Yarn winding apparatus

Abstract

In a yarn winding apparatus, the state of a yarn is accurately detected with a simple structure. In a traverse guide, a guide rail 63 arranged to guide a yarn which is being traversed is conductive or intermediate-conductive at least at a contact portion with the yarn. A static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 outputs a signal corresponding to the quantity of static electricity generated in the guide rail 63 due to the contact between the yarn and the guide rail 63. When the maximum change quantity ΔE of the static electricity quantity indicated the signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 during a period from a time point before a predetermined time to the present is equal to or less than a threshold ΔEa (S102: YES), a controller 52 outputs a first signal which indicates that the state of the yarn at the guide rail 63 is a predetermined state (S103). When the maximum change quantity ΔE is above the threshold ΔEa (S102: NO), the controller 52 outputs a second signal which indicates that the state of the yarn at the guide rail 63 is not the predetermined state (S104).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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

[0002] In a spun yarn take-up winder of Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2015-78455), multiple yarns are wound onto bobbins while each being traversed by a traverse guide about a fulcrum guide.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In a spun yarn take-up winder such as one described in Patent Literature 1, the tension of a yarn is adjusted to achieve stable winding of the yarn. In so doing, it is necessary to detect the tension of the yarn. However, because there is no established technology for stably and continuously detecting the tension of the yarn which is being traversed, the tension has traditionally been detected by, for example, a sensor provided at a yarn part upstream of the fulcrum guide. However, because such a sensor is far away from the bobbin where the yarn is wound, the tension detected by this sensor may differ significantly from the tension of the yarn immediately before it is wound onto the bobbin. Therefore, it is necessary to detect the tension of the yarn which is being traversed and is immediately before wound onto the bobbin.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a yarn winding apparatus capable of detecting the state of a yarn which is being traversed.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, a yarn winding apparatus includes at least one traverse device configured to traverse at least one running yarn and winding the at least one yarn traversed by the at least one traverse device onto at least one bobbin, the at least one traverse device each including a guide rail that makes contact with the yarn and guides the traversed yarn, the guide rail being conductive or intermediate-conductive at least at a contact portion with the yarn, and a static electricity quantity detection unit being provided to detect static electricity quantity of static electricity generated in the guide rail.

[0006] In this aspect of the present invention, the state of the traversed yarn can be detected based on a detection result of the static electricity quantity generated in the guide rail.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the invention, the yarn winding apparatus of the first aspect further includes a controller which is configured to output a yarn state signal indicating a state of the yarn at the guide rail based on the static electricity quantity in the guide rail detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit.

[0008] According to the aspect of the present invention, the controller outputs the yarn state signal indicating the state of the yarn based on the quantity of static electricity in the guide rail detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit. It is therefore possible to detect the state of the yarn Y which is being traversed, based on the yarn state signal.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the invention, the yarn winding apparatus of the second aspect is arranged such that the controller outputs the yarn state signal based on magnitude relationship between a value of a parameter related to the static electricity quantity in the guide rail detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit and a threshold.

[0010] According to the aspect of the present invention, the controller outputs the yarn state signal based on the magnitude relationship between the value of the parameter related to the static electricity quantity detected in the guide rail by the static electricity quantity detection unit and the threshold. It is therefore possible to detect whether the yarn Y which is being traversed is in the predetermined state based on the yarn state signal.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the yarn winding device of the third aspect is arranged such that the value of the parameter is the maximum value of a change in the static electricity quantity in the guide rail detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit.

[0012] According to the aspect of the present invention, the controller outputs the yarn state signal based on the magnitude relationship between the maximum value of the change of the static electricity quantity detected in the guide rail by the static electricity quantity detection unit and the threshold. It is therefore possible to detect whether the yarn Y which is being traversed is in the predetermined state based on the yarn state signal.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the yarn winding device of the third aspect is arranged such that the static electricity quantity detection unit detects the static electricity quantity by detecting a voltage or current generated in the guide rail by the static electricity generated in the guide rail, and the value of the parameter is the value of the voltage or current detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit.

[0014] According to the aspect of the present invention, the controller outputs the yarn state signal based on the magnitude relationship between the value of the voltage or current, which is generated in the guide rail by the static electricity quantity generated in the guide rail and is detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit, and the threshold. It is therefore possible to detect whether the yarn Y which is being traversed is in the predetermined state based on the yarn state signal.

