment, the graphic code is a color code, a brightness code, and / or a fill pattern code.

[0021] In one embodiment, different classes for the at least one parameter are defined by ranges for the parameter values. All parameter values ​​within a class are assigned the same character of the graphical code by the computer.

[0022] In further embodiments, a signal dependent on the character of the graphic code and the associated position is output by the computer and used to effect at least one of the following actions: triggering an alarm, removing material from an area of ​​a textile fiber bale, removing a textile fiber bale from the bale template, controlling a bale opener processing the bale template, controlling a bale cleaning device cleaning the bale template, controlling a device downstream of a bale opener in the spinning preparation plant, in particular a foreign matter cleaner, evaluating a bale supplier.

[0023] The device according to the invention is used to examine several textile fiber bales arranged in a row in the opening area of ​​a spinning preparation plant. It includes a sensor device for measuring a value of at least one parameter of each of the textile fiber bales, a computer connected to the sensor device, and an output unit connected to the computer. The sensor device has transmitting means for transmitting the measured parameter values ​​to the computer. The computer has receiving means for receiving the parameter values ​​transmitted by the sensor device.The computer is configured to assign to each of the received parameter values ​​a character of a graphic code that is dependent on the parameter value, to assign to each textile fiber bale the associated character of the graphic code and a layer of the textile fiber bale within the bale template, and to transmit for each textile fiber bale the associated character of the graphic code and the associated layer from the computer to an output unit. The output unit is configured to output the characters of the graphic code in a graphic representation depending on the associated layers.

[0024] In one embodiment, the at least one parameter is at least one element from the following set: humidity, color property, number of contaminants, color property of a contaminant, location of a contaminant, size of a contaminant, type of a contaminant.

[0025] In one embodiment, the computer is configured to assign the position of the textile fiber bale to each textile fiber bale based on a signal transmitted to the computer by the sensor device, by a bale opener processing the bale template, and / or by locating means.

[0026] In one embodiment, the sensor device includes at least one digital camera that is mounted stationary or movable with respect to the bale template.

[0027] In one embodiment, the device additionally includes a bale opener for removing fiber flakes from the textile fiber bales and a pipeline for transporting a fiber flake stream containing the removed fiber flakes away from the bale opener. The sensor device is attached to the pipeline. The computer is configured to assign the position of the textile fiber bale to each textile fiber bale based on an indication of the current position of the bale opener and a time interval that elapses between the removal of a fiber flake by the bale opener and the fiber flake reaching the sensor device.

[0028] The graphic representation may essentially contain a reduced and simplified image of the bale template.

[0029] In one embodiment, the device includes a mobile electronic device that comprises the output unit and is configured to display the characters of the graphic code as a function of the associated layers in conjunction with an image of the bale template as an augmented reality display. The mobile electronic device is configured, for example, as a smartphone, a tablet computer, or augmented reality glasses.

[0030] In one embodiment, the computer is configured to assign a character of the graphic code in the form of a color code, a brightness code, and / or a fill pattern code to each of the received parameter values.

[0031] In one embodiment, the computer is configured to store different classes for the at least one parameter by means of ranges for the parameter values ​​and to assign the same character of the graphical code to all parameter values ​​within a class.

[0032] In further embodiments, the computer is configured to output a signal dependent on the character of the graphic code and the associated position, which signal is suitable for effecting at least one of the following actions: triggering an alarm, removing material from an area of ​​a textile fiber bale, removing a textile fiber bale from the bale template, controlling a bale opener that processes the bale template, controlling a bale cleaning device that cleans the bale template, controlling a device downstream of a bale opener in the spinning preparation plant, in particular a foreign matter cleaner, evaluating a bale supplier.

[0033] In this document, a "graphic code" is understood to mean a mapping rule that uniquely assigns a graphically representable character to each parameter value measured by the 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 graphically representable codes, such as alphanumeric codes.

[0034] Thanks to the invention, an operator can quickly, easily, and intuitively obtain an overview of the condition of the bale feed at the textile fiber bale stage. The operator can check the spatial distribution of a parameter within the bale feed for anomalies and irregularities. The invention also enables optimization of the process in the spinning preparation system. Critical situations and problems in the opening area can be quickly identified and, if necessary, remedied in a targeted manner.

[0035] The invention also allows for novel applications in spinning preparation systems. Based on the investigations carried out according to the invention, bale preparation can be optimized, devices in the spinning preparation system can be controlled, and bale suppliers can be evaluated.

[0036] LIST OF DRAWINGS

[0037] The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0038] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an opening device with a device according to the invention.

[0039] Figure 2 schematically shows tables of a relational database for use in the invention.

[0040] Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0041] Figure 4 shows various devices of a textile processing process in a spinning preparation plant.

