Yarn winding machine

Abstract

A yarn winding machine includes a pair of bobbin holders (41, 42), a first bobbin holder motor, a turret plate (40), and a control apparatus. Each bobbin holder of the pair of bobbin holders holds a bobbin. A drive apparatus rotationally drives the bobbin holder to wind a yarn onto the bobbin to form a package. The turret plate (40) moves the bobbin holders (41, 42) between a winding position, a collection position, a first switching position, and a second switching position. The control apparatus performs control for starting rotation of the first bobbin holder (41) in a direction to wind the yarn, after the yarn switching and before the first bobbin holder (41) reaches the collection position, such that the first bobbin holder (41) is rotating in the direction to wind the yarn at least when the first bobbin holder (41) reaches the collection position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention mainly relates to a yarn winding machine that includes a pair of bobbin holders and continuously winds yarn by switching the positions of the bobbin holders.Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 is JP 2003-226469 A.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to yarn transfer (hereinafter, referred to as yarn switching). The yarn switching means winding the yarn that is being wound around a bobbin in one of the bobbin holders, onto a bobbin in the other of the bobbin holders. The yarn switching allows the yarn that is being wound onto a fully wound package, to be wound onto a new bobbin. As a result, winding of yarn onto the new empty bobbin can be started in place of the fully wound package. In order to increase the success rate of yarn switching, yarn switching is performed by positioning a new empty bobbin at a position different from a winding position for winding the yarn to form a package, and by positioning the fully wound package at a position different from a collection position for collecting the fully wound package, and by suddenly stopping the bobbin holder holding the fully wound package. After the yarn switching is completed, the bobbin holder holding the new bobbin with the yarn wound thereon moves to the winding position. At the same time, the bobbin holder holding the fully wound package moves to the collection position.Summary of Invention

[0004] Here, when the fully wound package reaches the collection position and stops, the package is subjected to an impact, which may cause the yarn to be unwound from the package. Unwinding the yarn at this timing is undesirable because the yarn may come into contact with the floor surface or become entangled with other members, and the like.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a yarn winding machine that can suppress unwinding of yarn when a fully wound package reaches the collection position.Means for Solving Problems and Effects Thereof

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention has been described above. Next, the means for solving this problem and the effects thereof will be described.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, a yarn winding machine having the following configuration is provided. That is, the yarn winding machine includes a pair of bobbin holders, a bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus, a bobbin holder moving mechanism, and a control apparatus. Each bobbin holder of the pair of bobbin holders holds a bobbin. The bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus is provided for each of the pair of bobbin holders and rotationally drives the corresponding one of the pair of bobbin holders. The bobbin holder moving mechanism moves the pair of bobbin holders. The control apparatus controls the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus and the bobbin holder moving mechanism. The bobbin holder moving mechanism is a mechanism that moves the bobbin holders between a winding position, a collection position, a first switching position, and a second switching position. The winding position is a position for winding a yarn onto the bobbin to form a package. The collection position is a position for collecting the package. The first switching position is a position for a first one of the pair of bobbin holders to be subjected to yarn switching for switching from a state of winding the yarn around the package held by the first one of the pair of bobbin holders to a state of winding the yarn around the bobbin held by a second one of the pair of bobbin holders. The second switching position is a position for the second one of the pair of bobbin holders to be subjected to the yarn switching. The winding position, the collection position, the first switching position, and the second switching position are different from each other. The control apparatus controls the bobbin holder moving mechanism to move the first one of the pair of bobbin holders to the winding position, the first switching position, and the collection position in this order, and to move the second one of the pair of bobbin holders to the collection position, the second switching position, and the winding position in this order. The control apparatus controls, for the yarn switching, at least the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus to decelerate and stop rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders when the first one of the bobbin holders is at the first switching position. The control apparatus controls the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus to start rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders in a direction to wind the yarn, after the yarn switching and before the first one of the bobbin holders reaches the collection position, such that the first one of the bobbin holders is rotating in the direction to wind the yarn at least when the first one of the bobbin holders reaches the collection position.

[0008] In the configuration, even if the bobbin holder holding the package is subjected to an impact upon reaching the collection position and the impact generates a force to rotate the package in the direction to unwind the yarn, the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus can counteract the force by rotating the package in the direction to wind the yarn, and thus suppress unwinding of the yarn.

[0009] In the above-mentioned yarn winding machine, it is preferable that the control apparatus controls the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus to start rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders when the first one of the bobbin holders is still located at the first switching position after the yarn switching.

[0010] At the first switching position, the backlash of the yarn breaking may cause the yarn connected to the package to protrude from the package, but in this configuration, such protrusion can be preferably eliminated early. Furthermore, at the first switching position, forcibly breaking the yarn immediately after the yarn switching may result in unwinding of the yarn from the package, but in this configuration, such situation can be preferably eliminated early.

[0011] The yarn winding machine preferably has the following configuration. That is, the yarn winding machine includes a first switching position detection sensor and a first switching position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus. The first switching position detection sensor detects that the first one of the bobbin holders has reached the first switching position. The first switching position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus is provided at the first switching position and forcibly stops rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders at the first switching position. The control apparatus controls, based on a detection result of the first switching position detection sensor, the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus to stop rotational driving of the first one of the bobbin holders, and controls the first switching position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus to forcibly stop the rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders.

[0012] This configuration makes it possible to prevent entanglement of an end yarn protruding from the package, with the first switching position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus provided at the first switching position.

[0013] In the above-mentioned yarn winding machine, it is preferable that the control apparatus controls the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus to continuously rotate the first one of the bobbin holders in the direction to wind the yarn throughout the movement of the first one of the bobbin holders from the first switching position to the collection position.

[0014] This configuration makes it possible to suppress unwinding of the yarn all the time when the first one of the bobbin holders moves from the first switching position to the collection position.

[0015] The yarn winding machine preferably has the following configuration. That is, the yarn winding machine includes a collection position detection sensor and a collection position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus. The collection position detection sensor detects that the first one of the bobbin holders has reached the collection position. The collection position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus is provided at the collection position and forcibly stops the rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders at the collection position. The control apparatus controls, based on a detection result of the collection position detection sensor, the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus to stop rotational driving of the first one of the bobbin holders, and controls the collection position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus to forcibly stop the rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders.

[0016] In this configuration, the first one of the bobbin holders still rotating upon reaching the collection position can be stopped quickly at an appropriate timing after the first one of the bobbin holders reaches the collection position. As a result, the package is collected after the rotation of the package is stopped, and therefore a delay in the timing at which the package becomes collectable can be prevented.

[0017] The yarn winding machine preferably has the following configuration. That is, the bobbin holder moving mechanism includes a rotatable turret plate. In the turret plate, each of the pair of bobbin holders is provided point-symmetrically with respect to the center of rotation of the turret plate. A direction in which the turret plate is rotated to move the first one of the bobbin holders from the first switching position to the collection position is opposite to the direction in which the bobbin holders are rotated to wind the yarn.

[0018] The above relationship increases possibility that rotation of the package in a direction to unwind the yarn due to inertia is caused by the movement of the bobbin holder from the first switching position to the collection position. Therefore, by applying the present invention when the above relationship is satisfied, the effect of suppressing the unwinding of the yarn can be effectively utilized.

[0019] In the above-mentioned yarn winding machine, it is preferable that the control apparatus controls the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus to rotate the first one of the bobbin holders such that, after the yarn switching is performed and before the first one of the bobbin holders reaches the collection position, the rotation speed of the first one of the bobbin holders is 5 rotations per second or less.

[0020] This configuration allows the package to be rotated at a speed suitable for the purpose of suppressing unwinding of the yarn from the package.Brief Description of Drawings

[0021] FIG. 1 is a side view of a yarn winding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the yarn winding machine. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the yarn winding machine. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the yarn winding machine illustrating a state during winding of the yarn and a state during movement of the bobbin holder. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the yarn winding machine illustrating a state during yarn switching and a state immediately after yarn switching. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the yarn winding machine illustrating a state of winding yarn onto a new bobbin and waiting for collecting a package. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the yarn winding machine, illustrating a state in which the bobbin holder having a fully wound package starts to move from the first switching position toward the collection position in the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the yarn winding machine illustrating a state after the bobbin holder with a fully wound package reaches the collection position in the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a yarn winding machine illustrating a state in which a bobbin holder having a fully wound package starts to move from a first switching position toward a collection position in a comparative example. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the yarn winding machine, illustrating a state after the bobbin holder with the fully wound package reaches the collection position in the comparative example. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process performed when a bobbin holder having a fully wound package is moved from the first switching position to the collection position. Description of Embodiments

[0022] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] A spinning machine (not illustrated) is disposed upstream of a yarn winding machine 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. The spinning machine produces a plurality of yarns 93. The spinning machine supplies the plurality of yarns 93 to the yarn winding machine 1 via a yarn feed roller 100. The yarn winding machine 1 winds the plurality of yarns 93 onto a plurality of bobbins 91 arranged side by side, respectively, to form a plurality of packages 94. The yarn 93 includes a synthetic yarn such as a nylon or polyester yarn. The yarn 93 may also include an elastic yarn such as Spandex. The yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment is a yarn winding machine that winds an elastic yarn, particularly a thick yarn.

[0024] In the following description, an axial direction of the bobbins 91 and the bobbin holders 41, 42 that hold the bobbins (in other words, the direction in which the bobbins 91 are lined up) will be simply referred to as an "axial direction". Moreover, a direction perpendicular to the axial direction on a horizontal plane is referred to as a "machine width direction". Upstream or downstream in the running direction of the yarn may be simply referred to as upstream or downstream. "Parallel", "coincident", and the like do not only mean "exactly parallel" or "exactly coincident", but also means "approximately parallel" or "approximately coincident".

[0025] The yarn winding machine 1 will be described in detail below. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the yarn winding machine 1 includes a frame 11, a first housing 20, a second housing 30, and a turret plate (a part of a bobbin holder moving mechanism) 40.

[0026] The frame 11 is a member that holds each part of the yarn winding machine 1. The first housing 20 and the second housing 30 are attached to the frame 11 via a base member (not illustrated). The base member can be moved upward and downward with respect to the frame to move the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 together upward and downward with respect to the frame 11.

[0027] A traverse apparatus 21 is attached to the first housing 20. The traverse apparatus 21 traverses the yarn 93 being wound around the bobbin 91. The term "traverse" refers to winding the yarn 93 positionally evenly in the axial direction by reciprocating the yarn 93 in the axial direction. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the traverse apparatus 21 includes a traverse cam 22, a traverse guide 23, and a traverse motor 51. Although FIG. 3 illustrates a case where there is one yarn 93, when there are a plurality of yarns 93, the same number of the traverse guides 23 are provided on the traverse cam 22.

