Yarn winder

Abstract

The possibility of allowing a yarn end on the package side where the formation of a package has been completed to be entangled on the empty bobbin side is reduced. A spun yarn take-up machine 1 includes bobbin holders 24A and 24B, a switching unit, a partition plate 65, and a controller 26. In a completed state in which a switching operation is completed, a package P is held by the bobbin holder 24A, and the partition plate 65 is at a partition position, a first virtual line segment VLS1 is defined. Two virtual tangents (a first virtual tangent VLT1 and a second virtual tangent VLT2) in contact with the outer circumferential edge of the bobbin holder 24B, which are parallel to the first virtual line segment VLS1, are defined. The partition plate 65 traverses across both of the two virtual tangents and is spaced apart from a yarn holding guide 44. The controller 26 positions the partition plate 65 at the partition position after the switching operation is completed, and starts to move the yarn holding guide 44 from a holding position toward a retracted position before the partition plate 65 reaches the partition position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a yarn winder.

[0002] A spun yarn take-up winder (yarn winder) disclosed in Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. H7-138808) includes two bobbin holders extending in an axial direction. Each of the two bobbin holders supports bobbins to be rotatable. As a running yarn is wound onto a bobbin supported by one of the two bobbin holders, a package is formed. When the formation of the package is completed, an operation (switching operation) of transferring the yarn from the package to an empty bobbin held by the other bobbin holder is performed in the yarn winder. More specifically, while being wound onto the package, the yarn is threaded to an empty bobbin by a yarn feeding device (switching unit). Tension is applied to the yarn threaded to the empty bobbin, and the yarn is divided from the package. The switching operation is performed in this way.

[0003] The switching unit has a first turning plate that partitions the space between one bobbin holder and the other bobbin holder. In addition to the first turning plate, a second turning plate is provided to partition the above-described space. When the switching operation is completed, a leading end portion of the first turning plate and a leading end portion of the second turning plate are disposed to face each other. At this time, when viewed in the axial direction, the first turning plate and the second turning plate almost entirely partition the above-described space. This prevents an end portion (yarn end) of a divided yarn on the package side from being entangled on the empty bobbin side.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A narrow gap is formed between the first turning plate and the second turning plate described above, in order to avoid interference between these plates. The gap is located on or in the vicinity of a line segment connecting the center of one bobbin holder with the center of the other bobbin holder. For this reason, the yarn end on the package side may be entangled on the empty bobbin side through the gap.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to reduce the possibility of allowing a yarn end on the package side where the formation of a package has been completed to be entangled on the empty bobbin side.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, a yarn winder includes: a first bobbin holder which rotatably supports a first bobbin on which a running yarn is wound, the first bobbin holder extending along a predetermined axial direction; a second bobbin holder which is aligned with the first bobbin holder in a predetermined alignment direction intersecting with the axial direction and rotatably supports a second bobbin on which the yarn is wound, the second bobbin holder extending along the axial direction; a switching unit which includes a yarn holding portion capable of being positioned at a holding position where the running yarn is temporarily held, the switching unit being capable of performing a switching operation of switching a state of the first bobbin holder and the second bobbin holder from a state in which a package is being formed by winding the yarn onto the rotating first bobbin to a state in which the yarn is threaded to the rotating empty second bobbin and is divided from the package; a partition which is movable between a non-overlapping position where the partition does not overlap a running track of the yarn held by the yarn holding portion at the holding position during the switching operation, when viewed in the axial direction, and a partition position where, when the switching operation is completed, a space between the second bobbin and the package is at least partially partitioned by the partition; a partition drive unit which is configured to drive and move the partition; a holding drive unit which is configured to drive and move the yarn holding portion between a retracted position which is separated from the partition at the partition position as compared to the holding position and the holding position; and a controller, wherein, in a completed state in which the switching operation is completed, the package is held by the first bobbin holder, and the partition is at the partition position, when viewed in the axial direction, the partition traverses across both a first virtual tangent and a second virtual tangent which are two virtual tangents that are parallel to a first virtual line segment connecting a rotation axis center of the first bobbin holder with a rotation axis center of the second bobbin holder and are in contact with an outer circumferential edge of the second bobbin holder, and the partition is separated from the yarn holding portion, and the controller controls the partition drive unit to position the partition at the partition position after the switching operation is completed, and controls the holding drive unit to start movement of the yarn holding portion from the holding position toward the retracted position before the partition reaches the partition position.

[0007] According to the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to extensively cover the area where the second bobbin is particularly close to the package with the partition, while establishing the state in which the partition does not interfere with the yarn holding portion. It is therefore possible to reduce the possibility of allowing the yarn end on the fully-formed package side to be entangled on the empty bobbin side (second bobbin side). Furthermore, it is possible to reliably avoid the interference between the partition and the yarn holding portion by moving the yarn holding portion to the retracted position after the completion of the switching operation. Furthermore, the partition is disposed at the partition position after the switching operation is completed, and the yarn holding portion starts to move from the holding position toward the retracted position before the partition reaches the partition position. It is therefore possible to reliably avoid the interference between the partition and the yarn holding portion after the completion of the switching operation.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of the first aspect is arranged such that, in the completed state, the partition is arranged to surround the second bobbin holder over an angular range of 90 degrees or more in a circumferential direction of the second bobbin holder.

[0009] According to the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to extensively surround the second bobbin in the circumferential direction of the second bobbin holder. It is therefore possible to further effectively reduce the possibility of allowing the yarn end on the package side to be entangled on the second bobbin side.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of the first or second aspect is arranged such that, when viewed in the axial direction, in the completed state, a part of the package which is on the first virtual line segment rotates to move from the first virtual tangent side to the second virtual tangent side, and a first angle between (i) a second virtual line segment connecting an end of the partition which is on the first virtual tangent side of the first virtual line segment with the rotation axis center of the second bobbin holder and (ii) the first virtual line segment is larger than a second angle between (I) a third virtual line segment connecting an end of the partition which is on the second virtual tangent side of the first virtual line segment with the rotation axis center of the second bobbin holder and (II) the first virtual line segment.

[0011] The yarn end on the package side extends toward the downstream side in the direction of rotation of the package, in a trailing manner. In the present invention, the yarn end located in the vicinity of the first virtual line segment extends long toward the first virtual tangent side. In this regard, according to the present invention, because the first angle is larger than the second angle, the partition is arranged to extend long on the first virtual tangent side. It is therefore possible to effectively prevent the long yarn end from being entangled on the second bobbin side by the partition.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of any one of the first to third aspects is arranged such that, in a radial direction of the second bobbin holder, the partition at the partition position is far from the second bobbin holder as compared to the yarn holding portion which holds the yarn in the switching operation.

[0013] After the switching operation is completed, formation of a new package by winding the yarn onto the second bobbin starts, and the diameter of the package increases over time. For this reason, it is necessary to move the partition located at the partition position away from the package at an appropriate timing for the purpose of avoiding the interference between the package and the partition. On the other hand, because there may be an unintended delay in the timing of collection of the formed package, it is preferable to keep the partition at the partition position for as long as possible after the completion of the switching operation. In this regard, according to the aspect of the present invention, the partition positioned at the partition position is arranged at a location that is far from the second bobbin holder in the radial direction of the second bobbin holder. It is therefore possible to keep the partition to be on standby for a long time at the partition position.

[0014] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of any one of the first to fourth aspects is arranged such that, in the switching operation, the switching unit is configured to divide the yarn by applying a tension to the yarn running toward the package via the second bobbin, and in the switching operation, the yarn holding portion is provided between the second bobbin and the package in a running direction of the yarn, is provided to bend a yarn path along which the yarn runs, and is provided, in the radial direction of the second bobbin holder, to be close to the second bobbin holder as compared to a track along which the partition moves.

[0015] The yarn between the package and the second bobbin is separated into the yarn end on the package side and the yarn end on the second bobbin side by the tension during the switching operation. The yarn end on the second bobbin side is preferably as short as possible, because it is not wound onto the second bobbin. In this regard, the above-described tension is strongly applied to a part of the yarn, where the yarn is held by the yarn holding portion is and is bent. For this reason, the position where the yarn is divided is substantially the same position where the yarn holding portion is provided. According to the aspect of the present invention, during the switching operation, the yarn holding portion is positioned to be close to the second bobbin holder. It is therefore possible to shorten the yarn end on the second bobbin side of the divided yarn.

[0016] According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of any one of the first to fifth aspects further includes a yarn threading execution unit which is configured to enable execution of a yarn threading action of threading the yarn to the first bobbin in an empty state, before the switching operation is performed, the yarn threading execution unit having the yarn holding portion, and the yarn holding portion being configured to temporarily hold the yarn in the yarn threading action.

[0017] According to the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to use the yarn holding portion not only for the switching operation but also for the yarn threading action. On this account, both the switching operation and the yarn threading actions can be performed by a small number of members.

[0018] According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of the sixth aspect is arranged such that the yarn threading execution unit includes: a handover section which is configured to temporarily hold the yarn in the yarn threading action and is provided to hand over the yarn to the yarn holding portion; and a supporter which supports the handover section, and the supporter supports the partition in addition to the handover section.

[0019] In the present invention, the supporter supports both the handover section and the partition. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in number of members as compared to a configuration where the handover section and the partition are supported by different members.

[0020] According to an eighth aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of the seventh aspect is arranged such that a handover driving source configured to drive and move the handover section and a partition driving source configured to drive and move the partition are independently provided.

[0021] This aspect of the present invention is effective when the operation of moving the handover section and the operation of moving the partition are significantly different.

[0022] According to a ninth aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of the eighth aspect is arranged such that the handover section is configured to be movable in parallel, and the partition is configured to be swingable.

[0023] When trying to achieve the parallel movement of the handover section and the swinging motion of the partition with a single driving source, a complex mechanism may be required. According to the aspect of the present invention, the handover section and the partition are driven to move by different driving sources. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the structural complication of the mechanism.

[0024] According to a tenth aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of any one of the first to ninth aspects further includes a turret which supports the first bobbin holder and the second bobbin holder to be able to revolve about a revolution axial direction that is identical with the axial direction, and is able to swap positions of the first bobbin holder and the second bobbin holder.

[0025] According to the aspect of the present invention, by using the known turret, the positions of the first bobbin holder and the second bobbin holder can be easily swapped.

[0026] According to an eleventh aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of any one of the first to tenth aspects is arranged such that, in the completed state, when viewed in the axial direction, the partition traverses across both a third virtual tangent and a fourth virtual tangent which are two virtual tangents that are parallel to the first virtual line segment and are in contact with an outer circumferential edge of the second bobbin.

[0027] According to the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further extensively cover the area where the second bobbin is particularly close to the package with the partition. It is therefore possible to further reduce the possibility of allowing the yarn end on the fully-formed package side to be entangled on the empty bobbin side (second bobbin side).BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 is a side view of a spun yarn take-up machine of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the spun yarn take-up machine. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electric structure of the spun yarn take-up machine. FIG. 4 shows how fulcrum guides operate. FIG. 5 is a front view of the handover mechanism and the yarn holding mechanism. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the handover mechanism. FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b) are plan views showing part of the handover mechanism, and FIG. 7(c) is a view showing part of the yarn holding mechanism indicated by an arrow VII(c) in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 illustrates a yarn moving mechanism. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a partition mechanism. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 9. FIGs. 11(a) and 11(b) illustrate how the partition mechanism operates. FIGs. 12(a) and 12(b) illustrate how the partition mechanism operates. FIGs. 13(a) and 13(b) illustrate how the partition mechanism operates. FIG. 14(a) to FIG. 14(c) are views showing the steps of yarn threading. FIG. 15 illustrates the steps of the yarn threading. FIGs. 16(a) and 16(b) illustrate the steps of handing over yarns from movable yarn guides to yarn holding guides, respectively. FIGs. 17(a) to 17(c) show a switching operation, and FIG. 17(d) shows a state of the partition mechanism after the completion of the switching operation. FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of FIG. 17(d). DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The following will describe an embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of convenience, directions shown in FIG. 1 are referred to as forward, rearward, leftward, rightward, upward, and downward directions. The up-down direction (the up-down direction in the plane of FIG. 1) is a vertical direction in which the gravity acts. The front-rear direction (the left-right direction in the plane of FIG. 1) is a direction orthogonal to the up-down direction. The left-right direction (a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1) is orthogonal to both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. A direction in which a later-described yarn Y runs is referred to as a running direction.(Spun Yarn Take-Up Machine)

[0030] The following will describe the structure of a spun yarn take-up machine with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. FIG. 1 is a side view of the spun yarn take-up machine 1 (yarn winder of the present invention) of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the spun yarn take-up machine 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electric structure of the spun yarn take-up machine 1. The spun yarn take-up machine 1 is configured to take up yarns Y spun out from a spinning apparatus 2, to wind the yarns Y onto bobbins B, respectively, and to form packages P. This operation of the spun yarn take-up machine 1 will be referred to as a winding operation. The spinning apparatus 2 is, for example, a known melt spinning device. The spinning apparatus 2 is configured to spin out yarns Y made of synthetic fibers such as polyester. Each of the yarns Y is, for example, a multifilament yarn formed of filaments (not illustrated). Alternatively, each yarn Y may be a monofilament yarn made of a single filament.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the spun yarn take-up machine 1 includes, for example, a first godet roller 11, a second godet roller 12, and a winding device 13. The first godet roller 11 is a roller having an axis substantially in parallel to, for example, the left-right direction. The first godet roller 11 is rotationally driven by an unillustrated motor. As a result, the first godet roller 11 feeds the yarns Y to the second godet roller 12. The second godet roller 12 is a roller having an axis substantially in parallel to, for example, the left-right direction. The second godet roller 12 is provided above and rearward of the first godet roller 11, for example. The second godet roller 12 is rotationally driven by an unillustrated motor. As a result, the second godet roller 12 feeds the yarns Y to the winding device 13.

[0032] An aspirator 14 is provided immediately upstream of the first godet roller 11 in the running direction. The aspirator 14 is configured to be able to suck and hold the yarn Y spun out from the spinning apparatus 2. The aspirator 14 is configured to temporarily suck and hold the yarn Y before, for example, below-described yarn threading is performed.

[0033] The second godet roller 12 is movably supported by a guide rail 15. The guide rail 15 extends obliquely upward and rearward from the vicinity of the first godet roller 11. The second godet roller 12 is movable along the guide rail 15 by, e.g., an unillustrated movement mechanism. The movement mechanism is driven by, for example, a roller movement motor 101 (see FIG. 3). This allows the second godet roller 12 to be movable between a winding position (indicated by solid lines in FIG. 1) and a yarn threading position (indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 1). The winding position (see the solid lines in FIG. 1) is a position of the second godet roller 12 when the winding operation is performed. The yarn threading position is close to the first godet roller 11 as compared to the winding position. The yarn threading position is a position of the second godet roller 12 when a later-described yarn threading operation is performed. The roller movement motor 101 is electrically connected to a controller 26 (see FIG. 3).

[0034] The winding device 13 is configured to form the packages P by winding the yarns Y onto the respective bobbins B. The winding device 13 is provided below the second godet roller 12, for example. As shown in FIG. 2, the winding device 13 includes a frame 20, fulcrum guides 21, traverse guides 22, a turret 23, two bobbin holders 24, and a contact roller 25.

[0035] The frame 20 is a member which is placed on, for example, a floor of a factory, and to which components of the winding device 13 are attached or in which components of the winding device 13 are accommodated. The fulcrum guides 21 are provided for the respective yarns Y. Each of the fulcrum guides 21 is a guide functioning as a fulcrum when the corresponding yarn Y is traversed. The fulcrum guides 21 are aligned in the front-rear direction. The traverse guides 22 are provided for the respective yarns Y. Each of the traverse guides 22 is a guide for traversing the corresponding yarn Y. The traverse guides 22 are aligned in the front-rear direction. The traverse guides 22 are driven by, e.g., a traverse motor 102 (see FIG. 3). Each of the traverse guides 22 includes, e.g., two blade guides 22a (see FIG. 8) that are driven to rotate in opposite directions to each other. The configuration of each traverse guide 22 is not limited to this.

[0036] The turret 23 is a disc-shaped member having an axis substantially in parallel to the front-rear direction. The turret 23 is rotationally driven by a turret motor 103 (see FIG. 3). The turret 23 rotatably supports the two bobbin holders 24.

[0037] Each of the two bobbin holders 24 is arranged to rotatably hold (support) bobbins B such that the bobbins B are aligned in the front-rear direction. One of the two bobbin holders 24 may be referred to as a bobbin holder 24A (see FIG. 2). The other of the two bobbin holders 24 may be referred to as a bobbin holder 24B (see FIG. 2). Each of the bobbin holders 24A and 24B is rotatably supported by the turret 23. The bobbin holders 24A and 24B are disposed to be point symmetric with each other about the rotation axis center of the turret 23 (see FIG. 2). For the sake of convenience, the explanation presupposes that the bobbin holder 24A is equivalent to a first bobbin holder of the present invention, and the bobbin holder 24B is equivalent to a second bobbin holder of the present invention. The bobbin holders 24A and 24B extend along the front-rear direction (see FIG. 1). The direction in which the bobbin holder 24A extends is equivalent to an axial direction of the present invention. The direction in which the bobbin holder 24B extends is substantially parallel to the direction in which the bobbin holder 24A extends. Each bobbin holder 24 supports bobbins B which are aligned in the front-rear direction. The bobbin holders 24A and 24B are aligned in a direction that is orthogonal to (intersecting with) the axial direction.

[0038] For the convenience of explanation, bobbins B held by the bobbin holder 24A are referred to as bobbins B1 (first bobbins of the present invention). Bobbins B held by the bobbin holder 24B are referred to as bobbins B2 (second bobbins of the present invention). Each of the two bobbin holders 24 is rotationally driven by an individual winding motor 104 (see FIG. 3). More specifically, the bobbin holder 24A is rotationally driven by a winding motor 104A (see FIG. 3). The bobbin holder 24B is rotationally driven by a winding motor 104B (see FIG. 3).