[0015] According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the yarn winding apparatus of the second aspect is arranged such that the traverse devices are individually provided for yarns, respectively, the static electricity quantity detection unit detecting the static electricity quantity in each of the guide rails of the traverse devices, and the controller outputting the yarn state signal based on a difference between the quantity of the static electricity in each of the guide rails detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit and the quantity of the static electricity in a guide rail different from the each of the guide rails.

[0016] According to this aspect of the present invention, when multiple guide rails are provided and the static electricity quantity detection unit detects the static electricity quantity at each guide rail, the controller outputs the yarn state signal based on a difference between the static electricity quantity at one guide rail and the static electricity quantity at another guide rail. It is therefore possible to detect whether the yarn Y which is being traversed is in the predetermined state based on the yarn state signal.

[0017] According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the yarn winding apparatus of the sixth aspect is arranged such that the guide rails are lined up in a single row, and the controller outputs the yarn state signal based on a difference between the quantity of the static electricity in each of the guide rails detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit and the quantity of the static electricity in a guide rail next to the each of the guide rails.

[0018] When multiple guide rails are aligned in a row and the states of the yarns at the guide rails are the same, the difference between the static electricity quantity at each guide rail and the static electricity quantity at a neighboring guide rail is likely to be minimum. When the state of the yarn is changed at a guide rail, the difference between the static electricity quantity at that guide rail and the static electricity quantity at a neighboring guide rail 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 guide rail and the static electricity quantity at a neighboring guide rail. It is therefore possible to detect whether the yarn Y which is being traversed is in the predetermined state based on the yarn state signal.

[0019] According to an eighth aspect of the invention, the yarn winding apparatus of any one of the first to seventh aspects further includes a supporting member which is conductive and supports the guide rail, the guide rail being insulated from the supporting member.

[0020] According to the aspect of the present invention, because the guide rail that is conductive or intermediate-conductive is insulated from the conductive supporting member, no current flows from the guide rail to the supporting member when the static electricity is generated in that guide rail. As a result, the quantity of the static electricity generated in the guide rail by the contact between yarn and the guide rail increases, making it easier to detect the state of the yarn which is being traversed, based on the quantity of the static electricity generated in the guide rail.

[0021] According to a ninth aspect of the invention, the yarn winding apparatus of any one of the first to seventh aspects is arranged such that the guide rail is intermediate-conductive, a supporting member which is conductive and supports the guide rail being provided, and the guide rail being electrically connected to the supporting member.

[0022] From the perspective of detecting the state of a yarn based on the quantity of static electricity generated in a guide rail, the quantity of static electricity generated in the guide rail due to contact with the yarn is preferably large. On the other hand, considering the effects of the static electricity generated in the guide rail on the yarn, the quantity of the static electricity generated in the guide rail is preferably not too large. According to the aspect of the present invention, the guide rail that is intermediate-conductive is electrically connected to the supporting member that is conductive. With this, when static electricity is generated in the guide rail, a current flows from the guide rail to the supporting member. Due to this, the quantity of the static electricity generated in the guide rail does not become too large. On the other hand, because the guide rail is intermediate-conductive, a current is less likely to flow from the guide rail to the supporting member as compared to a case where the guide rail is conductive. Therefore, the quantity of the static electricity generated in the guide rail due to the contact with the yarn does not become too small, and the state of the yarn which is being traversed can be detected based on the quantity of the static electricity generated in the guide rail.

[0023] According to the present invention, the state of the traversed yarn can be detected based on a detection result of the static electricity quantity generated in the guide rail.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] 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 winding unit of the spun yarn take-up winder of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3(a) is a diagram explaining members such as a traverse guide when a yarn is moved to the rear side, and FIG. 3(b) is a diagram explaining the members such as the traverse guide when the yarn is moved to the front side. FIG. 4(a) is a block diagram showing the electrical connection relationship between a guide rail, 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(a) is a flowchart showing the flow of a process for outputting a yarn state signal in a modification 1, and FIG. 5(b) is a flowchart showing the flow of a process for outputting a yarn state signal in a modification 2. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of a process for outputting a yarn state signal in a modification 3. FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3(a) and relates to a modification 4. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The following will describe a preferred embodiment of the present invention.<Outline of Spun Yarn Take-Up Winder>