[0028] The traverse cam 22 is a roller-shaped member disposed in parallel to the bobbin 91 or the package 94. A spiral cam groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the traverse cam 22. The traverse cam 22 is rotationally driven by the traverse motor 51. When there are a plurality of yarns 93, the same number of cam grooves are provided in the traverse cam 22 such that the cam grooves are separated from each other.

[0029] The traverse guide 23 is the part that engages with the yarn 93. A tip of the traverse guide 23 has, for example, a substantially U-shaped guide portion, which engages with the yarn 93 by pinching the yarn 93 in the winding width direction. A base end of the traverse guide 23 is located in the cam groove of the traverse cam 22. With this configuration, by rotationally driving the traverse cam 22, the traverse guide 23 can be reciprocated in the winding width direction (axial direction). As a result, the yarn 93 is traversed in the winding width direction with respect to a fulcrum provided by a fulcrum guide 35 (FIG. 1) disposed upstream of the traverse guide 23.

[0030] A contact roller 31 is rotatably attached to the second housing 30. When the yarn 93 is wound, the contact roller 31 is driven to rotate in contact with the yarn layer of the package 94 with a predetermined pressure, and thereby feeds the yarn 93 from the traverse guide 23 to the yarn layer of the package 94 and shapes the yarn layer of the package 94.

[0031] The second housing 30 is provided with an operation panel 32. The operation panel 32 is an apparatus that is operated by an operator. The operator operates the operation panel 32 to give instructions to the yarn winding machine 1. The instructions given by the operator include, for example, starting winding, stopping winding, changing winding conditions, and the like.

[0032] The turret plate 40 is a disk-shaped member. The turret plate 40 is rotatably attached to the frame 11. The turret plate 40 is rotatable about a rotation axis that is a normal line passing through the center of the disk. The turret plate 40 is rotationally driven by a turret motor 53 illustrated in FIG. 3. The turret plate 40 and the turret motor 53 constitute the bobbin holder moving mechanism of the present invention.

[0033] A first bobbin holder 41 and a second bobbin holder 42 are provided on the turret plate 40 at two locations facing each other across the center of the disk (positions symmetrical with respect to the center of rotation of the turret plate 40). The first bobbin holder 41 can hold a plurality of bobbins 91 lined up in the axial direction. The second bobbin holder 42 can hold a plurality of bobbins 91 lined up in the axial direction. By rotating the turret plate 40, the first bobbin holder 41 and the second bobbin holder 42 can be moved. Note that, instead of the turret plate 40, another apparatus that can move the first bobbin holder 41 and the second bobbin holder 42 may be used.

[0034] The first bobbin holder 41 can rotate about the axial position of the first bobbin holder 41 with respect to the turret plate 40. The first bobbin holder 41 is rotationally driven by a first bobbin holder motor (bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus) 54 illustrated in FIG. 3. Similarly, the second bobbin holder 42 can rotate about the axial position of the second bobbin holder 42 with respect to the turret plate 40. The second bobbin holder 42 is rotationally driven by a second bobbin holder motor (bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus) 55 illustrated in FIG. 3. Hereinafter, the first bobbin holder 41 and the second bobbin holder 42 will be collectively referred to as the bobbin holders 41, 42. The first bobbin holder motor 54 and the second bobbin holder motor 55 are collectively referred to as the bobbin holder motors 54, 55.

[0035] A control apparatus 50 is configured as a known computer, and includes a processing apparatus, a primary storage apparatus, a secondary storage apparatus, and a communication apparatus. The processing apparatus is, for example, a CPU, and is capable of executing arithmetic processing. The primary storage apparatus is a RAM or cache memory, from and to which data is read and written at high speed by the processing apparatus. The secondary storage apparatus is an SSD, HDD, or flash memory, and stores in advance programs and data necessary for control. The processing apparatus reads the program into the primary storage apparatus and executes the program, so that the control apparatus 50 performs various processes related to the yarn winding machine 1. The control apparatus 50 controls, for example, the traverse motor 51, the turret motor 53, the first bobbin holder motor 54, and the second bobbin holder motor 55. The processing apparatus is not limited to a CPU, but may be a GPU, an ASIC, or an FPGA. Note that the secondary storage apparatus may be a storage that is provided outside the control apparatus 50 and is capable of communicating with the control apparatus 50.

[0036] Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, transition from the state of winding the yarn 93 around the bobbin 91 of the first bobbin holder 41 to form a package 94, to the state of winding the yarn 93 around the bobbin 91 of the second bobbin holder 42 to form a package 94 will be described.

[0037] In the following description, the control apparatus 50 controlling the first bobbin holder motor 54 to cause the first bobbin holder motor 54 to rotationally drive the first bobbin holder 41, will be simply expressed as "the control apparatus 50 rotates the first bobbin holder 41", and the like. The same applies to the turret plate 40 and the second bobbin holder 42.

[0038] In the position switching movement of the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42 which will be explained in detail below, drive control of the turret motor 53 by the control apparatus 50 causes one of the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42 to move from a winding position to a first switching position associated with 270 degrees counterclockwise rotation of the turret plate 40, and then move to a collection position associated with 90 degrees clockwise rotation of the turret plate 40. At the same time, the other of the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42 moves from the collection position to a second switching position associated with 270 degrees counterclockwise rotation of the turret plate 40, and then moves to the winding position associated with 90 degrees clockwise rotation of the turret plate 40. This movement is repeated in the position switching movement of the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42. In the position switching movement of the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42, the winding position is the highest position and the collection position is the lowest position, and the first and second switching positions are intermediate positions between the winding position and the collection position.

[0039] In a diagram marked as "During winding" in FIG. 4, the first bobbin holder 41 is in the winding position. The winding position is the position of the bobbin holders 41, 42 when the yarn is wound to form the package 94. In other words, in the yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment, the winding position is the upper position when the bobbin holders 41, 42 are arranged vertically. The package 94 held by the first bobbin holder 41 is in contact with the contact roller 31. The control apparatus 50 rotates the first bobbin holder 41, thereby winding the yarn 93 onto the package 94. At this time, the rotation direction of the first bobbin holder 41 is the direction to wind the yarn 93, and is hereinafter referred to as a first rotation direction (counterclockwise in the drawings). By winding a predetermined amount of the yarn 93, the package 94 becomes full.

[0040] In a diagram marked as "During movement" in FIG. 4, a state is illustrated in which the bobbin holders 41, 42 are moved for yarn switching after the package 94 becomes full. Specifically, the control apparatus 50 rotates the turret plate 40 in the first rotation direction. At this time, since the yarn 93 is still being supplied, the control apparatus 50 continues to rotate the first bobbin holder 41 in the first rotation direction.

[0041] In a diagram marked as "During yarn switching" in FIG. 5, a state is illustrated in which yarn switching is being performed. The yarn switching means winding the yarn 93 wound around the bobbin 91 of one of the bobbin holders (the first bobbin holder 41 in the diagram), around the bobbin 91 of the other of the bobbin holders (the second bobbin holder 42 in the diagram) and cutting the yarn 93. By performing yarn switching, the yarn wound on the fully wound package 94 can be wound onto a new bobbin 91. Regarding yarn switching, the position of the first bobbin holder 41 holding the package 94 is referred to as the first switching position, and the position of the second bobbin holder 42 holding the new bobbin 91 is referred to as the second switching position. In the present embodiment, the first switching position and the second switching position are arranged in the machine width direction (horizontal direction). However, this is merely an example, and one of the first switching position and the second switching position may be higher than the other.

[0042] The yarn switching is performed while causing the yarn 93 to extend between the package 94 and the new bobbin 91 and rotating, by the control apparatus 50, the second bobbin holder 42 in the first rotation direction. Specifically, in this state, a winding member (not illustrated) presses the yarn 93 against the new bobbin 91 and brings a predetermined length of the yarn 93 into contact with the new bobbin 91, and further, the control apparatus 50 performs control for decelerating and stopping the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 (control for decelerating and stopping the drive of the first bobbin holder motor 54), and control for activating a first switching position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus (first switching position package stopper 64b illustrated in FIG. 7) that forcibly stops the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 at the first switching position. As a result, the yarn between the second bobbin holder 42 and the first bobbin holder 41 slackens, the slack yarn is wound around the second bobbin holder 42, the yarn between the second bobbin holder 42 and the first bobbin holder 41 is forcibly broken, and the yarn that was wound onto the package 94 of the first bobbin holder 41 is wound onto a new bobbin 91 of the second bobbin holder 42.

[0043] In a diagram marked as "Immediately after yarn switching" in FIG. 5, a state immediately after yarn switching is illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the control apparatus 50 rotates the second bobbin holder 42 in the first rotation direction, while the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 is stopped. Then, the control apparatus 50 rotates the turret plate 40 in the second rotation direction (clockwise in the diagram) to move the first bobbin holder 41 to the collection position and the second bobbin holder 42 to the winding position. FIG. 6 illustrates a state of the yarn winding machine 1 after the movement. In the state illustrated in FIG. 6, the package 94 of the first bobbin holder 41 is collectable. In addition, the yarn 93 can be wound around the new bobbin 91 to form a package 94.

[0044] In the drawings, the first rotation direction is counterclockwise, but in the yarn winding machine 1 having a symmetrical shape to that of the present embodiment, for example, the first rotation direction is clockwise. That is, the first rotation direction may be clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0045] Next, a process of moving the bobbin holders 41, 42 from the first switching position to the collection position after the yarn switching will be described in more detail.

[0046] In addition to the above-mentioned members, FIG. 7 further illustrates a turret stopper 61, a cylinder apparatus 62, a collection position detection sensor 63, a collection position package stopper 64a, and a first switching position package stopper 64b. The collection position package stopper 64a corresponds to the "collection position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus", and the first switching position package stopper 64b corresponds to the "first switching position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus". Further, a plurality of recesses 40a, 40b are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the turret plate 40 at intervals of 90 degrees. The recess 40a is for the winding position and the collection position, and the recess 40b is for the first switching position and the second switching position.

[0047] The turret stopper 61 is swingable about a fulcrum. A protrusion 61a is formed in the turret stopper 61. The protrusion 61a has a shape corresponding to the recesses 40a, 40b. A cylinder apparatus 62 is connected to the turret stopper 61. Further, the turret stopper 61 is biased by a spring (not illustrated) such that the protrusion 61a is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the turret plate 40.