[0039] Assume that yarns Y are being respectively wound onto bobbins B held by one of the two bobbin holders 24 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). In this connection, for the convenience of explanation, one of the bobbin holders 24 is referred to as an upper bobbin holder 24. In FIGs. 1 and 2, the bobbin holder 24A is the upper bobbin holder 24.

[0040] The contact roller 25 is provided immediately above the upper bobbin holder 24. The axial direction of the contact roller 25 is substantially parallel to the front-rear direction. The contact roller 25 makes contact with the surfaces of packages P supported by the upper bobbin holder 24. As a result, the contact roller 25 applies contact pressure to the surfaces of the packages P on which the yarns are being wound, so as to adjust the shape of each package P.

[0041] The controller 26 is a computer device that is configured to control the operation of the spun yarn take-up machine 1. The controller 26 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM that are not illustrated. The controller 26 is electrically connected to driving units such as a roller movement motor 101, a traverse motor 102, a turret motor 103, and two winding motors 104. The controller 26 is electrically connected to other driving units that will be described later, too.

[0042] In the winding device 13 structured as described above, when the upper bobbin holder 24 is rotationally driven, the yarns Y traversed by the traverse guides 22 are wound onto the corresponding bobbins B, with the result that the packages P are formed. When the formation of the packages P is completed, the turret 23 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the front. This switches over the upper and lower positions of the two bobbin holders 24. A series of operations (detailed later) of the winding device 13, which includes an operation of switching the upper and lower positions of the two bobbin holders 24, will be referred to as a switching operation, for the sake of convenience. As a result of the switching operation, the bobbin holder 24 having been at the lower position is accordingly moved to the upper position. The yarns Y are wound on the respective empty bobbins B attached to the upper bobbin holder 24, so that the packages P are formed. The bobbin holder 24 to which the fully-formed packages P are attached is moved to the lower position. The fully-formed packages P are collected by, e.g., an unillustrated package collector.

[0043] For the convenience of explanation, the rotation of the bobbin holder 24 by the winding motor 104 will be referred to as axial rotation of the bobbin holder 24. The rotation of a bobbin B or a package P due to the axial rotation of the bobbin holder 24 is also referred to as axial rotation. The rotation of the turret 23 by the turret motor 103 (that is, the movement of the bobbin holder 24) is referred to as revolution of the bobbin holder 24. The movement of bobbins B or packages P due to the revolution of the bobbin holder 24 is also referred to as revolution. The direction of the axis of revolution of the bobbin holder 24 (revolution axial direction) is substantially parallel to the front-rear direction. The bobbin holder 24A and the bobbin holder 24B can swap the positions with each other by being revolved 180 degrees around the axis of revolution.

[0044] In the switching operation, a yarn Y is divided between a fully-formed package P and an empty bobbin B (as detailed later). After the division of the yarn Y, an end portion (hereinafter, yarn end) of the yarn Y on the fully-formed package P side may be entangled on the empty bobbin B side. To reduce the possibility of allowing the yarn end on the fully-formed package P side to be entangled on the empty bobbin B side, the spun yarn take-up machine 1 is structured as described below. To reduce the possibility of allowing the yarn end on the fully-formed package P side to be entangled on the empty bobbin B side will be referred to as entanglement suppression.(Components for Yarn Threading)

[0045] Although the direct relevance to the entanglement suppression is low, in order to initiate the winding operation in the spun yarn take-up machine 1, it is necessary to perform yarn threading of yarns Y to the spun yarn take-up machine 1. In the present embodiment, a configuration for performing yarn threading is partially identical with the configuration for performing the switching operation. Therefore, before explaining the components for the switching operation, the components for the yarn threading are described with reference to FIG. 2 and FIGs. 4 to 8. FIG. 4 shows how fulcrum guides 21 operate. FIG. 5 is a front view of a handover mechanism 27 and a yarn holding mechanism 28 which are described later. A circle indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5 is an orbit along which the axial centers of the two bobbin holders 24 revolve (hereinafter, a revolution orbit 100). FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the handover mechanism 27. FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b) are plan views showing part of the handover mechanism 27, and FIG. 7(c) is a view showing part of the yarn holding mechanism 28 indicated by an arrow VII(c) in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 shows a later-described yarn moving mechanism 29.

[0046] The spinning take-up machine 1 has the following components as components related to the yarn threading. That is, the spun yarn take-up machine 1 includes a first godet roller 11, a second godet roller 12, fulcrum guides 21, a turret 23, a handover mechanism 27, a yarn holding mechanism 28, and a yarn moving mechanism 29 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 to FIG. 8). In summary, the yarns Y spun out from the spinning apparatus 2 are, for example, threaded by an operator to the first godet roller 11, the second godet roller 12, and the fulcrum guides 21 in this order. Hereinafter, operations performed by the operator are collectively termed a yarn threading operation. Subsequently, the yarns Y are handed over to the yarn holding mechanism 28 via the handover mechanism 27, and are threaded to the respective bobbins B by the yarn moving mechanism 29. The turret 23 revolves the bobbin holder 24 so that the yarns Y are properly threaded to the respective bobbins B. Hereinafter, in the yarn threading, actions performed by the turret 23, the handover mechanism 27, the yarn holding mechanism 28, and the yarn moving mechanism 29 are referred to as yarn threading actions. The details of the yarn threading operation and the yarn threading actions will be given later. The turret 23, the handover mechanism 27, the yarn holding mechanism 28, and the yarn moving mechanism 29 correspond to a yarn threading execution unit of the present invention.

[0047] The first godet roller 11 is positionally fixed. The second godet roller 12 is movable between the winding position and the yarn threading position as described above (see FIG. 1). The fulcrum guides 21 are arranged to be movable between distanced positions (see FIG. 1) and gathered positions (see FIG. 4). The distanced positions are positions of the fulcrum guides 21 when the winding operation is being performed. The gathered positions are positions of the fulcrum guides 21 when they are gathered on the front side as compared to the distanced positions. The intervals in the front-rear direction of the fulcrum guides 21 when they are at the gathered positions are narrow as compared to the intervals when the fulcrum guides 21 are at the distanced positions. The fulcrum guides 21 are driven and moved between the distanced positions and the gathered positions by a guide drive unit 105 (see FIG. 3). The guide drive unit 105 may include, for example, a known air cylinder (not illustrated). Alternatively, the guide drive unit 105 may include, for example, a known air shifter (not illustrated). The configuration of the turret 23 has already been described above. The details of the actions will be given later.

[0048] The handover mechanism 27 is a mechanism for handing over portions of the yarns Y, which are on the downstream side in the running direction of the fulcrum guides 21, to the yarn holding mechanism 28. As shown in FIG. 2, the handover mechanism 27 is provided in the vicinity of a right end portion of the winding device 13, for example. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the handover mechanism 27 includes, for example, supporters 31, two air shifters 32 (handover driving source of the present invention), an extending member 33, and movable yarn guides 34 (handover sections of the present invention). The two air shifters 32 supported by the supporters 31 drive and move the extending member 33 supporting the movable yarn guides 34.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, the supporters 31 include a supporter 31F provided at a front end portion of the handover mechanism 27 and a supporter 31R provided at a rear end portion. Each of the supporters 31F and 31R is a substantially column-shaped member extending in the up-down direction. Each of the supporters 31F and 31R supports a single air shifter 32.

[0050] The two air shifters 32 are driving sources for moving the extending member 33 and the movable yarn guides 34 in a substantially linear manner. The two air shifters 32 are driven by compressed air. The two air shifters 32 are included in a movement drive unit 106 that is configured to drive and move the extending member 33 (see FIG. 3). The movement drive unit 106 is electrically connected to the controller 26 (see FIG. 3). The two air shifters 32 are attached to the supporters 31. For the convenience of explanation, the air shifter 32 on the front side, which is attached to the supporter 31F, is referred to as an air shifter 32F. The air shifter 32 on the rear side, which is attached to the supporter 31R, is referred to as an air shifter 32R. The air shifter 32F has a main body 32aF and a slider 32bF. The main body 32aF extends, for example, substantially in the up-down direction. The main body 32aF is slightly inclined in the left-right direction relative to the up-down direction, for example. The slider 32bF is provided to be movable on the main body 32aF and is configured to be movable in a parallel manner along the longitudinal direction of the main body 32aF. In the same manner as the air shifter 32F, the air shifter 32R includes a main body 32aR and a slider 32bR (details are omitted). The sliders 32bF and 32bR support the extending member 33 (see FIG. 6) to be substantially horizontal, for example.

[0051] The extending member 33 is, for example, a long member extending substantially horizontally along the front-rear direction. The extending member 33 is driven and moved by the movement drive unit 106. That is, the extending member 33 is fixed to the slider 32bF and the slider 32bR. The extending member 33 is capable of moving in a parallel manner between a standby position (see solid lines in FIG. 5) and a handover position (see two-dot chain lines in FIG. 5) by moving integrally with the slider 32bF and the slider 32bR. The extending member 33 supports the movable yarn guides 34 to be movable in the front-rear direction (the details will be given later).

[0052] The movable yarn guides 34 are provided for the respective yarns Y. Each movable yarn guide 34 is configured to temporarily hold the corresponding yarn Y in the yarn threading actions. The movable yarn guides 34 are supported by the extending member 33. More specifically, the movable yarn guides 34 are supported by the supporters 31 via the extending member 33 and the two air shifters 32. Each movable yarn guide 34 includes a main body 34a and a protrusion 34b. The main body 34a is a part supported by the extending member 33. The protrusion 34b extends rearward from the main body 34a, for example. Each movable yarn guide 34 holds the corresponding yarn Y by causing the protrusion 34b to hook the yarn Y.

[0053] The movable yarn guides 34 are supported by the extending member 33 so as to be movable in a parallel manner together with the extending member 33. Furthermore, the movable yarn guides 34 are supported by the extending member 33 via a guide drive unit 107 (see FIG. 3) so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The guide drive unit 107 may include, for example, an unillustrated air cylinder. The guide drive unit 107 is configured to move the movable yarn guides 34 between distanced positions where the guides are distanced from each other (see FIG. 7(a)) and gathered positions where the guides are gathered on the front side (see FIG. 7(b)). In this way, the movable yarn guides 34 are capable of not only moving together with the extending member 33 but also moving in the front-rear direction relative to the extending member 33.

[0054] The yarn holding mechanism 28 is a mechanism that can receive yarns Y from the handover mechanism 27 and cause the yarns Y to make contact with bobbins B, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the yarn holding mechanism 28 is provided in the vicinity of a left end portion of the winding device 13, for example. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7(c), the yarn holding mechanism 28 includes, for example, a swing shaft 41, two arm members 42, an extending member 43, and yarn holding guides 44 (yarn holders of the present invention). The two arm members 42, the extending member 43, and the yarn holding guides 44 integrally swing about the swing shaft 41.

[0055] The swing shaft 41 is a shaft that serves as the swing axial center for the two arm members 42, the extending member 43, and the yarn holding guides 44. The axis of the swing shaft 41 extends, for example, in the front-rear direction. The swing shaft 41 swingably supports the two arm members 42. Each of the two arm members 42 is, for example, a substantially bar-shaped member. The two arm members 42 are aligned in the front-rear direction. FIG. 5 shows only one of the two arm members 42. Each arm member 42 is swingably supported by the swing shaft 41, for example. To end portions (i.e., leading end portions) of the two arm members 42, which are opposite to the swing shaft, the extending member 43 is attached. The extending member 43 is a member extending in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 7(c)). A front end portion of the extending member 43 is fixed to a leading end portion of the arm member 42 provided on the front side. A rear end portion of the extending member 43 is fixed to a leading end portion of the arm member 42 provided on the rear side. To the extending member 43, plural yarn holding guides 44 are fixed. The yarn holding guides 44 are members fixed to the extending member 43. The yarn holding guides 44 are provided for the respective yarns Y. The yarn holding guides 44 are aligned in the front-rear direction, for example (see FIG. 7(c)). Each yarn holding guide 44 is, for example, a hook-shaped member. Each yarn holding guide 44 has a guide groove 44a. The guide groove 44a is provided to temporarily hold the corresponding yarn Y in the switching operation. The yarn holding guides 44 are swingable (movable) together with the arm members 42 and the extending member 43.

[0056] The arm members 42, the extending member 43, and the yarn holding guides 44 are configured to be swingable together about the swing shaft 41. These members are driven and swung by, for example, a swing drive unit 108 (see FIG. 3; equivalent to a holding drive unit of the present invention). The swing drive unit 108 may include, for example, an unillustrated air cylinder as a driving source. The swing drive unit 108 is electrically connected to the controller 26. When, for example, a piston rod (not illustrated) provided in the air cylinder is fully retracted, the yarn holding guides 44 are at the retracted positions indicated by solid lines in FIG. 5. When, for example, the piston rod is fully extended, the yarn holding guides 44 are at the receiving positions indicated by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 5.

[0057] The yarn moving mechanism 29 is configured to temporarily change the paths (yarn paths) of the yarns Y. The yarn moving mechanism 29 is capable of performing an operation of threading the yarn Y into a slit SL formed in the outer peripheral surface of the empty bobbin B (see FIG. 8). The yarn moving mechanism 29 is provided in the vicinity of the traverse guides 22. In this regard, the following will describe only a part of the yarn moving mechanism 29, which corresponds to one yarn Y. As shown in FIG. 8, the yarn moving mechanism 29 includes a rail member 51 and a guide member 52. The rail member 51 is a member extending along the front-rear direction. The rail member 51 guides the guide member 52 in the front-rear direction. The guide member 52 includes a catching portion 52a configured to hook and catch the corresponding yarn Y. In this connection, an area where the traverse guide 22 traverses the yarn Y is referred to as a traverse area T (see FIG. 8) for the sake of convenience. The guide member 52 is configured to be movable between an outside position (indicated by solid lines in FIG. 8) that is outside the traverse area T and an inside position (indicated by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 8) that is inside the traverse area T. Furthermore, the guide member 52 is configured to be able to take a yarn release posture (see dashed lines in FIG. 8). The yarn release posture is a posture with which the yarn Y caught by the catching portion 52a is released at a position between the outside position and the inside position in the front-rear direction. The guide member 52 in the yarn release posture is slightly tilted rearward as compared to the guide member 52 in the outside position. The yarn moving mechanism 29 is provided with the guide members 52, the number of which corresponds to the number of the yarns Y. The guide members 52 are driven and moved by the yarn moving drive unit 109 (see FIG. 3). The yarn moving drive unit 109 includes, for example, an unillustrated air cylinder and an unillustrated cam mechanism. The air cylinder is, for example, a known two-stage stroke cylinder. The cam mechanism is configured to change the position and / or posture of the guide member 52 in accordance with the extension and contraction of the unillustrated piston rod of the air cylinder. One air cylinder may simultaneously drive and move the multiple guide members 52. Alternatively, multiple air cylinders may be provided to correspond to the respective guide members 52. The yarn moving drive unit 109 is electrically connected to the controller 26.

[0058] The yarn threading is performed using the above-described configuration. The details will be given later.(Components Related to Switching Operation)

[0059] Components related to the switching operation will be described with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 9 to FIG. 13. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a later-described partition mechanism 60. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 9. FIG. 11(a) to FIG. 13(b) illustrate how the partition mechanism 60 operates. FIG. 11(a), FIG. 12(a), and FIG. 13(a) are front views of a rear end portion of the partition mechanism 60. FIG. 11(b), FIG. 12(b), and FIG. 13(b) are rear views of a rear end portion of the partition mechanism 60. FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b) show a state of the partition mechanism 60 when a later-described partition plate 65 (partition of the present invention) is positioned at a later-described non-overlapping position. FIG. 12(a) and FIG. 12(b) show a state of the partition mechanism 60 when the partition plate 65 is positioned between the non-overlapping position and a later-described partition position. FIG. 13(a) and FIG. 13(b) show a state of the partition mechanism 60 when the partition plate 65 is positioned at the partition position.

[0060] The spinning take-up machine 1 includes, as components for performing the switching operation, a turret 23 (see FIG. 2), a yarn holding mechanism 28 (see FIG. 5), and a yarn moving mechanism 29 (see FIG. 8), for example. A combination of the turret 23, the yarn holding mechanism 28, and the yarn moving mechanism 29 is equivalent to a switching unit of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the switching unit is a common component used both when the yarn threading is performed and when the switching operation is performed.

[0061] The following additionally describes the yarn holding mechanism 28 among the turret 23, the yarn holding mechanism 28, and the yarn moving mechanism 29. The yarn holding guides 44 of the yarn holding mechanism 28 can be temporarily stopped (more precisely, stood still) at the holding positions indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. 5. The holding position is a position between the retracted position and the receiving position in the circumferential direction of the swing of the yarn holding guides 44. Any means may be employed to cause the yarn holding guides 44 to be stand still at the holding positions. For example, a stopper (not illustrated) that can revolve together with the bobbin holder 24 may be provided at a predetermined position radially outside the bobbin holder 24. Furthermore, for example, the extending member 43 of the yarn holding mechanism 28 may be provided with a contact portion (not illustrated) that can make contact with the stopper. In this configuration, the yarn holding guides 44 may be stopped at the holding positions as the swinging contact portion makes contact with the stopper. Alternatively, the stopper and the contact portion may not be provided. For example, the above-described unillustrated air cylinder may have a known two-stage stroke mechanism. As described above, the yarn holding guides 44 are movable between the retracted positions and the receiving positions, and are also movable between the holding positions and the retracted positions.

