Yarn processing apparatus

Abstract

In a yarn processing apparatus, the state of each of yarns is accurately detected with a simple structure. Yarn guides 45 of a yarn guide unit are conductive or intermediate-conductive at least at contact portions with yarns. A static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 is configured to output a signal corresponding to a voltage value of voltage generated in each yarn guide 45 by static electricity generated in the yarn guide 45. When a voltage difference Dv between the voltage value indicated by the signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 and the voltage value of a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for a neighboring yarn guide 45 is equal to or less than a threshold Dva (S102: YES), a controller 52 outputs a first signal which indicates that the state of the yarn at the yarn guide 45 is a predetermined state (S103). When the voltage difference Dv is above the threshold Dva (S102: NO), the controller 52 outputs a second signal which indicates that the state of the yarn Y at the yarn guide 45 is not the predetermined state (S104).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a yarn processing apparatus.

[0002] Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2016-124629) describes that each of winder units constituting an automatic winder is provided with a yarn monitoring device configured to detect changes in yarn thickness and foreign matters such as colored yarns. The yarn monitoring device in Patent Literature 1 includes a light projector configured to project light onto a yarn path, two reflected light receivers configured to receive light projected by the light projector and reflected on a yarn running in the yarn path, and one transmitted light receiver configured to receive light that is projected by the light projector and passes through the yarn running in the yarn path. In other words, in Patent Literature 1, the state of the yarn is detected by an optical sensor.

[0003] In Patent Literature 2 (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. S48-98132), collectors are individually provided for running yarns, respectively. Each collector is in contact with the yarn and detects the static electricity generated by the contact with the running yarn. In Patent Literature 2, yarn breakage is detected based on the static electricity detected by each collector.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In Patent Literature 1, the winder units are arranged with relatively large intervals between them, resulting in relatively large distances between the yarns. On this account, the states of the yarns can be detected by the above-described optical sensor. However, in a spun yarn take-up winder, for example, because the intervals between yarns are small, an optical sensor such as one described in Patent Literature 1 may not be able to correctly detect the state of each yarn, e.g., may erroneously detect the state of a neighboring yarn. Furthermore, it may be difficult to secure a space for multiple optical sensors that are provided for the respective yarns provided at small intervals.

[0005] In Patent Literature 2, because dedicated collectors are provided for yarns, respectively, the number of parts is large on account of the multiple collectors. In Patent Literature 2, furthermore, it is necessary to secure a space for arranging the multiple collectors in the apparatus. For these reasons, the structure of the apparatus may be complicated in Patent Literature 2.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a yarn processing apparatus that can accurately detect the state of each of yarns, with a simple structure.[Solution to Problem]

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, a yarn processing apparatus includes: a common roller which is shared between yarns and on which the yarns that are running are placed to be aligned in a row; yarn guides which are provided for the respective yarns, make contact with the corresponding yarns, are provided upstream or downstream of the common roller in a running direction of the yarns and aligned in a row, and are conductive or intermediate-conductive at least at each contact portion with the yarn; a static electricity quantity detection unit which is configured to detect the quantity of static electricity generated in each of the yarn guides; and a controller which is configured to output a yarn state signal indicating the state of the yarn at each of the yarn guides, based on the quantity of the static electricity in each of the yarn guides detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit, the controller outputting the yarn state signal based on a difference between the quantity of the static electricity in each of the yarn guides detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit and the quantity of the static electricity in a yarn guide different from the each of the yarn guides.

[0008] According to the aspect of the present invention, the controller outputs the yarn state signal indicating the state of the yarn at each yarn guide, based on a difference between the quantity of the static electricity generated in each yarn guide and the quantity of the static electricity generated in another yarn guide. It is therefore possible to detect the state of the yarn at the yarn guide based on the yarn state signal.

[0009] In regard to the above, in the yarn processing apparatus having the common roller shared between the yarns, the intervals between the yarns placed on the common roller are typically minimized from the perspective of suppressing the elongation of the common roller in the axial direction. In this case, the intervals of the yarn guides provided upstream or downstream of the common roller in the running direction of the yarns and aligned in a low are small. Therefore, when, being different from the present invention, the state of a yarn is detected by an optical sensor, the state of each yarn may not be accurately detected at the position of each of the yarn guides due to, for example, erroneous detection of the state of a neighboring yarn. Furthermore, it may be difficult to secure a space for providing optical sensors for the respective yarn guides provided at small intervals.

[0010] In the present invention, the yarn state signal is output based on a difference between the quantity of the static electricity in each of the yarn guides detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit and the quantity of the static electricity in a yarn guide different from the each of the yarn guides. This makes it possible to accurately detect the state of the yarn at each of the yarn guides provided at small intervals.

[0011] Furthermore, if, being different from the present invention, a dedicated contact member where static electricity is generated due to the contact with a yarn is provided and the quantity of static electricity generated in the contact member is detected, the number of parts increases and a space for the contact member needs to be secured, with the result that the configuration of the yarn processing apparatus becomes complex. In this regard, in the yarn processing apparatus having the yarn guides of the present invention, the state of the yarn at each yarn guide can be detected based on a difference between the quantity of the static electricity in each yarn guide detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit and the quantity of the static electricity in another yarn guide. It is therefore possible to simplify the configuration of the yarn processing apparatus as compared to the case where the dedicated contact member is additionally provided.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the invention, the yarn processing apparatus of the first aspect is arranged such that the controller outputs the yarn state signal based on a difference between the quantity of the static electricity in each of the yarn guides detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit and the quantity of the static electricity in a yarn guide next to the each of the yarn guides.

[0013] When the states of the yarns at the yarn guides are the same, the difference between the static electricity quantity at each yarn guide and the static electricity quantity at a neighboring yarn guide is likely to be minimum. When the state of the yarn is changed at a yarn guide, the difference between the static electricity quantity at that yarn guide and the static electricity quantity at a neighboring yarn guide is likely to be increased. Due to this, in the present invention, the controller outputs a yarn state signal based on a difference between the static electricity quantity at each yarn guide and the static electricity quantity at a neighboring yarn guide. It is therefore possible to detect the states of the yarn Y at each of the yarn guides based on the yarn state signal.