[0048] The cylinder apparatus 62 includes a cylindrical portion 62a and a rod 62b. A part of the rod 62b is housed in the cylindrical portion 62a. The rod 62b can be slid by supplying a fluid to the cylindrical portion 62a or discharging the fluid from the cylindrical portion 62a. The tip of the rod 62b is connected to the turret stopper 61. In this configuration, the turret stopper 61 can be swung by using the cylinder apparatus 62 and the spring (not illustrated).

[0049] The protrusion 61a of the turret stopper 61 fits into the recess 40b after the yarn switching is completed. In this state, the turret plate 40 cannot be rotated any further in the second rotation direction. In order to rotate the turret plate 40, a fluid is supplied to the cylindrical portion 62a of the cylinder apparatus 62 to apply a force such that the rod 62b is caused to extend. As a result, the protrusion 61a of the turret stopper 61 is disengaged from the recess 40b, and the protrusion 61a is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the turret plate 40. This state is illustrated in a diagram marked as "Turret stopper swinging" in FIG. 7. Then, while the first bobbin holder 41 is moved from the first switching position to the collection position, the protrusion 61a of the turret stopper 61 remains separated from the outer peripheral surface of the turret plate 40. When the first bobbin holder 41 comes close to the collection position, in response to a command from the control apparatus 50, the fluid is discharged from the cylindrical portion 62a of the cylinder apparatus 62. As a result, the force by the spring (not illustrated) retracts the rod 62b and presses the protrusion 61a against the outer peripheral surface of the turret plate 40. The recess 40a and the protrusion 61a are formed at positions such that the recess 40a and the protrusion 61a are aligned with each other when the first bobbin holder 41 reaches the collection position.

[0050] Therefore, by applying a force such that the rod 62b is retracted while rotating the turret plate 40 in the second rotation direction, when the first bobbin holder 41 reaches the collection position, the turret stopper 61 swings and the protrusion 61a fits into the recess 40a. This state is illustrated in a diagram marked as "Turret stopper activated" in FIG. 8. In this state, the turret plate 40 cannot be rotated any further in the second rotation direction due to interference with the turret stopper 61.

[0051] As the protrusion 61a fits into the recess 40a, the rod 62b moves further in the retracting direction. The collection position detection sensor 63 is disposed at a position such that the positional change of the rod 62b can be detected. The collection position detection sensor 63 is a contact sensor or a non-contact sensor, and detects whether a base end of the rod 62b is at a predetermined position. That is, the collection position detection sensor 63 detects whether the turret stopper 61 stops the rotation of the turret plate 40. In other words, the collection position detection sensor 63 detects whether the package 94 and the first bobbin holder 41 holding the package 94 has reached the collection position.

[0052] The collection position package stopper 64a is movable between a contact position where the collection position package stopper 64a contacts the first bobbin holder 41 at the collection position and a retracted position associated with the collection position package stopper 64a that has been retracted from the contact position. In a diagram marked as "Yam switching completed" in FIG. 7, the collection position package stopper 64a is at the retracted position, and in a diagram marked as "Collection position package stopper activated" in FIG. 8, the collection position package stopper 64a is at the contact position. When the collection position package stopper 64a is at the contact position, the collection position package stopper 64a restricts the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41. For example, if the first bobbin holder 41 is rotating, the rotation is stopped and new rotation is suppressed. The operation of the collection position package stopper 64a is switched by an actuator (e.g., a cylinder) (not illustrated).

[0053] The operation of the collection position package stopper 64a is controlled by the control apparatus 50. The detection result of the collection position detection sensor 63 is input to the control apparatus 50. In response to reception of a signal from the collection position detection sensor 63 indicating detection of the rod 62b (in other words, a signal indicating that the first bobbin holder 41 has reached the collection position), the control apparatus 50 moves the collection position package stopper 64a from the retracted position to the contact position.

[0054] Note that detection of the rod 62b by the collection position detection sensor 63 also occurs when the protrusion 61a of the turret stopper 61 fits into the recess 40b. In this case, the collection position detection sensor 63 detects that the first bobbin holder 41 has reached the first switching position, and therefore functions as a first switching position detection sensor. When the collection position detection sensor 63 (first switching position detection sensor) detects that the first bobbin holder 41 has reached the first switching position, the first switching position package stopper 64b is activated. Similarly to the collection position package stopper 64a, the first switching position package stopper 64b is driven by an actuator (e.g., a cylinder) (not illustrated), operates under the control of the control apparatus 50, and moves in the same or a similar manner as the collection position package stopper 64a.

[0055] The control apparatus 50 knows a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation angle of the turret plate 40 from a reference position (e.g., the winding position). Therefore, based on the detection result of the collection position detection sensor 63 (first switching position detection sensor) and the rotation angle of the turret plate 40, the control apparatus 50 performs control for selectively activating one of the collection position package stopper 64a and the first switching position package stopper 64b. However, the control apparatus 50 may perform control for activating both the collection position package stopper 64a and the first switching position package stopper 64b based only on the detection result of the collection position detection sensor 63 (first switching position detection sensor), regardless of the rotation angle of the turret plate 40.

[0056] Next, a problem that arises when the bobbin holders 41, 42 are moved from the first switching position to the collection position after the yarn switching will be described with reference to a comparative example in FIGS. 9 and 10. The comparative example has the same configuration as the yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment, but is an example in which the control of the present embodiment described below is not performed.

[0057] As described above, when the yarn switching is completed, the first bobbin holder 41 at the first switching position stops rotating. In addition, in the present embodiment, the first bobbin holder motor 54 does not have a locking function of preventing rotation (similarly, the second bobbin holder motor 55 does not have a locking function of preventing rotation). Therefore, the package 94 (the first bobbin holder 41) is in a state of being freely rotatable, and if a force is applied to the package 94 (the first bobbin holder 41), the package 94 may rotate.

[0058] For example, when the first bobbin holder 41 reaches the collection position and the turret stopper 61 is activated, the impact caused by the activation may cause the package 94 to rotate in the second rotation direction (in other words, the direction to unwind the yarn 93) as illustrated in FIG. 10. In particular, in this configuration, there is a time lag between the occurrence of the impact and the time when the collection position package stopper 64a stops the rotation of the package 94, and thus rotation of the package 94 in the second rotation direction may occur.

[0059] In addition, in the present embodiment in which the rotation direction from the first switching position to the collection position is the second rotation direction, the package 94 may rotate in the second rotation direction due to the effect of inertia. More specifically, a stronger centrifugal force is applied to a part of the package 94 farther from the center of the turret plate 40 than to a part closer to the center of the turret plate 40. This effect increases the possibility that the package 94 rotates in the second rotation direction. However, note that various other factors may cause unintended rotation of the package 94 in the second rotation direction.

[0060] Rotation of the package 94 in the second rotation direction results in unwinding the yarn 93 from the package 94. Hereinafter, the portion of the yarn 93 unwound from the package 94 will be referred to as an unwound end yarn 93a. The unwound end yarn 93a may hang down and come into contact with the floor surface. In this case, the quality of the package 94 is reduced. Alternatively, the unwound end yarn 93a may come into contact with or become entangled with any of the components of the yarn winding machine 1. Therefore, having an unwound end yarn 93a is not preferable.

[0061] Next, control performed by the control apparatus 50 to suppress formation of the unwound end yarn 93a will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 11. The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 11 is an extraction of the processes performed by the control apparatus 50, which are related to suppressing formation of the unwound end yarn 93a.

[0062] The control apparatus 50 determines whether the yarn switching is completed (S101). If the control apparatus 50 determines that the yarn switching is completed, the control apparatus 50 moves the first switching position package stopper 64b to the retracted position and starts to rotationally drive, in the first rotation direction, the first bobbin holder 41 corresponding to the bobbin holder 41, 42 holding the package 94, i.e., starts to rotationally drive, in the first rotation direction, the first bobbin holder motor 54 (S102). As described above, the first rotation direction is the direction to wind the yarn 93. The first bobbin holder 41 is not rotating at the time of completion of the yarn switching, and thus the control apparatus 50 starts to rotate the first bobbin holder 41 which is not rotating. During the yarn switching, the yarn between the bobbin 91 of the second bobbin holder 42 and the package 94 of the first bobbin holder 41 is broken. This may result in a situation where the yarn 93 connected to the package 94 is not wound onto the package 94 and protrudes from the package 94 (see "Yarn switching completed" in FIGS. 7 and 9). Furthermore, forcibly breaking the yarn 93 may result in unwinding of the yarn 93 from the package 94 and formation of an unwound end yarn 93a. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the first bobbin holder 41 starts to rotate in the first rotation direction at a point of time after the yarn switching is completed, at which the first bobbin holder 41 is located at the first switching position, and thus the yarn 93 protruding from the package 94 (unwound end yarn 93a) can be wound onto the package 94, and entanglement of the yarn 93 protruding from the package 94 (unwound end yarn 93a), with the first switching position package stopper 64b, etc., can be prevented.

[0063] Assume that some force is applied to the package 94, causing the package 94 to rotate in the second rotation direction. In the present embodiment, even in this case, the first bobbin holder 41 rotating in the first rotation direction can prevent the package 94 from rotating in the second rotation direction. As a result, formation of the unwound end yarn 93a can be suppressed. The purpose of rotating the first bobbin holder 41 in the first rotation direction is to suppress formation of the unwound end yarn 93a, and thus the rotation speed is significantly slower than when the yarn 93 is wound. Specifically, the control apparatus 50 rotates the first bobbin holder 41 at a rotation speed of 5 rotations per second or less. Note that this rotation speed is merely an example, and the first bobbin holder 41 may be rotated at a faster rotation speed.

[0064] Next, the control apparatus 50 moves the turret stopper 61 away from the turret plate 40, starts to rotationally drive the turret plate 40 (S103), and moves the first bobbin holder 41 from the first switching position toward the collection position. Next, the control apparatus 50 determines whether the first bobbin holder 41 has reached the collection position (S104). This determination is made based on the detection result of the collection position detection sensor 63 described above, and the like.

[0065] If the control apparatus 50 determines that the first bobbin holder 41 has reached the collection position, the control apparatus 50 stops rotationally driving the turret plate 40 (S105). Next, the control apparatus 50 stops rotationally driving the first bobbin holder 41 and brings the collection position package stopper 64a into contact with the first bobbin holder 41 to prevent the first bobbin holder 41 from rotating (S106).

[0066] In the present embodiment, when the first bobbin holder 41 is still at the first switching position, the first bobbin holder motor 54 starts to rotationally drive the first bobbin holder 41, and this rotation drive continues without being stopped. Then, after the first bobbin holder 41 has reached the collection position, the rotation drive of the first bobbin holder 41 by the first bobbin holder motor 54 is stopped. That is, the first bobbin holder 41 continuously rotates in the first rotation direction throughout the movement from the first switching position to the collection position. Therefore, regardless of the timing at which force is applied to the package 94, formation of the unwound end yarn 93a can be suppressed.