[0042] Figure 5 shows an example of a graphical representation output according to the invention.

[0043] Figure 6 shows an example of an augmented reality display according to the invention. Figure 7 shows another example of a graphic display according to the invention.

[0044] Figure 8 shows a schematic side view of an opening device with a further embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0045] Figure 9 schematically shows an embodiment of a sensor device of the inventive device of Figure 8.

[0046] IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] An opening section of a spinning preparation plant with a device 1 according to the invention is shown schematically in a side view in Figure 1. Several textile fiber bales 41 are lined up to form a bale template 4. A bale opener 5 moves back and forth along the bale template 4, removing fiber flakes consisting of textile fibers from an upper, exposed bale surface 42. The bale opener 5 typically includes a tower 51 and a height-adjustable boom 52 mounted thereon, projecting above the textile fiber bales 41 and containing a fiber removal device.

[0048] The individual textile fiber bales 41 can differ from one another with regard to various parameters. Examples of such parameters are moisture content, color properties, number of contaminants, color properties of a contaminant, location of a contaminant, size of a contaminant, and type of contaminant. Additional parameters can be mathematical combinations of the aforementioned and other parameters. In the schematic representation of Figure 1, a contaminant 43 is schematically depicted on the bale surface 42 of one of the textile fiber bales 41.

[0049] The device 1 includes a sensor device 2 for measuring a value of at least one parameter of 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 symbolized in Figure 1 by a first data line 22, wherein the connection can be wired or wireless. In the embodiment according to Figure 1, the sensor device 2 is mounted in a fixed position relative to the bale template 4. Such a sensor device 2 can be at least one fixedly installed digital camera 2, which monitors the exposed surface 42 of the textile fiber bales 41. A field of view 21 of the camera 2 is shown schematically.Instead of the single camera 2 shown for simplicity, several cameras can be used, which are preferably mounted at a distance from one another along the bale feed 4 and whose fields of view completely cover the bale feed 4. The at least one camera 2 can be mounted on a floor, a wall, or a ceiling of the spinning preparation system. Image processing and thus the determination of the at least one parameter value can take place in the at least one camera 2 itself or externally.

[0050] Alternatively or additionally, the sensor device 2 or a part thereof can be mounted movably relative to the bale feed 4 in the device 1 according to the invention. It can be mounted, for example, on the bale opener 5, as known from US Pat. No. 5,489,028 A. 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 plant. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor device 2 or a part thereof can be mounted in a vehicle movable in the spinning preparation plant, wherein such a vehicle can travel on the floor, on a wall, or on a ceiling, for example, along at least one rail.

[0051] The sensor device can alternatively or additionally be designed differently than a digital camera, e.g., as a moisture sensor or a metal detector. Such sensor devices, as well as digital cameras, are known per se and need not be explained further here. Various sensor devices can be used simultaneously, each of which is mounted stationary and / or movable relative to the bale feeder 4. For example, the device 1 can include several stationary cameras and a moisture sensor mounted on the bale opener 5.

[0052] The sensor device 2 has transmitting means for transmitting the measured at least one parameter value to a computer 3. The computer 3 has receiving means for receiving the at least one parameter value transmitted by the sensor device 2.

[0053] The computer 3 is connected to an output unit 31, e.g., a computer screen, 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 transmit data.

[0054] The computer 3 is configured to receive the parameter values ​​measured by the sensor device 2, to assign a character of a graphic code dependent on the parameter value to each of the parameter values, to assign the associated character of the graphic code and a position of the textile fiber bale 41 within the bale template 4 to each textile fiber bale 41, and to transmit the associated character of the graphic code and the associated position to the output unit 31 for each textile fiber bale 41.

[0055] The output unit 31 is configured to display the characters of the graphic code in a graphic representation depending on the associated positions.

[0056] The position of the textile fiber bale 41 is assigned to each textile fiber bale 41, for example, based on a signal from the sensor device 2. In the exemplary embodiment with one or more stationary digital cameras 2, the assignment is particularly simple because a textile fiber bale 41 is uniquely assigned to each image element (pixel) of the at least one digital camera 2. Thus, specifying the image element is sufficient for the assignment.

[0057] With movable sensor devices, the assignment of the position of the textile fiber bale 41 to each textile fiber bale 41 is somewhat more complex than with stationary sensor devices, but 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 made using a signal transmitted from the bale opener 5 to the computer 3. The signal can, for example, indicate the already known position of the bale opener 5 with respect to the bale template 4. In other cases, positioning devices can be used to determine the position of the movable sensor device. Such positioning devices are known per se under the term "Indoor Positioning System" (IPS) and need not be discussed in detail here. The various known IPSs function in different ways. One of these includes, for example,Within the interior, in this case the spinning preparation system, there are distributed radio beacons and computers for evaluating the received radio signals. The locating means can, in turn, transmit a signal to the computer 3 indicating the position of the movable sensor device relative to the bale feed 4.