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a spun yarn take-up winder 1 of the present embodiment (a yarn winding 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>

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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>

[0029] 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 outside from the thermal insulation box 12 are formed.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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>

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the take-up unit 4 includes godet rollers 21 and 22.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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>

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] The following will detail the traverse guide 62. As shown in FIG. 3(a) and FIG. 3(b), the traverse guide 62 has two traverse blades 62A and 62B. In addition, the up-down direction and the direction orthogonal to the plane of the sheet of each of FIGs. 3(a) and 3(b) are directions that are inclined with respect to the vertical direction and the left-right direction.

[0048] The traverse blades 62A and 62B are supported to be rotatable about a common rotational shaft 62C that extends along the left-right direction. The traverse blade 62A has three blade parts 62A1 arranged approximately 120° apart from each other around the rotational shaft 62C. The traverse blade 62B has three blade parts 62B1 arranged approximately 120° apart from each other around the rotational shaft 62C. The traverse blade 62A is driven to rotate about the rotational shaft 62C by an unillustrated motor, so as to rotate counterclockwise when viewed from the near side in the orthogonal direction of the sheet of each of FIGs. 3(a) and 3(b). On the other hand, the traverse blade 62B is driven to rotate about the rotational shaft 62C by an unillustrated motor, so as to rotate clockwise when viewed from the near side in the orthogonal direction of the sheet of each of FIGs. 3(a) and 3(b).

[0049] As a result, the yarn Y is moved to the rear side by the blade part 62A1 of the traverse blade 62A as shown in FIG. 3(a), and is moved to the front side by the blade part 62B1 of the traverse blade 62B as shown in FIG. 3(b). In the traverse device 30, as the movement of the yarn Y to the rear side by the blade part 62A1 of the traverse blade 62A and the movement of the yarn Y to the front side by the blade part 62B1 of the traverse blade 62B are alternated, the yarn Y is traversed in the front-rear direction about the fulcrum guide 61.

[0050] Each traverse guide 62 is provided with a guide rail 63. The guide rail 63 is a plate-shaped member. The multiple guide rails 63 provided for the respective traverse guides 62 are lined up in a row in the front-rear direction. Each guide rail 63 has an edge 63A that extends in the front-rear direction and is curved in a circular-arc-shaped manner to be convex outward. The guide rail 63 guides, along the edge 63A, the yarn Y which is traversed in the front-rear direction by the blade part 62A1 of the traverse blade 62A and the blade part 62B1 of the traverse blade 62B. The guide rail 63 is conductive or intermediate-conductive.

[0051] 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 guide rail 63 is conductive and when the guide rail 63 is intermediate-conductive, an electric current flows in the guide rail 63 due to the static electricity generated by the contact between the running yarn Y and the guide rail 63. Note that, when the guide rail 63 is intermediate-conductive, the magnitude of the electric current is small as compared to the case where the guide rail 63 is conductive.

[0052] The multiple guide rails 63 of the traverse devices 30 are fixed to a common frame 64 that extends in the front-rear direction. The frame 64 is conductive. Between each guide rail 63 and the frame 64, an insulator 65 that is insulating is provided. Each guide rail 63 and the frame 64 are insulated by the insulator 65. 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. In the present embodiment, the frame 64 is equivalent to a supporting member of the present invention.

[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.<Detection of State of Yarn at Guide Rail>

[0056] The following describes detection of the states of the yarns Y at the multiple guide rails 63 of the traverse devices 30.

[0057] 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 guide rails 63 of the traverse devices 30 and are electrically connected to the corresponding guide rails 63. Each static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 outputs a signal corresponding to the quantity of static electricity generated in the guide rail 63. 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.

[0058] 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 guide rail 63 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 guide rail 63 is the predetermined state, for example, the tension of the yarn Y at the guide rail 63 falls within a normal range or the yarn Y is not broken at around the guide rail 63. On the other hand, when the state of the yarn Y at the guide rail 63 is not the predetermined state, for example, the tension of the yarn Y at the guide rail 63 is out of the normal range or the yarn Y is broken at around the guide rail 63.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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 the maximum change quantity ΔE which is the maximum value of a change in static electricity quantity during a period from a time point before a predetermined time to the present, based on a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 during that period (S101). In the present embodiment, the value of the maximum change quantity ΔE is equivalent to a value of a parameter related to the quantity of static electricity of the present invention.