[0067] Note that continuously rotating the first bobbin holder 41 in the first rotation direction throughout the movement from the first switching position to the collection position is merely an example, and the first bobbin holder 41 may be only rotated within a part of the entire movement path. For example, the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 may be started while the first bobbin holder 41 moves from the first switching position to the collection position. Alternatively, rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 may be started at the first switching position, the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 may be temporarily stopped before the first bobbin holder 41 after leaving the first switching position reaches the collection position, and then the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 may be started again. From another perspective, the timing of the highest risk of formation of the unwound end yarn 93a is immediately after the first bobbin holder 41 reaches the collection position. Thus, it is preferable that the first bobbin holder 41 is rotating in the first rotation direction at least at the timing when the first bobbin holder 41 reaches the collection position.

[0068] As described above, the yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment includes the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42, the bobbin holder motors 54, 55, the bobbin holder moving mechanism (a mechanism including the turret plate 40 and the turret motor 53), and the control apparatus 50. Each bobbin holder of the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42 holds the bobbin 91. Each of the bobbin holder motors 54, 55 is provided for a corresponding one of the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42 and rotationally drives the corresponding one of the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42. The turret plate 40 moves the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42. The control apparatus 50 controls the bobbin holder motors 54, 55 and the bobbin holder moving mechanism. The bobbin holder moving mechanism is a mechanism that moves the bobbin holders 41, 42 between the winding position, the collection position, the first switching position, and the second switching position. The winding position is a position for winding the yarn 93 onto the bobbin 91 to form a package 94. The collection position is a position for collecting the package 94. The first switching position is a position for the first bobbin holder 41 to be subjected to yarn switching for switching from a state of winding the yarn 93 around the package 94 held by the first bobbin holder 41 to a state of winding the yarn 93 around the bobbin 91 held by the second bobbin holder 42. The second switching position is a position for the second bobbin holder 42 to be subjected to the yarn switching. The winding position, the collection position, the first switching position, and the second switching position are different from each other. The control apparatus 50 controls the bobbin holder moving mechanism to move the first bobbin holder 41 to the winding position, the first switching position, and the collection position in this order, and to move the second bobbin holder 42 to the collection position, the second switching position, and the winding position in this order. The control apparatus 50 controls, for the yarn switching, at least the first bobbin holder motor 54 to decelerate and stop rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 when the first bobbin holder 41 is at the first switching position. The control apparatus 50 controls the first bobbin holder motor 54 to start rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 in a direction to wind the yarn, after the yarn switching and before the first bobbin holder 41 reaches the collection position, such that the first bobbin holder 41 is rotating in the direction to wind the yarn at least when the first bobbin holder 41 reaches the collection position.

[0069] As a result, even if the first bobbin holder 41 holding the package 94 is subjected to an impact upon reaching the collection position and the impact generates a force to rotate the package 94 in the direction to unwind the yarn 93, the first bobbin holder motor 54 can counteract the force by rotating the package 94 in the direction to wind the yarn, and thus suppress unwinding of the yarn 93.

[0070] In the yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment, the control apparatus 50 controls the first bobbin holder motor 54 to start rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 when the first bobbin holder 41 is still located at the first switching position after the yarn switching.

[0071] At the first switching position, the backlash of the yarn breaking may cause the yarn 93 connected to the package 94 to protrude from the package 94, but in this configuration, such protrusion can be preferably eliminated early. Furthermore, at the first switching position, forcibly breaking the yarn 93 immediately after the yarn switching may result in formation of unwound end yarn 93a unwound from the package 94, but in this configuration, such situation can be preferably eliminated early.

[0072] The yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment includes the collection position detection sensor 63 and the first switching position package stopper 64b. The collection position detection sensor 63 detects that the first bobbin holder 41 has reached the first switching position. The first switching position package stopper 64b is provided at the first switching position and forcibly stops rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 at the first switching position. The control apparatus 50 controls, based on a detection result of the collection position detection sensor 63, the first bobbin holder motor 54 to stop rotational driving of the first bobbin holder 41, and controls the first switching position package stopper 64b to forcibly stop the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41.

[0073] This makes it possible to prevent entanglement of the unwound end yarn 93a protruding from the package 94, with the first switching position package stopper 64b provided at the first switching position.

[0074] In the yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment, the control apparatus 50 controls the first bobbin holder motor 54 to continuously rotate the first bobbin holder 41 in the direction to wind the yarn 93 throughout the movement of the first bobbin holder 41 from the first switching position to the collection position.

[0075] This makes it possible to suppress unwinding of the yarn 93 all the time when the first bobbin holder 41 moves from the first switching position to the collection position.

[0076] The yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment includes the collection position detection sensor 63 and the collection position package stopper 64a. The collection position detection sensor 63 detects that the first bobbin holder 41 has reached the collection position. The collection position package stopper 64a is provided at the collection position and forcibly stops the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 at the collection position. The control apparatus 50 controls, based on a detection result of the collection position detection sensor 63, the first bobbin holder motor 54 to stop rotational driving of the first bobbin holder 41, and controls the collection position package stopper 64a to forcibly stop the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41.

[0077] This allows the first bobbin holder 41 still rotating upon reaching the collection position, to be stopped quickly by the first bobbin holder motor 54 at an appropriate timing after the first bobbin holder 41 reaches the collection position. As a result, the package 94 is collected after the rotation of the package 94 is stopped, and therefore a delay in the timing at which the package 94 becomes collectable can be prevented.

[0078] In the yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment, the bobbin holder moving mechanism includes the rotatable turret plate 40. In the turret plate 40, each of the bobbin holders 41, 42 is provided point-symmetrically with respect to the center of rotation of the turret plate 40. A direction in which the turret plate 40 is rotated to move the first bobbin holder 41 from the first switching position to the collection position is opposite to the direction in which the bobbin holders 41, 42 are rotated to wind the yarn 93.

[0079] The above relationship increases possibility that rotation of the package 94 in the direction to unwind the yarn 93 due to inertia is caused by the movement of the bobbin holder from the first switching position to the collection position. Therefore, by applying the present invention when the above relationship is satisfied, the effect of suppressing the unwinding of the yarn 93 can be effectively utilized.

[0080] In the yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment, the control apparatus 50 controls the first bobbin holder motor 54 to rotate the first bobbin holder 41 such that, after the yarn switching is performed and before the first bobbin holder 41 reaches the collection position, the rotation speed of the first bobbin holder 41 is 5 rotations per second or less.

[0081] This allows the package 94 to be rotated at a speed suitable for the purpose of suppressing unwinding of the yarn from the package 94.

[0082] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows. A single modification may be made, or multiple modifications may be made in any combination.

[0083] Although the traverse apparatus 21 in the above embodiment is of a cam drum type, the traverse apparatus 21 may have a different configuration as long as the traverse guide 23 can be reciprocated in the winding width direction. For example, instead of the cam drum type traverse apparatus 21, a belt type traverse apparatus may be used.

[0084] The flowchart illustrated in the above embodiment is merely an example, and some processes may be omitted, the contents of some processes may be changed, or new processes may be added. For example, the order of the processes for starting rotation of the turret plate 40 and rotation of the bobbin holders 41, 42 may be interchanged. Similarly, the order of the processes for stopping rotation of the turret plate 40 and rotation of the bobbin holders 41, 42 may be interchanged.

[0085] In the above embodiment, in order to stop the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 at the first switching position, the drive of the first bobbin holder motor 54 is decelerated and stopped, and the first switching position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus (first switching position package stopper 64b) is activated. However, the first switching position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus is an optional apparatus provided as necessary, and thus the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 may be stopped at the first switching position only by decelerating and stopping the drive of the first bobbin holder motor 54.

[0086] The bobbin holder moving mechanism is not limited to one that uses a turret plate, but may be one that moves two bobbin holders individually, or may be one that moves the bobbin holders along a linear path other than a circular path movement.

[0087] In the above embodiment, a bobbin holder drive method in which the bobbin holder is actively rotationally driven at the winding position to wind the yarn onto the bobbin is illustrated as the yarn winding method. However, the present invention may also be applied to a friction drive method in which a contact roller is actively rotationally driven at the winding position to wind the yarn onto the bobbin.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0022]Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023]A spinning machine (not illustrated) is disposed upstream of a yarn winding machine 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. The spinning machine produces a plurality of yarns 93. The spinning machine supplies the plurality of yarns 93 to the yarn winding machine 1 via a yarn feed roller 100. The yarn winding machine 1 winds the plurality of yarns 93 onto a plurality of bobbins 91 arranged side by side, respectively, to form a plurality of packages 94. The yarn 93 includes a synthetic yarn such as a nylon or polyester yarn. The yarn 93 may also include an elastic yarn such as Spandex. The yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment is a yarn winding machine that winds an elastic yarn, particularly a thick yarn.

[0024]In the following description, an axial direction of the bobbins 91 and the bobbin holders 41, 42 that hold the bobbins (in other words, the direction in which the bobbins 91 ar...