[0062] In addition to the above, the spun yarn take-up machine 1 includes the partition mechanism 60 (see FIG. 9 to FIG. 13(b)). The partition mechanism 60 is a mechanism configured to perform the entanglement suppression after the completion of the switching operation. The partition mechanism 60 shares at least one component with the handover mechanism 27. More specifically, the partition mechanism 60 shares the above-described supporters 31 with the handover mechanism 27 (see FIG. 9). As shown in FIG. 10, the partition mechanism 60 includes, for example, the supporter 31, an air cylinder 61 (partition driving source of the present invention), a lever 62, a first arm unit 63, a second arm unit 64, a partition plate 65, and a cam 66. As the air cylinder 61 swings the lever 62, a link mechanism including the first arm unit 63, the second arm unit 64, the partition plate 65, and the cam 66 is activated. As a result, the partition plate 65 can temporarily partition the space formed between the bobbin holder 24A and the bobbin holder 24B.

[0063] The air cylinder 61 is a driving source included in a partition drive unit 110 (see FIG. 3) provided for driving each part of the partition mechanism 60. In other words, the air cylinder 61 is a driving source for driving and moving the partition plate 65. That is, a driving source for driving and moving the movable yarn guides 34 and a driving source for driving and moving the partition plate 65 are provided independently. The partition drive unit 110 is electrically connected to the controller 26. The air cylinder 61 is configured to drive and swing the lever 62. The air cylinder 61 is attached to an upper end portion of the supporter 31R. The air cylinder 61 includes, for example, a cylinder main body 61a, a piston rod 61b, and a rod end 61c. The cylinder main body 61a is attached to the supporter 31R to be swingable. The cylinder main body 61a extends along a direction that is slightly inclined relative to the up-down direction, for example. The piston rod 61b is configured to be extendable and contractible with respect to the cylinder main body 61a. The rod end 61c is provided at the leading end of the piston rod 61b. The rod end 61c is connected to a leading end portion of the lever 62.

[0064] The lever 62 is a member that is supported to be swingable by the supporter 31R. The swing axial direction of the lever 62 is substantially parallel to the front-rear direction. A base end portion of the lever 62 is fixed to a rear end portion of a shaft 63a (described later) of the first arm unit 63. A leading end portion of the lever 62 is attached to the rod end 61c. The lever 62 is swingable relative to the rod end 61c.

[0065] The first arm unit 63 is a member that swings together with the lever 62. Moreover, the first arm unit 63 is a member that swingably supports the second arm unit 64. The first arm unit 63 includes a shaft 63a (see FIG. 10) and a pair of arms 63b. FIG. 10 shows only a later-described arm 63bR among the paired arms 63b. The shaft 63a is a part of the first arm unit 63, which extends long along the front-rear direction. A front end portion of the shaft 63a is rotatably supported by an intermediate portion in the up-down direction of the supporter 31F. A rear end portion of the shaft 63a and its surroundings are rotatably supported by an intermediate portion in the up-down direction of the supporter 31R. The rear end portion of the shaft 63a is fixed to the base end portion of the lever 62. Each of the paired arms 63b is, for example, a long substantially plate-shaped member. The paired arms 63b extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The paired arms 63b are integrated with the shaft 63a by, for example, welding. The paired arms 63b may be fixed to the shaft 63a by an unillustrated fastener. The paired arms 63b swing integrally with the shaft 63a. The paired arms 63b are provided between the supporter 31F and the supporter 31R in the front-rear direction. One of the paired arms 63b is fixed to a part (not illustrated) of the shaft 63a, which is immediately behind a part where the shaft 63a is supported by the supporter 31F. The other of the paired arms 63b (arm 63bR shown in FIG. 10) is fixed to a part of the shaft 63a, which is immediately in front of a part where the shaft 63a is supported by the supporter 31R. Each of the paired arms 63b swingably supports the second arm unit 64 and the partition plate 65. The arm 63bR is provided with a regulating portion 63c. The regulating portion 63c regulates the swing of the second arm unit 64 by making contact with a contact portion 64b (described later) of the second arm unit 64.

[0066] The second arm unit 64 (see FIG. 10) is a long substantially plate-shaped member. The second arm unit 64 swings together with the partition plate 65 relative to the first arm unit 63. The posture of the second arm unit 64 is adjusted by the cam 66. A base end portion of the second arm unit 64 is fixed to a rear end portion of the partition plate 65. A cam follower 64a is attached to a leading end portion of the second arm unit 64. The cam follower 64a is guided along a cam hole 66a formed in the cam 66. At an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the second arm unit 64, a contact portion 64b is provided to be able to make contact with the regulating portion 63c. The contact portion 64b is arranged to oppose the regulating portion 63c in the swinging direction in which the second arm unit 64 swings. When the contact portion 64b is not in contact with the regulating portion 63c, the second arm unit 64 and the partition plate 65 are swingable. When the contact portion 64b is in contact with the regulating portion 63c, the swing of the second arm unit 64 toward the arm 63bR side is restricted.

[0067] The partition plate 65 is a substantially plate-shaped member used to partition the space formed between the bobbin holder 24A and the bobbin holder 24B. The partition plate 65 is formed of, for example, a known metal plate member. The partition plate 65 extends long along the front-rear direction. The partition plate 65 has, for example, a curved portion 65a that is generally circular-arc-shaped when viewed in the front-rear direction and a linear portion 65b that is generally linear when viewed in the front-rear direction. The shape of the partition plate 65 is not limited to this; it may be entirely curved or extend linearly. Alternatively, the partition plate 65 may be partially bent. The partition plate 65 is swingably attached to the paired arms 63b through the swing shaft 65c. The second arm unit 64 is fixed to the partition plate 65. The partition plate 65 is supported by the supporter 31 via the air cylinder 61, the lever 62, the first arm unit 63, and the second arm unit 64. To put it differently, the supporter 31 supports the partition plate 65 in addition to the movable yarn guides 34.

[0068] The cam 66 is a member used for adjusting the postures of the swinging second arm unit 64 and the partition plate 65 to desired postures. The cam 66 is, for example, a substantially flat plate-shaped member. The cam 66 is fixed to, for example, an upper end portion of the supporter 31R. The cam 66 has a cam hole 66a formed to penetrate the cam in the front-rear direction, for example. The cam hole 66a extends in the up-down direction, for example. The cam hole 66a may be curved in the left-right direction. The cam hole 66a is provided to guide the cam follower 64a. An unillustrated cam groove may be formed instead of the cam hole 66a.

[0069] The following briefly describes the operation of the partition mechanism 60 structured as described above. When the piston rod 61b of the air cylinder 61 is fully contracted (see FIG. 11(b)), the entirety of the partition mechanism 60 is retracted to the outside of the revolution orbit of the package P and the bobbin B (see FIG. 11(a)). The position of the partition plate 65 in this state is equivalent to a non-overlapping position of the present invention. When the piston rod 61b starts to extend (see FIG. 12(b)), the first arm unit 63 swings, and the second arm unit 64 follows the first arm unit 63 while its posture being adjusted by the cam 66. As a result, the partition plate 65 enters the inside of the revolution orbit of the package P and the bobbin B (see FIG. 12(a)). When the piston rod 61b fully extends (see FIG. 13(b)), the partition plate 65 is disposed to partially surround the upper bobbins B when viewed in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 13(a)).(Steps of Yarn Threading)

[0070] Now, the following describes the steps of the yarn threading in the spun yarn take-up machine 1 mainly with reference to FIG. 14(a) to FIG. 16(b). FIG. 14(a) to FIG. 15 show the steps of the yarn threading (in particular the steps of the yarn threading operation performed by the operator). FIGs. 16(a) and 16(b) illustrate the steps of handing over yarns Y from the movable yarn guides 34 to the yarn holding guides 44, respectively.

[0071] In a state of the spun yarn take-up machine 1 immediately before the yarn threading is performed, yarns Y spun out from the spinning apparatus 2 are sucked and held by the aspirator 14 (see FIG. 4). The second godet roller 12 and the fulcrum guides 21 are at the positions when the yarn threading operation is performed (see FIG. 4). The traverse guides 22 and the two bobbin holders 24 are stopped. The extending member 33 of the handover mechanism 27 is at the standby position (indicated by solid lines in FIG. 5). The movable yarn guides 34 of the handover mechanism 27 are at the distanced positions (see FIG. 7(a)). The yarn holding guides 44 of the yarn holding mechanism 28 are at the retracted positions (see solid lines in FIG. 5). The guide member 52 of the yarn moving mechanism 29 is at the outside position (as shown by the solid line in FIG. 8).

[0072] To begin with, as shown in FIG. 14(a) to FIG. 14(c), the operator places the yarns Y onto the first godet roller 11 and the second godet roller 12 and threads the yarns Y to the fulcrum guides 21. To be more specific, the operator handles a known suction gun 70 which can suck and hold the yarns Y, and receives the yarns Y sucked and held by the aspirator 14. Subsequently, the operator places the yarns Y sucked and held by the suction gun 70 onto the first godet roller 11 and the second godet roller 12 in this order (see FIG. 14(a) and FIG. 14(b)). Furthermore, the operator uses an unillustrated yarn threading tool, and threads the yarns Y to the respective fulcrum guides 21 (see FIG. 14(c)). Thereafter, the operator performs an operation to enable the winding device 13 to carry out the yarn threading actions. More specifically, for example, the operator presses an unillustrated first operation button which is electrically connected to the controller 26.

[0073] When the first operation button is pressed, the controller 26 causes each part of the winding device 13 to start the yarn threading actions. To begin with, the controller 26 controls the roller movement motor 101 (see FIG. 3) and the guide drive unit 105 (see FIG. 3) to move the second godet roller 12 and the fulcrum guides 21 to the positions at the time of the winding operation (see FIG. 15). Furthermore, the controller 26 controls the guide drive unit 107 (see FIG. 3) to move the movable yarn guides 34 to the gathered positions (see FIG. 7(b)). Subsequently, the operator handles the suction gun 70 and threads the yarn Y to a yarn convergence guide 71 (see FIG. 15) located at the front end of the right end portion of the winding device 13. As a result, each of the yarns Y is placed immediately behind the corresponding movable yarn guide 34 (see FIG. 7(b)). Thereafter, the operator presses an unillustrated second operation button which is electrically connected to the controller 26.

[0074] When the second operation button is pressed, the controller 26 controls the swing drive unit 108 (see FIG. 3) and swings the yarn holding guides 44 of the yarn holding mechanism 28 from the retracted positions (indicated by solid lines in FIG. 5) to the receiving positions (indicated by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 5). As a result, the yarn holding guides 44 move to the vicinity of the handover mechanism 27. In this regard, the controller 26 appropriately controls the turret motor 103 during the yarn threading actions to position the bobbin holder 24 at a location where the bobbin holder 24 does not interfere with the yarn holding mechanism 28. Concurrently with the timing of the swing of the yarn holding guide 44, the controller 26 controls the guide drive unit 107 (see FIG. 3) to move the movable yarn guides 34 of the handover mechanism 27 from the gathered positions (see FIG. 7(b)) to the distanced positions (see FIG. 7(a)). As a result of this, the yarn Y is temporarily threaded to each movable yarn guide 34. The protrusion 34b prevents the yarn Y from dropping off from each movable yarn guide 34. Along with the control of the guide drive unit 107, the controller 26 controls, for example, the winding motor 104A (see FIG. 3) to start the rotation of the bobbin holder 24A. Along with the start of the rotation of the bobbin holder 24A, the controller 26 controls the traverse motor 102 to start the operation of the traverse guide 22.

[0075] Subsequently, the controller 26 causes the handover mechanism 27 to hand over the yarns Y to the yarn holding mechanism 28. To be more specific, the controller 26 controls the movement drive unit 106 to move the movable yarn guides 34 of the handover mechanism 27 from the standby positions (see solid lines in FIG. 5) to the handover positions (see two-dot chain lines in FIG. 5). As a result, each of the yarns Y moves to the vicinity of the corresponding yarn holding guide 44 (see FIG. 16(a)). Subsequently, the controller 26 controls the guide drive unit 107 (see FIG. 3) to move the movable yarn guides 34 of the handover mechanism 27 again from the distanced positions (see FIG. 7(a)) to the gathered positions (see FIG. 7(b)). As a result, each yarn Y is handed over from the corresponding movable yarn guide 34 to the corresponding yarn holding guide 44 (see FIG. 16(b)). To be more specific, each yarn Y falls into an inclined portion of the corresponding yarn holding guide 44 and enters the guide groove 44a. In this way, each yarn holding guide 44 is configured to temporarily hold the yarn Y during the yarn threading actions.

[0076] Thereafter, the controller 26 controls the swing drive unit 108 to swing the yarn holding guides 44 of the yarn holding mechanism 28 leftward from the receiving positions. Because of this, the yarns Y are caught and traversed by the traverse guides 22 that are in operation.

[0077] Subsequently, the controller 26 causes the yarn moving mechanism 29 to perform yarn threading to the bobbin B1. To be more specific, the controller 26 controls the turret motor 103 to move the rotating bobbin holder 24A to the upper position. Furthermore, the controller 26 controls the yarn moving drive unit 109 to move each of the guide members 52 from the outside position (see solid lines in FIG. 8) to the inside position (see two-dot chain lines in FIG. 8). Each of the yarns Y which are being traversed is caught by the catching portion 52a of the corresponding guide member 52. At this stage, each yarn Y is positioned in the vicinity of the slit SL of the corresponding bobbin B2 in the axial direction.

[0078] Subsequently, the controller 26 controls the yarn moving drive unit 109 to move the guide members 52 from the inside positions to the outside positions (see solid lines in FIG. 8). With this, each yarn Y is temporarily detached from the traverse guide 22 and threaded into the slit SL of the corresponding bobbin B1 (see two-dot chain lines in FIG. 8). The slit SL is provided with an unillustrated claw portion. As the yarn Y is hooked by the claw portion, the yarn Y is wound into the slit SL. As a result, a strong tension is applied to the yarn Y, and the yarn Y is divided at a part located between the bobbin B1 and the suction gun 70 in the running direction. The parts of the yarns Y on the suction gun 70 side after the division are sucked and removed by the suction gun 70. In this way, the yarn threading actions are completed and the winding operation starts.(Switching Operation)

[0079] Now, the following describes the switching operation of the spun yarn take-up machine 1 with reference to FIG. 17(a) to FIG. 17(d). FIG. 17(a) to FIG. 17(c) illustrate the switching operation. FIG. 17(d) shows a state of the partition mechanism 60 after the completion of the switching operation.

[0080] In a state of the spun yarn take-up machine 1 immediately before the switching operation, the yarns Y are wound onto the bobbins B1 to form packages P (see FIG. 17(a)). When viewed from the front, each package P is rotating counterclockwise, for example (see an arrow in FIG. 17(a)). The yarn holding guides 44 are at the retracted positions. The partition plate 65 is at the non-overlapping position. The partition plate 65 at the non-overlapping position does not overlap the running path (yarn path) of the yarn Y held by the yarn holding guide 44 at the holding position during the switching operation, when viewed in the front-rear direction.

[0081] When determining that the packages P are fully formed, the controller 26 causes each section to start the switching operation described below. To begin with, the controller 26 controls the turret motor 103 to rotate the turret 23 (see an arrow in FIG. 17(b)). At this stage, the yarn Y is connected to the package P and is in contact with the bobbin B2, too. The controller 26 controls the winding motor 104B at an appropriate timing so as to start the rotation of the bobbin holder 24B. When viewed from the front, the bobbin B2 is rotating counterclockwise, for example (not illustrated). The state in which the yarn Y is being traversed by the traverse guide 22 is maintained.

[0082] Subsequently, the controller 26 controls the swing drive unit 108 to move the yarn holding guides 44 from the retracted positions to the holding positions (see FIG. 17(c)). As a result, each yarn holding guide 44 is pressed onto the corresponding yarn Y. The yarn Y that is being traversed falls into the inclined portion of the corresponding yarn holding guide 44 and enters the guide groove 44a. In this way, each yarn Y is held by each yarn holding guide 44.

[0083] Subsequently, the controller 26 controls the yarn moving drive unit 109 (see FIG. 3) to move each of the guide members 52 of the yarn moving mechanism 29 from the outside position (see solid lines in FIG. 8) to the inside position (see two-dot chain lines in FIG. 8). Each of the yarns Y which are being traversed is caught by the catching portion 52a of the corresponding guide member 52. Furthermore, the controller 26 controls the yarn moving drive unit 109 to move the guide members 52 from the inside positions to the outside positions (see solid lines in FIG. 8). With this, each yarn Y is temporarily detached from the corresponding traverse guide 22 and threaded into the slit SL of the corresponding bobbin B2 (see two-dot chain lines in FIG. 8). As the yarn Y is hooked by the above-described claw portion (not illustrated), the yarn Y is wound into the slit SL. At this stage, a strong tension is applied to the yarn Y positioned between the package P and the bobbin B2, with the result that the yarn Y is divided between the package P and the bobbin B2. To put it differently, in the switching operation, the switching unit is configured to divide the yarn Y by applying a tension to the yarn Y running toward the package P via the bobbin B2.

[0084] In this way, the yarns Y are handed over from the packages P to the bobbins B2, and this allows the yarns Y to be wound onto the respective bobbins B2. The above-described operation of the spun yarn take-up machine 1 (more specifically, the operation of the winding device 13) is the switching operation of the present embodiment.

[0085] The controller 26 controls the partition drive unit 110 at the timing of the completion of the switching operation, so as to move the partition plate 65 to the partition position (see FIG. 17(d)). The timing of the completion of the switching operation may be, for example, a time point at which a predetermined time elapses from the movement of the guide members 52 from the inside positions to the outside positions by the controller 26. At the timing of the completion of the switching operation, furthermore, the controller 26 moves the yarn holding guides 44 from the holding positions to the retracted positions (see FIG. 17(d)). The retracted position is a position that is separated from the partition plate 65 located at the partition position, as compared to the holding position. To be more specific, preferably, the controller 26 controls the partition drive unit 110 to position the partition plate 65 at the partition position after the switching operation is completed, and controls the swing drive unit 108 to start movement of the yarn holding guides 44 from the holding positions toward the retracted positions before the partition plate 65 reaches the partition position.