[0058] In addition to the character of the graphic code and the position, an identifier for the textile fiber bale 41 can be assigned by the computer 3. The identifier can be, for example, a serial number or another character string. It must uniquely identify the textile fiber bale 41 at least within the current bale template 4, but preferably globally.

[0059] In one embodiment of the invention, different classes are defined for the at least one parameter, e.g., the classes "good," "critical," and "unsatisfactory." All parameter values ​​within a class are assigned the same symbol of the graphic code by the computer 3. For this assignment, ranges for the parameter values ​​can be specified, and each of the parameter ranges can be assigned a class. Examples of parameter ranges, classes, and symbols are given below in Tables 1 and 2.

[0060] Instead of fixed parameter ranges, the limits of the parameter ranges can be continuously adapted to the measured parameter values ​​and, for example, defined as quantiles of all values ​​of the relevant parameter determined so far in the current bale template.

[0061] Figure 2 schematically shows an example of tables 201, 202 of a relational database implemented in the computer 3 for storing the parameter values, the characters of the graphic code assigned to them, and the layers of the textile fiber bales 41. Each row 211, 212, . . . ; 221, 222, . . . of the tables 201, 202 contains a data tuple relating to a specific textile fiber bale 41. The first columns 250 of the tables 201, 202 each contain an identifier for the respective textile fiber bale 41. The identifiers serve as the primary key for the database. They link the rows of the various tables 201, 202 with one another.

[0062] The second column 271 of table 201 of Figure 2(a) contains values ​​of a first parameter, e.g., a number of contaminants detected so far in the respective textile fiber bale 41. The third column 281 of table 201 contains characters of a first graphic code assigned to the respective parameter values. The first graphic code can, for example, be a color code with characters such as "white," "yellow," "red," etc. The fourth column 291 of table 201 contains information on the position of the textile fiber bale 41 within the bale template 4. The position can, for example, be specified using two-dimensional coordinates.

[0063] For at least one parameter, different classes can be defined by ranges for the parameter values, and all parameter values ​​within a class can be assigned the same character of the graphic code by computer 3. Table 1 provides an example for the first parameter, "Number of contaminants detected so far in textile fiber bale 41."

[0064] Table 1

[0065] The second column 272 of Table 202 of Figure 2(b) contains values ​​of a second parameter, e.g., the moisture content of the respective textile fiber bale 41. The third column 282 of Table 202 contains characters of a second graphic code assigned to the respective parameter values. The fourth column 292 of Table 202, in turn, contains information on the position of the textile fiber bale 41 within the bale template 4. Table 2 provides an example of the second parameter "Moisture content of the textile fiber bale 41."

[0066] Table 2

[0067] Similarly, the database may contain additional tables with other parameters, classes and / or characters of a graphical code.

[0068] The flowchart in Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the method according to the invention. Accordingly, one textile fiber bale 41 (see Figure 1) is considered at a time, which is designated by reference numeral 311 in Figure 3. A value of at least one parameter of the textile fiber bale 41 is measured 312 by the sensor device 2. The measured parameter values ​​are transmitted 313 by the sensor device 2 to the computer 3. Each of the parameter values ​​is assigned 314 by the computer 3, a character of the graphic code dependent on the parameter value. The computer 3 assigns 315 to each textile fiber bale 41 the corresponding character of the graphic code and a position of the textile fiber bale 41 within the bale template 4. The assigned character of the graphic code and the assigned position are transmitted 316 by the computer 3 to the output unit 31.The characters of the graphic code are output 317 by the output unit 31 in a graphic representation depending on the corresponding layers. Examples of graphic representations are shown in Figures 5-7. The preceding process steps 311-317 are repeated 318 for each textile fiber bale 41.

[0069] In other embodiments, the order of the individual steps may differ from that of Figure 3. For example, steps 311-315 may be performed for all textile fiber bales 41, with transmission 316 and display 317 occurring only afterward. In one embodiment, computer 3 may output a signal dependent on the characters of the graphic code and the associated position. The signal output by computer 3 may be used to effect, in particular to trigger and / or control, at least one of the actions described below. Several of these actions may be performed simultaneously or sequentially.

[0070] If a parameter value lies outside a permissible range, the signal output by computer 3 can trigger an alarm. The alarm can be output in a conventional manner, for example, acoustically or visually on device 1. Alternatively or additionally, the alarm can be output to an operator on a mobile electronic device.