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention mainly relates to a yarn winding machine that includes a pair of bobbin holders and continuously winds yarn by switching the positions of the bobbin holders.Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 is JP 2003-226469 A.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to yarn transfer (hereinafter, referred to as yarn switching). The yarn switching means winding the yarn that is being wound around a bobbin in one of the bobbin holders, onto a bobbin in the other of the bobbin holders. The yarn switching allows the yarn that is being wound onto a fully wound package, to be wound onto a new bobbin. As a result, winding of yarn onto the new empty bobbin can be started in place of the fully wound package. In order to increase the success rate of yarn switching, yarn switching is performed by positioning a new empty bobbin at a position different from a winding position for winding the yarn to form a package, and by positioning the fully wound package at a position different from a collection position for collecting the fully wound package, and by suddenly stopping the bobbin holder holding the fully wound package. After the yarn switching is completed, the bobbin holder holding the new bobbin with the yarn wound thereon moves to the winding position. At the same time, the bobbin holder holding the fully wound package moves to the collection position.Summary of Invention

[0004] Here, when the fully wound package reaches the collection position and stops, the package is subjected to an impact, which may cause the yarn to be unwound from the package. Unwinding the yarn at this timing is undesirable because the yarn may come into contact with the floor surface or become entangled with other members, and the like.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a yarn winding machine that can suppress unwinding of yarn when a fully wound package reaches the collection position.Means for Solving Problems and Effects Thereof

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention has been described above. Next, the means for solving this problem and the effects thereof will be described.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, a yarn winding machine having the following configuration is provided. That is, the yarn winding machine includes a pair of bobbin holders, a bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus, a bobbin holder moving mechanism, and a control apparatus. Each bobbin holder of the pair of bobbin holders holds a bobbin. The bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus is provided for each of the pair of bobbin holders and rotationally drives the corresponding one of the pair of bobbin holders. The bobbin holder moving mechanism moves the pair of bobbin holders. The control apparatus controls the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus and the bobbin holder moving mechanism. The bobbin holder moving mechanism is a mechanism that moves the bobbin holders between a winding position, a collection position, a first switching position, and a second switching position. The winding position is a position for winding a yarn onto the bobbin to form a package. The collection position is a position for collecting the package. The first switching position is a position for a first one of the pair of bobbin holders to be subjected to yarn switching for switching from a state of winding the yarn around the package held by the first one of the pair of bobbin holders to a state of winding the yarn around the bobbin held by a second one of the pair of bobbin holders. The second switching position is a position for the second one of the pair of bobbin holders to be subjected to the yarn switching. The winding position, the collection position, the first switching position, and the second switching position are different from each other. The control apparatus controls the bobbin holder moving mechanism to move the first one of the pair of bobbin holders to the winding position, the first switching position, and the collection position in this order, and to move the second one of the pair of bobbin holders to the collection position, the second switching position, and the winding position in this order. The control apparatus controls, for the yarn switching, at least the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus to decelerate and stop rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders when the first one of the bobbin holders is at the first switching position. The control apparatus controls the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus to start rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders in a direction to wind the yarn, after the yarn switching and before the first one of the bobbin holders reaches the collection position, such that the first one of the bobbin holders is rotating in the direction to wind the yarn at least when the first one of the bobbin holders reaches the collection position.

[0008] In the configuration, even if the bobbin holder holding the package is subjected to an impact upon reaching the collection position and the impact generates a force to rotate the package in the direction to unwind the yarn, the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus can counteract the force by rotating the package in the direction to wind the yarn, and thus suppress unwinding of the yarn.

[0009] In the above-mentioned yarn winding machine, it is preferable that the control apparatus controls the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus to start rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders when the first one of the bobbin holders is still located at the first switching position after the yarn switching.

[0010] At the first switching position, the backlash of the yarn breaking may cause the yarn connected to the package to protrude from the package, but in this configuration, such protrusion can be preferably eliminated early. Furthermore, at the first switching position, forcibly breaking the yarn immediately after the yarn switching may result in unwinding of the yarn from the package, but in this configuration, such situation can be preferably eliminated early.

[0011] The yarn winding machine preferably has the following configuration. That is, the yarn winding machine includes a first switching position detection sensor and a first switching position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus. The first switching position detection sensor detects that the first one of the bobbin holders has reached the first switching position. The first switching position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus is provided at the first switching position and forcibly stops rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders at the first switching position. The control apparatus controls, based on a detection result of the first switching position detection sensor, the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus to stop rotational driving of the first one of the bobbin holders, and controls the first switching position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus to forcibly stop the rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders.

[0012] This configuration makes it possible to prevent entanglement of an end yarn protruding from the package, with the first switching position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus provided at the first switching position.

[0013] In the above-mentioned yarn winding machine, it is preferable that the control apparatus controls the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus to continuously rotate the first one of the bobbin holders in the direction to wind the yarn throughout the movement of the first one of the bobbin holders from the first switching position to the collection position.

[0014] This configuration makes it possible to suppress unwinding of the yarn all the time when the first one of the bobbin holders moves from the first switching position to the collection position.

[0015] The yarn winding machine preferably has the following configuration. That is, the yarn winding machine includes a collection position detection sensor and a collection position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus. The collection position detection sensor detects that the first one of the bobbin holders has reached the collection position. The collection position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus is provided at the collection position and forcibly stops the rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders at the collection position. The control apparatus controls, based on a detection result of the collection position detection sensor, the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus to stop rotational driving of the first one of the bobbin holders, and controls the collection position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus to forcibly stop the rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders.

[0016] In this configuration, the first one of the bobbin holders still rotating upon reaching the collection position can be stopped quickly at an appropriate timing after the first one of the bobbin holders reaches the collection position. As a result, the package is collected after the rotation of the package is stopped, and therefore a delay in the timing at which the package becomes collectable can be prevented.

[0017] The yarn winding machine preferably has the following configuration. That is, the bobbin holder moving mechanism includes a rotatable turret plate. In the turret plate, each of the pair of bobbin holders is provided point-symmetrically with respect to the center of rotation of the turret plate. A direction in which the turret plate is rotated to move the first one of the bobbin holders from the first switching position to the collection position is opposite to the direction in which the bobbin holders are rotated to wind the yarn.

[0018] The above relationship increases possibility that rotation of the package in a direction to unwind the yarn due to inertia is caused by the movement of the bobbin holder from the first switching position to the collection position. Therefore, by applying the present invention when the above relationship is satisfied, the effect of suppressing the unwinding of the yarn can be effectively utilized.

[0019] In the above-mentioned yarn winding machine, it is preferable that the control apparatus controls the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus to rotate the first one of the bobbin holders such that, after the yarn switching is performed and before the first one of the bobbin holders reaches the collection position, the rotation speed of the first one of the bobbin holders is 5 rotations per second or less.

[0020] This configuration allows the package to be rotated at a speed suitable for the purpose of suppressing unwinding of the yarn from the package.Brief Description of Drawings

[0021] FIG. 1 is a side view of a yarn winding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the yarn winding machine. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the yarn winding machine. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the yarn winding machine illustrating a state during winding of the yarn and a state during movement of the bobbin holder. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the yarn winding machine illustrating a state during yarn switching and a state immediately after yarn switching. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the yarn winding machine illustrating a state of winding yarn onto a new bobbin and waiting for collecting a package. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the yarn winding machine, illustrating a state in which the bobbin holder having a fully wound package starts to move from the first switching position toward the collection position in the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the yarn winding machine illustrating a state after the bobbin holder with a fully wound package reaches the collection position in the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a yarn winding machine illustrating a state in which a bobbin holder having a fully wound package starts to move from a first switching position toward a collection position in a comparative example. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the yarn winding machine, illustrating a state after the bobbin holder with the fully wound package reaches the collection position in the comparative example. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process performed when a bobbin holder having a fully wound package is moved from the first switching position to the collection position. Description of Embodiments

[0022] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] A spinning machine (not illustrated) is disposed upstream of a yarn winding machine 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. The spinning machine produces a plurality of yarns 93. The spinning machine supplies the plurality of yarns 93 to the yarn winding machine 1 via a yarn feed roller 100. The yarn winding machine 1 winds the plurality of yarns 93 onto a plurality of bobbins 91 arranged side by side, respectively, to form a plurality of packages 94. The yarn 93 includes a synthetic yarn such as a nylon or polyester yarn. The yarn 93 may also include an elastic yarn such as Spandex. The yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment is a yarn winding machine that winds an elastic yarn, particularly a thick yarn.

[0024] In the following description, an axial direction of the bobbins 91 and the bobbin holders 41, 42 that hold the bobbins (in other words, the direction in which the bobbins 91 are lined up) will be simply referred to as an "axial direction". Moreover, a direction perpendicular to the axial direction on a horizontal plane is referred to as a "machine width direction". Upstream or downstream in the running direction of the yarn may be simply referred to as upstream or downstream. "Parallel", "coincident", and the like do not only mean "exactly parallel" or "exactly coincident", but also means "approximately parallel" or "approximately coincident".

[0025] The yarn winding machine 1 will be described in detail below. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the yarn winding machine 1 includes a frame 11, a first housing 20, a second housing 30, and a turret plate (a part of a bobbin holder moving mechanism) 40.

[0026] The frame 11 is a member that holds each part of the yarn winding machine 1. The first housing 20 and the second housing 30 are attached to the frame 11 via a base member (not illustrated). The base member can be moved upward and downward with respect to the frame to move the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 together upward and downward with respect to the frame 11.

[0027] A traverse apparatus 21 is attached to the first housing 20. The traverse apparatus 21 traverses the yarn 93 being wound around the bobbin 91. The term "traverse" refers to winding the yarn 93 positionally evenly in the axial direction by reciprocating the yarn 93 in the axial direction. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the traverse apparatus 21 includes a traverse cam 22, a traverse guide 23, and a traverse motor 51. Although FIG. 3 illustrates a case where there is one yarn 93, when there are a plurality of yarns 93, the same number of the traverse guides 23 are provided on the traverse cam 22.

[0028] The traverse cam 22 is a roller-shaped member disposed in parallel to the bobbin 91 or the package 94. A spiral cam groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the traverse cam 22. The traverse cam 22 is rotationally driven by the traverse motor 51. When there are a plurality of yarns 93, the same number of cam grooves are provided in the traverse cam 22 such that the cam grooves are separated from each other.

[0029] The traverse guide 23 is the part that engages with the yarn 93. A tip of the traverse guide 23 has, for example, a substantially U-shaped guide portion, which engages with the yarn 93 by pinching the yarn 93 in the winding width direction. A base end of the traverse guide 23 is located in the cam groove of the traverse cam 22. With this configuration, by rotationally driving the traverse cam 22, the traverse guide 23 can be reciprocated in the winding width direction (axial direction). As a result, the yarn 93 is traversed in the winding width direction with respect to a fulcrum provided by a fulcrum guide 35 (FIG. 1) disposed upstream of the traverse guide 23.

[0030] A contact roller 31 is rotatably attached to the second housing 30. When the yarn 93 is wound, the contact roller 31 is driven to rotate in contact with the yarn layer of the package 94 with a predetermined pressure, and thereby feeds the yarn 93 from the traverse guide 23 to the yarn layer of the package 94 and shapes the yarn layer of the package 94.

[0031] The second housing 30 is provided with an operation panel 32. The operation panel 32 is an apparatus that is operated by an operator. The operator operates the operation panel 32 to give instructions to the yarn winding machine 1. The instructions given by the operator include, for example, starting winding, stopping winding, changing winding conditions, and the like.

[0032] The turret plate 40 is a disk-shaped member. The turret plate 40 is rotatably attached to the frame 11. The turret plate 40 is rotatable about a rotation axis that is a normal line passing through the center of the disk. The turret plate 40 is rotationally driven by a turret motor 53 illustrated in FIG. 3. The turret plate 40 and the turret motor 53 constitute the bobbin holder moving mechanism of the present invention.