[0061] Subsequently, the controller 52 determines whether the maximum change quantity ΔE is (i) equal to or less than a threshold ΔEa or (ii) above the threshold ΔEa (S102). When the maximum change quantity ΔE is equal to or less than the threshold ΔEa (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 guide rail 63 is a predetermined state (S103). When the maximum change quantity ΔE is above the threshold ΔEa (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 guide rail 63 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>

[0062] In the present embodiment, the state of the yarn Y at the guide rail 63, that is, the state of the yarn Y which is being traversed, can be detected based on a detection result of the static electricity quantity generated in the guide rail 63 due to the contact between the yarn Y and the guide rail 63.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the controller 52 outputs a yarn state signal indicating the state of the yarn Y based on a signal corresponding to the static electricity quantity generated in the guide rail 63, which is output by the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51. Specifically, based on the magnitude relationship between the maximum change quantity ΔE which is the maximum value of a change in the quantity of static electricity generated in the guide rail 63 and the threshold ΔEa, the controller 52 outputs a yarn state signal indicating whether the state of the yarn Y at the guide rail 63 is the predetermined state. It is therefore possible to detect whether the state of the yarn Y at the guide rail 63 is the predetermined state based on the yarn state signal.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the guide rails 63 are conductive or intermediate-conductive and the frame 64 supporting the guide rails 63 is conductive, whereas each guide rail 63 is insulated from the frame 64 by the insulator 65. Therefore, no current flows from the guide rail 63 to the frame 64. As a result, the quantity of the static electricity generated in the guide rail 63 by the contact between yarn Y and the guide rail 63 increases, making it easier to detect the state of the yarn Y which is being traversed, based on the quantity of the static electricity generated in the guide rail 63.<Modifications>

[0065] 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.

[0066] In the embodiment above, the controller 52 outputs the yarn state signal based on the maximum change quantity ΔE which is the maximum value of a change in the quantity of static electricity generated in the guide rail 63 due to the contact between yarn Y and the guide rail 63. The disclosure, however, is not limited to this.

[0067] In a modification 1, a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 is configured to detect a voltage generated in a guide rail 63 by static electricity generated in the guide rail 63 due to the contact between a yarn Y and the guide rail 63, and to output a signal corresponding to the voltage value V. In this regard, the larger the static electricity quantity of the static electricity generated in the guide rail 63 due to the contact with the yarn Y, the larger the voltage value V of the voltage generated in the guide rail 63 by the static electricity. In the modification 1, the voltage value V is equivalent to the value of the parameter related to the quantity of the static electricity of the present invention.

[0068] 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(a). To be more specific, to begin with, the controller 52 obtains a voltage value V based on a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 (S201).

[0069] Subsequently, the controller 52 determines whether the voltage value V falls within a range of equal to or greater than a voltage value Va and equal to or less than a voltage value Vb (S202). In the modification 1, each of the voltage value Va and the voltage value Vb corresponds to a threshold of the present invention.

[0070] When the voltage value V falls within the range of equal to or greater than the voltage value Va and equal to or less than the voltage value Vb (S202: YES), the controller 52 outputs a first signal as the yarn state signal (S203). When the voltage value V is less than the voltage value Va or the voltage value V is greater than the voltage value Vb (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.

[0071] In the modification 1, the controller 52 outputs the yarn state signal based on the magnitude relationship between the voltage value V of the voltage generated in the guide rail 63 by the static electricity generated in the guide rail 63 and the voltage values Va and Vb that are thresholds. It is therefore possible to detect whether the state of the yarn Y which is being traversed is the predetermined state based on the yarn state signal.

[0072] In a modification 2, a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 is configured to detect a current generated in a guide rail 63 by static electricity generated in the guide rail 63 due to the contact between a yarn Y and the guide rail 63, and to output a signal corresponding to the current value I. In this regard, the larger the static electricity quantity of the static electricity generated in the guide rail 63 due to the contact with the yarn Y, the larger the current value I of the current generated in the guide rail 63 by the static electricity. In the modification 2, the current value I is equivalent to the value of the parameter related to the quantity of the static electricity of the present invention.