[0071] The signal output by computer 3 can cause material, e.g., a contaminant 43, to be specifically removed from a specific area of ​​a textile fiber bale 41. The removal can be performed manually by an operator after the location of the contaminant 43 has been indicated; see Figure 7. Alternatively, the contaminant 43 can be automatically removed from the textile fiber bale 41 by a suitable bale cleaning device. Such a bale cleaning device can be designed, for example, as a multi-axis robot according to DE-40,38,685 A1, as a gripper or suction device on the bale opener's offshoot according to US-5,489,028 A, or as an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) with corresponding grippers or suction devices. An unmanned aerial vehicle 6 as a bale cleaning device is schematically shown in Figure 1, with an arrow 61 indicating the removal of the contaminant 43.

[0072] If a textile fiber bale 41 with a clearly insufficient parameter value is detected, the signal output by computer 3 can cause the respective textile fiber bale 41 to be removed from the bale feeder 4. The textile fiber bale can be removed manually by an operator after the position of the textile fiber bale 41 has been indicated to them; see Figures 5 and 7. Alternatively, the textile fiber bale 41 can be removed automatically from the bale feeder 4 by a suitable device. In Figure 4, various devices 401-405 of a textile processing process in a spinning preparation plant are shown by arrows, namely bale opener 401, coarse cleaner 402, mixer 403, fine cleaner 404, and foreign matter cleaner 405. The device 1 according to the invention is mounted in the area of ​​the bale opener 401.The signal output by the computer 3 can be used to control the bale opener 5, 401, which is symbolized by an arrow 411. Such a control 411 can, for example, provide that a textile fiber bale 41 with an insufficient parameter value is skipped by the bale opener 5, ie, not removed.

[0073] Furthermore, the signal output by computer 3 can be used to control a bale cleaning device that cleans the bale feeder 4, such as is known from DE-40'38'685 A1. This is indicated in Figure 4 by an arrow 412. The control 412 can, for example, cause a particularly heavily soiled textile fiber bale 41 to be cleaned more intensively than other textile fiber bales 41.

[0074] In addition, the signal output by the computer 3 can be used to control 413 a device downstream of the bale opener 5, 401 in the spinning preparation plant. The downstream device can be, for example, a foreign matter cleaner 405. An example of a foreign matter cleaner 405 is the USTER® JOSSI VISION SHIELD 2 device, which is described in the brochure "USTER® JOSSI VISION SHIELD 2, - The perfect starting point for Total Contamination Control", Uster Technologies AG, 2021. In the example of Figure 4, the signal output by the computer 3 controls 413 the foreign matter cleaner 405. If, for example, For example, if the device 1 detects that the bale template 4 contains an extraordinary number of red impurities 43, the sensitivity of the foreign matter cleaner 405 can be adjusted by the signal output by the computer 3 so that more red impurities 43 than usual are detected and eliminated.This ensures that no more red impurities 43 than usual reach the subsequent process stages.

[0075] Alternatively, the signal output by computer 3 can control a device downstream of bale opener 5, 401 other than the foreign matter cleaner 405, e.g., a coarse cleaner 402, a mixer 403, and / or a fine cleaner 404. The signal output by computer 3 can also be used to evaluate a bale supplier. For this purpose, computer 3 assigns an identifier for the supplier who supplied the textile fiber bale 41 to each textile fiber bale 41. The assignment can be recorded, for example, in a table such as in Figure 2. Based on the assignment, all or some textile fiber bales 41 from a specific supplier can be separated out, and their parameter values ​​can be statistically evaluated. The statistical evaluation can yield a measure of location, such as a mean, and / or a measure of dispersion, such as a standard deviation. The results of the statistical evaluation, and thus the bale supplier, can be evaluated, for example, using USTER® STATISTICS.USTER® STATISTICS are a globally recognized benchmark for the quality of textile materials in the textile industry; see USTER® NEWS BULLETIN, Volumes 49 and 51, Uster Technologies AG, November 2012 and October 2018, respectively, and https: / / www.uster.com / value-added-services / uster-statistics. USTER® STATISTICS essentially provide a percentile value that compares and evaluates the bale supplier in question with all bale suppliers worldwide. Alternatively, the bale supplier can be compared with any number of other bale suppliers, e.g., with all bale suppliers of the spinning mill in question or with suppliers who have supplied textile fiber bales 41 contained in the bale template 4. Furthermore, batches from a single supplier can be compared with each other. Based on the results of the statistical evaluation, for example,A ranking of all these bale suppliers is created; the position of a bale supplier within the ranking also represents an assessment.