[0014] According to a third aspect of the invention, the yarn processing apparatus of the first or second aspect is arranged such that the static electricity quantity detection unit detects the quantity of the static electricity by detecting a voltage or current generated by the static electricity generated in each of the yarn guides, and the controller outputs the yarn state signal based on a difference between the voltage or current in each of the yarn guides detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit and the voltage or current in a yarn guide different from the each of the yarn guides.

[0015] According to the aspect of the present invention, the quantity of the static electricity generated in each yarn guide is detected by detecting a voltage or current generated due to the static electricity generated in each yarn guide, and the controller outputs the yarn state signal based on a difference between the voltage or current generated due to the static electricity generated in each yarn guide and the voltage or current generated due to the static electricity generated in another yarn guide. It is therefore possible to detect the states of the yarn Y at each of the yarn guides based on the yarn state signal.

[0016] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the yarn processing apparatus of any one of the first to third aspects further includes: interlacing units which are provided for the respective yarns and are configured to twist the yarns; upstream support guides which are provided for the respective yarns, support the yarns at positions upstream of the interlacing units in the running direction of the yarns, and function as the yarn guides; and downstream support guides which are provided for the respective yarns, support the yarns at positions downstream of the interlacing units in the running direction of the yarns, and function as the yarn guides, as the quantity of the static electricity generated in each of the yarn guides, the static electricity quantity detection unit detects at least one of the quantity of static electricity generated in the upstream support guides or the quantity of static electricity generated in the downstream support guides.

[0017] The intervals between the interlacing units are typically small, and accordingly, the intervals of the upstream support guides and the intervals of the downstream support guides are small. In the aspect of the present invention, as the quantity of the static electricity generated in each of the yarn guides, at least one of the quantity of static electricity generated in the upstream support guides or the quantity of static electricity generated in the downstream support guides is detected. Based on at least one of a difference between the quantity of the static electricity in each upstream support guide and the quantity of the static electricity in another upstream support guide or a difference between the quantity of the static electricity in each downstream support guide and the quantity of the static electricity in another downstream support guide, the controller outputs the yarn state signal. It is therefore possible to detect the states of the yarn Y at each of the yarn guides based on the yarn state signal.

[0018] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the yarn processing apparatus of any one of the first to fourth aspects further includes an insulating member which insulates conductive or intermediate-conductive portions of neighboring ones of the yarn guides from each other.

[0019] According to the aspect of the present invention, the neighboring yarn guides are insulated by the insulating member at the conductive or intermediate-conductive portions, and this prevents the static electricity generated by the contact between each yarn guide and the yarn from influencing on the static electricity generated by the contact between the neighboring yarn guide and the yarn.

[0020] According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the yarn processing apparatus of the fifth aspect is arranged such that each of the yarn guides is entirely conductive or intermediate-conductive, and the insulating member is provided between neighboring ones of the yarn guides.

[0021] According to the present invention, when each of the yarn guides is entirely conductive or intermediate-conductive, the yarn guides are insulated from one another by the insulating member provided between neighboring yarn guides.

[0022] According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the yarn processing apparatus of the fifth aspect is arranged such that each of the yarn guides includes: a first yarn guide section which includes a contact portion with the yarn and is conductive or intermediate-conductive; and a second yarn guide section which covers the first yarn guide section and functions as the insulating member.

[0023] According to the aspect of the present invention, the conductive or intermediate-conductive first yarn guide sections of the neighboring yarn guides are insulated by the second yarn guide section that is insulating.

[0024] According to an eighth aspect of the invention, the yarn processing apparatus of any one of the first to sixth aspects further includes a supporting member which is conductive and supports the yarn guides, the supporting member being insulated from each of the yarn guides.

[0025] According to the aspect of the present invention, because the yarn guides that are conductive or intermediate-conductive are insulated from the conductive supporting member, no current flows from a yarn guide to the supporting member when the static electricity is generated in that yarn guide. As a result, the quantity of the static electricity generated by the contact between the yarn and the yarn guide increases, making it easier to detect the state of the yarn based on the difference in quantity of the static electricity between the yarn guides.

[0026] According to a ninth aspect of the invention, the yarn processing apparatus of any one of the first to fourth aspects is arranged such that the yarn guides are intermediate-conductive, a supporting member which is conductive and supports the yarn guides is provided, and each of the yarn guides is electrically connected to the supporting member.

[0027] From the perspective of detecting the state of a yarn based on a difference in quantity of static electricity between each yarn guide and another yarn guide, the quantity of the static electricity generated in the yarn guide due to contact with the yarn is preferably large. On the other hand, considering the effects of the static electricity generated in the yarn guide on the yarn, the quantity of the static electricity generated in the yarn guide is preferably not too large.

[0028] According to the aspect of the present invention, the yarn guide that is intermediate-conductive is electrically connected to the supporting member that is conductive. With this, when static electricity is generated in a yarn guide, a current flows from the yarn guide to the supporting member. Due to this, the quantity of the static electricity generated in the yarn guide does not become too large. On the other hand, because the yarn guide is intermediate-conductive, a current is less likely to flow from the yarn guide to the supporting member as compared to a case where the yarn guide is conductive. Therefore, the quantity of the static electricity generated in the yarn guide due to the contact between the yarn and the yarn guide does not become too small, and the state of the yarn at each yarn guide is detectable based on a difference between the quantity of the static electricity generated in each yarn guide and the quantity of the static electricity generated in another yarn guide.

[0029] According to the present invention, the controller outputs the yarn state signal based on a difference between the quantity of the static electricity generated in each yarn guide and the quantity of the static electricity generated in another yarn guide. This makes it possible to accurately detect the state of the yarn at each of the yarn guides provided at small intervals, based on the yarn state signal. It is therefore possible to simplify the configuration of the yarn processing apparatus as compared to a case where a dedicated contact member with which a running yarn makes contact for the purpose of detecting the quantity of the static electricity is additionally provided.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of oil supply guides and a drawing unit of a spun yarn take-up winder of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a take-up unit and a winding unit of the spun yarn take-up winder of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross section of a yarn guide unit of the embodiment, which is taken along a direction orthogonal to a yarn running direction. FIG. 4(a) is a block diagram showing the electrical connection relationship between a yarn guide, a static electricity quantity detection circuit, and a controller of the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4(b) is a flowchart showing the processing flow for outputting a yarn state signal in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of a process for outputting a yarn state signal in a modification 1. FIG. 6 is a cross section of a yarn guide unit of a modification 2, which is taken along a direction orthogonal to a yarn running direction. FIG. 7 is a cross section of a yarn guide unit of a modification 3, which is taken along a direction orthogonal to a yarn running direction. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The following will describe a preferred embodiment of the present invention.<Outline of Spun Yarn Take-Up Winder>