[0033] A first bobbin holder 41 and a second bobbin holder 42 are provided on the turret plate 40 at two locations facing each other across the center of the disk (positions symmetrical with respect to the center of rotation of the turret plate 40). The first bobbin holder 41 can hold a plurality of bobbins 91 lined up in the axial direction. The second bobbin holder 42 can hold a plurality of bobbins 91 lined up in the axial direction. By rotating the turret plate 40, the first bobbin holder 41 and the second bobbin holder 42 can be moved. Note that, instead of the turret plate 40, another apparatus that can move the first bobbin holder 41 and the second bobbin holder 42 may be used.

[0034] The first bobbin holder 41 can rotate about the axial position of the first bobbin holder 41 with respect to the turret plate 40. The first bobbin holder 41 is rotationally driven by a first bobbin holder motor (bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus) 54 illustrated in FIG. 3. Similarly, the second bobbin holder 42 can rotate about the axial position of the second bobbin holder 42 with respect to the turret plate 40. The second bobbin holder 42 is rotationally driven by a second bobbin holder motor (bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus) 55 illustrated in FIG. 3. Hereinafter, the first bobbin holder 41 and the second bobbin holder 42 will be collectively referred to as the bobbin holders 41, 42. The first bobbin holder motor 54 and the second bobbin holder motor 55 are collectively referred to as the bobbin holder motors 54, 55.

[0035] A control apparatus 50 is configured as a known computer, and includes a processing apparatus, a primary storage apparatus, a secondary storage apparatus, and a communication apparatus. The processing apparatus is, for example, a CPU, and is capable of executing arithmetic processing. The primary storage apparatus is a RAM or cache memory, from and to which data is read and written at high speed by the processing apparatus. The secondary storage apparatus is an SSD, HDD, or flash memory, and stores in advance programs and data necessary for control. The processing apparatus reads the program into the primary storage apparatus and executes the program, so that the control apparatus 50 performs various processes related to the yarn winding machine 1. The control apparatus 50 controls, for example, the traverse motor 51, the turret motor 53, the first bobbin holder motor 54, and the second bobbin holder motor 55. The processing apparatus is not limited to a CPU, but may be a GPU, an ASIC, or an FPGA. Note that the secondary storage apparatus may be a storage that is provided outside the control apparatus 50 and is capable of communicating with the control apparatus 50.

[0036] Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, transition from the state of winding the yarn 93 around the bobbin 91 of the first bobbin holder 41 to form a package 94, to the state of winding the yarn 93 around the bobbin 91 of the second bobbin holder 42 to form a package 94 will be described.

[0037] In the following description, the control apparatus 50 controlling the first bobbin holder motor 54 to cause the first bobbin holder motor 54 to rotationally drive the first bobbin holder 41, will be simply expressed as "the control apparatus 50 rotates the first bobbin holder 41", and the like. The same applies to the turret plate 40 and the second bobbin holder 42.

[0038] In the position switching movement of the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42 which will be explained in detail below, drive control of the turret motor 53 by the control apparatus 50 causes one of the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42 to move from a winding position to a first switching position associated with 270 degrees counterclockwise rotation of the turret plate 40, and then move to a collection position associated with 90 degrees clockwise rotation of the turret plate 40. At the same time, the other of the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42 moves from the collection position to a second switching position associated with 270 degrees counterclockwise rotation of the turret plate 40, and then moves to the winding position associated with 90 degrees clockwise rotation of the turret plate 40. This movement is repeated in the position switching movement of the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42. In the position switching movement of the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42, the winding position is the highest position and the collection position is the lowest position, and the first and second switching positions are intermediate positions between the winding position and the collection position.

[0039] In a diagram marked as "During winding" in FIG. 4, the first bobbin holder 41 is in the winding position. The winding position is the position of the bobbin holders 41, 42 when the yarn is wound to form the package 94. In other words, in the yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment, the winding position is the upper position when the bobbin holders 41, 42 are arranged vertically. The package 94 held by the first bobbin holder 41 is in contact with the contact roller 31. The control apparatus 50 rotates the first bobbin holder 41, thereby winding the yarn 93 onto the package 94. At this time, the rotation direction of the first bobbin holder 41 is the direction to wind the yarn 93, and is hereinafter referred to as a first rotation direction (counterclockwise in the drawings). By winding a predetermined amount of the yarn 93, the package 94 becomes full.

[0040] In a diagram marked as "During movement" in FIG. 4, a state is illustrated in which the bobbin holders 41, 42 are moved for yarn switching after the package 94 becomes full. Specifically, the control apparatus 50 rotates the turret plate 40 in the first rotation direction. At this time, since the yarn 93 is still being supplied, the control apparatus 50 continues to rotate the first bobbin holder 41 in the first rotation direction.

[0041] In a diagram marked as "During yarn switching" in FIG. 5, a state is illustrated in which yarn switching is being performed. The yarn switching means winding the yarn 93 wound around the bobbin 91 of one of the bobbin holders (the first bobbin holder 41 in the diagram), around the bobbin 91 of the other of the bobbin holders (the second bobbin holder 42 in the diagram) and cutting the yarn 93. By performing yarn switching, the yarn wound on the fully wound package 94 can be wound onto a new bobbin 91. Regarding yarn switching, the position of the first bobbin holder 41 holding the package 94 is referred to as the first switching position, and the position of the second bobbin holder 42 holding the new bobbin 91 is referred to as the second switching position. In the present embodiment, the first switching position and the second switching position are arranged in the machine width direction (horizontal direction). However, this is merely an example, and one of the first switching position and the second switching position may be higher than the other.

[0042] The yarn switching is performed while causing the yarn 93 to extend between the package 94 and the new bobbin 91 and rotating, by the control apparatus 50, the second bobbin holder 42 in the first rotation direction. Specifically, in this state, a winding member (not illustrated) presses the yarn 93 against the new bobbin 91 and brings a predetermined length of the yarn 93 into contact with the new bobbin 91, and further, the control apparatus 50 performs control for decelerating and stopping the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 (control for decelerating and stopping the drive of the first bobbin holder motor 54), and control for activating a first switching position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus (first switching position package stopper 64b illustrated in FIG. 7) that forcibly stops the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 at the first switching position. As a result, the yarn between the second bobbin holder 42 and the first bobbin holder 41 slackens, the slack yarn is wound around the second bobbin holder 42, the yarn between the second bobbin holder 42 and the first bobbin holder 41 is forcibly broken, and the yarn that was wound onto the package 94 of the first bobbin holder 41 is wound onto a new bobbin 91 of the second bobbin holder 42.

[0043] In a diagram marked as "Immediately after yarn switching" in FIG. 5, a state immediately after yarn switching is illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the control apparatus 50 rotates the second bobbin holder 42 in the first rotation direction, while the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 is stopped. Then, the control apparatus 50 rotates the turret plate 40 in the second rotation direction (clockwise in the diagram) to move the first bobbin holder 41 to the collection position and the second bobbin holder 42 to the winding position. FIG. 6 illustrates a state of the yarn winding machine 1 after the movement. In the state illustrated in FIG. 6, the package 94 of the first bobbin holder 41 is collectable. In addition, the yarn 93 can be wound around the new bobbin 91 to form a package 94.

[0044] In the drawings, the first rotation direction is counterclockwise, but in the yarn winding machine 1 having a symmetrical shape to that of the present embodiment, for example, the first rotation direction is clockwise. That is, the first rotation direction may be clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0045] Next, a process of moving the bobbin holders 41, 42 from the first switching position to the collection position after the yarn switching will be described in more detail.

[0046] In addition to the above-mentioned members, FIG. 7 further illustrates a turret stopper 61, a cylinder apparatus 62, a collection position detection sensor 63, a collection position package stopper 64a, and a first switching position package stopper 64b. The collection position package stopper 64a corresponds to the "collection position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus", and the first switching position package stopper 64b corresponds to the "first switching position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus". Further, a plurality of recesses 40a, 40b are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the turret plate 40 at intervals of 90 degrees. The recess 40a is for the winding position and the collection position, and the recess 40b is for the first switching position and the second switching position.

[0047] The turret stopper 61 is swingable about a fulcrum. A protrusion 61a is formed in the turret stopper 61. The protrusion 61a has a shape corresponding to the recesses 40a, 40b. A cylinder apparatus 62 is connected to the turret stopper 61. Further, the turret stopper 61 is biased by a spring (not illustrated) such that the protrusion 61a is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the turret plate 40.

[0048] The cylinder apparatus 62 includes a cylindrical portion 62a and a rod 62b. A part of the rod 62b is housed in the cylindrical portion 62a. The rod 62b can be slid by supplying a fluid to the cylindrical portion 62a or discharging the fluid from the cylindrical portion 62a. The tip of the rod 62b is connected to the turret stopper 61. In this configuration, the turret stopper 61 can be swung by using the cylinder apparatus 62 and the spring (not illustrated).

[0049] The protrusion 61a of the turret stopper 61 fits into the recess 40b after the yarn switching is completed. In this state, the turret plate 40 cannot be rotated any further in the second rotation direction. In order to rotate the turret plate 40, a fluid is supplied to the cylindrical portion 62a of the cylinder apparatus 62 to apply a force such that the rod 62b is caused to extend. As a result, the protrusion 61a of the turret stopper 61 is disengaged from the recess 40b, and the protrusion 61a is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the turret plate 40. This state is illustrated in a diagram marked as "Turret stopper swinging" in FIG. 7. Then, while the first bobbin holder 41 is moved from the first switching position to the collection position, the protrusion 61a of the turret stopper 61 remains separated from the outer peripheral surface of the turret plate 40. When the first bobbin holder 41 comes close to the collection position, in response to a command from the control apparatus 50, the fluid is discharged from the cylindrical portion 62a of the cylinder apparatus 62. As a result, the force by the spring (not illustrated) retracts the rod 62b and presses the protrusion 61a against the outer peripheral surface of the turret plate 40. The recess 40a and the protrusion 61a are formed at positions such that the recess 40a and the protrusion 61a are aligned with each other when the first bobbin holder 41 reaches the collection position.

[0050] Therefore, by applying a force such that the rod 62b is retracted while rotating the turret plate 40 in the second rotation direction, when the first bobbin holder 41 reaches the collection position, the turret stopper 61 swings and the protrusion 61a fits into the recess 40a. This state is illustrated in a diagram marked as "Turret stopper activated" in FIG. 8. In this state, the turret plate 40 cannot be rotated any further in the second rotation direction due to interference with the turret stopper 61.

[0051] As the protrusion 61a fits into the recess 40a, the rod 62b moves further in the retracting direction. The collection position detection sensor 63 is disposed at a position such that the positional change of the rod 62b can be detected. The collection position detection sensor 63 is a contact sensor or a non-contact sensor, and detects whether a base end of the rod 62b is at a predetermined position. That is, the collection position detection sensor 63 detects whether the turret stopper 61 stops the rotation of the turret plate 40. In other words, the collection position detection sensor 63 detects whether the package 94 and the first bobbin holder 41 holding the package 94 has reached the collection position.