[0086] After the switching operation, the controller 26 controls the yarn moving drive unit 109 to cause each of the guide members 52 to take a yarn detachment posture (see dashed lines in FIG. 8). As a result, each yarn Y is caught by the corresponding traverse guide 22, and the traversal starts again (i.e., the winding of the yarn Y onto the bobbin B2 starts). Furthermore, the controller 26 controls the winding motor 104A so as to stop the rotation of the bobbin holder 24A. Thereafter, the packages P are collected.

[0087] Assume a state of the winding device 13 when the switching operation has been completed, the packages P are held by the bobbin holder 24A, and the partition plate 65 is positioned at the partition position. This state is referred to as a completed state for the sake of explanation. The controller 26 moves the partition plate 65 from the partition position to the non-overlapping position (not illustrated) when a predetermined time elapses from the movement of the partition plate 65 to the partition position (i.e., when the completed state is maintained for a predetermined time). As a result, the interference between the partition plate 65 and the packages P formed by winding the yarns Y onto the bobbins B2 is avoided.

[0088] (Details of Arrangement of Each Member)

[0089] Now, the arrangement of each member of the winding device 13 is detailed. To be more specific, the following describes the positional relationship between the yarn holding guides 44 and the partition plate 65 and the positional relationship between the package P, the bobbin B2, and the partition plate 65 in the completed state.

[0090] In the radial direction of the bobbin B2 (i.e., in the radial direction of the bobbin holder 24B), the partition plate 65 at the partition position (see solid lines in FIG. 18) is provided at a position which is far from the bobbin holder 24B (and the bobbins B2) as compared to the yarn holding guides 44 (see two-dot chain lines in FIG. 18) which holds the respective yarns Y in the switching operation.

[0091] In the switching operation, the yarn holding guides 44 are provided between the bobbin B2 and the package P in the running direction of the yarn Y (see FIG. 17(c)). Furthermore, in the switching operation, the yarn holding guides 44 are arranged to bend the yarn paths where the yarns Y run. Furthermore, during the switching operation, in the radial direction of the bobbin holder 24B, the yarn holding guides 44 are positioned to be close to the bobbin holder 24B (and the bobbins B2) as compared to the track along which the partition plate 65 moves (see FIG. 18).

[0092] Assume that the winding device 13 is in the completed state. As shown in FIG. 18, when viewed in the front-rear direction, a line segment connecting the rotation axis center (point P1) of the bobbin holder 24A with the rotation axis center (point P2) of the bobbin holder 24B is defined as a first virtual line segment VLS1. The direction in which the first virtual line segment VLS1 extends is defined as an extending direction. Furthermore, two virtual tangents (a first virtual tangent VLT1 and a second virtual tangent VLT2) in contact with the outer circumferential edge of the bobbin holder 24B, which are parallel to the first virtual line segment VLS1, are defined. When viewed in the front-rear direction, the partition plate 65 traverses across both the first virtual tangent VLT1 and the second virtual tangent VLT2, and is spaced apart from the yarn holding guides 44. Furthermore, two virtual tangents (a third virtual tangent VLT3 and a fourth virtual tangent VLT4) in contact with the outer circumferential edge of the bobbin B2, which are parallel to the first virtual line segment VLS1, are defined. When viewed in the front-rear direction, the partition plate 65 traverses across both the third virtual tangent VLT3 and the fourth virtual tangent VLT4.

[0093] In the completed state, the partition plate 65 is arranged to surround the bobbin holder 24B (and the bobbins B2) over an angular range of 90 degrees or more in the circumferential direction of the bobbin holder 24B. To be more specific, a second virtual line segment VLS2 connecting a point P2 with an end of the partition plate 65 on the first virtual tangent VLT1 side of the first virtual line segment VLS1 is defined (see FIG. 18). This "end" indicates an end of a part of the partition plate 65, which surrounds the bobbins B2 in the circumferential direction of the bobbins B2, and may not always indicate the base end (or the leading end) of the swing of the partition plate 65. Furthermore, a third virtual line segment VLS3 connecting a point P2 with an end of the partition plate 65 on the second virtual tangent VLT2 side of the first virtual line segment VLS1 is defined (see FIG. 18). The angular range defined by the second virtual line segment VLS2 and the third virtual line segment VLS3 is the above-described angular range. To be more specific, the angle between the first virtual line segment VLS1 and the second virtual line segment VLS2 is defined as a first angle θ1. The angle between the first virtual line segment VLS1 and the third virtual line segment VLS3 is defined as a second angle θ2. The sum of the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2 is 90 degrees or more. In addition, the partition plate 65 is arranged to cover the entirety in the front-rear direction of the bobbins B2 over the above-described angular range.

[0094] Furthermore, the direction in which the packages P perform axial rotation is defined as a package rotation direction. In the completed state, the package rotation direction is a direction in which a part of the package P, which is on the first virtual line segment VLS1, moves from the first virtual tangent VLT1 side to the second virtual tangent VLT2 side (see an arrow in FIG. 18). In this case, in the present embodiment, the first angle θ1 is larger than the second angle θ2.

[0095] Because the partition plate 65 is arranged as described above, it is possible to suppress an end portion (yarn end Ye) of the yarn Y of the rotating package P from being entangled on the rotating bobbin B2 side. More specifically, the movement of the yarn end Ye indicated by solid lines in FIG. 18 to the bobbin B2 side is prevented by the partition plate 65. The movement of the yarn end Ye indicated by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 18 toward the bobbin B2 side is prevented by an accompanied flow (see an arrow in FIG. 18) generated in accordance with the rotation of the bobbin B2.

[0096] As described above, when viewed in the front-rear direction, the partition plate 65 traverses across both of the two virtual tangents (the first virtual tangent VLT1 and the second virtual tangent VLT2), and is spaced apart from the yarn holding guides 44. This makes it possible to extensively cover the area where the bobbin B2 is particularly close to the package P with the partition plate 65, while establishing the state in which the partition plate 65 does not interfere with the yarn holding guide 44. It is therefore possible to reduce the possibility of allowing the yarn end Ye on the fully-formed package P side to be entangled on the empty bobbin B side (bobbin B2 side).

[0097] The yarn holding guide 44 is movable between the holding position and the retracted position. It is therefore possible to reliably avoid the interference between the partition plate 65 and the yarn holding guide 44 by moving the yarn holding guide 44 to the retracted position after the completion of the switching operation.

[0098] In addition to the above, the controller 26 controls the partition drive unit 110 to position the partition plate 65 at the partition position after the switching operation is completed, and controls the swing drive unit 108 to start movement of the yarn holding guides 44 from the holding positions toward the retracted positions before the partition plate 65 reaches the partition position. It is therefore possible to reliably avoid the interference between the partition plate 65 and the yarn holding guide 44 after the completion of the switching operation.

[0099] In addition to the above, the partition plate 65 at the partition position is arranged to surround the bobbin holder 24B over an angular range of 90 degrees or more in the circumferential direction of the bobbin holder 24B. In this way, the bobbins B2 can be extensively surrounded in the circumferential direction of the bobbin holder 24B. It is therefore possible to further effectively reduce the possibility of allowing the yarn end Ye on the package P side to be entangled on the bobbin B2 side.

[0100] In addition to the above, the first angle θ1 is larger than the second angle θ2. In this way, the partition plate 65 is arranged to extend long toward the first virtual tangent VLT1 side. It is therefore possible to effectively prevent the long yarn end Ye from being entangled on the bobbin B2 side by the partition plate 65.

[0101] In the radial direction of the bobbin holder 24B, the partition plate 65 at the partition position is far from the bobbin holder 24B as compared to the yarn holding guides 44 which hold the respective yarns Y in the switching operation. In this way, the partition plate 65, which is positioned at the partition position, is arranged at a location that is far from the bobbin holder 24B in the radial direction of the bobbin holder 24B. It is therefore possible to keep the partition plate 65 to be on standby at the partition position for a long time.

[0102] The yarn holding guides 44 are provided between the bobbins B2 and the packages P in the running direction of the yarns Y in the switching operation so as to bend the yarn paths of the yarns Y. Furthermore, during the switching operation, in the radial direction of the bobbin holder 24B, the yarn holding guides 44 are positioned to be close to the bobbin holder 24B as compared to the track along which the partition plate 65 moves. In this way, during the switching operation, the yarn holding guides 44 are positioned to be close to the bobbin holder 24B. It is therefore possible to shorten the yarn end on the bobbin B2 side of the divided yarn Y.

[0103] In addition to the above, each yarn holding guide 44 is configured to temporarily hold the yarn Y during the yarn threading actions. It is therefore possible to use the yarn holding guides 44 not only for the switching operation but also for the yarn threading actions. On this account, both the switching operation and the yarn threading actions can be performed by a small number of members.

[0104] In addition to the above, the supporter 31 supports the partition plate 65 in addition to the movable yarn guides 34. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in number of members as compared to a configuration where movable yarn guides 34 and partition plates 65 are supported by different members.

[0105] In addition to the above, a driving source for driving and moving the movable yarn guides 34 and a driving source for driving and moving the partition plate 65 are provided independently. The movable yarn guides 34 are configured to be able to move in a parallel manner, and the partition plate 65 is configured to be able to swing. When trying to achieve the parallel movement of the movable yarn guides 34 and the swinging motion of the partition plate 65 with a single driving source, a complex mechanism may be required. In the present embodiment, because the movable yarn guides 34 and the partition plate 65 are driven and moved by different driving sources, the complexity of the mechanism can be suppressed.

[0106] In addition to the above, the spun yarn take-up machine 1 includes the turret 23. Therefore, by using the known turret 23, the positions of the bobbin holder 24A and the bobbin holder 24B can be easily swapped.

[0107] In addition to the above, when viewed in the front-rear direction, the partition plate 65 traverses across both the third virtual tangent VLT3 and the fourth virtual tangent VLT4. This makes it possible to further extensively cover the area where the bobbin B2 is particularly close to the package P with the partition plate 65, while realizing the state in which the partition plate 65 does not interfere with the yarn holding guide 44. It is therefore possible to further reduce the possibility of allowing the yarn end Ye on the fully-formed package P side to be entangled on the empty bobbin B side (bobbin B2 side).

[0108] The following will describe modifications of the above-described embodiment. The members identical with those in the embodiment above will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the explanations thereof are not repeated. (1) In the embodiment above, the partition plate 65 at the partition position is arranged to surround the bobbins B2 over an angular range of 90 degrees or more in the circumferential direction of the bobbin holder 24B. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The above-described angular range may be less than 90 degrees. (2) In the embodiment above, the first angle θ1 is larger than the second angle θ2. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The first angle θ1 may be equal to or less than the second angle θ2. (3) In the embodiment above, the air shifter 32 for driving and moving the movable yarn guides 34 and the air cylinder 61 for driving and moving the partition plate 65 are provided independently. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. A driving source for driving and moving the movable yarn guides 34 and a driving source for driving and moving the partition plate 65 may be the same. However, in this case, a complex mechanism may be needed to move the movable yarn guides 34 in a parallel manner and to swing the partition plate 65. (4) In the embodiment above, the movable yarn guides 34 are configured to be able to move in a parallel manner, and the partition plate 65 is configured to be able to swing. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The movable yarn guides 34 may be configured to be swingable. The partition plate 65 may be arranged to be movable in a parallel manner. (5) In the embodiment above, the supporters 31 support both the movable yarn guides 34 and the partition plate 65. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The supporters 31 may support only either the movable yarn guides 34 or the partition plate 65. The other of the movable yarn guides 34 and the partition plates 65 may be supported by a member (not illustrated) different from the supporters 31. (6) In the embodiment above, the yarn holding guides 44 are arranged to be usable not only for the switching operation but also for the yarn threading actions. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The yarn holding guides 44 may be used only during the switching operation. In this case, multiple guides (not illustrated) used for the yarn threading actions may be provided in place of the yarn holding guides 44. (7) In the embodiment above, the yarn holding guides 44 are positioned to be close to the bobbin holder 24B as compared to the track along which the partition plate 65 moves, in the radial direction of the bobbin B2 during the switching operation. In the radial direction of the bobbin holder 24B, the partition plate 65 at the partition position is provided to be far from the bobbin holder 24B as compared to the yarn holding guides 44 in the switching operation. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The positional relationship between the yarn holding guides 44 and the partition plate 65 can be reversed. Alternatively, the track of the yarn holding guides 44 and the track of the partition plate 65 may partially overlap. However, when the tracks partially overlap, the controller 26 needs to control the swing drive unit 108 to separate the yarn holding guides 44 from the holding positions after the completion of the switching operation. (8) In the embodiment above, the controller 26 controls the partition drive unit 110 to move the partition plate 65 to the partition position after the switching operation is completed, and controls the swing drive unit 108 to move the yarn holding guides 44 to the retracted positions. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. When the track of the yarn holding guides 44 and the track of the partition plate 65 do not overlap, the controller 26 may move the yarn holding guides 44 to the retracted positions after the partition plate 65 reaches the partition position. (9) In the embodiment above, the yarn holding guides 44 are movable between the holding positions and the retracted positions. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The yarn holding guides 44 may be positionally fixed relative to the turret 23, for example. However, in this case, a mechanism for handing over each yarn Y to each yarn holding guide 44 during the switching operation is required. Furthermore, in order to avoid the interference of the packages P on the yarn holding guides 44, the allowable size of each package P may be significantly restricted. (10) In the embodiment above, the yarn holding guides 44 are provided in the yarn holding mechanism 28. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The drive mechanism (not illustrated) that drives and moves the yarn holding guides 44 may be provided, for example, in the handover mechanism 27 or the partition mechanism 60. (11) In the embodiment above, the partition plate 65 is provided in the partition mechanism 60. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The drive mechanism (not illustrated) that drives and moves the partition plate 65 may be provided, for example, in the yarn holding mechanism 28. (12) In the embodiment above, when viewed in the front-rear direction, the partition plate 65 traverses across both the third virtual tangent VLT3 and the fourth virtual tangent VLT4. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The partition plate 65 may not traverse across both the third virtual tangent VLT3 and the fourth virtual tangent VLT4, as long as the partition plate 65 traverses across both the first virtual tangent VLT1 and the second virtual tangent VLT2. (13) In the embodiment above, the winding device 13 includes the turret 23. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. Instead of the turret 23, another mechanism for swapping the positions of the bobbin holder 24A and the bobbin holder 24B may be provided. (14) In the embodiment above, the spun yarn take-up machine 1 is arranged to be able to wind the yarns Y. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The spun yarn take-up machine 1 may be arranged to be able to wind only a single yarn Y.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0029]The following will describe an embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of convenience, directions shown in FIG. 1 are referred to as forward, rearward, leftward, rightward, upward, and downward directions. The up-down direction (the up-down direction in the plane of FIG. 1) is a vertical direction in which the gravity acts. The front-rear direction (the left-right direction in the plane of FIG. 1) is a direction orthogonal to the up-down direction. The left-right direction (a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1) is orthogonal to both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. A direction in which a later-described yarn Y runs is referred to as a running direction.

(Spun Yarn Take-Up Machine)

[0030]The following will describe the structure of a spun yarn take-up machine with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. FIG. 1 is a side view of the spun yarn take-up machine 1 (yarn winder of the present invention) of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view o...

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a yarn winder.

[0002] A spun yarn take-up winder (yarn winder) disclosed in Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. H7-138808) includes two bobbin holders extending in an axial direction. Each of the two bobbin holders supports bobbins to be rotatable. As a running yarn is wound onto a bobbin supported by one of the two bobbin holders, a package is formed. When the formation of the package is completed, an operation (switching operation) of transferring the yarn from the package to an empty bobbin held by the other bobbin holder is performed in the yarn winder. More specifically, while being wound onto the package, the yarn is threaded to an empty bobbin by a yarn feeding device (switching unit). Tension is applied to the yarn threaded to the empty bobbin, and the yarn is divided from the package. The switching operation is performed in this way.

[0003] The switching unit has a first turning plate that partitions the space between one bobbin holder and the other bobbin holder. In addition to the first turning plate, a second turning plate is provided to partition the above-described space. When the switching operation is completed, a leading end portion of the first turning plate and a leading end portion of the second turning plate are disposed to face each other. At this time, when viewed in the axial direction, the first turning plate and the second turning plate almost entirely partition the above-described space. This prevents an end portion (yarn end) of a divided yarn on the package side from being entangled on the empty bobbin side.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A narrow gap is formed between the first turning plate and the second turning plate described above, in order to avoid interference between these plates. The gap is located on or in the vicinity of a line segment connecting the center of one bobbin holder with the center of the other bobbin holder. For this reason, the yarn end on the package side may be entangled on the empty bobbin side through the gap.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to reduce the possibility of allowing a yarn end on the package side where the formation of a package has been completed to be entangled on the empty bobbin side.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, a yarn winder includes: a first bobbin holder which rotatably supports a first bobbin on which a running yarn is wound, the first bobbin holder extending along a predetermined axial direction; a second bobbin holder which is aligned with the first bobbin holder in a predetermined alignment direction intersecting with the axial direction and rotatably supports a second bobbin on which the yarn is wound, the second bobbin holder extending along the axial direction; a switching unit which includes a yarn holding portion capable of being positioned at a holding position where the running yarn is temporarily held, the switching unit being capable of performing a switching operation of switching a state of the first bobbin holder and the second bobbin holder from a state in which a package is being formed by winding the yarn onto the rotating first bobbin to a state in which the yarn is threaded to the rotating empty second bobbin and is divided from the package; a partition which is movable between a non-overlapping position where the partition does not overlap a running track of the yarn held by the yarn holding portion at the holding position during the switching operation, when viewed in the axial direction, and a partition position where, when the switching operation is completed, a space between the second bobbin and the package is at least partially partitioned by the partition; a partition drive unit which is configured to drive and move the partition; a holding drive unit which is configured to drive and move the yarn holding portion between a retracted position which is separated from the partition at the partition position as compared to the holding position and the holding position; and a controller, wherein, in a completed state in which the switching operation is completed, the package is held by the first bobbin holder, and the partition is at the partition position, when viewed in the axial direction, the partition traverses across both a first virtual tangent and a second virtual tangent which are two virtual tangents that are parallel to a first virtual line segment connecting a rotation axis center of the first bobbin holder with a rotation axis center of the second bobbin holder and are in contact with an outer circumferential edge of the second bobbin holder, and the partition is separated from the yarn holding portion, and the controller controls the partition drive unit to position the partition at the partition position after the switching operation is completed, and controls the holding drive unit to start movement of the yarn holding portion from the holding position toward the retracted position before the partition reaches the partition position.