[0076] Further information relevant to the quality of the textile fiber bales 41 can also be linked to the identifier for the bale supplier and stored. This can be, for example, images of contaminants, distribution graphs showing the quantity and frequency of contaminants compared to the type (size, length, color, material, class, etc.) of the contaminants, or information about the number of particularly affected textile fiber bales 41. Such information can be made available to the bale supplier to enable them to improve the quality of their textile fibers in the future. Figure 5 shows an example of a graphic representation 500 output by the output unit 31. It essentially contains a reduced and simplified illustration 504 of the bale template 4, for example, a view of the same from above.

[0077] In the example of Figure 5, the bale template 504 consists of four rows of textile fiber bales 541 arranged next to one another, depicted as rectangles. In the center, a bale opener 505 moves back and forth, opening two rows of the bale template 504 at a time. The current direction of movement of the bale opener 505 can be indicated in the graphic representation 500 with an arrow 553.

[0078] Without limiting the generality, it is assumed that the parameter considered in the embodiment of Figure 5 is a number of impurities that was determined in the respective textile fiber bale 541.

[0079] The graphical representation 500 contains characters of a code for the parameter values, e.g., a color code, a brightness code, or a fill pattern code. For coding purposes, in this example, different classes are defined for the respective parameter, and each of the parameter values ​​is assigned one of the classes by the computer 3 depending on the respective parameter value. The same character is used for all parameter values ​​within a class. In the example of Figure 5, there are three classes, each of which is assigned a color as a character of a color code: "lightly contaminated," represented by white rectangles 543, "moderately contaminated," represented by yellow rectangles 544, and "heavily contaminated," represented by red rectangles 545. This results in a "heat map" of the bale template 504 with respect to contamination.

[0080] When displaying the heavily contaminated textile fiber bale 545 (the only one in this example), a warning message 546 can also be displayed, which can contain details such as the determined degree of contamination and / or recommended actions. An acoustic or other alarm triggered by a signal from the computer 3 can alert an operator to the detection of the heavily contaminated textile fiber bale 545. Using a suitable graphic code, other parameters such as moisture or a color property of the textile fiber bale 41 can be displayed in a manner analogous to Figure 5. The color property is, for example, a hue, a color saturation, and / or a brightness.

[0081] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the characters of the graphic code are transmitted to a mobile electronic device. Depending on their respective position, the characters of the graphic code are displayed as augmented reality by the mobile electronic device in conjunction with an image of the bale template 4. Thus, the mobile electronic device outputs the augmented reality display to an operator. The mobile electronic device can be configured, for example, as a smartphone, a tablet computer, or augmented reality glasses.

[0082] An augmented reality representation 600 according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 6. In this exemplary embodiment, the mobile electronic device, without restriction of generality, is a smartphone 610, which an operator in the spinning mill preparation system points at the bale feed 4. The smartphone 610 continuously captures images of the bale feed 4 with its built-in camera and displays them in real time on its built-in screen so that they form a continuation of the scene presented to the operator. The images displayed on the smartphone 610 are supplemented by the characters of the graphic code.

[0083] In the embodiment of Figure 6, as in that of Figure 5, it is assumed that the parameter under consideration is a number of impurities in the respective textile fiber bale 41. The symbols displayed on the smartphone 610 can be colors of a color code, as explained in connection with Figure 5: "slightly contaminated", represented by white areas 643, "moderately contaminated", represented by yellow areas 644, and "heavily contaminated", represented by red areas 645. In the representation of the augmented reality 600 according to Figure 6, a warning 646 can also alert the operator to a heavily contaminated textile fiber bale. Additional information displayed on the smartphone 610 can indicate which portion of the bale template 4 has already been removed and thus taken into account for determining the at least one parameter value. This information can be displayed graphically, e.g.with a cube 647, a bar, a pie chart, etc., and / or numerically, e.g., as a percentage. In the example of Figure 6, the upper part of the cube 647 represents the portion already removed (approximately 33%) of the bale template 4. Such information can also be contained in a graphic representation 500 according to Figure 5, as well as other information.

[0084] Figure 7 shows, analogous to Figure 5, another example of a graphical representation 700 output on an output unit 31 (see Figure 1). In this exemplary embodiment, the parameter under consideration is not the number of contaminants in the respective textile fiber bale 41, but rather the position of an individual contaminant 43. The determined parameter values ​​are thus coordinates of a contaminant 43 within the bale template 4. The position of a contaminant 43 is indicated in the graphical representation 700 with graphic symbols as characters of a graphic code, namely "x" for a determined contaminant to be removed and "o" for a contaminant that has already been removed. In this embodiment, too, warning notices 746 can be displayed on textile fiber bales 41 with an excessively high number of contaminants and / or alarms can be output.Using the graphic representation 700, an operator can easily locate the contaminants 43 to be removed and manually remove them from the bale template 4.