[0052] The collection position package stopper 64a is movable between a contact position where the collection position package stopper 64a contacts the first bobbin holder 41 at the collection position and a retracted position associated with the collection position package stopper 64a that has been retracted from the contact position. In a diagram marked as "Yam switching completed" in FIG. 7, the collection position package stopper 64a is at the retracted position, and in a diagram marked as "Collection position package stopper activated" in FIG. 8, the collection position package stopper 64a is at the contact position. When the collection position package stopper 64a is at the contact position, the collection position package stopper 64a restricts the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41. For example, if the first bobbin holder 41 is rotating, the rotation is stopped and new rotation is suppressed. The operation of the collection position package stopper 64a is switched by an actuator (e.g., a cylinder) (not illustrated).

[0053] The operation of the collection position package stopper 64a is controlled by the control apparatus 50. The detection result of the collection position detection sensor 63 is input to the control apparatus 50. In response to reception of a signal from the collection position detection sensor 63 indicating detection of the rod 62b (in other words, a signal indicating that the first bobbin holder 41 has reached the collection position), the control apparatus 50 moves the collection position package stopper 64a from the retracted position to the contact position.

[0054] Note that detection of the rod 62b by the collection position detection sensor 63 also occurs when the protrusion 61a of the turret stopper 61 fits into the recess 40b. In this case, the collection position detection sensor 63 detects that the first bobbin holder 41 has reached the first switching position, and therefore functions as a first switching position detection sensor. When the collection position detection sensor 63 (first switching position detection sensor) detects that the first bobbin holder 41 has reached the first switching position, the first switching position package stopper 64b is activated. Similarly to the collection position package stopper 64a, the first switching position package stopper 64b is driven by an actuator (e.g., a cylinder) (not illustrated), operates under the control of the control apparatus 50, and moves in the same or a similar manner as the collection position package stopper 64a.

[0055] The control apparatus 50 knows a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation angle of the turret plate 40 from a reference position (e.g., the winding position). Therefore, based on the detection result of the collection position detection sensor 63 (first switching position detection sensor) and the rotation angle of the turret plate 40, the control apparatus 50 performs control for selectively activating one of the collection position package stopper 64a and the first switching position package stopper 64b. However, the control apparatus 50 may perform control for activating both the collection position package stopper 64a and the first switching position package stopper 64b based only on the detection result of the collection position detection sensor 63 (first switching position detection sensor), regardless of the rotation angle of the turret plate 40.

[0056] Next, a problem that arises when the bobbin holders 41, 42 are moved from the first switching position to the collection position after the yarn switching will be described with reference to a comparative example in FIGS. 9 and 10. The comparative example has the same configuration as the yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment, but is an example in which the control of the present embodiment described below is not performed.

[0057] As described above, when the yarn switching is completed, the first bobbin holder 41 at the first switching position stops rotating. In addition, in the present embodiment, the first bobbin holder motor 54 does not have a locking function of preventing rotation (similarly, the second bobbin holder motor 55 does not have a locking function of preventing rotation). Therefore, the package 94 (the first bobbin holder 41) is in a state of being freely rotatable, and if a force is applied to the package 94 (the first bobbin holder 41), the package 94 may rotate.

[0058] For example, when the first bobbin holder 41 reaches the collection position and the turret stopper 61 is activated, the impact caused by the activation may cause the package 94 to rotate in the second rotation direction (in other words, the direction to unwind the yarn 93) as illustrated in FIG. 10. In particular, in this configuration, there is a time lag between the occurrence of the impact and the time when the collection position package stopper 64a stops the rotation of the package 94, and thus rotation of the package 94 in the second rotation direction may occur.

[0059] In addition, in the present embodiment in which the rotation direction from the first switching position to the collection position is the second rotation direction, the package 94 may rotate in the second rotation direction due to the effect of inertia. More specifically, a stronger centrifugal force is applied to a part of the package 94 farther from the center of the turret plate 40 than to a part closer to the center of the turret plate 40. This effect increases the possibility that the package 94 rotates in the second rotation direction. However, note that various other factors may cause unintended rotation of the package 94 in the second rotation direction.

[0060] Rotation of the package 94 in the second rotation direction results in unwinding the yarn 93 from the package 94. Hereinafter, the portion of the yarn 93 unwound from the package 94 will be referred to as an unwound end yarn 93a. The unwound end yarn 93a may hang down and come into contact with the floor surface. In this case, the quality of the package 94 is reduced. Alternatively, the unwound end yarn 93a may come into contact with or become entangled with any of the components of the yarn winding machine 1. Therefore, having an unwound end yarn 93a is not preferable.

[0061] Next, control performed by the control apparatus 50 to suppress formation of the unwound end yarn 93a will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 11. The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 11 is an extraction of the processes performed by the control apparatus 50, which are related to suppressing formation of the unwound end yarn 93a.

[0062] The control apparatus 50 determines whether the yarn switching is completed (S101). If the control apparatus 50 determines that the yarn switching is completed, the control apparatus 50 moves the first switching position package stopper 64b to the retracted position and starts to rotationally drive, in the first rotation direction, the first bobbin holder 41 corresponding to the bobbin holder 41, 42 holding the package 94, i.e., starts to rotationally drive, in the first rotation direction, the first bobbin holder motor 54 (S102). As described above, the first rotation direction is the direction to wind the yarn 93. The first bobbin holder 41 is not rotating at the time of completion of the yarn switching, and thus the control apparatus 50 starts to rotate the first bobbin holder 41 which is not rotating. During the yarn switching, the yarn between the bobbin 91 of the second bobbin holder 42 and the package 94 of the first bobbin holder 41 is broken. This may result in a situation where the yarn 93 connected to the package 94 is not wound onto the package 94 and protrudes from the package 94 (see "Yarn switching completed" in FIGS. 7 and 9). Furthermore, forcibly breaking the yarn 93 may result in unwinding of the yarn 93 from the package 94 and formation of an unwound end yarn 93a. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the first bobbin holder 41 starts to rotate in the first rotation direction at a point of time after the yarn switching is completed, at which the first bobbin holder 41 is located at the first switching position, and thus the yarn 93 protruding from the package 94 (unwound end yarn 93a) can be wound onto the package 94, and entanglement of the yarn 93 protruding from the package 94 (unwound end yarn 93a), with the first switching position package stopper 64b, etc., can be prevented.

[0063] Assume that some force is applied to the package 94, causing the package 94 to rotate in the second rotation direction. In the present embodiment, even in this case, the first bobbin holder 41 rotating in the first rotation direction can prevent the package 94 from rotating in the second rotation direction. As a result, formation of the unwound end yarn 93a can be suppressed. The purpose of rotating the first bobbin holder 41 in the first rotation direction is to suppress formation of the unwound end yarn 93a, and thus the rotation speed is significantly slower than when the yarn 93 is wound. Specifically, the control apparatus 50 rotates the first bobbin holder 41 at a rotation speed of 5 rotations per second or less. Note that this rotation speed is merely an example, and the first bobbin holder 41 may be rotated at a faster rotation speed.

[0064] Next, the control apparatus 50 moves the turret stopper 61 away from the turret plate 40, starts to rotationally drive the turret plate 40 (S103), and moves the first bobbin holder 41 from the first switching position toward the collection position. Next, the control apparatus 50 determines whether the first bobbin holder 41 has reached the collection position (S104). This determination is made based on the detection result of the collection position detection sensor 63 described above, and the like.

[0065] If the control apparatus 50 determines that the first bobbin holder 41 has reached the collection position, the control apparatus 50 stops rotationally driving the turret plate 40 (S105). Next, the control apparatus 50 stops rotationally driving the first bobbin holder 41 and brings the collection position package stopper 64a into contact with the first bobbin holder 41 to prevent the first bobbin holder 41 from rotating (S106).

[0066] In the present embodiment, when the first bobbin holder 41 is still at the first switching position, the first bobbin holder motor 54 starts to rotationally drive the first bobbin holder 41, and this rotation drive continues without being stopped. Then, after the first bobbin holder 41 has reached the collection position, the rotation drive of the first bobbin holder 41 by the first bobbin holder motor 54 is stopped. That is, the first bobbin holder 41 continuously rotates in the first rotation direction throughout the movement from the first switching position to the collection position. Therefore, regardless of the timing at which force is applied to the package 94, formation of the unwound end yarn 93a can be suppressed.

[0067] Note that continuously rotating the first bobbin holder 41 in the first rotation direction throughout the movement from the first switching position to the collection position is merely an example, and the first bobbin holder 41 may be only rotated within a part of the entire movement path. For example, the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 may be started while the first bobbin holder 41 moves from the first switching position to the collection position. Alternatively, rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 may be started at the first switching position, the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 may be temporarily stopped before the first bobbin holder 41 after leaving the first switching position reaches the collection position, and then the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 may be started again. From another perspective, the timing of the highest risk of formation of the unwound end yarn 93a is immediately after the first bobbin holder 41 reaches the collection position. Thus, it is preferable that the first bobbin holder 41 is rotating in the first rotation direction at least at the timing when the first bobbin holder 41 reaches the collection position.

[0068] As described above, the yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment includes the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42, the bobbin holder motors 54, 55, the bobbin holder moving mechanism (a mechanism including the turret plate 40 and the turret motor 53), and the control apparatus 50. Each bobbin holder of the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42 holds the bobbin 91. Each of the bobbin holder motors 54, 55 is provided for a corresponding one of the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42 and rotationally drives the corresponding one of the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42. The turret plate 40 moves the pair of bobbin holders 41, 42. The control apparatus 50 controls the bobbin holder motors 54, 55 and the bobbin holder moving mechanism. The bobbin holder moving mechanism is a mechanism that moves the bobbin holders 41, 42 between the winding position, the collection position, the first switching position, and the second switching position. The winding position is a position for winding the yarn 93 onto the bobbin 91 to form a package 94. The collection position is a position for collecting the package 94. The first switching position is a position for the first bobbin holder 41 to be subjected to yarn switching for switching from a state of winding the yarn 93 around the package 94 held by the first bobbin holder 41 to a state of winding the yarn 93 around the bobbin 91 held by the second bobbin holder 42. The second switching position is a position for the second bobbin holder 42 to be subjected to the yarn switching. The winding position, the collection position, the first switching position, and the second switching position are different from each other. The control apparatus 50 controls the bobbin holder moving mechanism to move the first bobbin holder 41 to the winding position, the first switching position, and the collection position in this order, and to move the second bobbin holder 42 to the collection position, the second switching position, and the winding position in this order. The control apparatus 50 controls, for the yarn switching, at least the first bobbin holder motor 54 to decelerate and stop rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 when the first bobbin holder 41 is at the first switching position. The control apparatus 50 controls the first bobbin holder motor 54 to start rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 in a direction to wind the yarn, after the yarn switching and before the first bobbin holder 41 reaches the collection position, such that the first bobbin holder 41 is rotating in the direction to wind the yarn at least when the first bobbin holder 41 reaches the collection position.