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a spun yarn take-up winder 1 of the present embodiment (a yarn processing apparatus of the present invention) includes a plurality of oil supply guides 10, a drawing unit 3, a take-up unit 4, and a winding unit 5. The following description uses a vertical direction, a front-rear direction, and a left-right direction which are defined as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The vertical direction is a direction in which the gravity acts. The front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the vertical direction are orthogonal to one another. The following description also uses (i) the upper side and the lower side in the vertical direction, (ii) the right side and the left side in the left-right direction, and (iii) the front side and the rear side in the front-rear direction, which are defined as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.<Oil Supply Guide>

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, above the spun yarn take-up winder 1, a spinning unit 2 is provided. The spinning unit 2 has yarn spinning units 2A aligned in a row in the left-right direction. Each yarn spinning unit 2A spins out multiple filaments F made of a molten fibrous material such as polyester, to form a single yarn Y.

[0034] The oil supply guides 10 are individually provided for the respective yarn spinning units 2A. That is, each oil supply guide 10 is provided for a single yarn Y formed of multiple filaments F spun out from the corresponding yarn spinning unit 2A. The oil supply guides 10 are lined up to form a single row in the left-right direction. The oil supply guide 10 gathers the filaments F spun out from the corresponding yarn spinning unit 2A into a single yarn Y, and applies oil to the yarn Y. <Drawing Unit>

[0035] The drawing unit 3 is provided below the oil supply guides 10. The drawing unit 3 includes five godet rollers 11a to 11e. Each of the five godet rollers 11a to 11e has an axis parallel to the front-rear direction, and is rotationally driven by an unillustrated motor. Each of the five godet rollers 11a to 11e includes an unillustrated heater therein. The five godet rollers 11a to 11e are housed in a thermal insulation box 12 which is rectangular parallelepiped in shape. In a right side wall member of the thermal insulation box 12, a yarn inlet 12a through which the yarns Y are introduced into the thermal insulation box 12 and a yarn outlet 12b through which the yarns Y go out from the thermal insulation box 12 are formed.

[0036] The yarns Y to which oil is applied by the oil supply guides 10 are aligned in a row by the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide units 9A and 9B, and are guided by the guide roller 13 into the thermal insulation box 12 through the yarn inlet 12a.

[0037] To be more specific, the yarn guide unit 9A is provided below the oil supply guides 10. The yarn guide unit 9A includes yarn guides 45 aligned in a row in the left-right direction. The yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9A are individually provided for the respective yarns Y. The yarns Y to which oil is applied by the oil supply guides 10 are aligned in a row in the left-right direction by the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9A.

[0038] The yarn guide unit 9B is provided below the yarn guide unit 9A. The yarn guide unit 9B includes yarn guides 45 aligned in a row in the front-rear direction. The yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9B are individually provided for the respective yarns Y. The alignment direction of the yarns Y is changed between the yarn guide unit 9A and the yarn guide unit 9B, and the yarns Y are aligned in a row in the front-rear direction by the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9B.

[0039] The guide roller 13 is a roller having an axis substantially parallel to the front-rear direction and is provided below the yarn guide unit 9B. The yarns Y aligned in a row in the front-rear direction by the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9B are conveyed by the guide roller 13 and introduced into the thermal insulation box 12 through the yarn inlet 12a. The yarns Y introduced into the thermal insulation box 12 are wound onto the five godet rollers 11a to 11e in order.

[0040] The upstream three godet rollers 11a to 11c are heating rollers for preheating the yarns Y before drawing the yarns Y. The surface temperatures of the godet rollers 11a to 11c are arranged to be equal to or higher than a glass transition temperature of the yarns Y. The yarns Y introduced into the thermal insulation box 12 through the yarn inlet 12a are preheated to a drawable temperature, i.e., the glass transition temperature or higher, while being conveyed by the upstream three godet rollers 11a to 11c.

[0041] The downstream two godet rollers 11d and 11e are heating rollers for thermally setting the drawn yarns Y. The surface temperatures of the godet rollers 11d and 11e are arranged to be higher than those of the upstream three godet rollers 11a to 11c. The surface speeds of the downstream two godet rollers 11d and 11e are higher than those of the upstream three godet rollers 11a to 11c.

[0042] The yarns Y preheated by the godet rollers 11a to 11c are drawn on account of a difference between the surface speeds of the godet roller 11c and the godet roller 11d. Thereafter, the yarns Y are further heated to high temperatures while being conveyed by the downstream two godet rollers 11d and 11e. As a result, the drawn state is thermally set. The yarns Y having been drawn in this way go out from the thermal insulation box 12 through the yarn outlet 12b. The yarns Y having exited the thermal insulation box 12 through the yarn outlet 12b are sent toward the take-up unit 4 by the guide roller 14.

[0043] In a yarn path between the yarn outlet 12b and the guide roller 14, interlacing guides 8 and yarn guide units 9C and 9D are provided. The interlacing guides 8 are provided for the respective yarns Y and are lined up in a row in the front-rear direction. Each interlacing guide 8 is configured to interlace the yarn Y. Because the structure of the interlacing guide 8 has been known, further details are not explained. In the present embodiment, the interlacing guide 8 corresponds to an interlacing unit of the present invention.

[0044] The yarn guide unit 9C is provided in a yarn path immediately upstream of the interlacing guides 8. The yarn guide unit 9D is provided in a yarn path immediately downstream of the interlacing guides 8. Each of the yarn guide units 9C and 9D has yarn guides 45 aligned in a row in the front-rear direction at approximately the same intervals as the interlacing guides 8. The yarn guides 45 of each of the yarn guide units 9C and 9D are individually provided for the respective yarns Y. The yarns Y are aligned in a row in the front-rear direction by the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9C and the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9D. The yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide units 9C and 9D support portions of the yarns Y, which are located upstream and downstream of portions of the yarns Y where interlacing is performed by the interlacing guides 8. In the present embodiment, the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9C are equivalent to upstream support guides of the present invention, and the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9D are equivalent to downstream support guides of the present invention.