[0085] Alternatively, the positions of contaminants 43 can be output to the operator as an augmented reality representation analogous to Figure 6, which should make it even easier to locate the contaminants to be removed.

[0086] Using a suitable graphic code, a color property of a contamination 43, a size of a contamination 43, and / or a type (e.g., a material) of a contamination 43 can be displayed at the corresponding location in a similar manner to Figure 7. The graphical representation 500, 700 according to Figures 5 and 7, respectively, or the augmented reality representation 600 according to Figure 6 enables an operator to quickly, easily, and intuitively obtain an overview of the condition of the bale template 4. It also indicates the spatial distribution of the observed parameter within the bale template 4, which can be checked for anomalies and irregularities. Furthermore, it provides indications of critical situations, thus enabling their rapid, targeted resolution.

[0087] An opening device with a further embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention is schematically shown in Figure 8 in a side view analogous to Figure 1. Corresponding elements in Figures 1 and 8 are provided with the same reference numerals and need not be described again here.

[0088] The device 1 additionally includes the bale opener 5 for removing fiber flakes from the textile fiber bales 41 and a pipeline 8 for transporting a fiber flake stream containing the removed fiber flakes away from the bale opener 5. A fan 81 conveys the fiber flake stream through a pipeline 8 from the bale opener 5 to a process stage (not shown) of the spinning preparation system following the bale opener 5, e.g., a coarse cleaner. The conveying direction of the fiber flake stream 83 is indicated in Figures 8 and 9 by arrows 82.

[0089] A sensor device 2 is attached to the pipeline 8 for determining a value of at least one parameter of the fiber flake stream 83. Examples of the at least one parameter are speed, color properties, flake size, number of contaminants per unit of time, size of the contaminants, and type of contaminants. The cross-section of the pipeline 8 in the region of the sensor device 2 can be rectangular, circular, elliptical, or of another shape.

[0090] 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 symbolized in Figure 8 by a second data line 23, whereby 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, received by the computer, and stored.

[0091] Figure 9 schematically shows an embodiment of a sensor device 2 of the device 1 of Figure 8. The sensor device 2 is attached to the pipeline 8 for transporting the fiber flake stream 83 containing the removed fiber flakes 84. The conveying direction of the fiber flake stream 83 is again indicated by arrows 82. In this embodiment, the pipeline 8 has a rectangular cross-section.

[0092] Four light sources 902 are arranged near windows 901 in opposite walls of the pipeline 8. The light sources 902 illuminate the fiber flake stream 83 in the pipeline 8 from different directions. The light sources 902 can be designed, for example, as fluorescent tubes or as LED arrays. The latter have the advantage of being smaller and can be better adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the pipeline 8. The number of light sources 902 can alternatively be fewer or greater than four.

[0093] In the embodiment of Figure 9, the sensor device 2 includes a plurality of cameras 904, e.g., CCD cameras, which capture images of the fiber flake stream 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 means of appropriately tilted mirrors 903 after interacting with the fiber flake stream 83. The number of cameras 904 can be two or more. For example, 30 miniature cameras directed toward an axis of the pipeline 8 can be mounted along the circumference of the pipeline 8.

[0094] The cameras 904 are only one example of sensors of the sensor device 2; other or additional sensors can be used in the sensor device 2. Such alternative or additional sensors can detect properties of the fiber flake stream 83 based on electromagnetic waves in the visible or invisible range, including ultraviolet, infrared, and microwaves, acoustic waves, etc. Depending on the type of sensors, no light sources are required. The cameras 904 are connected to an image processing unit 905 for processing output signals from the cameras 904. The image processing unit 905 is connected to the computer 3 via the second data line 23. Alternatively, the image processing can take place in the cameras 904 themselves or in the computer 3.

[0095] The sensor device 2 serves to determine a value of at least one parameter of the fiber flake stream 83. The parameter is, for example, a speed, a color property, a flake size, a number of contaminants per unit time, a size of the contaminants, or a type of contaminant. These parameters can be determined from the images of the fiber flake stream 83 recorded by the cameras 904 and processed by the image processing unit 905. To determine the speed of the fiber flake stream 83, for example, two consecutively recorded images are required, each showing the same fiber flake at different times. From the two images, a distance As traveled by the fiber flake can be determined. A time interval At between the two images is known. This results in the speed v according to v = As / At.

[0096] In the embodiment of Figure 8, the position information can be assigned to each of the received parameter values ​​based on an indication of the current 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 transmit the indication of its current position to the computer 3 via the third data line 24. Alternatively, the device 1 can include an interior positioning system (not shown) that is connected to the computer 3 via a data line and transmits the indication of the current position of the bale opener 5 to the computer 3 via the data line.