[0069] As a result, even if the first bobbin holder 41 holding the package 94 is subjected to an impact upon reaching the collection position and the impact generates a force to rotate the package 94 in the direction to unwind the yarn 93, the first bobbin holder motor 54 can counteract the force by rotating the package 94 in the direction to wind the yarn, and thus suppress unwinding of the yarn 93.

[0070] In the yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment, the control apparatus 50 controls the first bobbin holder motor 54 to start rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 when the first bobbin holder 41 is still located at the first switching position after the yarn switching.

[0071] At the first switching position, the backlash of the yarn breaking may cause the yarn 93 connected to the package 94 to protrude from the package 94, but in this configuration, such protrusion can be preferably eliminated early. Furthermore, at the first switching position, forcibly breaking the yarn 93 immediately after the yarn switching may result in formation of unwound end yarn 93a unwound from the package 94, but in this configuration, such situation can be preferably eliminated early.

[0072] The yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment includes the collection position detection sensor 63 and the first switching position package stopper 64b. The collection position detection sensor 63 detects that the first bobbin holder 41 has reached the first switching position. The first switching position package stopper 64b is provided at the first switching position and forcibly stops rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 at the first switching position. The control apparatus 50 controls, based on a detection result of the collection position detection sensor 63, the first bobbin holder motor 54 to stop rotational driving of the first bobbin holder 41, and controls the first switching position package stopper 64b to forcibly stop the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41.

[0073] This makes it possible to prevent entanglement of the unwound end yarn 93a protruding from the package 94, with the first switching position package stopper 64b provided at the first switching position.

[0074] In the yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment, the control apparatus 50 controls the first bobbin holder motor 54 to continuously rotate the first bobbin holder 41 in the direction to wind the yarn 93 throughout the movement of the first bobbin holder 41 from the first switching position to the collection position.

[0075] This makes it possible to suppress unwinding of the yarn 93 all the time when the first bobbin holder 41 moves from the first switching position to the collection position.

[0076] The yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment includes the collection position detection sensor 63 and the collection position package stopper 64a. The collection position detection sensor 63 detects that the first bobbin holder 41 has reached the collection position. The collection position package stopper 64a is provided at the collection position and forcibly stops the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 at the collection position. The control apparatus 50 controls, based on a detection result of the collection position detection sensor 63, the first bobbin holder motor 54 to stop rotational driving of the first bobbin holder 41, and controls the collection position package stopper 64a to forcibly stop the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41.

[0077] This allows the first bobbin holder 41 still rotating upon reaching the collection position, to be stopped quickly by the first bobbin holder motor 54 at an appropriate timing after the first bobbin holder 41 reaches the collection position. As a result, the package 94 is collected after the rotation of the package 94 is stopped, and therefore a delay in the timing at which the package 94 becomes collectable can be prevented.

[0078] In the yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment, the bobbin holder moving mechanism includes the rotatable turret plate 40. In the turret plate 40, each of the bobbin holders 41, 42 is provided point-symmetrically with respect to the center of rotation of the turret plate 40. A direction in which the turret plate 40 is rotated to move the first bobbin holder 41 from the first switching position to the collection position is opposite to the direction in which the bobbin holders 41, 42 are rotated to wind the yarn 93.

[0079] The above relationship increases possibility that rotation of the package 94 in the direction to unwind the yarn 93 due to inertia is caused by the movement of the bobbin holder from the first switching position to the collection position. Therefore, by applying the present invention when the above relationship is satisfied, the effect of suppressing the unwinding of the yarn 93 can be effectively utilized.

[0080] In the yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment, the control apparatus 50 controls the first bobbin holder motor 54 to rotate the first bobbin holder 41 such that, after the yarn switching is performed and before the first bobbin holder 41 reaches the collection position, the rotation speed of the first bobbin holder 41 is 5 rotations per second or less.

[0081] This allows the package 94 to be rotated at a speed suitable for the purpose of suppressing unwinding of the yarn from the package 94.

[0082] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows. A single modification may be made, or multiple modifications may be made in any combination.

[0083] Although the traverse apparatus 21 in the above embodiment is of a cam drum type, the traverse apparatus 21 may have a different configuration as long as the traverse guide 23 can be reciprocated in the winding width direction. For example, instead of the cam drum type traverse apparatus 21, a belt type traverse apparatus may be used.

[0084] The flowchart illustrated in the above embodiment is merely an example, and some processes may be omitted, the contents of some processes may be changed, or new processes may be added. For example, the order of the processes for starting rotation of the turret plate 40 and rotation of the bobbin holders 41, 42 may be interchanged. Similarly, the order of the processes for stopping rotation of the turret plate 40 and rotation of the bobbin holders 41, 42 may be interchanged.

[0085] In the above embodiment, in order to stop the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 at the first switching position, the drive of the first bobbin holder motor 54 is decelerated and stopped, and the first switching position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus (first switching position package stopper 64b) is activated. However, the first switching position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus is an optional apparatus provided as necessary, and thus the rotation of the first bobbin holder 41 may be stopped at the first switching position only by decelerating and stopping the drive of the first bobbin holder motor 54.

[0086] The bobbin holder moving mechanism is not limited to one that uses a turret plate, but may be one that moves two bobbin holders individually, or may be one that moves the bobbin holders along a linear path other than a circular path movement.

[0087] In the above embodiment, a bobbin holder drive method in which the bobbin holder is actively rotationally driven at the winding position to wind the yarn onto the bobbin is illustrated as the yarn winding method. However, the present invention may also be applied to a friction drive method in which a contact roller is actively rotationally driven at the winding position to wind the yarn onto the bobbin.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0022]Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023]A spinning machine (not illustrated) is disposed upstream of a yarn winding machine 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. The spinning machine produces a plurality of yarns 93. The spinning machine supplies the plurality of yarns 93 to the yarn winding machine 1 via a yarn feed roller 100. The yarn winding machine 1 winds the plurality of yarns 93 onto a plurality of bobbins 91 arranged side by side, respectively, to form a plurality of packages 94. The yarn 93 includes a synthetic yarn such as a nylon or polyester yarn. The yarn 93 may also include an elastic yarn such as Spandex. The yarn winding machine 1 of the present embodiment is a yarn winding machine that winds an elastic yarn, particularly a thick yarn.

[0024]In the following description, an axial direction of the bobbins 91 and the bobbin holders 41, 42 that hold the bobbins (in other words, the direction in which the bobbins 91 ar...

Claims

1. A yarn winding machine (1), comprising: a pair of bobbin holders (41, 42) each configured to hold a bobbin (91); a bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus (54, 55) provided for each of the pair of bobbin holders (41, 42) and configured to rotationally drive the corresponding one of the pair of bobbin holders (41, 42); a bobbin holder moving mechanism (40, 53) configured to move the pair of bobbin holders (41, 42); and a control apparatus (50) configured to control the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus (54, 55) and the bobbin holder moving mechanism (40, 53), wherein the bobbin holder moving mechanism (40, 53) is configured to move the pair of bobbin holders (41, 42) between, a winding position for winding a yarn (93) onto the bobbin (91) to form a package (94), a collection position for collecting the package (94), a first switching position for a first one of the pair of bobbin holders (41, 42) to be subjected to yarn switching, the yarn switching being for switching from a state of winding the yarn (93) around the package (94) held by the first one of the pair of bobbin holders (41, 42) to a state of winding the yarn (93) around the bobbin (91) held by a second one of the pair of bobbin holders (41, 42), and a second switching position for the second one of the pair of bobbin holders (41, 42) to be subjected to the yarn switching, the winding position, the collection position, the first switching position, and the second switching position are different from each other, and the control apparatus (50) is configured to, control the bobbin holder moving mechanism (40, 53) to move the first one of the pair of bobbin holders (41, 42) to the winding position, the first switching position, and the collection position in this order, and to move the second one of the pair of bobbin holders (41, 42) to the collection position, the second switching position, and the winding position in this order, control, for the yarn switching, at least the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus (54, 55) to decelerate and stop rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42) when the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42) is at the first switching position, and control the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus (54, 55) to start rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42) in a direction to wind the yarn (93), after the yarn switching and before the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42) reaches the collection position, such that the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42) is rotating in the direction to wind the yarn (93) at least when the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42) reaches the collection position.

2. The yarn winding machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control apparatus (50) controls the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus (54, 55) to start rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42) when the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42) is still located at the first switching position after the yarn switching.

3. The yarn winding machine (1) according to claim 2, comprising: a first switching position detection sensor (63) configured to detect that the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42) has reached the first switching position; and a first switching position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus (64b) provided at the first switching position and configured to forcibly stop rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42) at the first switching position; wherein the control apparatus (50) controls, based on a detection result of the first switching position detection sensor (63), the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus (54, 55) to stop rotational driving of the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42), and controls the first switching position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus (64b) to forcibly stop the rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42).

4. The yarn winding machine (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the control apparatus (50) controls the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus (54, 55) to continuously rotate the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42) in the direction to wind the yarn (93) throughout the movement of the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42) from the first switching position to the collection position.

5. The yarn winding machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: a collection position detection sensor (63) configured to detect that the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42) has reached the collection position; and a collection position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus (64a) provided at the collection position and configured to forcibly stop the rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42) at the collection position, wherein the control apparatus (50) controls, based on a detection result of the collection position detection sensor (63), the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus (54, 55) to stop rotational driving of the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42), and controls the collection position bobbin holder rotation stop apparatus (64a) to forcibly stop the rotation of the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42).

6. The yarn winding machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bobbin holder moving mechanism (40, 53) includes a turret plate (40) configured to rotate, in the turret plate (40), each of the pair of bobbin holders (41, 42) is provided point-symmetrically with respect to the center of rotation of the turret plate (40), and a direction in which the turret plate (40) is rotated to move the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42) from the first switching position to the collection position is opposite to the direction in which the bobbin holders (41, 42) are rotated to wind the yarn (93).

7. The yarn winding machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control apparatus (50) controls the bobbin holder rotation drive apparatus (54, 55) to rotate the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42) such that, after the yarn switching is performed and before the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42) reaches the collection position, the rotation speed of the first one of the bobbin holders (41, 42) is 5 rotations per second or less.

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