[0045] The guide roller 14 is a roller having an axis substantially parallel to the front-rear direction and is provided in a yarn path immediately downstream of the yarn guide unit 9D. The yarns Y aligned in a row in the front-rear direction by the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9D are supplied to the take-up unit 4 by the guide roller 14.<Take-Up Unit>

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, the take-up unit 4 includes godet rollers 21 and 22.

[0047] The godet roller 21 has an axis parallel to the left-right direction, and is provided below the guide roller 14. In a yarn path that is between the guide roller 14 and the godet roller 21 in the vertical direction and is immediately upstream of the godet roller 21, a yarn guide unit 9E is provided. The yarn guide unit 9E includes yarn guides 45 aligned in a row in the left-right direction. The yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9E are individually provided for the respective yarns Y. The alignment direction of the yarns Y is changed between the yarn guide roller 14 and the yarn guide unit 9E, the yarns Y are aligned in a low in the left-right direction by the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9E, and then the yarns Y are taken up by the godet roller 21. The godet roller 21 is rotationally driven by an unillustrated motor and sends the yarns Y aligned in the left-right direction by the yarn guides 45 of the thread guide unit 9E, toward the godet roller 22.

[0048] The godet roller 22 has an axis parallel to the left-right direction, and is provided on the rear side of the godet roller 21 in the front-rear direction. In a yarn path immediately upstream of the godet roller 22, a yarn guide unit 9F is provided. The yarn guide unit 9F includes yarn guides 45 aligned in a row in the left-right direction. The yarn guide units 9F are individually provided for the respective yarns Y. The yarns Y are aligned in a row in the left-right direction by the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9F. The godet roller 22 is rotationally driven by an unillustrated motor and sends, toward the winding unit 5, the yarns Y aligned in the left-right direction by the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9F.

[0049] The take-up unit 4 further includes a guide rail 23 extending upward in the vertical direction toward the rear side in the front-rear direction. The godet roller 22 and the yarn guide unit 9F are attached to a slider 24 that is movable along the guide rail 23. The slider 24 is connected to an unillustrated motor by an unillustrated pulley, belt, etc. As this motor is driven, the slider 24 moves along the guide rail 23. With this arrangement, the godet roller 22 and the yarn guide unit 9F are movable between (i) a rear position which is indicated by solid lines in FIG. 2 and where winding of the yarns Y is performed and (ii) a front position which is indicated by one-dot chain lines in FIG. 2, which is closer to the godet roller 21 than the rear position and where yarn threading is performed.<Winding Unit>

[0050] The winding unit 5 includes traverse devices 30, a turret 71, two bobbin holders 72, and a contact roller 73. The traverse devices 30 are provided for the respective yarns Y, and are aligned in a row in the front-rear direction. Each traverse device 30 includes a fulcrum guide 61 and a traverse guide 62.

[0051] The fulcrum guides 61 of the respective traverse devices 30 are lined up in a row in the front-rear direction. The fulcrum guides 61 of the traverse devices 30 are attached to sliders 67, respectively. The sliders 67 are supported to be movable in the front-rear direction along a guide rail 68 extending in the front-rear direction. The sliders 67 are connected to an unillustrated cylinder. As this cylinder is driven, the sliders 67 move in the front-rear direction along the guide rail 68. With this arrangement, the fulcrum guides 61 are movable between (i) positions where the fulcrum guides 61 are separated from one another in the front-rear direction and where the winding of the yarns Y is performed and (ii) positions where the fulcrum guides 61 are gathered to the front side in the front-rear direction and where the yarn threading is performed.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 2, the traverse guides 62 of the traverse devices 30 are provided downstream of the corresponding fulcrum guides 61 in the running direction of the yarns Y, and are aligned in a row in the front-rear direction. Each traverse guide 62 is driven by an unillustrated motor to traverse the yarn Y in the front-rear direction about the fulcrum guide 61.

[0053] The turret 71 is a disc-shaped member having an axis parallel to the front-rear direction. The turret 71 is rotationally driven by an unillustrated motor. The two bobbin holders 72 have axes in parallel to the front-rear direction, and are rotatably supported at an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the turret 71. To each bobbin holder 72, bobbins B provided for the respective yarns Y are attached to be aligned in the front-rear direction. The two bobbin holders 72 are rotationally driven by unillustrated motors, respectively.

[0054] As the upper bobbin holder 72 is rotationally driven, the yarns Y traversed by the traverse devices 30 are wound onto bobbins B, so that packages P are formed. After the completion of the formation of the packages P, the positions of the two bobbin holders 72 are changed upside down as the turret 71 is rotated. As a result, the bobbin holder 72 having been at the lower position is moved to the upper position. This allows the yarns Y to be wound onto bobbins B attached to this bobbin holder 72, so as to form packages P. Meanwhile, the bobbin holder 72 having been at the upper position is accordingly moved to the lower position so that collection of packages P becomes possible.

[0055] The contact roller 73 is a roller having an axis parallel to the front-rear direction. The contact roller 73 is provided immediately above the upper bobbin holder 72. The contact roller 73 is configured to make contact with the yarns Y on surfaces of packages P formed by winding the yarns Y onto bobbins B attached to the upper bobbin holder 72, so as to apply a contact pressure to the surfaces of the unfinished packages P.<Yarn Guide Unit>

[0056] The following will detail the above-described yarn guide units 9A to 9F with reference to FIG. 3. It is noted that the yarn guide unit 9 shown in FIG. 3 is one of the yarn guide units 9A to 9F. A yarn alignment direction in FIG. 3 refers to the left-right direction when the yarn guide unit 9 is one of the yarn guide units 9A, 9E, and 9F, or refers to the front-rear direction when the yarn guide unit 9 is one of the yarn guide units 9B, 9C, and 9D. An alignment orthogonal direction in FIG. 3 refers to the front-rear direction when the yarn guide unit 9 is one of the yarn guide units 9A, 9E, and 9F, or refers to the left-right direction when the yarn guide unit 9 is the yarn guide unit 9B, or refers to the up-down direction when the yarn guide unit 9 is one of the yarn guide units 9C and 9D.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3, the yarn guide unit 9 includes the yarn guides 45 which are provided for the respective yarns Y and are aligned in a row in the yarn alignment direction. To downsize the spinning winding device 1, the intervals between the yarns Y placed on the rollers 11a to 11d, 13, 14, 21, and 22 are minimized, for example, to about 8 mm, thereby shortening the length in the axial direction of the rollers 11a to 11d, 13, 14, 21, and 22 as much as possible. Accordingly, the intervals between the yarn guides 45 in the yarn guide unit 9 are substantially identical with the intervals between the yarns Y placed on the rollers 11a to 11d, 13, 14, 21, and 22, e.g., small intervals such as about 8 mm. However, the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9 are arranged at intervals so that the yarn guides 45 are not electrically directly connected to each other. In the present embodiment, the rollers 11a to 11d, 13, 14, 21, and 22 are equivalent to common rollers of the present invention.