[0073] A controller 52 then outputs the yarn state signal by performing processing for each of the static electricity quantity detection circuits 51 according to the flowchart in FIG. 5(b). To be more specific, to begin with, the controller 52 obtains a current value I based on a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 (S301).

[0074] Subsequently, the controller 52 determines whether the current value I falls within a range of equal to or greater than a current value Ia and equal to or less than a current value Ib (S302). In the modification 2, each of the current value Ia and the current value Ib corresponds to a threshold of the present invention.

[0075] When the current value I falls within the range of equal to or greater than the current value Ia and equal to or less than the current value Ib (S302: YES), the controller 52 outputs a first signal as the yarn state signal (S303). When the current value I is less than the current value Ia or the current value I is greater than the current value Ib (S302: NO), the controller 52 outputs a second signal as the yarn state signal (S304). After the output of the yarn state signal in S303 or S304, the process goes back to S301.

[0076] In the modification 2, the controller 52 outputs the yarn state signal based on the magnitude relationship between the current value I of the current generated by the static electricity generated in the guide rail 63 and the current values Ia and Ib that are thresholds. It is therefore possible to detect whether the state of the yarn Y being traversed is the predetermined state based on the yarn state signal.

[0077] The yarn state signal may be output based on the magnitude relationship between the value of the parameter related to the static electricity quantity generated in the guide rail 63 and the threshold, the value of the parameter is different from the maximum change quantity ΔE of the static electricity quantity generated in the guide rail 63, the voltage value V of the voltage generated in the guide rail 63 by the static electricity generated in the guide rail 63 and the current value I of the current generated in the guide rail 63 by the static electricity generated in the guide rail 63.

[0078] Alternatively, the yarn state signal may be output based on a difference in static electricity quantity between guide rails 63. For example, in the modification 3, the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 outputs a signal corresponding to the quantity of static electricity generated in the guide rail 63 due to the contact between the yarn Y and the guide rail 63. The 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. 6.

[0079] To be more specific, to begin with, the controller 52 calculates a static electricity quantity difference Ed between static electricity quantity indicated by a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 and static electricity quantity indicated by a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for a neighboring guide rail 63 (S401).

[0080] In this regard, for the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for the frontmost guide rail 63, a difference between the static electricity quantity indicated by a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for the frontmost guide rail 63 and the static electricity quantity indicated by a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for a guide rail 63 provided immediately to the rear of the frontmost guide rail 63 is calculated as the static electricity quantity difference Ed.

[0081] For the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for the rearmost guide rail 63, a difference between the static electricity quantity indicated by a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for the rearmost guide rail 63 and the static electricity quantity indicated by a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for a guide rail 63 provided immediately to the front of the rearmost guide rail 63 is calculated as the static electricity quantity difference Ed.

[0082] For a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for a guide rail 63 that is neither the frontmost guide rail 63 nor the rearmost guide rail 63, a difference between the static electricity quantity indicated by a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for the subject guide rail 63 and the static electricity quantity indicated by a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for a guide rail 63 provided immediately to the front of or to the rear of the subject guide rail 63 is calculated as the static electricity quantity difference Ed. Alternatively, an average value of (i) a difference between static electricity quantity indicated by a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for a given guide rail 63 and static electricity quantity indicated by a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 which is provided for a guide rail 63 immediately to the front of the given guide rail 63 and (ii) a difference between static electricity quantity indicated by a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for the given guide rail 63 and static electricity quantity indicated by a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 which is provided for a guide rail 63 immediately to the rear of the given guide rail 63 may be calculated as the static electricity quantity difference Ed.

[0083] Subsequently, the controller 52 determines whether the static electricity quantity difference Ed is (i) equal to or less than a threshold Eda or (ii) above the threshold Eda (S402). When the static electricity quantity difference Ed is equal to or less than the threshold Eda (S402: YES), the controller 52 outputs a first signal as the yarn state signal (S403). When the static electricity quantity difference Ed is above the threshold Eda (S402: NO), the controller 52 outputs a second signal as the yarn state signal (S404). After the output of the yarn state signal in S403 or S404, the process goes back to S401.

[0084] In the modification 3, the controller 52 outputs the yarn state signal based on a difference between the static electricity quantity at each guide rail 63 and the static electricity quantity at another guide rail 63. It is therefore possible to detect whether the state of the yarn Y being traversed is the predetermined state based on the yarn state signal.