[0007] According to the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to extensively cover the area where the second bobbin is particularly close to the package with the partition, while establishing the state in which the partition does not interfere with the yarn holding portion. It is therefore possible to reduce the possibility of allowing the yarn end on the fully-formed package side to be entangled on the empty bobbin side (second bobbin side). Furthermore, it is possible to reliably avoid the interference between the partition and the yarn holding portion by moving the yarn holding portion to the retracted position after the completion of the switching operation. Furthermore, the partition is disposed at the partition position after the switching operation is completed, and the yarn holding portion starts to move from the holding position toward the retracted position before the partition reaches the partition position. It is therefore possible to reliably avoid the interference between the partition and the yarn holding portion after the completion of the switching operation.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of the first aspect is arranged such that, in the completed state, the partition is arranged to surround the second bobbin holder over an angular range of 90 degrees or more in a circumferential direction of the second bobbin holder.

[0009] According to the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to extensively surround the second bobbin in the circumferential direction of the second bobbin holder. It is therefore possible to further effectively reduce the possibility of allowing the yarn end on the package side to be entangled on the second bobbin side.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of the first or second aspect is arranged such that, when viewed in the axial direction, in the completed state, a part of the package which is on the first virtual line segment rotates to move from the first virtual tangent side to the second virtual tangent side, and a first angle between (i) a second virtual line segment connecting an end of the partition which is on the first virtual tangent side of the first virtual line segment with the rotation axis center of the second bobbin holder and (ii) the first virtual line segment is larger than a second angle between (I) a third virtual line segment connecting an end of the partition which is on the second virtual tangent side of the first virtual line segment with the rotation axis center of the second bobbin holder and (II) the first virtual line segment.

[0011] The yarn end on the package side extends toward the downstream side in the direction of rotation of the package, in a trailing manner. In the present invention, the yarn end located in the vicinity of the first virtual line segment extends long toward the first virtual tangent side. In this regard, according to the present invention, because the first angle is larger than the second angle, the partition is arranged to extend long on the first virtual tangent side. It is therefore possible to effectively prevent the long yarn end from being entangled on the second bobbin side by the partition.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of any one of the first to third aspects is arranged such that, in a radial direction of the second bobbin holder, the partition at the partition position is far from the second bobbin holder as compared to the yarn holding portion which holds the yarn in the switching operation.

[0013] After the switching operation is completed, formation of a new package by winding the yarn onto the second bobbin starts, and the diameter of the package increases over time. For this reason, it is necessary to move the partition located at the partition position away from the package at an appropriate timing for the purpose of avoiding the interference between the package and the partition. On the other hand, because there may be an unintended delay in the timing of collection of the formed package, it is preferable to keep the partition at the partition position for as long as possible after the completion of the switching operation. In this regard, according to the aspect of the present invention, the partition positioned at the partition position is arranged at a location that is far from the second bobbin holder in the radial direction of the second bobbin holder. It is therefore possible to keep the partition to be on standby for a long time at the partition position.

[0014] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of any one of the first to fourth aspects is arranged such that, in the switching operation, the switching unit is configured to divide the yarn by applying a tension to the yarn running toward the package via the second bobbin, and in the switching operation, the yarn holding portion is provided between the second bobbin and the package in a running direction of the yarn, is provided to bend a yarn path along which the yarn runs, and is provided, in the radial direction of the second bobbin holder, to be close to the second bobbin holder as compared to a track along which the partition moves.

[0015] The yarn between the package and the second bobbin is separated into the yarn end on the package side and the yarn end on the second bobbin side by the tension during the switching operation. The yarn end on the second bobbin side is preferably as short as possible, because it is not wound onto the second bobbin. In this regard, the above-described tension is strongly applied to a part of the yarn, where the yarn is held by the yarn holding portion is and is bent. For this reason, the position where the yarn is divided is substantially the same position where the yarn holding portion is provided. According to the aspect of the present invention, during the switching operation, the yarn holding portion is positioned to be close to the second bobbin holder. It is therefore possible to shorten the yarn end on the second bobbin side of the divided yarn.

[0016] According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of any one of the first to fifth aspects further includes a yarn threading execution unit which is configured to enable execution of a yarn threading action of threading the yarn to the first bobbin in an empty state, before the switching operation is performed, the yarn threading execution unit having the yarn holding portion, and the yarn holding portion being configured to temporarily hold the yarn in the yarn threading action.

[0017] According to the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to use the yarn holding portion not only for the switching operation but also for the yarn threading action. On this account, both the switching operation and the yarn threading actions can be performed by a small number of members.

[0018] According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of the sixth aspect is arranged such that the yarn threading execution unit includes: a handover section which is configured to temporarily hold the yarn in the yarn threading action and is provided to hand over the yarn to the yarn holding portion; and a supporter which supports the handover section, and the supporter supports the partition in addition to the handover section.

[0019] In the present invention, the supporter supports both the handover section and the partition. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in number of members as compared to a configuration where the handover section and the partition are supported by different members.

[0020] According to an eighth aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of the seventh aspect is arranged such that a handover driving source configured to drive and move the handover section and a partition driving source configured to drive and move the partition are independently provided.

[0021] This aspect of the present invention is effective when the operation of moving the handover section and the operation of moving the partition are significantly different.

[0022] According to a ninth aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of the eighth aspect is arranged such that the handover section is configured to be movable in parallel, and the partition is configured to be swingable.

[0023] When trying to achieve the parallel movement of the handover section and the swinging motion of the partition with a single driving source, a complex mechanism may be required. According to the aspect of the present invention, the handover section and the partition are driven to move by different driving sources. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the structural complication of the mechanism.

[0024] According to a tenth aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of any one of the first to ninth aspects further includes a turret which supports the first bobbin holder and the second bobbin holder to be able to revolve about a revolution axial direction that is identical with the axial direction, and is able to swap positions of the first bobbin holder and the second bobbin holder.

[0025] According to the aspect of the present invention, by using the known turret, the positions of the first bobbin holder and the second bobbin holder can be easily swapped.

[0026] According to an eleventh aspect of the invention, the yarn winder of any one of the first to tenth aspects is arranged such that, in the completed state, when viewed in the axial direction, the partition traverses across both a third virtual tangent and a fourth virtual tangent which are two virtual tangents that are parallel to the first virtual line segment and are in contact with an outer circumferential edge of the second bobbin.

[0027] According to the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further extensively cover the area where the second bobbin is particularly close to the package with the partition. It is therefore possible to further reduce the possibility of allowing the yarn end on the fully-formed package side to be entangled on the empty bobbin side (second bobbin side).BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 is a side view of a spun yarn take-up machine of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the spun yarn take-up machine. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electric structure of the spun yarn take-up machine. FIG. 4 shows how fulcrum guides operate. FIG. 5 is a front view of the handover mechanism and the yarn holding mechanism. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the handover mechanism. FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b) are plan views showing part of the handover mechanism, and FIG. 7(c) is a view showing part of the yarn holding mechanism indicated by an arrow VII(c) in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 illustrates a yarn moving mechanism. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a partition mechanism. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 9. FIGs. 11(a) and 11(b) illustrate how the partition mechanism operates. FIGs. 12(a) and 12(b) illustrate how the partition mechanism operates. FIGs. 13(a) and 13(b) illustrate how the partition mechanism operates. FIG. 14(a) to FIG. 14(c) are views showing the steps of yarn threading. FIG. 15 illustrates the steps of the yarn threading. FIGs. 16(a) and 16(b) illustrate the steps of handing over yarns from movable yarn guides to yarn holding guides, respectively. FIGs. 17(a) to 17(c) show a switching operation, and FIG. 17(d) shows a state of the partition mechanism after the completion of the switching operation. FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of FIG. 17(d). DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The following will describe an embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of convenience, directions shown in FIG. 1 are referred to as forward, rearward, leftward, rightward, upward, and downward directions. The up-down direction (the up-down direction in the plane of FIG. 1) is a vertical direction in which the gravity acts. The front-rear direction (the left-right direction in the plane of FIG. 1) is a direction orthogonal to the up-down direction. The left-right direction (a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1) is orthogonal to both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. A direction in which a later-described yarn Y runs is referred to as a running direction.(Spun Yarn Take-Up Machine)

[0030] The following will describe the structure of a spun yarn take-up machine with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. FIG. 1 is a side view of the spun yarn take-up machine 1 (yarn winder of the present invention) of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the spun yarn take-up machine 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electric structure of the spun yarn take-up machine 1. The spun yarn take-up machine 1 is configured to take up yarns Y spun out from a spinning apparatus 2, to wind the yarns Y onto bobbins B, respectively, and to form packages P. This operation of the spun yarn take-up machine 1 will be referred to as a winding operation. The spinning apparatus 2 is, for example, a known melt spinning device. The spinning apparatus 2 is configured to spin out yarns Y made of synthetic fibers such as polyester. Each of the yarns Y is, for example, a multifilament yarn formed of filaments (not illustrated). Alternatively, each yarn Y may be a monofilament yarn made of a single filament.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the spun yarn take-up machine 1 includes, for example, a first godet roller 11, a second godet roller 12, and a winding device 13. The first godet roller 11 is a roller having an axis substantially in parallel to, for example, the left-right direction. The first godet roller 11 is rotationally driven by an unillustrated motor. As a result, the first godet roller 11 feeds the yarns Y to the second godet roller 12. The second godet roller 12 is a roller having an axis substantially in parallel to, for example, the left-right direction. The second godet roller 12 is provided above and rearward of the first godet roller 11, for example. The second godet roller 12 is rotationally driven by an unillustrated motor. As a result, the second godet roller 12 feeds the yarns Y to the winding device 13.

[0032] An aspirator 14 is provided immediately upstream of the first godet roller 11 in the running direction. The aspirator 14 is configured to be able to suck and hold the yarn Y spun out from the spinning apparatus 2. The aspirator 14 is configured to temporarily suck and hold the yarn Y before, for example, below-described yarn threading is performed.

[0033] The second godet roller 12 is movably supported by a guide rail 15. The guide rail 15 extends obliquely upward and rearward from the vicinity of the first godet roller 11. The second godet roller 12 is movable along the guide rail 15 by, e.g., an unillustrated movement mechanism. The movement mechanism is driven by, for example, a roller movement motor 101 (see FIG. 3). This allows the second godet roller 12 to be movable between a winding position (indicated by solid lines in FIG. 1) and a yarn threading position (indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 1). The winding position (see the solid lines in FIG. 1) is a position of the second godet roller 12 when the winding operation is performed. The yarn threading position is close to the first godet roller 11 as compared to the winding position. The yarn threading position is a position of the second godet roller 12 when a later-described yarn threading operation is performed. The roller movement motor 101 is electrically connected to a controller 26 (see FIG. 3).

[0034] The winding device 13 is configured to form the packages P by winding the yarns Y onto the respective bobbins B. The winding device 13 is provided below the second godet roller 12, for example. As shown in FIG. 2, the winding device 13 includes a frame 20, fulcrum guides 21, traverse guides 22, a turret 23, two bobbin holders 24, and a contact roller 25.

[0035] The frame 20 is a member which is placed on, for example, a floor of a factory, and to which components of the winding device 13 are attached or in which components of the winding device 13 are accommodated. The fulcrum guides 21 are provided for the respective yarns Y. Each of the fulcrum guides 21 is a guide functioning as a fulcrum when the corresponding yarn Y is traversed. The fulcrum guides 21 are aligned in the front-rear direction. The traverse guides 22 are provided for the respective yarns Y. Each of the traverse guides 22 is a guide for traversing the corresponding yarn Y. The traverse guides 22 are aligned in the front-rear direction. The traverse guides 22 are driven by, e.g., a traverse motor 102 (see FIG. 3). Each of the traverse guides 22 includes, e.g., two blade guides 22a (see FIG. 8) that are driven to rotate in opposite directions to each other. The configuration of each traverse guide 22 is not limited to this.

[0036] The turret 23 is a disc-shaped member having an axis substantially in parallel to the front-rear direction. The turret 23 is rotationally driven by a turret motor 103 (see FIG. 3). The turret 23 rotatably supports the two bobbin holders 24.

[0037] Each of the two bobbin holders 24 is arranged to rotatably hold (support) bobbins B such that the bobbins B are aligned in the front-rear direction. One of the two bobbin holders 24 may be referred to as a bobbin holder 24A (see FIG. 2). The other of the two bobbin holders 24 may be referred to as a bobbin holder 24B (see FIG. 2). Each of the bobbin holders 24A and 24B is rotatably supported by the turret 23. The bobbin holders 24A and 24B are disposed to be point symmetric with each other about the rotation axis center of the turret 23 (see FIG. 2). For the sake of convenience, the explanation presupposes that the bobbin holder 24A is equivalent to a first bobbin holder of the present invention, and the bobbin holder 24B is equivalent to a second bobbin holder of the present invention. The bobbin holders 24A and 24B extend along the front-rear direction (see FIG. 1). The direction in which the bobbin holder 24A extends is equivalent to an axial direction of the present invention. The direction in which the bobbin holder 24B extends is substantially parallel to the direction in which the bobbin holder 24A extends. Each bobbin holder 24 supports bobbins B which are aligned in the front-rear direction. The bobbin holders 24A and 24B are aligned in a direction that is orthogonal to (intersecting with) the axial direction.

[0038] For the convenience of explanation, bobbins B held by the bobbin holder 24A are referred to as bobbins B1 (first bobbins of the present invention). Bobbins B held by the bobbin holder 24B are referred to as bobbins B2 (second bobbins of the present invention). Each of the two bobbin holders 24 is rotationally driven by an individual winding motor 104 (see FIG. 3). More specifically, the bobbin holder 24A is rotationally driven by a winding motor 104A (see FIG. 3). The bobbin holder 24B is rotationally driven by a winding motor 104B (see FIG. 3).

[0039] Assume that yarns Y are being respectively wound onto bobbins B held by one of the two bobbin holders 24 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). In this connection, for the convenience of explanation, one of the bobbin holders 24 is referred to as an upper bobbin holder 24. In FIGs. 1 and 2, the bobbin holder 24A is the upper bobbin holder 24.

[0040] The contact roller 25 is provided immediately above the upper bobbin holder 24. The axial direction of the contact roller 25 is substantially parallel to the front-rear direction. The contact roller 25 makes contact with the surfaces of packages P supported by the upper bobbin holder 24. As a result, the contact roller 25 applies contact pressure to the surfaces of the packages P on which the yarns are being wound, so as to adjust the shape of each package P.

[0041] The controller 26 is a computer device that is configured to control the operation of the spun yarn take-up machine 1. The controller 26 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM that are not illustrated. The controller 26 is electrically connected to driving units such as a roller movement motor 101, a traverse motor 102, a turret motor 103, and two winding motors 104. The controller 26 is electrically connected to other driving units that will be described later, too.

[0042] In the winding device 13 structured as described above, when the upper bobbin holder 24 is rotationally driven, the yarns Y traversed by the traverse guides 22 are wound onto the corresponding bobbins B, with the result that the packages P are formed. When the formation of the packages P is completed, the turret 23 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the front. This switches over the upper and lower positions of the two bobbin holders 24. A series of operations (detailed later) of the winding device 13, which includes an operation of switching the upper and lower positions of the two bobbin holders 24, will be referred to as a switching operation, for the sake of convenience. As a result of the switching operation, the bobbin holder 24 having been at the lower position is accordingly moved to the upper position. The yarns Y are wound on the respective empty bobbins B attached to the upper bobbin holder 24, so that the packages P are formed. The bobbin holder 24 to which the fully-formed packages P are attached is moved to the lower position. The fully-formed packages P are collected by, e.g., an unillustrated package collector.

[0043] For the convenience of explanation, the rotation of the bobbin holder 24 by the winding motor 104 will be referred to as axial rotation of the bobbin holder 24. The rotation of a bobbin B or a package P due to the axial rotation of the bobbin holder 24 is also referred to as axial rotation. The rotation of the turret 23 by the turret motor 103 (that is, the movement of the bobbin holder 24) is referred to as revolution of the bobbin holder 24. The movement of bobbins B or packages P due to the revolution of the bobbin holder 24 is also referred to as revolution. The direction of the axis of revolution of the bobbin holder 24 (revolution axial direction) is substantially parallel to the front-rear direction. The bobbin holder 24A and the bobbin holder 24B can swap the positions with each other by being revolved 180 degrees around the axis of revolution.