[0058] Each yarn guide 45 is substantially U-shaped, with one end open in the alignment orthogonal direction. This allows the yarn Y to be introduced from the one end side in the alignment orthogonal direction. The yarn guide 45 is conductive or intermediate-conductive and makes contact with the yarn Y.

[0059] In the present embodiment, when a member is conductive, the member is made of a material such as metal, whose volume resistivity is 10 -8< Ω·cm or less. When a member is intermediate-conductive, for example, the member is made of a material such as zirconia, whose volume resistivity is 10 -7< Ω·cm or less and 10 -8< Ω·cm or more. Both when the yarn guide 45 is conductive and when the yarn guide 45 is intermediate-conductive, an electric current flows in the yarn guide 45 due to the static electricity generated by the contact between the running yarn Y and the yarn guide 45. Note that, when the yarn guide 45 is intermediate-conductive, the magnitude of the electric current is small as compared to the case where the yarn guide 45 is conductive.

[0060] In addition to the above, the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9 are supported by a supporting member 46 extending in the yarn alignment direction, at the other end in the alignment orthogonal direction. The supporting member 46 is conductive. Between the yarn guides 45 and the supporting member 46, an insulator 47 that is insulating is provided, and each yarn guide 45 and the supporting member 46 are insulated from each other by the insulator 47. Between the yarn guides 45 neighboring each other in the yarn alignment direction, an insulator 48 is provided. The neighboring yarn guides 45 are insulated from each other by the insulator 48. In the present embodiment, the insulator 48 is equivalent to an insulating member of the present invention. In the present embodiment, when a member is insulating, the member is made of a material such as resin, whose volume resistivity is 10 8< Ω·cm or more.

[0061] While the description above presupposes that the yarn guide units 9A to 9F have the same structure, the disclosure is not limited to this arrangement. For example, the yarn guide units 9A to 9F may be different in, for example, shape of the yarn guide 45.<Detection of State of Yarn at Yarn Guide>

[0062] In the present embodiment, the states of the yarns Y at the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9 which is at least one of the yarn guide units 9A to 9F is detected.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 4(a), the spun yarn take-up winder 1 includes static electricity quantity detection circuits 51 and a controller 52, in addition to the above-described arrangement. The static electricity quantity detection circuits 51 are provided for the respective yarn guides 45 of at least one of the yarn guide units 9A to 9F, and are electrically connected to the corresponding yarn guides 45. The static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 is configured to detect voltage generated in the yarn guide 45 by static electricity generated in the yarn guide 45, and output a signal corresponding to the voltage value. In this regard, the larger the static electricity quantity of the static electricity generated in the yarn guide 45 due to the contact with the yarn Y, the larger the voltage value of the voltage generated in the yarn guide 45 by the static electricity. In the present embodiment, a combination of the static electricity quantity detection circuits 51 is equivalent to a static electricity quantity detection unit of the present invention.

[0064] The controller 52 is configured to output, for each of the static electricity quantity detection circuits 51, a yarn state signal indicating whether the state of the yarn Y at the yarn guide 45 is a predetermined state based on the signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51. In this connection, when the state of the yarn Y at the yarn guide 45 is the predetermined state, for example, the tension of the yarn Y at the yarn guide 45 falls within a normal range or the yarn Y is not broken at around the yarn guide 45. On the other hand, when the state of the yarn Y at the yarn guide 45 is not the predetermined state, for example, the tension of the yarn Y at the yarn guide 45 is out of the normal range or the yarn Y is broken at around the yarn guide 45.

[0065] In addition to the above, for example, although not detailed below, the controller 52 controls an unillustrated motor of the spun yarn take-up winder 1.

[0066] The following will detail the output of the yarn state signal by the controller 52. The controller 52 outputs the yarn state signal by performing processing for each of the static electricity quantity detection circuits 51 according to the flowchart in FIG. 4(b). The flowchart in FIG. 4(b) is detailed as follows. To begin with, the controller 52 calculates a voltage difference Dv between a voltage value output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 and a voltage value output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for the neighboring yarn guide 45 (S101).

[0067] In this regard, for the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for the outermost yarn guide 45 on one side in the yarn alignment direction in the yarn guide unit 9, a difference between a voltage value of a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for that outermost yarn guide 45 and a voltage value of a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 which is provided for a yarn guide 45 immediately next on the other side to the outermost yarn guide 45 in the yarn alignment direction is calculated as the voltage difference Dv.

[0068] Furthermore, for the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for the outermost yarn guide 45 on the other side in the yarn alignment direction in the yarn guide unit 9, a difference between a voltage value of a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for that outermost yarn guide 45 and a voltage value of a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 which is provided for a yarn guide 45 immediately next on the one side to the outermost yarn guide 45 in the yarn alignment direction is calculated as the voltage difference Dv.

[0069] Furthermore, for a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for a yarn guide 45 that is neither the outermost yarn guide 45 on one side nor the outermost yarn guide 45 on the other side in the yarn alignment direction in the yarn guide unit 9, a difference between a voltage value of a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for the subject yarn guide 45 and a voltage value of a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 which is provided for a yarn guide 45 immediately next on the one side or the other side to the subject yarn guide 45 in the yarn alignment direction is calculated as the voltage difference Dv. Alternatively, for example, an average value of (i) a difference between a voltage value of a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for a given yarn guide 45 and a voltage value of a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 which is provided for a yarn guide 45 immediately next on one side to the subject yarn guide 45 in the yarn alignment direction and (ii) a difference between the voltage value of the signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for the given yarn guide 45 and a voltage value of a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 which is provided for a yarn guide 45 immediately next on the other side to the given yarn guide 45 in the yarn alignment direction may be calculated as the voltage difference Dv.