[0085] When, as in the modification 3, multiple guide rails 63 are aligned in a row and the states of the yarns Y at the guide rails 63 are the same, the difference between the static electricity quantity at each guide rail 63 and the static electricity quantity at a neighboring guide rail 63 is likely to be minimum. When the state of the yarn Y is changed at a guide rail 63, the difference between the static electricity quantity at that guide rail 63 and the static electricity quantity at a neighboring guide rail 63 is likely to be increased. In this regard, in the modification 3, the controller 52 outputs the yarn state signal based on a difference between the static electricity quantity at each guide rail 63 and the static electricity quantity at a neighboring guide rail 63. It is therefore possible to detect whether the state of the yarn Y being traversed is the predetermined state based on the yarn state signal.

[0086] In the modification 3, a difference between the static electricity quantity indicated by a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for each guide rail 63 and the static electricity quantity indicated by a signal output from a static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 provided for a guide rail 63 which is not next to each guide rail 63 may be calculated as the static electricity quantity difference Ed. In this case, the traverse devices 30 having the guide rails 63 may or may not be lined up to form a single line.

[0087] In the embodiment above, the guide rails 63 are conductive or intermediate-conductive and the frame 64 supporting the guide rails 63 is conductive, whereas each guide rail 63 is insulated from the frame 64 by the insulator 65. However, the disclosure is not limited to this.

[0088] In a modification 4, guide rails 63 are intermediate-conductive. On the other hand, the frame 64 is conductive in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. In the modification 4, as shown in FIG. 7, the insulator 65 (see FIGs. 3(a) and 3(b)) is not provided between each guide rail 63 and the frame 64, and each guide rail 63 and the frame 64 are electrically connected as each guide rail 63 is in contact with the frame 64.

[0089] From the perspective of detecting the state of a traversed yarn Y based on the quantity of static electricity generated in a guide rail 63, the quantity of static electricity generated in the guide rail 63 due to contact between the guide rail 63 and the yarn Y is preferably large. On the other hand, considering the effects of the static electricity generated in the guide rail 63 on the yarn Y, the quantity of the static electricity generated in the guide rail 63 is preferably not too large.

[0090] In the modification 4, the guide rail 63 that is intermediate-conductive is electrically connected to the frame 64 that is conductive. With this, when static electricity is generated in the guide rail 63, a current flows from the guide rail 63 to the frame 64. Due to this, the quantity of the static electricity generated in the guide rail 63 does not become too large. On the other hand, because the guide rail 63 is intermediate-conductive, a current is less likely to flow from the guide rail 63 to the frame 64 as compared to a case where the guide rail 63 is conductive. Therefore, the quantity of the static electricity generated in the guide rail 63 due to the contact between the yarn Y and the guide rail 63 does not become too small, and the state of the yarn Y which is being traversed can be detected based on the quantity of the static electricity generated in the guide rail 63.

[0091] In the examples above, the guide rail 63 is entirely conductive or intermediate-conductive. The disclosure, however, is not limited to this arrangement. Each guide rail 63 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 guide rail 63 due to the contact with the yarn Y.

[0092] In this case, the guide rail 63 may be conductive or intermediate-conductive at a part including a contact portion with the yarn Y, and that part of the guide rail 63 may be insulated from the frame 64. Alternatively, the guide rail 63 may be intermediate-conductive at a part including a contact portion with the yarn Y, and that part of the guide rail 63 may be electrically connected to the frame 64.

[0093] While in the examples above the multiple traverse devices 30 and their multiple guide rails 63 are supported by one common frame 64, the multiple traverse devices 30 and their multiple guide rails 63 may be supported by individual supporting members, respectively. Alternatively, some of the guide rails 63 of the traverse devices 30, specifically two or more, may be supported by a common supporting member. While in the examples above the supporting member supporting the guide rails 63 is conductive, the supporting member may be insulating.

[0094] In the examples above, the controller 52 outputs a yarn state signal indicating whether the state of the yarn Y at the guide rail 63 is a predetermined state. The disclosure, however, is not limited to this. The controller 52 may be configured to output a yarn state signal indicating a state of the yarn Y different from whether the state of the yarn Y at the guide rail 63 is a predetermined state, based on a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51. For example, the controller 52 may be configured to output a yarn state signal indicating the magnitude of the tension of the yarn Y at the guide rail 63, based on a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51.