[0097] A certain known time interval Δt elapses between the removal of a fiber flake 84 (see Figure 9) by the bale opener 5 and the fiber flake 84 reaching the sensor device 2. This time interval Δt can be taken into account when assigning the position of the textile fiber bale 41 within the bale template 4 to the textile fiber bale 3 by assigning to a parameter value determined at time t2 the position of the associated sub-area in the bale template 4 at which the bale opener 5 was located at time t1 = t2 - Δt.

[0098] The embodiments illustrated in the drawings and explained above are only a selection of some examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments discussed above. With knowledge of the invention, the person skilled in the art will be able to derive further variants that also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0099] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0100] 1 device according to the invention

[0101] 2 Sensor device, camera

[0102] 21 Camera field of view

[0103] 22 first data line

[0104] 23 second data line

[0105] 24 third data line

[0106] 3 computers

[0107] 31 Output unit, screen

[0108] 4 ball template

[0109] 41 textile fiber bales

[0110] 42 exposed surface of the textile fiber bales

[0111] 43 Contamination

[0112] 5 bale openers

[0113] 51 Tower

[0114] 52 booms

[0115] 6 unmanned aerial vehicle, drone

[0116] 61 Removing a contamination

[0117] 201, 202 Tables of a relational database

[0118] 211, 212, ... rows of table 201

[0119] 221, 222, ... rows of table 202

[0120] 250 first columns of tables 201, 202

[0121] 271, 281, 291 further columns of table 201

[0122] 272, 282, 292 further columns of table 202

[0123] 311 Consideration of a new textile fiber bale

[0124] 312 Measuring at least one parameter value

[0125] 313 Transmitting the parameter values ​​to the computer

[0126] 314 Assigning a character to the parameter value

[0127] 315 Assigning the symbol and position to the textile fiber bale

[0128] 316 Transmitting the character and position to the output unit

[0129] 317 Representation of characters depending on the positions

[0130] 318 Repeat the previous steps

[0131] 401 bale opener

[0132] 402 coarse cleaner

[0133] 403 mixers

[0134] 404 Fine cleaners

[0135] 405 Foreign matter cleaner

[0136] 411 Controlling a bale opener

[0137] 412 Controlling a bale cleaning device

[0138] 413 Control of a device downstream of the bale opener 500, 700 graphic representations

[0139] 504, 704 shown bale template

[0140] 505, 705 illustrated bale opener

[0141] 541, 741 illustrated textile fiber bales

[0142] 543 white rectangles

[0143] 544 yellow rectangles

[0144] 545 red rectangle

[0145] 546, 746 Warning

[0146] 553, 753 Direction of movement of the bale opener

[0147] 600 Representation of an augmented reality

[0148] 610 mobile electronic device, smartphone

[0149] 641 textile fiber bales shown

[0150] 643 white areas

[0151] 644 yellow areas

[0152] 645 red area

[0153] 746 Warning

[0154] 647 graphic representation of the removed portion of the fiber bale, cube

[0155] 8 Pipeline

[0156] 81 Fan

[0157] 82 Conveying direction of the fiber flake stream

[0158] 83 Fiber flake stream

[0159] 84 fiber flakes

[0160] 901 Window in the wall of the pipeline

[0161] 902 light sources

[0162] 903 mirrors

[0163] 904 cameras

[0164] 905 Evaluation unit

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. A computer-implemented method for examining several textile fiber bales (41) arranged in a row in the opening area of ​​a spinning mill preparation plant to form a bale template (4), 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 values ​​are transmitted from the sensor device (2) to a computer (3) connected to the sensor device (2), characterized in that a character of a graphic code dependent on the parameter value is assigned to each of the parameter values ​​by the computer (3), the associated character of the graphic code and a position of the textile fiber bale (41) within the bale template (4) are assigned to each textile fiber bale (41) by the computer (3),for each textile fibre bale (41), the associated character of the graphic code and the associated layer are transmitted from the computer (3) to an output unit (31), and the characters of the graphic code are output by the output unit (31) in a graphic representation (500) depending on the associated layers.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter is at least one element from the following set: humidity, color property, number of contaminants (43), color property of a contaminant (43), location of a contaminant (43), size of a contaminant (43), type of contaminant (43).