[0070] Subsequently, the controller 52 determines whether the voltage difference Dv is (i) equal to or less than a threshold Dva or (ii) above the threshold Dva (S102). When the voltage difference Dv is equal to or less than the threshold Dva (S102: YES), the controller 52 outputs, as a yarn state signal, a first signal which indicates that the state of the yarn Y at the yarn guide 45 is a predetermined state (S103). When the voltage difference Dv is above the threshold Dva (S102: NO), the controller 52 outputs, as the yarn state signal, a second signal which indicates that the state of the yarn Y at the yarn guide 45 is not the predetermined state (S104). After the output of the yarn state signal in S103 or S104, the process goes back to S101.<Effects>

[0071] In the present embodiment, the controller 52 outputs a yarn state signal based on a difference between the static electricity quantity of the static electricity generated in a yarn guide 45 of a yarn guide unit 9 and the static electricity quantity of the static electricity generated in another yarn guide 45 of the same yarn guide unit 9. It is therefore possible to detect the state of the yarn Y at the yarn guide 45 based on the yarn state signal.

[0072] In a spun yarn take-up winder 1 having rollers 11a to 11d, 13, 14, 21, and 22 shared between yarns Y, the intervals between the yarns Y placed on the rollers 11a to 11d, 13, 14, 21, and 22 are typically minimized from the perspective of suppressing the elongation of the rollers 11a to 11d, 13, 14, 21, and 22 in the axial direction. In this case, in the yarn guide units 9A to 9F which are provided upstream of or downstream of the rollers 11a to 11d, 13, 14, 21, and 22 in the running direction of the yarns Y, the intervals of the yarn guides 45 aligned in a low are small. Therefore, when, being different from the present invention, the state of a yarn Y is detected by an optical sensor, the state of the yarn Y may not be accurately detected due to, for example, erroneous detection of the state of a neighboring yarn Y. Furthermore, in the spun yarn take-up winder 1, it may be difficult to secure a space for providing optical sensors for the respective yarns provided at small intervals. For example, while the yarn guides 45 are arranged at intervals of about 8mm as described above, it is difficult to arrange typical optical sensors at intervals of less than 10 mm when the state of each yarn Y is detected by such optical sensors.

[0073] In the present embodiment, the state of the yarn Y at each yarn guide 45 is detected based on a difference between the static electricity quantity of the static electricity generated in each yarn guide 45 and the static electricity quantity of the static electricity generated in another yarn guide 45. This makes it possible to accurately detect the state of the yarn Y at each of the yarn guides 45 provided at small intervals.

[0074] Furthermore, if, being different from the present invention, a dedicated contact member where static electricity is generated due to the contact with a yarn Y is provided, the number of parts increases and a space for the contact member needs to be secured, with the result that the configuration of the spun yarn take-up winder 1 becomes complex. In this regard, in the spun yarn take-up winder 1 having the yarn guide unit 9 including the yarn guides 45, the state of the yarn Y is detected based on a difference between the static electricity quantity of the static electricity generated in each yarn guide 45 and the static electricity quantity of the static electricity generated in another yarn guide 45. It is therefore possible to simplify the configuration of the spun yarn take-up winder 1 as compared to the case where the dedicated contact member is additionally provided.

[0075] In addition to the above, when the states of the yarns Y at the yarn guides 45 of one yarn guide unit 9 are the same, the difference between the static electricity quantity at each yarn guide 45 of the yarn guide unit 9 and the static electricity quantity at a neighboring yarn guide 45 is likely to be minimum. When the state of the yarn Y is changed at a yarn guide 45, the difference between the static electricity quantity at that yarn guide 45 and the static electricity quantity at a neighboring yarn guide 45 is likely to be increased. Due to this, in the present embodiment, the controller 52 outputs a yarn state signal based on a difference between the static electricity quantity at each yarn guide 45 and the static electricity quantity at a neighboring yarn guide 45. It is therefore possible to detect the states of the yarns Y at the yarn guides 45 based on the yarn state signal.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the static electricity quantity of the static electricity generated in each yarn guide 45 of the yarn guide unit 9 by detecting a voltage generated in each yarn guide 45 by the static electricity generated in each yarn guide 45. Then the yarn state signal is output based on a difference between the voltage generated by the static electricity generated in each yarn guide 45 and the voltage generated by the static electricity generated in another yarn guide 45. It is therefore possible to detect the state of the yarn Y based on the yarn state signal.

[0077] Typically, in the spun yarn take-up winder 1, the intervals between the interlacing guides 8 are small, and accordingly, the intervals of the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9C immediately upstream of the interlacing guides 8 are small and the intervals of the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9D immediately downstream of the interlacing guides 8 are small, too.

[0078] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the states of the yarns Y at the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9C are detectable based on the yarn state signal, in such a way that the static electricity quantities of the static electricity generated in the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9C are detected and the controller 52 outputs the yarn state signal based on differences in the static electricity quantities of the static electricity generated in the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9C.

[0079] Similarly, in the present embodiment, the states of the yarns Y at the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9D are detectable based on the yarn state signal, in such a way that the static electricity quantities of the static electricity generated in the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9D are detected and the controller 52 outputs the yarn state signal based on differences in the static electricity quantities of the static electricity generated in the yarn guides 45 of the yarn guide unit 9D.

[0080] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, while all of the yarn guides 45 are conductive or intermediate-conductive, the insulator 48 is provided between neighboring yarn guides 45. The neighboring yarn guides 45 are insulated by the insulator 48 in this way, and this prevents the static electricity generated by the contact between each yarn guide 45 and the yarn Y from influencing on the static electricity generated by the contact between the neighboring yarn guide 45 and the yarn Y.

[0081] In the present embodiment, because the yarn guides 45 that are conductive or intermediate-conductive are insulated from the conductive supporting member 46 by the insulator 47, no current flows from a yarn guide 45 to the supporting member 46 when the static electricity is generated in that yarn guide 45. As a result, the quantity of the static electricity generated by the contact between the yarn Y and each yarn guide 45 increases, making it easier to detect the state of the yarn Y based on the difference in quantity of the static electricity between the yarn guides 45.<Modifications>

[0082] A preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0083] In the embodiment above, the controller 52 outputs the yarn state signal based on the voltage difference Dv which is a difference in voltage generated by the static electricity generated in the yarn guide 45 due to the contact between the yarn Y and each yarn guide 45. The disclosure, however, is not limited to this.