[0044] In the switching operation, a yarn Y is divided between a fully-formed package P and an empty bobbin B (as detailed later). After the division of the yarn Y, an end portion (hereinafter, yarn end) of the yarn Y on the fully-formed package P side may be entangled on the empty bobbin B side. To reduce the possibility of allowing the yarn end on the fully-formed package P side to be entangled on the empty bobbin B side, the spun yarn take-up machine 1 is structured as described below. To reduce the possibility of allowing the yarn end on the fully-formed package P side to be entangled on the empty bobbin B side will be referred to as entanglement suppression.(Components for Yarn Threading)

[0045] Although the direct relevance to the entanglement suppression is low, in order to initiate the winding operation in the spun yarn take-up machine 1, it is necessary to perform yarn threading of yarns Y to the spun yarn take-up machine 1. In the present embodiment, a configuration for performing yarn threading is partially identical with the configuration for performing the switching operation. Therefore, before explaining the components for the switching operation, the components for the yarn threading are described with reference to FIG. 2 and FIGs. 4 to 8. FIG. 4 shows how fulcrum guides 21 operate. FIG. 5 is a front view of a handover mechanism 27 and a yarn holding mechanism 28 which are described later. A circle indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5 is an orbit along which the axial centers of the two bobbin holders 24 revolve (hereinafter, a revolution orbit 100). FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the handover mechanism 27. FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b) are plan views showing part of the handover mechanism 27, and FIG. 7(c) is a view showing part of the yarn holding mechanism 28 indicated by an arrow VII(c) in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 shows a later-described yarn moving mechanism 29.

[0046] The spinning take-up machine 1 has the following components as components related to the yarn threading. That is, the spun yarn take-up machine 1 includes a first godet roller 11, a second godet roller 12, fulcrum guides 21, a turret 23, a handover mechanism 27, a yarn holding mechanism 28, and a yarn moving mechanism 29 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 to FIG. 8). In summary, the yarns Y spun out from the spinning apparatus 2 are, for example, threaded by an operator to the first godet roller 11, the second godet roller 12, and the fulcrum guides 21 in this order. Hereinafter, operations performed by the operator are collectively termed a yarn threading operation. Subsequently, the yarns Y are handed over to the yarn holding mechanism 28 via the handover mechanism 27, and are threaded to the respective bobbins B by the yarn moving mechanism 29. The turret 23 revolves the bobbin holder 24 so that the yarns Y are properly threaded to the respective bobbins B. Hereinafter, in the yarn threading, actions performed by the turret 23, the handover mechanism 27, the yarn holding mechanism 28, and the yarn moving mechanism 29 are referred to as yarn threading actions. The details of the yarn threading operation and the yarn threading actions will be given later. The turret 23, the handover mechanism 27, the yarn holding mechanism 28, and the yarn moving mechanism 29 correspond to a yarn threading execution unit of the present invention.

[0047] The first godet roller 11 is positionally fixed. The second godet roller 12 is movable between the winding position and the yarn threading position as described above (see FIG. 1). The fulcrum guides 21 are arranged to be movable between distanced positions (see FIG. 1) and gathered positions (see FIG. 4). The distanced positions are positions of the fulcrum guides 21 when the winding operation is being performed. The gathered positions are positions of the fulcrum guides 21 when they are gathered on the front side as compared to the distanced positions. The intervals in the front-rear direction of the fulcrum guides 21 when they are at the gathered positions are narrow as compared to the intervals when the fulcrum guides 21 are at the distanced positions. The fulcrum guides 21 are driven and moved between the distanced positions and the gathered positions by a guide drive unit 105 (see FIG. 3). The guide drive unit 105 may include, for example, a known air cylinder (not illustrated). Alternatively, the guide drive unit 105 may include, for example, a known air shifter (not illustrated). The configuration of the turret 23 has already been described above. The details of the actions will be given later.

[0048] The handover mechanism 27 is a mechanism for handing over portions of the yarns Y, which are on the downstream side in the running direction of the fulcrum guides 21, to the yarn holding mechanism 28. As shown in FIG. 2, the handover mechanism 27 is provided in the vicinity of a right end portion of the winding device 13, for example. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the handover mechanism 27 includes, for example, supporters 31, two air shifters 32 (handover driving source of the present invention), an extending member 33, and movable yarn guides 34 (handover sections of the present invention). The two air shifters 32 supported by the supporters 31 drive and move the extending member 33 supporting the movable yarn guides 34.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, the supporters 31 include a supporter 31F provided at a front end portion of the handover mechanism 27 and a supporter 31R provided at a rear end portion. Each of the supporters 31F and 31R is a substantially column-shaped member extending in the up-down direction. Each of the supporters 31F and 31R supports a single air shifter 32.

[0050] The two air shifters 32 are driving sources for moving the extending member 33 and the movable yarn guides 34 in a substantially linear manner. The two air shifters 32 are driven by compressed air. The two air shifters 32 are included in a movement drive unit 106 that is configured to drive and move the extending member 33 (see FIG. 3). The movement drive unit 106 is electrically connected to the controller 26 (see FIG. 3). The two air shifters 32 are attached to the supporters 31. For the convenience of explanation, the air shifter 32 on the front side, which is attached to the supporter 31F, is referred to as an air shifter 32F. The air shifter 32 on the rear side, which is attached to the supporter 31R, is referred to as an air shifter 32R. The air shifter 32F has a main body 32aF and a slider 32bF. The main body 32aF extends, for example, substantially in the up-down direction. The main body 32aF is slightly inclined in the left-right direction relative to the up-down direction, for example. The slider 32bF is provided to be movable on the main body 32aF and is configured to be movable in a parallel manner along the longitudinal direction of the main body 32aF. In the same manner as the air shifter 32F, the air shifter 32R includes a main body 32aR and a slider 32bR (details are omitted). The sliders 32bF and 32bR support the extending member 33 (see FIG. 6) to be substantially horizontal, for example.

[0051] The extending member 33 is, for example, a long member extending substantially horizontally along the front-rear direction. The extending member 33 is driven and moved by the movement drive unit 106. That is, the extending member 33 is fixed to the slider 32bF and the slider 32bR. The extending member 33 is capable of moving in a parallel manner between a standby position (see solid lines in FIG. 5) and a handover position (see two-dot chain lines in FIG. 5) by moving integrally with the slider 32bF and the slider 32bR. The extending member 33 supports the movable yarn guides 34 to be movable in the front-rear direction (the details will be given later).

[0052] The movable yarn guides 34 are provided for the respective yarns Y. Each movable yarn guide 34 is configured to temporarily hold the corresponding yarn Y in the yarn threading actions. The movable yarn guides 34 are supported by the extending member 33. More specifically, the movable yarn guides 34 are supported by the supporters 31 via the extending member 33 and the two air shifters 32. Each movable yarn guide 34 includes a main body 34a and a protrusion 34b. The main body 34a is a part supported by the extending member 33. The protrusion 34b extends rearward from the main body 34a, for example. Each movable yarn guide 34 holds the corresponding yarn Y by causing the protrusion 34b to hook the yarn Y.

[0053] The movable yarn guides 34 are supported by the extending member 33 so as to be movable in a parallel manner together with the extending member 33. Furthermore, the movable yarn guides 34 are supported by the extending member 33 via a guide drive unit 107 (see FIG. 3) so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The guide drive unit 107 may include, for example, an unillustrated air cylinder. The guide drive unit 107 is configured to move the movable yarn guides 34 between distanced positions where the guides are distanced from each other (see FIG. 7(a)) and gathered positions where the guides are gathered on the front side (see FIG. 7(b)). In this way, the movable yarn guides 34 are capable of not only moving together with the extending member 33 but also moving in the front-rear direction relative to the extending member 33.

[0054] The yarn holding mechanism 28 is a mechanism that can receive yarns Y from the handover mechanism 27 and cause the yarns Y to make contact with bobbins B, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the yarn holding mechanism 28 is provided in the vicinity of a left end portion of the winding device 13, for example. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7(c), the yarn holding mechanism 28 includes, for example, a swing shaft 41, two arm members 42, an extending member 43, and yarn holding guides 44 (yarn holders of the present invention). The two arm members 42, the extending member 43, and the yarn holding guides 44 integrally swing about the swing shaft 41.

[0055] The swing shaft 41 is a shaft that serves as the swing axial center for the two arm members 42, the extending member 43, and the yarn holding guides 44. The axis of the swing shaft 41 extends, for example, in the front-rear direction. The swing shaft 41 swingably supports the two arm members 42. Each of the two arm members 42 is, for example, a substantially bar-shaped member. The two arm members 42 are aligned in the front-rear direction. FIG. 5 shows only one of the two arm members 42. Each arm member 42 is swingably supported by the swing shaft 41, for example. To end portions (i.e., leading end portions) of the two arm members 42, which are opposite to the swing shaft, the extending member 43 is attached. The extending member 43 is a member extending in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 7(c)). A front end portion of the extending member 43 is fixed to a leading end portion of the arm member 42 provided on the front side. A rear end portion of the extending member 43 is fixed to a leading end portion of the arm member 42 provided on the rear side. To the extending member 43, plural yarn holding guides 44 are fixed. The yarn holding guides 44 are members fixed to the extending member 43. The yarn holding guides 44 are provided for the respective yarns Y. The yarn holding guides 44 are aligned in the front-rear direction, for example (see FIG. 7(c)). Each yarn holding guide 44 is, for example, a hook-shaped member. Each yarn holding guide 44 has a guide groove 44a. The guide groove 44a is provided to temporarily hold the corresponding yarn Y in the switching operation. The yarn holding guides 44 are swingable (movable) together with the arm members 42 and the extending member 43.

[0056] The arm members 42, the extending member 43, and the yarn holding guides 44 are configured to be swingable together about the swing shaft 41. These members are driven and swung by, for example, a swing drive unit 108 (see FIG. 3; equivalent to a holding drive unit of the present invention). The swing drive unit 108 may include, for example, an unillustrated air cylinder as a driving source. The swing drive unit 108 is electrically connected to the controller 26. When, for example, a piston rod (not illustrated) provided in the air cylinder is fully retracted, the yarn holding guides 44 are at the retracted positions indicated by solid lines in FIG. 5. When, for example, the piston rod is fully extended, the yarn holding guides 44 are at the receiving positions indicated by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 5.

[0057] The yarn moving mechanism 29 is configured to temporarily change the paths (yarn paths) of the yarns Y. The yarn moving mechanism 29 is capable of performing an operation of threading the yarn Y into a slit SL formed in the outer peripheral surface of the empty bobbin B (see FIG. 8). The yarn moving mechanism 29 is provided in the vicinity of the traverse guides 22. In this regard, the following will describe only a part of the yarn moving mechanism 29, which corresponds to one yarn Y. As shown in FIG. 8, the yarn moving mechanism 29 includes a rail member 51 and a guide member 52. The rail member 51 is a member extending along the front-rear direction. The rail member 51 guides the guide member 52 in the front-rear direction. The guide member 52 includes a catching portion 52a configured to hook and catch the corresponding yarn Y. In this connection, an area where the traverse guide 22 traverses the yarn Y is referred to as a traverse area T (see FIG. 8) for the sake of convenience. The guide member 52 is configured to be movable between an outside position (indicated by solid lines in FIG. 8) that is outside the traverse area T and an inside position (indicated by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 8) that is inside the traverse area T. Furthermore, the guide member 52 is configured to be able to take a yarn release posture (see dashed lines in FIG. 8). The yarn release posture is a posture with which the yarn Y caught by the catching portion 52a is released at a position between the outside position and the inside position in the front-rear direction. The guide member 52 in the yarn release posture is slightly tilted rearward as compared to the guide member 52 in the outside position. The yarn moving mechanism 29 is provided with the guide members 52, the number of which corresponds to the number of the yarns Y. The guide members 52 are driven and moved by the yarn moving drive unit 109 (see FIG. 3). The yarn moving drive unit 109 includes, for example, an unillustrated air cylinder and an unillustrated cam mechanism. The air cylinder is, for example, a known two-stage stroke cylinder. The cam mechanism is configured to change the position and / or posture of the guide member 52 in accordance with the extension and contraction of the unillustrated piston rod of the air cylinder. One air cylinder may simultaneously drive and move the multiple guide members 52. Alternatively, multiple air cylinders may be provided to correspond to the respective guide members 52. The yarn moving drive unit 109 is electrically connected to the controller 26.

[0058] The yarn threading is performed using the above-described configuration. The details will be given later.(Components Related to Switching Operation)

[0059] Components related to the switching operation will be described with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 9 to FIG. 13. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a later-described partition mechanism 60. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 9. FIG. 11(a) to FIG. 13(b) illustrate how the partition mechanism 60 operates. FIG. 11(a), FIG. 12(a), and FIG. 13(a) are front views of a rear end portion of the partition mechanism 60. FIG. 11(b), FIG. 12(b), and FIG. 13(b) are rear views of a rear end portion of the partition mechanism 60. FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b) show a state of the partition mechanism 60 when a later-described partition plate 65 (partition of the present invention) is positioned at a later-described non-overlapping position. FIG. 12(a) and FIG. 12(b) show a state of the partition mechanism 60 when the partition plate 65 is positioned between the non-overlapping position and a later-described partition position. FIG. 13(a) and FIG. 13(b) show a state of the partition mechanism 60 when the partition plate 65 is positioned at the partition position.

[0060] The spinning take-up machine 1 includes, as components for performing the switching operation, a turret 23 (see FIG. 2), a yarn holding mechanism 28 (see FIG. 5), and a yarn moving mechanism 29 (see FIG. 8), for example. A combination of the turret 23, the yarn holding mechanism 28, and the yarn moving mechanism 29 is equivalent to a switching unit of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the switching unit is a common component used both when the yarn threading is performed and when the switching operation is performed.

[0061] The following additionally describes the yarn holding mechanism 28 among the turret 23, the yarn holding mechanism 28, and the yarn moving mechanism 29. The yarn holding guides 44 of the yarn holding mechanism 28 can be temporarily stopped (more precisely, stood still) at the holding positions indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. 5. The holding position is a position between the retracted position and the receiving position in the circumferential direction of the swing of the yarn holding guides 44. Any means may be employed to cause the yarn holding guides 44 to be stand still at the holding positions. For example, a stopper (not illustrated) that can revolve together with the bobbin holder 24 may be provided at a predetermined position radially outside the bobbin holder 24. Furthermore, for example, the extending member 43 of the yarn holding mechanism 28 may be provided with a contact portion (not illustrated) that can make contact with the stopper. In this configuration, the yarn holding guides 44 may be stopped at the holding positions as the swinging contact portion makes contact with the stopper. Alternatively, the stopper and the contact portion may not be provided. For example, the above-described unillustrated air cylinder may have a known two-stage stroke mechanism. As described above, the yarn holding guides 44 are movable between the retracted positions and the receiving positions, and are also movable between the holding positions and the retracted positions.

[0062] In addition to the above, the spun yarn take-up machine 1 includes the partition mechanism 60 (see FIG. 9 to FIG. 13(b)). The partition mechanism 60 is a mechanism configured to perform the entanglement suppression after the completion of the switching operation. The partition mechanism 60 shares at least one component with the handover mechanism 27. More specifically, the partition mechanism 60 shares the above-described supporters 31 with the handover mechanism 27 (see FIG. 9). As shown in FIG. 10, the partition mechanism 60 includes, for example, the supporter 31, an air cylinder 61 (partition driving source of the present invention), a lever 62, a first arm unit 63, a second arm unit 64, a partition plate 65, and a cam 66. As the air cylinder 61 swings the lever 62, a link mechanism including the first arm unit 63, the second arm unit 64, the partition plate 65, and the cam 66 is activated. As a result, the partition plate 65 can temporarily partition the space formed between the bobbin holder 24A and the bobbin holder 24B.

[0063] The air cylinder 61 is a driving source included in a partition drive unit 110 (see FIG. 3) provided for driving each part of the partition mechanism 60. In other words, the air cylinder 61 is a driving source for driving and moving the partition plate 65. That is, a driving source for driving and moving the movable yarn guides 34 and a driving source for driving and moving the partition plate 65 are provided independently. The partition drive unit 110 is electrically connected to the controller 26. The air cylinder 61 is configured to drive and swing the lever 62. The air cylinder 61 is attached to an upper end portion of the supporter 31R. The air cylinder 61 includes, for example, a cylinder main body 61a, a piston rod 61b, and a rod end 61c. The cylinder main body 61a is attached to the supporter 31R to be swingable. The cylinder main body 61a extends along a direction that is slightly inclined relative to the up-down direction, for example. The piston rod 61b is configured to be extendable and contractible with respect to the cylinder main body 61a. The rod end 61c is provided at the leading end of the piston rod 61b. The rod end 61c is connected to a leading end portion of the lever 62.

[0064] The lever 62 is a member that is supported to be swingable by the supporter 31R. The swing axial direction of the lever 62 is substantially parallel to the front-rear direction. A base end portion of the lever 62 is fixed to a rear end portion of a shaft 63a (described later) of the first arm unit 63. A leading end portion of the lever 62 is attached to the rod end 61c. The lever 62 is swingable relative to the rod end 61c.

[0065] The first arm unit 63 is a member that swings together with the lever 62. Moreover, the first arm unit 63 is a member that swingably supports the second arm unit 64. The first arm unit 63 includes a shaft 63a (see FIG. 10) and a pair of arms 63b. FIG. 10 shows only a later-described arm 63bR among the paired arms 63b. The shaft 63a is a part of the first arm unit 63, which extends long along the front-rear direction. A front end portion of the shaft 63a is rotatably supported by an intermediate portion in the up-down direction of the supporter 31F. A rear end portion of the shaft 63a and its surroundings are rotatably supported by an intermediate portion in the up-down direction of the supporter 31R. The rear end portion of the shaft 63a is fixed to the base end portion of the lever 62. Each of the paired arms 63b is, for example, a long substantially plate-shaped member. The paired arms 63b extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The paired arms 63b are integrated with the shaft 63a by, for example, welding. The paired arms 63b may be fixed to the shaft 63a by an unillustrated fastener. The paired arms 63b swing integrally with the shaft 63a. The paired arms 63b are provided between the supporter 31F and the supporter 31R in the front-rear direction. One of the paired arms 63b is fixed to a part (not illustrated) of the shaft 63a, which is immediately behind a part where the shaft 63a is supported by the supporter 31F. The other of the paired arms 63b (arm 63bR shown in FIG. 10) is fixed to a part of the shaft 63a, which is immediately in front of a part where the shaft 63a is supported by the supporter 31R. Each of the paired arms 63b swingably supports the second arm unit 64 and the partition plate 65. The arm 63bR is provided with a regulating portion 63c. The regulating portion 63c regulates the swing of the second arm unit 64 by making contact with a contact portion 64b (described later) of the second arm unit 64.