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the assignment of the position of the textile fiber bale (41) to each textile fiber bale (41) is carried out on the basis of a signal transmitted to the computer (3) by the sensor device (2), by a bale opener (5) processing the bale template (4) and / or by locating means. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein Fiber flakes (84) are removed from the textile fiber bales (41) by a bale opener (5), a fiber flake stream (83) containing the fiber flakes (84) is transported through a pipeline (8) which connects the bale opener (5) to a process stage following the bale opener (5), the sensor device (2) is attached to the pipeline (8), the position of the textile fiber bale (41) is assigned to each textile fiber bale (41) based on an indication of a current position of the bale opener (5) and a time interval which elapses between the removal of a fiber flake (84) by the bale opener (5) and the fiber flake (84) reaching the sensor device (2). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphic representation (500) essentially contains a reduced and simplified image of the bale template (4).Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the output unit (31) is comprised of a mobile electronic device (610) and the characters of the graphic code are displayed as augmented reality depending on the associated layers in conjunction with an image of the bale template (4). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphic code is a color code, a brightness code and / or a fill pattern code. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein different classes for the at least one parameter are defined by ranges for the parameter values ​​and the same character of the graphic code is assigned to all parameter values ​​within a class by the computer (3). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a signal dependent on the character of the graphic code and the associated layer is output by the computer (3) and used to carry out at least one of the actions from the. to effect the following amount: triggering an alarm, removing material from an area of ​​a textile fiber bale (41), removing a textile fiber bale (41) from the bale template (4), controlling (411) a bale opener (401) processing the bale template (4), controlling (412) a bale cleaning device cleaning the bale template (4), controlling (413) a device (402-405) downstream of a bale opener (401) in the spinning preparation plant, in particular a foreign matter cleaner (405), evaluating a bale supplier. Device (1) for examining several textile fiber bales (41) arranged in a row in the opening area of ​​a spinning preparation plant to form a bale template (4), comprising a sensor device (2) for measuring a 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 transmitting means for transmitting the measured parameter values ​​to the computer (3), the computer (3) has receiving means for receiving the parameter values ​​transmitted by the sensor device (2), and characterized in that the computer (3) is further configured to assign a character of a graphic code dependent on the parameter value to each of the received parameter values, to assign the associated character of the graphic code and a position of the textile fiber bale (41) within the bale template (4) to each textile fiber bale (41), to transmit the associated character of the graphic code and the associated position from the computer (3) to an output unit (31) for each textile fiber bale (41), and the output unit (31) is configured to output the characters of the graphic code in a graphic representation (500) depending on the associated positions.

11. Device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the at least one parameter is at least one element from the following set: humidity, color property, number of contaminants (43), color property of a contaminant (43), location of a contaminant (43), size of a contaminant (43), type of contaminant (43).

12. Device (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the computer (3) is configured to assign the position of the textile fiber bale (41) to each textile fiber bale (41) on the basis of a signal transmitted to the computer (3) by the sensor device (2), by a bale opener (5) processing the bale template (4) and / or by locating means.

13. Device (1) according to one of claims 10-12, wherein the sensor device (2) includes at least one digital camera which is mounted stationary or movable with respect to the bale template (4).

14. Device (1) according to one of claims 10-13, additionally comprising a bale opener (5) for removing fiber flakes (84) from the textile fiber bales (41) and a pipeline (8) for transporting a fiber flake stream (83) containing the removed fiber flakes (84) away from the bale opener (5), wherein the sensor device (2) is attached to the pipeline (8) and the computer (3) is configured to assign the position of the textile fiber bale (41) to each textile fiber bale (41) based on an indication of a current position of the bale opener (5) and a time interval that elapses between the removal of a fiber flake (84) by the bale opener (5) and the fiber flake (84) reaching the sensor device (2).

15. Device (1) according to one of claims 10-14, wherein the graphic representation (500) essentially includes a reduced and simplified image of the bale template (4).

16. Device (1) according to one of claims 10-15, additionally comprising a mobile electronic device (610) which comprises the output unit (31) and is configured to display the characters of the graphic code as a function of the associated layers in conjunction with an image of the bale template (4) as an augmented reality.

17. 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. Device (1) according to one of claims 10-17, wherein the computer (3) is arranged to assign to each of the received parameter values ​​a character of a graphic code in the form of a color code, a brightness code and / or a fill pattern code.

19. The device (1) according to any one of claims 10-18, wherein the computer (3) is configured to store different classes for the at least one parameter by means of ranges for the parameter values ​​and to assign the same character of the graphic code to all parameter values ​​within a class. 0.Device (1) according to one of claims 10-19, wherein the computer (3) is configured to output a signal which is dependent on the character of the graphic code and the associated position and which is suitable for effecting at least one of the following actions: triggering an alarm, removing material from an area of ​​a textile fiber bale (41), removing a textile fiber bale (41) from the bale template (4), controlling (411) a bale opener (401) which processes the bale template (4), controlling (412) a bale cleaning device which cleans the bale template (4), controlling (413) a bale opener (401) downstream of a bale opener in the spinning preparation plant. Device (402-405), in particular a foreign matter cleaner (405), evaluating a bale supplier.

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