[0084] According to a modification 1, a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 is configured to detect a current generated by static electricity generated in a yarn guide 45, and output a signal corresponding to the current value. In this regard, the larger the static electricity quantity of the static electricity generated in the yarn guide 45, the larger the current value of the current generated by the static electricity.

[0085] A controller 52 then outputs a yarn state signal by performing processing for each of the static electricity quantity detection circuits 51 according to the flowchart in FIG. 5. To be more specific, to begin with, the controller 52 calculates a current difference Di between a current value indicated by a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 and a current value indicated by a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for a neighboring yarn guide 45 (S201).

[0086] In this regard, for the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for the outermost yarn guide 45 on one side in the yarn alignment direction in the yarn guide unit 9, a difference between a current value of a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for that outermost yarn guide 45 and a current value of a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 which is provided for a yarn guide 45 immediately next on the other side to the outermost yarn guide 45 in the yarn alignment direction is calculated as the current difference Di.

[0087] Furthermore, for the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for the outermost yarn guide 45 on the other side in the yarn alignment direction in the yarn guide unit 9, a difference between a current value of a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for that outermost yarn guide 45 and a current value of a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 which is provided for a yarn guide 45 immediately next on the one side to the outermost yarn guide 45 in the yarn alignment direction is calculated as the current difference Di.

[0088] Furthermore, for a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for a yarn guide 45 that is neither the outermost yarn guide 45 on one side nor the outermost yarn guide 45 on the other side in the yarn alignment direction in the yarn guide unit 9, a difference between a current value of a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for the subject yarn guide 45 and a current value of a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 which is provided for a yarn guide 45 immediately next on the one side or the other side to the subject yarn guide 45 in the yarn alignment direction is calculated as the current difference Di. Alternatively, for example, an average value of (i) a difference between a current value of a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for a given yarn guide 45 and a current value of a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 which is provided for a yarn guide 45 immediately next on one side to the given yarn guide 45 in the yarn alignment direction and (ii) a difference between the current value of the signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for the given yarn guide 45 and a current value of a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 which is provided for a yarn guide 45 immediately next on the other side to the given yarn guide 45 in the yarn alignment direction may be calculated as the current difference Di.

[0089] Subsequently, the controller 52 determines whether the current difference Di is (i) equal to or less than a threshold Dia or (ii) above the threshold Dia (S202). When the current difference Di is equal to or less than the threshold Dia (S202: YES), the controller 52 outputs a first signal as a yarn state signal (S203). When the current difference Di is above the threshold Dia (S202: NO), the controller 52 outputs a second signal as the yarn state signal (S204). After the output of the yarn state signal in S203 or S204, the process goes back to S201.

[0090] According to the modification 1, the static electricity quantity of the static electricity generated in each yarn guide 45 of the yarn guide unit 9 is detected by detecting a current generated in each yarn guide 45 due to the static electricity generated in each yarn guide 45, and the controller 52 outputs the yarn state signal based on a difference between the current generated due to the static electricity generated in each yarn guide 45 and the current generated due to the static electricity generated in another yarn guide 45. It is therefore possible to detect the states of the yarns Y at the yarn guides 45 based on the yarn state signal.

[0091] In the embodiment above, a difference between a voltage value of a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for each yarn guide 45 and a voltage value of a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 which is provided for a yarn guide 45 next to the each yarn guide 45 is calculated as the voltage difference Dv. The disclosure, however, is not limited to this arrangement. A difference between a voltage value of a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for each yarn guide 45 and a voltage value of a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for a yarn guide 45 which is not next to the each yarn guide 45 may be calculated as the voltage difference Dv.

[0092] In the modification 1, a difference between a current value of a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for each yarn guide 45 and a current value of a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 which is provided for a yarn guide 45 next to the each yarn guide 45 is calculated as the current difference Di. The disclosure, however, is not limited to this arrangement. A difference between a current value of a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for each yarn guide 45 and a current value of a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for a yarn guide 45 which is not next to the each yarn guide 45 may be calculated as the current difference Di.

[0093] In the embodiment above, the yarn guides 45 are conductive or intermediate-conductive and the supporting member 46 supporting the yarn guides 45 are conductive, whereas each yarn guide 45 is insulated from the supporting member 46 by the insulator 47. However, the disclosure is not limited to this.

[0094] In a modification 2, yarn guides 45 of a yarn guide unit 9 are intermediate-conductive. On the other hand, a supporting member 46 is conductive in the same manner as in the embodiment above. In the modification 2, as shown in FIG. 6, the insulator 47 (see FIG. 3) is not provided between each yarn guide 45 and the supporting member 46, and each yarn guide 45 and the supporting member 46 are electrically connected as each yarn guide 45 is directly in contact with the supporting member 46.

[0095] From the perspective of detecting the state of a yarn Y based on a difference in quantity of static electricity between a yarn guide 45 and another yarn guide 45, the quantity of the static electricity generated in the yarn guide 45 due to contact with the yarn Y is preferably large. On the other hand, considering the effects of the static electricity generated in the yarn guide 45 on the yarn Y, the quantity of the static electricity generated in the yarn guide 45 is preferably not too large.

[0096] In the modification 2, the yarn guide 45 that is intermediate-conductive is electrically connected to the supporting member 46 that is conductive. With this, when static electricity is generated in the yarn guide 45, a current flows from the yarn guide 45 to the supporting member 46. Due to this, the quantity of the static electricity generated in the yarn guide 45 does not become too large. On the other hand, because the yarn guide 45 is intermediate-conductive, a current is less likely to flow from the yarn guide 45 to the supporting member 46 as compared to a case where the yarn guide 45 is conductive. On this account, the quantity of the static electricity generated in the yarn guide 45 due to the contact between the yarn Y and the yarn guide 45 does not become too small, and it is therefore possible to detect the states of the yarns Y at the yarn guides 45 based on the differences in quantity of the static electricity between the yarn guides 45.