[0066] The second arm unit 64 (see FIG. 10) is a long substantially plate-shaped member. The second arm unit 64 swings together with the partition plate 65 relative to the first arm unit 63. The posture of the second arm unit 64 is adjusted by the cam 66. A base end portion of the second arm unit 64 is fixed to a rear end portion of the partition plate 65. A cam follower 64a is attached to a leading end portion of the second arm unit 64. The cam follower 64a is guided along a cam hole 66a formed in the cam 66. At an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the second arm unit 64, a contact portion 64b is provided to be able to make contact with the regulating portion 63c. The contact portion 64b is arranged to oppose the regulating portion 63c in the swinging direction in which the second arm unit 64 swings. When the contact portion 64b is not in contact with the regulating portion 63c, the second arm unit 64 and the partition plate 65 are swingable. When the contact portion 64b is in contact with the regulating portion 63c, the swing of the second arm unit 64 toward the arm 63bR side is restricted.

[0067] The partition plate 65 is a substantially plate-shaped member used to partition the space formed between the bobbin holder 24A and the bobbin holder 24B. The partition plate 65 is formed of, for example, a known metal plate member. The partition plate 65 extends long along the front-rear direction. The partition plate 65 has, for example, a curved portion 65a that is generally circular-arc-shaped when viewed in the front-rear direction and a linear portion 65b that is generally linear when viewed in the front-rear direction. The shape of the partition plate 65 is not limited to this; it may be entirely curved or extend linearly. Alternatively, the partition plate 65 may be partially bent. The partition plate 65 is swingably attached to the paired arms 63b through the swing shaft 65c. The second arm unit 64 is fixed to the partition plate 65. The partition plate 65 is supported by the supporter 31 via the air cylinder 61, the lever 62, the first arm unit 63, and the second arm unit 64. To put it differently, the supporter 31 supports the partition plate 65 in addition to the movable yarn guides 34.

[0068] The cam 66 is a member used for adjusting the postures of the swinging second arm unit 64 and the partition plate 65 to desired postures. The cam 66 is, for example, a substantially flat plate-shaped member. The cam 66 is fixed to, for example, an upper end portion of the supporter 31R. The cam 66 has a cam hole 66a formed to penetrate the cam in the front-rear direction, for example. The cam hole 66a extends in the up-down direction, for example. The cam hole 66a may be curved in the left-right direction. The cam hole 66a is provided to guide the cam follower 64a. An unillustrated cam groove may be formed instead of the cam hole 66a.

[0069] The following briefly describes the operation of the partition mechanism 60 structured as described above. When the piston rod 61b of the air cylinder 61 is fully contracted (see FIG. 11(b)), the entirety of the partition mechanism 60 is retracted to the outside of the revolution orbit of the package P and the bobbin B (see FIG. 11(a)). The position of the partition plate 65 in this state is equivalent to a non-overlapping position of the present invention. When the piston rod 61b starts to extend (see FIG. 12(b)), the first arm unit 63 swings, and the second arm unit 64 follows the first arm unit 63 while its posture being adjusted by the cam 66. As a result, the partition plate 65 enters the inside of the revolution orbit of the package P and the bobbin B (see FIG. 12(a)). When the piston rod 61b fully extends (see FIG. 13(b)), the partition plate 65 is disposed to partially surround the upper bobbins B when viewed in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 13(a)).(Steps of Yarn Threading)

[0070] Now, the following describes the steps of the yarn threading in the spun yarn take-up machine 1 mainly with reference to FIG. 14(a) to FIG. 16(b). FIG. 14(a) to FIG. 15 show the steps of the yarn threading (in particular the steps of the yarn threading operation performed by the operator). FIGs. 16(a) and 16(b) illustrate the steps of handing over yarns Y from the movable yarn guides 34 to the yarn holding guides 44, respectively.

[0071] In a state of the spun yarn take-up machine 1 immediately before the yarn threading is performed, yarns Y spun out from the spinning apparatus 2 are sucked and held by the aspirator 14 (see FIG. 4). The second godet roller 12 and the fulcrum guides 21 are at the positions when the yarn threading operation is performed (see FIG. 4). The traverse guides 22 and the two bobbin holders 24 are stopped. The extending member 33 of the handover mechanism 27 is at the standby position (indicated by solid lines in FIG. 5). The movable yarn guides 34 of the handover mechanism 27 are at the distanced positions (see FIG. 7(a)). The yarn holding guides 44 of the yarn holding mechanism 28 are at the retracted positions (see solid lines in FIG. 5). The guide member 52 of the yarn moving mechanism 29 is at the outside position (as shown by the solid line in FIG. 8).

[0072] To begin with, as shown in FIG. 14(a) to FIG. 14(c), the operator places the yarns Y onto the first godet roller 11 and the second godet roller 12 and threads the yarns Y to the fulcrum guides 21. To be more specific, the operator handles a known suction gun 70 which can suck and hold the yarns Y, and receives the yarns Y sucked and held by the aspirator 14. Subsequently, the operator places the yarns Y sucked and held by the suction gun 70 onto the first godet roller 11 and the second godet roller 12 in this order (see FIG. 14(a) and FIG. 14(b)). Furthermore, the operator uses an unillustrated yarn threading tool, and threads the yarns Y to the respective fulcrum guides 21 (see FIG. 14(c)). Thereafter, the operator performs an operation to enable the winding device 13 to carry out the yarn threading actions. More specifically, for example, the operator presses an unillustrated first operation button which is electrically connected to the controller 26.

[0073] When the first operation button is pressed, the controller 26 causes each part of the winding device 13 to start the yarn threading actions. To begin with, the controller 26 controls the roller movement motor 101 (see FIG. 3) and the guide drive unit 105 (see FIG. 3) to move the second godet roller 12 and the fulcrum guides 21 to the positions at the time of the winding operation (see FIG. 15). Furthermore, the controller 26 controls the guide drive unit 107 (see FIG. 3) to move the movable yarn guides 34 to the gathered positions (see FIG. 7(b)). Subsequently, the operator handles the suction gun 70 and threads the yarn Y to a yarn convergence guide 71 (see FIG. 15) located at the front end of the right end portion of the winding device 13. As a result, each of the yarns Y is placed immediately behind the corresponding movable yarn guide 34 (see FIG. 7(b)). Thereafter, the operator presses an unillustrated second operation button which is electrically connected to the controller 26.

[0074] When the second operation button is pressed, the controller 26 controls the swing drive unit 108 (see FIG. 3) and swings the yarn holding guides 44 of the yarn holding mechanism 28 from the retracted positions (indicated by solid lines in FIG. 5) to the receiving positions (indicated by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 5). As a result, the yarn holding guides 44 move to the vicinity of the handover mechanism 27. In this regard, the controller 26 appropriately controls the turret motor 103 during the yarn threading actions to position the bobbin holder 24 at a location where the bobbin holder 24 does not interfere with the yarn holding mechanism 28. Concurrently with the timing of the swing of the yarn holding guide 44, the controller 26 controls the guide drive unit 107 (see FIG. 3) to move the movable yarn guides 34 of the handover mechanism 27 from the gathered positions (see FIG. 7(b)) to the distanced positions (see FIG. 7(a)). As a result of this, the yarn Y is temporarily threaded to each movable yarn guide 34. The protrusion 34b prevents the yarn Y from dropping off from each movable yarn guide 34. Along with the control of the guide drive unit 107, the controller 26 controls, for example, the winding motor 104A (see FIG. 3) to start the rotation of the bobbin holder 24A. Along with the start of the rotation of the bobbin holder 24A, the controller 26 controls the traverse motor 102 to start the operation of the traverse guide 22.

[0075] Subsequently, the controller 26 causes the handover mechanism 27 to hand over the yarns Y to the yarn holding mechanism 28. To be more specific, the controller 26 controls the movement drive unit 106 to move the movable yarn guides 34 of the handover mechanism 27 from the standby positions (see solid lines in FIG. 5) to the handover positions (see two-dot chain lines in FIG. 5). As a result, each of the yarns Y moves to the vicinity of the corresponding yarn holding guide 44 (see FIG. 16(a)). Subsequently, the controller 26 controls the guide drive unit 107 (see FIG. 3) to move the movable yarn guides 34 of the handover mechanism 27 again from the distanced positions (see FIG. 7(a)) to the gathered positions (see FIG. 7(b)). As a result, each yarn Y is handed over from the corresponding movable yarn guide 34 to the corresponding yarn holding guide 44 (see FIG. 16(b)). To be more specific, each yarn Y falls into an inclined portion of the corresponding yarn holding guide 44 and enters the guide groove 44a. In this way, each yarn holding guide 44 is configured to temporarily hold the yarn Y during the yarn threading actions.

[0076] Thereafter, the controller 26 controls the swing drive unit 108 to swing the yarn holding guides 44 of the yarn holding mechanism 28 leftward from the receiving positions. Because of this, the yarns Y are caught and traversed by the traverse guides 22 that are in operation.

[0077] Subsequently, the controller 26 causes the yarn moving mechanism 29 to perform yarn threading to the bobbin B1. To be more specific, the controller 26 controls the turret motor 103 to move the rotating bobbin holder 24A to the upper position. Furthermore, the controller 26 controls the yarn moving drive unit 109 to move each of the guide members 52 from the outside position (see solid lines in FIG. 8) to the inside position (see two-dot chain lines in FIG. 8). Each of the yarns Y which are being traversed is caught by the catching portion 52a of the corresponding guide member 52. At this stage, each yarn Y is positioned in the vicinity of the slit SL of the corresponding bobbin B2 in the axial direction.

[0078] Subsequently, the controller 26 controls the yarn moving drive unit 109 to move the guide members 52 from the inside positions to the outside positions (see solid lines in FIG. 8). With this, each yarn Y is temporarily detached from the traverse guide 22 and threaded into the slit SL of the corresponding bobbin B1 (see two-dot chain lines in FIG. 8). The slit SL is provided with an unillustrated claw portion. As the yarn Y is hooked by the claw portion, the yarn Y is wound into the slit SL. As a result, a strong tension is applied to the yarn Y, and the yarn Y is divided at a part located between the bobbin B1 and the suction gun 70 in the running direction. The parts of the yarns Y on the suction gun 70 side after the division are sucked and removed by the suction gun 70. In this way, the yarn threading actions are completed and the winding operation starts.(Switching Operation)

[0079] Now, the following describes the switching operation of the spun yarn take-up machine 1 with reference to FIG. 17(a) to FIG. 17(d). FIG. 17(a) to FIG. 17(c) illustrate the switching operation. FIG. 17(d) shows a state of the partition mechanism 60 after the completion of the switching operation.

[0080] In a state of the spun yarn take-up machine 1 immediately before the switching operation, the yarns Y are wound onto the bobbins B1 to form packages P (see FIG. 17(a)). When viewed from the front, each package P is rotating counterclockwise, for example (see an arrow in FIG. 17(a)). The yarn holding guides 44 are at the retracted positions. The partition plate 65 is at the non-overlapping position. The partition plate 65 at the non-overlapping position does not overlap the running path (yarn path) of the yarn Y held by the yarn holding guide 44 at the holding position during the switching operation, when viewed in the front-rear direction.

[0081] When determining that the packages P are fully formed, the controller 26 causes each section to start the switching operation described below. To begin with, the controller 26 controls the turret motor 103 to rotate the turret 23 (see an arrow in FIG. 17(b)). At this stage, the yarn Y is connected to the package P and is in contact with the bobbin B2, too. The controller 26 controls the winding motor 104B at an appropriate timing so as to start the rotation of the bobbin holder 24B. When viewed from the front, the bobbin B2 is rotating counterclockwise, for example (not illustrated). The state in which the yarn Y is being traversed by the traverse guide 22 is maintained.

[0082] Subsequently, the controller 26 controls the swing drive unit 108 to move the yarn holding guides 44 from the retracted positions to the holding positions (see FIG. 17(c)). As a result, each yarn holding guide 44 is pressed onto the corresponding yarn Y. The yarn Y that is being traversed falls into the inclined portion of the corresponding yarn holding guide 44 and enters the guide groove 44a. In this way, each yarn Y is held by each yarn holding guide 44.

[0083] Subsequently, the controller 26 controls the yarn moving drive unit 109 (see FIG. 3) to move each of the guide members 52 of the yarn moving mechanism 29 from the outside position (see solid lines in FIG. 8) to the inside position (see two-dot chain lines in FIG. 8). Each of the yarns Y which are being traversed is caught by the catching portion 52a of the corresponding guide member 52. Furthermore, the controller 26 controls the yarn moving drive unit 109 to move the guide members 52 from the inside positions to the outside positions (see solid lines in FIG. 8). With this, each yarn Y is temporarily detached from the corresponding traverse guide 22 and threaded into the slit SL of the corresponding bobbin B2 (see two-dot chain lines in FIG. 8). As the yarn Y is hooked by the above-described claw portion (not illustrated), the yarn Y is wound into the slit SL. At this stage, a strong tension is applied to the yarn Y positioned between the package P and the bobbin B2, with the result that the yarn Y is divided between the package P and the bobbin B2. To put it differently, in the switching operation, the switching unit is configured to divide the yarn Y by applying a tension to the yarn Y running toward the package P via the bobbin B2.

[0084] In this way, the yarns Y are handed over from the packages P to the bobbins B2, and this allows the yarns Y to be wound onto the respective bobbins B2. The above-described operation of the spun yarn take-up machine 1 (more specifically, the operation of the winding device 13) is the switching operation of the present embodiment.

[0085] The controller 26 controls the partition drive unit 110 at the timing of the completion of the switching operation, so as to move the partition plate 65 to the partition position (see FIG. 17(d)). The timing of the completion of the switching operation may be, for example, a time point at which a predetermined time elapses from the movement of the guide members 52 from the inside positions to the outside positions by the controller 26. At the timing of the completion of the switching operation, furthermore, the controller 26 moves the yarn holding guides 44 from the holding positions to the retracted positions (see FIG. 17(d)). The retracted position is a position that is separated from the partition plate 65 located at the partition position, as compared to the holding position. To be more specific, preferably, the controller 26 controls the partition drive unit 110 to position the partition plate 65 at the partition position after the switching operation is completed, and controls the swing drive unit 108 to start movement of the yarn holding guides 44 from the holding positions toward the retracted positions before the partition plate 65 reaches the partition position.

[0086] After the switching operation, the controller 26 controls the yarn moving drive unit 109 to cause each of the guide members 52 to take a yarn detachment posture (see dashed lines in FIG. 8). As a result, each yarn Y is caught by the corresponding traverse guide 22, and the traversal starts again (i.e., the winding of the yarn Y onto the bobbin B2 starts). Furthermore, the controller 26 controls the winding motor 104A so as to stop the rotation of the bobbin holder 24A. Thereafter, the packages P are collected.

[0087] Assume a state of the winding device 13 when the switching operation has been completed, the packages P are held by the bobbin holder 24A, and the partition plate 65 is positioned at the partition position. This state is referred to as a completed state for the sake of explanation. The controller 26 moves the partition plate 65 from the partition position to the non-overlapping position (not illustrated) when a predetermined time elapses from the movement of the partition plate 65 to the partition position (i.e., when the completed state is maintained for a predetermined time). As a result, the interference between the partition plate 65 and the packages P formed by winding the yarns Y onto the bobbins B2 is avoided.

[0088] (Details of Arrangement of Each Member)

[0089] Now, the arrangement of each member of the winding device 13 is detailed. To be more specific, the following describes the positional relationship between the yarn holding guides 44 and the partition plate 65 and the positional relationship between the package P, the bobbin B2, and the partition plate 65 in the completed state.

[0090] In the radial direction of the bobbin B2 (i.e., in the radial direction of the bobbin holder 24B), the partition plate 65 at the partition position (see solid lines in FIG. 18) is provided at a position which is far from the bobbin holder 24B (and the bobbins B2) as compared to the yarn holding guides 44 (see two-dot chain lines in FIG. 18) which holds the respective yarns Y in the switching operation.

[0091] In the switching operation, the yarn holding guides 44 are provided between the bobbin B2 and the package P in the running direction of the yarn Y (see FIG. 17(c)). Furthermore, in the switching operation, the yarn holding guides 44 are arranged to bend the yarn paths where the yarns Y run. Furthermore, during the switching operation, in the radial direction of the bobbin holder 24B, the yarn holding guides 44 are positioned to be close to the bobbin holder 24B (and the bobbins B2) as compared to the track along which the partition plate 65 moves (see FIG. 18).

[0092] Assume that the winding device 13 is in the completed state. As shown in FIG. 18, when viewed in the front-rear direction, a line segment connecting the rotation axis center (point P1) of the bobbin holder 24A with the rotation axis center (point P2) of the bobbin holder 24B is defined as a first virtual line segment VLS1. The direction in which the first virtual line segment VLS1 extends is defined as an extending direction. Furthermore, two virtual tangents (a first virtual tangent VLT1 and a second virtual tangent VLT2) in contact with the outer circumferential edge of the bobbin holder 24B, which are parallel to the first virtual line segment VLS1, are defined. When viewed in the front-rear direction, the partition plate 65 traverses across both the first virtual tangent VLT1 and the second virtual tangent VLT2, and is spaced apart from the yarn holding guides 44. Furthermore, two virtual tangents (a third virtual tangent VLT3 and a fourth virtual tangent VLT4) in contact with the outer circumferential edge of the bobbin B2, which are parallel to the first virtual line segment VLS1, are defined. When viewed in the front-rear direction, the partition plate 65 traverses across both the third virtual tangent VLT3 and the fourth virtual tangent VLT4.