[0095] While in the examples above the spun yarn take-up winder 1 includes the controller 52 configured to output a yarn state signal indicating the state of the yarn Y based on a signal output from the static electricity quantity detection circuit 51, the disclosure is not limited to this arrangement. For example, the spun yarn take-up winder may not include the controller 52. Multiple static electricity quantity detection circuits 51 of a spun yarn take-up winder may be connected to an external processing apparatus such as a PC, and processes such as detection of the state of a traversed yarn Y based on a signal output from each static electricity quantity detection circuit 51 may be performed by the processing apparatus.

[0096] In the examples above, the traverse guide 62 of the traverse device 30 traverses the yarn Y by using two traverse blades 62A and 62B that rotate in opposite directions. The disclosure, however, is not limited to this. A traverse device may traverse a yarn Y by another arrangement having a guide rail. For example, a yarn Y is traversed by reciprocating a guide, to which the yarn Y is threaded, in the front-rear direction by a motor, etc., and while being traversed, the yarn Y is guided by a guide rail.

[0097] In the examples above, the present invention is applied to a spun yarn take-up winder configured to form packages by winding running yarns Y. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The present invention may be applied to a yarn winding apparatus including a traverse device with a guide rail, which is different from a spun yarn take-up winder. In this case, the yarn winding apparatus may not be limited to an apparatus which includes multiple traverse devices and winds multiple yarns, and may include only one traverse device and wind one yarn.

Claims

1. A yarn winding apparatus (1) comprising at least one traverse device (30) configured to traverse at least one running yarn (Y) and winding the at least one yarn (Y) traversed by the at least one traverse device (30) onto at least one bobbin (B), the at least one traverse device (30) each including a guide rail (63) that makes contact with the yarn (Y) and guides the traversed yarn (Y), the guide rail (63) being conductive or intermediate-conductive at least at a contact portion with the yarn (Y), and a static electricity quantity detection unit (51) being provided to detect static electricity quantity of static electricity generated in the guide rail (63).

2. The yarn winding apparatus (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a controller (52) which is configured to output a yarn state signal indicating a state of the yarn (Y) at the guide rail (63) based on the static electricity quantity in the guide rail (63) detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit (51).

3. The yarn winding apparatus (1) according to claim 2, wherein, the controller (52) outputs the yarn state signal based on magnitude relationship between a value of a parameter related to the static electricity quantity in the guide rail (63) detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit (51) and a threshold.

4. The yarn winding apparatus (1) according to claim 3, wherein, the value of the parameter is the maximum value of a change in the static electricity quantity in the guide rail (63) detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit (51).

5. The yarn winding apparatus (1) according to claim 3, wherein, the static electricity quantity detection unit (51) detects the static electricity quantity by detecting a voltage or current generated in the guide rail (63) by the static electricity generated in the guide rail (63), and the value of the parameter is the value of the voltage or current detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit (51).

6. The yarn winding apparatus (1) according to claim 2, wherein, the traverse devices (30) are individually provided for yarns (Y), respectively, the static electricity quantity detection unit (51) detecting the static electricity quantity in each of the guide rails (63) of the traverse devices (30), and the controller (52) outputting the yarn state signal based on a difference between the quantity of the static electricity in each of the guide rails (63) detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit (51) and the quantity of the static electricity in a guide rail (63) different from the each of the guide rails (63).

7. The yarn winding apparatus (1) according to claim 6, wherein, the guide rails (63) are lined up in a single row, and the controller (52) outputs the yarn state signal based on a difference between the quantity of the static electricity in each of the guide rails (63) detected by the static electricity quantity detection unit (51) and the quantity of the static electricity in a guide rail (63) next to the each of the guide rails (63).

8. The yarn winding apparatus (1) according to claim any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a supporting member (64) which is conductive and supports the guide rail (63), the guide rail (63) being insulated from the supporting member (64).

9. The yarn winding apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, the guide rail (63) is intermediate-conductive, a supporting member (64) which is conductive and supports the guide rail (63) being provided, and the guide rail (63) being electrically connected to the supporting member (64).

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