[0097] In the examples above, the yarn guide 45 is entirely conductive or intermediate-conductive. The disclosure, however, is not limited to this arrangement. The yarn guide 45 may be conductive or intermediate-conductive only at its part including a contact portion with the yarn Y. Also in this case, it is possible to cause the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 to output a signal corresponding to the quantity of the static electricity generated in the yarn guide 45 due to the contact with the yarn Y.

[0098] For example, in a modification example 3, as shown in FIG. 7, a yarn guide 45 has a first yarn guide section 45a and a second yarn guide section 45b. The first yarn guide section 45a is conductive or intermediate-conductive and forms a part of the yarn guide 45, which includes a contact portion with the yarn Y. The second yarn guide section 45b is insulating and covers the first yarn guide section 45a. As a result, the first yarn guide sections 45a of the neighboring yarn guides 45 in a yarn guide unit 9 are insulated by the second yarn guide sections 45b. In the modification 3, the second yarn guide section 45b is equivalent to the insulating member of the present invention. While in FIG. 7 neighboring yarn guides 45 are separated from each other, the neighboring yarn guides 45 may be in contact with each other at their second yarn guide sections 45b.

[0099] In the modification 3, the supporting member 46 is insulating. The first yarn guide section 45a is drawn away from the yarn guide 45 in the supporting member 46 in the alignment orthogonal direction, and is connected to the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 (see FIG. 4(a)).

[0100] In the modification 3, the conductive or intermediate-conductive first yarn guide sections 45a of the neighboring yarn guides 45 are insulated by the second yarn guide section 45b that is insulating. This prevents the static electricity generated by the contact between each yarn guide 45 and the yarn Y from influencing on the static electricity generated by the contact between the neighboring yarn guide 45 and the yarn Y.

[0101] Alternatively, when only a part of the yarn guide 45, which includes a contact portion with the yarn Y, is conductive or intermediate-conductive, that part of the yarn guide 45 may be insulated from the supporting member 46. Alternatively, when only a part of the yarn guide 45, which includes a contact portion with the yarn Y, is intermediate-conductive, that part of the yarn guide 45 may be electrically connected to the supporting member 46.

[0102] The conductive or intermediate-conductive parts of the neighboring yarn guides may be insulated from each other by an insulating member that is structurally different from the embodiment above and the modification 3.

[0103] While in the examples above the yarn guides 45 are supported by one common supporting member 46, the yarn guides 45 may be supported by individual supporting members, respectively. Alternatively, some of the yarn guides 45, specifically two or more, may be supported by a shared supporting member. While in the examples above the supporting member supporting the yarn guides 45 is conductive, the supporting member may be insulating.

[0104] In the examples above, the present invention is applied to a spun yarn take-up winder including a common roller shared between yarns and yarn guides which are provided upstream of or downstream of the common roller in a running direction of the yarns and are aligned in a row. The disclosure, however, is not limited to this arrangement. The present invention may be applied to a yarn processing apparatus which is not a spun yarn take-up winder and includes a common roller shared between yarns and yarn guides which are provided upstream of or downstream of the common roller in a running direction of the yarns.

Claims

1. A yarn processing apparatus (1) comprising: a common roller (11a to 11d, 13, 14, 21, 22) which is shared between yarns (Y) and on which the yarns (Y) that are running are placed to be aligned in a row; yarn guides (45) which are provided for the respective yarns (Y), make contact with the corresponding yarns (Y), are provided upstream or downstream of the common roller (11a to 11d, 13, 14, 21, 22) in a running direction of the yarns (Y) and aligned in a row, and are conductive or intermediate-conductive at least at each contact portion with the yarn (Y); a static electricity quantity detection unit (51) which is configured to detect the quantity of static electricity generated in each of the yarn guides (45); and a controller (52) which is configured to output a yarn state signal indicating the state of the yarn (Y) at each of the yarn guides (45), based on the quantity of the static electricity in each of the yarn guides (45) detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit (51), the controller (52) outputting the yarn state signal based on a difference between the quantity of the static electricity in each of the yarn guides (45) detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit (51) and the quantity of the static electricity in a yarn guide (45) different from the each of the yarn guides (45).

2. The yarn processing apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein, the controller (52) outputs the yarn state signal based on a difference between the quantity of the static electricity in each of the yarn guides (45) detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit (51) and the quantity of the static electricity in a yarn guide (45) next to the each of the yarn guides (45).

3. The yarn processing apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the static electricity quantity detection unit (51) detects the quantity of the static electricity by detecting a voltage or current generated by the static electricity generated in each of the yarn guides (45), and the controller (52) outputs the yarn state signal based on a difference between the voltage or current in each of the yarn guides (45) detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit (51) and the voltage or current in a yarn guide (45) different from the each of the yarn guides (45).

4. The yarn processing apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: interlacing units (8) which are provided for the respective yarns (Y) and are configured to twist the yarns (Y); upstream support guides (45) which are provided for the respective yarns (Y), support the yarns (Y) at positions upstream of the interlacing units (8) in the running direction of the yarns (Y), and function as the yarn guides; and downstream support guides (45) which are provided for the respective yarns (Y), support the yarns (Y) at positions downstream of the interlacing units (8) in the running direction of the yarns (Y), and function as the yarn guides, as the quantity of the static electricity generated in each of the yarn guides (45), the static electricity quantity detection unit (51) detects at least one of the quantity of static electricity generated in the upstream support guides (45) or the quantity of static electricity generated in the downstream support guides (45).

5. The yarn processing apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an insulating member (45b, 48) which insulates conductive or intermediate-conductive portions of neighboring ones of the yarn guides (45) from each other.

6. The yarn processing apparatus (1) according to claim 5, wherein, each of the yarn guides (45) is entirely conductive or intermediate-conductive, and the insulating member (48) is provided between neighboring ones of the yarn guides (45).

7. The yarn processing apparatus (1) according to claim 5, wherein, each of the yarn guides (45) includes: a first yarn guide section (45a) which includes a contact portion with the yarn and is conductive or intermediate-conductive; and a second yarn guide section (45b) which covers the first yarn guide section (45a) and functions as the insulating member.

8. The yarn processing apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a supporting member (46) which is conductive and supports the yarn guides, the supporting member (46) being insulated from each of the yarn guides (45).

9. The yarn processing apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the yarn guides (45) are intermediate-conductive, a supporting member (46) which is conductive and supports the yarn guides is provided, and each of the yarn guides (45) is electrically connected to the supporting member (46).

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