[0093] In the completed state, the partition plate 65 is arranged to surround the bobbin holder 24B (and the bobbins B2) over an angular range of 90 degrees or more in the circumferential direction of the bobbin holder 24B. To be more specific, a second virtual line segment VLS2 connecting a point P2 with an end of the partition plate 65 on the first virtual tangent VLT1 side of the first virtual line segment VLS1 is defined (see FIG. 18). This "end" indicates an end of a part of the partition plate 65, which surrounds the bobbins B2 in the circumferential direction of the bobbins B2, and may not always indicate the base end (or the leading end) of the swing of the partition plate 65. Furthermore, a third virtual line segment VLS3 connecting a point P2 with an end of the partition plate 65 on the second virtual tangent VLT2 side of the first virtual line segment VLS1 is defined (see FIG. 18). The angular range defined by the second virtual line segment VLS2 and the third virtual line segment VLS3 is the above-described angular range. To be more specific, the angle between the first virtual line segment VLS1 and the second virtual line segment VLS2 is defined as a first angle θ1. The angle between the first virtual line segment VLS1 and the third virtual line segment VLS3 is defined as a second angle θ2. The sum of the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2 is 90 degrees or more. In addition, the partition plate 65 is arranged to cover the entirety in the front-rear direction of the bobbins B2 over the above-described angular range.

[0094] Furthermore, the direction in which the packages P perform axial rotation is defined as a package rotation direction. In the completed state, the package rotation direction is a direction in which a part of the package P, which is on the first virtual line segment VLS1, moves from the first virtual tangent VLT1 side to the second virtual tangent VLT2 side (see an arrow in FIG. 18). In this case, in the present embodiment, the first angle θ1 is larger than the second angle θ2.

[0095] Because the partition plate 65 is arranged as described above, it is possible to suppress an end portion (yarn end Ye) of the yarn Y of the rotating package P from being entangled on the rotating bobbin B2 side. More specifically, the movement of the yarn end Ye indicated by solid lines in FIG. 18 to the bobbin B2 side is prevented by the partition plate 65. The movement of the yarn end Ye indicated by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 18 toward the bobbin B2 side is prevented by an accompanied flow (see an arrow in FIG. 18) generated in accordance with the rotation of the bobbin B2.

[0096] As described above, when viewed in the front-rear direction, the partition plate 65 traverses across both of the two virtual tangents (the first virtual tangent VLT1 and the second virtual tangent VLT2), and is spaced apart from the yarn holding guides 44. This makes it possible to extensively cover the area where the bobbin B2 is particularly close to the package P with the partition plate 65, while establishing the state in which the partition plate 65 does not interfere with the yarn holding guide 44. It is therefore possible to reduce the possibility of allowing the yarn end Ye on the fully-formed package P side to be entangled on the empty bobbin B side (bobbin B2 side).

[0097] The yarn holding guide 44 is movable between the holding position and the retracted position. It is therefore possible to reliably avoid the interference between the partition plate 65 and the yarn holding guide 44 by moving the yarn holding guide 44 to the retracted position after the completion of the switching operation.

[0098] In addition to the above, the controller 26 controls the partition drive unit 110 to position the partition plate 65 at the partition position after the switching operation is completed, and controls the swing drive unit 108 to start movement of the yarn holding guides 44 from the holding positions toward the retracted positions before the partition plate 65 reaches the partition position. It is therefore possible to reliably avoid the interference between the partition plate 65 and the yarn holding guide 44 after the completion of the switching operation.

[0099] In addition to the above, the partition plate 65 at the partition position is arranged to surround the bobbin holder 24B over an angular range of 90 degrees or more in the circumferential direction of the bobbin holder 24B. In this way, the bobbins B2 can be extensively surrounded in the circumferential direction of the bobbin holder 24B. It is therefore possible to further effectively reduce the possibility of allowing the yarn end Ye on the package P side to be entangled on the bobbin B2 side.

[0100] In addition to the above, the first angle θ1 is larger than the second angle θ2. In this way, the partition plate 65 is arranged to extend long toward the first virtual tangent VLT1 side. It is therefore possible to effectively prevent the long yarn end Ye from being entangled on the bobbin B2 side by the partition plate 65.

[0101] In the radial direction of the bobbin holder 24B, the partition plate 65 at the partition position is far from the bobbin holder 24B as compared to the yarn holding guides 44 which hold the respective yarns Y in the switching operation. In this way, the partition plate 65, which is positioned at the partition position, is arranged at a location that is far from the bobbin holder 24B in the radial direction of the bobbin holder 24B. It is therefore possible to keep the partition plate 65 to be on standby at the partition position for a long time.

[0102] The yarn holding guides 44 are provided between the bobbins B2 and the packages P in the running direction of the yarns Y in the switching operation so as to bend the yarn paths of the yarns Y. Furthermore, during the switching operation, in the radial direction of the bobbin holder 24B, the yarn holding guides 44 are positioned to be close to the bobbin holder 24B as compared to the track along which the partition plate 65 moves. In this way, during the switching operation, the yarn holding guides 44 are positioned to be close to the bobbin holder 24B. It is therefore possible to shorten the yarn end on the bobbin B2 side of the divided yarn Y.

[0103] In addition to the above, each yarn holding guide 44 is configured to temporarily hold the yarn Y during the yarn threading actions. It is therefore possible to use the yarn holding guides 44 not only for the switching operation but also for the yarn threading actions. On this account, both the switching operation and the yarn threading actions can be performed by a small number of members.

[0104] In addition to the above, the supporter 31 supports the partition plate 65 in addition to the movable yarn guides 34. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in number of members as compared to a configuration where movable yarn guides 34 and partition plates 65 are supported by different members.

[0105] In addition to the above, a driving source for driving and moving the movable yarn guides 34 and a driving source for driving and moving the partition plate 65 are provided independently. The movable yarn guides 34 are configured to be able to move in a parallel manner, and the partition plate 65 is configured to be able to swing. When trying to achieve the parallel movement of the movable yarn guides 34 and the swinging motion of the partition plate 65 with a single driving source, a complex mechanism may be required. In the present embodiment, because the movable yarn guides 34 and the partition plate 65 are driven and moved by different driving sources, the complexity of the mechanism can be suppressed.

[0106] In addition to the above, the spun yarn take-up machine 1 includes the turret 23. Therefore, by using the known turret 23, the positions of the bobbin holder 24A and the bobbin holder 24B can be easily swapped.

[0107] In addition to the above, when viewed in the front-rear direction, the partition plate 65 traverses across both the third virtual tangent VLT3 and the fourth virtual tangent VLT4. This makes it possible to further extensively cover the area where the bobbin B2 is particularly close to the package P with the partition plate 65, while realizing the state in which the partition plate 65 does not interfere with the yarn holding guide 44. It is therefore possible to further reduce the possibility of allowing the yarn end Ye on the fully-formed package P side to be entangled on the empty bobbin B side (bobbin B2 side).

[0108] The following will describe modifications of the above-described embodiment. The members identical with those in the embodiment above will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the explanations thereof are not repeated. (1) In the embodiment above, the partition plate 65 at the partition position is arranged to surround the bobbins B2 over an angular range of 90 degrees or more in the circumferential direction of the bobbin holder 24B. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The above-described angular range may be less than 90 degrees. (2) In the embodiment above, the first angle θ1 is larger than the second angle θ2. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The first angle θ1 may be equal to or less than the second angle θ2. (3) In the embodiment above, the air shifter 32 for driving and moving the movable yarn guides 34 and the air cylinder 61 for driving and moving the partition plate 65 are provided independently. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. A driving source for driving and moving the movable yarn guides 34 and a driving source for driving and moving the partition plate 65 may be the same. However, in this case, a complex mechanism may be needed to move the movable yarn guides 34 in a parallel manner and to swing the partition plate 65. (4) In the embodiment above, the movable yarn guides 34 are configured to be able to move in a parallel manner, and the partition plate 65 is configured to be able to swing. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The movable yarn guides 34 may be configured to be swingable. The partition plate 65 may be arranged to be movable in a parallel manner. (5) In the embodiment above, the supporters 31 support both the movable yarn guides 34 and the partition plate 65. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The supporters 31 may support only either the movable yarn guides 34 or the partition plate 65. The other of the movable yarn guides 34 and the partition plates 65 may be supported by a member (not illustrated) different from the supporters 31. (6) In the embodiment above, the yarn holding guides 44 are arranged to be usable not only for the switching operation but also for the yarn threading actions. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The yarn holding guides 44 may be used only during the switching operation. In this case, multiple guides (not illustrated) used for the yarn threading actions may be provided in place of the yarn holding guides 44. (7) In the embodiment above, the yarn holding guides 44 are positioned to be close to the bobbin holder 24B as compared to the track along which the partition plate 65 moves, in the radial direction of the bobbin B2 during the switching operation. In the radial direction of the bobbin holder 24B, the partition plate 65 at the partition position is provided to be far from the bobbin holder 24B as compared to the yarn holding guides 44 in the switching operation. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The positional relationship between the yarn holding guides 44 and the partition plate 65 can be reversed. Alternatively, the track of the yarn holding guides 44 and the track of the partition plate 65 may partially overlap. However, when the tracks partially overlap, the controller 26 needs to control the swing drive unit 108 to separate the yarn holding guides 44 from the holding positions after the completion of the switching operation. (8) In the embodiment above, the controller 26 controls the partition drive unit 110 to move the partition plate 65 to the partition position after the switching operation is completed, and controls the swing drive unit 108 to move the yarn holding guides 44 to the retracted positions. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. When the track of the yarn holding guides 44 and the track of the partition plate 65 do not overlap, the controller 26 may move the yarn holding guides 44 to the retracted positions after the partition plate 65 reaches the partition position. (9) In the embodiment above, the yarn holding guides 44 are movable between the holding positions and the retracted positions. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The yarn holding guides 44 may be positionally fixed relative to the turret 23, for example. However, in this case, a mechanism for handing over each yarn Y to each yarn holding guide 44 during the switching operation is required. Furthermore, in order to avoid the interference of the packages P on the yarn holding guides 44, the allowable size of each package P may be significantly restricted. (10) In the embodiment above, the yarn holding guides 44 are provided in the yarn holding mechanism 28. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The drive mechanism (not illustrated) that drives and moves the yarn holding guides 44 may be provided, for example, in the handover mechanism 27 or the partition mechanism 60. (11) In the embodiment above, the partition plate 65 is provided in the partition mechanism 60. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The drive mechanism (not illustrated) that drives and moves the partition plate 65 may be provided, for example, in the yarn holding mechanism 28. (12) In the embodiment above, when viewed in the front-rear direction, the partition plate 65 traverses across both the third virtual tangent VLT3 and the fourth virtual tangent VLT4. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The partition plate 65 may not traverse across both the third virtual tangent VLT3 and the fourth virtual tangent VLT4, as long as the partition plate 65 traverses across both the first virtual tangent VLT1 and the second virtual tangent VLT2. (13) In the embodiment above, the winding device 13 includes the turret 23. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. Instead of the turret 23, another mechanism for swapping the positions of the bobbin holder 24A and the bobbin holder 24B may be provided. (14) In the embodiment above, the spun yarn take-up machine 1 is arranged to be able to wind the yarns Y. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The spun yarn take-up machine 1 may be arranged to be able to wind only a single yarn Y.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0029]The following will describe an embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of convenience, directions shown in FIG. 1 are referred to as forward, rearward, leftward, rightward, upward, and downward directions. The up-down direction (the up-down direction in the plane of FIG. 1) is a vertical direction in which the gravity acts. The front-rear direction (the left-right direction in the plane of FIG. 1) is a direction orthogonal to the up-down direction. The left-right direction (a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1) is orthogonal to both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. A direction in which a later-described yarn Y runs is referred to as a running direction.

(Spun Yarn Take-Up Machine)

[0030]The following will describe the structure of a spun yarn take-up machine with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. FIG. 1 is a side view of the spun yarn take-up machine 1 (yarn winder of the present invention) of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view o...

Claims

1. A yarn winder (1) comprising: a first bobbin holder (24A) which rotatably supports a first bobbin (B1) on which a running yarn (Y) is wound, the first bobbin holder (24A) extending along a predetermined axial direction; a second bobbin holder (24B) which is aligned with the first bobbin holder (24A) in a predetermined alignment direction intersecting with the axial direction and rotatably supports a second bobbin (B2) on which the yarn (Y) is wound, the second bobbin holder (24B) extending along the axial direction; a switching unit (23, 28, 29) which includes a yarn holding portion (44) capable of being positioned at a holding position where the running yarn (Y) is temporarily held, the switching unit (23, 28, 29) being capable of performing a switching operation of switching a state of the first bobbin holder (24A) and the second bobbin holder (24B) from a state in which a package (P) is being formed by winding the yarn (Y) onto the rotating first bobbin (B1) to a state in which the yarn (Y) is threaded to the rotating empty second bobbin (B2) and is divided from the package (P); a partition (65) which is movable between a non-overlapping position where the partition (65) does not overlap a running track of the yarn (Y) held by the yarn holding portion (44) at the holding position during the switching operation, when viewed in the axial direction, and a partition position where, when the switching operation is completed, a space between the second bobbin (B2) and the package (P) is at least partially partitioned by the partition (65); a partition drive unit (110) which is configured to drive and move the partition (65); a holding drive unit (108) which is configured to drive and move the yarn holding portion (44) between a retracted position which is separated from the partition (65) at the partition position as compared to the holding position and the holding position; and a controller (26), wherein, in a completed state in which the switching operation is completed, the package (P) is held by the first bobbin holder (24A), and the partition (65) is at the partition position, when viewed in the axial direction, the partition (65) traverses across both a first virtual tangent (VLT1) and a second virtual tangent (VLT2) which are two virtual tangents that are parallel to a first virtual line segment (VLS1) connecting a rotation axis center of the first bobbin holder (24A) with a rotation axis center of the second bobbin holder (24B) and are in contact with an outer circumferential edge of the second bobbin holder (24B), and the partition (65) is separated from the yarn holding portion (44), and the controller (26) controls the partition drive unit (110) to position the partition (65) at the partition position after the switching operation is completed, and controls the holding drive unit (108) to start movement of the yarn holding portion (44) from the holding position toward the retracted position before the partition (65) reaches the partition position.

2. The yarn winder (1) according to claim 1, wherein, in the completed state, the partition (65) is arranged to surround the second bobbin holder (24B) over an angular range of 90 degrees or more in a circumferential direction of the second bobbin holder (24B).

3. The yarn winder (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when viewed in the axial direction, in the completed state, a part of the package (P) which is on the first virtual line segment (VLS1) rotates to move from the first virtual tangent (VLT1) side to the second virtual tangent (VLT2) side, and a first angle (θ1) between (i) a second virtual line segment (VLS2) connecting an end of the partition (65) which is on the first virtual tangent (VLT1) side of the first virtual line segment (VLS1) with the rotation axis center of the second bobbin holder (24B) and (ii) the first virtual line segment (VLS1) is larger than a second angle (θ2) between (I) a third virtual line segment (VLS3) connecting an end of the partition (65) which is on the second virtual tangent (VLT2) side of the first virtual line segment (VLS1) with the rotation axis center of the second bobbin holder (24B) and (II) the first virtual line segment (VLS1).

4. The yarn winder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in a radial direction of the second bobbin holder (24B), the partition (65) at the partition position is far from the second bobbin holder (24B) as compared to the yarn holding portion (44) which holds the yarn (Y) in the switching operation.

5. The yarn winder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, in the switching operation, the switching unit (23, 28, 29) is configured to divide the yarn (Y) by applying a tension to the yarn (Y) running toward the package (P) via the second bobbin (B2), and in the switching operation, the yarn holding portion (44) is provided between the second bobbin (B2) and the package (P) in a running direction of the yarn (Y), is provided to bend a yarn path along which the yarn (Y) runs, and is provided, in the radial direction of the second bobbin holder (24B), to be close to the second bobbin holder (24B) as compared to a track along which the partition (65) moves.

6. The yarn winder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a yarn threading execution unit (23, 27, 28, 29) which is configured to enable execution of a yarn threading action of threading the yarn (Y) to the first bobbin (B1) in an empty state, before the switching operation is performed, the yarn threading execution unit (23, 27, 28, 29) having the yarn holding portion (44), and the yarn holding portion (44) being configured to temporarily hold the yarn (Y) in the yarn threading action.

7. The yarn winder (1) according to claim 6, wherein, the yarn threading execution unit (23, 27, 28, 29) includes: a handover section (34) which is configured to temporarily hold the yarn (Y) in the yarn threading action and is provided to hand over the yarn (Y) to the yarn holding portion (44); and a supporter (31) which supports the handover section (34), and the supporter (31) supports the partition (65) in addition to the handover section (34).

8. The yarn winder (1) according to claim 7, wherein, a handover driving source (32) configured to drive and move the handover section (34) and a partition driving source (61) configured to drive and move the partition (65) are independently provided.

9. The yarn winder (1) according to claim 8, wherein, the handover section (34) is configured to be movable in parallel, and the partition (65) is configured to be swingable.

10. The yarn winder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a turret (23) which supports the first bobbin holder (24A) and the second bobbin holder (24B) to be able to revolve about a revolution axial direction that is identical with the axial direction, and is able to swap positions of the first bobbin holder (24A) and the second bobbin holder (24B).

11. The yarn winder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, in the completed state, when viewed in the axial direction, the partition (65) traverses across both a third virtual tangent (VLT3) and a fourth virtual tangent (VLT4) which are two virtual tangents that are parallel to the first virtual line segment (VLS1) and are in contact with an outer circumferential edge of the second bobbin (B2).

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